Crawling tube for small mammals

Abstract: A crawling tube (10) for small mammals comprising a plurality of circumferential slotted holes (13) which are arranged side by side on at least one row along a longitudinal extension of the tube (10) so as to provide ventilation grilles.

Description: The present invention relates to a crawling tube for small mammals. Straight or curved crawling tubes for small mammals are already currently commercially available. These tubes are used, for example, to connect a plurality of cages for small mammals and allow them to move from one cage to another as required or just for amusement. Currently commercially available tubes, however, are substantially closed and do not allow optimum ventilation of the path followed by the small mammals. A tube with openings is disclosed in NL-A-6 410 672 which is intended for draining applications. US-A-5 664 524 discloses a pet containment system formed by tubes with ventilation holes. The aim of the present invention is to solve or substantially reduce the ventilation problems of conventional crawling tubes for small mammals. Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide tubes whose structure allows ventilation inside the path followed by the small mammals. Another object is to provide tubes which are inexpensive and have a simple structure. This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a crawling tube for small mammals, having the features set forth in claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a straight tube portion and of a curved tube portion according to the invention, shown in the assembled condition; Figures 2 and 3 are two sectional views, taken respectively along a longitudinal plane and along a transverse plane, of the assembly shown in Figure 1. With reference to the figures, a tube according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The tube 10 is of the straight or curved corrugated type, designated by the reference numerals 10a and 10b respectively, obtained by interlocking or gluing two shells 11 made of plastics which are obtained by molding. Each shell 11 has, adjacent to a longitudinal edge 12 thereof, which can be a substantially straight edge or the longer curved edge, a plurality of circumferential slotted holes 13 arranged side by side in rows along the longitudinal extension of tube 10, so as to define ventilation grilles. The end portions 14 of each tube 10 are provided with a radially arranged peripheral rim 15 which allows, by using an annular coupling 16, to connect multiple contiguous tubes 10. In fact, the annular coupling 16 is internally provided with two circumferential slots 17 which constitute seats for accommodating, as a consequence of elastic deformation, the rims 15 of two tubes 10 to be arranged mutually contiguous. In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects. In particular, it can be seen that the grilles provided by the slotted holes allow optimum ventilation of the inside of the tube, improving the comfort of the animals, which is a very important aspect. The materials, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: A crawling tube (10) for small mammals, that is straight or curved and comprises a plurality of ventilation holes (13) which are arranged along a longitudinal extension of the tube, characterized in that it is obtained by joining two corrugated shells (11) with said holes (13) being provided as side by side, circumferential slotted holes arranged in at least one row adjacent to longitudinal edges (12) of the shells (11), particularly, when the tube is curved, adjacent to a longer edge of the shells (11), said slotted holes (13) providing ventilation grilles. The tube according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the end portions (14) provided with a radially arranged peripheral rim (15). The tube according to claim 2, characterized in that it is provided with an annular coupling (16) that is internally provided with circumferential slots (17) which constitute seats for accommodating by elastic deformation the rims (15) of two contiguous tubes (10) for their mutual connection. The tube according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said shells (11) are obtained by molding plastic material. The tube according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said shells (11) are joined by interlocking or gluing.

Inventors: MARCHIORO DOMENICO, MARCHIORO, DOMENICO
Applicants: MARCHIORO S P A STAMPAGGIO MAT, MARCHIORO S.P.A. STAMPAGGIO MATERIE PLASTICHE
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A01K15
IPC codes: A01K15