Bird Feeder with Solar Cell for Repelling Squirrels

摘要

A bird feeder includes an electric circuity for delivering a mild shock to squirrels attempting to eat seeds on a seed tray. A seed storage tube dispenses seeds on the surrounding seed tray, which is surrounded by walls forming a shell with windows providing access to the seeds. Window frames form electrodes having a first polarity and both a roof and porches beneath the windows form electrodes of a second polarity. Squirrels will complete the circuit between electrodes, while birds will be unaffected. A solar cell on the roof recharges a battery.

主权项

1. A bird feeder comprising:
a seed storage compartment extending above a seed tray, seeds being dispensed on the seed tray by the action of gravity; a shell surrounding the seed tray and spaced from the seed storage compartment; windows on multiple sides of the shell positioned to allow access to seeds disposed on the seed tray only through the windows; electrically conductive members formed on the windows so that an animal attempting to gain access to seeds disposed on the seed tray through any one of the windows could contact the electrically conductive member on that window; at least one electrically conductive surface on the exterior the shell and adjacent to but spaced from the electrically conductive members on the windows; and a source of electrical energy electrically communicating with each electrically conductive member on each window and with each electrically conductive surface spaced from the electrically conductive members, the source of electrical energy delivering an electrical shock to an animal in contact both with one electrically conductive member and one electrically conductive surface but not to an animal only in contact with one electrically conductive member formed on a window so that birds can access the seeds on the seed tray without encountering an electrical shock.