Quick release bracket for animal feeding devices
First Claim
1. A system for supporting an object on an upright structure, including:
- a bracket assembly and means for securing said bracket assembly to said upright structure, said bracket assembly including a mounting plate having a mounting hole extending therethrough;
an object including a mounting lug extending therefrom, said mounting lug being dimensioned to extend through said mounting hole with limited clearance;
said bracket assembly further including latch means for releasably securing said mounting lug in said mounting hole, whereby said object is removably supported by said mounting plate;
wherein said latch means includes a latch lever pivotally secured to said mounting plate, said latch lever extending in a plane generally parallel to said mounting plate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for supporting a wide range of animal feeding devices includes a bracket assembly having a mounting plate with one surface adapted to impinge on the wall of the animal enclosure. A mounting hole extends through a medial portion of the mounting plate. The mounting hole is generally rectangular, and includes a flange projecting upwardly at the lower edge thereof. A latch lever is pivotally secured to the plate by a pivot pin adjacent to one side of the mounting hole, and includes an actuating end extending laterally beyond the side edge of the mounting plate. A curved slot is disposed adjacent to the other side of the mounting hole, extending in an arc centered at the pivot pin. A slot pin extends from the lever to ride in the curved slot, and is retained therein. The feeding containers are each provided with a mounting lug extending from a sidewall portion thereof. The mounting lug includes a short stem portion and a wider, distal head portion. The head portion is dimensioned to extend through the mounting hole with limited clearance, and a curved edge portion of the latch lever is configured to engage and grip the upper surface of the stem portion of the mounting lug against the lower edge of the mounting hole. The mounting plate is secured to a wire cage wall by a screw extending to a backing plate, or is secured to a solid cage wall by adhesive, double-sided tape, and the like.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for supporting an object on an upright structure, including:
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a bracket assembly and means for securing said bracket assembly to said upright structure, said bracket assembly including a mounting plate having a mounting hole extending therethrough;
an object including a mounting lug extending therefrom, said mounting lug being dimensioned to extend through said mounting hole with limited clearance;
said bracket assembly further including latch means for releasably securing said mounting lug in said mounting hole, whereby said object is removably supported by said mounting plate;
wherein said latch means includes a latch lever pivotally secured to said mounting plate, said latch lever extending in a plane generally parallel to said mounting plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for supporting an animal food service container on a wall of an animal enclosure, including:
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a bracket assembly and means for securing said bracket assembly to the wall, said bracket assembly including a mounting plate having a mounting hole extending therethrough;
a container including a mounting lug extending therefrom, said mounting lug being dimensioned to extend through said mounting hole with limited clearance;
said bracket assembly including latch means for releasably securing said mounting lug in said mounting hole whereby said container is removably supported by said mounting plate wherein said latch means includes a latch lever pivotally secured to said mounting plate, said latch lever extending in a plane generally parallel to said mounting plate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for supporting an animal food service container on a wall of an animal enclosure, including:
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a bracket assembly and means for securing said bracket assembly to the wall, said bracket assembly including a mounting plate having a mounting hole extending therethrough;
a container including a mounting lug extending therefrom, said mounting lug being dimensioned to extend through said mounting hole with limited clearance;
said bracket assembly including latch means for releasably securing said mounting lug in said mounting hole, whereby said container is removably supported by said mounting plate;
wherein said latch means includes a latch lever pivotally joined to said mounting plate adjacent to one side of said mounting hole. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification