Portable animal waste device

A portable animal waste device for use in conjunction with a standard household commode is described. A support structure, mounting a pivoting platform and emplaced over a toilet bowl, is connected to the toilet's flush mechanism. The platform pivots between a lowered position for animal access upon the platform and a raised position following animal exit from the platform. The platform in its raised position forms a washdown enclosure with the support structure. When the platform is in its raised position, the washdown enclosure is washed down and the waste is disposed of by a flushing action. A sensing and electronic control system is provided to activate flushing action only when the animal has exited the platform for a predetermined period of time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT 
This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,700, also to Wooten, 
entitled "Portable Animal Waste Device." 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
It has been recognized that the owning of a household pet carries with it 
several problems. Either the pet deposits its waste in areas of the home 
requiring cleanup or it must be regularly walked or let outside. In many 
areas, the owner is also required to pick up pet waste from outside areas. 
Often, the owner is unable or unwilling to walk the pet or clean up after 
the pet. For these reasons, many would-be pet owners are deprived of the 
benefits of owning a pet. 
The present invention relates to a portable animal waste device for use by 
household pets such as dogs and cats and, more particularly, to a portable 
animal waste device which is used with a common household commode. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
There have been various attempts to develop devices for use in the 
household for the disposal of waste of pets such as dogs and cats. While 
these devices solve some of the problems involved with animal waste 
disposal, heretofore, no single device has addressed these problems in as 
efficient and adequate a manner as the present invention. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,457 to Houston describes a receptacle for detachable 
securement to an existing toilet bowl. A pressure sensitive pad is 
provided on the top front portion of the housing. The pad is electrically 
coupled to a solenoid which opens a trap door upon detection of the 
presence of the animal. When the animal leaves the pad, a solenoid returns 
to its original position Causing an armature to pull downward to operate 
the flush lever of the toilet. The lever then returns to its normal 
position while the toilet bowl is being flushed. The animal must properly 
position itself so that it does not step through the trap door. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,410 to Roberts describes a freestanding pet toilet 
which automatically flushes itself after use by the animal. The device 
contains a large cut-out over which the animal positions itself. The 
system is designed so that flushing of the toilet takes place only after a 
predetermined period of time has passed following exit by the animal, 
thereby making it unlikely that the animal will reposition itself above 
the cut-out. The device requires an independent flushing system connected 
to household plumbing. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,429 to Hall describes a device for positioning over a 
standard household commode. The device fits down into the standard toilet 
bowl and requires the animal to position itself on the seat or rim of the 
commode. The toilet bowl must be manuallY flushed to dispose of the animal 
waste. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,693 to Unversaw describes a self-supported pet toilet 
which is automatically flushed after use. The device includes a drain at a 
lowermost point of a bowl, the drain leading to a sewer system. The 
device, therefore, requires connection to a sewage pipe. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,554 to Tumminaro describes a toilet for pets including 
a platform on which the pet stands while eliminating waste. The device 
includes a splash shield which is manually lowered prior to manual 
activation of a flush mechanism for cleansing of the toilet. The device is 
bolted to a supporting surface and must be physically connected to a 
plumbing system. 
The above discussed devices do not overcome all of the problems associated 
with an animal waste device. These problems include: (1) the use of 
excessive space by self-supported waste devices; (2) the odor associated 
with animal waste; (3) sanitary considerations associated with 
inaccurately deposited and standing waste; (4) obstruction of living areas 
caused by standing waste devices; (5) necessity of owner-intervention to 
dispose of waste; (6) difficulty in training the animal to use the waste 
device; (7) the cost associated with such a device; and (8) the inability 
to move such a device after installation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide an animal waste device which 
can be used in conjunction with a standard household commode to facilitate 
disposal of the animal waste. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which is automatically operated, thereby requiring no intervention bY the 
animal owner. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which quickly disposes of the pet excrement, thereby eliminating the odor 
and sanitary considerations associated therewith. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which the animal can be easily trained to use. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which can be easily moved to different locations within the household by 
the owner. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a device which does not 
require complicated plumbing connections. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which takes up little space. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an animal waste device 
which minimizes manufacturing and eliminates installation costs. 
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and to overcome the 
shortcomings discussed above, the animal waste device according to the 
present invention includes a support structure having a pivoting platform 
with an opening therein for communication with the toilet bowl of a 
standard commode. The platform is located in the front portion of the 
support structure. The platform pivots between a normal lowered animal use 
position which allows access by an animal to such platform; and a raised 
platform position which closes the support structure and defines a 
washdown enclosure which is washed down by the flushing mechanism of a 
standard household commode. The support structure is mounted upon the 
standard commode and is provided with steps, or some other suitable 
mounting structure, to enable the animal to climb up to the lowered 
platform. The animal's entry onto the lowered platform is detected. After 
the animal completes its excretory function and exits the platform, a 
predetermined times period is allowed to pass before the platform is 
pivoted to its raised position. If the animal re-enters upon the lowered 
platform before such predetermined time period has passed, the platform 
remains in its lowered animal use position. The same cycle begins again. 
Only when the animal has exited the platform for the predetermined time 
period and the platform has been pivoted to its raised position is the 
flushing mechanism activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a portable animal waste device 10 used in 
conjunction with a standard household commode having a cistern 12. The 
device 10 includes a support structure 14 which is located upon the toilet 
bowl of the standard commode. Legs 38 support the structure 14 in its 
operative position. Mounting structure, such as steps 16, provide animal 
access to the support structure from floor level. 
A platform 18 is pivotally mounted with respect to the support structure 14 
by means of a hinge 28. The platform 18 pivots between a lowered animal 
use position whereby the platform is open to allow an animal access 
thereupon and a raised position whereby the platform 18 is closed. 
Platform 18 has a surface 22 which in its lowered animal use position, 
provides a surface upon which the animal steps and excretes its wastes. A 
surface 24 extends upwardly from surface 22 and has a central opening 20 
adjacent to surface 22. Opening 20 allows disposal of wastes deposited on 
surface 22 to move through opening 20 and into the lower toilet bowl when 
platform 18 is pivoted to its raised position. Platform 18 further 
includes side walls 26 which extend between platform surfaces 22 and 24. 
Support structure 14 further includes side walls 32, top wall 34 and rear 
wall (as shown in FIG. 2) which, together with platform 18 in its raised 
position, form a washdown enclosure. 
FIG. 2 illustrates the support structure 14 and the platform 18 in its 
lowered animal use position for access thereupon by the animal. A motor 
having a shaft 30 causes pivoting movement of platform 18 between its 
lowered and raised positions. FIG. 3 further illustrates the support 
structure 14 and the platform 18, with platform 18 being in its raised 
position. 
Cleansing of platform 18 is effected by a water supply system 40, shown in 
FIG. 3, which is connected to flushing mechanism 54 illustrated in FIG. 4. 
Water supply system 40 includes a suction hose 40 which extends between 
the standard cistern 12 which contains water, preferably water having 
sanitizing and/or deodorizing substances therein, and pump 42 which 
removes the water from the cistern 12 which contains water, preferably 
water having sanitizing and/or apparatus which includes at least one 
spraying head 46. The emission of water from spraying head 46 provides a 
cleansing action for platform 18 in its raised position and the side walls 
32, top wall 34 and rear wall 36 of the support structure 14, forming the 
washdown enclosure. 
Sensing means 50 is provided to detect the entry and exit of the animal 
upon and from platform surface 22, respectively, and the position to which 
platform 18 is pivoted by motor shaft 30. Sensing means 50 has a 
microswitch which remains open until the monitored activity is detected. A 
magnetic microswitch which is more resistant to water damage could be used 
instead. 
The flushing mechanism 54 used with the standard commode cistern 12 
includes a lever 58 which is operated by motor shaft 30. The lever 58, in 
turn, pulls on cable 62, for example, a Bowden wire cable, which effects 
standard flushing of the commode by the pulling of chain 64. After 
flushing, spring 66 returns lever 59 to its inoperative position by way of 
cable 62. 
