Abstract:
A positionable and expandable tube system composed of snappingly engageable slotted tube segments for the construction of hamster, gerbil, or like pet tubes. Each tube segment consists of an upper and a lower truncated sphere connected at an annular intersection. The preferred embodiment incorporates an upper truncated sphere having a plurality of tapered slots delineating flexible arcuate portions which can be flexed inwardly upon contact with a lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment to reduce the cross section of the upper truncated sphere to allow easily accomplished entry into the lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment. The tube segments, when snappingly engaged, create frictionally positionable ball and socket joints.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of pets; more specifically, pet accessories and toys. The positionable and expandable tube system which utilizes slotted tube segments pertains to a series of snappingly engaged, rotatable segments which snappingly engage using ball and socket-type joints. The tube system may be used for pets such as hamsters, gerbils, rats and the like. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art in the field of pet accessories used rigidly connected segments of brittle tubing and separate connectors which have limited positionability. With the currently available tube components, the user must incorporate multiple tube segments and connectors to create an angled pathway, whereas the present invention provides for multiple positioning without connectors, using a plurality of like tube segments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a pet accessory tube system having positionable and expandable tube system segments which are snappingly engaged utilizing ball and socket joints. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are provided tube segments, each including an upper and lower truncated sphere, an upper and lower annular surface, and an annular intersection. The upper truncated sphere of each tube segment includes a plurality of tapered slots which delineate flexible arcuate portions which can be flexed and positioned inwardly to allow positioning of the upper truncated sphere into the lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the flexibility of the tube system provided by the ball and socket joints. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the beveled annular surface which prevents gnawing by animals using the tube system and which provides smooth interconnection between coupled tube segments. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the option of having clear or multi-colored tube segments. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the snapping engagement of the tube segments which requires no special tools. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tube segment having upper and lower truncated spheres. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the inclusion of tapered slots in the upper truncated sphere which delineate flexible arcuate portions. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is arcuate portions at the upper truncated sphere which can be flexed inwardly upon contact with the lower edge of a lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment to gain passage into the lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of arcuate portions which, because of position memory, return to a predetermined position to maintain a constant spherical radius. 
     Having thus set forth significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a positionable and expandable pet tube system. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a versatile tube system for use in hamster, gerbil or other small pet animal habitats that is capable of being configured to create an aesthetically pleasing passageway which can be easily altered to change the appearance and arrangement of the animal habitat. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tube system for animal habitats which is constructed of easily assembled parts that can be quickly erected in a variety of shapes and can be readily dismantled for cleaning, all without the need for tools. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of a tube system which maintains its position and configuration by frictional engagement of its component parts. 
     An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a tube system in which a minimum of condensation takes place in the interior thereof and in which ample oxygen is present for animals within the tube system. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tube system formed of interconnected segments wherein the internal surface is smooth and free of surfaces which can be gnawed by animals using the same. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by the tube system next described in detail. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a positionable and expandable tube system composed of interconnected tube segments, the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a tube segment having tapered slots and arcuate portions; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional side view of two tube segments aligned during the initial alignment for interconnection; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional side view of two tube segments interconnected; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional side view of two tube segments interconnected and mutually positioned at an angle to each other; and, 
     FIG. 6, and alternative embodiment, illustrates the modification of the lower portion of the tube segments. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a positionable and expandable tube system  8  comprised of a plurality of slotted tube segments  10   a - 10   n  which are snappingly engaged in an end-to-end fashion utilizing ball and socket joints. The tube segments  10   a - 10   n  are constructed of a thermal plastic such as ABS, SAN, polycarbonate or other appropriate material which is durable, flexible and can be produced in transparent or multi-colored versions. Any suitable polymer material is appropriate for each of the tube segments. