GB2148087A

GB2148087A - Pet animal enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2148087A
Application number: GB08425415A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Robbins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-08
Filing date: 1984-10-08
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB8425415D0; GB8326965D0; GB2148087B

Abstract

An enclosure for small domestical pet animals takes the form of a flat but vertically-disposed box of which one at least of the two large faces is transparent and removable. In normal use the interior is furnished with a plurality of elements by means of which the animals are able to travel throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space. The enclosure is intended particularly to be hung on, or stood against, a wall in the manner of a flat display cabinet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal Enclosure This invention relates to enclosures for animals and particularly small domestic pet animals such as hamsters, gerbils and mice for example.

Small animals are commonly housed in more or less simple three-dimensional enclosures which have little if any internal subdivision or interconnection. Such enclosures offer little scope for creating a healthy and interesting environment which allows the occupants to exercise a comprehensive range of physical abilities and behavioural traits. Such enclosures also commonly have practical drawbacks from the keepers' viewpoint, for example, in the extent to which they allow the occupants to be observed, in the relatively large amount of usable space which they occupy, and in relation to cleaning and maintenance.

The form of enclosure described herein is intended to achieve a greater provision of the wellbeing and display of the animals whilst also lessening inconvenience in relation to siting and maintenance. An inherent and particular advantage of the enclosure is that in normal use it occupies wall rather than floor, table or shelf space.

According to the present invention there is provided an enclosure for small domestic pet animals in the form of a flat box of which one at least of the two large faces is transparent and removable, and which in normal use is disposed vertically and furnished internally with a plurality of elements by means of which the animals are able to travel throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying isometric drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the enclosure without the internal elements and with the principal removable parts displaced.

Figure 2 shows the assembled enclosure complete with one possible arrangement of internal elements.

Referring to Figure 1, the back 1, sides 2 and top and bottom 3 of the enclosure together form a simple tray-like construction which is divided into upper and lower compartments by an internal partition 4. Attached to the underside of the partition is a sliding plate or similar means (not shown) by which a hole 5 can, from outside the enclosure, be blocked to prevent passage of the occupants from one compartment to the other, thereby enabling the enclosure to be cleaned or otherwise serviced in two stages without having to handle the animals or risk their escape.

The partition and the top of the enclosure are each fitted with a slide track 6 or alternative means by which a transparent panel 7 can be removably secured to close the front of the upper compartment.

A removable open-topped box 8, of which at least the front face is transparent, is housed within and occupies substantially the whole of the lower compartment. The depth of this box is such as to permit a-generous supply of loose litter and bedding material to be contained without spillage whilst allowing the occupants to gain access into the upper compartment.

Figure 2 illustrates, by way of example only, a simple double layer arrangement of platforms and ramps installed within the upper compartment of the assembled enclosure. Whereas the furnishing of the upper compartment is essential to proper use of the enclosure, the nature of such furnishings is not a material part of this invention since there are numerous ways in which functional arrangements may be achieved by obvious means.

1. An enclosure for small domestic pet animals in the form of a flat box of which one at least of the two large faces is transparent and removable, and which in normal use is disposed vertically and is furnished internally with a plurality of elements by means of which the animals are able to travel throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space.

2. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1, part of which is taken up by a removable open-topped transparent-fronted box in which may be contained without spillage a substantial depth of loose burrowing/bedding material.

3. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the removable face is limited in elevation to that part of the enclosure not occupied by the open-topped box.

4. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the open-topped box by itself forms part of the enclosure in elevation.

5. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein means are provided to prevent passage of the animals between the open-topped box and the remainder of enclosure when required and without first gaining access to either compartment.

6. An enclosure substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1 to 5 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows: (c) Claims 6 above have been re-numbered as 8 and their appendancies corrected.

1. An enclosure for rodents and the like, more particularly for mounting on a wall or similar vertical surface, comprising a flat box in vertical disposition whereof one of the large sides is deemed to be the front by virtue of its transparency and adaptation to permit its ready removal or displacement and replacement, the interior of said enclosure being furnished with a plurality of members in orderthat the animals may travel extensively throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space.

2. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1 whereof the front face is comprised of at least two discrete panels and wherein means are included to readily prevent passage of the animals between certain or all of the interior compartments corresponding, in

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Animal Enclosure This invention relates to enclosures for animals and particularly small domestic pet animals such as hamsters, gerbils and mice for example. Small animals are commonly housed in more or less simple three-dimensional enclosures which have little if any internal subdivision or interconnection. Such enclosures offer little scope for creating a healthy and interesting environment which allows the occupants to exercise a comprehensive range of physical abilities and behavioural traits. Such enclosures also commonly have practical drawbacks from the keepers' viewpoint, for example, in the extent to which they allow the occupants to be observed, in the relatively large amount of usable space which they occupy, and in relation to cleaning and maintenance. The form of enclosure described herein is intended to achieve a greater provision of the wellbeing and display of the animals whilst also lessening inconvenience in relation to siting and maintenance. An inherent and particular advantage of the enclosure is that in normal use it occupies wall rather than floor, table or shelf space. According to the present invention there is provided an enclosure for small domestic pet animals in the form of a flat box of which one at least of the two large faces is transparent and removable, and which in normal use is disposed vertically and furnished internally with a plurality of elements by means of which the animals are able to travel throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying isometric drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the enclosure without the internal elements and with the principal removable parts displaced. Figure 2 shows the assembled enclosure complete with one possible arrangement of internal elements. Referring to Figure 1, the back 1, sides 2 and top and bottom 3 of the enclosure together form a simple tray-like construction which is divided into upper and lower compartments by an internal partition 4. Attached to the underside of the partition is a sliding plate or similar means (not shown) by which a hole 5 can, from outside the enclosure, be blocked to prevent passage of the occupants from one compartment to the other, thereby enabling the enclosure to be cleaned or otherwise serviced in two stages without having to handle the animals or risk their escape. The partition and the top of the enclosure are each fitted with a slide track 6 or alternative means by which a transparent panel 7 can be removably secured to close the front of the upper compartment. A removable open-topped box 8, of which at least the front face is transparent, is housed within and occupies substantially the whole of the lower compartment. The depth of this box is such as to permit a-generous supply of loose litter and bedding material to be contained without spillage whilst allowing the occupants to gain access into the upper compartment. Figure 2 illustrates, by way of example only, a simple double layer arrangement of platforms and ramps installed within the upper compartment of the assembled enclosure. Whereas the furnishing of the upper compartment is essential to proper use of the enclosure, the nature of such furnishings is not a material part of this invention since there are numerous ways in which functional arrangements may be achieved by obvious means. CLAIMS 1. An enclosure for small domestic pet animals in the form of a flat box of which one at least of the two large faces is transparent and removable, and which in normal use is disposed vertically and is furnished internally with a plurality of elements by means of which the animals are able to travel throughout the substantially two-dimensional enclosed space. 2. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1, part of which is taken up by a removable open-topped transparent-fronted box in which may be contained without spillage a substantial depth of loose burrowing/bedding material. 3. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the removable face is limited in elevation to that part of the enclosure not occupied by the open-topped box. 4. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the open-topped box by itself forms part of the enclosure in elevation. 5. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein means are provided to prevent passage of the animals between the open-topped box and the remainder of enclosure when required and without first gaining access to either compartment. 6. An enclosure substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1 to 5 above have been deleted or textually amended. (b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows: (c) Claims 6 above have been re-numbered as 8 and their appendancies corrected.

2. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1 whereof the front face is comprised of at least two discrete panels and wherein means are included to readily prevent passage of the animals between certain or all of the interior compartments corresponding, in front elevation, to said panels, said means not requiring the operator to gain prior access to the interior of the enclosure.

3. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 adapted to contain at least one removable subhousing, said sub-housing being a transparentfronted box having a top which is open or otherwise adapted to permit passage of the animals to and from the interior thereof wherein may be contained without spillage a substantial depth of burrowing medium.

4. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 2 whereof one at least of the interior compartments is open-fronted but substantially taken up by a removable opentopped transparent-fronted box in which may be contained without spillage a substantial depth of burrowing medium.

5. An enclosure as claimed in Claim 2 whereof the interior comprises a lower compartment and at least one upper compartment, the transparent front of said lower compartment being integrally associated with the side, rear and bottom faces thereof to form a substantially open-topped box wherein may be contained without spillage a substantial depth of burrowing medium, said box being detachably connected to the remaining part of the enclosure to which remaining part is attached said means by which passage of the animals between said lower and upper compartments is controlled, said means thereby being capable of confining the animals within said remaining part of the enclosure when the detachable box is detached.

6. An enclosure generally as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the width of said removable or detachable box exceeds that of the remainder of the enclosure such that the transparent front of said removable or detachable box projects forward of the remainder of the enclosure.

7. An enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein some or all of said interior furnishing members are integrally associated with one or more of the faces thereof.