Pet tending device

Abstract

A pet tending device includes a cabinet having a spring opened door which withdraws and returns a food bowl carrying slide plate with the opening and closing of the door. A conventional alarm clock having a spring wound alarm motor with a winding shaft is mounted in the cabinet and the shaft rotates a member with the release of the alarm which retracts a latch which releasably locks the door in a closed position. The alarm motor is wound with the rotation of the retraction member in an opposite direction to permit the relocking of the door, the alarm motor shaft rotation being restricted to a predetermined amount. A closed water tank is located in the upper part of the cabinet, and its bottom is connected by a feed tube to an external trough which may be raised and lowered, and the upper part of the tank is connected to a vent tube which terminates in a downwardly directed opening at the upper part of the trough. Various accessories are associated with the cabinet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to improvements in food dispensing devices, and it relates more particularly to an improved automatically timed animal food dispensing device.

In the proper care and tending of pets, such as cats and dogs and other animals, it is generally necessary that drinking water be always available, and that food be made available at regular intervals. However, in the case of household confined animal pets, it is often inconvenient and frequently impractical to attend to the animals feeding needs at the proper and optimum times by the reason of the absence of anybody to attend to these needs at such times. Many devices have been heretofore employed and proposed for automatically making food available to an animal at a preset time, but such devices possess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages. They are generally complex and unreliable, of limited application, of little versatility and adaptability, and otherwise leave much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved animal feeding device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for storing food for an animal, and for automatically making it accessible at a preset time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a timed animal food dispensing device in which an audible signal is produced with the dispensing of the food, and in which other animal services are furnished, including an improved automatic water filling trough, animal playthings, mats, shelters and the like.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above nature characterized by its reliability, great versatility and adaptability and ease and convenience of use.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of an improved, timed animal feeding device, comprising a food receptacle, a housing enclosing the food receptacle, and including an access member moveable between a first position providing access to the food receptacle and a second position preventing such access, means biasing the access member to its first position, a latching member moveable between a position locking the access member in its second position, and a position releasing the access member, a clock supported by the housing and including a spring wound alarm motor having a winding shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, with the loading of the motor spring and with the unwinding of the spring to sound the alarm respectively, and adjustable alarm time setting means, and latch control means responsive to the rotation of the motor shaft in the first for permitting the movement of the latch member to its lock position, and to the rotation of the shaft in the second direction for shifting the latch member to its release position.

In its preferred form, the improved device includes a cabinet having a hinged door spring biased to an open position and linked to a food receptacle carrying slide plate which is withdrawn from and retracted into the cabinet with the opening and closing of the door. A latch control and winding member is coupled to the alarm motor for rotation about a vertical axis and the latch member is a slide rod vertically moveable into and out of engagement with a socket carried by the door and the latch control member and latch member are associated by a cam and follower to raise the latch member with the unwinding of the shaft and to lower the shaft member with the opposite turning of the control member to wind the alarm motor. A closed water tank is housed in the cabinet and its bottom is connected by a flexible tube to the bottom of an external water trough and a vent pipe connects the upper parts of the tank and trough. Also, associated with the cabinet is an extendable mat or shelter and an animal play device.

The improved device is reliable, of great versatility, and adaptability, and easy and convenient to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a food accessible position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof in a closed condition, and partially in section with the access door being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating the latch control assembly in a condition permitting the depression of the latch member to lock position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the latch member shown in its raised unlatch position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device of FIGS. 1 to 8, but provided with an extendable mat shelter member;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 9, showing the member in extended mat form and by broken line as a shelter;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a lower section thereof;

FIG. 12 is an elevational front view, partially in section, of a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view thereof with the chain and toy element removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 to 8 thereof, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved feeding and drinking device which comprises a floor supported cabinet 11, including rectangular horizontal top and bottom walls 12 and 13, opposite rectangular side walls 14 and 16, a read wall 17, and being open at its front to define an access opening 18. The bottom wall 13 is provided with depending rubber foot pieces 15. A rectangular door 19 is connected by hinges 20 to the front edge of wall 16 for swinging between a closed position engaging shoulders in the wall edges delineating access opening 18 and a fully opened forwardly extending position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

A resiliently, forwardly biased door opening vertical plate 21, having an opening 22, is disposed proximate the inside face of door 19 and is mounted by a pair of vertically spaced hinges 23, mounted in blocks 24 to the inside face of the front vertical border of side wall 16 to be swingable about a vertical axis, inwardly, rearwardly offset from that of hinges 20. A pair of hair pin springs engage the pins of hinges 23 and have legs bearing on the faces of the leaves of hinges 23 to resiliently urge the plate 21 to swing outwardly and bias the door 19 to its fully open position.

A pair of opposite parallel longitudinal track defining channel members 27 are secured to the confronting faces of side walls 14 and 16 proximate bottom wall 13 and longitudinally slideably support a plate 28 for carrying a food bowl or other receptacle 29 the forward edge of slide plate 28 being curved. A bracket 30 having a horizontal ear is medially mounted on the lower inside face of the door 19 and an elongated link 32 has one end pivoted to the bracket ear and its other end pivoted to the rear medial underface of slide plate 28, so that with the opening of door 19 slide plate 28 is withdrawn by link 32 to a forwardly projecting position and with the closing of door 19, the link 32 retracts slide plate 28 completely within the cabinet 11.

A horizontal partition 33 is located in cabinet 11 intermediate top and bottom walls 12 and 13 and an upright mechanical spring wound alarm clock 34 of conventional construction is supported by partition 33 and is firmly embraced between partition 33 and top wall 12 at the front medial portion of partition 33. The rear face of clock 34 confronts side wall 16 and the clock 34 includes, in the known manner, a pair of shafts 36 for winding the clock spring motor and for setting the time and for setting the alarm time, the shafts 36 having coaxial extensions 37 coupled thereto and projecting through apertures in the wall 16 to permit the external setting and winding of the clock. The clock 34 also includes a spring wound alarm motor provided with a shaft 38 which rotates in a first direction to wind the motor spring, and is rotated in an opposite second direction with the unwinding of the alarm motor spring which actuates and sounds the clock alarm at the preset time.

A door locking assembly 39 is located between clock 34 and side wall 16, and includes a tubular vertical post 40 mounted atop partition 33 and having an upper coaxial section 41 of reduced diameter. Resting on the horizontal peripheral shoulder delineating the upper and lower sections of post 40 and rotatable in upper section 41 is a bevel gear 42 with upwardly directed teeth. A hollow shaft 43 coaxial with post 40 has a bore of the diameter of and axially aligned with that in post 40 and terminates at its bottom in a bevel gear 44 located above and confronting bevel gear 42 and being rotatable with shaft 43. The shaft 43 projects through top wall 12 and terminates at its top in a horizontal first disc 46 having a circular hub 47 on its bottom face resting on top wall 12. An upwardly directed pin 48 is eccentrically mounted on disc 46.

A latch member defining rod 49 having a rounded bottom tip slideably engages the aligned bores in shaft 43 and post 40 and has affixed to the top thereof a second disc 50 located above first disc 46 and having formed at its top a coaxial knob 51 and at its periphery, an outwardly directed finger 52. An upwardly projecting pin 53 is located on top wall 12 in the path of finger 52.

An arcuately extending wedge shaped member 54 projects upwardly from the peripheral border of the top face of disc 46 and has an inclined top face 56 and an arcuate wedge shaped member or skirt wall 57 depends from the periphery of disc 50 and has an inclined underface 58 complementing wedge member face 56 so that when discs 46 and 50 are relatively rotated to bring faces 56 and 58 into mating registry, the disc 50 and latch member 49 are released to their depressed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and when the disc 46 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, relative to the disc 50, the members are relatively shifted to raise the disc 50 and latch member 49. A bevel gear 59 is affixed to alarm motor shaft 38 and engages gears 42 and 44, and with the unwinding of the alarm motor the gear 59 rotates the gear 44 to turn the disc 46 counter-clockwise. The pin 53 limits the amount of rotation of disc 50 ao as to ensure relative rotation between disc 50 and motor driven disc 46, and the pin 48 and finger 52 provide a drive coupling between discs 46 and 50 during the manual clockwise rotation of knob 51 for the winding of the alarm motor.

