# US 10,477,830 B2 · Flexible neckrail coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,477,830 B2 - Document ID: US10477830B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/234,039 - Filed: 2016-08-11 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-25 - Assignees: Michael Earls - Applicants: Michael Earls - Inventors: Michael Earls - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10477830B2 ## CPC - A01K 1/0011: {Cubicle partitions} - F16B 7/0493: {forming a crossed-over connection} - F16B 2/22: of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material {(F16B2/205 takes precedence)} - F16B 5/0685: {Joining sheets or plates to strips or bars (F16B5/0692 takes precedence)} - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A coupling component for an animal cubicle that includes an engagement member, a pipe collar transverse to the engagement member for receiving a neckrail, a flexible member that extends in opposite directions from the engagement member and connects the engagement member to the pipe collar so that the flexible member encircles a space adjacent the pipe collar. The deformation of the flexible member allows relative movement between the engagement member and the pipe collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupling component for an animal cubicle, comprising: an engagement member; a first closed pipe collar transverse to the engagement member for holding a neckrail in contact thereto; a flexible member extending in opposite directions from the engagement member and connecting the engagement member to the pipe collar such that the flexible member encircles a space adjacent the pipe collar; wherein deformation of the flexible member allows relative movement between the engagement member and the first closed pipe collar such that the first closed pipe collar holds the neckrail in contact thereto during the relative movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 wherein the flexible member connects the top of the engagement member to the sides of the pipe collar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The coupling component of claim 2, further comprising at least one protrusion extending from the flexible member within the space, wherein deformation of the flexible member causes a distal end of the at least one protrusion to contact the flexible member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 further comprising at least one protrusion extending from the flexible member within the space, wherein deformation of the flexible member causes a distal end of the at least one protrusion to contact the flexible member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The coupling component of claim 4 wherein the at least one protrusion extends from an area adjacent the top of the engagement member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The coupling component of claim 5, wherein the at least one protrusion curves at least partially around the pipe collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The coupling component of claim 4 wherein the at least one protrusion curves at least partially around the pipe collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 further comprising at least one protrusion extending from the flexible member within the space, wherein deformation of the flexible member causes a distal end of the at least one protrusion to contact the flexible member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The coupling component of claim 8, wherein the flexible member connects the engagement member to the pipe collar such that the engagement member is spaced apart from the pipe collar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 wherein the flexible member connects the engagement member to the pipe collar such that the engagement member is spaced apart from the pipe collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The coupling component of claim 10, where the engagement member is a second pipe collar, different from the first pipe collar, for receiving a pipe of the cubicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An animal cubicle assembly comprising the coupling component of claim 11, a cubicle pipe and a neck rail, wherein the engagement member of the coupling component receives the cubicle pipe and the pipe collar receives the neckrail such that the coupling component connects the cubicle pipe and the neckrail. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 where the engagement member is a second pipe collar, different from the first collar, for receiving a pipe of the cubicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 wherein at least the flexible member is composed of an elastomeric material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The coupling component of claim 1 wherein the coupling component is integrally formed of an elastomeric material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An animal cubicle assembly comprising the coupling component of claim 1, a cubicle pipe and a neck rail, wherein the engagement member of the coupling component receives the cubicle pipe and the pipe collar receives the neckrail such that the coupling component connects the cubicle pipe and the neckrail.