# US 9,434,338 B2 · Connector for an animal fence > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,338 B2 - Document ID: US9434338B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/616,518 - Filed: 2015-02-06 - Published: 2015-08-20 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-18 - Assignees: Precision Pet Products, Inc. - Applicants: Precision Pet Products, Inc. - Inventors: David Link; Hongkun Liang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434338B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/026: {Rigid partitions inside vehicles, e.g. between passengers and load compartments (B60R21/12 takes precedence)} - A01K 1/0272: {Boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses especially adapted for transport in or on automobiles} - E06B 9/01: Grilles fixed to walls, doors, or windows; Grilles moving with doors or windows; Walls formed as grilles, e.g. claustra {(emergency release of window grilles E05B65/1033; security bars for wings E05C19/003)} - Y10T 403/32475: having detent - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A connector for use with an animal barrier. The connector includes a locking member configured to lock corresponding horizontal and vertical members when the locking member is in the locked position, and release the corresponding horizontal and vertical members to allow for length adjustment of both the horizontal and vertical members when the s is in the release position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable animal barrier comprising: a first barrier member extending along a first axis; and a connector coupled to the first barrier member, the connector having: a connector body having a first opening configured to receive the first barrier member; a first clamp coupled to the connector body and configured to exert a first circumferential force upon the first barrier member, the first clamp being moveable relative to the connector body between a first clamping position and a first release position, the first circumferential force increasing as the first clamp moves from the first release position to the first clamp position; a locking member operatively coupled to the connector body and operatively coupled to the first clamp, the locking member being selectively transitional relative to the connector body between a locking member release position and a locking member clamping position, the locking member causing the first clamp to move toward the first clamp position as the locking member transitions from the locking member release position toward the locking member clamping position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, wherein the locking member and the first clamp is formed as a unitary structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, wherein the locking member is rotatably coupled to the connector body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, wherein the first clamp is biased toward the first release position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a cuff and the locking member includes a shaft sized and configured to be disposed within the cuff. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 5, wherein the cuff includes a slot and the locking member includes a guide moveable within the slot, such that movement of the guide within the slot causes the first clamp to transition between the first release position and the first clamp position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, wherein the first opening is spaced from the second opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adjustable animal barrier recited in claim 1, further comprising: a second barrier member extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a second clamp coupled to the connector body and configured to exert a second circumferential force upon the second barrier member, the second clamp being moveable relative to the connector body between a second clamping position and a second release position, the second circumferential force increasing as the second clamp moves from the second release position to the second clamp position; the locking member operatively coupled to the first and second clamps, the locking member causing the first and second clamps to move toward the first clamp position and second clamp position, respectively, as the locking member transitions from the locking member release position toward the locking member clamping position. ### Claim 9 A connector for an adjustable animal barrier having a first barrier member, the connector comprising: a connector body having a first opening configured to receive the first barrier member; a first clamp coupled to the connector body and configured to exert a first circumferential force upon the first barrier member, the first clamp being moveable relative to the connector body between a first clamping position and a first release position, the first circumferential force increasing as the first clamp moves from the first release position the first clamp position; a locking member operatively coupled to the connector body and operatively coupled to the first clamp, the locking member being selectively transitional relative to the connector body between a locking member release position and a locking member clamping position, the locking member causing the first clamp to move toward the first clamp position as the locking member transitions from the locking member release position toward the locking member clamping position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connector recited in claim 9, wherein the locking member and the first clamp is formed as a unitary structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The connector recited in claim 9, wherein the locking member is rotatably coupled to the connector body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The connector recited in claim 9, wherein the first clamp is biased toward the first release position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The connector recited in claim 9, wherein the connector body includes a cuff and the locking member includes a shaft sized and configured to be disposed within the cuff. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The connector recited in claim 13, wherein the cuff includes a slot and the locking member includes a guide moveable within the slot, such that movement of the guide within the slot causes the first clamp to transition between the first release position and the first clamp position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The connector recited in claim 9, further comprising: a second opening formed within the connector body, the first and second openings being disposed about respective axes that are perpendicular to each other; a second clamp coupled to the connector body and configured to exert a second circumferential force upon the second barrier member, the second clamp being moveable relative to the connector body between a second clamping position and a second release position, the second circumferential force increasing as the second clamp moves from the second release position to the second clamp position; the locking member operatively coupled to the first an second clamps, the locking member causing the first clamp and the second clamp to move toward the first clamp position and second clamp position, respectively, as the locking member transitions from the locking member release position toward the locking member clamping position.