Animal husbandry – Waste toilet or related device – Walled receptacle; e.g. – litter box – etc. – containing...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-09-11
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Waste toilet or related device
Walled receptacle; e.g., litter box, etc., containing...
C119S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286458
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to animal houses and, more particularly, to an animal housing for a cat having a furniture configuration in appearance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,832 (Quinn) discloses cat furniture which includes a pair of front doors covering the front of a generally rectangular structure. A litter box is included in the furniture. An end panel is removable and may be attached to either end or side of the unit. The other end or side, which is open, provides access to the interior of the structure for the cat.
U.S. Pat. 4,021,975 (Calkins) discloses a pet house connected to the interior of a residence. The pet house structure is disposed on the outside of the residence and is connected to the residence by a tunnel. Within the pet house is a litter box and “living” quarters for the cat. The structure is divided into two portions, a litter box portion and a carpeted “living” portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,111 (Runion) discloses a housing in which there is a disposable litter box. The litter box includes a tray and a plastic sleeve which encloses the litter box when the litter box is withdrawn from the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,816 (Rhodes) discloses a litter box which includes a pair of fixed, flat ends and an accordion pleated wall between the two ends. One end includes an opening through which a cat goes into and out of the litter box. The litter box may be stored in its folded condition and then expanded for use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,568 (Healey) discloses cat furniture in a configuration of a chair. The front of the chair includes an opening and a litter box tray is disposed within the unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,575 (Reinaltz) discloses an automatic cat litter box which includes a generally rectangular housing. An opening in the housing allows the cat to go into and out of the housing. Also included in the apparatus is an automatic litter box cleaning and replenishing system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,438 (Messmer) discloses a window unit cat litter box system. The system includes a rectangular housing disposed in a window. The window provides automatic ventilation for a litter box. There is a small opening through which the cat moves into and out of the litter box area, and a door pivots to provide access to the litter box itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,455 (Donchey) discloses another window mounted unit, and the unit is portable, and thus may be used to transport a cat. The apparatus does not appear to have a litter box within it. The apparatus comprises a carrying case for a cat mountable in a window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described and claimed herein comprises a structure to hold a litter box and pet associated elements for a domestic pet, such as a cat, with the structure having the configuration and appearance of furniture. A side entry hole covered by a flap allows the pet, such as a cat, to move into and out of the structure. A litter box is housed in the structure either resting on or disposed under a protective shelf support. The shelf support prevents litter from being thrown out of the structure. A front hinged door opens to provide access to the interior of the structure house for cleaning and removal of the litter box. This also provides access to a storage area used for accessories for the animal, such as food, extra litter, cleaning supplies, and a separate partitioned area for plastic bags.
Among the objects of the present invention are the following:
To provide new and useful housing of a litter box for an animal;
To provide new and useful animal litter box housing having the configuration of custom furniture that may be placed anywhere in a home;
To provide new and useful cat litter enclosure in the configuration of furniture with a plastic flap covered hole providing access to the interior of the housing;
To provide a new and useful cat litter apparatus within the configuration of furniture and structural elements to prevent cat litter from being scattered out of the enclosure; and
To provide new and useful furniture-appearing housing for a cat with a litter box disposed within the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3872832 (1975-03-01), Quinn
patent: 4021975 (1977-05-01), Calkins
patent: 4732111 (1988-03-01), Runion
patent: 4760816 (1988-08-01), Rhodes
patent: 5092270 (1992-03-01), Simons et al.
patent: 5148771 (1992-09-01), Schuett et al.
patent: 5184568 (1993-02-01), Healey
patent: 5184575 (1993-02-01), Reinartz
patent: 5738040 (1998-04-01), Simmons
patent: 5749317 (1998-05-01), Richey et al.
patent: 5819199 (1998-10-01), Kawai et al.
patent: 5842438 (1998-12-01), Messmer
patent: 5848373 (1998-12-01), DeLorme et al.
patent: 5890455 (1999-04-01), Donchey
patent: 5970914 (1999-10-01), Steil et al.
Jordan Charles T.
Nelson Judith A.
Shields H. Gordon
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