PORTABLE ANIMAL LITTER SYSTEM

• US 20180263209A1
• Filed: 03/13/2018
• Published: 09/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laurel Joy Ruggiano
• Original Assignee: Laurel Joy Ruggiano
• Inventors: Ruggiano, Laurel Joy
• Granted Patent: US 11,044,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0125 Foldable or collapsible litter boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0245 Boxes or cages

Abstract

In one embodiment, a portable animal litter system is disclosed. The system includes a base container having a perimeter wall protruding substantially upward from a perimeter of a bottom panel. A plurality of looped inner walls is positioned concentrically so that the looped inner walls are in a telescoping arrangement. In a fully collapsed state, the looped inner walls are configured within the base container such that an upper end of each of the looped inner walls are proximate to each other. In an expanded configuration the upper ends of each looped inner wall are distal from each other. A lid is configured to attach to the base container when the system is in a collapsed configuration.

Claims

1. A portable animal litter system comprising:

a base container having a bottom panel and a perimeter wall protruding substantially upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel;

a plurality of looped inner walls, the looped inner walls positioned concentrically so that the looped inner walls are in a telescoping arrangement;

wherein in a fully collapsed state the looped inner walls are configured within the base container such that an upper end of each of the looped inner walls are proximate to each other;

wherein in an expanded configuration the upper ends of each looped inner wall are distal from each other; and

,

a lid configured to attach to the base container when the system is in a collapsed configuration.

2. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein a first outside cross-sectional diameter at the upper end of each looped inner wall is greater than the second outside cross-sectional diameter at the lower end of each looped inner wall.

3. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein a lock is for maintaining the system in the expanded configuration and comprises:

a first arm having a first arm first end and a first arm second end;

a second arm having a second arm first end and a second arm second end;

wherein the first arm first end is pivotally connected to the base container and the first arm second end is pivotally connected to the second arm second end and wherein the second arm first end is pivotally connected to an outermost looped inner wall such that the first arm and second arm move between a vertically orientated position and a non-vertically orientated position; and

,

a first detent on the first arm configured to mate with a second detent on the second arm when in the vertically orientated position for locking the first arm relative to the second arm.

4. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein in the expanded configuration the looped inner walls and the base container form a litter box.

5. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein in the collapsed configuration the upper ends of the looped inner walls are below the perimeter wall of the base container so that the perimeter wall may receive the lid.

6. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein at least one latch attached to the perimeter wall removably couples the lid couples to the base container.

7. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein contents inside the box remain inside when the litter box is in the collapsed configuration with the lid attached to the base container.

8. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein the portable animal litter system is configured to be positioned inside of an animal carrier when the portable animal litter system is in a collapsed configuration.

9. The portable animal litter system of claim 1, wherein a pad covers an area inside a ridge that runs along proximate to a circumference of the lid.

10. A portable animal litter system comprising:

a base container having a bottom panel and a perimeter wall protruding upward from a bottom panel perimeter;

a plurality of looped inner walls, the looped inner walls positioned concentrically so that the looped inner walls are in a telescoping arrangement;

wherein in a fully collapsed state the looped inner walls are configured within the base container such that an upper end of each the looped inner walls are proximate to each other; and

,

wherein in an expanded configuration an upper end of an outermost looped inner wall is above the base container.

11. The portable animal litter system of claim 10, wherein a first outside cross-sectional diameter at the upper end of each looped inner wall is greater than the second outside cross-sectional diameter at the lower end of each looped inner wall.

12. The portable animal litter system of claim 10, wherein a lock is for maintaining the system in the fully expanded configuration and comprises:

a first arm having a first arm first end and a first arm second end;

a second arm having a second arm first end and a second arm second end;

wherein the first arm first end is pivotally connected to base container and the first arm second end is pivotally connected to the second arm second end and wherein the second arm first end is pivotally connected to an outermost looped inner wall such that the first arm and second arm move between a vertically orientated position and a non-vertically orientated position; and

,

a first detent on the first arm configured to mate with a second detent on the second arm when in the vertically orientated position for locking the first arm relative to the second arm.

13. The portable animal litter system of claim 10, wherein a lid is configured to attach to the base container when the system is in a collapsed configuration.

14. The portable animal litter system of claim 13, wherein in the collapsed configuration the upper ends of the looped inner walls are below the perimeter wall of the base container so that the perimeter wall may receive the lid.

15. The portable animal litter system of claim 14, wherein at least one latch attached to the perimeter wall of the base is configured to removably couple the lid to the perimeter wall via a snap fit.

16. A portable animal litter system comprising:

a base container having a bottom panel and a perimeter wall protruding substantially upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel;

a plurality of looped inner walls, wherein a first outside cross-sectional diameter at the upper end of each looped inner wall is greater than the second outside cross-sectional diameter at the lower end of each looped inner wall, and wherein the looped inner walls positioned concentrically so that the looped inner walls are in a telescoping arrangement;

wherein in a fully collapsed state the looped inner walls are configured within the base container such that an upper end of each the looped inner walls are proximate to each other;

wherein in an expanded configuration the upper end of an outermost looped inner wall is above the base container; and

,

a lid configured to attach to the base container when the system is in a collapsed configuration.

17. The portable animal litter system of claim 17, wherein in the collapsed configuration the upper ends of the looped inner walls are below the perimeter wall of the base container so that the perimeter wall may receive the lid.

18. The portable animal litter system of claim 18, wherein a lock is for maintaining the system in the fully expanded configuration and comprises:

a first arm having a first arm first end and a first arm second end;

a second arm having a second arm first end and a second arm second end;

wherein the first arm first end is pivotally connected to base container and the first arm second end is pivotally connected to the second arm second end and wherein the second arm first end is pivotally connected to an

outermost looped inner wall such that the first arm and second arm move between a vertically orientated position and a non-vertically orientated position; and

,

a first detent on the first arm configured to mate with a second detent on the second arm when in the vertically orientated position for locking the first arm relative to the second arm.