Lixit Corporation

Jack Looney

Richard Eichler

A system for supporting a wide range of animal feeding devices includes a bracket assembly having a mounting plate with one surface adapted to impinge on the wall of the animal enclosure. A mounting hole extends through a medial portion of the mounting plate. The mounting hole is generally rectangular, and includes a flange projecting upwardly at the lower edge thereof. A latch lever is pivotally secured to the plate by a pivot pin adjacent to one side of the mounting hole, and includes an actuating end extending laterally beyond the side edge of the mounting plate. A curved slot is disposed adjacent to the other side of the mounting hole, extending in an arc centered at the pivot pin. A slot pin extends from the lever to ride in the curved slot, and is retained therein. The feeding containers are each provided with a mounting lug extending from a sidewall portion thereof. The mounting lug includes a short stem portion and a wider, distal head portion. The head portion is dimensioned to extend through the mounting hole with limited clearance, and a curved edge portion of the latch lever is configured to engage and grip the upper surface of the stem portion of the mounting lug against the lower edge of the mounting hole. The mounting plate is secured to a wire cage wall by a screw extending to a backing plate, or is secured to a solid cage wall by adhesive, double-sided tape, and the like.

Quick release bracket for animal feeding devices

A water tank for supplying water to a caged animal includes a cylindrical container having an open upper end and a threaded lower neck opening. The upper opening is provided with a hinged, flip-top closure for easy filling, the closure being open to ambient air pressure. Joined to the lower neck opening is a dispenser assembly that includes a threaded cap received on the threaded neck, and dispenser tube extending obliquely from the bottom of the cap. Within the dispenser tube, a stainless steel valve assembly is secured, and a valve stem assembly extends to the lower opening of the dispenser tube. An animal may use its tongue to depress the valve stem assembly and cause a small amount of water to flow gravitally from the tank through the tube to the animal. The displaced liquid is replaced by air flowing into the non-sealed top opening, so that there is no retrograde air flow through the valve assembly to introduce contaminants. The tank is provided with a plurality of annular ridges spaced in equal increments along the vertical (axial) extent thereof. A tank mounting assembly includes a bracket having a partial annulus that defines a pair of opposed arms. The tank may be snap-engaged by the arms, which are dimensioned to fit between two adjacent annular ridges. The mounted height of the tank may be selected by snap-engaging the mounting bracket between selected annular ridges. The bracket may be secured to the vertical or horizontal wires of the cage.

Animal watering apparatus

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.

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Napa, CA, United States of America

Jack Looney