US 5,855,184 A · Animal feeding device and support

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding or watering animals within cages includes a food container having an upwardly opening, cup-shaped configuration, and a cantilever bracket for supporting the container. The container includes a closed curved sidewall and integral bottom wall, and a connector assembly extending downwardly from the outer surface of the bottom wall. The connector assembly includes a generally cylindrical lug having one end secured to the bottom wall, and a locking bar extending diametrically and secured to the other end of the lug. The locking bar includes opposed rounded ends that extend outwardly of the lug. The cantilever bracket includes a distal end having a web with a top surface, and an opening formed in the top surface to receive the connector assembly. The opening comprises a cylindrical hole dimensioned to receive the cylindrical lug in close tolerance fit, and a pair of radially extending, diametrically opposed slots radiating from the hole and dimensioned to receive the locking bar. The locking bar and lug may be inserted into the opening, the locking bar extending completely through the slots. The container may be rotated about the axis of the cylindrical lug, whereby the ends of the locking bar impinge on the underside of the web of the bracket. The bottom surface of the container impinges on the top surface of the web, preventing any substantial movement of the container with respect to the bracket. A detent feature secures the container and prevent removal of the container by any likely animal interaction.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An apparatus for feeding an animal, including:

container means for supplying food and water to an animal, said container means including a container having a closed curved sidewall and a bottom end wall;
bracket means for supporting said container means;
locking means for releasably joining said container means to said bracket means, said locking means including a lug extending downwardly from said bottom end wall and disposed coaxially with a rotational axis of said container;
clamping means for supporting said bracket means;
a locking bar secured to a lower end surface of said lug, said locking bar extending transversely to said rotational axis, said locking bar including at least one opposed end extending outwardly from said lug;
said bracket means including a transverse web portion, and an opening extending through said web portion adapted to receive said lug and said locking bar, said opening including a cylindrical hole, and a pair of slots extending radially and disposed diametrically in said cylindrical hole, said slots dimensioned to receive therethrough said at least one opposed end of said locking bar, said cylindrical hole dimensioned to receive said lug therethrough,
said lug being received in freely rotating fashion in said cylindrical hole, whereby said locking bar may be rotated with said lug to rotate said at least one opposed end of said locking bar to a disposition in which it impinges on bottom surface portions of said web portion;
and,
detent means for releasably retaining said locking bar in an angular orientation about said axis that is non-aligned with said slots of said opening.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Animal feeding device and support

Life of this patent

Animal feeding device and support

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8