Tool for lifting rodent cage tops
AssigneeVan Andel Research Institute
InventorJason Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool is provided to facilitate lifting and manipulating a top of a rodent cage in an ergonomic manner. The top includes a wire for lifting located away from the top's center of gravity. The tool includes a first end shaped to fit under the wire and engage the top at a location spaced from the wire. The tool further includes a handle extending from the first end toward the center of gravity. The handle is configured to receive a hand of the worker and to generate counterbalancing forces on the wire and top that allow the worker to lift upward on the handle at a location proximate the center of gravity.
Claims20
A tool to facilitate lifting and manipulating a top of a rodent cage in an ergonomic manner, the top having a center of gravity and further having a structural member spaced from the center of gravity such that a worker lifting the top by grasping the structural member experiences a torsional force, comprising:
- a configured first end shaped and adapted to releasably fit under the structural member and engage the top at a location spaced from the structural member, and a handle extending from the first end that is adapted to extend toward the center of gravity when the first end is engaged with the structural member, the handle being configured to ergonomically receive and position a hand of the worker and also being located relative to the first end to generate counterbalancing forces through the first end on the structural member and the top, allowing the worker to lift upward on the handle at a location generally above the center of gravity.
An apparatus comprising in combination:
- a rodent caging system including a cage and a top adapted to removably cover the cage, the top having a center of gravity and further having a structural member spaced from the center of gravity such that a worker lifting the top by grasping the structural member experiences a torsional force;
- and
- a tool including a first end that both fits under the structural member and engages the top at a location spaced from the structural member, and a handle extending from the first end and that is adapted to extend toward the center of gravity, the handle being configured to receive a hand of the worker and to generate on the structural member and top counterbalancing forces that allow the worker to lift upward on the handle at a location generally above the center of gravity.
A method for lifting and manipulating a top of a rodent cage in an ergonomic manner, the top having a center of gravity and further having a structural member spaced from the center of gravity such that a worker lifting the top by grasping the structural member experiences a torsional force, comprising steps of:
- providing a tool having a first end and a handle;
- extending the first end of the tool under the structural member and engaging the top at a location spaced from the structural member;
- and
- lifting the handle at a location generally above the center of gravity to generate counterbalancing forces on the structural member and top that allow the worker to lift upward on the handle without generating substantial torsional forces on the worker's wrist.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.