Birdcage perch
View Patent ↗A lightweight perch formed from plastic, wood or the like, has, in one embodiment, an outer surface on which is applied a granular material such as sand or the like. An adhesive or solvent may be used to apply the granular material to the perch. The resultant perch duplicates the healthy, stimulative effects of expensive concrete and sand perches at a tremendously reduced weight and cost. In another embodiment, a perch is formed from a plurality of parts of dissimilar materials that are joined together through the entrainment of one material from one part into the other material from the other part.
1. A method of forming a birdcage perch comprising the steps of:
a) providing a perch having a wavelike shape and a base having a cross-sectional perimeter larger than other portions of the body; and having a plastic outer gripping surface,
b) applying a solvent to an outer layer of said plastic outer gripping surface, and
c) applying a granular material to said outer layer to form a granular-laden outer gripping surface.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said solvent further comprises one of tolulene and methyl ethyl ketone.
3. A method of forming a birdcage perch comprising the steps of:
a) providing a perch having a wavelike shape and a base having a cross-sectional perimeter larger than other portions of the body and having an outer gripping surface,
b) softening an outer layer of said outer gripping surface,
c) applying a granular material to said softened outer layer, and
d) allowing said softened outer layer to harden to form a hardened outer layer having said granular material embedded therein.
4. A method in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said softening step further comprises the step of heating said outer gripping surface to melt said outer layer.
5. A method in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said outer gripping surface is plastic and wherein said softening step further comprises the step of applying a solvent to said outer gripping surface to liquefy said outer layer.
6. A method in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said solvent further comprises one of tolulene and methyl ethyl ketone.
7. A lightweight perch suitable for gripping by a bird and attaching to a birdcage, the birdcage perch comprising:
a body having a wavelike shape and a base having a cross-sectional perimeter larger than other portions of the body;
an outer gripping surface; and
a granular material entrained within an outer layer of said outer gripping surface and a solvent layer.
8. A lightweight perch in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising means for attaching the perch to a birdcage, said attaching means being integrally formed with said base.
9. A lightweight perch in accordance with claim 7 , wherein said outer surface of said perch softens and becomes adapted to receive and retain said granular material applied thereto without the use of adhesives.
10. A lightweight perch in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said outer surface of said perch softens when heated and becomes adapted to receive and retain said granular material applied thereto without the use of adhesives.
11. A lightweight perch in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said outer surface of said perch softens when exposed to a solvent and becomes adapted to receive and retain said granular material applied thereto without the use of adhesives.
12. A birdcage perch comprising:
a) a base formed from a first material and adapted for attachment to a birdcage, and
b) a gripping surface formed from a second material and an added solvent and adapted for supporting a bird thereon,
c) wherein said base and gripping surface are joined through the entrainment of one of said first and second materials into the other of said first and second materials.
13. A birdcage perch in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the first material is plastic and the second material is wood.
14. A birdcage perch in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the plastic becomes entrained in the wood through the application of a solvent to the plastic prior to joining said base with said gripping surface.
15. A birdcage perch in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising means for preventing rotation of said base relative to said gripping surface.
16. A birdcage perch in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said rotation-preventing means further comprises a boss that mates with an opening in the base during joinder of the base with the gripping surface.
17. A method of forming a birdcage perch comprising the steps of:
a) forming a base from a first material, said base having a mating surface and further adapted for attachment to a birdcage,
b) forming a gripping surface from a second material and an added solvent, said gripping surface having a mating surface and further adapted for supporting a bird thereon, and
c) joining said base with said gripping surface along their respective mating surfaces through the entrainment of one of said first and second materials into the other of said first and second materials.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein said entrainment is preceded by the step of liquefying one of said mating surfaces prior to joinder of said base with said gripping surface.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein said liquefying occurs by applying a solvent to said one of said mating surfaces.
20. A method in accordance with claim 19 , wherein said base is formed from plastic and said gripping surface is formed from wood and said plastic becomes entrained in said wood.
21. A lightweight perch suitable for gripping by a bird and attaching to a birdcage comprising:
an outer gripping surface;
a granular material entrained within an outer layer of said outer gripping surface and an solvent layer; and
a base and means for attaching the perch to a birdcage, said attaching means being integrally formed with said base.
22. A method of forming a birdcage perch comprising the steps of:
a) providing a cantilievered perch having a wavelike shape and; and having a plastic outer gripping surface,
b) applying a solvent to an outer layer of said plastic outer gripping surface, and
c) applying a granular material to said outer layer to form a granular-laden outer gripping surface.