Abstract:
A high walled litter box having a high entry platform which forces an animal to climb up onto the platform to enter/exit the box, the high walls blocking soiled litter and misdirected waste from being thrown from the box. The entry platform includes a grate with apertures therethrough which allows any litter clinging to the animal to drop through to a sloping floor which returns the litter to the interior of the litter box. A scoop rack has a similar design which returns any litter clinging to the scoop to the interior of the box. A bag clip at the top of one of the walls hold one side of a bag so that a user may hold the bag open with only one hand to facilitate the removal of animal waste or soiled litter to the bag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to litter boxes for pets, such as cats. More particularly, the invention comprises a litter box having improved means for retaining odors, misdirected waste and soiled litter within the box and preventing the spread of litter around the box. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Since man first domesticated the cat, it has been common to keep certain of them indoors, almost exclusively. They are easily trained to relieve themselves in a given location, and a box filled with an absorbent, granular material, “litter”, has become an efficient means for containing the cat&#39;s waste. Unfortunately, keeping the soiled litter inside the litter box is a problem, since cats tend to scratch and shift the litter to cover the eliminated waste. Likewise, keeping misdirected waste within the confines of the box is important. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,165, issued to Russell Asbury on Dec. 17, 2001, discloses an ANIMAL LITTER BOX in which a base member is mated with an upper member encloses one end of the base member, leaving the second end uncovered. A screen grate seals off the enclosed end of the box such that only small particles of uncontaminated litter may pass through the grid of the screen. By prohibiting the animal from entering the enclosed end of the box, its waste is confined to the unenclosed end of the box. The soiled litter may be removed by picking up the box, tipping it so that the clean litter may pass through the screen, leaving the contaminated litter behind to be removed. After removing the contaminated litter, the box may be tipped forward to allow the clean litter to return to the open end of the box. Asbury does not provide a means of confining the litter and misdirected waste to the interior of the box, as does the present invention. 
   David Schwartz discloses a LITTER BOX ASSEMBLY in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,534, issued on May 29, 2001. Schwartz presents a fully enclosed box, having a removable lid. Air holes around the upper perimeter of the walls of the box allow air passage into and from the interior of the box. Schwartz contains litter and waste within the box by means of an enclosed passage along one end of the box with an opening through a first wall, and entry into the interior of the box proximate an opposite wall such that an animal must walk the full width of the box before entering the inner chamber. The floor of the passage consists of a grate which allows any litter carried on the animal&#39;s feet to drop through into a removable tray below. 
   A CAT LITTER CONTAINER is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,953, issued to Sharron A. Ginn on Mar. 27, 2001. A base has upstanding sidewals which surround one end and both sides of the base, with a raised ramp area enclosing the second end. The ramp surface has a plurality of grated openings which allow litter from an animal&#39;s feet to pass through into a catchment tray beneath the ramp. While Ginn provides a grated ramp to prevent litter from being carried out of the box, it does not prevent litter from being thrown out of the box as the animal scratches or misdirected waste from going over the walls, as does the present invention. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,429, issued on May 23, 2000, Douglas C. Crosse discloses a DISPOSABLE CAT LITTER BOX WASTE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY WITH ENCLOSURE in which a disposable, pasteboard base unit holds a standard litter box. A disposable, pasteboard cover unit fits over the litter box, slipping between the litter box and the base unit such that the litter box may be completely enclosed. A removable entryway allows an animal to enter and leave the box. The walls of the cover unit prevent litter and misdirected waste from being thrown from most of the perimeter of the box, but the entryway has no provision for preventing litter from being carried from the box, as does the present invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,090, issued to Earl W. Cannady, Jr. on Oct. 14, 1997, discloses a SCATTER-RESISTANT LITTER BOX. Cannady presents an enclosed base unit with an opening in one end of the cover unit. A raised ramp below the opening is covered with a carpet like material to trap litter carried on an animal&#39;s feet, thereby preventing the litter from being carried from the box. There is no provision for returning litter removed from the animal&#39;s feet to the box, as in the present invention, however. 
   Robert D. Toole, et al., disclose a CAT LITTER BOX in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,623, issued on Jan. 7, 1997. A lower element is much like a conventional litter box, having a bottom and four generally vertical walls. An upper element, having four inwardly sloping walls and an open top mates with the lower element, thereby increasing the height of the walls of the box. The opening in the top of the upper element is surrounded by a lip which aids in keeping litter from being thrown over the walls as the cat scratches in the litter. Toole, et al., do not provide any means for preventing the animal from carrying litter out of the box, as does the present invention. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   While providing a receptacle in which an animal may relieve itself indoors, cat litter boxes are typically a messy solution, at best. Because the walls are usually relatively low, every time the animal scratches in the litter, the odor from the waste is easily carried into the room where the box is located. Likewise, the low walls do little to contain the litter and waste within the box as the animal scratches in the litter or exits the box. 
   The present invention provides relatively high walls which aid in preventing the animal from throwing litter and misdirected waste over the walls as it scratches in the litter and containing the odors within the box. An entry/exit portal formed in one of the walls provides a lower area through which an animal may enter/exit the box without having to jump over the entire height of the walls. A grated deck extending outwardly from the base of the entry/exit portal allows litter caught in the animal&#39;s paws to drop though the grate and into a chute below the grate which returns the litter to the interior of the box. A litter scoop holder formed in the side of the litter box also provides means for litter retained in the scoop to be returned to the litter box as the scoop is stored. The higher sides of the box also provide increased privacy to an animal using the box. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved litter box which is easily accessible by an animal. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide an improved litter box which will limit the amount of litter and waste which is thrown over the walls of the box by an animal scratching in the litter within the box. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved litter box which aids in removing litter from an animal&#39;s feet as it exits the box. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved litter box which will return litter removed from an animal&#39;s feet to the interior of the box. 
   An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved litter box with means for storing a litter scoop such that any litter remaining in the scoop will automatically be returned to the interior of the box. 
   It is again an object of the invention to provide an improved litter box which provides added privacy to an animal inside the box. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved litter box which is economical, both in means of production/acquisition and in conservation of litter. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide bag handle holders which will aid the user in placing scooped waste into a bag for disposal and return any waste missing the bag back to the interior of the litter box. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a litter box which is easy to clean. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment of the litter box of the present invention showing the interior of the box. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an internal detail of the entrance/exit and scoop storage litter return of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a variation of the first embodiment of the litter box of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment at line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In a first embodiment, as presented at  FIGS. 1  thru  3 , the litter box  1  of the present invention consists of a bottom  10 , and four substantially vertical perimetric walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 , each wall being substantially normal to each of the two adjacent walls, thereby forming a substantially rectangular, open topped box. 
   An entry  20  is formed by a gap in the upper portion of wall  12 , such that an animal using litter box  1  must climb up to enter/exit the litter box  1 . A sloping entry bottom  22  extends outwardly and upwardly from wall  12  at the lower edge of a gap in wall  12  forming entry  20 . Likewise, a pair of substantially vertical entry walls  24 ,  26  extend outwardly from and substantially normal to wall  12  at the right and left edges, respectively, of the entry  20 , abutting the right and left ends of entry floor  22 , respectively. An entry lip  28  extends upwardly, substantially parallel to wall  12 , from the free end of entry floor  22 , abutting the lower portion of the entry walls  24  and  26 . The entry  20 , is thus bounded by the gap in wall  12 , entry bottom  22 , right and left entry walls  24  and  26 , and entry lip  28 , extending outwardly from wall  12 . The upper edges of right and left entry walls  24 ,  26  are in a plane with the tops of walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . 
   An entry grate  30  ( FIG. 3 ) extends inwardly from entry lip  28  such that it extends over entry floor  22 , terminating substantially at the plane of wall  12 . Apertures  32  in grate  30  allow any litter that an animal may carry from the litter box  1  to fall through to the sloping entry bottom  22  of entry  20 , the slope allowing the litter to fall back into the interior of the litter box  1 , thereby preventing it from falling outside of the litter box  1 . 
   Similar to entry  20 , a scoop rack  40  is formed in the upper portion of one of the walls  12 ,  14 ,  16 , or  18 . For the sake of illustration, scoop rack  40  will be described in wall  12 . Like entry floor  22 , scoop rack floor  42  extends outwardly and upwardly from wall  12  at the lower edge of a void in wall  12  forming scoop rack  40 . A pair of substantially vertical scoop rack walls  44 ,  46  extend outwardly from and substantially normal to wall  12  at the right and left edges, respectively, of the scoop rack  40 , abutting the right and left ends of scoop rack floor  42 , respectively and a scoop rack front wall rises from the free end of scoop rack floor  42 , abutting scoop rack walls  44 ,  46 . Optionally, either a scoop rack wall  50  is situated in the void in wall  12  leaving a litter return aperture  52 , or the litter return aperture  52  may be cut into wall  12 , creating the void. When a litter scoop (not shown) is placed into the litter scoop, any litter clinging to the scoop may fall from the scoop, sliding down the scoop rack floor  42 , returning to the interior of litter box  1 . 
   In a variation of the first embodiment ( FIG. 4 ), one of the vertical entry walls  24 ,  26  may be terminated at a point slightly higher than the upper surface of entry grate  30 , thereby forming a lip  34 A extending above the surface of entry grate  30 . For the purposes of disclosure, wall entry wall  26  has been adapted in the second embodiment to entry wall  26 A. A facing wall  36  rises from the upper edge of entry floor  22 , abutting entry wall  24  and extending to the plane of the upper edge of walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . A side entry to entry  20  is formed, thereby forcing an animal entering the litter box  1  to turn a corner in order to pass through entry  20 , rather than going straight through entry  20 , and thereby minimizing the likelihood that a cat would just hop right over the grate. 
   In a second embodiment, as disclosed at  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the litter box  100  of the present invention again consists of a bottom  110 , and four substantially vertical perimetric walls  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 , each substantially normal to each of the two adjacent walls, thereby forming a substantially rectangular, open topped box. An entry  120  is formed at one end of the litter box  100 . 
   As in the first embodiment, a scoop rack  140  is formed in one of the walls  112 ,  114 ,  116 , or  118  or the entry barrier wall  122 . Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 through 4  and the related description in relation to the formation of scoop rack  40  of the first embodiment, as the scoops racks  40  and  140  are substantially the same. 
   Entry  120  is formed at one end of the litter box  100 . A gap is formed in an upper portion of wall  112  at a point adjacent wall  114 . An entry barrier wall  122 , normal to perimetric wall  112  and parallel to and at a determined distance from parametric wall  114  extends for a distance into the interior of litter box  100 . A sloping entry platform  124  extends inwardly from wall  112  to wall  116  and from wall  114  to entry barrier wall  122 . The gap in wall  112  that makes up entry  120  is defined by wall  114 , the juncture of entry barrier wall  122  with wall  112 , and the juncture of wall  114  and entry platform  124 , slightly below an entry lip  128  formed in wall  112  at the gap. 
   Entry platform  124  slopes downwardly from wall  114  toward entry barrier wall  122  and the interior of litter box  100 , terminating at a distance above bottom  110 . The area between the lower edge of entry platform  124  and bottom  110  is closed by an extension of entry barrier wall  122 . The slope of entry platform  124  allows litter carried onto the entry platform  124  to fall back into litter box  100 , as will be further detailed hereinafter. 
   A entry grate  126 , dimensioned to fit the space between walls  112 ,  114 ,  116  and entry barrier wall  122  rests atop the high edges of entry platform  124  and a pair of grate support ledges  130  formed in walls  112 / 116  to support the third and fourth corner of entry grate  126 . Apertures  127  in entry grate  126  allow any litter clinging to an animal as it leaves the litter box  100  to fall through the grate  126 , onto entry platform  124 , and return to the interior of litter box  100  through slots  123  at above the juncture of entry platform  124  and entry barrier wall  122 , thereby preventing litter from being carried from the litter box  100 . It would be evident that the apertures in entry grates  30 / 126  could be in the form of elongates slots, round perforations or any other shape with equal effectiveness. 
   Optionally, a drawer  134  shaped and configured to fit the area between walls  112 ,  114  and  116 , entry barrier wall  122 , and entry platform  124  may be added, with access through wall  112 ,  114  or  116 . Drawer  134  may be used to store incidental items used with litter box  100 . 
   At least one bag clip  137  extends above the upper surface of at least one of the walls  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 . The bag clip  137  is adapted to hold one side of a bag while an individual holds the opposite side, thereby facilitating the removal of animal waste and used litter from litter box  100 . Bag clip  137  may be removably attachable, thereby allowing a user to place the bag in a position most convenient to him. 
   Optionally, a deodorizer receptacle  150 , adapted to hold a box of baking soda or other air freshener/deodorizer or odor absorbant, may be incorporated into one of the sides  112 ,  114 ,  116 , or  118 , either as a permanent or detachable element. 
   It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that a removable lid (not shown) could optionally be added to the litter box  1 / 100  in order to initially train an animal to use the entry  20 / 120 , provide additional privacy for the animal, or further contain litter and waste. Likewise, a removable ramp (not shown) may be provided to aid a young animal in reaching entry  20 / 120  until it is large enough to do so unassisted. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.