GB1566293A - Pet cages - Google Patents

Description

(54) PET CAGES (71) I, FRITZ JijSTL, a German Cititen of Starkenburgring 5, FRITZ D-6057 a Dietzen- Citibachj Western Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to cages for pets.

At the present time two essentially different types of pets are kept, from the point of view of differing requirements as regards the cages in which they have to be kept; on the one hand the group which can be designated as "flying creatures", such as birds, small monkeys, chipmunks and squirrels, which are prevented from unwanted escapes by cages which are enclosed on all sides, and on the other hand what may be termed "crawling creatures", such as, for example, guinea pigs, golden hamsters, dwarf hares, tortoises and the like, in which the risk of unwanted escape is slight and which can therefore in general be kept in open cages available for direct and unhindered picking up.

The keeping of pets of these two kinds has been carried on in two special types of cage according to the group concerned. Those cages intended for flying creatures frequently consist of a "well" of standard design of polygon shape, preferably square, rectan ular or hexagonal cross-section to form the floor and ceiling, and a vertical enclosure element running all round the cage, extending between the floor and ceiling units and generally consisting of open-work grille material. Their disadvantage consists in particular in the fact that they are unsuitable for the keeping of crawling creatures so that they cannot continue to be used when the kind of pets to be kept is changed, as frequently happens in practice, and therefore make it necessary to buy an entirely new cage installation.

The same applies in reverse to a still greater degree - for those familiar cages used for keeping crawling creatures, which essentially consist of a box-shaped "well" open at the top. But it often happens even when a change occurs in the kind of pets being kept within the two groups, that the existing cages cannot be adapted to the varying needs of the creatures for movement.

According to the invention a cage for pets comprises two units to act respectively as floor and ceiling closures and a peripheral vertical enclosure extending between the floor and ceiling units, the vertical enclosure being secured to the units by quick-release couplings, each unit being provided in the floor or ceiling with an opening closed or closable by means of a quick-release closure, each unit being provided on its upper and lower edges with complementary locating devices for assembly of one unit with another unit to form a cage when the vertical enclosure is removed from the units.

For fixing the vertical enclosure into the units it is advantageous to fit two or more undercut lugs to grip the vertical enclosure plus at least one L-shaped fixing lug to grip a suitable opening in the latter. The opening may be formed from the mesh of a grid unit or - in the case of solid vertical enclosure units - may be specially provided in the appropriate position. If desired, however, any other suitable quick-release fixing can be provided instead of the projecting lugs - for instance a peripheral base slot. By this means, in consequence of the bracing of the parts against each other on all sides, a simple fixing is provided for securing the vertical enclosure to the units without recourse to other aids.

The walls of the units may be provided with particular advantage with one or more openings which can be closed by quickrelease covers as well as with assembly units on their outer surfaces by means of which the cage can be built up in a simple manner by the assembly in the same plane of several units and opening of one of the appropriate openings and the fitting of additional units, into cage units of any desired size, form and partitioning up to a large cage for flying creatures with compartments of any desired size inside or outside and partly or wholly separated from each other for walking, creeping or climbing creatures. Furthermore for the further expansion of freedom of design the units can be designed of wall parts joined together and to a cover plate by quickrelease methods. These wall parts are provided with wall openings, fixing units for vertical enclosures, also assembly units for their surface and edge connections in mirror image style in relation to each other, both horizontally and vertically. In this way it is possible - and this provides wider scope for variety of structural design - apart from the identical assembly of the floor and ceiling units, to assemble them in a staggered arrangement, or, by the use of unit wall parts without any bottom, to make units of any desired height. The wall parts of the units can also act as assembly units for several vertical enclosure units one above the other.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective drawing of a pet cage for flying creatures, for instance birds; Fig. 2is an inside elevation (a), side elevation (b) and plan view (c) of a suitable well wall unit for the construction of a pet cage; Fig. 3 shows another form of construction of a well wall unit; Fig. 4 illustrates the connecting joint of two well wall units in alignment with each other; Fig. 5 is a cross-section through a cover for closing the well; and Fig. 6 are plan views of two other forms of construction of cover units.

