Patent · US Expired

Folding cage

US6550424B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
21References
25Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 2002
Grant dateApr 22, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01K31/08
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A cage, such as a bird or other animal cage, employs a folding side assembly that, using a specially designed hinging system, allows the cage to fold to a collapsed condition for storage or shipping, and then to be unfolded and secured to an open position without the need for screws, bolts or other types of fasteners, or the use of hand or other tools. In the preferred embodiment, the folding side assembly is formed of six permanently assembled sections, each of which is attached to adjacent sections by means of a plurality of pivoting hinges. These six sections form four sides of the cage, which preferably is rectangular or square. Two of the sections form two fixed side of the cage, while the remaining four sections form, in two hinged pairs, two folding sides of the cage. The pairs are hinged to one another so that the folding sides can fold inwardly toward one another in an accordion fashion so that the fixed sides of the cage collapse toward one another. Once the side assembly is opened for use, removable top and bottom sections or assemblies are secured by gravity to the folding side assembly that maintain the same in an open. unfolded position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.