Abstrict A louvered ramp, that serves as a cat's paw-cleaning entry and
exit ramp, ascending to, and descending from, a cat litter box.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A louvered ramp invention for cleaning cat litter from a cat's
paws, that ascends to, and descends from, a cat litter box access
point; the louvered component of this invention, closely resembling
a cut-out from the louvered section of a louvered door, consisting
of 2 opposing parallel rectangular columns, and a plurality of parallel,
equally spaced, and equally angled, louver boards/slats that extend
perpendicular to, and between, the 2 opposing parallel rectangular
columns, with the louver boards/slats angling upward relative to
the opposing parallel rectangular columns in the direction of ascension
up the louvered ramp; the ridges of the louver boards/slats facilitating
the removal of litter from the cat's paws as it descends the louvered
ramp, allowing the dislodged litter to fall through the cracks between
the louver boards/slats, into a collection tray situated underneath
this invention.
2. A louvered ramp invention, as in claim 1 that attaches to a
litter box, for the purpose of securing this invention to the litter
box, as well as elevating the ascended end of the louvered component.
3. A louvered ramp invention, as in claim 2 that attaches to a
litter box with 2 adjustably sliding hooks; the adjustably sliding
hooks being secured to the louvered component at the outside edges
of the opposing parallel rectangular columns at the ascended end
of the louvered ramp.
4. A louvered ramp invention, as in claim 1 that does not require
attachment to a litter box, but is free standing, and is situated
with the ascended end of the louvered component positioned against,
or in close proximity to, a litter box access point.
5. A louvered ramp invention, as in claim 4 the ascended end of
the louvered component being elevated by 2 right triangles, each
right triangle being fastened to the opposing parallel rectangular
columns of the louvered component.
Description DESCRIPTION
Background of Invention
This invention relates to the use of litter boxes by domestic cats.
The problem that this invention alleviates, is the problem of cats
tracking litter into areas outside of the litter box.
Resolving the problem of cats tracking litter into areas outside
of the litter box has been approached in numerous ways. One approach
to resolving the problem has been to invent a better litter box;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3246630 to Dearing and Dearing (1966), 3885523
to Coleman (1975), 4838202 to Neu (1989), 5195464 to Mutter
(1993), 5329878 to McCauley (1994), 5676090 to Cannady (1997),
5713302 to Walter (1998), and 5806461 to Kiera (1998), all attempt
to resolve the problem by inventing a better litter box. Another
approach to resolving the problem has been to invent a litter box
containment system; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5092277 to Baillie and Baillie
(1992), 5361725 to Baillie and Baillie (1994), 5769026 to Kohn
(1998), and 5887546 to Gruel (1999), all attempt to resolve the
problem by inventing a litter box containment system. Another approach
to resolving the problem has been to invent a grate that is connected
to, or positioned over a collection tray; U.S. patents Des. 331990
to Burson (1992), Des. 346677 to Casmira (1994), Des. 351694 to
Evans (1994), Des. 435149 to Kleinberg (2000), 5042430 to Casmira
(1991), 5218930 to Casmira (1993), 5220886 to Hyde (1993), 5388550
to Noble (1995), and 6109212 to Schacherbauer (2000), all attempt
to resolve the problem by inventing a grate that is connected to,
or positioned over a collection tray. Another approach to resolving
the problem has been to simply invent a tray to catch and contain
litter; U.S. patents Des. 351693 to Sutton (1994), and 5992350
to Manzo (1999), both attempt to resolve the problem by inventing
a tray to catch and contain litter. Another approach to resolving
the problem has been to invent a paw cleaning litter mat; U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5797352 to Ebert (1998), 6050223 to Harris (2000), 6357388
B1 to Holtrop and Widder (2002), and 6386143 B1 to Link and Link
(2002), all attempt to resolve the problem by inventing a paw cleaning
litter mat. Another approach to resolving the problem has been to
invent a tray with high side walls, to corral the cat, and catch
and contain litter; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6109211 to Tomlinson (2000),
and 6367420 B1 to Tomlinson (2002), both attempt to resolve the
problem by inventing a tray with high side walls, to corral the
cat, and catch and contain litter. Another approach to resolving
the problem has been to invent an enclosed ramp that cats have to
jump up to the top of, just to gain access to the ramp, before walking
down the ramp to the litter box; U.S. Pat. No. 5924383 to Smith
(1999), attempts to resolve the problem in such a manner.
