Abstrict An improved cat litter collection device comprising a base unit
having an open top, whereby the base unit sits upon a flat horizontal
surface. A litter pan fits into the open top of the base unit. A
cat can stand upon the base unit and deposit urine and feces directly
into the litter pan without having to step into the litter pan.
This prevents the cat from tracking unwanted litter and feces residue
to other areas that are remote from the base unit.
Claims What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent
is set forth in the appended claims:
1. An improved cat litter collection device comprising:
a) a base unit comprising a raised platform having an open top
surrounded by said platform, said platform being supported along
its periphery by vertical walls with said open top being off center
on said platform so as to form two wide segments and two narrow
segments of said platform about said litter pan for the cat to stand
upon, said base unit being unenclosed to permit said cat to freely
mount and leave said base unit;
b) a litter pan removable by lifting fitted into said open top
of said base unit, so that a cat can stand upon said base unit and
deposit urine and feces directly into said litter pan without having
to step into said litter pan, thereby preventing the cat from tracking
unwanted litter and feces residue to other areas that are remote
from said base unit;
c) a removable carpet completely covering the wide and narrow segments
and the outside surfaces of said vertical walls of said raised platform
to remove pieces of litter that may be stuck on a paw of the cat,
said pan having a peripheral lip sitting upon the edge of said open
top; and
d) a plurality of fastener pads on the outside surfaces of said
platform and vertical walls for holding said removable carpet in
place.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to animal litter boxes
and more specifically it relates to an improved cat littler collection
device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous animal litter boxes have been provided in prior art. For
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3990397 to Lowe Jr., 4271544 to Hammond;
5042430 to Casmira and 5329878 to McCauley all are illustrative
of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular
purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for
the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
LOWE JR., HENRY E.
SANITARY PET BOX STRUCTURE
U.S. Pat. No. 3990397
A sanitary pet box structure having a container with a space therein
for holding feces receiving material. A pet support section is adapted
to seat on the container and has an elongated opening disposed over
the space for the material. Along each side of the opening is a
relatively flat area for supporting the respective front and rear
paws of the pet, with said opening extending longitudinally with
respect to the pet's body. The unit preferably has inwardly and
downwardly sloping sides, so that the pet is forced to use the areas
along each side of the elongated opening for the support of its
paws and body. The support unit normally is used in conjunction
with a container; however, it may be, in some instances, used in
connection with a conventional toilet or commode.
HAMMOND, LARRY R.
ANIMAL COMMODE
U.S. Pat. No. 4271544
A commode for animals comprising a base member having an opening
formed therein. The opening is surrounded by a box-like enclosure
open at the top. The portion of the base interior to the enclosure
is sloped downwardly toward the opening to aid an animal in correctly
positioning itself over the slot. A part of the base, exterior to
the enclosure, forms a platform which may be covered with a grass-like
material. The opening may further include a mechanically operated
trapdoor actuated by the weight of an animal positioning itself
within the enclosure. The commode is mounted over a separate waste
receiving tray or receptacle preferably containing an aqueous solution
of a waste digesting-deodorizing chemical. It is also contemplated
that the commode be removably mounted on a conventional toilet.
CASMIRA, STEPHEN
LITTER COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD
U.S. Pat. No. 5042430
A litter collection apparatus in combination with a litter container
and method for collecting litter material employing the litter collection
apparatus. A tray is for attachment to the litter container. A hopper
body has inclined walls defining a base within the hopper body to
receive litter material. The tray is characterized by an opening
for receiving the litter material. A grate is adapted to permit
litter material to drop downwardly and inwardly in the hopper body
and to provide animal access. The tray is attached to the hopper
body by brackets for manual movement to tilt the hopper body between
a litter receiving position and to a litter discharging position.
A method for collecting litter material dropped by an animal includes
providing litter material in a container. Attaching a collecting
tray to the container characterized with an opening. A grate for
providing a platform for animals and for passing litter material
into the collecting tray. The collecting tray being positioned adjacent
the container and extending outwardly to provide a platform for
use by animals.
McMAULEY, RHONDA R.
LITTER CONTAINER HAVING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ACCESS RAMPS
U.S. Pat. No. 5329878
A litter container assembly particularly suited for accommodating
a pot belly pig includes a litter container defining an enclosed
area for containing a quantity of animal litter and having a sidewall
with an opening formed therein. An inclined ramp structure is attached
to the sidewall adjacent to the opening therein and extends therefrom,
so as to define an entry and exit which leads into and from the
enclosed area of the litter container. The ramp structure includes
a first ramp inside the container and a second ramp outside the
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved
cat litter collection device that will overcome the shortcomings
of the prior art devices.
Another object is to provide an improved cat litter collection
device that consists of a base unit supporting a litter pan, which
will allow a cat to stand upon the base unit and deposit urine and
feces directly into the litter pan, thereby preventing the cat from
tracking unwanted litter and feces residue to other areas.
An additional object is to provide an improved cat litter collection
device, in which the base unit is covered with carpet to help remove
pieces of litter that may be stuck on a paw of the cat that is used
to cover urine and feces within the litter pan.
A further object is to provide an improved cat litter collection
device that is simple and easy to use.
A still further object is to provide an improved cat litter collection
device that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description
proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention
may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are
illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific
construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention placed upon
a floor in a corner of a room.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with the litter
pan exploded from the frame unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame unit taken in the direction
of arrow 3 in FIG. 2 with parts broken away and in section.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevational view taken along line 4--4
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional perspective view taken in the direction
of arrow 5 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the carpet from the frame
unit.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference
characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an improved cat litter collection device
10 comprising a base unit 12 having an open top 14 whereby the
base unit 12 sits upon a flat horizontal surface 16. A litter pan
18 fits into the open top 14 of the base unit 12. A cat 19 can stand
upon the base unit 12 and deposit urine and feces directly into
the litter pan 18 without having to step into the litter pan 18.
This prevents the cat from tracking unwanted litter 20 and feces
residue to other areas that are remote from the base unit 12.
The base unit 12 includes a platform 22 having the open top 14
therethrough. A framework 24 extends about the platform 22 for
elevating the platform 22 above the flat horizontal surface 16.
The open top 14 is off center on the platform 22 so as to form
two wide segments 26 and two narrow segments 28 about the litter
pan 18 for the cat 19 to stand upon.
The framework 24 consists of a pair of end walls 30 that are spaced
apart and parallel. A pair of side walls 32 are also spaced apart
and parallel and extend between the end walls 30.
The base unit 12 further includes a removable carpet 34 covering
the platform 22 the end walls 30 and the side walls 32. The carpet
34 is more attractive to look at, is more appealing for the cat
19 to stand upon and will remove pieces of litter 20 that may be
stuck on a paw 35 of the cat 19 that is used to cover the urine
and feces within the litter pan 18. The carpet 34 can be retained
to the base unit 12 by a plurality of fastener pads 37 as shown
in FIG. 6. The carpet 34 can be lifted off the base unit 12 to
be washed or changed when needed.
The litter pan 18 contains a bottom wall 36 and a pair of end walls
38. Each end wall 38 extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle
from one end edge of the bottom wall 36. A pair of side walls 40
are also provided. Each side wall 40 extends upwardly and outwardly
at an angle from one side edge of the bottom wall 36 so as to form
a container for holding the litter 20 therein. The litter pan 18
further includes a peripheral lip 42 formed on the top edges of
the end walls 38 and the side walls 40. The lip 42 will sit upon
the edges of the open top 14 in the platform 22.
The platform 22 of the base unit 12 is fabricated out of a strong
durable material 44. The end walls 30 and the side walls 32 of the
framework 24 of the base unit 12 are also fabricated out of the
strong durable material 44. The strong durable material 44 of the
base unit 12 is wood. The strong durable material 44 can also be
plastic, metal, cardboard and any other suitable materials.
The bottom wall 36 the end walls 38 the side walls 40 and the
peripheral lip 42 of the litter pan 18 are integral and fabricated
out of a strong durable material 46. The strong durable material
46 of the litter pan 18 is plastic. The strong durable material
46 can also be wood, metal, cardboard and any other suitable materials. |