초록 ▼

A bird feeding system may include a platform that is sized and configured to catch at least a portion of the bird feed that may fall from a bird feeder. The platform may include a frame and a catching portion, which may have a permeable construction. The frame may be configured to be moved between a

A bird feeding system may include a platform that is sized and configured to catch at least a portion of the bird feed that may fall from a bird feeder. The platform may include a frame and a catching portion, which may have a permeable construction. The frame may be configured to be moved between a collapsed position for storage and an expanded position for use. Advantageously, the platform may be connected to different types and configurations of bird feeders and/or other structures using attachment members that are adjustable in length.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bird feed catching device that is sized and configured to be connected to a bird feeder, the bird feeder including a container for holding bird feed and an area that is sized and configured to allow birds to eat the bird feed from the bird feeder, the bird feed catching dev

What is claimed is: 1. A bird feed catching device that is sized and configured to be connected to a bird feeder, the bird feeder including a container for holding bird feed and an area that is sized and configured to allow birds to eat the bird feed from the bird feeder, the bird feed catching device being independent from and selectively attached to the bird feeder, the bird feed catching device comprising: a catching portion that is sized and configured to catch bird feed that falls from the bird feeder before the bird feed strikes the ground, the catching portion being disposed below and spaced apart from the bird feeder by a distance that allows birds to feed from the catching portion, the entire catching portion being generally disposed in a horizontal plane; a flexible and collapsible metal frame that is constructed from wire and is sized and configured to support the catching portion, the frame being generally disposed in the same horizontal plane as the catching portion; one or more attachment members that are sized and configured to attach the bird feed catching device to the bird feeder, the attachment members being sized and configured to allow the catching portion to be spaced apart from the bird feeder; wherein a first group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the bird feeder while a second group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the catching portion when the bird feed catching device is attached to a bird feeder. 2. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the plane including the catching portion and the frame is spaced apart from the bird feeder by a distance between about four inches and about eight inches. 3. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the catching portion is constructed from a permeable material. 4. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the frame is movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the collapsed position having about twenty-five percent (25%) or less of its size in the expended position. 5. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the attachment members have an adjustable length. 6. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, further comprising a bird feeder; wherein perch feeding birds may eat the bird feed from the bird feeder; and wherein ground feeding birds may eat bird feed on the platform. 7. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the bird feed catching device further comprises a sleeve sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the frame, the sleeve connecting the catching portion and the frame; and wherein the sleeve, the catching portion and the frame are disposed in the same plane when the frame is in the expanded position. 8. The bird feed catching device as in claim 1, wherein the catching portion is sized and configured to catch at least about ninety percent of the bird feed that falls from the bird feeder and birds can eat the fallen bird feed directly from the catching portion. 9. A bird feeding system including a bird feeder and a bird feed catching device that is sized and configured to be connected to a bird feeder, the bird feeder including a container for holding bird feed and an area that is sized and configured to allow birds to eat the bird feed from the bird feeder, the bird feed catching device being independent from and selectively attached to the bird feeder, the bird feeding system comprising: a catching portion that is sized and configured to catch bird feed from the bird feeder before the bird feed strikes the ground, the catching portion being sized and configured to be disposed below and spaced apart from the bird feeder by a distance to allow birds to feed from the catching portion; a frame supporting the catching portion, the frame movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the frame capable of repeatedly moving between the expanded position and the collapsed position by twist-folding, the frame and the catching portion having a generally planar horizontal configuration and generally disposed in the same horizontal plane when the frame is in the expanded position; and one or more attachment members sized and configured to attach the bird feed catching device to the bird feeder, the attachment members being sized and configured to allow the catching portion to be spaced apart from the bird feeder; wherein a first group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the bird feeder while a second group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the catching portion when the bird feed catching device is attached to a bird feeder. 10. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the frame has a ring-like shape with a generally circular configuration, the catching portion being at least substantially disposed within the frame. 11. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the catching portion is constructed from a permeable material. 12. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the frame has about twenty-five percent (25%) or less of its size in the collapsed position than in the expended position. 13. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the attachment members have an adjustable length. 14. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the bird feed catching device further comprises a sleeve sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the frame. 15. The bird feeding system as in claim 9, wherein the plane including the catching portion and the frame is spaced apart from the bird feeder by a distance between about four inches and about eight inches. 16. A bird feed catching device that is sized and configured to be connected to a bird feeder, the bird feeder including a container for holding bird feed and an area that is sized and configured to allow birds to eat the bird feed from the bird feeder, the bird feed catching device being independent from and selectively attached to the bird feeder, the bird feed catching device comprising: a catching portion that is sized and configured to catch bird feed from the bird feeder before the bird feed strikes the ground, the catching portion being sized and configured to be disposed below and spaced apart from the bird feeder by a distance between about four inches and about eight inches to allow birds to eat the bird seed on the catching portion; a frame that supports the catching portion, the frame movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the frame being capable of repeatedly nondestructively moving between the expanded position and the collapsed position by twist-folding, the frame having about twenty-five percent (25%) or less of its size in the collapsed position than in the expended position; and one or more attachment members that are sized and configured to attach the bird feed catching device to the bird feeder, the attachment members being sized and configured to allow the catching portion to be spaced apart from the bird feeder; wherein a first group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the bird feeder while a second group of one or more birds may eat bird feed from the catching portion when the bird feed catching device is attached to a bird feeder. 17. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, wherein the frame and the catching portion are both generally disposed in the same plane, the plane being spaced apart from the bird feeder by the distance between about four inches and about eight inches. 18. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, wherein the catching portion is constructed from a permeable material. 19. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, wherein the catching portion includes an opening that is sized and configured to receive a support for the bird feeder. 20. The bird feed catching device as in claim 19, wherein the attachment members have an adjustable length. 21. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, further comprising a bird feeder. 22. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, wherein the platform further comprises a sleeve sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the frame. 23. The bird feed catching device as in claim 16, wherein the catching portion is generally UV resistant.