초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to an animal actuated drinking apparatus allowing animals to obtain liquid therefrom. The invention is directed to an apparatus, a kit, and a method of providing for an animal actuated drinking apparatus. The animal actuated drinking apparatus of the present inventi

The present invention is directed to an animal actuated drinking apparatus allowing animals to obtain liquid therefrom. The invention is directed to an apparatus, a kit, and a method of providing for an animal actuated drinking apparatus. The animal actuated drinking apparatus of the present invention includes a tubular body having a fluid passageway therethrough; an annular valve seat positioned within the fluid passageway, and an O-ring of resilient material seating against the annular valve seat. A valve actuator stem is adapted to seat against O-ring and in sealing engagement therewith. An elongated, generally cylindrical, elastomeric compression biasing sleeve of resilient material being in pressure contact with the valve actuator and maintaining the actuator in a neutral position. Displacement of the actuator stem from the neutral position causes fluid to flow through the apparatus. The replacement kits may be fitted with one or two piece actuators. The method of the present invention includes replacing a conventional spring biasing member and associated actuator in a conventional animal actuated drinking apparatus with a valve actuator stem having a transverse slot therein, and an elastomeric compression biasing sleeve of resilient material having a fluid passage therethrough.

대표청구항 ▼

An animal actuated drinking apparatus allowing animals to obtain liquid therefrom comprising: a tubular body having a fluid passageway therethrough; an annular valve seat positioned within said fluid passageway, thereby separating said fluid passageway into forward and rearward portions, said valve

An animal actuated drinking apparatus allowing animals to obtain liquid therefrom comprising: a tubular body having a fluid passageway therethrough; an annular valve seat positioned within said fluid passageway, thereby separating said fluid passageway into forward and rearward portions, said valve seat having forward and rearward seat faces; an O-ring of resilient material seating against said annular valve seat; a valve actuator having an elongated stem with forward and rearward ends and a flange portion having a forward face and a rearward face said rearward face having a transverse slot therein, and said forward face being rigidly attached to the rearward end of said stem, said stem having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than said forward portion of said fluid passageway and said forward face of said flange portion adapted to seat against said O-ring and in sealing engagement therewith, causing said forward end of said stem to extend into said forward portion of said fluid passageway; an elongated, generally cylindrical, elastomeric compression biasing sleeve of resilient material having opposite ends and a fluid passage therethrough, one end being in pressure contact with said rearward face of said valve actuator flange portion and said fluid passage being registered with said transverse slot thereby maintaining said actuator in a neutral position; closure means adapted to fit within said rearward portion of said fluid passageway and to achieve pressure contact with an opposite end of said cylindrical compression biasing sleeve, said closure means further comprising a fluid orifice therethrough such that fluid communication is maintained and regulated between said closure means, said biasing compression sleeve, and said actuator flange portion; and said forward face of said actuator flange portion losing its fluid tight seal with said O-ring upon displacement of said actuator stem from said neutral position, thereby causing fluid to flow through said closure means orifice, through said compression biasing sleeve fluid passage, through said transverse slot, around said flange portion, and into said tubular body forward portion for discharge into the mouth of an animal.