Patent US3741239A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3741239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices for automatically controlling the watering of plants
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-23
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic watering device for seeds or plants comprises a magnetic valve arranged in a waterflow conduit controlled by the movement of a permanent magnet outside of the conduit, the movement of such magnet being controlled by the increase and decrease in weight of a water retentive means arranged to receive water from the supply via the device.
Inventors
- 👤 F Riddiford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/08; F16K31/086; F16K31/088; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7339; Y10T137/7355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A device for automatically controlling the watering of seeds or plants, comprising a valve including a movable valve member having an operating lever which incorporates a first permanent magnet and which is enclosed with the valve member in a water flow conduit connectible to a water supply; and valve operating means including a second permanent magnet mounted outside of said conduit for movement relative to said first perManent magnet so as by magnetic cooperation with the latter to control opening and closing movement of the valve member, said valve operating means further including a part which is movable to effect the movement of said second permanent magnet between its valve opening and valve closing positions and which part is adapted, in use of the device, to support at least part of the weight of a water retentive means arranged to receive water from said supply via the device, said support part being biased in its valve opening direction of movement but being arranged to be urged in its valve closing direction of movement by the weight of said water retentive means so as to control opening and closing of said valve in response to variations in the weight of said water retentive means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
A device for automatically controlling the watering of seeds or plants, comprising a valve including a movable valve member having an operating lever which incorporates a first permanent magnet and which is enclosed with the valve member in a water flow conduit connectible to a water supply; and valve operating means including a second permanent magnet mounted outside of said conduit for movement relative to said first perManent magnet so as by magnetic cooperation with the latter to control opening and closing movement of the valve member, said valve operating means further including a part which is movable to effect the movement of said second permanent magnet between its valve opening and valve closing positions and which part is adapted, in use of the device, to support at least part of the weight of a water retentive means arranged to receive water from said supply via the device, said support part being biased in its valve opening direction of movement but being arranged to be urged in its valve closing direction of movement by the weight of said water retentive means so as to control opening and closing of said valve in response to variations in the weight of said water retentive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the water retentive means comprises a moisture absorbent pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 2 in which the pad is secured to the support part so as to be wetted when the valve is open.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 2 in which the pad is wetted by means of a special outlet port in the outlet side of the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 4 in which the flow rate of the special port is adjustable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 2 in which means are provided for deflecting part of the outlet of the device onto said pad.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 6 in which said deflecting means comprises a flat strip movable so as to present a lesser or greater surface area to said outlet to vary the amount of said outlet deflected onto the pad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the water retentive means comprises a plate formed with a plurality of indentations adapted to retain droplets of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 8 in which the position of said plate on the support part is made adjustable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the valve operating lever which carries or incorporates the first magnet is constituted by one of the limbs of an angled metal strip, the other limb constituting the valve member and being arranged, in the closed condition of the valve, to block an aperture in a valve seat, and the second magnet being positioned adjacent the first magnet with like poles adjacent when the valve is closed and being movable to a position in which unlike poles are adjacent to attract the first magnet to open the valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said operating lever extends from a valve member in the form of a sphere having one or more portions of its surface cut away, e.g., in a scooped out fashion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the valve member comprises a sphere supported in a cradle having the said operating lever connected thereto, and movement of the second magnet to its valve opening position is arranged to cause the lever to pivot and the cradle to displace the sphere from its associated valve seat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 8 in which the operating lever is formed with means defining a U-shaped recess at one end which serves to receive said sphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 8 in which the valve includes a valve seat formed with upstanding flanges between which a pivot shaft is arranged, the operating lever pivoting about said pivot shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1 further including a weaning control for adjustment of the control device to vary its operating time by applying a further magnetic force to either the first or second magnet or both.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 15 in which the weaning control is in the form of a block of ferrous metal mounted in the region of the magnets but whose spacing from such magnets is adjustable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |