Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to a housing unit for animals, particularly
for household pets, such as guinea-pigs, dwarf hares, golden
hamsters, white mice, etc., and specifically relates to such a
habitation with a base tray which supports extensions of its side
walls, which provide the limits of an access opening in the top.
In the case of the familiar constructions of such cages, a circular
body of wire mesh or lattice work is inserted from above into a
base tray, in such a way that the walls of this wire mesh body,
lying roughly parallel to the side walls of the base tray, rest
against the latter, which provides support for the whole wire mesh
member. Such well-known cage constructions however, are not suitable
for every type of small domestic animal to be accommodated. For
example, in the case of tortoises and dwarf hares, no problems arise
in respect of safeguarding the animals against escaping from the cage.
With other animals however, such as guinea-pigs, golden hàmsters, and
particularly white mice and similar creatures, there is a risk of
them climbing up the mesh of the cage walls and over its upper edge, ~
and so attaining their freedom. In order to prevent this happening, ~- ;
cages which are intended for such types of animal, are always provided
with a cover, which is similarly constructed of mesh or lattice work
supported in a frame. As such animals however, are pronounced
'fondling' animals, i.e., animals which their owners, usually children,
like to stroke frequently, and which psychologically will at the least
submit to such handling, if not experiencing actual pleasure from it,
there must be good and speedy accessibility to these animals. Where
they are kept however, in cages which must be fitted with a mesh cover
because of the nature of such domestic pets and their climbing
inclination, such a form of cage construction presents a certain
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measure of inconvenience, which must always be endured by theowner of such animals in their handling and treatment, because the
cover must always first be removed from the mesh body structure
when it is desired to fondle an animal or to remove it from such a
recognized form of containment. Experience shows that this cannot
be effected without the production of a certain amount of noise, which
frequently causes alarm to animals sensitive to their containment in
accommodation of this type, which has been shown to have an adverse
effect on their confidence and trust.
The invention is based on the problem of providing a habitation for
particular species of animals which avoids the drawbacks of recognized ;
forms of construction, and by simple and economical means, so that a
single constructional form is universally suited as permanent accommo-
dation both for non-climbing domestic pets and for those capable of,
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and willing to climb. In addition, notwithstanding the nature of the
animal to be housed, not only is there to be a permanently open access
aperture for fondling the animals, which effectively eliminates
inconvenience to the owner and alarm to the animals themselves from ~
noise produced, but it is also to be ensured that the most exuberant .
climbers among the domestic pets cannot leave their habitation.
In accordance with the invention, a housing structure for animals,
particularly domestic pets, such as guinea-pigs~ dwarf hares,
golden hamsters, white mice, etc., or tortoises, is characterized,
with a base tray supporting extensions to the side walls of the
trayl which surround a handling opening accessible from above,
the extensions of the base tray side walls at the ends remote from
the base tray being provided with a solid (non-mesh) flange, which
stretches essentially in a direction covering the base tray, and
which surrounds the open access aperture.
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In this connection, the extensions of the base tray walls may be
formed of the usual wire-mesh or lattice members. Even wi~h such
constructions, it can be prevented by the invention, effectively
and yet by simple and economical means, that even the most enthus-
iastic of the inhabitants in respect of the climbing facilities
can clamber over the rim of the overhanging cover flange, should
it succeed in climbing to the top of the mesh body structure of
the normal type. The invention therefore, provides a most effective
obstacle against any further climbing, without impeding in any way
the grasping of the occupants of the housing structure. In a
further practical advanced form of the invention, the complete
fIange can be constructed as an approximately circular detachable
cover section attached to the extensions of the base tray side walls.
In this connection, by 'circular' formation, is understood not only
a formation with circular or elliptical outer edge contours, but
any form of the outer contour of the cover section adapted to the
outline of the tubular member forming the extensions to the side
walls of the base tray, and which also, and indeed in the majority
of cases, can be of polygonal form to correspond with a similar
shape of the base tray.
In accordance with a further advancement in the invention, an
additional important problem - for the solution of which, no
provision is made in the usual animal housing structures - is solved
most simply and effectively for the first time. It is a recogni7ed
experience with animal habitations of this type, that it cannot be
avoided that scraps of food, excrement, or bits of the base tray
covering, i.e., the lining straw, are thrown or pushed out through
the tubular mesh structure. This dispersed refuse presents a
problem not only in respect of the not insignificant expenditure
of labour, and also with regard to the maintenance of cleanliness
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in the vicinity of the location of such an animal habitationl but
Goncerns to a quite considerable extent the principal question
whether such domestic pets - usually to be accommodated in the
house or flat - should, or may be allowed to, be kept at all.
Experience shows that the mothers, busily employed as housewives,
are reluctant to undertake the additional work necessitated by
the periodical cleaning in the vicinity of such animal cages,
and consequently refuse to allow the children to keeF these pets.
In accordance with a further, most practical, concept of the
invention, the extensions of the base tray sides can form a
complete non-mesh circular member. In this connection, it is
also avoided - particularly in the case of spacious animal housing
structures in accordance with the invention, in *he interior of
which climbing equipment, etc. is to be installed - for the
occupants fulfilling their climbing inclinations on the mesh of
the extensions of the base tray side walls - which does not usually
conform with their natural environment - instead of making use of
the climbing equipment specially adapted to their species.
It has furthermore been shown that it is of particular advantage
for the circular cover section ana/or the circular member formed
by the extensions of the base tray side walls, to be formed as a
plastic moulding, although other materials could be used within
the scope of the invention, such as galss or metal.
According to another development of the invention, the circular
cover section and the member formed by the extensions of the base
tray side walls can be formed in one piece as a hood-shaped
moulding, preferably of plastic. As a result, a considerable
advantage can be gained in respect of production costs, together
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with the possibilities for the external surface of the area formed
by the base tray side extensions on this hood-shaped moulding,
being elaborated in any desired aesthetically tasteful manner.
A form of construction for the invention which has proved to be
of particular advantage however, is that in which the flange of
the base tray side wall extensions, or the circular cover section
formed by them, or the annular member formed by the extensions of
the base tray side walls, or the hood-shaped moulding, are made of
transparent material. ~
The invention provides for the facility of the extensions of the ; ~ ;
base tray sides being capable of being inserted from above and
parallel to the side walls, and retained in the operating position ~
by the latter. This has the advantage, that by the most simple ; ~ ;
and economical of methods, even existing animal housing structures ;-
of conventional type can be re-assembled in such a form that the
problems which could not formerly be overcome without the `~
provisions of the invention, are now satisfactorily solved, as
previously described at the outset. ~`~
In accordance with an alternative solution provided by the
invention, the facility can also be given for the base tray side
wall extensions to be superimposed on the side walls, when a ~ ;i
detachable form of mounting is naturally to be preferred. In a ;
further improvement, the extensions of the base tray side walls,
on their side nearest to the base tray, are provided with
securing flanges, which extend in the opposite direction to the
flange on the end remote from the base tray, and which are
attached to the opposing flanges provided at the top edge of the .
base tray side walls. The form of construction in accordance
with this preferential concept of the invention, has the
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advantage that the extensions of the base tray side walls do not
come into contact with the bedding straw provided for the
occupants, and therefore, in the process of cleaning out the
housing structure as per the invention, by the simplest of means,
the risk is safely, easily and effectively eliminated, of a
certain amount of undesired dispersion of the contents of the
base tray taking place from the separation of the side wall
extensions from the base tray itself, causing contamination of
the vicinity of the habitation. This solution in accordance with
the further concept of the invention submitted, accordingly ~
complements the characteristics of the invention in the combined .-
prevention of an undesired escape of the occupants of the animal
habitation, and the facility for immediate and direct sei~ure
of the domestic pets therein by their owner. Furthermore, the
most effective maintenance of cleanliness in the vicinity of
the housing location is attained when it is necessary to remove
excrement etc. from the base tray. In this case, in accordance
with the invention, it is no longer necessary to take care on
removal of the cage section forming the extension of the base tray
side walls, that no part of the contents of the base tray or the -~
housing structure is dispersed in its vicinity, it merely suffices
for the complete complex of the cage or housing section located on
the top of the base tray to be detached, without having to undertake
any action in respect of the contents of the base tray, including
the pets possibly still in the tray.
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In accordance with a not so obvious improvement of the invention,
the attachment flanges of the annular member or the hood-shaped
moulding, and the counter-flanges on the base tray side walls, can
in each case, be formed as continuous circular flanges, which, among
other factors, also results in a considerable degree of production
i simplification.
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s~ ~In accorclance with a further development, the companion flanges on
the base tray side walls, at the ends remote from the base tray,
may be provided ~ith extensions in a direction approximately parallel
to the base tray side walls, so that these side walls assume a
double-walled formation. Experience shows that in many practical
cases, it is advantageous for the side walls of the base tray to be
duplicated, particularly for reasons of thermal insulation. Due to
the fact that the base tray, which is occupied by the animals in
question for most of the time, is of double-walled construction,
the invention, in accordance with its basic requirements, provides
for the special facility of being able to accommodate animal housing
in practice at any desired location, without having to pay particular
attention to the thermal conditions. Solely due to the fact that ~
the sides of the base tray are of double-walled construction, in ~-
accordance with the not so obvious further development of the
invention as above described, thermal insulation of conventional
housing structures adapted to the species of animal, has up to the
present not been possible, and this has been achieved by the most
simple and economical means. In an advantageous constructional
form of this preferential concept of the invention, the extensions
of the companion flanges can be provided with base support flanges, ~;
which extend from the free ends of the downward directed extensions
in the direction of the base tray companion flanges. In this way,
a particularly high degree of stability of the housing structure
in accordance with the invention, is assured. In a further develop-
ment of this preferred c o nstructional example in accordance with
the invention concept, the height of the extensions of the companion
flanges can be greater than th0 height of the base tray side walls.
