US 11,937,568 B2Granted

Cat litter scoop

AssigneeElvi 9, LLC

InventorsElva Janese Morris, Michael Starkey

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Abstract

A cat litter scoop is provided, which includes a handle component, and a user replaceable scoop attachment. When a scoop attachment is inserted into the handle component, a scoop body contacts with a grip area within the body of the handle component. Further insertion force deflects the grip allowing the body of the scoop attachment to pass over grip teeth. The force of the deflection in concert with the geometry of the grip teeth help to retain the scoop attachment within the handle portion When a button is depressed, a protrusion beneath the button is translated into contact with the grip via a contact surface. As the button is further depressed, it deflects the grip in the same direction as the travel of the button. This move's the grip's teeth away from the scoop allowing the scoop to release from the handle component.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A cat litter scoop comprising:

a handle portion having a top surface, a front end having a front surface, and a back end, the front surface having an attachment opening therein for receiving a scoop attachment;
a release having:
a button that extends from the top surface of the handle portion;
a shoulder that attaches to the button, the shoulder having a button protrusion extending downward away from the button;
and
a release arm that extends from the shoulder rearward towards the back end of the handle portion;
and
a lock positioned within the handle portion, the lock having:
a grip area positioned proximate to the attachment opening, which engages a scoop body of the scoop attachment;
a release contact area coupled to the grip area;
and
a lock arm that extends from the release contact area rearward towards the back end of the handle portion;
wherein:
the handle portion includes a common securement that fixedly holds a distal end portion of the release arm and a distal end portion of the lock arm, such that the release and the lock can pivot within the handle portion about the common securement.

11 more elements

A cat litter scoop comprising:

a handle portion having an attachment opening therein for receiving a scoop attachment;
a release having:
a button that extends from the handle portion;
a shoulder that attaches to the button, the shoulder having a button protrusion extending downward away from the button;
and
a release arm that extends from the shoulder rearward towards a back end of the handle portion;
and
a lock having:
a grip area of the lock having a top surface that includes a lock tooth having an incline that slopes away from the attachment opening, and a lock surface opposite the attachment opening;
a release contact area coupled to the grip area;
and
a lock arm that extends from the release contact area rearward towards the back end of the handle portion;
wherein:
the handle portion includes a common securement that fixedly holds a distal end portion of the release arm and a distal end portion of the lock arm, such that the release and the lock can pivot within the handle portion about the common securement.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/204,283Filed 17 Mar 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 17 Mar 2020
Published: US 2021/0289741 A123 Sep 2021
Granted: 26 Mar 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A01K 1/0114
Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets: litter boxes with screens for separating excrement from litter
A01K 1/0116
Litter boxes with screens for separating excrement from litter: scoops for litter
A01K
Animal husbandry