U.S. patent application number 11/972094 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for pet potty.
Invention is credited to Mikael Havluciyan.
Application Number | 20090178622 11/972094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849585 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090178622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Havluciyan; Mikael |
July 16, 2009 |
Pet Potty
Abstract
A pet potty includes a base plate and a grid. The base plate has
a base and a wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and
wall impermeable to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining
fluid. The grid is sized to fit within the cavity of the base plate
and has a complex of beams that can support a pet atop the grid.
The beams have a top side and a bottom side, and substantially all
of the beams are convex in shape on their top side.
Inventors: |
Havluciyan; Mikael;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mikael Havluciyan
300 W. Beech Street, Unit 703
San Diego
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
40849585 |
Appl. No.: |
11/972094 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 1/0107
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/161 |
International
Class: |
A01K 29/00 20060101
A01K029/00 |
Claims
1. A pet potty comprising: a base plate comprising a base and a
wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and wall impermeable
to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining fluid; and two
or more grids that are sized to fit within the cavity of the base
plate such that when the grids are placed in the cavity the grids
are substantially immovable in any horizontal direction; wherein
each grid comprises a complex of beams that can support a pet atop
the grid, wherein the beams have a top side and a bottom side, and
wherein substantially all of the beams are convex in shape on their
top side.
2. The pet potty of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the beams
do not touch the base when the grids are positioned in the cavity
of the base plate.
3. The pet potty of claim 1, wherein the beams of the grids are
supported by a plurality of columns that extend downward from the
bottom side of the beams toward the base, and wherein the columns
touch the base when the grids are positioned in the cavity of the
base plate.
4. The pet potty of claim 2, wherein the beams of the grids are
supported by a plurality of columns that extend downward from the
bottom side of the beams toward the base, and wherein the columns
touch the base when the grids are positioned in the cavity of the
base plate.
5. The pet potty of claim 1, wherein each grid comprises a finger
port along an edge of the grid for removing the grid from the base
plate.
6. The pet potty of claim 1, wherein each grid comprises a
plurality of spacers extending laterally from the grid, wherein the
spacers space the grid a distance from the wall of the base
plate.
7. The pet potty of claim 1, wherein the complex of beams form
openings between the beams, and wherein the openings are no more
than 3/8 of an inch across the opening.
8. The pet potty of claim 7, wherein the openings are round,
elliptical, or polygonal.
9. The pet potty of claim 1, further comprising a raised wall
around part of the perimeter of the base plate.
10. The pet potty of claim 9, wherein the raised wall has a
drainage lip that extends laterally from the raised wall toward the
cavity of the base plate, such that when fluid drains down the
raised wall, it drains into the cavity from the drainage lip.
11. A pet potty comprising: a base plate comprising a base and a
wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and wall impermeable
to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining fluid; and a
grid that is sized to fit within the cavity of the base plate, said
grid comprising a complex of beams that can support a pet atop the
grid, wherein the beams have a top side and a bottom side, and
wherein substantially all of the beams are convex in shape on their
top side.
12. The pet potty of claim 11, wherein the bottom side of the beams
do not touch the base when the grid is positioned in the cavity of
the base plate.
13. The pet potty of claim 11, wherein the beams of the grid are
supported by a plurality of columns that extend downward from the
bottom side of the beams toward the base, and wherein the columns
touch the base when the grid is positioned in the cavity of the
base plate.
14. The pet potty of claim 12, wherein the beams of the grid are
supported by a plurality of columns that extend downward from the
bottom side of the beams toward the base, and wherein the columns
touch the base when the grid is positioned in the cavity of the
base plate.
15. The pet potty of claim 11, wherein the grid comprises a finger
port along an edge of the grid for removing the grid from the base
plate.
16. The pet potty of claim 11, wherein the grid comprises a
plurality of spacers extending laterally from the grid, wherein the
spacers space the grid a distance from the wall of the base
plate.
17. The pet potty of claim 11, wherein the complex of beams form
openings between the beams, and wherein the openings are no more
than 3/8 of an inch across the opening.
18. The pet potty of claim 17, wherein the openings are round,
elliptical, or polygonal.
19. The pet potty of claim 11, further comprising a raised wall
around part of the perimeter of the base plate.
20. The pet potty of claim 19, wherein the raised wall has a
drainage lip that extends laterally from the raised wall toward the
cavity of the base plate, such that when fluid drains down the
raised wall, it drains into the cavity from the drainage lip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Generally, the invention relates to litter boxes for pets.
More specifically, the invention relates to litter boxes that can
be used by dogs as well as cats and that does not require the use
of traditional cat litter material.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description provides a summary of information
relevant to the present invention. It is not an admission that any
of the information provided herein is prior art to the presently
claimed invention, nor that any of the publications or devices
specifically or implicitly referenced are prior art to that
invention.
[0003] Cat litter boxes have been in general use by the public for
quite some time, and there are many types from which to choose.
Generally, the traditional cat litter box is a rectangular
container with raised walls on three sides and a lowered wall on
the entry side where the cat enters the container. The traditional
container holds cat litter material, which is used to attract the
cat and absorb cat feces and urine odor. This has worked well for
cats, but has not generally been adopted for use by dogs.
[0004] Dogs have traditionally had few options when it comes to
relieving themselves indoors. Traditionally, dogs tended to live
outdoors and were free to relieve themselves in outdoor areas. More
recently, dog owners have been bringing their dogs indoors for
several reasons. One reason is that smaller breed dogs have become
increasingly popular, and these breeds are suited for indoor
living. In fact, they tend to prefer living indoors in close
relationship with their owners.
[0005] Another reason for this shift in the living relationship
between dogs and humans is that more and more people have been
moving into smaller dwelling units that do not have back yards, or
have very small outdoor spaces. This shift from traditional homes
with yards to smaller homes, such as condos, townhomes and
apartments has not reduced people's desire to share their lives
with pets. Instead, it has created a greater demand for products
that enable indoor living for pets, particularly dogs. Thus, there
is now a particular need for products and services that allow pet
owners to potty train their pets. There is a corresponding need for
indoor pet potties, particularly those suitable for use by
dogs.
[0006] As explained above, cats presently have many options that
involve using cat litter inside of some form of cat litter box
indoors. Dogs, however, have just a few options when it comes to
housebreaking and using the bathroom indoors.
[0007] One option is to use a litter box with litter in a manner
very similar to what cats use. The problem with such litter boxes
for dogs is that dogs like to bury their waste, which results in
litter being flung all over the room in which the litter box is
placed. In addition, puppies, and some dogs, tend to eat the
litter, which is very unhealthy and can lead to serious digestive
and other health problems.
[0008] Another option is to lay newspaper or other suitable paper
product on the floor and housetrain the dog to use it exclusively.
The problem with such an approach is that most paper products don't
absorb urine very well, and they tend to leak through to the floor.
Moreover, dogs tend to step in the urine on the newspaper and track
it all over the house with their paws. Another problem is that
puppies tend to tear the paper into shreds and create a big mess
all over the house.
[0009] To address these deficiencies in newspaper use, absorbent
pads have been created. These pads tend to have one or more layers
of absorbent material and a backing layer of material that is
impervious to fluid so as to prevent urine from leaking through to
the floor beneath the pad. The problem with these absorbent pads,
however, is threefold: (1) puppies tend to tear them to shreds as
they do with paper products; (2) in their attempt to bury their
waste dogs tend to fling the pads out of position and scatter them
around so that they are not useful after one use; and (3) the pads
do not absorb the urine quickly enough so that dogs tend to track
the urine around the house with their paws after stepping in it
just after urinating.
[0010] Another solution has been to use large crates that house
artificial grass or real sod that is periodically replaced. There
are several companies that make various versions of such a product.
The problems with that solution are threefold: (1) the artificial
grass or sod must be replaced every week or two weeks at most, and
even then there is a buildup in odor; (2) these crates tend to be
very expensive and can cost between $150 to $600 just for the crate
and the first installation of sod; and (3) the replacement sod or
grass is also very expensive and results in recurring costs over
the entire lifetime of the product.
[0011] Another solution has been the creation of an indoor dog
potty that can hold absorbent pads or newspapers in a manner
inaccessible to dogs. One such type of dog potty is made of a
rectangular base plate fitted with a unitary removable grid. The
base plate can hold a newspaper or absorbent pad inside with the
grid placed atop the newspaper or absorbent pad. The dog goes to
the bathroom atop the grid and the pee passes through the grid to
the newspaper or absorbent pad below. The problem with such a
product is that the unitary grids tend to be large and difficult to
handle and clean. In addition, the grids are often made from
lighting louver material or other material and may not be suited
for all dogs' paws.
[0012] Thus, there is a need for an affordable, safe, convenient,
and clean pet potty that can be used to housetrain pets and provide
them with a means to relieve themselves indoors. The present
invention solves all of the aforementioned problems associated with
current housetraining and indoor potty devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with one embodiment, a pet potty includes a
base plate and a grid. The base plate has a base and a wall along
the perimeter of the base, the base and wall being impermeable to
fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining fluid. The grid is
sized to fit within the cavity of the base plate and has a complex
of beams that can support a pet atop the grid. The beams have a top
side and a bottom side, and substantially all of the beams are
convex in shape on their top side.
[0014] In accordance with another embodiment, a pet potty includes
a base plate and two or more grids. The base plate has a base and a
wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and wall being
impermeable to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining
fluid. The two or more grids are sized to fit within the cavity of
the base plate such that when the grids are placed in the cavity
the grids are substantially immovable in any horizontal direction.
