Animal husbandry – Exercise or amusement device – Toy – lure – fetch – or related device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-07-03
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Exercise or amusement device
Toy, lure, fetch, or related device
C119S452000, C446S069000, C446S125000, C285S261000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253712
ABSTRACT:
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 100726 (1870-03-01), Coar
patent: 3104897 (1963-09-01), Berger
patent: 3515414 (1970-06-01), Kowalewski
patent: 3695646 (1972-10-01), Mommsen
patent: 4081189 (1978-03-01), Dumas
patent: 4117565 (1978-10-01), Asada et al.
patent: 4699601 (1987-10-01), Hershfeld
patent: 5387165 (1995-02-01), Warren
patent: 5391014 (1995-02-01), Chen
patent: 5449206 (1995-09-01), Lockwood
patent: 5921204 (1999-07-01), Johnson
patent: 6161975 (2000-12-01), Clarke
Abbott Yvonne R.
Jaeger Hugh D.
Jordan Charles T.
LandOfFree
Positionable and expandable tube system having slotted tube... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Positionable and expandable tube system having slotted tube..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Positionable and expandable tube system having slotted tube... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2464664