Abstract:
The present invention provides a cage which uses a removable tub having an interior wall which acts as a divider. The interior wall also provides a passageway, effectively placing the areas created by its presence into communication with each other. In the preferred embodiment, the location of the passageway prevents the easy movement of substrate and liquids between the separated areas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to small animal cages. More particularly, the present invention relates to vertically oriented caging for reptiles. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Cages are routinely used to house small animals. With the increased popularity of keeping pet reptiles, there has developed the need to provide caging which meets their specific environmental needs. Reptiles in general require an environment with temperatures and humidity levels greater than what would be comfortable for their human owners. Another requirement for many species is a hide spot, which may also be used as an egg laying chamber. 
         [0005]    Reptile caging comes in many forms with some being more suitable than others. Some example caging styles include adapting a fish tank for use with reptiles by adding a specifically design lid and an artificial heat source, a purpose built vivarium such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,019 to Heilborn et al., and vertical caging systems which rely on removable/semi-removable tubs. Commercial breeders and some hobbyist typically prefer a variation of the vertical caging system because such systems minimize wasted space and provide for the efficient care and maintenance of the enclosed reptiles. 
         [0006]    Numerous vertical caging systems, also referred to as “racks” or “rack systems”, are available on the commercial market. These caging systems rely on a removable tub consisting of a floor having connecting side walls. The lid of the tub enclosure is typically an integral portion of the support structure which receives the tub. The material and construction of these caging systems varies by manufacturer. Heating elements are typically attached to the supported structure and run underneath the tubs. 
         [0007]    Reptiles in general and oviparous female reptiles in particular, require moderate to high levels of humidity. The high humidity aids reptiles with staying hydrated, shedding their epidermal layer and egg lying. Typically a substrate, such as sphagnum moss or cypress mulch for example, is placed within the animals hide to provide an area of elevated humidity which encourages egg lying. This substrate is often different from the substrate used in other portions of the cage. 
         [0008]    Reptiles are shy animals, frequently requiring a hide spot to thrive and reproduce. As mentioned above, the hide spot often serves as a location for gravid females to deposit their eggs during the breeding season. Prior art rack system designs fail to provide a tub that provides a purpose built hide spot which is secured to the tub itself and instead rely on moveable hide boxes. These moveable hide boxes are typically not optimized for the tubs they are used in and thereby reduce the habitable space because they are not flush with the lid and side walls on the tub. Since they are not secured to the tub in any manner, the hide boxes are subject to being displaced by the animal. This can be problematic as it can lead to spilt water containers, displacement/destruction of eggs, disruption of any substrate placed under the hide box, and the creation of a generally non-aesthetically pleasing site. 
         [0009]    Therefore in consideration of what is available in the prior art, it would be desirable to have a tub for a rack system which provides a hide spot that remedies the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings in the design of vertical caging systems as described above. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a tub for a vertical caging system that has a hide spot for the animal(s) housed therein. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tub in accordance with preceding objects which includes an interior wall, effectively dividing the interior area of the tub into two distinct compartments. A passage thru the wall is provided to facilitate movement between each compartment. 
         [0013]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a tub in accordance with the preceding objects where the interior wall is fixedly secured to the tub, thereby preventing undesired displacement. 
         [0014]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tub in accordance with the preceding objects which has a passage located on the interior wall. The location of the passage is selected to minimize the displacement of substrate and liquids between chambers. 
         [0015]    In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention is directed to a tub having an interior wall which creates two chambers therein, one of these chamber&#39;s serves as a hide spot/egg laying spot for caged reptiles. The tub is designed to be used with vertical caging systems, and could be readily adapted to work with most designs. 
         [0016]    The tub provided for herein includes a passageway thru the interior wall that places the two interior chambers into communication. The passageway is located in a corner of the interior wall, elevated off of the floor. The location of the passageway in the corner of the wall maximizes the area behind the wall where the animal may hide without being located directly behind the opening defining the passageway. By elevating the passageway opening, a separate substrate and/or additional liquid may be trapped within the hide spot chamber to raise the interior humidity. 