An arm 63 has one end pivoted to a bracket 64 mounted on the inside face of door 19 and has a longitudinal slot 65 formed at its opposite end. The arm 63 extends below the partition 33 and a guide pin 66 mounted on a projection depending from partition 33 slideably engages the slot 66. A socket member 67 mounted atop the arm 63 between its ends has a well 68 formed in its top face which is in axial alignment with the latch rod 49 when the door 19 is in its closed position with the arm 63 retracted thereby.

A closed water tank 70 is mounted in the upper part of cabinet 11 adjacent to side wall 14 and a freely moveable open topped circular trough 71 is located externally of the cabinet, and is provided with a depending pedestal 72 for supporting it on the floor. A large vertical tubular member 73 is affixed to the inside face of trough 71 with its bottom positioned between the top and bottom of the trough. A long, flexible feed tube 74 which is smaller in diameter than tube 73, has its upper end communicating with the bottom of tank 70 by way of a suitable coupling, and has its lower end communicating with the bottom of trough 71, likewise through a suitable coupling, the tube 74 extending through an aperture in side wall 14. A flexible venting tube 76 communicates through a suitable coupling with the upper part of tank 70, and its lower end is in hermetic engagement with tubular member 73.

A pair of vertically spaced elastomeric suction cups 77 are secured to the outer face of side wall 16 for the separable attachment of pet play devices.

In the operation and application of the device 10, tank 70 is first filled with water by raising the trough 71 above the level of tank 70 and pouring water into trough 71 which flows through tube 74 into the tank. Water passes from the small connecting tube 74 down near the base of the box and upwardly thence into the tank 70. This is accomplished by gravity. When the tank is filled, dripping will occur from the large tube 73 because of the overflow. The tank is hermetically sealed. Thus, when the trough is placed at its lower level, in the beginning water will come out both tubes into the bowl, but then because of external air pressure, water will only flow through the small tube 74, while air will pass through the large tube 73 into the tank to replace the volume formerly filled by water which has been vacated by the water dripping out. The tube 73 is positioned downwardly inside the water bowl, so that as the water level reaches the mouth of the tube air will be further prevented from passing upwardly in the tube. Water will pass upwardly through the air tube to a certain level, but not all the way up and into the tank only until a balance is reached. The opening of the tube 73 at its lower end is of a much wider diameter than the regular portion of the tube. When the dog drinks and lowers the water level, the volume of water in the air tube 73 returns to the bowl, exposing the lower opening and allowing external air pressure to enter the tube. Then air can pass upwardly into the tube and force water to start entering into the bowl from the tank via tube 74. The procedure is repeated until a balance is reached again.

The reason for having an expanded diameter at the open portion of the air tube 73 is the following: By having a section of tubing of expanded diameter, the weight of the water in the air tube is increased significantly. Thus, when the dog drinks the weight is sufficient to drop rapidly back into the liquid bowl and allow the process to start again. If we did not have this, according to the inventor, and based upon his experiments, the system becomes neutralized and the water stays up in the tube, retained in position by the air pressure and gravity balance, the air pressure being greater than the force created by the weight of the water in the air tube, and the water will not come out of the air tube.

The clock 34 is wound and the alarm set to the desired food release time and the clock alarm motor is wound through gears 59 and 44, shaft 43 and discs 46 and 50 and pin 48 and finger 52 by turning knob 51 clockwise until finger 52 reaches pin 53. With the door 19 open and plate 28 extended, a food containing bowl 29 placed on the forward part of plate 28 and the door 19 is manually closed to retract the plate 28 and bowl 29 into the cabinet 11. The knob 51 is then turned counter-clockwise until pin 53 is engaged by finger 52, in which position the cam and follower defining members 54 and 57 are out of engagement permitting the latch rod 49 to drop into locking engagement with socket well 68 and retain the door in closed position.

At the preset alarm time, the clock alarm is released to sound and attract the animal, and with the unwinding of the alarm motor the driven gear 59 rotates disc 46 by way of gear 44 to raise the disc 50 and latch member rod 49 from well 68, thereby releasing the door which is swung to its open position withdrawing slide plate 28 and the food containing bowl 29. The amount of unwinding of the alarm motor and the sounding of the alarm is limited by the restricted rotation of disc 46 to less than 360.degree..

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a collapsible mat or shelter 78 may be associated with the cabinet 11 and includes a plastic web 79 divided by longitudinally and transversely extending fold lines 80 into rows and lines of similarly shaped rectangular panels 81, in the illustrated embodiment four rows of panels with four panels to the row. The rear edge of a rear corner panel is provided with a rearwardly projecting flap which is secured to the border of the underface of bottom wall 13.

In the collapsed condition of the web 79, it is folded, accordion fashion, longitudinally and transversely, as shown in FIG. 9 and brought into superimposition with side wall 14. A U-shaped resilient frame member 83 includes a top cross piece 84 and depending opposite end legs 86, the legs 86 tightly embracing the collapsed web along side wall 14 and opposite side wall 16.

In employing the web 79 as a mat, the frame 83 is removed to release the web 79 which is open along the fold lines to its desired size and configuration and permitted to rest upon the floor. On the other hand, if the web 79 is to be used as a shelter, it is unfolded to its full extent and then folded along transverse fold lines to form a rectangular tunnel, as shown by broken line in FIG. 10, and the frame member 83 is inserted in the tunnel, extending longitudinally, to prevent the collapse of the shelter.

A play device 87, which may be employed by way of example, with the device 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14 and includes a vertical cylindrical clawing block 88 having a planar rear face to which is secured a vertically extending flat coupling plate 89 having a smooth rear face. A vertical pin 90 projects upwardly from the block 88 and registers with the dihedral between the faces of block 88 and plate 89. A resilient flexible tubular arm 91 formed of a helically wound wire has its inner end engaging the pin 90 and projects forwardly of block 88. Suspended from the free end of arm 91 by means of a chain 92 is any suitable toy 85, such as a catnip stuffed figure, or the like.

In use, the device 87 is supported at the desired level by effecting a suction coupling between the suction cups 77 and the plate 89 in the known manner. Other toys and playthings may be substituted for the device 87 and attached to the cabinet 11 in a similar manner.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

I claim:

1. A timed animal feeding device comprising a food receptacle, a housing enclosing said food receptacle and having an access member including a door defining a wall of said receptacle and supported for swinging about a vertical edge thereof between an opened first position providing access to said food receptacle and a second closed position restricting access to said food receptacle, means resiliently biasing said access member to said first closed position, a latch member movable between a locked position releasably locking said door in its second closed position and a release position releasing said door for movement to its first opened position, a socket member supported in the side face of said door and movable therewith and having a well in its top base, said latch member comprising a rod vertically movable to a locked position engaging said well when said door is in its first closed position and to a raised position above said well, a clock supported by said housing and including a spring wound alarm motor having a winding shaft rotatable in a first direction to load the motor spring and an opposite second direction with the running of said motor to sound said alarm and adjustable means for releasing said alarm motor at a pre-set time, latch control means responsive to the rotation of said motor shaft in said first direction for permitting the movement of said latch member to said locked position and responsive to the rotation of said shaft a predetermined amount in said second direction for advancing said latch member to said release position, said latch control means raising and releasing said rod of said socket member with the rotation of said alarm motor shaft in said second and first directions respectively, said latch control member including a hollow vertical shaft having a lower end gear coupled to said alarm motor shaft and having a coaxial horizontal first disc affixed to the top thereof, said latch member rod slideably registering with said hollow shaft and having a coaxial horizontal second disc secured to the top thereof and disposed above said first disc, cam and cam follower surfaces located in the confronting faces of said first and second discs whereby relative rotation thereof effects the raising of said second disc and latch rod means for limiting the rotation of said second disc and means for limiting the rotation of said first disc relative to said second disc.

2. The device of claim 1 including a closed water tank supported at the upper part of said housing, an open topped drinking fountain located externally of said housing below the level of said tank, a first tube providing liquid communication between the lower parts of said fountain and tank, and a venting tube extending from the upper part of said tank and having a downwardly directed opening communicating with said fountain above the lower part thereof.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said first tube is flexible.

4. The device of claim 2, the first tube having a smaller diameter than the second tube.