Patent US3585968A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3585968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack for automatic care of laboratory animals
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-05-29
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved rack is provided for removably supporting a battery of animal cages and which may include, for example, means for providing drinking water in each cage; and which also includes a moveable membrane, plastic sheet, or the like, which is drawn under each row of cages in the rack for receiving droppings from the cages. The sheet is drawn along a path under the row of cages from a reel on one side of the cages to a reel on the other side. When the sheet becomes completely reeled on the latter reel, it may be removed and disposed.
Inventors
- 👤 William Stone Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:36
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/02; A01K1/03; A01K1/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A rack for supporting at least one animal cage removably supporting a plurality of animal cages positioned in rows and tiers, each of said cages having an apertured bottom, said rack including: a pipeline framework which includes a separate pipeline extending into each of said cages; means for introducing drinking water into said pipeline framework; a first support means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for supporting a first reel of a sheet material; second support means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for supporting a second reel which receives the sheet material from said guide reel; and guide means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for guiding said sheet material along a path under the space from the underside of each of said rows of said cage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A rack for supporting at least one animal cage removably supporting a plurality of animal cages positioned in rows and tiers, each of said cages having an apertured bottom, said rack including: a pipeline framework which includes a separate pipeline extending into each of said cages; means for introducing drinking water into said pipeline framework; a first support means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for supporting a first reel of a sheet material; second support means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for supporting a second reel which receives the sheet material from said guide reel; and guide means mounted on said frame in operative relationship with each of said rows for guiding said sheet material along a path under the space from the underside of each of said rows of said cage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination dined in claim 1 in which said frame includes transverse brackets and in which said cages are suspended on said brackets in slidable relationship therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination defined in claim 2 in which said brackets can be slidably positioned and thereafter retained in a fixed position so as to accommodate any diameter of presently used animal cages and thus made adaptable to accommodate more than one size animal cage within the same rack structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rack defined in claim 1, in which said first and second support means are configured removably to support said first and second reels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The rack defined in claim 1, and which includes a drive mechanism, and means mounted on said frame coupling said drive mechanism to said second reel to cause said sheet to be drawn along said path under said cage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein the drive mechanism runs within said rack frame structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination defined in claim 1 and which includes a row of animal cages on said rack, and in which said first and second support means are mounted on said frame in a position such that said sheet material is drawn from said first reel to said second reel transversely across said row.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The Combination defined in claim 1 in which said frame includes a front framework and rear framework and a plurality of interconnecting brackets to adapt said frame for different sizes of animal cages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the edges of said sheet are folded under in a substantially horizontal position on said supply reel, are opened up to a substantially vertical position to form a trough, then folded under to a substantially horizontal position on said takeup reel for keeping feces and odors sealed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A rack for providing mounting means for a plurality of animal cages, said rack including: a pipeline framework having a separate pipeline extending into each of said cages; means for accommodating different size animal cages so that more than one size cage may be mounted within said rack structure; an automatic watering system wherein water flows through the pipeline framework of said rack and thus provides water to each animal cage mounted within said rack; and waste removal means mounted within said rack for removing waste passing through the bottom of the cages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A rack for providing mounting means for a plurality of animal cages, said rack including: a pipeline framework having a separate pipeline extending into each of said cages; means for accommodating different size animal cages so that more than one size cage may be mounted within said rack structure; an automatic watering system wherein water flows through the pipeline framework of said rack and thus provides water to each animal cage mounted within said rack; and waste removal means mounted within said rack for removing waste passing through the bottom of the cages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |