An elevator/staircase toy for small animals (hamsters, gerbils, mice, or other small animals) housed in a transparent containment structure and comprising, first, a plurality of vertical walls radiating from a central vertical axis with a rotational sequence of horizontal plates disposed between them and offset vertically in an incremental and progressive manner, with a plurality of apertures disposed in the vertical walls in corresponding relation to the plates, optionally including one-way passage means on the apertures, and providing maximum floor space due to plate offsets and vertical apertures, secure, segmented living space which easily accommodates bedding, mazelike complexity in a compact structure offering directly viewable compartments and positive routing from a first horizontal plate to a designated last horizontal plate accessing an elevator, and second, an animal-operated and automatically resetting elevator embodied in a pair of counterbalanced elevator cars connected by cable suspended over guide pulleys and possessing cushioning means and animal-controlled or weight-sensitive retaining means. There are numerous safety features and food can be dropped directly into each elevator car for motivation. A bell is optional. Elevators lift out with a lid and the staircase disassembles with interlocking surfaces.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 460,992, filed Jan. 4, 1990, now abandoned, and related to U.S. application Ser. No. 593,075, filed Oct. 5, 1990.
The invention is concerned with a pet animal structure for insertion into a transparent tank. The structure is in a single piece with upper and lower body parts. The lower body part has floors for movement of the animal and the upper body part has a shoulder which overhangs the lower body part. The upper body part when the structure is inserted an appropriate size tank, closes and extends into the top opening to the tank with the shoulder below the top opening so as to protect top regions of walls of the tank. Preferably, the upper body part has a downward facing support surface for supporting the structure upon a top edge of the tank so that the bottom of the structure is spaced from the bottom of the tank. Also advantageously, the floors are positioned to prevent the animal from gnawing at the shoulder while providing freedom for the animal to move between the structure and the tank when standing upon the bottom of the tank.
A pet containment system of the type having interconnected module sectional units and tube sectional units forming an enclosed environment for a small animal fabricated from transparent thermoplastic material. The sectional units having a least one portal forming a female connector. A connection mechanism having at least two male connectors for interconnecting the sectional units.
A system and method for studying a test subject includes monitoring the test subject as it traverses through a programmable maze. The test subject may be under the influence of experimental drugs or genetic manipulation. The dynamic maze can be changed automatically or manually to test the abilities of the test subject. The dynamic maze comprises of a starting point, an ending point, and an electronically programmable floor capable of constructing various obstacles and passageways. The programmable floor may be programmed by a human user using an interface, or it may be programmed by an automated control system that programs the maze in accordance with the ability of the test subject to traverse the maze. Various devices are incorporated with the use of the maze to monitor the activities and welfare of the test subject.
A multi-level kennel enclosure includes a structure formed by left and right side walls, top and bottom walls and back and front walls defining an interior. A shelf is mounted in the interior so as to divide the interior into an upper section defining a living section and a separate lower section including a toilet section. An opening in the shelf allows an animal in the interior to pass between the living section and the toilet section. The front wall includes a pivotable first door selectively movable from a closed position to an open position to provide access to the living section. The front wall further includes a pivotable second door selectively movable from a closed position to an open position to provide access to the toilet section. The front wall also includes a ventilation panel through which air can flow into the interior. A plurality of additional shelves divide the interior into a plurality of levels through which an animal can pass. The toilet section defines a space to accommodate a receptacle for holding waste deposited by the animal. A forced ventilation system including a ventilation passage vents unpleasant odors from the enclosure. A plurality of multi-level kennel enclosures can be arranged side by side with their ventilation passages in alignment to form a continuous ventilation duct.
