Abstrict A cat litter pan enclosure comprising a first litter pan member,
and a litter pan receiving member into which the first litter pan
member is installed. The first litter pan member has a first pan
center and a first pan perimeter. The litter pan receiving member
has a bottom member and four side members. The bottom member has
a first and second bottom surface. The four side members extend
from the first bottom surface and are in connection with one another
to form a closed bottomed container that is open above the first
bottom surface. The first bottom surface is of dimensions sufficient
to allow the pan center of the litter pan member to be placed thereon
in a manner such that any portion of the pan perimeter adjacent
a side member is between two and five inches from the side member.
One of the side members has a height of between four and eight inches
above the first bottom surface. The other three side members have
a height of between eight and thirty-six inches above the first
bottom surface. The first bottom surface may include a positioning
structure for facilitating positioning of the first pan center in
registration with a central portion of the first bottom surface.
The positioning structure contacts the litter pan or encloses a
portion of the exterior of the litter pan to prevent the litter
pan from sliding about the first bottom surface.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A cat litter pan enclosure comprising:
a first litter pan member having a pan bottom, a first pan center
and a first pan perimeter; and
a litter pan receiving member having a bottom member and four side
members, said bottom member having a first and second bottom surface,
said first bottom surface having means on the surface thereof for
facilitating positioning of said first pan center in registration
with a central position of said first bottom surface, said four
side members extending upwardly from said first bottom surface and
being in connection with one another to form a closed bottomed container
that is open above said first bottom surface, said first bottom
surface being of dimensions sufficient to allow said pan center
of said litter pan member to be placed thereon in registration with
a central portion of said first bottom surface in a manner such
that any portion of said pan perimeter adjacent to one of said side
members is between two and five inches from said side member; one
of said side members having a height of between four and eight inches
above said first bottom surface, three of said side members having
a height of between eight and thirty-six inches above said first
bottom surface; said means for facilitating positioning of said
first pan center in registration with a central portion of said
first bottom surface including at least two registration members
extending upwardly from said first bottom surface, said registration
members being spaced a distance sufficient to at least partially
receive therebetween said pan bottom; said first pan center being
in registration with said central portion of said first bottom surface.
2. The cat litter pan enclosure of claim 1 further including:
a first handle member attached to one of said three side members
having a height of between eight and thirty-six inches.
Description TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to devices for confining cat urine
within a predetermined area and more particularly to devices for
confining cat urine within a predetermined area that include at
least two urine containment areas.
BACKGROUND ART
Keeping cats within an apartment or house can be a great joy for
many individuals. However, confining these animals indoors raises
the problem of dealing with their feces and urine. Cats will generally
defecate within a litter box but will then scratch the litter in
the box discharging litter from the box in the general area of the
box. When urinating, cats will stand within the box near the edge
of the litter box and urinate onto the walls and carpets surrounding
the box. These practices can lead to unsightly stains and unsanitary,
foul smelling conditions in the house or apartment when not promptly
cleaned up. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a device which
would prevent the cats from urinating on the building walls and
carpets. It would be a further benefit if the device was lightweight
and easy to clean.
The following patents are illustrative of prior attempts to alleviate
these problems.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor ______________________________________
5140948 Roberts 5092277 Baillie et al. 5012765 Naso et al.
4766845 Bavas 4648160 Feitelson 3085550 Crawford ______________________________________
Roberts, issued Aug. 25 1992 discloses an enclosure defining
a litter box. The enclosure includes a base portion, and a removable
upper portion mounted to the base portion. A door to the upper portion
includes a signal generating switch to effect actuation of a blower
motor positioned coaxially within an exhaust conduit directed through
the upper portion.
Baillie et al., issued Mar. 3 1992 discloses an enclosed housing
having a cat liter box within its bottom confines. An opening is
provided in the top surface of the housing through which the cat
climbs onto a lower, intermediate surface level. A partition is
provided around which the cat is forced to walk in order to gain
entry to the litter box by climbing down through a second opening.
The lower, intermediate surface level is an open-grid construction,
so that when the cat reverses its path to leave the litter box,
any litter trapped on its paws falls, by gravity, back into the
box as the cat walls around the partition.
Naso et al., issued May 7 1991 discloses a waste collection and
screening device having two litter pans in opposed orientation,
an opened face of a first litter pan in facing arrangement with
an open face of the second litter pan with a screen member interposed
between the opposing litter pans.
Bavas, issued Aug. 30 1988 discloses a cat litter pan system
consisting of a permanent extruded plastic litter receptacle suitable
for receiving therein a disposable litter tray and a two component
cover section that matingly engages the plastic receptacle wherein
the disposable litter tray is positioned adjacently to the cover
section and is easily removed, disposed of, and replaced with a
new one.
Feitelson, issued Oct. 22 1985 discloses a disposable cat litter
box including a horizontally extending bottom, preferably rectangular,
and attached along the ends to upwardly extending end walls and
side walls which may be further folded to provide a top cover of
one-half the area of the horizontally extending bottom.
Crawford, issued Apr. 16 1963 discloses a cat sanitary container
and enclosure including a housing having a closed top; a dosed bottom;
sidewalls connecting the top and bottom, one upright side of the
housing is open; a lip, carried by and projecting inward from the
wall opposite the open side and spaced from the bottom; and a tray
receivable in the bottom of the housing having an upstanding side
with its upper portion engageable between the lip and the wall opposite
the open side.
None of these attempts have satisfactorily solved the problems
described above.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION
It is, thus, an object of the invention to provide a cat litter
pan enclosure that prevents cats from spraying urine on building
walls and carpets.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cat litter
pan enclosure that cats will utilize.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cat
litter pan enclosure that is easy to clean.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cat
litter pan enclosure that is lightweight.
Accordingly, a cat litter pan enclosure is provided. The cat litter
pan enclosure comprises: a first litter pan member, and a litter
pan receiving member into which the first litter pan member is installed.
The first litter pan member is preferably a conventional litter
pan having a first pan center and a first pan perimeter. Cat litter
is placed within the litter pan member in the conventional manner.
The litter pan receiving member has a bottom member and four side
members. The bottom member has a first and second bottom surface.
The four side members extend upwardly from the first bottom surface
and are in connection with one another to form a closed bottomed
container that is open above the first bottom surface.
The first bottom surface is of dimensions sufficient to allow the
pan center of the litter pan member to be placed thereon in a manner
such that any portion of the pan perimeter is between two and five
inches from the nearest side member. One of the side members has
a height of between four and eight inches above the first bottom
surface. The other three side members have a height of between eight
and thirty-six inches above the first bottom surface.
The litter pan receiving member provides an enclosure for the litter
pan member which catches and holds any cat urine which does not
enter the litter pan member. Because the perimeter of the litter
pan member is between two and five inches from the nearest sidewall,
a cat entering the enclosure must cross the channel formed between
the side members and the perimeter of the litter pan member in order
to use the litter box positioned substantially in the center of
the bottom member of the enclosure. The width of the channel is
too narrow for a cat to comfortably use the channel as a primary
defecating or urinating area. The cat is thus forced to utilize
the litter pan member for this purpose. Because the side members
are at least four inches high, the side members confine the stray
urine and cat litter within the enclosure where they can be conveniently
removed.
The litter pan receiving member is preferably constructed of a
non-porous, light weight material, such as plastic, to make cleaning
the receiving member easier. In addition, the litter pan receiving
member preferably includes at least one, and more preferably two,
handles to aid in lifting and cleaning. The litter pan receiving
member may also include pads on the second bottom surface to prevent
scratches on the surface upon which the litter pan receiving member
is placed. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom and side members
are integrally formed.
In another preferred embodiment, a second litter pan member having
a second pan center and a second pan perimeter is included; and
the first bottom surface is of dimensions sufficient to allow the
first and second pan centers of the first and second litter pan
members to be simultaneously placed thereon in a manner such that
the portions of the first and second pan perimeters not adjacent
one another are between two and five inches from the nearest side
member.
In another preferred embodiment, the first bottom surface of the
bottom member includes a positioning structure on the surface thereof
for facilitating positioning of the first pan center in registration
with a central portion of the first bottom surface. The positioning
structure contacts the litter pan or encloses a portion of the exterior
of the litter pan to prevent the litter pan from sliding about the
first bottom surface of the litter pan receiving member.
In a preferred embodiment, the positioning structure includes two,
or more, registration members, extending upwardly from the first
bottom surface, that are spaced a distance sufficient to at least
partially receive therebetween the bottom of the litter pan.
In another preferred embodiment, the positioning structure includes
a recess, in the first bottom surface, having a perimeter surrounding
an area of a size sufficient to at least partially receive thereon
the pan bottom.
In another preferred embodiment, the first bottom surface includes
a continuous registration member extending therefrom and surrounding
an area thereof of a size sufficient to receive thereon at least
a portion of the litter pan bottom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of the litter
pan receiving member of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the litter
pan member of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the litter pan member shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the litter pan member of FIG. 4 in position
within the litter pan receiving member of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the litter pan member of FIG. 4 in
position within the litter pan receiving member of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a another exemplary embodiment of the litter pan receiving
member with a preferred positioning structure.
FIG. 9 is a further exemplary embodiment of the litter pan receiving
member with another preferred positioning structure.
FIG. 10 is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of the litter
pan enclosure including a second litter pan member.
EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As discussed herein before, the cat litter pan enclosure of the
present invention, generally referenced by the numeral 10 comprises:
a litter pan member, and a litter pan receiving member into which
the litter pan member is installed.
FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of a litter
pan receiving member 12. Receiving member 12 includes a bottom member
14 four side members 161820 22 four pads 24 (two shown), and
two handles 26.
Receiving member 12 is essentially an open topped container having
side members 161820 on three sides which rise 24 inches from bottom
member 14 and one side member 22 which rises 6 inches from bottom
member 14. Rubber pads 24 are positioned at the corners of a second
bottom surface 25 of bottom member 14. One of the handles 26 is
located on side member 16 the other handle 26 is located on side
member 20. Receiving member 12 also includes a positioning structure
(not shown) for positioning the litter pan member within receiving
member 12.
Bottom member 14 and the four side members 18182022 are integrally
formed from one-quarter inch (1/4") thick plastic. Three of
the side members 161820 rise upward from bottom member 14 a distance
"A" of about twenty-four inches (24"). Side member
22 rises upward from bottom member 14 a distance "B" of
about six inches (6"). Side members 1822 each measure about
thirty-two inches (32") in width "C". As shown in
FIG. 2 side members 16 20 also have a width "D" of about
thirty-two inches (32").
FIG. 2 is a top view of receiving member 12 showing a preferred
positioning structure, generally referenced by the numeral 28 having
four registration members 30. Registration members 30 are about
fourteen inches (14") long and rise from a first bottom surface
32 about one-half inch (1/2"). The four registration members
30 define a portion 34 of first bottom surface 32 upon which a litter
pan member may be positioned and retained. Also shown in FIG. 2
is the positioning of the four rubber pads 14.
FIG. 3 is a side view of receiving member 12 showing side member
20 and the positioning of handle 26 thereon.
A side view of a litter pan member 36 is shown in FIG. 4. Litter
pan member 36 is constructed of one-eighth inch (1/8") thick
plastic and has a width "E" of about twenty-six inches
(26") and a height "F" of about three inches (3").
As shown in FIG. 5 litter pan member 36 has a length "G"
of about twenty-six inches (26"). Also shown is a litter containment
cavity 38 surrounded by a lip 40.
In FIG. 6 litter pan member 36 is shown positioned on first bottom
surface 32 between the four registration members 30 of positioning
structure 28. A channel 42 is formed entirely around litter pan
member 36. Channel 42 is defined by side members 16182022; first
bottom surface 32; and lip 40 of litter pan member 36. In this exemplary
embodiment, channel 42 is about three inches (3") wide and
about three inches (3") deep. FIG. 7 is a frontal view of receiving
member 12 with litter pan member 36 in position.
A second exemplary embodiment of a litter pan enclosure, generally
referenced by the designation 10a, is shown in FIG. 10. Litter pan
enclosure 10 includes a receiving member 12a, first litter pan member
36 and a second litter pan member 36a. Receiving member 12a is
identical in all respects to receiving member 12 as previously
described, except width "C" is about fifty-eight (58")
inches and two additional registration members 30a are included
in receiving member 12a. The additional width and registration members
30a are included to allow receiving member 12a to accommodate second
litter pan member 36a. Second litter pan member 36a, shown adjacent
litter pan member 36 in the figure, is identical to litter pan member
36 previously described including a second pan center 38a and a
second pan perimeter 40a.
Use of litter pan enclosure 10 is now described with reference
to FIGS. 6 and 7. Use of cat litter pan enclosure 10 is simple.
Litter pan member 36 is positioned onto first bottom surface 32
between the four registration members 30; and litter containment
cavity 38 filled with cat litter. In order to reach litter containment
cavity 38 cats scale side member 22 and traverse channel 42. Because
channel 42 is only three inches wide, cats find using the channel
for urinating and defecating too confining and prefer to use litter
containment cavity 38. Side member 22 rises about three inches higher
than lip 40 of litter pan member 36. This allows side member 22
to protect surrounding building walls and carpets from misdirected
urine streams and cat litter scratched from litter containment cavity
36 following defecation.
Cleaning the litter pan enclosure 10 is equally simple. Because
litter pan enclosure 10 is constructed from non-porous plastic,
it is light weight and easily emptied and then rinsed with a hose
whenever the cat litter is changed.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show two additional positioning structures which
are particularly preferred. FIG. 8 shows a positioning structure
28 having a continuous positioning member 30 which forms a closed
perimeter about a portion 34 of first bottom surface 32. FIG. 9
shows another positioning structure 28 formed by creating a recessed
portion 44 in bottom member 14 into which the bottom of litter pan
member 36 may be positioned.
It can be seen from the preceding description that a device for
confining cat urine within a predetermined area which prevents cats
from spraying urine on building walls and carpets, which cats will
utilize, which is easy to clean, and lightweight has been provided.
It is noted that the embodiment of the cat litter pan enclosure
described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject
to many different variations in structure, design, application and
methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may
be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught,
and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein
detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the
law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted
as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. |