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of tube segment  10   a . Tube segments  10   a - 10   n  are all identical in construction and design and have an hour-glass configuration. Tube segment  10   a  is now described. Tube segment  10   a  consists of an upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   a , a lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a , and an annular intersection or narrow, hollow, annular, waist section or narrowed mid section  24   a , all of uniform and identical wall thickness. An interrupted upper annular surface or peripheral end edge, which includes interrupted upper annular surfaces or peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n , of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   a  has a slightly smaller radius than the lower annular surface or peripheral end edge  18   a  of the lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a . Also located on the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   a  are a plurality of generally V-shaped tapered slots  20   a - 20   n  extending downwardly from between the peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n  and partially along the curved side wall of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   a . The tapered slots  20   a - 20   n  delineate arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  including the interrupted upper annular surface or peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n  and the regions between the tapered slots  20   a - 20   n , respectively. Relief for inward flexing of the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n is offered by the tapered slots  20   a - 20   n , whereby the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  are flexible, especially in a direction toward the center of the tube segment  10   a . This inward flexibility allows the radius of each interrupted upper annular surface or peripheral end edge  16   a - 16   n  and the spherical radius of each arcuate portion  21   a - 21   n  to be easily decreased to allow readily and easily accomplished mating of one tube segment, such as  10   a , to another tube segment, as later described in detail. Tapering of the tapered slots  20   a - 20   n  prevents interference of the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  with each other during inwardly-directed flexing. Also provided at the annular intersection or narrow, hollow, annular, waist section or narrowed mid section  24   a  is an air hole  25   a  which prevents condensation in the tube system and allows entry of the oxygen which the hamster, gerbil, or other animal needs to live. The air hole is not essential but is preferred. Of course, several air holes rather than a single air hole could be provided in the annular intersection, if desired. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional side view of two tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  aligned during the first phase of interconnection, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Specifically shown in this figure is the initial alignment and engagement of upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b  of tube segment  10   b  with relation to lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a  of tube segment  10   a . Interrupted annular bevels  28   a - 28   n  on the interrupted upper annular surfaces or peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n , respectively, provide for initial smooth interior engagement between tube segments  10   a  and  10   b , and prevent gnawing by hamsters, gerbils and the like. The interrupted upper annular surfaces or peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n  of the lower tube segment  10   b  are brought into intimate contact with the lower annular surface or peripheral end edge  18   a  of the upper tube segment  10   a  and force is applied to cause inward flexing of the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  as urged by the lower annular surface or peripheral end edge  18   a . This action causes the radius of each interrupted upper annular surface or peripheral end edge  16   a - 16   n  and of each arcuate portion  21   a - 21   n  of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b  of the lower tube segment  10   b  to decrease sufficiently to subsequently be accommodated by the lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a  of the upper tube segment  10   a . During flexible compression and inward deflection of the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b  of the lower tube segment  10   b  by the lower annular surface or peripheral end edge  18   a , tapered slots  20   a - 20   n  offer structural relief to the upper truncated sphere or bulbous portion  12   b  to allow a portion of the spherical radius thereof to be gradually decreased. During this action, the dimension across the open region of the taper of each of the tapered slots  20   a - 20   n  is decreased as the opposing vertically aligned edges of each tapered slot  20   a - 20   n  are urged toward each other. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional side view of tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  interconnected, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Further urging together of the tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  results in the mutual interconnection of the tube segments  10   a  and  10   b , as illustrated. The spring memory of the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  returns the arcuate portions  21   a - 21   n  from the compressed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to the normal shape of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b  to a state reflecting a constant spherical radius. Illustrated in detail is the slight spherical radial difference of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b  compared to the lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a  and the relationship thereof which results in the interconnection of tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  completing a frictionally engaged ball and socket joint. That is to say that the outer surface of the upper truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  12   b , having a smaller spherical radius than the truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a , aligns in intimate contact to and against the inner surface of the lower truncated sphere or bulbous end portion  14   a.    
     Mode of Operation 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional side view of tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  snappingly engaged and positioned at an angle with respect to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of tube segments  10   a - 10   n  may be snappingly engaged in an end-to-end fashion, creating unlimited expansion of the positionable and expandable tube system  8 . The ball and socket joints created by the intersection of tube segments  10   a - 10   n  allow the user to rotationally position the tubing segments  10   a - 10   n  in any number of various positions. 
     FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described, illustrates the modification of tube segments  10   a  and  10   b  where lower annular inwardly curved surfaces or peripheral end edges  19   a - 19   n  have been substituted for lower annular surfaces or peripheral end edges  18   a - 18   b . The lower annular inwardly curved surfaces or peripheral end edges  19   a - 19   n  present a generally curved surface delineating a larger opening for ease of initial alignment and entry of the interrupted upper annular surfaces or peripheral end edges  16   a - 16   n  of a lower tube segment ( 10   b ) with the lower annular inwardly curved surfaces or peripheral end edge  19   a  of the upper tube segment ( 10   a ). 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.