Multi-species animal caging modules

• US 7,487,744 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BH Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BH Incorporated
• Inventors: James, David E., Adamson, Cindy M., Goldberg, Michael L., Souder, Dwight L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRINH T
• Application Number:
  US11/247,055
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 119416-420, 119452-458, 119472-476, 119/479, 119/482, 119/483, 119/485, 119/487, 119489-492, 119/496, 119/498, 119/499, 206/509, 206/511, 206/503, 206/504, 220/4.26, 220/23.6, D30/108, 292/303, 292/DIG.15, 292/DIG.17, 292/DIG.61
• US Class Current: 119/453
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/032 Rabbit-hutches or cages
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/07 Transportable cages A01K31/08 takes precedence; Travelling cages for pigeons; Opening or closing of cages

Abstract

Configurable animal housing (caging) is arranged from an assortment of modules consisting of interchangeable frame cores, interstages, walls and divider panels that address a broad spectrum of animal housing needs. Various configurations include both open living and enrichment areas as well as isolation housing and are easily achieved using a quick-disconnect approach to assembly. Animal resistant lock assemblies hold modules together and use a common key to permit rapid changes of configuration without tools. Systems can address configurations for wall mounting, mobile racking, individual, and group housing, and almost any other configuration animal caregivers would want.

Claims

1. A cage system comprising:

a cage body having a polygon shape with a flat side;

an interstage means functioning to removeably mate a first cage body to a second cage body;

a removable wall means functioning to alternately provide and deny access between the first and second cage bodies;

a horizontal interstage means functioning to support the removable wall means; and

wherein the horizontal interstage means further comprises a track having a vertical ridge which fits into a central groove of a wheel, said wheel supported by recesses in the horizontal interstage means, wherein a base of a wall panel for the cage body is received in the central groove to enable a sliding of the wall panel relative to the horizontal interstage means.

2. The cage system of claim 1, wherein the cage body further comprises a frame means functioning to support a wall.

3. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the interstage means further comprises a vertical interstage means having a module functioning to form a floor.

4. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the vertical interstage means further comprises a support for a cage body above it, the vertical interstage means having an excrement door for servicing the cage body and having a lock between the vertical interstage means and the cage body.

5. The cage system of claim 4, wherein the excrement door further comprises a card holder with a transparent face and a back with an entry slot, wherein said entry slot further comprises a ledge means functioning to block the entry slot when the door is closed.

6. The cage system of claim 4, wherein the vertical interstage lock further comprises a stationary male prong mounted on a lower interstage member which fits through a hole in a bracket mounted on the upper cage body frame, wherein a latch in the bracket is rotatable by a key to engage the male prong.

7. The cage system of claim 4, wherein the excrement door lock further comprises a bracket mounted on the cage body, said bracket having a locking groove, a rotatable tongue mounted behind a plate on a vertical interstage, wherein a key can be used to rotate the rotatable tongue to a locked/unlocked state with a spring bias securing the tongue in either the locked or unlocked state.

8. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the interstage means further comprises a flexible coupling system for an adjoining interstage means, wherein a first interstage means has a pair of stationary female keyholes, and wherein a second interstage means has a cable with ends that fit into the female keyholes, and wherein a tension block means on the second interstage means functions to provide a taut and locked mode of the cable ends in the keyholes.

9. The cage system of claim 8, wherein the tension block means further comprises a threaded bolt anchored to the second interstage means which draws the cable taut.

10. The cage system of claim 2, wherein a wall further comprises an animal retraction assembly which has a rear wall movable to a mid cage location to provide a common access area at a rear of the cage for an adjoining cage.

11. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the frame means has a groove to connect to a bracket which extends to a second cage to provide a coupling of the cages along the bracket.

12. The cage system of claim 11, wherein the bracket has a lock to hold the cages against one another.

13. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the wall has a tab and a screw to attach to the frame means.

14. The cage system of claim 2, wherein the frame means has a latch to attach the wall to the frame means.

15. The cage system of claim 1 further comprising adjoining first and second cages, each having a horizontal interstage means, wherein a wall panel can be positioned by sliding to provide a plurality of wall combinations between the cages.

16. The cage system of claim 1 further comprising a vertical interstage means between adjoining side by side cages.