None of the prior U.S. patents attempts to resolve the problem
of cats tracking litter into areas outside of the litter box, by
facilitating a louvered ramp that leads to the litter box. Utilizing
a louvered ramp in this manner, effectively removes litter from
a cat's paws, allowing the dislodged litter to fall through the
cracks between the louver boards (slats), into a collection tray.
Such a paw cleaning louvered ramp is the essence of this subject
invention. The collection tray for use with this invention could
be a nearly flat tray, like the tray that is described by U.S. Patent
Number 5992350 to Fredda Manzo (1999), except that a textured
or ridged top surface on the tray is unnecessary and undesirable
for use with this subject invention, since such a tray would be
needlessly more difficult to clean. An alternative to using a nearly
flat tray for collecting the litter, would be to use a tray with
high side walls, like the invention described by U.S. Pat. No. 6367420
B1 to Lyla Tomlinson (2002). A tray with high side walls could be
useful in encouraging a cat to use this paw cleaning louvered ramp
invention.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the use of litter boxes by domestic cats.
This invention facilitates the removal of litter from a cat's paws,
so that the removed litter can be collected in a tray situated underneath
this invention. The general idea of this invention is to facilitate
a louvered ramp, that serves as a cat's paw-cleaning entry and exit
ramp, ascending to, and descending from, a cat litter box. The louvered
component of this invention, closely resembles a cut-out from the
louvered section of a louvered door. Each of the louver boards (slats)
acts as a step in the louvered ramp, allowing a cat to ascend and
descend the louvered ramp as though it were a stairway. The ridges
of the louver boards (slats) help to facilitate the removal of litter
from the cat's paws as it descends the louvered ramp. The cracks
between adjacent louver boards (slats) allow litter to fall into
a tray positioned beneath the louvered ramp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
This invention is illustrated in the drawings where:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the louvered component of this
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the louvered component
of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment
of this invention, which uses and includes 2 adjustably sliding
hooks to attach the invention to a litter box, thereby elevating
one end of the louvered section, to form a louvered ramp.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment
of this invention, which uses and includes 2 right triangles to
elevate one end of the louvered section, to form a free standing
louvered ramp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to the use of litter boxes by domes-tic
cats. This invention facilitates the removal of litter from a cat's
paws, so that the removed litter can be collected in a tray situated
underneath this invention. The general idea of this invention is
to facilitate a louvered ramp, that serves as a cat's paw-cleaning
entry and exit ramp, ascending to, and descending from, a cat litter
box.
The first preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated
in FIG. 3. It uses and includes 2 adjustably sliding hooks to attach
the invention to a litter box, thereby elevating one end of the
louvered section, to form a louvered ramp. The second preferred
embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. It uses and
includes 2 right triangles to elevate one end of the louvered section,
to form a free standing louvered ramp. Both of the preferred embodiments
of this invention utilize a louvered section, which will be referred
to as the louvered component of this invention.
The louvered component of this invention, closely resembles a cut-out
from the louvered section of a louvered door. See FIG. 1 for a perspective
view of the louvered component of this invention. This louvered
component could be molded from plastic in one piece, or could be
constructed from sub-components out of plastic or wood, as illustrated
by FIG. 2 which shows a perspective exploded view of the louvered
component. The sub-components consist of 2 opposing parallel rectangular
columns (1), and a plurality of parallel, equally spaced, and equally
angled, louver boards (slats)(2) that extend perpendicular to, and
between, the 2 opposing parallel rectangular columns (1). Both of
the opposing parallel rectangular columns (1) are formed with a
plurality of slanted recesses (3) on one side. Each of the plurality
of louver boards (slats)(2) is glued and inserted at each end into
corresponding slanted recesses (3) of the opposing parallel rectangular
columns. Each of the louver boards (slats)(2) acts as a step in
the louvered ramp, allowing a cat to ascend and descend the louvered
ramp as though it were a stairway. The ridges of the louver boards
(slats)(2) help to facilitate the removal of litter from the cat's
paws as it descends the louvered ramp. The cracks between adjacent
louver boards (slats)(2) allow litter to fall into a tray positioned
beneath the louvered ramp.
The first preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated
in FIG. 3. It uses and includes 2 adjustably sliding hooks (4) to
attach the invention to a litter box, thereby elevating one end
of the louvered section, to form a louvered ramp. The hooks (4)
are preferably molded out of plastic, although they could be molded
out of metal. Preferably, the hooks (4) have a rectangular cross-section,
so that the non-curved ends can be inserted in, and adjustably slide
in, enclosing metal rectangular tubes (6) with a slightly larger
rectangular cross-section. Each of the 2 rectangular tubes (6) has
a slit (opening)(7) that runs down the entire length of one side.
The slit (7) accommodates at least 2 thumb screws (5) to be screwed
through the slit (7) and into the enclosed hook (4). Washers and/or
spacers may be used with the thumb screws if needed. Tightening
the thumb screws (5) secures the enclosed hook (4) so that it does
not slide inside the enclosing rectangular tube (6). Loosening the
thumb screws (5) allows the enclosed hook (4) to slide inside the
enclosing rectangular tube (6), thus making the hook (4) adjustable.
The 2 rectangular tubes (6) are secured to the louvered component
(FIG. 1) with screws at the outside edges of the opposing parallel
rectangular columns (1) at the ascended end of the louvered ramp.
It is important to secure the rectangular tubes (6) and enclosed
hooks (4) to the louvered component (FIG. 1) such that the louver
boards (slats)(2) angle upward relative to the opposing parallel
rectangular columns (1) in the direction of ascension up the louvered
ramp. This invention will NOT work as intended if the rectangular
tubes (6) and enclosed hooks (4) are secured to the louvered component
(FIG. 1) such that the louver boards (slats)(2) angle downward relative
to the opposing rectangular columns (1) in the direction of ascension
up the louvered ramp. Obviously, holes (8) must be drilled through
the rectangular tubes (6) and into the opposing parallel rectangular
columns (1) of the louvered component (FIG. 1) in order to fasten
the rectangular tubes (6) with screws. The top holes must be larger
than the bottom holes in the rectangular tubes (6), in order to
get the screw heads (and screwdriver end) inside of the rectangular
tubes (6). Preferably, the screws are countersunk in the bottom
holes, so that the screw heads don't interfere with the adjustably
sliding hooks (4).
The second preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated
in FIG. 4. It uses and includes 2 right triangles (9) to elevate
one end of the louvered section, to form a free standing louvered
ramp. The right triangles (9) may be formed out of wood or molded
plastic. The thickness of the right triangles should closely match
the width of the opposing parallel rectangular columns (1) of the
louvered component (FIG. 1) to which they are to be fastened to,
preferably with screws. The hypotenuse length of the right triangles
(9) should closely match the length of the louvered component (FIG.
1). It is important to secure the hypotenuses of the right triangles
(9) to the opposing parallel rectangular columns (1) of the louvered
component (FIG. 1) such that the louver boards (slats)(2) angle
upward relative to the opposing rectangular columns (1) in the direction
of ascension up the louvered ramp. This invention will NOT work
as intended if the right triangles (9) are secured to the louvered
component (FIG. 1) such that the louver boards (slats)(2) angle
downward relative to the opposing rectangular columns (1) in the
direction of ascension up the louvered ramp. Anti-slip pads may
be affixed to the bottom of this second preferred embodiment for
the purpose of preventing this louvered ramp invention from sliding
away from the litter box.
This invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments.
This invention is not limited to the disclosed preferred embodiments,
but also applies to embodiments that are modifications of the preferred
embodiments, and embodiments in the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation of this invention. |