Cage frame

Abstract

The present invention relates to a post assembly ( 10 ) for use in constructing a cage or enclosure ( 20 ). The posts assembly ( 10 ) of the present invention provide a structural member for forming a cage ( 20 ) which can be used in a variety of situations. The posts ( 10 ) can be installed onto any trailer irrespective of their size or alternatively the enclosure can be free standing. The posts ( 10 ) can also accommodate walls of various heights and thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment the post assembly ( 10 ) includes a first and second longitudinally extending body portions ( 66 ) and ( 68 ) having respective passageways ( 76 ), an arm ( 40 ) adapted to engage coaxially aligned passageways ( 76 ) of respective first and second longitudinally extending body portions, wherein the post assembly ( 10 ) is adapted to releasably engage adjacent wall portions ( 22 ) such that the walls portions ( 22 ) are held in a substantially upright position.

1 . A post assembly for use in the construction of an enclosure, including:
 a body portion having a longitudinally extending axis; and   an arm, adapted to engage the body portion, movable along said longitudinally extending axis;   wherein the post assembly is adapted to releasably engage at least one wall portion such that the wall portion is held in a substantially upright position.   
   
   
       2 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the arm slidably engages the body portion. 
   
   
       3 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion includes a passageway adapted to accommodate the arm. 
   
   
       4 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion includes a base plate. 
   
   
       5 . The post assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the base plate includes an attachment means adapted to facilitate the attachment of the post assembly to a surface on which the enclosure is mounted. 
   
   
       6 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion includes engagement means for facilitating the attachment of the wall portions thereto. 
   
   
       7 . The post assembly accordingly to  claim 1  wherein the body portion includes two longitudinally extending channels into which the walls portions are mounted. 
   
   
       8 . The post assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the channels include apertures to facilitate the securing of the wall portions within the channels. 
   
   
       9 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a free end of the arm includes a cap. 
   
   
       10 . The post assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the cap includes at least one flange adapted to engage the upper extremity of the wall portions. 
   
   
       11 . The post assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one flange includes attachment means adapted to facilitate the securing of the wall portions thereto. 
   
   
       12 . The post assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one flange includes attachment means adapted to facilitate the securing of a roof thereto. 
   
   
       13 . The post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the post includes a locking means adapted to retain the arm in a fixed arrangement with respect to the body portion. 
   
   
       14 . A post assembly for use in the construction of an enclosure, including:
 a first longitudinally extending body portion having at least one passageway;   a second longitudinally extending body portion having at least one passageway; and   an arm adapted to engage coaxially aligned passageways of respective first and second longitudinally extending body portions;   wherein the post assembly is adapted to releasably engage adjacent wall portions such that the wall portions are held in a substantially upright position.   
   
   
       15 . The post assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the first and second longitudinally extending body portions are adapted to hingeably engage each other around an axis which corresponds to the coaxially aligned passageways. 
   
   
       16 . The post assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the arm is a longitudinally extending shaft which is adapted to slidably engage the coaxially aligned passageways of the first and second longitudinally extending body portions. 
   
   
       17 . The post assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the first and second longitudinally extending body portions are adapted to pivot around a shaft having a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       18 . The post assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the first and second longitudinally extending body portions include corresponding outwardly extending first and second channels adapted to accommodate adjacent wall portions. 
   
   
       19 . The post assembly according to  claim 18  wherein the first and second longitudinally extending body portions are movable between a first position, wherein an opening of the first channel is substantially perpendicular to the opening of the second channel, and a second position wherein an opening of the first and second channels are substantially parallel and opposing. 
   
   
       20 . The post assembly according to  claim 14  wherein a free end of the arm includes two independent flange portions. 
   
   
       21 . The post assembly according to  claim 20  wherein the two independent flange portions are adapted to rotate with respect to the arm. 
   
   
       22 - 24 . (canceled)