Consequently, in addition to the thermal insulation provid0d by the
layer of air contained in the space between the double walls of the
base tray, a further practical form of thermal insulation against
the foundation of the location, is provided at no cost, and which
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produces thermal insulation properties of at least the same value,
and with the optimum of economical application.
Provision can be made in a further improved development of the
invention, for the attachment of the circular member of the hood-
shaped moulding -to the base tray section, being effected by the
securing flanges of the circular member or hood-shaped moulding,
and the companion flanges of the base tray side walls, each being
provided with lined-up holes, into which securing pins can be
inserted.
The invention is hereafter described in more detail with the aid of ~ ;
a number of constructional examples represented by drawings.
These show:
Fig. la Diagrammatic representation of one constructional
form of the invention ` -
Fig. lb Similar representation, also shown in half-section
of another form of construction for the invention
Fig. 2 Similar representation of a further preferred
constructional form.
The base tray 1 is shown in Figs. la and lb with side walls 2
extending vertically from its base. In this connection, the base
tray can be of any desired plan form, i.e.j round, oval or poly-
gonal, and particularly rectangular or square. In Fig. 1 is shown
how an effective animal housing structure can be fashioned by the
simplest of means within the purport of the invention, when a
wire-mesh or lattice-work member 4 is provided, which is bent in
conformity with the plan outline of the base tray 1~ This ring
member 4 is then inserted from ahove into the receiving recess in
the base tray 1 in thé usual manner, so that its side walls contact,
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and are supported by, the internal surface of the sicle walls 2 of
the base tray 1, and the complete ring member 4 is retained in its
operating position. In this way, the sides of the Ting member
form upward extensions of the side walls 2 of the base tray 1.
Pinally, a 1at ring 5 of non-mesh (solid) material, its peripheral
outline corresponding approximately to the plan outline of the base
tray 1, and with an adequate width in the direction of the interior
of the base tray, is placed on the open top of the ring member 4
of wire-mesh or lattice-work material, so as to prevent the
domestic pets in the enclosed space so formed, from attaining their ~
freedom outside, the barrier presented by the practically smooth ~ ;
continuous ring 5 being effective in this purpose, even where the
animals possess particularly good climbing abilities. In place of
a cover section 5, formed by this circular attached disc, which en-
compasses in its centre the access opening 21, provision can also
be made for each of the side walls 4 of the mesh body being bent
inwards at right angles to form a flange, which however, from
experience must be provided with a plain, i.e., non-mesh surface,
to prevent suspended climbing motions from the animals. In other
respects, any desired material, such as sheet metal, plastic~
glass, or similar, may be used for *hese flanges, wh1ch represent ;~ ~ -
the side walls 4 of the mesh member forming extensions of the base
tray side walls 2. Particularly in the case of a construction in
glass, preference should normally be given to the individual side
walls which extend upwards, and the flange extending towards the
centre of the housing structure, being combined in a single one-
piece construction. This circular cover section S can then be
firmly attached to the mesh body, or made detachable, as desired.
Fig. lb shows a further improved constructional form for the
invention, in which the extensions 6 of the side walls 2 of the base
tray 1 are not constructed of mesh material, but are of solid form.
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In ~his way, dispersion of quantities oE the bedding straw, scraps
of food, excrement, etc. by the animals, or even by the owners them-
selves, in the neighbourhood of the housing structure, is prevented.
This form of construction for the invention as shown in Fig. lb,
also illustrates other special features of the invention. Whilst
the side walls oE plain material can be inserted in the interior of
the base tray in place of the side sections ~I of mesh material or
similar, forming extensions of the side walls 2 of the base tray 1,
as depicted in Fig. la, the form of construction shown in Fig. lb
illustrates a further improvement in the invention towards the solving
of the particular problem concerning the maintenance of order in the
vicinity of the animal housing in conformity with the invention.
Due to the fact that the side sections of plain ~non-mesh) material
are not inserted into the interior of the base tray (as depicted in
Fig. la), but placed on top of the base tray side walls, ~as shown
in Fig. lb), any existing possibility not completely preventable,
that the animal owner will pull out part of the contents of the base
tray when removing/the side extensions of the base tray side walls,
is eliminated. Furthermore, in this way it is assured that the side
sections, which extend the base tray side walls 2 upwards, in such
cases, remain unsoiled for a considerable length of time, resulting
in a not inconsiderable saving of work, which would normally be
required in the cleaning of same.