The pet cage shown in Fig. 1 consists essentially of two square wells, identical to each other in shape, la-d and 2a-d, functioning respectively as ceiling and floor units of the cage, and a vertical enclosure extending all round, between the floor and ceiling units, of which only the surfaces 3a and 3b are shown. The well part 1 serving as ceiling unit - and correspondingly the part serving as floor unit - is provided with an opening 5 of large area which can be closed by quickrelease methods with a closing plate 4, and is also provided with assembly units at its edges, for example locating lugs 6 and corresponding recesses 7. The vertical enclosure is formed by flat grids held in the well parts by quick-release fittings. Corresponding locating lugs and recesses are also provided in the edges of the well units which are not shown, so that in order to convert the flying creature cage shown to a crawling creature cage, it is sufficient to remove the grid units 3a and 3b, as well as the grid units which are not shown, to fix together the two well parts in the position indicated with the help of the locating devices 6 and 7 and to remove the cover plate 4.

The walls la and 2a of the well parts are each provided with two openings 8 and 9 which can be closed by quick-release covers and also on their outer surfaces with assembly devices which as an example are formed from corresponding dowel pins 10 and dowel holes 11 and are arranged on the surfaces in mirror-image form horizontally and vertically, by which means the joining together of several well units in identical position or staggered or offset is made possible, thus givmg wider scope for design variations.

Instead of dowel-type connections other methods of assembly can be provided, for example a connection between screwed sleeves with spring grip opening ends or channel clamp strips. The walls 1b and 2b of the wells are only provided with different types of openings to illustrate other possibilities, e.g. the wall 1b with a cruciform opening and the wall 2b with a slotted opening for the insertion of a drawer.

The parts of the well are formed of wall parts which can be secured to each other and to a cover plate by quick-release methods, of which wall part 1c is shown as an example in Fig. 2. It consists of an angled plate with locating lugs 6 and recesses 7, also openings 8 and 9, this plate being provided on one side with a dovetail groove 12 and on the other joining edge with a tongue 13 of the same design for connection to the neighbouring wall parts 1b and 1d (Fig. 1). It is also provided on the inside, symmetrically to the centre line and equi-distant, with six knoblike projections 14, undercut on all sides, also with two L-shaped fixing lugs 15 to secure the vertical enclosures in such a way that the vertical enclosures are held erect with their edges gripping behind the projecting portion in front of the undercut portion of the projection 14, and the L-shaped fixing lug 15 is made by a swivelling motion of the grid to engage with an appropriate recess therein. At the same time the knob-like projections 14 also serve for the fixing of cover plates for the openings 8 and 9, which are pushed in from above and grip the undercut portions. The closing of the opening can, however, be effected also in the manner shown in Fig. 5 in connection with the cover plate.

The well wall part shown in Fig. 3 consists of a flat plate 24 with mitred edges which are provided in mirror image fashion for half their length in each case with grooves 25 and tongues 26. In this way the adaptability of the arrangement is further increased as the well wall parts can be connected in alignment by means of simple jointing strips of triangular cross-section 27 provided with suitable tongueing and grooving arrangements (Fig. 4) and thus larger partition-free floor wells can be formed, if necessary with intermediate support for the ceiling well of corresponding size. The cover plate 16 shown in Fig. 5 with an opening 5 is provided with a flange 17 on its outer edges and with two recesses 18 on its lateral surfaces. These are made of such a size that when the cover plate 16 is inserted into the rectangular frame formed by the assembly of the four wall parts la to ld, it is closed flush with the edge of the opening and at the same time the flange 17 grips the knoblike projections 14 whilst the L-shaped fixing lugs 15 grip the recesses 18. The projecting locating lugs 6 act in this case merely as supporting feet. The cover plate opening 5 is also provided at its edges with an internal flange 29 on to which the cover plate 4 itself is pushed and held in position by contact pressure.

Fig. 6 shows plan views of two special forms of cover plate 19 and 20 which serve to connect well parts which partly overlap.

They are distinguished by openings 21 and 22 adjacent to each other or arranged cliaganally, and also by cruciform symmetri calls arranged reinforcing ribs or grooves 23 with which the lugs 6 locate in the case of an offset arrangement of several wells above each other, thus ensuring an arrangement tee from gaps and also protecting the upper well against lateral displacement. Moreover, instead of cover plates fitting flush, fiat or edged cover plates provided with locating devices 6 and 7 can be fitted to the wall parts.

The well units can be made of any desired material of adequate strength. Their produc tion torn web material in the form of flat pieces cat to shape or, craftwork sheets is also possible, in which case, however, instead of locating or clamping joints the usual folded tab gluing joints must be provided.

The described cages can be changed in a very simple manner and without recourse to.

other aids, from a totally enclosed cage for the keeping of flying creatures-into a cage for crawling creatures, by releasing- the opene work parts on the one hand and the closing plate of the well functioning as the ceiling unit on the other hand plus the direct fixing of the two wells to each other by means of their-external assembly devices. Such a cage suffices for all pet-keeping requirements. Lt gives. eat access when used as an enclosed cage ftr ying creatures, both for cleaning.

and fiat removal of the pet via the upper and lower well openings, also, if suitable provision is. made, through door openings in the vertical enclosures; when it is used as a cage for crawling creatures it also allows of immediate access to the caged creature after suitable conversion. The solid link between the two wells provides adequate protection for the area near the cage against falling droppings. Furthermore, when the wells or vertical enclosures are made as grille or grid units or as solid glass or plastics sheet units, this allows of construction in any way desired in the form of a full grid-type cage or a solid glass cage, by the use of all interinediate stages depending on the number of sides in the polygon shape selected.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A cage for pets comprising two units to act respectively as floor and ceiling clos ures and a peripheral vertical enclosure extending between the floor and ceiling units, the vertical enclosure being secured to the units by quick-release coupling, each unit being provided in the floor or ceiling with an opening closed or closable by means of a quick-release closure, each unit being provided on its upper and lower edges with complementary locating devices for assert bly one unit with another unit to form a cage when the vertical enclosure is removed fro the units 2. A cage for pets in accordance with claim 1, including on the inner surface of the walls of each well two or more projections which are undercut and for gripping the verw tical enclosure, and also at least one L-shaped fixing lug which eii ages with a suitable opening. in the vertica enclosure 3. A cage for pets in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, in which the walls of the wells being each provided with at least orre opening which can be closed by means of a quick-release cover and also with formations on its outer surfaces co-operable with forma tions on another unit for assembly of two units side by side.

4. A cage for pets in accordance with any one of claims 1 to'3, in which the wells consist of wall parts joined together and with a cover plate- in quick-release fashion, these wall parts being provided on one side with a dovetail groove and on the- other joining edge with a tongue of corresponding shape for connecting with the adjacent wall pasts.

5. A cage for pets in accordance; with claim 2, in. which each wall; is provided on its inner surface with two projections whiche are symmetrical in relation to a centre line..

6. A cage for pets in accordance witltazfy one of the claims 1 to 5, in which- the cover plate is provided at. its edges with two peripheral flanges of which the outer flange has at least one recess on each side, whilst the inner flange serves to secure the cover plate by contact pressure.

7. A cage for pets as claimed in claim 1, including. formations extending outwardly from the lateral surfaces of the walls of theunits for co-operation with formations on a like cage for assembly of said cages side by side.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. means of simple jointing strips of triangular cross-section 27 provided with suitable tongueing and grooving arrangements (Fig. 4) and thus larger partition-free floor wells can be formed, if necessary with intermediate support for the ceiling well of corresponding size. The cover plate 16 shown in Fig. 5 with an opening 5 is provided with a flange 17 on its outer edges and with two recesses 18 on its lateral surfaces. These are made of such a size that when the cover plate 16 is inserted into the rectangular frame formed by the assembly of the four wall parts la to ld, it is closed flush with the edge of the opening and at the same time the flange 17 grips the knoblike projections 14 whilst the L-shaped fixing lugs 15 grip the recesses 18. The projecting locating lugs 6 act in this case merely as supporting feet. The cover plate opening 5 is also provided at its edges with an internal flange 29 on to which the cover plate 4 itself is pushed and held in position by contact pressure. Fig. 6 shows plan views of two special forms of cover plate 19 and 20 which serve to connect well parts which partly overlap. They are distinguished by openings 21 and 22 adjacent to each other or arranged cliaganally, and also by cruciform symmetri calls arranged reinforcing ribs or grooves 23 with which the lugs 6 locate in the case of an offset arrangement of several wells above each other, thus ensuring an arrangement tee from gaps and also protecting the upper well against lateral displacement. Moreover, instead of cover plates fitting flush, fiat or edged cover plates provided with locating devices 6 and 7 can be fitted to the wall parts. The well units can be made of any desired material of adequate strength. Their produc tion torn web material in the form of flat pieces cat to shape or, craftwork sheets is also possible, in which case, however, instead of locating or clamping joints the usual folded tab gluing joints must be provided. The described cages can be changed in a very simple manner and without recourse to. other aids, from a totally enclosed cage for the keeping of flying creatures-into a cage for crawling creatures, by releasing- the opene work parts on the one hand and the closing plate of the well functioning as the ceiling unit on the other hand plus the direct fixing of the two wells to each other by means of their-external assembly devices. Such a cage suffices for all pet-keeping requirements. Lt gives. eat access when used as an enclosed cage ftr ying creatures, both for cleaning. and fiat removal of the pet via the upper and lower well openings, also, if suitable provision is. made, through door openings in the vertical enclosures; when it is used as a cage for crawling creatures it also allows of immediate access to the caged creature after suitable conversion. The solid link between the two wells provides adequate protection for the area near the cage against falling droppings. Furthermore, when the wells or vertical enclosures are made as grille or grid units or as solid glass or plastics sheet units, this allows of construction in any way desired in the form of a full grid-type cage or a solid glass cage, by the use of all interinediate stages depending on the number of sides in the polygon shape selected. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A cage for pets comprising two units to act respectively as floor and ceiling clos ures and a peripheral vertical enclosure extending between the floor and ceiling units, the vertical enclosure being secured to the units by quick-release coupling, each unit being provided in the floor or ceiling with an opening closed or closable by means of a quick-release closure, each unit being provided on its upper and lower edges with complementary locating devices for assert bly one unit with another unit to form a cage when the vertical enclosure is removed fro the units

2. A cage for pets in accordance with claim 1, including on the inner surface of the walls of each well two or more projections which are undercut and for gripping the verw tical enclosure, and also at least one L-shaped fixing lug which eii ages with a suitable opening. in the vertica enclosure

3. A cage for pets in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, in which the walls of the wells being each provided with at least orre opening which can be closed by means of a quick-release cover and also with formations on its outer surfaces co-operable with forma tions on another unit for assembly of two units side by side.

4. A cage for pets in accordance with any one of claims 1 to'3, in which the wells consist of wall parts joined together and with a cover plate- in quick-release fashion, these wall parts being provided on one side with a dovetail groove and on the- other joining edge with a tongue of corresponding shape for connecting with the adjacent wall pasts.

5. A cage for pets in accordance; with claim 2, in. which each wall; is provided on its inner surface with two projections whiche are symmetrical in relation to a centre line..

6. A cage for pets in accordance witltazfy one of the claims 1 to 5, in which- the cover plate is provided at. its edges with two peripheral flanges of which the outer flange has at least one recess on each side, whilst the inner flange serves to secure the cover plate by contact pressure.

7. A cage for pets as claimed in claim 1, including. formations extending outwardly from the lateral surfaces of the walls of theunits for co-operation with formations on a like cage for assembly of said cages side by side.

8. A cage as claimed in claim 7, in which

said formations comprise recesses and projections.

9. A cage as claimed in claim 8, in which the projections comprise pins.

10. A cage as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the vertical enclosure comprises open-work grid units.

11. A cage as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each unit is of rectangular cross-section.

12. A cage as claimed in claim 11, in which each unit is of square cross-section.

13. A cage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in which each unit is of hexagonal cross-section.

14. A cage for pets substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.