Support structure 14 is embraced on a standard commode with platfrom 18 in 
its lowered animal use position. When the animal steps onto platform 
surface 22, such action is detected by sensor 48, shown in FIG. 1, and 
thereafter the animal performs its excretory functions. The timer is reset 
for starting by such detection of he animal's stepping onto platform 
surface 22 and is started by detection of the animal's exiting from 
platform surface 22. A time delay circuit, incorporating such timer, is 
provided in electronic control means 52. If, after a first predetermined 
time period, of one minute for example, the animal does not step back onto 
platform surface 22, rotation of motor shaft 30 causes platform 18 to 
pivot to its raised position. When platform 18 has pivoted to its raised 
position, sensing means 50 provides a signal to control means 52. Upon 
receipt of such signal, automatic washdown takes place once platform 18 is 
in its raised position. Such washdown completely cleanses the interior of 
the washdown enclosure, including its platform 18. Such automatic washdown 
takes place for a second predetermined time period. The platform 18 is 
allowed to drain for a third predetermined time period before platform 18 
is returned to its lowered animal use position. The device then shuts off 
and is ready for reuse. 
If, however, the animal steps back onto surface 22 before the first 
predetermined time period has expired, the timer is reset and the 
initiation of the washdown cycle is deactivated. The washdown cycle, 
therefore, will not begin until the animal has exited surface 22 for at 
least the first predetermined time period. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 
5 shows time periods which can be used for each sequence of operation. 
Motor shaft 30 operates to raise and lower platform 18 and to cause lever 
58 to pull on cable 62 in response to platform movement, thereby 
minimizing the cost of the device. Optionally, electronic control means 
could energize a solenoid or the like to actuate flushing of the commode. 
Motor shaft 30 is connected to one end of an elongate member 27. The other 
end of member 27 is pivotally attached to one end of another elongate 
member 31 by means of pivot 29. The other end of member 31 is pivotally 
attached to a lower portion of platform 18 at pivot 33. During a complete 
revolution, motor shaft 30 causes counter-clockwise rotation of member 27. 
As member 27 rotates, member 31 is moved to lift platform 18 to the 
position shown in FIG. 3 about midway through one revolution of motor 
shaft 30. After washdown, the motor shaft 30 completes its revolution 
during which member 27 moves to operate lever 58 (see FIG. 4). At the end 
of the motor revolution, the motor element return to the position, as 
shown in FIG. 2 connected to one end of an elongate member 27. The other 
end of member 27 is pivotally attached to one end of another elongate 
member 31 at pivot 29. The other end of member 31 is pivotally attached to 
a lower portion of platform 18 at pivot 33. During a complete revolution 
of the motor, shaft 30 causes counterclockwise movement of member 27. As 
member 27, rotates, member 31 is moved to lift platform 18 to the position 
shown in FIG. 3 about midway through one revolution of the motor. After 
washdown, the motor completes the revolution and as this is done, member 
27 moves to operate lever 58 (see FIG. 4). At the end of the motor 
revolution, FIG. 6 illustrates the sensing and control system used in the 
portable animal waste device. Start switch detects entry and exit of the 
animal to and from platform 18, respectively. Home switch detects that 
platform 18 is in its lowered animal use position for resetting of the 
device. Pump switch detects that platform 18 is in its raised position for 
operation of pump 42. Power is supplied from a standard wall outlet to 
operate the motor shaft 30, pump 42, electronic control means 52, and 
sensing means 50. 
It can, therefore, be seen that the animal waste device according to the 
present invention overcomes the shortcomings present in such devices. By 
removing water from a standard cistern, no direct connection to the 
household water system is required which could contravene existing health 
codes. The device is shaped in such a manner as to be adequately large to 
accommodate the animal without intimidating the animal, yet small enough 
to not overwhelm existing living space while preventing a closed-in 
atmosphere to the animal. The device is further designed such that 
excretory matter does not contact the standard commode and is completely 
washed down from the interior of the device. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various mechanisms and 
circuits may be employed to carry out the functions described herein. For 
example, various types of sensors can be employed such as weight sensors, 
optical sensors, or any mechanical, electronic or optical sensor having 
the capability of detecting presence and/or position. The portable device 
could be designed to be self-supporting, therefore, the use of an 
independent flushing system could be readily provided. A different 
mounting structure such as a ramp leading to the support structure could 
be provided for animals not willing to climb steps. The spraying mechanism 
could alternately be positioned elsewhere in the support structure as long 
as it has the ability to completelY wash the walls and platform thereof. 
Various types of time-delay mechanisms are available, including clock 
mechanisms, both electrical and mechanical, to function as a timer. 
While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific 
embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications 
and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, 
the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are 
intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in 
the following claims.