The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1998
William E. Edstrom, Sr., Waterford, WI (US);
Peter S. Planton, Muskego, WI (US);
Edstrom Industries, Inc., Waterford, WI (US);
Abstract
A water docking system for an animal cage and rack system including a latch mechanism and a leakproof coupling. The latch mechanism includes a latch catch which is movable 1) from an unlatched position in which it is disengaged from the cage and permits removal of the cage from the rack 2) to a latched position holding the cage in its docked position. The latch also provides an indicator for indicating when the latch is in an unlatched position and the cage is not properly docked. The coupling may comprise either a friction-fit quick-connect coupling, an active locking quick-connect coupling, or a passive locking quick-connect coupling. A male fitting of the coupling is designed to prevent leakage by sequentially engaging two internal seals of the female fitting so as to first seal against the female fitting and then open an internal valve element of the female fitting. The sealing elements may be formed from distinct seals or spaced portions of a combined seal.