Abstract:
In one embodiment, a remote pet litter box enclosure has a cabinet, box or other enclosure containing a pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device, which can be accessed by a pet through a tunnel or hole, the entry and exit point of which originates in another room within a home or dwelling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    The present invention generally pertains to furniture. More particularly, the present invention pertains to indoor furniture cabinets that enclose pet litter boxes and/or other pet waste disposal devices. 
         [0005]    Domestic companion animals, or “pets,” such as cats and dogs, are popular throughout the United States and the world. But pets can also present problems within a home or dwelling, including health risks to children, pregnant women, and those suffering from certain allergies. Pets also generate waste. Conventional pet litter boxes or other pet waste disposal devices are generally placed on the floor of a utility room or in another inconspicuous place in a home or dwelling. In order to be of use, however, the pet must have ready access to the location of the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device. 
         [0006]    Locating a pet waste disposal device inside a home or dwelling presents many problems, including but not limited to litter dust within the home, tracking of litter throughout the home or dwelling, unpleasant odors, and unsanitary conditions. Moreover, it is often difficult to store pet litter or other accessories related to pet litter boxes or other pet waste disposal devices in a location that is near the pet waste disposal device while maintaining sanitary conditions and a neat and orderly appearance. While some pet litter boxes include a lid or box-like form, these approaches do not avoid many of the problems associated with conventional pet litter boxes or other pet waste disposal devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    In one embodiment, a remote pet litter box enclosure includes an interior that humans can access through one or more doors, drawers and/or lids, and which can contain one or more pet litter boxes or other pet waste disposal devices. The remote pet litter box enclosure also includes an access aperture, such as a tunnel or hole, through which a pet can enter and exit the remote pet litter box enclosure in order to use the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device. The access aperture can include an entry point located a predetermined distance from the remote pet litter box enclosure interior. The remote pet litter box enclosure can be configured so that the access aperture entry point and remote pet litter box enclosure interior are located in different rooms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a remote pet litter box enclosure in operation, in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a remote pet litter box enclosure in operation, in accordance with one embodiment, showing a remote pet litter box in relation to an interior building wall. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in operation, in accordance with one embodiment, showing a remote pet litter box in relation to an interior building wall. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a rear view (without a back) of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with enclosure doors shown in an open position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with enclosure doors shown in an open position, and a tray shelf shown in an open position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with enclosure doors shown in an open position, a tray shelf shown in an open position, and without a pet litter box or pet ramp. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with enclosure doors shown in an open position, and showing use of tunnel entry access aperture. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a right side view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with the right side panel omitted. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with the addition of upper storage cabinets. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a left side view of a remote pet litter box enclosure of the present invention, with the addition of upper storage cabinets. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with the addition of upper storage cabinets. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with the addition of an upper hutch. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the closed position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the rear-facing position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the forward-facing position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the closed position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the closed position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a side view of a pet access tunnel to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with flaps in the rear-facing position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a right side view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a front view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a top view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a right side view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a pet ramp contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a side view of a pet litter box to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a top view of a pet litter box to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a pet litter box to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a pet litter box to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, with an access notch contained on one side. 
           [0040]      FIG. 33  is a front view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 34  is a rear view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 35  is a left side view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 36  is a right side view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 37  is a top view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a pet waste accessory tray to be contained within a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0046]      FIG. 39  is a front view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, having a top lid and pet access tunnel mounted on the side. 
           [0047]      FIG. 40  is a side view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, having a top lid. 
           [0048]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, having a top lid and pet access tunnel mounted on the side, with the front surface omitted to show a view of the interior. 
           [0049]      FIG. 42  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, having a top lid and pet access tunnel mounted in the rear, with the front surface omitted to show a view of the interior. 
           [0050]      FIG. 43  is a perspective view of a remote pet litter box enclosure in accordance with one embodiment, having a top lid and pet access tunnel mounted in the rear, with the rear surface omitted to show a view of the interior. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0051]    Referring to the drawing in more detail,  FIGS. 1 through 12  show a remote pet waste enclosure in accordance with one embodiment.  FIGS. 1 through 3  show a remote pet waste enclosure  10  situated in one room, with an aperture  12  configured to allow access, through a wall, to the interior of the remote pet waste enclosure.  FIGS. 4 through 12  show a remote pet waste enclosure in additional detail. 
         [0052]    More particularly,  FIGS. 4 through 9  show a remote pet waste enclosure  10  having a top  14 , a bottom  16 , a left side  18 , a right side  20 , a back  22 , and a front comprising a left enclosure door  24  and a right enclosure door  26 . Left enclosure door  24  includes a left handle  28  and right enclosure door  26  includes a right handle  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is supported by a left front leg  32 , a right front leg  33 , a left rear leg  36 , and a right rear leg  38 , each located at the approximate corners of bottom  16 . 
         [0053]    Left side  18  and the right side  20  include ventilation points  40 . An aperture  12  is located on the back  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, aperture  12  includes a tunnel, as described in more detail below. As shown, top  14 , bottom  16 , left side  18 , right side  20 , back  22 , left enclosure door  24 , and right enclosure door  26  define an enclosure. As described in more detail below, the enclosure contains additional feature. 
         [0054]    For example, inside the enclosure is a litter box shelf  42 , which is mounted on sliding brackets  44 . Litter box shelf  42  includes litter box supports  46  and a pet access hole  48 . Also inside the enclosure is a pet ramp  50  that leads to pet access hole  48  when litter box shelf  42  is in a back position. Inside litter box shelf  42 , and supported by litter box supports  46 , is a pet litter box  52 . 
         [0055]    An accessory tray  54  mounts to bottom  16  and is capable of sliding forwards and backwards. On left enclosure door  22  is mounted an accessory hook  56 , left enclosure door hinges  58  and a left enclosure door clasp  60 . On the right enclosure door  24  is mounted right enclosure door hinges  62  and a right enclosure door clasp  64 . Inside the enclosure is mounted a light  66 . 
         [0056]    Generally, remote pet waste enclosure  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 12  is constructed so that pet litter box  52  is supported by litter box supports  46  and fits within a hole in litter box shelf  42 . When left enclosure door  24  and right enclosure door  26  are opened, litter box shelf  42  can be pulled forward on sliding brackets  44  to allow for cleaning of the pet litter and removal of the pet litter box  52 . When litter box shelf  42  is in the back position, a pet can use the litter box, travel through pet access hole  48 , down pet ramp  50 , and out of remote pet waste enclosure  10  through aperture  12 . Generally, in one embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is configured so that the aperture  12  connects remote pet waste enclosure  10  to a separate room. So configured, remote pet waste enclosure  10  can be situated in a convenient room in a building (such as a house or dwelling, for example) while allowing pet access from another room in the building. 
         [0057]    In one embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is configured to contain a pet litter box  52  or other pet waste disposal device, as well as contain an area for movement by a pet within the remote pet litter box enclosure  10  without being in the pet litter box  52 . In one embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is approximately 36 to 48 inches wide, approximately 14 to 26 inches deep, and approximately 30 to 42 inches tall. In one embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is also configured to provide for a pet access tunnel  12  that is sufficiently wide and tall, such as approximately 4 to 18 inches, to allow for ingress and egress by a pet, and sufficiently long, such as approximately 5 to 36 inches, to connect remote pet waste enclosure  10  to another room in the building. 
         [0058]    Remote pet waste enclosure  10 , along with other elements herein described, may be made of wood, particle board, plastic, or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, the various components of the remote pet litter box enclosure  10  can be made of different materials. Further, the ventilation points  40  may be holes, vents, filtered air ducts, or other method of providing adequate ventilation. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 13 through 16  show a remote pet waste enclosure  10  configured with a shelf  54  and a hutch  56  coupled to top  14 . One skilled in the art will understand that shelf  54  and/or hutch  56  can be configured in a variety of ways, and constructed from a variety of suitable materials. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 17 through 22  show an aperture  12  configured as a tunnel, in accordance with one embodiment. Generally, aperture  12  includes front face  58 , a front face door  60 , front face hinges  62 , a front face tunnel section  64 , back face  66 , a back face door  68 , back face hinges  70 , and a back face tunnel section  72 . 
         [0061]    Generally, in the illustrated embodiment, aperture  12  as shown is configured to allow the front face  58  to rest flush on the surface of an interior wall of a building, with the front face tunnel section  64  to be inserted in a hole in the interior wall, while the back face rests flush on the surface of the other side of that same wall, with the back face tunnel section  72  inserting into the front face tunnel section  64  to form a complete tunnel. The front face door  60  is mounted to the front face  58  by the front face hinges  62 , and the back face door  68  is mounted to the back face  66  by the back face hinges  70 , so that the front face door  60  and the back face door  68  can swing freely. 
         [0062]    Generally, aperture  12  is configured sufficiently wide and tall, such as approximately 4 to 18 inches, to allow for ingress and egress by a pet, and sufficiently long, such as approximately 4 to 36 inches, to connect a remote pet waste enclosure  10  with another room in the building. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion of aperture  12  is shown is curved in shape to discourage certain pets, such as dogs, from entering aperture  12 , while encouraging other pets, such as cats, to enter. Generally, aperture  12  may be made of plastic or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, the various components of the aperture  12  can be made of different materials. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 23  though  28  show a pet ramp  50  in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, pet ramp  50  includes an angled ramp surface  74 , a ramp top  76 , a ramp base  78 , and a ramp cut out  80 . 
         [0064]    Generally, pet ramp  50  as shown is constructed with a ramp cut out  80 , to allow the back face door  68  of the aperture  12  (not shown in  FIGS. 23 through 28 ), to swing freely, and with an angled ramp surface  74  to allow a pet to climb or walk to the ramp top  76 , allowing a pet to gain access to the elevated pet litter box  52 . In one embodiment, ramp base  78  rests on the bottom  16  of a remote pet waste enclosure  10  (not shown in  FIGS. 23 through 28 ), and is generally located near aperture  12  on the opposite side of the remote pet litter box enclosure  10  from the pet litter box  52 . 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, pet ramp  50  is sufficiently tall, such as approximately 6 to 18 inches, and the ramp top  76  is sufficiently small, such as approximately 4 to 8 inches, to allow for a pet to comfortably reach and enter the pet access hole  48  contained in the litter box shelf  42  (not shown in  FIGS. 23 through 28 ). The ramp base  78  is sufficiently wide and deep, such as approximately 8 to 20 inches, to provide stability to the pet ramp  50 , and as shown is curved in shape to allow a pet easy access to the ramp top  76 . 
         [0066]    Generally, pet ramp  50  may be made of plastic or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, angled ramp surface  74  may be covered in carpet or any other material or substance that will help remove pet litter from a pet&#39;s paws and otherwise prevent pet litter and pet litter dust from leaving the remote pet waste enclosure  10  (not shown in  FIGS. 23 through 28 ). Further, the various components of pet ramp  50  can be made of different materials. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 29 through 32  show a pet litter box  52  having a box front side  82 , a box back side  84 , a box right side  86 , a box left side  88 , a box bottom  90 , a box lip  92 , and a box cut out  94 . Generally, pet litter box  52  as shown is constructed with a box lip  92 , to allow the pet litter box  52  to fit within and cover the corresponding hole in litter box shelf  42  (not shown in  FIGS. 29 through 32 ). The pet litter box  52  as shown in  FIG. 32  includes a box cut out  94  to allow a pet ease of access to the interior of the pet litter box  52 . 
         [0068]    Generally, in one embodiment, pet litter box  52  is sufficiently wide, such as approximately 6 to 24 inches, and sufficiently long, such as approximately 12 to 30 inches, and sufficiently deep, such as approximately 4 to 18 inches, to allow for the inclusion of a sufficient amount of pet litter. Generally, pet litter box  52  may be made of plastic or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, the various components of the pet litter box  52  can be made of different materials. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 33 through 38  show an accessory tray  54 , in accordance with one embodiment. Generally, accessory tray  54  as shown is constructed in a molded form for the convenient storage of pet litter accessories, and rests on the bottom  14  of the remote pet waste enclosure  10  (not shown in  FIGS. 33 through 38 ). In one embodiment, accessory tray  54  is sufficiently wide, such as approximately 10 to 17 inches, and sufficiently long, such as approximately 12 to 20 inches, and sufficiently tall, such as approximately 2 to 4 inches, to allow for the storage of a pet litter scoop and pet litter brush, or other pet litter or pet waste disposal accessories. Generally, accessory tray  54  may be made of plastic or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, the various components of accessory tray  54  can be made of different materials. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 39 through 41  show a remote pet waste enclosure  10 , configured with a top lid  96  that can be opened to allow access to the interior of remote pet waste enclosure  10 . More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  includes having a top lid  96 , a bottom  16 , a left side  18 , a right side  20 , and front  98 , and a back  22 . Remote pet waste enclosure  10  is supported by a left front leg  32 , right front leg  34 , a left rear leg (not shown) and a right rear leg  38 , each located at the approximate corners of the bottom  14 . The left side  18  and the right side  20  include ventilation points  40 . An aperture  12  is coupled to left side  18 . Inside the enclosure is a litter box shelf  42 , which is mounted to left side  18  and right side  20 . Also inside the enclosure is a pet ramp  50 , which leads to the pet access hole  48  in the litter box shelf  42 . Inside the litter box shelf  42 , and supported by the litter box supports  46 , is a pet litter box  52 . On the top lid  96  is mounted a lid hinge  100 . 
         [0071]    Generally, the remote pet waste enclosure  10  as shown is constructed so that pet litter box  52  is supported by the litter box supports  46  and fits within a hole in the litter box shelf  42 . When the top lid  96  is opened, the litter box shelf  42  and the pet litter box  52  can be accessed. A pet can use the litter box, travel through the pet access hole  48 , down the pet ramp  50  and out of the remote pet litter box enclosure  106  by way of the pet access tunnel  40  and return to the building. 
         [0072]    Generally, in one embodiment, remote pet waste enclosure  10  is sufficiently wide, such as approximately 36 to 48 inches, deep, such as approximately 14 to 26 inches, and tall, such as approximately 30 to 42 inches, to contain a pet litter box  52  or other pet waste disposal device, as well as contain an area for movement by a pet within the remote pet waste enclosure  10  without being in the pet litter box  52 . The remote pet waste enclosure  10  is also sufficient to provide for an aperture  12  that is sufficiently wide and tall, such as approximately 4 to 18 inches, to allow for ingress and egress by a pet, and sufficiently long, such as approximately 5 to 36 inches, to connect the remote pet waste enclosure  10  and another room in the building in which remote pet waste enclosure  10  is situated. 
         [0073]    Generally, remote pet waste enclosure  10 , along with other elements herein described, may be made of wood, particle board, plastic or any other sufficient rigid and strong material. Further, the various components of the remote pet waste enclosure  10  can be made of different materials. Further, the ventilation points  40  may be holes, vents, filtered air ducts, or other method of providing adequate ventilation. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 42 and 43  show a remote pet waste enclosure  10 , configured with a top lid  96 , and an aperture  12  located on a back  22 . Generally, the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 42 and 43  can be otherwise configured as described above with respect to  FIGS. 39 through 41 . 
         [0075]    The embodiments described herein provide numerous technical advantages. For example, the advantages in accordance with one embodiment include, without limitation, that the location of the primary pet litter box or pet waste disposal system is placed in a garage or remote location while allowing access by the pet from a different location, which allows for the unpleasant odors and appearance of a pet litter box to be removed from the home or dwelling and instead, segregated to a garage or other remote location. Further, in appropriate circumstances, the tunnel or hole through which the pet litter box may be accessed (i.e., aperture  12 ) may be cylindrical or circular in shape as a means of deterring dogs from entering the tunnel or hole while simultaneously encouraging cats to use the tunnel or hole. Further, the disclosed embodiments allow for the neat and orderly storage of accessories associated with pet litter boxes and pet waste disposal devices. 
         [0076]    The embodiments disclosed herein prevent or minimize many of the problems associated with conventional pet litter boxes and other pet waste disposal devices, by removing the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device from the main living area of a home or dwelling. Instead, the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device is placed in an enclosed cabinet in the garage or other room and the pet gains access to the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device thru a tunnel connecting the main living area to the remote pet litter box enclosure. As such, the disclosed embodiments can eliminate or greatly reduce the odor and dust from pet litter or other pet waste disposal device from getting inside the main living areas of the home or dwelling. Moreover, the present invention makes cleaning the pet litter box or other pet waste disposal device much easier and more sanitary than conventional devices. 
         [0077]    While the foregoing written description of the present invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what the embodiments disclosed herein, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method and examples herein. The present invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.