Abstrict A hinge of single piece construction particularly adapted for providing
a removable pivotal attachment for a raised cover on a cat litter
box wherein the rearward ends of the litter container and cover
are each provided with vertical slots positioned such that upon
the cover being disposed on the container in a closed position the
slots on the cover are disposed adjacently above and in axial alignment
with the slots on the litter container. The hinge defines a curvilinear
depending tab portion adapted to extend through one of the aligned
pairs of slots against a portion of the litter box and be removably
retained in a snug fitment within the slot in the litter container.
The tab portion of the hinge member merges into a curvilinear guide
portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from the tab portion which
merges into a cover support portion. Upon the tab portions of a
pair of hinges being extended through the aligned vertical slots
and the forward end of the cover being raised from the container,
the cover is caused to pivot rearwardly on the container by the
curvilinear guide portions of the hinges until a raised rear wall
portion of the cover abuts the cover support portions of the hinges
causing the tab position of the hinges to bear against the litter
box whereupon the cover rests on the support portions of the hinges
in a fully open position without the need for additional support
while providing unobstructed access to the litter container.
Claims I claim:
1. A cat litter box assembly comprising:
a container adapted to hold a supply of cat litter therein and
having upstanding side and rear wall portions, an open upper end
and defining an upper edge;
a cover adapted to be carried by and disposed over said open upper
end of said container, said cover having a forward end, a rearward
end and raised wall portions and defining a lower edge adapted to
be disposed over and adjacent said upper edge on said container
upon said cover being disposed on said container;
a pair of first laterally spaced vertical slots disposed adjacent
said upper edge of said container adjacent said rear wall portion
thereof;
a pair of second laterally spaced vertical slots disposed adjacent
said lower edge of said cover, said second slots being disposed
over and axially aligned with said first slots in said container
upon said cover being disposed on said container;
a pair of hinge members providing a removable pivotal attachment
of said cover on said container whereby said cover can be moved
on said container between a closed and a fully open position, each
of said hinge members defining a depending tab portion, a curvilinear
guide portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from said tab portion
and merging into a cover support portion of said hinge member, said
tab portion being extendable through one of said first and second
aligned slots and being configured so as to be removably retained
within one of said first slots, said guide portion being configured
relative to said second slots so as to allow sliding movement of
said cover upwardly and rearwardly along said guide portion, whereby
upon said cover being disposed on said container, said tab portions
inserted through said aligned slots, respectively, and said forward
end of said cover raised from said container, said cover is caused
to pivot rearwardly with respect to said container by said curvilinear
guide portions of said hinge members until raised wall portions
at the rearward end of said cover abut said cover support portions
of said hinge members whereupon said cover is in said fully open
position providing unobstructed access to said container.
2. The litter box assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said depending
tab portions of said hinge members is curvilinear and upon being
extended through one of said first and second aligned slots is disposed
adjacent an exterior portion of said container and abuts said exterior
portion upon said cover being moved to said fully open position,
thereby limiting the rearward pivotal movement of said cover with
respect to said container.
3. The litter box assembly of claim 2 wherein said hinge members
are of a single piece construction and each member defines a shoulder
disposed adjacent said tab and guide portions, said shoulder being
adapted to abut said container adjacent one of said first slots
therein upon said tab portion being inserted through one of said
first slots.
4. The litter box assembly of claim 2 wherein said upper edge of
said container extends substantially about the perimeter of said
open upper end, and defines an upper lip substantially of an inverted
"U"-shape in cross-section, and wherein said lower edge
of said cover extends substantially about the perimeter of said
cover and defines a lower lip comprising an outwardly projecting
portion adapted to abut and rest on said upper lip of said container
and a depending skirt portion extending about said upper lip, said
second slots being disposed in said outwardly projecting portion
of said lower lip.
5. The litter box assembly of claim 1 wherein said raised wall
portions at the rearward end of said cover are disposed forwardly
of said first and second slots upon said cover being disposed on
said container in said closed position such that a substantial portion
of said cover is disposed rearwardly of said cover support portions
of said hinge members upon said cover being moved to said fully
open position, whereby said cover rests against said support portions
in said fully open position without the need for additional support.
6. The litter box assembly of claim 1 wherein said hinge members
are of a single piece construction and each member defines a shoulder
disposed adjacent said tab and guide portions, said shoulder being
adapted to abut said container adjacent one of said first slots
therein upon said tab portion being inserted through one of said
first slots.
7. The litter box assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second
slots and said tab and guide portions of said hinge members are
substantially rectangular in cross-section, the length and width
of said second slots being greater than the length and width respectively
of said first slots and the transverse dimension of said guide portions
of said hinge members being greater than the transverse dimension
of said tab portions and less than the length of said second slots.
8. A cat litter box assembly comprising:
a container adapted to hold a supply of cat litter therein and
having upstanding side and rear wall portions and an open upper
end, and defining an upper lip extending about said side and rear
wall portions;
a cover adapted to be carried by and disposed over said open upper
end of said container, said cover having a forward end, a rearward
end and raised wall portions, and defining a lower lip adapted to
be disposed over and adjacent said upper lip on said container upon
said cover being disposed on said container;
a pair of first laterally spaced vertical slots disposed in said
upper lip of said container adjacent said rear wall portion thereof;
a pair of second laterally spaced vertical slots disposed in said
lower lip of said cover, said slots being disposed over and axially
aligned with said slots in said upper lip of said container upon
said cover being disposed on said container;
a pair of hinge members providing a removable pivotal attachment
of said cover on said container whereby said cover can be moved
on said container between a closed and a fully open position and
be readily detached therefrom, each of said hinge members defining
a curvilinear depending tab portion, a curvilinear guide portion
extending upwardly and rearwardly from said tab portion and merging
into a cover support portion of said hinge member, said tab portion
being extendable through one of said first and second aligned slots
and being configured so as to be removably retained within one of
said first slots, and said guide portion being configured relative
to said second slots so as to allow sliding movement of said cover
upwardly and rearwardly along said guide portion, whereby upon said
cover being disposed on said container, said tab portions inserted
through said aligned slots, respectively, and said forward end of
said cover raised from said container, said cover is caused to pivot
rearwardly with respect to said container by said curvilinear guide
portions of said hinge members until raised portions at the rearward
end of said cover abut said cover support portions of said hinge
members and said tab portions of said hinge members abut said container,
whereupon the positioning of said cover relative to said hinge members
causes said cover to rest against said cover support portions providing
unobstructed access to said container without the need for additional
support.
9. The litter box assembly of claim 8 wherein said raised wall
portions at the rearward end of said cover are disposed forwardly
of said first and second slots upon said cover being disposed on
said container in said closed position such that a substantial portion
of said cover is disposed rearwardly of said cover support portions
of said hinge members upon said cover being moved to said fully
open position.
10. The litter box assembly of claim 8 wherein said first and second
slots and said tab and guide portions of said hinge members are
substantially rectangular in cross-section, the length and width
of said second slots being greater than the length and width respectively
of said first slots and the transverse dimension of said guide portions
of said hinge members being greater than the transverse dimension
of said tab portions and less than the length of said second slots.
11. The litter box assembly of claim 10 wherein said upper lip
extends substantially about the perimeter of said open upper end,
is substantially of an inverted "U"-shape in cross-section
and defines a support surface for said cover, and wherein said lower
lip extends substantially about the perimeter of said cover and
defines an outwardly projecting portion adapted to abut and rest
on said upper lip of said container and a depending skirt portion
adapted to extend about said upper lip.
12. A hinged box assembly comprising:
a container having a forward end, a rearward end, a plurality of
upstanding wall portions, and a pair of vertically disposed and
laterally spaced slots disposed at said rearward end thereof;
a cover adapted to be carried by and disposed over said container
and having a forward end, a rearward end, and a pair of vertically
disposed and laterally spaced slots disposed at said rearward end
thereof, said slots being positioned on said cover so as to be axially
aligned with said slots in said container upon said cover being
disposed on said container; and
a pair of hinge members providing a removable pivotal attachment
of said cover on said container whereby said cover can be moved
on said container between a closed and a fully open position, each
of said hinge members defining a depending tab portion, a curvilinear
guide portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from said tab portion
and merging into a cover support portion of said hinge member, said
tab portion being extendable through one of said slots in said container
and one of said slots in said cover and being configured so as to
be removably retained within one of said slots in said container,
said guide portion being configured relative to said second slots
so as to allow sliding movement of said cover upwardly and rearwardly
along said guide portion, whereby upon said cover being disposed
on said container, said tab portions inserted through said aligned
slots respectively in said container and said cover and said forward
end of said cover raised from said container, said cover is caused
to pivot rearwardly with respect to said container by said curvilinear
guide portions of said hinge members until portions of said cover
abuts said cover support portions of said hinge members whereupon
said cover is in said fully open position providing unobstructed
access to said container.
13. The box assembly of claim 12 wherein each of said depending
tab portions of said hinge members is curvilinear and upon being
extended through one of said first and second aligned slots is disposed
adjacent an exterior portion of said container and abuts said exterior
portion upon said cover being moved to said fully open position,
thereby limiting the rearward pivotal movement of said cover with
respect to said container.
14. The box assembly of claim 13 wherein upon said cover being
disposed in said fully open position, a substantial portion of said
cover is disposed rearwardly of said cover support portions of said
hinge members, causing said cover to rest against said cover support
portions and tab portions of said hinge members to abut said container
thereby maintaining said cover in said fully open position without
the need for additional support.
15. The box assembly of claim 12 wherein said hinge members are
of single piece construction and each hinge member defines a pair
of lateral shoulders disposed adjacent said tab and guide portions
thereof, said shoulders being adapted to abut said container adjacent
one of said slots therein upon said tab portion being inserted through
one of said slots therein.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel hinge configuration particularly
adapted for providing a cat litter box with a removable hinge cover.
The use of removable covers for cat litter boxes has become increasingly
popular as the cover conceals the animal waste and soiled litter
from view. Such covers generally comprise elevated side walls so
that the cat can use the litter box without the pet owner having
to remove the cover from the litter box. It has been found that
the privacy afforded by such litter box covers is preferred by many
cats. An example of a cat litter box having a removable elevated
cover is the litter box marketed by Booda Products, Inc. under the
trademark BOODABOX.
When the waste and soiled litter are removed from a covered litter
box or when the litter is changed, the pet owner must remove and
replace the cover. For a litter box cover to be acceptable to cats,
it must be relatively large so as not to appear overly confining
and provide easy access for the cat and adequate space for the cat
to stand within the box. As a result, many pet owners have found
litter box covers inconvenient to use and awkward to handle. By
providing a hinged securement of the cover to the rear of the box,
these problems could be obviated as the pet owner could merely pivot
the cover out of the way to provide unobstructed access to the interior
of the litter box. However, conventional hinge mechanisms are not
readily detachable and would render the litter box more difficult
to clean and, due to the bulk of the box with the cover attached,
more difficult to transport. It would be highly desirable to provide
a hinge mechanism for use on a cat litter box which allowed for
such pivotal movement of the cover on the box and which allowed
the cover to be readily detached from the box. Due to space limitations
in many locations where cat litter boxes are kept, it would also
be desirable if such a hinge mechanism provided a support for the
cover in the raised position to maintain unobstructed access to
the box without having to pivot the cover rearwardly of the box
to the floor. The hinge mechanism of the present invention achieves
these objectives and does so with a minimal impact on the cost of
the litter box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism particularly
adapted for providing a readily detachable hinged mounting of an
elevated cover on a cat litter box. The hinge of the present invention
allows the cover to be pivoted rearwardly with respect to the litter
box and supports the cover in a raised open position to provide
unobstructed access to the litter box to facilitate removal of cat
waste and soiled litter and changing of the litter. The hinge also
allows for the cover to be easily detached from the litter box for
cleaning and transporting. The hinge mechanism of the present invention
is of single piece construction and is generally employed in spaced
pairs between the litter box and cover to provide the aforesaid
detachable hinged mounting.
Each hinge comprises a flat, inwardly curved, vertically depending
portion terminating at its upper end in a first curvilinear guide
portion extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and defines
a pair of laterally projecting shoulders therebetween. The guide
portion of the hinge merges into an upstanding portion which terminates
in a rearwardly projecting cover support portion.
The cat litter box and cover are each preferably provided with
an outwardly projecting perimeter edge portion sized that such upon
a cover being disposed in place on the litter box, the edge portion
of the cover projects over and about and rests on the edge portion
of the box. Two pairs of aligned vertical slots are provided in
the rear edge portions of the litter box and cover with the slots
in the cover being slightly larger than the length of the slots
in the litter box such that upon the projecting depending portions
of the hinges through the vertically aligned slots, the hinge shoulders
abut the rear upper edge of the litter box adjacent the slots therein
while the depending portions of the hinges are held in a snug fitment
within the litter box slots, thereby removably mounting the hinges
on the litter box and the rear of the cover about the guide portions
of the hinges. So secured, the inner surfaces of the curvilinear
depending portions of the hinges abut the rear wall of the litter
box below and inwardly of the slotted edge portions thereof. As
the forward end of the cover is raised from the litter box, the
slotted portions of the cover ride upwardly and rearwardly over
the curvilinear guide portions of the hinges until the raised rear
wall of the cover abuts the cover support portions of the hinges,
causing the inwardly curved depending portions of the hinges to
bear against the rear wall of the litter box, preventing any further
pivoting of the cover with respect to the box. In this fully open
position the weight of the raised portion of the cover causes the
cover to rest against the cover support portions of the hinges without
the need of additional support, thereby obviating the need for the
pet owner to hold the cover in an open position while allowing unrestricted
access to the litter box. The cover can be removed from the litter
box for cleaning and transportation purposes by merely pulling the
hinges upwardly through the aligned slots in the litter box and
cover.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide
a hinge mechanism for pivotally mounting a cover on a cat litter
box to facilitate unrestricted access to the litter box and allow
the cover to be readily removed from the box for cleaning and/or
transportation purposes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a readily
removable hinge mechanism for pivotally mounting a cover on a cat
litter box such that the cover is free standing in the raised open
position to provide unrestricted access to the box without having
to hold the cover in the open position.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a readily
removable hinge mechanism for pivotally mounting a cover on a cat
litter box which is of economical construction and easily manufactured.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a covered cat litter box employing
the hinge mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional side view illustrating the cover
in a partially opened position.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side view illustrating the cover
in the fully opened position.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the hinge member 10 of
the present invention is particularly designed for providing a removable
pivotal mounting of a litter box cover 12 on a cat litter box 14.
The cat litter box 14 shown in the drawings is provided with a slightly
inclined side walls 16 a forwardly inclined front wall 18 a pair
of upwardly inclined and converging forward wall portions (not shown)
joining side walls 16 with front wall 18 and a pair of inclined
angularly disposed rear wall portions 24 (only one being shown)
joining side walls 16 with inclined rear wall 26. An inverted U-shaped
upper perimeter edge portion 28 is defined by the upper ends of
forward wall portions 22 side walls 16 rear wall portions 24 and
rear wall 26. A pair of resilient, locking tabs 30 (one being shown)
project upwardly from the upper edge portions of forward inclined
wall portions of the litter box 14 and a pair of spaced apart elongated
rectangular vertical slots 32 are disposed in the upper edge portion
28 proximate the lateral ends of rear wall 26.
The mating litter box cover 12 is preferably designed to correspond
generally in configuration to the litter box 14 and defines a lower
perimeter lip portion 34 comprised of an outwardly inclined surface
36 and a depending skirt 38 which are adapted to extend over and
about and rest on the upper perimeter edge portion 28 of the litter
box 14 upon the cover 12 being disposed thereon. In the embodiment
of cover 12 illustrated in the drawings, the cover defines a forwardly
projecting canopy 40 which extends beyond the forward wall 18 of
the litter box so as to provide an entrance 41 for a cat into the
litter box 14 with the cover 12 disposed thereon. Alternatively,
the cat entrance could be provided in the forward wall of the litter
box, in the forward wall of the cover, or partially in the box and
partially in the cover. The top surface 42 of cover 12 defines a
pair of openings 44 therein spanned by a plurality of transverse
louvers 46 adapted to receive air filtration elements 48 therein
to reduce any odors emanating from the litter box.
The perimeter lip portion 34 of cover 12 defines a pair of vertical
slots 50 therein adjacent the forward end of canopy 40 which are
adapted to receive the locking tabs 30 on the litter box 14. Locking
tabs 30 define undercut portions 33 therein such that when the cover
is disposed in place upon the litter box, the locking tabs 30 are
deflected rearwardly as they pass through slots 50 in cover 12 and
snap forwardly when the undercut portions 33 project beyond the
upper ends of slots 50 thereby removably securing the forward end
of cover 12 to the litter box 14. The inclined surface 36 of the
perimeter lip portion 34 of cover 12 defines a pair of rearwardly
disposed elongated rectangular vertical slots 52 therein. Slots
52 are positioned in lip portion of 34 so as to be disposed directly
above rectangular slots 32 in the upper edge portion 28 of litter
box 14. The slots 52 in the rear of cover 12 are longer and slightly
wider than the slots 32 in the litter box 14 so to provide the desired
mounting of hinges 10 therein as will be explained.
Hinges 10 are of single piece construction, preferably constructed
nylon and formed by injecting molding, although metal or other durable
plastic materials could be used. Each hinge comprises a flat, inwardly
curved, vertically depending tab portion 60 rectangular in cross-section
and sized so as to be insertable through one of the pairs of aligned
slots 52 and 32 in the litter box cover 12 and litter box 14 and
snugly retained in one of the slots 32 in the rear upper edge portion
of litter box 14. Tab portion 60 is inwardly curved so that upon
being inserted through slots 52 and 32 the inwardly projecting
surface 60' thereof is disposed adjacent portions 26' of the rear
wall 26 of litter box 14. Tab portion 60 merges at 62 into a upwardly
and rearwardly projecting curvilinear guide portion or hinge portion
64 also rectangular in cross-section. Curvilinear guide portion
64 has a transverse dimension and thickness slightly less than the
length and width of slots 52 in cover 12 such that the cover is
moveable thereover. The transverse dimension of hinge portion 64
is also slightly greater than the transverse dimension of the tab
portion 60 of the hinge so as to define a pair of laterally projecting
shoulders 66 adjacent hinge portions 60 and 64. Curvilinear guide
portion 64 merges at its upper end 68 into an upstanding portion
70 which terminates at its upper end in a second outwardly and rearwardly
extending curvilinear portion 72 defining a cover support surface
74.
To install hinges 10 the depending tab portions 60 are inserted
through the pairs of aligned slots 52 and 32 in the rear of cover
12 and litter box 14 until the hinge shoulders 66 abut the upper
edge portion 28 of the litter box. The snug fitment of the tab portions
of the hinge within slots 32 provide a removable mounting of the
hinges on the litter box. As the forward end of the cover 12 is
raised from the litter box 14 after releasing the locking tabs 30
at the forward end thereof, the interior wall surfaces 52' of slots
52 ride upwardly and rearwardly along the curvilinear guide portions
64 of hinges 10 causing a pivoted movement of the cover about the
rear end of the litter box. This movement continues until the portions
of rear wall 43 of cover 12 abuts the cover support surfaces 74
of the hinges. As the litter box cover abuts hinge surfaces 74
the surfaces 60' of the tab portions 60 of the hinges are caused
to bear against the adjacent portions 26' of the litter box 14
as seen in FIG. 4 preventing the hinges from pivoting relative
to the litter box and thereby limiting the rearward pivotal movement
of the cover on the litter box. The litter box cover 12 is then
in a fully open position, providing unobstructed access to the litter
box 14. As the rear wall 43 of cover 12 is inclined inwardly, a
substantial portion of the litter box cover 12 is disposed rearwardly
of the hinges 10 in the fully open position. The weight of the cover
12 thus maintains the cover in its fully open position providing
an unobstructed access to the litter box without the need for additional
support.
Various changes in modifications may be made in carrying out the
present invention. Insofar as these changes and modifications are
within the purview of the appended claims, they are to be considered
as part of the present invention. In this regard, it is to be understood
that the particular configurations of the litter box cover 12 and
box 14 are disclosed herein merely as examples of cover and litter
box configurations which can be employed with the hinges 10 of the
present invention. Other litter box cover and box configurations
could be employed. Indeed, while the hinge 10 of the present invention
is particularly adapted for providing a removable pivotal mounting
of an elevated cover on a cat litter box, the hinge configuration
could also be employed to provide such a mounting for a wide variety
of covered box applications. |