Animal enclosure configured for use with a ventilation system
AssigneeMidmark Corporation
InventorsJoseph A. Schroer, Michael L. Matteson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An animal enclosure with a wall assembly and a panel that is configured to couple to the wall assembly. The wall assembly includes a plurality of walls that are coupled together to define an interior space. The walls define an opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system. When the panel is coupled to the wall assembly, the panel divides the interior space into a vent space, which is in fluid communication with the opening, and a living space. A vent opening formed in the panel is configured to place the living space in fluid communication with the vent space. The panel may be removably coupled to the wall assembly. The panel may include a damper system for selectively opening and closing the vent opening.
Claims36
An animal enclosure comprising:
- a wall assembly comprising a plurality of walls coupled together to define an interior space, wherein the wall assembly defines an exterior opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system, wherein the wall assembly further defines a second interior space positioned adjacent the interior space, wherein an interior opening extends through the wall assembly from the interior space to the second interior space;
- an access panel configured to removably couple to the wall assembly, wherein at least one vent opening is formed in the access panel, wherein when the access panel is coupled to the wall assembly, the access panel divides the interior space into a vent space and a living space, wherein the vent space is in fluid communication with the exterior opening, and wherein the vent opening is configured to place the living space in fluid communication with the vent space, and wherein the interior opening is in fluid communication with the vent space;
- and
- a vent connector that is mounted to the wall assembly, wherein the vent connector covers the exterior opening, and wherein the vent connector is configured to couple to the ventilation system,
- wherein the plurality of walls comprises a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a ceiling, and a floor, wherein the access panel is configured to removably couple to the wall assembly such that the access panel is spaced above the floor,
- wherein the access panel is configured to removably couple to the wall assembly so that the access panel extends between the rear wall, the ceiling, and at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall.
An animal enclosure comprising:
- a wall assembly comprising a plurality of walls coupled together to define an interior space, wherein the wall assembly defines an exterior opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system, wherein the wall assembly further defines a second interior space positioned adjacent the interior space, wherein an interior opening extends through the wall assembly from the interior space to the second interior space;
- an access panel configured to removably couple to the wall assembly, wherein at least one vent opening is formed in the access panel, wherein when the access panel is coupled to the wall assembly, the access panel divides the interior space into a vent space and a living space, wherein the vent space is in fluid communication with the exterior opening, and wherein the vent opening is configured to place the living space in fluid communication with the vent space, and wherein the interior opening is in fluid communication with the vent space;
- a vent connector that is mounted to the wall assembly, wherein the vent connector covers the exterior opening, and wherein the vent connector is configured to couple to the ventilation system and
- a conduit extending between the interior space and the second interior space, wherein the conduit places the interior space in fluid communication with the second interior space, wherein the plurality of walls includes a ceiling and a floor, wherein the conduit is closer to the ceiling than the floor or extends from the ceiling to the floor,
- wherein the access panel comprises a damper system that is operable to selectively uncover and cover the vent opening in a continuous range between an entirely open position and an entirely closed position.
An animal enclosure comprising:
- a wall assembly comprising a plurality of walls coupled together to define a first interior space and a second interior space, wherein the wall assembly defines an opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system, and wherein an interior opening extends through the wall assembly from the first interior space to the second interior space;
- a first panel coupled to the wall assembly, wherein at least one first vent opening is formed in the first panel, wherein the first panel divides the first interior space into a first vent space and a first living space, wherein the first vent space is in fluid communication with the opening, and wherein the first vent opening is configured to place the first living space in fluid communication with the first vent space;
- and
- a second panel coupled to the wall assembly, wherein at least one second vent opening is formed in the second panel, wherein the second panel divides the second interior space into a second vent space and a second living space, wherein the second vent space is in fluid communication with the interior opening, and wherein the second vent opening is configured to place the second living space in fluid communication with the second vent space,
- wherein the first panel comprises a first damper system that is operable to selectively uncover and cover the first vent opening in a continuous range between an entirely open position and an entirely closed position,
- wherein the second vent space is downstream from the first vent space such that the animal enclosure is configuration to flow air from the ventilation system, through the first vent space, and into the second vent space.
An animal enclosure comprising:
- a wall assembly comprising a plurality of walls coupled together to define a first interior space and a second interior space, wherein the wall assembly defines a first opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system, and wherein the wall assembly defines a second opening configured for fluid connection to the ventilation system;
- a first panel coupled to the wall assembly, wherein at least one first vent opening is formed in the first panel, wherein the first panel divides the first interior space into a first vent space and a first living space, wherein the first vent space is in fluid communication with the first opening, and wherein the first vent opening is configured to place the first living space in fluid communication with the first vent space;
- a second panel coupled to the wall assembly, wherein at least one second vent opening is formed in the second panel, wherein the second panel divides the second interior space into a second vent space and a second living space, wherein the second vent space is in fluid communication with the second opening, and wherein the second vent opening is configured to place the second living space in fluid communication with the second vent space, and
- a channel positioned between the first vent space and the second vent space and configured to allow for air to flow downstream from the first vent space to the second vent space,
- wherein the first panel comprises a first damper system that is operable to selectively uncover and cover the first vent opening in a continuous range between an entirely open position and an entirely closed position, and wherein the second panel comprises a second damper system that is operable to selectively uncover and cover the second vent opening in a continuous range between a second entirely open position and a second entirely closed position.
An animal enclosure comprising:
- a wall assembly comprising a rear wall, a first side wall extending outward from the rear wall, a second side wall extending outward from the rear wall and spaced apart from the first side wall, a ceiling extending outward from the rear wall and between the first and second side walls, and a floor extending outward from the rear wall and spaced apart from the ceiling, wherein the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the ceiling, and the floor define an interior space accessible through a main opening opposite the rear wall, wherein at least one of the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the ceiling, or the floor walls defines an exterior opening configured for fluid connection to a ventilation system;
- a door coupled to the wall assembly and selectively movable to provide access to the interior space through the main opening;
- and
- an access panel configured to removably couple to the wall assembly so that the access panel extends between the rear wall, the ceiling, and one of the first side wall or the second side wall to cover a portion of a corner defined by an intersection of the rear wall, the ceiling, and the one of the first side wall or the second side wall, wherein at least one vent opening is formed in the access panel, wherein when the access panel is coupled to the wall assembly, the access panel divides the interior space into a vent space and a living space, wherein the vent space is in fluid communication with the exterior opening defined by at least one of the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the ceiling, or the floor walls, and wherein the vent opening is configured to place the living space in fluid communication with the vent space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.