Touchless Paw Care Device

Abstract

A quiet and compact device for touchless cleaning and drying of a pet animal's paws by positioning the pet animal in the device and causing the device to either force air over or suck air away from a pet animal's paws. A device with a form factor convenient for using to clean the paws of pet animals, e.g. domesticated quadruped animals.

Claims

1. A touchless paw care device comprising: a base adapted to have a partial opening for exhaust; a touchless paw care module having a first and a second paw cup, at least a first vacuum hose, a motor, wherein the at least first vacuum hose is adapted to be mechanically coupled to the first paw cup, the second paw cup and the motor; wherein the touchless paw care module mechanically coupled to the base; a controller, wherein the controller electrically coupled to the touchless paw care module via the motor, and wherein the controller mechanically coupled to the base; a switch, wherein the switch electrically coupled to the controller, and wherein the switch mechanically coupled to the base; and a power source, wherein the power source electrically coupled to the switch.

2. The touchless paw care device of claim 1, the touchless paw care module further comprising: a muffler, wherein the muffler mechanically coupled to the touchless paw care module via the motor and disposed between the motor and the partial opening in the base.

3. The touchless paw care device of claim 2 wherein the motor is a reversible motor.

4. The touchless paw care device of claim 3 wherein the motor configured to blow forced air.

5. The touchless paw care device of claim 3 wherein the motor configured to create suction.

6. The touchless paw care device of claim 2 wherein the motor is an electric reversible motor.

7. The touchless paw care device of claim 6 wherein the controller configured for linear increase of power supplied to the motor.

8. The touchless paw care device of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a user interface.

9. The touchless paw care device of claim 1, the base comprising a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure.

10. The touchless paw care device of claim 9 wherein the top enclosure of the base is mechanically coupled to the bottom enclosure of the base by at least a first fastener.

11. The touchless paw care device of claim 9 wherein the bottom enclosure of the base comprising an at least first, second, third, and fourth foot protrusion.

12. The touchless paw care device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum hose bisected by a connector mechanically coupled to the vacuum hose and configured to create a third inlet for the vacuum hose.

13. The touchless paw care device of claim 1, the touchless paw care module further comprising a first and a second paw cup insert removably coupled to the first and the second paw cup.

14. The touchless paw care device of claim 1 wherein the power source is an at least first battery.

15. The touchless paw care device of claim 1 wherein the power source is an A/C power source.

16. The touchless paw care device of claim 1, the touchless paw care module further comprising a filter removably coupled to the vacuum hose.

17. The touchless paw care device of claim 1 wherein the paw care module further comprising a first and a second paw cup insert removably coupled to the first and second paw cup.

18. A touchless paw care device comprising: a base, the base having a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure, the bottom enclosure adapted to have a partial opening for exhaust, the bottom enclosure adapted to be mechanically coupled to the top enclosure, the bottom enclosure adapted to have a first, a second, a third, and a fourth foot protrusion; a touchless paw care module, the touchless paw care module having a first and a second paw cup insert, a first and a second paw cup, wherein the first and the second paw cup insert removably coupled to the first and second paw cup, a vacuum hose, a three-way connector, wherein the vacuum hose adapted to be mechanically coupled to the first paw cup and the second paw cup by the three way connector, a reversible electric motor, the reversible electric motor mechanically coupled to the vacuum hose, a muffler, the muffler mechanically coupled to the motor, wherein the touchless paw care module mechanically coupled to the base; a controller, the controller electrically coupled to the touchless paw care module via the motor and mechanically coupled to the base; a switch, the switch electrically coupled to the controller and mechanically coupled to the base; and a power source electrically coupled to the switch and mechanically coupled to the base.

19. A method for cleaning a pet animal's paws comprising: positioning a pet animal in a touchless paw care device according to claim 18; and toggling the touchless paw care device to operate in either a first state wherein the touchless paw care device blows air on the pet animal's paws or a second state wherein the touchless paw care device sucks air away from the pet animal's paws.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a touchless paw care device according to a first embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a component module of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a right-side view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A sampling of embodiments of the present invention are described herein. It should be understood, however, that these examples should not be interpreted to limit the invention to the embodiments shown and described in this disclosure.

[0023] As used in this disclosure, a “muffler” is a sound dampening device, i.e. a device that muffles sound. A “muffler” as used in this disclosure serves a similar function as a car muffler.

[0024] As used in this disclosure, “pet animals” is any domesticated quadruped animal including dogs, cats, pigs, etc.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. The touchless paw care device 100 features a compact design. In embodiments, the constituent components of a touchless paw care device may be enclosed in an enclosure measuring approximately 14.1 inches wide by 13.35 inches long by 3.5 inches deep. In embodiments, a touchless paw care device comprises a touchless paw care module mechanically coupled to a base.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a touchless paw care module according to one embodiment. A touchless paw care device as shown in FIG. 2 includes the following components: a first and a second paw cup insert 210; a first and a second paw cup 211; a vacuum hose 212; a three-way connector 213; a motor 214; a motor enclosure 215; a hose clamp 216; a muffler 217; a controller 218; and a power source 219.

[0027] In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup 211 have an opening configured to receive the paws of an animal and also have an air inlet opening. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup 211 are approximately 4.65 inches in diameter to accommodate the paws of large dogs. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup 211 are spaced approximately 7 inches apart. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup are mechanically coupled to a first opening of a vacuum hose 212.

[0028] In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup 211 are configured to be fitted with a removably coupled paw cup insert 210. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 210 are configured to limit the maximum depth an animal can step into a first and a second paw cup 211. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 210 are configured to facilitate air flow. In embodiments a first and a second paw cup insert 210 is perforated. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 210 are configured to adapt the size of a first and a second paw cup 210 to accommodate smaller dog paws. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 210 may be approximately 3.9 inches in diameter. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 211 may be plastic. In embodiments, a first and a second paw cup insert 211 may be metal.

[0029] In embodiments, an at least first vacuum hose 212 connects an air inlet of a first and a second paw cup 211 to a motor 214. In embodiments, an at least first vacuum hose 212 may be rubber. In embodiments an at least first vacuum hose 212 may be plastic. In embodiments, an at least first vacuum hose 212 is bisected by a three way connector 213 to facilitate air flow from a motor 214 to a first and a second paw cup 211 with the at least first vacuum hose only. In embodiments an opening of an at least first vacuum hose 212 is mechanically coupled to a motor enclosure 215 and secured by a hose clamp 216 to form an air-tight seal. In embodiments, one or more additional components is mechanically coupled to an at least first vacuum hose 212 at an inlet to augment the air flowing to a first and a second paw cup 211. For example, in embodiments a negative ion generating device is coupled to an at least first vacuum hose 212 at an inlet to enhance the sanitizing capability of the air flowing to an at least first and at least second paw cup 211. In embodiments, a filter is removably coupled to an at least first vacuum hose 212 to keep the motor 214 free of contaminants.

[0030] In embodiments, a motor 214 is a reversible electric motor capable of both forcing air and creating suction. In embodiments, a motor 214 is mechanically coupled to a first and a second paw cup 211 by an at least first vacuum hose 212. In embodiments, a motor 214 gradually builds to maximum power output to reduce the likelihood of startling the animal in the machine.

[0031] In embodiments, a motor 214 is enclosed in a motor housing 215 to protect both the device and the animal in the device. In embodiments, a motor housing 215 may be plastic to optimize weight, cost, and durability. In embodiments, a motor enclosure 215 may be aluminum or another metal to enhance durability.

[0032] The device disclosed herein addresses the issue of dogs suffering from noise anxiety. A practical concern is whether the device will scare the animal inside. As a case in point, many dogs become startled, if not frightened, by the sound of a vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, in embodiments, a muffler 217 dampens the sound generated by operating a motor 214. In embodiments, a muffler 217 is mechanically coupled to a motor 214 to decrease proximity and optimize sound dampening. In embodiments, an exemplary muffler 217 is configured to fit a three to four horse power lawn mower engine. In embodiments, a muffler 217 is customized for the form factor of the motor.

[0033] In embodiments, a controller may be configured to reverse the direction of the motor to either blow air or create suction. In embodiments, a controller 218 includes a potentiometer electrically coupled to motor 217 and power source 219. In embodiments, a controller 218 incrementally increases power supplied to the motor 214 to facilitate linear acceleration of the motor to full power. The intent is that the animal can build some comfort level in the machine before the motor reaches its peak power and sound output. In embodiments, a controller 218 supplies sufficient power to run a motor 217 for approximately 60 seconds. In embodiments, a controller 218 is adapted to have a user interface. In embodiments, a user interface of a controller 218 may be an analog interface like a switch or a button. In embodiments, a user interface of a controller 218 may be a digital interface. In embodiments, a user interface of a controller 218 may be a wireless interface.

[0034] In embodiments, a power source 219 is electrically coupled to a motor 214. In embodiments, a power source 219 is a 120 Volt AC power source. In embodiments, a power source 219 is an at least first battery.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. In embodiments, a touchless paw care device is a touchless paw care module mechanically coupled to a base 310. In embodiments, a base 310 comprises a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure. In embodiments, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure of a base 310 may be mechanically coupled using a fastener like a screw. In embodiments, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure of a base 310 may be adapted to be mechanically coupled without a fastener. In embodiments, a base 310 may be plastic to optimize weight and durability. In embodiments, a base 310 may be metal to optimize durability and/or aesthetic appeal.

[0036] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 when a motor 314 is in a blowing state, air flows through a vacuum hose 312 into a first and a second paw cup not shown in the cross-sectional view. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when a motor 314 is creating suction air flows in through a first and a second paw cup (not shown in the cross-sectional view) through a vacuum hose 312 toward a motor 314 and exits through a muffler 317 and an exhaust 320. In embodiments, a fan blade may be mechanically coupled to a motor 314.

[0037] In embodiments, a touchless paw care module includes a switch 316 that controls power to a touchless paw care module. In embodiments, a switch 316 is mechanically coupled to a base 310 and electrically coupled to a power source 319. In embodiments, a switch 316 may be a button switch. In embodiments, a switch 316 may be a toggle switch.

[0038] In embodiments, a base 310 is adapted for an exhaust port 320 to facilitate air flow through a muffler 317. In embodiments, a base 310 is molded with perforations for exhaust 320.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. In embodiments of a touchless paw care device, a first and a second paw cup 420 are vertically inset in a base 410.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. In embodiments a base 510 of a touchless paw care device is adapted to prevent sliding. In embodiments, a base 510 of a touchless paw care device comprises at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth foot protrusion 525 to prevent sliding.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. In embodiments a base 610 of a touchless paw care device comprises a top enclosure 610.1 and a bottom enclosure 610.2. In embodiments, a bottom enclosure 610.2 is adapted to have a first, a second, a third, and a fourth foot protrusion 625 to prevent the device from sliding.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a right side view of a touchless paw care device according to one embodiment. In embodiments, a base 710 of a touchless paw care device is adapted to comprise an exhaust 720 and a first, a second, a third, and a fourth foot protrusion 725. In embodiments, a base 710 of a touchless paw care device is adapted to facilitate a user to toggle a switch 716.

[0043] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof