Outdoor litter box sifting system

A litter box and sifting system having a cat door that is installed on the interior wall of a building and a litter box assembly located on the exterior side of the building. The litter box is accessed through a cat door and an adjustable tunnel. At the bottom of the litter box are interchangeable tray assemblies containing litter. The litter can be selectively sifting through fixed screens and removable sliding panels. The litter box enclosure includes a fan to assist ventilation through louvers, an interior light, a rechargeable battery for powering the fan and light, and a solar cell to recharge the battery.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards litter boxes. More particularly the present invention relates to outdoor litter boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keeping pets can be a rewarding activity. However, it can also be very time consuming, requiring one to seemingly constantly feed, groom, and clean-up after their pets. For those that raise, breed, or board cats, their responsibilities also include the less-than-fun task of maintaining litter boxes. As may be appreciated, even the best kept and best maintained litter box will often result in odors inside of a home. Such odors can spread even to other rooms even if doors are closed. This is especially true when the litter box is being cleaned or otherwise serviced.

Additionally, closing a door to keep odors at bay means that someone will have to open the door at necessary times throughout the day to allow the cat, or cats, access to the litter box. This requires rather constant vigilance. Accordingly, there exists a need for cat litter boxes that can be readily accessible to pets without odors. Beneficially, such cat boxes would have features that make maintaining cat litter fast and easy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for cat litter boxes that are readily accessible to pets, that reduce or eliminate odors, and that include features that make maintaining litter boxes fast and easy.

A litter box and sifting system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention includes a litter box enclosure with a front wall having an opening, a back wall, and a tray support. A mounting system mounts the litter box enclosure onto the exterior of a building. The litter box and sifting system further includes cat door assembly having a door over an entrance, a stationary tunnel section that extends from the door, and an adjustable tunnel section that connects the stationary tunnel section to the opening of the litter box enclosure. The cat door assembly enables a pet to pass from the interior of a building into the litter box enclosure. A first tray assembly holding cat litter is mounted on the tray support. A fan attached to the litter box enclosure evacuates odors.

An interior mounting frame attaches the door over the entrance and to the interior of a building. Beneficially, the door is a flap-type door. Additionally, an exterior mounting frame also attaches the cat door assembly to the exterior of the building. Preferably, the tunnel sections include sealing features for weatherproofing the litter box and sifting system. In practice a switch attached to the interior mounting frame turns on the fan when a pet passes through the door. That switch can also activate a light.

The litter box enclosure may have a removable lid, while the tray support can include a bottom skirt having sides that form “U”-shaped channels to support the first tray assembly. In that case, the first tray assembly can have inverted first “U”-shaped tray lips that mate with the first “U”-shaped channels. The back wall can include a stop feature for limiting the travel of the first tray assembly. The first tray assembly has a first tray screen for sifting litter, a first tray slide plate for selectively covering the first tray screen, and a first tray slide plate aperture for enabling separating the first tray slide plate from the first tray slide plate.

The litter box and sifting system may also include a second tray assembly that is beneficially interchangeable with the first tray assembly. The skirt is then configured to arrange the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly in an over-under configuration. The litter box enclosure can then have an internal tapering curb feature that funnels pet feces toward the first tray assembly.

The removable lid preferably includes a plurality of louvers for ventilating the litter box enclosure. A bracket assembly mounts the litter box enclosure to the exterior of a building. Power for the fan is provided by a rechargeable battery that is recharged by a solar cell.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted withinFIGS. 1 through 6. However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,2a, and2b, respectively perspective, section, and exploded views of a litter box and sifting system10that is in accord with the present invention. The litter box and sifting system10includes a weatherproof cat door assembly20, beneficially comprised of stainless steel or plastic, which is attached to a structural wall200of a building. When so mounted, the cat door assembly20enables a pet to pass from the interior of the building into a large cat litter box enclosure60which is mounted on the exterior of the structural wall200.

The enclosure60has a front wall62that retains the cat door assembly20, a first side wall63, a rear wall64, a second side wall65with a mounted solar-powered light/fan unit150, and a tunnel connector section30. Towards the bottom of the enclosure60is a first channel80and a second channel82that are arranged in an over-under configuration so as to provide sliding support for a first tray assembly90aand a second tray assembly90b(seeFIGS. 3aand3b). The first and second tray assemblies90a,90benable sifting and reuse of litter210(seeFIG. 2a) in a manner that is described in more detail subsequently.

Still referring toFIGS. 1,2a, and2b, the cat door assembly20provides easy access for a pet to travel from the interior floor202of a building, through an opening in the structural wall200, and into a tunnel (see below) that leads to the enclosure60. The cat door assembly20has adjustable features which allow installation through structural walls200having different thickness and to the enclosure60while also providing a weatherproof path for the pet.

The cat door assembly20comprises a flap-type door22, a stationary tunnel section24having an integral interior mounting frame26that includes an attachment along its upper edge for the door22, an exterior mounting frame25for connecting to the exterior of the structural wall200, and an adjustable tunnel section28. The cat door assembly20is affixed to the structural wall200by preparing the structural wall200with a rectangular opening dimensioned to fit the stationary tunnel section24. The stationary tunnel section24is inserted through the prepared rectangular opening and is attached by the interior mounting frame26to an interior wall using common fasteners108. The stationary tunnel section24is beneficially comprised of a plastic that is capable of being trimmed to length by a user. After the stationary tunnel section24is mounted the exterior mounting frame25is fit over the stationary tunnel section24and attached to the exterior of the structural wall200using fasteners108.

The exterior mounting frame25comprises a rectangular frame-like structure having a central opening sized to closely slip over the stationary tunnel section24. The exterior mounting frame25is configured to provide a weatherproof attachment against the exterior of the structural wall200. The proximal end of the adjustable tunnel section28fits through the exterior mounting frame25and into the stationary tunnel section24. The adjustable tunnel section28further includes a female sealing feature32(such as an expanded hollow ring) at its distal end which forms a snapping mechanical connection with a mating male sealing feature34(such as a ring that fits into the expanded female sealing feature32) of the tunnel connector section30of the enclosure60. As shown, the tunnel connector section30extends from the front wall62.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,2a, and6, attached to the top of the interior mounting frame26is a switch152in series with a connector166that interconnects wiring164. As explained in more detail subsequently the switch152initiates the light/fan unit150in the enclosure60to light the enclosure60and to evacuate odors.

Referring now primarily toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the enclosure60is a large rectangular structural having sufficient internal space to comfortably contain a large cat. The enclosure60includes both a transparent lid130that is removably attached to a top opening and an integral bottom skirt78that extends downward from three (3) perimeter side edges. The front and rear sides of the skirt78form the first channel80and the subjacent second channel82. The channels80,82are “U”-shaped appendages that provide edge support for both a first tray assembly90aand a second tray assembly90b.

The tray assemblies90a,90binclude inverted “U”-shaped tray lips98that can slide along the first channel80and the second channel82to enable removal and insertion of the tray assemblies90a,90bto and from the skirt78. The removable tray assemblies90a,90benable sifting and reuse of the litter210using tray screens92and removable tray slide plates94(seeFIGS. 3aand3band described in more detail subsequently). Referring now toFIG. 4, the first side wall63includes an integral downwardly extending stop feature84which provides a mechanical limitation to the tray assemblies90a,90bupon complete insertion.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the tray slide plates94are removed by grasping and pulling pull tabs100. By pulling the pull tab100of the first tray assembly90athe litter210within the first tray assembly90acan sift through a tray screen92. The sifted litter210falls into the second tray assembly90b. The positions of the tray assemblies90a,90bare then switched to provide sifted litter210in the upper position for use by a pet. The original first tray assembly90ais then emptied of solid waste and installed in the lower position, thus resetting the unit for further use. A quantity of new litter210may be added as necessary through the top opening of the enclosure60by removing a lid130.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 1, the lid130protects the inner space of the enclosure60from weather such as rain, snow, and the like. The lid130has a shape that matches the enclosure60and includes downwardly extending perimeter edges that are tightly affixed around the top of the enclosure60via a friction fit. The lid130further includes a plurality of equally-spaced rectangular first louvers132that are arranged in a single horizontal row around the vertical sides of the lid130to provide ventilation that provides fresh air and that evacuates odors from inside the enclosure60. The lid130is envisioned as being made from a tough, transparent plastic.

The enclosure60further includes an internal curb feature68and an external mounting channel76. The curb feature68provides an integral triangularly-shaped tapering feature which extends across internal bottoms of each enclosure wall62,63,64, and65. The curb feature68aids in directing the litter210and pet feces into the subjacent first tray assembly90a. The mounting channel76has an integrally-molded horizontal appendage shaped as an inverted “U”-shaped that is located along a lower external surface of the first side wall63, the rear wall64, and the second side wall65of the enclosure60. The mounting channel76has an open bottom that is sized to receive a correspondingly shaped mounting bracket assembly110(also seeFIG. 4).

Referring now toFIG. 1andFIGS. 3aand3b, the tray assemblies90a,90bare identical. This enables them to be selectively situated in either the upper or lower positions and thus to provide gravity-aided sifting of the litter210. The tray assemblies90a,90bare envisioned as being made from corrosion-resistant materials such as plastic, stainless steel, or the like. Each tray assembly90a,90bis a generally rectangular shaped, open-topped container having four (4) downwardly tapering walls: two tray side walls102, a tray rear wall103a, and a tray front wall103b. Each tray assembly90a,90balso has a tray screen92, a tray slide plate94, a tray slide plate aperture95, a slide plate channel96encompassing a rectangular bottom edge, and a tray lip98around a rectangular top edge.

The tray screen92forms an integral, stationary open-meshed platform that extends along the entire bottom of the tray assembly90a,90bwhich allows litter210to flow while sifting out solid waste. The tray slide plate94is positioned immediately below and parallel to the tray screen92. The tray slide plate94can be selectively slid across the bottom of the tray screen92. The tray slide plate94is a flat rectangular metal or plastic sheet that includes the integral pull tab100along a front edge. The tray slide plate94is guided along the side edges by the slide plate channel96, which is an “L”-shaped cross section member that extends around the entire bottom of the tray assembly90a,90b. Each slide plate channel96is affixed to the tray walls103a, and103bvia a plurality of fasteners108such as rivets, screws, or the like. The tray slide plate94slides outward through a tray slide plate aperture95that is formed through the center of the slide tray channel96along the tray front wall103b.

During normal use of the litter box and sifting system10the tray slide plates94are fully inserted along the slide plate channels96. This prevents the litter210from flowing through the tray screen92and retains the litter210within the first tray assembly90a. To sift the litter210, the tray slide plate94is pulled outward using the pull tab100. This allows the litter210to flow downward through the tray screen92and subsequently into the subjacent second tray assembly90b. The tray slide plate94is then reinserted; the solid waste is disposed of; and the tray assemblies90a,90bare reinserted.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the litter box and sifting system10provides a means to mount and support the enclosure60and its tray assemblies90a,90bon an external surface of a structural wall200using a wall-anchored mounting bracket assembly110. The mounting bracket assembly110includes a formed or welded bracket appendage112that is beneficially made from square structural tubing. It is preferably made from a strong corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel, corrosion resistant plated steel, or the like. The bracket appendage112forms a horizontally orientated “U”-shaped structural attached to upturned bracket anchoring members114that are formed at opposing ends of the bracket appendage112. The bracket anchoring members114enable secure attachment of the mounting bracket assembly110, and thus the litter box and sifting system10, to the structural wall200using a plurality of common anchor bolts116or equivalent fasteners. The mounting bracket assembly110is dimensioned such that once it is mounted to a structural wall200the three (3) sides of the horizontally orientated “U”-shaped structural enable a snug fit with the open bottom of the mounting channel76(see alsoFIG. 2).

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6the light/fan unit150comprises a rectangular plastic housing153, an exterior cover154having a plurality of integrally-molded second louvers156, a battery access door155, a fan157, a solar cell158, at least one (1) rechargeable battery160, a lamp161, a controller162, and wiring164. The light/fan unit150is shown mounted to the second side wall65of the enclosure60via an integral exterior cover154using a plurality of fasteners108; however, it is understood that the light/fan unit150may be mounted in various positions along an external surface of the enclosure60with equal benefit. The light/fan unit150provides lighting means and power to evacuate odors from within the enclosure60.

The light/fan unit150is in electrical communication with the switch152of the cat door assembly20via the wiring164. The switch152is activated by a pet pushing the door22of the cat door assembly20and closing the switch152. The switch152is a single contact device such as a micro switch. After closure an electrical signal is applied to the controller162. In turn, the controller162energizes a lamp161and a fan157. The lamp161is preferably an LED-type lamp while the fan157is preferably a small muffin fan or similar such low-noise fan device. The controller162includes a self-contained microcontroller and other components necessary to operate the light/fan unit150. For example, a circuit board, supporting integrated circuits, embedded software, the battery160, relays, transistors, and the like. Upon receiving the electrical signal from the switch152, the controller162directs power from the battery160to the fan157and lamp161for a pre-determined period of time, beneficially about five (5) minutes as controlled by embedded software.

Power to charge the battery160is obtained during daylight hours via a solar cell158that is mounted on the cover exterior cover154. The solar cell158works in conjunction with the battery160and the controller162, which provides for voltage regulation. A battery access door155is includes along the rear wall of the housing153to enable replacement of the battery160when necessary.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention. Only one particular configuration is shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the litter box and sifting system10, it would be installed as indicated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The method of installing the litter box and sifting system10may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the litter box and sifting system10; installing an opening in a structural wall200in a desired position and having width and height dimensions which correspond to those of the stationary tunnel section24of the cat door assembly20; inserting the stationary tunnel section24through the opening until the interior mounting frame26makes contact with an interior wall of the structural wall200; attaching the interior mounting frame26to the interior wall using fasteners108; trimming an outer end of the stationary tunnel section24as needed based upon the thickness of the structural wall200; sliding the exterior mounting frame25onto an outer end of the stationary tunnel section24until contacting an outer surface of the structural wall200; securing the exterior mounting frame25to the exterior surface of the structural wall200using appropriate fasteners108; inserting the adjustable tunnel section28into the exterior mounting frame25; positioning the mounting bracket assembly110upon an exterior surface of the structural wall200so as to result in subsequent correct positioning of the enclosure60with regards to the cat door assembly20; attaching the mounting bracket assembly110to the exterior surface of the structural wall200using anchor bolts116or equivalent fastening means; installing the enclosure60into the mounting bracket assembly110by engaging the respective mounting channel76and bracket appendages112; connecting the enclosure60to the cat door assembly20by inserting the male sealing feature34of the tunnel connector section30into the corresponding female sealing feature32of the adjustable tunnel section28until obtaining a snapping connection; routing the wiring164along interior surfaces of the enclosure60between the light/fan unit150and the switch152; connecting the wiring164to the connector166of the switch152; sliding the tray slide plates94completely into the tray slide plate aperture95of both tray assemblies90a,90buntil completely covering respective tray screen92; inserting the tray assemblies90a,90balong the respective first80and second82channels of the skirt78until contacting the stop feature84of the rear wall64of the enclosure60; removing the lid130of the enclosure60; adding a desired quantity of litter210into the first tray assembly90a; and, replacing the lid130securely upon an upper perimeter edge of the enclosure60.

The method of utilizing the litter box and sifting system10may be achieved by performing the following steps: exposing the solar cell158to daylight for a period of time to charge the batteries160; allowing the litter box and sifting system10to be utilized by a pet in a normal manner resulting in pet waste being received into the first tray assembly90a; activating the light/fan unit150automatically as the pet activates the switch152while entering the cat door assembly20; sifting the litter210within the first tray assembly90awhen desired by grasping and pulling the integral pull tab100to slide the tray slide plate94outwardly; allowing the litter210within the first tray assembly90ato flow downward through the tray screen92into the lower tray assembly90b, leaving the pet waste within the first tray assembly90a; replenishing the litter210by switching the positions of the first tray assembly90aand the second tray assembly90b, thereby relocating the sifted litter210to the upper position for use by the pet; adding a quantity of new litter210as necessary; and, removing the first tray assembly tray assembly90acontaining the solid pet waste; disposing of the solid pet waste in a normal manner; reinstalling the first tray assembly90ainto the lower position thus resetting the unit for use. The use of the litter box and sifting system10provides pet owners an easy method to maintain a litter box without the usual mess and odors present within a residence as associated with such devices.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.