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A rake for a litter box for collecting pet excrements, the litter box containing a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first and second sidewall to define a litter chamber for holding a supply of litter, the rake includes a bar having first and second ends and extends from the first sidewal

A rake for a litter box for collecting pet excrements, the litter box containing a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a first and second sidewall to define a litter chamber for holding a supply of litter, the rake includes a bar having first and second ends and extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and is movable between the front and rear walls. The bar includes a plurality of tines. A rake support is attached to the bar for supporting the first and second ends of the bar for slideable movement between the front and rear walls. A rake arm is connected to the first and second ends of the bar for slideably engaging the rake supports, such that said bar is selectively connectable to the rake supports without using fasteners.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A litter box for collecting pet excrements, comprising: a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall; and a first and second sidewall to define a litter chamber for holding a supply of litter;a rake having a bar having first and second ends and extending between the first sidewall and the second s

1. A litter box for collecting pet excrements, comprising: a bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall; and a first and second sidewall to define a litter chamber for holding a supply of litter;a rake having a bar having first and second ends and extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and movable between the front and rear walls, said bar including a plurality of tines; rake supports attached to said bar for supporting said first and second ends of said bar for slideable movement between the front and rear walls, said rake supports include a post having a hollow interior and an aperture; and a rake arm connected to said first end and a rake arm connected to the second end of said bar for slideably engaging said aperture of said rake supports, such that said bar is selectively connectable to said rake supports without using fasteners and is mantained within said rack supports by gravitational forces. 2. The rake of claim 1 wherein said tines comprise metal.3. The rake of claim 2 wherein said tines comprise a chrome coating.4. The rake of claim 2 wherein said tines comprise a synthetic fluorine resin coating.5. The rake of claim 2 wherein said tines comprise a nylon coating.6. The rake of claim 1 wherein said tines comprise plastic.7. The rake of claim 6 wherein said tines include a chrome coating.8. The rake of claim 6 wherein said tines include a synthetic fluorine resin coating.9. The rake of claim 6 wherein said tines include a nylon coating.10. The rake of claim 1 wherein said rake arms frictionally engage said post hollow interiors.11. The rake of claim 1 wherein said plurality of tines are angularly disposed to said rake supports when said bar is supported by said rake supports.12. An automatic cleaning litter box for collecting cat excretions, the litter box comprising:a litter pan having an open top, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls; a rake disposed in said pan and extending between said sidewalls, said rake being movable between said front wall and said rear wall and having first and second support arms; a rake support for moving said rake between said front and rear walls, said rake support including first and second posts, each of said posts including an aperture for receiving one of said rake arms, such that said rake is maintained within said rake support by gravitational forces; a drive assembly for driving said rake from said rear wall to said front wall to remove the excretions from said pan; a sensor for generating an output signal upon detection of a cat exiting said pan; an actuator for receiving said output signal for actuating said drive assembly after a predetermined time delay after receipt of said output signal; and said actuator including means for adjusting said predetermined time delay. 13. An automatic cleaning cat litter box for collecting cat excretions, the litter box comprising:a litter pan having an open top, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls, a rake disposed in said pan, said rake having a bar extending between said sidewalls, said bar including a plurality of tines and first and second support arms; a rake support for moving said rake between said front and rear walls, said rake support including first and second posts, each of said posts including an aperture for receiving one of said rake arms, such that said rake is maintained within said rake support by gravitational forces; a drive assembly for driving said rake from said rear wall to said front wall so as to remove excretions from said pan; and an inclined portion adjacent said rear wall, such that when said rake travels from said front wall to said rear wall, said inclined portion causes said rake to move above said bottom wall. 14. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 13 wherein said drive assembly includes an electric motor attached to a belt for moving said rake between said litter pan front wall and said rear wall.15. An automatic cleaning litter box comprising:a litter pan having an open top, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall a first sidewall and a second sidewall; a rake disposed in said litter pan and moveable between said litter pan front and rear walls, said rake having a bar extending between said sidewalls and having first and second support arms; a base having an open top, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of sidewalls for supporting said litter pan; a drive assembly disposed in said base, said drive assembly including a motor and a stabilizer bar for moving said rake between said litter pan front and rear walls; and a rake support for moving said rake between said pan front and rear walls, said rake support including a post support connected to said stabilizer bar, said post support including first and second posts adapted to receive said rake first and second arms. 16. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said drive assembly includes a motor and a belt and pulley system for moving said stabilizer bar between said base front and rear walls.17. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 16 wherein said base bottom wall includes a groove extending between said base front and rear walls, said groove adapted to receive a portion of said stabilizer bar to prevent movement of said stabilizer bar between said base sidewalls.18. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said rake arms slideably engage said posts such that said rake is selectively connectable to said rake support without using fasteners.19. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said litter pan sidewalls include a top planar surface extending between said front wall and said rear wall, said rake is supported by said planar surface as said rake travels between said litter pan front and rear walls.20. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 19 including a hood disposed adjacent said litter pan rear wall and sidewalls adapted to hold said bar along said sidewall planar surfaces as said rake travels between said litter pan front and rear walls.21. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 and further including a hood disposed adjacent said litter pan rear wall and sidewalls, said hood including a rim extending into said litter pan to prevent litter debris and urine from entering said base pan.22. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said litter pan bottom wall includes members for strengthening said bottom wall.23. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 22 wherein said strengthening members include ribs.24. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said litter pan bottom wall Includes an inclined ramp adjacent said rear wall to prevent the buildup of litter along the litter pan rear wall.25. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 wherein said litter pan includes:a first sensor for detecting an obstruction in said litter pan, said first sensor having a transmitter and a receiver wherein said transmitter generates an output signal that is detected by said receiver, said transmitter being disposed on said first sidewall and said first receiver being disposed on said second sidewall; and a second sensor spaced apart from said first sensor for detecting an obstruction in said litter chamber, said second sensor having a transmitter and a receiver wherein said transmitter generates an output signal that is detected by said second receiver, said second transmitter is disposed on said second sidewall and said second receiver is disposed on said first sidewall. 26. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 25 wherein said first and second transmitters each generate an infrared output signal transversing an area such that said areas are non-overlapping and disposed adjacent each other.27. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 26 wherein said first and second receivers are infrared photocell detectors.28. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 and further including a waste box disposed adjacent said litter pan front wall to receive litter clumps collected from said litter pan and to collect litter particulate scattered onto said waste box after a cat exits the automatic cleaning litter box, the waste box comprising:a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, a pair of end walls and a pivotable top forming a waste storage area, said top movable between closed and opened positions, such that as said rake moves to said front wall, said top moves to said open position; and said waste box pivotable top includes an opening to direct the scattered litter particulate present on said waste box pivotable top into said waste storage area as said waste box pivotable top moves to said open position. 29. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 28 and further including a removable litter tray disposed inside said waste box.30. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 29 and further including a protective liner disposed in said removable litter tray.31. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 29 wherein said liner includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls wherein said walls form a pocket having an opening to receive the litter clumps.32. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 31 wherein said liner includes a flap portion to cover said pocket opening, said flap portion being adapted to connect to said waste box pivotable top to close and open said pocket as said pivotable top moves between said closed and open positions.33. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 31 wherein said liner includes a pair of handles to remove said liner from said waste box and to seal said pocket.34. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 28 wherein a hood is disposed adjacent said litter pan to cover said litter pan open top, said hood including a portion operable between first and second positions, such that in said first position, said portion overhangs said waste box to direct odors from said waste box into said hood, and wherein in said second position, said portion allows access to said waste box without removing said hood.35. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 34 wherein said hood includes a filter and when said visor is in said first position, odors from said waste box are directed to said filter.36. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 28 and further including a protective liner disposed in said waste storage area.37. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 36 wherein said liner includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls wherein said walls form a pocket having an opening to receive the litter clumps.38. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 37 wherein said liner includes a flap portion to cover said pocket opening, said flap portion being adapted to connect to said waste box pivotable top to close and open said pocket as said pivotable top moves between said closed and open positions.39. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 38 wherein said liner includes a pair of handles to remove said liner from said waste box and to seal said pocket.40. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 15 having a liner disposed in said litter pan to protect said bottom wall, said front wall, said rear wall, said first and second sidewalls.41. The automatic cleaning litter box of claim 40 wherein said liner is fabricated from poly vinyl chloride.