         [0017]    In addition, the position of the passageway provides an elevated area from which a reptile emerging from its hide may lunge for its prey. 
         [0018]    These together with other improvements and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention, together with further advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a tub having an interior wall and a cup holder in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the tube shown in  FIG. 1  rotated approximately 90 degrees. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the tub shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the tub shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a single level of the preferred embodiment vertical caging system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the vertical caging system used with the tub  30  shown in  FIG. 1 , the indicated tub  30  is representative of all the undesignated tubs illustrated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0027]    The present invention is directed towards a tub that provides a hide spot, the tub being configured for use with a vertical caging system. As used herein, the phrases “vertical caging system”, “rack system”, or “racks” are used interchangeably. 
         [0028]    Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, as used herein, the word “front” or “forward” corresponds to the end of the tub where the cup holder is located (i.e., to the right as shown in  FIG. 3 ); “rear” or “rearward” or “back” corresponds to the direction opposite the end of the tub where the cup holder is located (i.e., to the left as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to a tub, generally designated by reference numeral  30 , having an interior wall  31  with a passageway  32 . It will be understood that the tub  30  is intended to be adapted and employed with any of the various rack systems available; however with minor modification, some of its features could be more widely used with other caging systems as well. 
         [0030]    In  FIGS. 1-4 , the preferred embodiment of the tub  30  is shown. The tub  30  has a generally rectangular shape, being defined by a floor  36  and four connected side walls  37 A,  37 B,  37 C,  37 D, collectively referred to as side walls  38 . An annular lip  39  is located about the top of the side walls  38  and extends around their entire perimeter, effectively defining the top surface of the tube  30 . 
         [0031]    An interior wall  31  is provided as an integral portion of the tub  30 . The interior wall  31  extends between side walls  37 C and  37 B and is secured to the floor  36 . Located thru one corner of the interior wall  31  is a passageway  32  defined by an opening  33  having the general shape of a rectangle. The interior wall  31  acts as a divider, effectively creating two compartments  45 A and  45 B within the tub  30 . The passageway  32  places the two compartments  45 A and  45 B into communication with each other. 
         [0032]    The size and/or shape of the opening  33  which defines the passageway  32  are selected based on the species of reptile to be housed therein. By elevating the opening  33  above the floor  36  of the tub  30 , two different substrates may be used in each of the provided compartments  45 A and  45 B. Water may also be placed in one compartment without it leaking into the other. The location of the back compartment  45 B is an optimal hide spot because it provides a secure dark location for the animal to dwell. By offsetting the passageway  32  opening  33  to one side of the interior wall  31 , the animal has an appropriately sized compartment  45 B in which to hide without being located directly behind the passageway  32 . 
         [0033]    Located in the front compartment  45 A, there is an integrally formed cup holder  42 . Deli cups are held within the cup holder  42  and are used to provide drinking water for the inhabitant. By using removable deli cups, it is easier to provide and maintain a source of potable drinking water. A cup holder could also be secured to the floor  36  of the tub  30  using an adhesive, or other means. 
         [0034]    The tub  30 , side walls  38 , interior wall  31 , floor  36 , and cup holder  42  are unitarily constructed through an injection molding process using a polymer. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows, a single level  11  of the vertical caging system  10  shown in  FIG. 6 . Each level  11  provides a frame  20  to house four tubs  30 . The frame  20  is constructed from four vertically oriented legs  12 A,  12 B,  12 C and  12 D, one being located at each corner of the frame  20 . On the front side  21  of the frame  20  are two horizontally oriented tubes  13 A and  13 B that extend between legs  12 A and  12 B. Tube  13 A is located above tube  13 B. The two legs  12 A and  12 B on the front side  21  of the frame  20  are connected to the two vertically oriented legs  12 C and  12 D on the back side  22  of the frame  20 , by a series of horizontally oriented side tubes  15 A,  15 B,  15 C and  15 D. Side tubes  15 A and  15 C are located above side tubes  15 B and  15 D, respectively. Side tubes  15 A and  15 B connect together legs  12 A and  12 C, while side tubes  15 C and  15 D connect together legs  12 B and  12 D. 
         [0036]    Four top panels  19  are secured to each level  11  of frame  20 . Each panel  19  is constructed to have a generally planar surface with two parallel, longitudinally extending channels  16  formed on each side. Each channel  16  defines an opening  17 . The opening  17  of both channels  16  found on a single panel  19  face each other. There are also a series of vent holes  24  provided on the front portion of the panel  19  to allow for air exchange between the tub  30  and the outside environment (see  FIG. 5 ). Location and the number of vent holes  24  varies based on the desired level of air exchange. This also serves as one way to regulate the humidity retained within. On the preferred embodiment panels  19 , a portion of the vent holes  24  spell “ARS”. 
         [0037]    The top panels  19  are secured to the underside of the frame  20  defined by tubes  14 A,  13 A,  15 A and  15 C. The channels  16  located on each panel  19  are configured to receive the annular lip  39  of a tub  30  found above side walls  37 B and  37 C. The number of panels  19  and correspondingly the number of tubs  30  provided for on each level  11  of caging may be altered without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. 
         [0038]    Located on the bottom of the lowest level  11  are a series of plates  18 , generally shaped like trapezoids, secured about each corner of the frame  20 . The plates  18  provide a mounting point to which casters  25  may be secured. Casters  25  allow the cage to be moved around easily. 
         [0039]    The vertically oriented legs  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D are configured to receive and be secured to the vertically oriented legs of another level  11  of frame  20 . This is shown in  FIG. 6 , where ten levels  11  are secured together in a vertical orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the frame legs  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D for levels of framing located above the base level  11  shown in  FIG. 5  each have an extension member (not shown) on their bottom side. The extension member is constructed to be received within the opening  26  present on the top side of each leg  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D. This allows the end user to build a rack system  10  which fits their needs. 
         [0040]    Interior heat is provided to the tubs  30  by securing a heating panel (not shown) to the portion of the frame  20  located below each tub. The heating panels are generally located adjacent the back side  22  of the frame  20 . The temperature of the tubs  30  is regulated through the use of a thermostat  40 . Other heating elements and temperature regulators may be substituted and their location varied without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed herein. 
         [0041]    Each level  11  of the vertical caging system  10  is assembled as described above. To secure the tub  30  to an assembled level  11  of caging, the tub  30  is oriented so that the portions of the annular lip  39  located above side walls  37 B and  37 C may be received within the openings  17  of the channels  16  provided on a single panel  19 . The tubs  30  are designed to be slid in an out to facilitate interaction between the keeper and the animal occupant of the tub  30 . The top panel  19  provided on each level of caging acts as a lid for the tub  30  secured to the channels  16  provided thereon, thereby preventing the escape of the animal occupant. Succinctly put, each level  11  of the vertical caging system  10  acts as a chassis that is configured to receive the tub  30  disclosed herein. 
         [0042]    In an alternate embodiment, the tub  30  could be constructed without a cup holder  42 . 
         [0043]    In still another alternate embodiment, the tub  30  could be constructed without a unitary interior wall  31 . Instead, the tub  30  could be modified to provide groove joints on the interior of its side walls configured to receive a removable wall segment. 
         [0044]    In still yet another alternate embodiment, a unitarily constructed top panel could be constructed. Such a design could provide a single unitary planar surface that has a series of channels  16  attached and spaced at appropriate intervals along its surface configured to receive appropriately sized tubs  30 . 
         [0045]    In a further embodiment, a half wall could be used in place of the passageway  32  provided by the preferred embodiment. 
         [0046]    In a still further embodiment, the location of the opening  17  which defines the passageway  32  may be changed based on the perceived needs of the animal to be housed therein or the personal preference of the manufacturer. 
         [0047]    The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. This invention is not limited for use with reptiles only; rather it may be used with any animal having similar environmental needs. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.