IP Library Granted Patent US 12,439,885
Granted Patent B2
US 12,439,885 · App. 18/249,884 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Litter device with bezel assembly

Inventors: Jason Smith (West Bloomfield, MI); Brad Baxter (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Assignee: Automated Pet Care Products, LLC
A01K1/0114
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,439,885
App. No.
18/249,884
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bezel assembly comprising: a) a bezel configured for encircling an entry opening of a litter device; and b) one or more accessories removably affixed thereon. A litter device having: a) a base; b) a chamber with an entry opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain litter and is supported by the base; c) a bezel located about the entry opening; and d) one or more accessories removably affixed to the bezel.

Claims (32)

1. A litter device having:

a) a base

b) a chamber with an entry opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain litter and is rotatably supported by the base;

c) a bezel located about the entry opening, wherein the bezel includes a front surface and one or more mating features, and wherein the front surface is an outside surface of the bezel; and

d) one or more accessories removably affixed to the bezel, wherein the one or more accessories cover a portion of the front surface of the bezel, wherein the one or more accessories include a mounting bracket, and wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more mating features which engage with the one or more mating features of the bezel such that the mounting bracket is removably affixed to the bezel, and

wherein the one or more mating features of the bezel includes a groove; and wherein the groove at least partially encircles about the entry opening.

2. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the entry opening has a cross-section which is substantially circular, ovular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or any combination thereof, and

wherein the bezel has a shape which is similar to and/or reciprocal with a shape of the entry opening.

3. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the bezel has a shape which is substantially annular.

4. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more accessories include one or more litter guards, grooming portions, step aids, camera assemblies, scratch aids, enticement accessories, odor neutralizing systems, or any combination thereof.

5. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket has a shape which is at least partially reciprocal with a shape of the bezel.

6. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the groove is adjacent to an inner periphery and/or an inner flange of the bezel.

7. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more mating features of the mounting bracket include one or more retention tabs.

8. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a base member configured to rest upon an inner peripheral surface of the bezel.

9. The litter device of claim 8 , wherein the inner peripheral surface of the bezel is an inner flange of the bezel.

10. The litter device of claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more front flanges.

11. The litter device of claim 10 , wherein the one or more front flanges are integral with and project from the base member.

12. The litter device of claim 10 , wherein the one or more front flanges abut with the front surface of the bezel.

13. The litter device of claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more rear flanges.

14. The litter device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more rear flanges are integral with and project from the base member.

15. The litter device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more rear flanges abut with one or more flanges of the bezel.

16. The litter device of claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more walls which are integral with and project from the base member; and

wherein the one or more walls project in a generally opposite direction from the base member as one or more flanges.

17. The litter device of claim 16 , wherein the one or more walls include one or more rear walls, hinge walls, or both.

18. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more hinges.

19. The litter device of claim 18 , wherein the one or more hinges are affixed to and/or part of at least one of the one or more accessories.

20. The litter device of claim 19 , wherein at least part of the one or more accessories are rotatable about a portion of the one or more hinges, the mounting bracket, or both.

21. The litter device of claim 19 , wherein the one or more accessories include one or more step aids; and

wherein the one or more step aids include a ramped portion which includes a plurality of steps, a ramp, or both.

22. The litter device of claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket has an interference fit, snap fit, or both with the bezel.

23. The litter device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more accessories include one or more grooming portions; and

wherein the one or more grooming portions include one or more teeth, spikes, bristles, fur attracting material or any combination thereof.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2025
From: AUTOMATED PET CARE PRODUCTS, LLC
To: BELL BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 073579/0224 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2023
From: SMITH, JASON; BAXTER, BRAD
To: AUTOMATED PET CARE PRODUCTS, LLC D/B/A WHISKER
Reel/Frame 063581/0967 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 63104604 · Oct 23, 2020
Provisional Application 63104625 · Oct 23, 2020
Provisional Application 63104574 · Oct 23, 2020
Related Publication 20230380378A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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