PET SHOWER

The present invention provides a pet shower having an upper washing compartment and a lower stowage area. An interiorly disposed multi-apertured conduit in fluid communication with an exterior source provides a “shower” for washing the animal. Portals, having gloves mounted thereto, enable washing of the animal without having the hands of the user exposed to the interior. The washing compartment is detachably mounted to the stowage area in which is stowed a tub which defines, in a first instance, a step enabling an animal to step upon to enter the interior of the washing apparatus and, when inverted, may be used as a drainage tub for draining from water within the compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a washing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention concerns a pet washing apparatus for dogs and other animals.

2. Prior Art

In the above-referenced co-pending application, there is disclosed a “shower” for facilitating the washing of dogs and similar type pets. The device shown therein, while being extremely efficacious, has certain drawbacks, including, inter alia, difficulty in manufacture because of the dual wall system disclosed therein, through which the necessary water delivery conduits are disposed. Furthermore, the “portability” of this prior device was, in essence, non-existent.

Thus, the present invention seeks to improve upon such prior art device by having improved air circulation, water delivery and discharge, as well as ease of manufacture and portability.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, and with reference to the drawing, there is shown therein a washing apparatus or pet shower particularly adapted for use with dogs and other like pets, generally shown at10. The present device includes a shower compartment11, having a top wall12, a front wall14, a rear wall16, a bottom wall or floor18and a pair of opposed side walls17,19and which cooperate to define an interior washing area21.

The present apparatus or device also includes a storage or stowage area or enclosure20, which is removably attached to the washing compartment11. The storage area has an open interior defined by a pair of opposed sidewalls22,24, a rear wall26, and a front wall28. As shown, the front wall has an access30in which is removably stowed a combined seat/step and drainage tub32, as detailed hereinbelow.

The combined seat and drainage or tub32is removably stowed within the open interior of the storage area.

With more particularity, and as shown inFIG. 3, the top wall or roof12of the washing compartment11has a venting area36comprising a raised section40. A plurality of slats42are formed in the section40. The slats42are in communication with the interior21. The slats provide circulatory air into the interior and facilitate not only entry of air, but exhaust of air from the interior.

Each side wall17,19has a pair of spaced apart portals,44,46,48,50. A pair of portals are provided on each side wall and provide access into the interior washing area21of the compartment.

Suitable hand coverings23, such as gloves25or the like are sealingly, fixedly attached to each portal to enable the user to cover his/her hands while washing an animal therewithin.

A viewing opening52is formed on each side wall17,19to enable a user to observe the washing, depending on which side the user decides to use while washing the animal.

As shown in the drawing, an access or door54is hingedly or otherwise mounted to the front wall14and which enables easy entry of an animal into the interior21of the washing compartment. In this regard, the tub32can be used as a step to facilitate entry into the interior by the animal.

The door or portal54which has a perimetrical seal is slatted similarly to that of the venting area formed in the top wall12to facilitate air circulation within the interior.

The bottom wall or floor18of the interior21of the compartment11is angularly inclined with respect to the horizontal to facilitate drainage therefrom.

A drainage hole60is provided in the floor and communicates with a suitable outlet66which, when opened and placed in connection with a hose (not shown) facilitates drainage of water from the interior21.

A connector68is disposed on one sidewall and is used to connect a water delivery source to the interior21of the compartment. The connector68is in fluid communication with a multi-apertured conduit69which extends, at least partially, about the interior of the apparatus. The conduit69extends from proximate the rear wall16and about the roof12of the interior.

Optionally, the conduit can extend vertically downwardly in proximity to the front wall. Thus, water or other fluid is delivered into the interior from a hose71and used as a spray for facilitating the washing of the animal. The conduit69can be a multi-apertured PVC tube or similar light weight conduit.

Referring now toFIG. 5as shown, a plurality of latches72are disposed about the perimeter of the exterior of the washing apparatus. Each latch has a first element74disposed on the exterior wall of the stowage area and a co-operable locking mechanism76disposed on the interior of the compartment in the well-known manner, such as typical connecting latches or the like. Thus, the stowage area and the washing apparatus are detachably interlockable.

As noted above, the tub32can be used as both a step and, when inverted or turned over, as a drainage collector by placing it in fluid communication with a drain hose96.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 6, because of the dimensioning, the stowage area is storable within the interior washing area21of the washing compartment and, in turn, the tub32is stowable within the storage area (FIG. 5), thereby rendering the present invention easily transportable.

If desired, a suitable basket or container (not shown) can be placed within the washing apparatus for containing shampoos, brushes and other accessories for facilitating the washing of the animal.

The present device can be manufactured from any suitable synthetic resinous material, such as a light-weight polypropylene or other plastic.

A seal60can be placed about the edge of the bottom wall or floor of the device to prevent water from leaking out from the interior21when in use.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been described an animal washing device that is easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture and readily transportable.