Rack system for housing animals in cages having different widths

• US 20060236951A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Gabriel, George S., Campbell, Neil E., Irwin, Lynn, Murray, Dale, Gerringer, Rodney, Crites, Bill
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/455
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals

Abstract

Embodiments of a rack assembly for housing cages comprise at least one shelf, the shelf having a shelf section comprising a runner capable of being positioned in a least a first position and a second position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate two cages having a first and second widths when the runner is positioned in the first position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate a single cage having a third width when the runner is in a second position, the first and second widths being less than the third width.

Claims

1. A rack assembly for housing cages, the rack comprising:

at least one shelf, the shelf having a shelf section comprising at least one runner capable of being selectively positioned in a least a first position and a second position;

wherein the shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate either two cages having a first width and a second width when the runner is positioned in the first position; and

wherein the shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate a single cage having a third width when the runner is in a second position, both the first width and the second width being less than the third width.

2. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the first width is equal to the second width.

3. A rack system for housing cages, the system comprising:

a rack having at least one shelf, the shelf having at least one selectively pivotable runner, wherein the shelf can accommodate one or more of a first cage having a first width and/or one or more of a second cage having a second width, the second width being less than the first width.

4. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the shelf further comprises at least one fixed runner.

5. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the rack system comprises at least a first shelf and a second shelf, wherein the first shelf is located above the second shelf.

6. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the selectively pivotable runner comprises at least one flange.

7. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the fixed runner comprises at least one flange.

8. The rack system of claim 6, wherein the flange of at least two selectively pivotable runners are suitable for supporting at least one cage.

9. The rack system of claim 7, wherein the flange of at least two fixed runners are suitable for supporting at least one cage.

10. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the selectively pivotable runner comprises at least one flange, and the fixed runner comprises at least one flange;

wherein the flange of the selectively pivotable runner and the flange of the fixed runner are suitable for supporting at least one cage.

11. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the shelf further comprises a shelf base.

12. The rack system of claim 11, wherein the shelf base comprises at least one aperture.

13. The rack system of claim 11, wherein the shelf base comprises at least one perforated area having a plurality of apertures.

14. The rack system of claim 11, wherein the shelf base is separated from the selectively pivotable flange.

15. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the shelf comprises at least one support runner for supporting the selectively pivotable runner.

16. The rack system of claim 15, wherein the support runner comprises at least one flange.

17. The rack system of claim 16, wherein the flange of the support runner obstructs the selectively pivotable runner from pivoting in a first direction beyond a predetermined position.

18. The rack system of claim 17, wherein the support runner comprises a flange having a notch.

19. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the selectively pivotable runner pivots about a rod.

20. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the selectively pivotable runner pivots about a protrusion.

21. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the shelf comprises at least one shelf face.

22. The rack system of claim 21, wherein the shelf face comprises a flange, wherein the flange obstructs the selectively pivotable runner from pivoting in a first direction beyond a predetermined position.

23. The rack system of claim 21, wherein the shelf face comprises a flange having a notch.

24. The rack system of claim 21, wherein the shelf face comprises an aperture for receiving a protrusion;

wherein the selectively pivotable runner pivots about the protrusion.

25. The rack system of claim 21, wherein the shelf face comprises a stopper;

wherein the stopper limits the motion of the selectively pivotable runner.

26. The rack system of claim 25, wherein the stopper comprises a bolt and fastener, wherein the fastener obstructs the selectively pivotable runner from pivoting beyond a predetermined position.

27. The rack system of claim 3, wherein the selectively pivotable runner comprises a lateral reinforcement.

28. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the fixed runner comprises a slot.

29. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the fixed runner comprises a fastener.

30. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the fixed runner comprises an aperture.

31. The rack system of claim 4, wherein the fixed runner comprises an aperture constructed and arranged to receive a button.

32. A rack system for housing cages having different widths, the system comprising:

at least one shelf comprising;

at least one selectively pivotable runner;

at least one fixed runner;

a shelf base comprising at least one perforated area having a plurality of apertures;

at least one support runner having a support flange;

at least one shelf face having a shelf flange; and

wherein the selectively pivotable runner pivots in a first direction to adapt the shelf to support for a cage having a first width, and in a second direction to adapt the shelf to support a cage having a second width, the second width being greater than the first width.