US 12,127,529 B2
Automated self-cleaning litter box having disposible receptacle and methods
Darrin Anderson, Mauston, WI (US); Ron Wright, Baraboo, WI (US); Brent Demaske, Mauston, WI (US); Adam Favia, Reedsburg, WI (US); and William D. Himes, Radford, VA (US)
Assigned to Spectrum Brands, Inc., Middleton, WI (US)
Appl. No. 16/973,668
Filed by Spectrum Brands, Inc., Middleton, WI (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 10, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/036340
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 9, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/245782, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 26, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/686,762, filed on Jun. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0251182 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. A01K 1/01 (2006.01)
CPC A01K 1/011 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated self-cleaning litter box for automatically disposing of used litter into a disposable receptacle; the litter box comprising:
(a) an open topped box with a floor and a surrounding wall defining an interior sized to be accessible by an animal and for holding litter;
(b) a motorized drive unit coupled to the box;
(c) a rake driven by the drive unit within the box interior; the rake having a cam secured thereto;
(d) first and second cam followers pivotably secured to the box;
(e) a movable cover member constructed and arranged to cover and expose an opening of a litter receptacle; the cover member being movable responsive to engagement by the cam, and the cover member being coupled to the first and second cam followers; and
(f) wherein the first cam follower has an interior facing surface with a first set of an upper slide rail and a lower slide rail spaced apart from each other and projecting from the interior facing surface of the first cam follower and positioned to receive at least a first portion of the litter receptacle; and the second cam follower also has an interior facing surface with a second set of an upper slide rail and lower slide rail spaced apart from each other and projecting from the second cam follower interior facing surface and positioned to receive at least a second portion of the litter receptacle.