The grids each have a complex of beams that can support a pet atop
the grid. The beams have a top side and a bottom side, and
substantially all of the beams are convex in shape on their top
side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features and advantages will be apparent
from the following more particular description thereof, presented
in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pet potty in accordance
with one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pet potty depicted in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the pet potty depicted in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one of the grids of the pet potty
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 4A is a side view of the grid through lines A-A in FIG.
4.
[0021] FIG. 4B is a side view of the grid through lines B-B in FIG.
4.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional close-up view of a portion of
the grid depicted in FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pet potty depicted in
FIG. 1 with a raised drainage attachment.
[0024] FIG. 7A shows a side cut-out view of one of the grids of the
pet potty depicted in FIG. 1 with a series of disposable layers
adhered to the grid.
[0025] FIG. 7B shows one of the disposable layers of FIG. 7A being
peeled off the grid.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional close-up view of a portion
of the grid depicted in FIG. 4 with one of the disposable layers
depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B being peeled off the grid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The pet potty systems depicted herein can be used to
housetrain and act as an indoor potty for dogs and cats. They are,
however, particularly suitable for dogs.
[0028] Turning now to FIG. 1, a pet potty 100 in accordance with
one embodiment depicts a rectangular base plate 110 fitted with a
double grid system having grids 150 and 160. The grids 150 and 160
are removable from the base plate 110. When the grids 150 and 160
are positioned in the base plate 110 the grids fit snuggly in the
base plate such that there is little or no movement in any
horizontal direction between the grids 150 and 160 and the base
plate 110. The grids are capable of supporting the weight of any
breed of dog.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the base plate 110 is formed of a base
111 surrounded on its perimeter by a raised wall 114. A raised wall
114 extending upward from the base 111 forms a cavity 115 in the
base plate 110. The wall is preferably about 3/4 of an inch tall,
but can be from between about 1/4 of an inch tall to about 3 inches
tall. The grids 150 and 160 fit snuggly within the cavity 115. The
grids 150 and 160 can be removed from the base plate 110 by lifting
them vertically upward. Finger ports 157 are provided for this
purpose and are positioned on the outer sides of each of the grids
150 and 160. The grids 150 and 160 are mirror images of each other.
The finger ports 157 are placed on the outer sides of the grids 150
and 160, because there is less likelihood of the outer edges of the
grids 150 and 160 being covered with feces.
[0030] The grids 150 and 160 each have a number of spacers 155
along the three outer sides 156 of the grids 150 and 160. There are
no spacers along the side 158 of the grids 150 and 160 that touch
each other. The spacers 155 form a space between the outer sides
156 of the grids 150 and 160 and the wall 114 of the base plate
110. The spacers 155 ensure that there is no horizontal movement
between the grids 150 and 160 and the base plate 110 when the grids
150 and 160 are positioned inside the cavity 111 of the base plate
110. As best shown in FIG. 3, the spacing between the grids 150 and
160 and the wall 114 of the base plate 110 established by the
spacers 155 also makes it easier to grip the finger ports 157 with
two fingers. Alternatively, the grids can be sized exactly to fit
the cavity 115 of the base plate 110. As best shown in FIG. 3,
there is no space between the inner sides 158 of the grids, which
touch each other.
[0031] The base 111 has a plurality of upwardly projecting bumps
116 formed thereon. The bumps 116 are curved, but can be of any
shape and size. The bumps 116 help to stabilize the base 111 and
prevent it from warping during the manufacturing process or over
time.
[0032] FIG. 4 depicts grid 150 as an example. Each structure and
element of grid 150 is mirrored in grid 160. Grid 150 is formed by
a complex of beams 165 that are interconnected within the
boundaries of the outer edges 156 and 158 of the grid 150. The
beams 165 of grid 150 are supported by edges 156 and 158, which
extend downward a distance x from the beams 165 of the grid 150,
and by a plurality of columns 170, which also extend downward a
same distance x from the beams 165. The distance x is preferably
about 3/4 of an inch, but can be anywhere from about 1/4 of an inch
to about 3 inches. There can be as few as one column 170 supporting
the beams 165 and as many as fifty columns 170 supporting the
beams. Preferably, there are at least five columns 170 supporting
the beams, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0033] As best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the beams 165 have a top
side 167 and a bottom side 168. The bottom side 168 of the beams
165 do not extend downward the same distance x as the columns 170
and edges 156 and 158 of the grid 150. Therefore, the bottom side
168 of the beams 165 do not touch the base 111 of the base plate
110 (both shown in phantom in FIGS. 4A and 4B).
[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the bottom side 168 of the
beams 165 can be flat, concave, convex, or any shape. The top side
167 of the beams 165 can be convex (i.e., slightly rounded) in
shape. The convex shape of the top side 167 of the beams 165 helps
to cushion the paw pads of dogs and cats. The beams 165 are at
least 0.15 inches thick (as shown in distance z in FIG. 5), which
further ensures the safety and comfort of dogs' and cats' paw pads.
As shown in FIG. 5, there are holes or openings between the beams,
and the beams 165 are separated by a distance y across the openings
between the beams 165. This distance y between the beams 165 is
preferably no greater than about 3/8 of an inch. In any case,
distance y is less than 5/8 of an inch. The small distance between
the beams reduces the risk that the smallest paw pads of the
smallest dog breeds gets stuck inside of the openings between the
beams 165 rather than being supported atop the beams 165.
[0035] An additional feature of the pet potty 100 can be a series
200 of protective disposable layers of material 210 adhered atop
the grids 150 and 160. This feature is best shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B
and 8. Each disposable layer 210 is made of at least one layer
having adhesive material on the bottom side 212 and non-adhesive
material on the top side 214. Alternatively, each disposable layer
210 can be made of two layers of material, a top layer 214 and a
bottom layer 212. The top layer 212 does not have an adhesive, and
the bottom layer 214 has an adhesive. The bottom layer 214 (or
bottom side) of each disposable layer 210 adheres to the top layer
212 (or top side) of the disposable layer 210 below it. As shown in
FIGS. 7B and 8, each disposable layer 210 can be periodically
removed after it is soiled by the pet revealing a clean disposable
layer 210 below it. The series of protective disposable layers 200
can be provided in packets of two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten, or more disposable layers 210. The series of
disposable layers 200 preferably has the same general shape and
dimensions of the grids 150 and 160 and the length and width of
each adhesive layer 210 of the series of disposable layers 200 is
generally the same as the beams 165 of the grids 150 and 160.
[0036] The pet potty 100 is depicted in the figures as being
rectangular, but it can be round, oval, square, or any shape that
provides enough space for a dog or cat to sit atop and relieve
herself or himself. For example, it can be shaped like a bone or a
fire hydrant or any other fanciful shape. In one embodiment, such
as that shown in the figures herein, the pet potty 100 is about 19
inches in width (shown as W in FIG. 3) by about 26 inches in length
(shown as L in FIG. 3), and the cavity 115 or elimination space can
be about 16 inches in width by about 24 inches in length. In other
rectangular embodiments, the pet potty 100 can be about 14 inches
in width and 19 inches in length with a cavity or elimination space
of about 12 inches in width and 15.5 inches in length.
[0037] The grids 150 and 160 can also be of any size or shape. In
the embodiment shown in the figures, the grids can be about 12
inches in length by about 16 inches in width each. In yet another
embodiment (not shown in the figures), the pet potty can have one
large single grid that is about 24 inches in length by about 16
inches in width, rather than having a double grid system such as
that shown in the figures.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the pet potty 100 can be fitted with a
raised drainage attachment 300. The raised drainage attachment 300
can best be utilized by male dogs that raise their legs when they
urinate. The drainage attachment 300 can have three walls, leaving
an opening along one of the long sides of the pet potty 100 so that
the dog has a way to get on the pet potty. Alternatively, the
raised drainage attachment 300 can have just one wall, preferably
along one of the long sides of the pet potty 100. The three walls
of the drainage attachment 300 can be of a unibody construction
made from a single mold. Alternatively, the drainage attachment 300
can be constructed by attaching the three walls together through
various types of attachments that are known in the art. Each wall
of the drainage attachment 300 has an internal side 315 facing the
pet potty 100, and an external side 320 facing outward and away
from the pet potty 100. The bottom edge of the internal side 315 of
the walls forms a drainage lip 310. The drainage lip 310 extends
laterally inward toward the cavity 115 of the base plate 110 of the
pet potty 100. The drainage lip 310 extends just over the internal
edge of the perimeter wall 114 of the pet potty such that fluid
that drains down the internal walls of the drainage attachment 300
flows into the cavity 115 of the base plate 110 of the pet potty
100. A retention lip (not shown) can extend inwardly from the
bottom edge of the external wall 320 and under the bottom of the
base plate 110. The retention lip can be used to firmly secure the
drainage attachment 300 to the pet potty 100. The drainage
attachment 300 can be attached to the pet potty 100 by sliding the
pet potty into the groove formed between the bottom of the drainage
lip 310 and the top of the retention lip (not shown). The height of
the drainage attachment 300 can be any height between about four
inches and about twenty-four inches, preferably between about
twelve inches and about eighteen inches, and preferably about
sixteen inches.
[0039] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein in connection with the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited
to these embodiments and that various changes and modifications may
be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *