Animal observatory and toy apparatus

#This invention relates broadly to animal observatory cage apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to such an observatory cage apparatus for small animals of the type which undergo metamorphosis as a portion of their life-cycle, and to such an observatory apparatus which is suitably sized for ease of handling by smaller children and which includes features that make the observatory apparatus particularly functional as a child's toy.

#Animal observatory cage apparatus, in general, are known in the art. Such apparatus of the prior art, however, has not satisfied the need for a simple, rugged and humane observatory for small animals, which can be safely and easily used and handled by a smaller child.

#A first "type" of such observation cage of the prior art is the well-known simple layer or screen cage that functions as a kennel for larger animals or a pet cage for smaller animals (e.g. bird cages or gerbil cages). Typical of this type of cage is its "open" feature, or the fact that such cages (except perhaps for their floors) are substantially open to the external environment by reason of their wire or screen mesh walls. Such cage-type apparatus are not very practical for housing smaller animals or insects, for the purpose of observing their life-cycles or mannerisms, in a "natural" environment. Variations of this "first" type of cage have included pet shipping containers, designed primarily for protecting a pet housed thereby during transportation. Examples of such cages are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,611,994 and 3,834,352. Such variations, while generally "closing" substantial portions of the normally "open" peripheral wall area of the cage, are also not very practical for use as observatory cages for viewing smaller animals in their natural habitats.

#Referring to the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

#FIG. 1 is a view is perspective of an animal observatory and toy apparatus constructed according to the principles of this invention, illustrating in exploded view, removability of the removable plug member from the observatory cage;

#FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1, illustrating the upper lid member thereof in an open position, permitting access into the internal cavity of the observatory cage, and also illustrating certain internal features of the observatory cage;

#Referring to the Figures, there is generally illustrated at 10 an animal observatory and toy apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the observatory/toy apparatus is configured in the shape of a box-like enclosure or observatory cage suitable for retainably housing at least one small animal. In the preferred application for the invention, the observatory 10 is configured to hold caterpillars for observation during their metamorphosis from the caterpillar to the butterfly or moth stages of their life cycles. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus described and claimed herein could equally well be used for housing other small animals or insects such as (but not limited to) frogs, turtles, winged insects of various kinds, etc.

#The animal observatory of the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the Figures, comprises a six-sided box-like geometrical configuration, having a floor member 11, an upper lid member 12 and a plurality of sidewalls 13, 14, 15 and 16. (See FIG. 2). In the embodiment of the invention disclosed, sidewall 13 will be referred to as the "front" sidewall; sidewall 15 will be referred to as the "back" sidewall; and sidewalls 14 and 16 respectively will be referred to as the "right" and "left" sidewalls respectively. While the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a floor (11) and five "wall" members (12-16), it will be understood that a number of alternate geometrical configurations could equally well be envisioned within the spirit and scope of this invention.

#The sidewalls 13-16 extend between the floor member 11 and the upper lid 12, and the six surfaces collectively define an internal cavity 20 which is used to house the animal to be observed. It will be understood throughout this description that the term "animal" is used in its broadest sense, and includes "insects" as well as other life forms that fall within the broad generic description of the term "animal". In the preferred embodiment, the observatory cage 10 is approximately seven inches square, which is sized small enough to be easily handled by a small child (for example by a five-year old), and yet defines an internal cavity 20 of sufficient size to provide a comfortable environment for the animal to be housed thereby. It will be understood that the size of the observatory cage can be varied within the scope of this invention, however, the overall size should be retained sufficiently small so as to maintain ease of portability by a smaller child.