Cage and rack system incorporating automatic water docking system, latch mechanism, and quick-connect coupling
US5823144A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K1/031
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cage and rack system includes at least one cage, a shelf, and a water docking system that holds the cage in the position on the shelf in which a cage-mounted animal watering valve is coupled to a water manifold so as to assure the supply of water to the watering valve without leakage. The water docking system includes a latch mechanism and a coupling. The latch mechanism includes a latch catch which is movable 1) from an unlatched position in which it is disengaged from the cage and permits removal of the cage from the rack 2) to a latched position holding the cage in its docked position. The coupling may comprise either a friction-fit quick-connect or a locking quick-connect coupling and includes a male fitting and a female fitting. The male fitting is designed to prevent leakage by sequentially engaging two internal seals of the female fitting so as to first seal against the female fitting and then open an internal valve element of the female fitting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.