In other respects, the side section 6 is also shown in Fig. lb as -~
being combined as a ring member, the outline of which conforms with
that of the plan of the base tray 1. The ring member 6 is provided
with a circular flange g at the base tray end, which extends outwards
at right-angles from the ring member and surrounds it, by means of
which, the ring member 6 is placed in contact with a corresponding
companion flange 3 on the base tray side walls 2, to which it can be
secured. For simple attachment, the circular flange 9 of the ring
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member 6 and the companion flange 3 of the base tray side walls 2,
are provided with a nwnber of lined-up holes, which are indicated in
Fig. 1 only by their centre lines, and are designated as 10.
By means of these aligned holes 10, a simple but most effective
method of attachment for the ring member 6 to the base tray 1, is
for a plain pin 8 to be inserted in the holes. A screwed fitting
may also be used should this be considered necessary.
In Fig. lb, glass is indicated as the material for the ring member 6
and the circular cover 7, which encompasses the access opening 21.
Other suitable materials may however be used, and this should
preferably be a transparent material, so that on the one hand,
observation of the occupants of the housing structure is not
adversely affected, and on the other hand, an unnecessary reduction
of their light is not brought about. Plastic can be recommended as
such a material, particularly on the grounds of weight-saving and
also for technical production reasons, especially where the ring
member 6 and the circular cover 7 are formed in one piece, as
previously described as an appropriate development for the invention.
Such a one-piece form of construction is depicted in the exa~ple
shown in Fig. 2. Here, the hood cover 22 on the base tray 11,
forming an extension of the base tray side walls 12 as the side
section 14, and the circular cover 7 and cover flange combined,
are formed in one piece as a moulding of plastic materiaI.
This hood cover 22 is also provided at the bottom, or base tray side, ;
with flanges, which should preferably be combined to form one
circumferential flange 19. The base tray 11 itsel~, at the upper
edge of its side walls 12, is also of similar construction in the
attachment area, as described in reference to Fig. lb. In this case
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also, the base tray side walls 12 are extended to form a circumfer- ~ `
ential flange 13, which is complementary to the flange 19 on the ;`-~ ~
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hood cover 22. The flange 19 of the hood cover 22 and the counter
flange 13 of the base tray side walls 12, are again provided with
a number of holes in mutual alignment 20, which again, are only
indicated by their centre lines, and through which suitable pins 18
can be inserted to secure the hood cover 22 to the base tray 11,
and which, if required, may be replaced by, e.g., screwed bolts with
back-nuts.
An important difference in the constructional example shown in Fig. 2
as compared with that depicted in Fig. lb, lies in the fact that
the sides of the base tray are of double-walled construction.
To provide for this, the outer zone of the companion flanges 13
of the base tray sides 12 is again bent uniformly downwards, so
that a nwnber of wall sections 15, approximately parallel to the
base tray side walls 12, are produced, which can also be formed
for preference as a complete circumscribing member. The result is
that both the thermal insulation of the base tray is improved, and
also its stability. A still further improvement in this respect
provides a solution to a problem forming the basis of the invention,
which is directed towards both improving the stability of the
complete housing structure in accordance with the invention, and
also to provide for exceptional noise insulation. This is effected
in the invention by making the height b of the circumferential
member 15 ~the outer wall of the base tray sides) greater than the
height a of the actual base tray side walls 12. Consequently, the
bottom of the tray 11 is maintained at a distance from the location
foundation, with adequate rigidity and bearing strength, so that
vibration of the foundation, which can be caused for example by
the tramping and stamping of childrens feet, can practically be
prevented from being transmitted to the base tray 11 itself,
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; because surprisingly, due to the angular formation of the external
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base tray side wall circumferential member ]5 and the ring flange 13,
the vibration is damped to such an extent that it no longer causes
inconvenience to the well-being of the domestic pets accommodated
in the housing structure in accordance with the invention.
This preferential form of construction in accordance with Fig. 2
isl as shown, carried out completely in plastic, whereby both the ~-
hood cover section 22 and the base tray section are formed from
plastic mouldings. However, other suitable materials may also be
employed for this constructional example, just the same as for
other such examples in accordance with the invention; the use of
plastic however, in the large majority of cases, may produce the
most economical solution. In other respects, the invention is not
restricted to the examples of construction which have been shown,
there are on the contrary, very many possibilities open to the
specialist to adapt the invention to the relevant constructional
factors or the particular requirements of the individual case, by
other combinations of its characteristics, or exchange with equiva-
lent expedients, without departing from the framework of the
invention. ~;
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