Patent ID: 7040254
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for assisting a care giver to bathe and groom an animal, said apparatus comprising: a base member having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a substantially planar bottom surface extending therealong, said base member further having an integrally disposed outer wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface along a beveled path, said base member further having an open top end portion sized and shaped for removably receiving the animal therein, said base member being providing with a plurality of drainage holes spaced adjacent said bottom surface and further including a plurality of drainage plugs removably insertable into the drain holes, said plugs for preventing water from exiting said base member and for maintaining water at a substantially stable level within said base member, said outer wall further including a plurality of apertures formed therein and oppositely spaced from the axis wherein the apertures are situated above the drainage holes, said base member further including a plurality of flange portions rigidly connected to said base member, said plurality of flange portions having upper and lower portions having a generally concave shape, said upper portion being monolithically formed with said drain hole, said lower portion diverging downwardly and away from said drain hole, said flange portions terminating at a position generally medially between said bottom surface and a ground surface, said flange portions being disposed along an declining plane offset from a vertical axis; a cover removably positionable on top of said open top end portion, said cover being provided with an opening formed adjacent a front end portion thereof such that an animal's head can pass outwardly therethrough while the animal is positioned inside said base member during operating conditions, said opening being rigid and non-deformable, said opening being sized and shaped for isolating the animal's head above water level while a body thereof is positioned below water level, said cover having a dome shape and a monolithically formed lip portion extending downwardly and about an interior surface of the base member, said lip portion being non-pivotal, the cover opening being offset from a center of the axis and disposed above one said drain holes; and protective means for isolating a care giver's hands from water and the animal fur while the care giver is washing the animal, said protective means being positionable through the apertures respectively and extending inwardly through said outer wall, said protective means comprises