Waste transfer device for kitty litter box

Abstract

A device for transporting solid animal waste including a collection member, a drive mechanism, and a storage member. The collection member is orientable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the collection member receives the waste therein. The drive mechanism is mounted to the collection member for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position. The storage member receives the waste from the collection member and stores the waste therein, wherein in the second orientation, the collection member is disposed adjacent the storage member and transfers the waste to the storage member for storage therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for transporting solid animal waste, the device comprising: 
 a collection member orientable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the collection member receives the waste therein;    a drive mechanism mounted to the collection member for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position; and    a storage member having an opening, the for receiving the waste from the collection member and storing the waste therein, wherein in the second position, the collection member is disposed adjacent the storage member and transfers the waste to the storage member for storage therein.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the collection member is pivotably mounted to the drive mechanism, allowing the collection member to pivot relative to the drive mechanism during movement between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing to which the drive mechanism is mounted for substantially enclosing the drive mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the collection member is pivotably mounted to the housing allowing the collection member to pivot relative for housing during movement between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a switch in cooperation with the collection member and the motor for energizing the motor when the switch is activated.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the switch is a load sensor which detects the pressure of the waste in the collection member and actuates the motor when the pressure has reached a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one lifting member cooperating with the motor for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one drive chain to which the collection member is mounted, the at least one drive chain movable along a predetermined path for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one drive chain is movable within a drive track which defines the predetermined path along which the drive chain travels.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the storage member includes a lid member which covers the storage member when the collection member is in the first position, and which opens to provide access to the storage member when the collection member is in the second position.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an abutment member which is contacted by the collection member as it is moved between the first position and the second position so to orient the collection member in the second position for transferring waste.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a front surface having a front opening through which a portion of the drive mechanism projects for mounting to the collection member.  
     
     
         13 . A waste removal assembly adapted for use with a self-cleaning litter box, the waste removal assembly comprising: 
 a housing;    a drive mechanism mounted substantially within the housing;    an electric motor disposed within the housing for operating the drive mechanism; and    a collection member mounted to the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is operable to move the collection member between a rest position and a dumping position,    wherein in the rest position, the collection member receives any solid waste collected by the kitty litter box as it passes through a cycle, and wherein in the dumping position the collection member transfers the solid waste to a storage member for storage therein.    
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a switch in cooperation with the collection member and the motor for energizing the motor when the switch is triggered to an on position.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one lifting member cooperating with the motor for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one drive chain to which the collection member is mounted, the drive chain movable along a predetermined path for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         17 . A self-cleaning litter box assembly comprising: 
 a tray for holding kitty litter, the tray having at one end an arcuate upwardly extending portion and lip;    a rake member movable laterally along the tray, the rake member having a plurality of pivotable tine which rotate so that the tines may pass through the arcuate upwardly extending portion of the tray;    a collection member orientable between a first position and a second position, the collection member in the first position receiving any solid waste collected by the tines as they pass through the tray and in the second position for transferring the solid waste to a storage member for storage therein;    a housing; and    a drive mechanism mounted substantially within the housing and further mounted to the collection member for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.    
     
     
         18 . The litter box of  claim 17  further comprising a switch in cooperation with the collection member and the motor for energizing the motor when the switch is triggered to an on position.  
     
     
         19 . The litter box of  claim 17  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one lifting member cooperating with the motor for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         20 . The litter box of  claim 17  wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and at least one drive chain to which the collection member is mounted, the drive chain movable along a predetermined path for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the storage member includes a lid member which covers the storage member when the collection member is in the first position, and which opens to provide access to the storage member when the collection member is in the second position.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  further comprising an abutment member which is contacted by the collection member as it is moved between the first position and the second position so to orient the collection member in the second position for transferring waste.