Abstrict A combination simulated planter and cat litter enclosure comprising
a simulated planter having a false bottom portion with an opening
leading therein for receiving cat litter in the bottom portion.
A simulated plant closes off the top of the simulated planter having
a simulated plant trunk and simulated plant foilage.
Claims I claim:
1. A combination simulated planter and cat litter enclosure comprising:
a hollow container portion having a side wall, a bottom wall and
an open top;
an opening through said side wall leading into the interior of
said container portion; and
a removable lid closing off the top of said container portion,
said lid having a simulated tree trunk extending generally vertically
upwardly therefrom in a direction away from said container portion,
and simulated foilage associated with the terminal ends of said
trunk.
2. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said container portion
is in the configuration of a truncated cylinder simulating a planter.
3. In the combination of claim 2 wherein said container portion
terminates at the bottom in a wall portion of a reduced outer diameter.
4. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said container portion
terminates at its upper end in a rim having a small opening therethrough.
5. In the combination of claim 1 wherein said container portion
has a ledge on the inner wall thereof disposed below the open end
of said container portion.
6. In the combination of claim 5 wherein said lid is supported
on said ledge when closing off the open end of said container portion.
7. In the combination of claim 1 including a handle mounted on
said lid on the side of said lid opposite said container portion
for lifting said lid off of said container portion.
8. In the combination of claim 1 including a scratching trunk portion
of a coarse or roughened material associated with at least a portion
of said trunk for providing a scratching posting for a cat.
9. In the combination of claim 1 wherein the side of said lid opposite
said container portion is covered with material simulating turf
or grass.
10. In the container of claim 1 wherein the upper end of said trunk
terminates in one or more simulated branches, said foilage being
connected to said branches.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to cat litter enclosures; and, more particularly,
to a combination simulated planter and cat litter enclosure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cats are among the most popular of house pets. More people keep
cats for pets than any other animal, including dogs. However, as
population shifts from single house ownership to apartment dwelling,
it is difficult to keep a cat or dog confined to such apartments.
Thus, cat litter boxes are used to contain the cat's waste products
particularly when there is no way for the cat to leave the house
or apartment. In the past, such cat litter boxes were usuallly kept
in a spare bedroom or storage area or the like since odors from
such boxes are generally unpleasant and the boxes and litter unsightly.
In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 298371 a barrel-shaped pet station is disclosed
having a ventilated top. Although less unsightly than known cat
litter boxes, a barrel is an unusual object to have in one's house
or apartment. U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. 228558; 276752; 230285 and
U.S. Pat. No. 4792082 show simulated houses for a cat box which,
although not as unusual an object as a barrel, are still rather
strange an object for a house or apartment. A simulated house for
a cat are also shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3752120 and 5014649
Pat. No. 3752120 having three nesting compartments. The latter
is a rather complicated arrangement.
A modern looking pet house is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3618568.
It is not only complicated with nested sections but still is a house
and indicates the presence of a cat or dog.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4683839 a table used for a cat box is disclosed
with the idea of disguising it as a lamp stand. One may not need
a lamp stand nor desire the same. Also, an electric outlet must
be nearby to be effective as a lamp stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 3822671 is directed to an outside animal toilet
U.S. Des. Pat. No. 232565 may also be the same as it has an attached
scoop paddle. Finally, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 250051 shows a cat box
in the form of a truncated cylinder having an opening leading into
the bottom thereof. Such a device would be highly unusual in a home
or apartment.
Odorless cat litter has evolved over the years so that, today,
a cat litter box need not be hidden away in a bathroom or storage
area.However, if brought out into a living room area, the above
noted prior art devices would stand out as unusual objects and indicate
the presence of a cat. Human nature being what it is, one might
then "smell" the litter of the cat box.
There is a need for a cat litter box in the form of a known household
object that would conventionally be found in one's living quarters.
Such a box should be easy to clean and take up little space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a combination simulated
planter and cat litter enclosure.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a device
which can be located in an apartment or a house and blend in with
the surroundings.
It is still another object of this invention to provide the combination
of the foregoing objects which can be quickly and easily cleaned.
These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing
a simulated planter having a false bottom portion with an opening
leading therein for receiving cat litter in the bottom portion.
A simulated plant closes off the top of the simulated planter having
a simulated plant trunk and simulated plant foilage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combination simulated planter
and cat litter enclosure in accordance with the teachings of my
invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective exploded view of the device of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container portion alone of the
device of FIGS. 1 to 3; and
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lid alone of the device of FIGS.
1 to 4 the simulated turf and trunk being omitted for convenience
of illustration .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a combination simulated
planter and cat litter enclosure device 10 is shown having a hollow
container portion 11 simulating a planter, and a removable top lid
12 (see FIG. 2). Container portion 11 may be a truncated cylinder
having a reduced diameter portion 13 closing off the bottom (see
also FIG. 3) to simulate the shape of a conventional planter.
Container portion 11 also has an annular rim or edge 14 (FIG. 2)
at top and an inwardly extending annular ridge 15 below rim or edge
14 extending inwardly toward the center of container portion 11
(see FIG. 4). Ridge 15 thus acts to support lid 12 on top of the
same as seen in FIG. 1 and can be understood by comparing the same
with the exploded view in FIG. 2. Of course, ridge 15 need not extend
all the way around the inner wall of container portion 11 (or a
plurality of spaced ridge sections may be used.).
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 a handle 16 is optionally provided on
lid 12 for lifting the same off of container portion 11 for emptying
the latter. Handle 16 may be of any suitable configuration and is
shown as U-shaped and secured to lid 12 in any suitable manner,
such as by rivets or the like.
An opening 17 of a size suitable to allow a cat to pass therethrough,
is provided in the side wall of container portion 11. As seen in
FIG. 2 conventional kitty litter 18 may be deposited on the bottom
of container portion 11. This litter can be removed from container
portion 11 by merely lifting off lid 12 via handle 16 and emptied.
Of course, a removable tray may also be provided inside of container
portion 11 the litter being disposed on the top of the tray.
One or more holes 19 (FIGS. 1 and 4) are provided in the rim or
edge 14 for draining the interior of container portion 11.
A simulated plant trunk 20 is mounted at preferably the middle
of lid 12 extending vertically upwardly therefrom. If desired, a
cat scratching post portion 21 may be provided on trunk 20 as is
well known for use with cats.. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 trunk 20
simulates a tree or plant trunk with branch portion 22 at top terminating
in foilage 23 in the form of leaves or the like. Of course, such
foilage could be flowers, blossoms, buds, ferns, etc. Preferably,
a trunk 20 branches 22 and foilage 23 simulating a conventional
house plant is used. Also, lid 12 may be removed by grasping trunk
20 and lifting the same, if desired, eliminating the need for handle
16. Finally, simulated turf or grass 24 may be provided on the surface
of lid 12 to carry out the simulation of a planter.
Any suitable materials, such as plastic, metal, etc. may be used.
The trunk 20 and branches 22 may be made from an actual tree limb,
if desired, with foilage 23 being of silk or other material simulating
actual leaves or the like. Any suitable colors, preferably coventional
turf, grass, foilage or trunk colors may be used. Any suitable roughened
or coarse material, such as carpeting, may be used for scratching
trunk portion 21 preferably of a color blending in with the color
of trunk 20 may be used.
It can be seen that I have disclosed a combination simulated planter
and cat litter enclosure that can be placed in any suitable location
in a home or apartment or the like. Odorless kitty litter may be
used and opening 17 can be turned away from direct view so that
one sees only a simulated planter. The device can be quickly and
easily cleaned.
Variations of the foregoing invention may occur to those skilled
in the art and the scope of the invention should be limited only
by the scope of the appended claims. |