Docking assembly

Abstract

A docking assembly for a ventilated cage and rack system that can facilitate installation and reduce leakage of air is provided. The docking assembly is connectable to air plena of the rack system and includes a cup, and a tubular body having a docking base. The tubular body is constructed and arranged to be slideably displaceable between the cup and the docking base when the tubular body is aligned coaxially with the cup and docking base. A spring may also be provided outside and surrounding the tubular body. The tubular body includes a plurality of displaceable legs. The legs are preferably urged outward in the absence of pressure and may be displaced inward, toward each other, for insertion into a docking aperture of a plenum. Once inserted, the legs return to their normal, non-displaced position to secure the docking assembly to the plenum.

1 . A docking assembly for use in connection with a plenum of a ventilated rack for in situ assembly in or proximate a laboratory and a cage supported thereon, the docking assembly comprising:
 a tubular body constructed and arranged to permit air to flow between the vertical plenum and the cage, the tubular body having one or more legs extending therefrom, wherein:
 each leg is displaceable from a normal position by pressure and is constructed and arranged to be inserted into the vertical plenum; and 
 each leg has a foot constructed and arranged to abut the inner surface of the wall of the plenum to prevent the removal of the legs from within the plenum; and 
   a docking base constructed and arranged to retain the wall of the plenum between the docking base and the foot, the docking base having a base aperture capable of receiving and slideably engaging the tubular body.   
   
   
       2 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein each leg has a foot extending outward, the foot including:
 an angled surface to facilitate insertion into a plenum; and   an abutment surface to contact an inner wall of the plenum.   
   
   
       3 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body further includes at least one aperture, the at least one aperture shaped and arranged to provide controlled airflow in accordance with a predetermined criteria. 
   
   
       4 . The docking assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body further includes a body channel extending through the length of the tubular body. 
   
   
       5 . The docking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the docking assembly further includes a spring constructed and arranged to fit around the tubular body and to urge the docking base toward the plenum when a cage is supported in the ventilated rack. 
   
   
       6 . The docking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the docking assembly further includes a cup having a tubular shape, the cup including:
 a cup aperture constructed and arranged to receive and slideably engage the tubular body;   an inner member extending inward in the cup aperture; and   an outer lip.   
   
   
       7 . The docking assembly of  claim 6  wherein the tubular body further includes an outwardly extending flange constructed and arranged to contact the inner member of the cup to prevent the cup from being displaced past the outwardly extending flange. 
   
   
       8 . The docking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body further includes a stopping surface disposed above the legs to prevent the docking base from sliding past the stopping surface. 
   
   
       9 . A docking assembly comprising:
 a tubular body constructed and arranged to permit the through flow of air, the tubular body having one or more legs extending therefrom, wherein:
 each leg is displaceable from a normal position by pressure; and 
 each leg has a foot; and 
   a docking base constructed and arranged having a base aperture capable of receiving and slideably engaging the tubular body.   
   
   
       10 . The docking assembly of  claim 9  wherein each leg has a foot extending outward, the foot including:
 an angled surface; and   an abutment surface.   
   
   
       11 . The docking assembly of  claim 9  wherein the tubular body further includes at least one aperture, the at least one aperture shaped and arranged to provide controlled airflow in accordance with a predetermined criteria. 
   
   
       12 . The docking assembly of  claim 9  wherein the tubular body further includes a body channel extending through the length of the tubular body. 
   
   
       13 . The docking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the docking assembly further includes a spring constructed and arranged to fit around the tubular body and to urge the docking base toward the plenum when a cage is supported in the ventilated rack. 
   
   
       14 . The docking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the docking assembly further includes a cup having a tubular shape, the cup including:
 a cup aperture constructed and arranged to receive and slideably engage the tubular body;   an inner member extending inward in the cup aperture; and   an outer lip.   
   
   
       15 . The docking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular body further includes an outwardly extending flange constructed and arranged to contact the inner member of the cup to prevent the cup from being displaced past the outwardly extending flange. 
   
   
       16 . The docking assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular body further includes a stopping surface disposed above the legs to prevent the docking base from sliding past the stopping surface.