Removable hide for small animal habitat
A hide for a small animal habitat is provided. The hide includes a base, four side panels, a roof and one or more coupling mechanisms for removably coupling the hide to the base. A plurality of coupling mechanisms is contemplated and include tabs having a radially extending flange, an L-shaped in cross section clip, and a rotatable disc.
1. A hide for a small animal habitat comprising:
a base;
a hide configured to be coupled to the base and comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel, and a back panel;
a roof configured to be coupled to the hide; and
a plurality of coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple the first and second side panels to the front and back panels, wherein:
the front and back panels each include a L-shaped arm defining a channel;
each of the coupling mechanisms comprises a vertical tab and a laterally extending tab;
the vertical tab is configured to the be received within the channel; and
the laterally extending tab is configured to abut a side of the L-shaped arm opposite to the base of the channel so that the laterally extending tab, the vertical tab, and the L-shaped arm interlock to secure the first or second side panel to the front or rear panel.
2. The hide of claim 1 wherein said base includes one or more receiving slots therein.
3. The hide of claim 1 wherein said front and back panels each include the channel on an edge thereof.
4. The hide of claim 1 wherein each of said side panels includes a lip on an upper edge thereof.
5. The hide of claim 4 wherein said roof includes a bottom portion having a lower edge with one or more radially extending tabs.
6. The hide of claim 5 wherein said radially extending tabs include a flange that matingly couples to said lip to detachably couple the roof to the side panels.
7. The hide of claim 6 wherein the plurality of coupling mechanisms comprises a plurality of first coupling mechanisms, and the hide further comprises a second coupling mechanism configured to removably couple the hide to the base, the second coupling mechanism comprising a clip having a radially extending flange.
8. The hide of claim 7 wherein said base includes a plurality of receiving slots therein configured to receive said clip wherein said flange engages a side of said receiving slot to detachably couple the hide to the base.
9. The hide of claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises one or more L-shaped clips.
10. The hide of claim 9 wherein said base includes a plurality of receiving slots therein having a raised portion positioned a distance from an end of said receiving slot, wherein said receiving slot is configured to slidably receive said L-shaped clip in a first position and lock said hide to said base when the L-Shaped clip is laterally moved to a second position.
11. The hide of claim 1 wherein said side panels each include a U-shaped in cross section defining a channel therewithin.
12. The hide of claim 11 wherein said channel includes a boss.
13. The hide of claim 12 wherein said base includes a plurality of rotatable discs.
14. The hide of claim 13 wherein said rotatable disc includes a recess on an edge thereof.
15. The hide of claim 14 wherein said recess is configured to lockingly engage said U-shaped in cross section channel when said disc is rotated from a first position to a second position.
16. The hide of claim 14 wherein said recess is configured to lockingly engage said boss when said disc is rotated from a first position to a second position.
17. The hide of claim 15 wherein said second position couples said hide to said base.