Device for simulating static load of a connection to a rack for animal cages

• US 6,394,032 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allentown, LLC
• Original Assignee: Allentown Caging Equipment Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Herdt, Frank J., Bilecki, Brian M., Coiro, Michael A. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US09/519,386
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 119/448,455 454/237 403/24,25,34 137/99,561 A,625.2,596,798 285/9.2,119,383,328,169,70
• US Class Current: 119/448
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/02 Ducting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87169 Supply and exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for simulating static load of a connection to a ventilated rack of animal cages when at least one of the racks are not connected to a central ventilation system. Accordingly, the device assures that the ventilation system is balanced when one or more of the ventilated racks are removed from their respective air supply or exhaust drops of the central ventilation system. The device includes a pair of spring biased legs which automatically close when a rack is removed from the central air system. The legs have an outwardly curved shape at one end forming an opening between the first and second leg. In the closed position, ends of the legs are adjacent to one another such that the distance between the legs is reduced, thereby creating a partial obstruction to air flow in the connection which is identical to the static load created by the ventilated rack.

Claims

1. A device for simulating static load of a connection to a ventilated rack of animal cages from a ventilation system when the rack is removed from the ventilated system, said device comprising:

a first leg and a second leg, said first leg and said second leg having an outwardly curved shape for forming an opening between said first leg and said second leg;

said first leg and said second leg having a first end;

spring means for biasing said first leg and said second leg; and

a base ring coupled to said spring means, said base ring adapted to connect to an air supply connection or an exhaust connection of said ventilation system,

wherein said first leg and said second leg are movable between an open position in which said first end of said first leg and said second leg are moved away from one another and a closed position in which said first end of said first leg and said second leg are adjacent to one another, said open position adapted to receive a connection to a ventilated rack of animal cages and said closed position simulating a static load of said ventilated rack of animal cages when said connection to said ventilated rack is removed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a second end of said first leg is a first handle and a second end of said second leg is a second handle,

wherein said first handle and said second handle are moved toward one another for moving said device to said open position.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said spring means automatically moves said device into said closed position when said device is removed from said ventilated rack.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a spring bracket attached to said base ring, said spring, said first leg and said second leg.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein a screw is inserted through an aperture in said spring bracket, an opening in said spring, an opening in said first leg, an opening in said second leg and is retained with a nut attached to an end thereof.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an inner ring attached to said base ring,

wherein said inner ring is adapted to be received in said air supply connection or exhaust connection of said ventilation system.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a band clamp ring, said band clamp ring attaching said device to said air supply connection or exhaust connection.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a distance D₁ between said first leg and said second leg in the open position is smaller than a distance D₂ between said first leg and said second leg in the closed position.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a stop extending from said base ring and said first leg and said second leg having an indentation,

wherein in the closed position said stop is adjacent said indentation of said first leg and said indentation of said second leg.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein in said open position said device is adapted to connect to the ventilated rack and in said closed position said ventilated rack is removed from said device.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is color coded with a first color representing a connection to the air supply connection and a second color representing a connection to the exhaust connection of said ventilation system.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a boot received of an end or said air supply connection or exhaust connection of said ventilation system, said fastener adapted to be received over the outside of an inner ring attached to said base ring for connecting said device to said air supply connection or exhaust connection.