A Box or Cage for Instantly Liberating Live Animals.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
A Box or Cage for Instantly Liberating Live Animals.
I, FREDERICK DANIEL MALLETT, of 196, Livingstone Road, Thornton Heath,
London, S.E., Clerk, Commercial, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to boxes or cages, for enclosing, and instantly liberating
live animals, chiefly dogs for sporting purposes, and it has for its object to
facilitate the starting of whippets (dogs) engaged in racing.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing
which represents a perspective view of a box or cage, constructed in accordance
with the invention.
The cage or box, being of a convenient size for the purpose required, and
convenient to be shifted; is constructed of wood preferably and in the usual
way of box making (as illustrated) having three sides CDE top B and bottom A;
these five parts are substantially dove tailed together; one end only, not to be
permanently closed. To this said end a door is attached by means of a bar
(iron) made with a pin at each end, which passes through an eye ² (iron)
made to receive it; this eye is securely fastened with screws to the sides CD
(outside); the iron bar ft referred to is fixed at the bottom of door F with
screws.
An iron square frame f¹ fitted with round iron bars f is let into a square
hole in the door F, admitting light and air; also permitting the animal enclosed
therein to view outside.
At the extreme top of door F (outside) is fixed a pair of brackets h (gun metal
castings) supporting a gun metal roller which revolves freely in the said
brackets, these form part of a hook lever catch hereafter mentioned.
A soled iron angular plate with a quarter circle outer edge is fastened to the
pin on bar f, and also secured to the edge of the door F, in connection with
the said plate is an iron lever at attached to side I dropping into a slot in the
plate when the same works round with the door F.
Two knobs (wood) are fixed to the door F, near top (outside) projecting in
advance of brackets protecting same when the door falls to the ground.
The cage or box is so constructed that the top B extends several degrees beyond
a perpendicular line with bottom A; and to further increase the impetus to the
door's downfall, a pair of iron springs F (strips) are fastened into grooves made
in the edge near top of sides CD; the door F being constantly forced both right
and left.
A handle is fitted to sides C D. The interior of bottom A has narrow strips
of wood a nailed thereon preventing the feet of an animal from slipping when
making its exit.
Outside on top B at a convenient spot a strong balanced hook lever G (gun
metal casting) is fitted to work freely forward and backward as required. The
said lever G is cast in the solid with a pin on each side working between two
brackets g' (gun metal); these brackets together with the gun metal plate „º

page_text: are fixed to the said box or cage with screws passing through the brackets g¹
and plate 2; at the back, and between the hook lever G, and plate g²; is
inserted a small gun metal wedge g³; thus locking the hook lever. Attached to
the lever is a cord, having a ring to which is fastened by a hook the cord
to the wedge g which can be withdrawn, unlocking the lever; the lever falls
back instantly, releasing the door when the cord is pulled.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The herein described box or cage for the purpose specified, the same being
constructed substantially so as to admit of being readily moved, and worked as
herein described, and illustrated in the drawings.
2 A box or cage for the purpose specified substantially composed of three
sides top and bottom, one end open fitted with a door same working freely; the
door being fitted with an iron grating, brackets and roller: an iron plate securely
fastened to the said door and a lever working in direct connection with the said
plate the door being readily fastened, or released by a balanced hook lever,
together with a small wedge to lock or fix the said lever, all being for the
purpose specified.
A box or cage, for the purpose specified constituted of sides top and bottom
substantially constructed and united as described, in combination with door
attached, and lever fastenings as specified.