Abstract An impervious container having a relatively small discharge opening in the top thereof is supported for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the center of gravity or balance point of the container so that a tipping moment about such axis is established. A rigid lever arm extends from the container and carries a relatively smaller container having a relatively larger open top. The level arm is of sufficient length that a small quantity of water in the relatively small container will retain the large container in an upright position against the tipping moment. The smaller container has a relatively larger surface area exposed to the atmosphere so that the water therein evaporates at a rate much greater than the water in the large container. When the water in the small container evaporates the weight thereof decreases so that the tipping moment causes the entire structure including the large container to tip and discharge water through opening therein. The water is conveyed to one or more plant containers. The time required for the water to discharge can be adjusted by adjusting the quantity of the water in the relatively smaller container or by adjusting the position of the smaller container along the lever arm.
Automatic plant watering apparatus comprising a first relatively large impervious substantially covered container having a center of gravity and pivotally supported by upright members extending from a base member for pivotal movement about an axis spaced in a first direction from said center of gravity so as to create a tipping moment about said axis, a lever arm attached to said first container and extending therefrom, a second substantially open container mounted on said arm in counterbalanced relationship to said first container and spaced from said axis, means for adjusting and slidably mounting said second container on said arm a vertical member extending from said base member limiting the movement of said lever arm to a horizontal position, and quantities of liquids within said first and second containers, whereby at a predetermined time the evaporation of liquid from the second container eliminates the counterbalanced relationship of said containers causing said containers to move from a horizontal position to a vertical position thereby discharging liquid from said first container to an auxiliary container, means extending from said base member for supporting said auxiliary container subjacent thereto and in liquid receiving relation to said first container in the discharge position, and at least one conduit secured to said auxiliary container for conveying liquid therein to a remote site containing at least one plant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
Automatic plant watering apparatus comprising a first relatively large impervious substantially covered container having a center of gravity and pivotally supported by upright members extending from a base member for pivotal movement about an axis spaced in a first direction from said center of gravity so as to create a tipping moment about said axis, a lever arm attached to said first container and extending therefrom, a second substantially open container mounted on said arm in counterbalanced relationship to said first container and spaced from said axis, means for adjusting and slidably mounting said second container on said arm a vertical member extending from said base member limiting the movement of said lever arm to a horizontal position, and quantities of liquids within said first and second containers, whereby at a predetermined time the evaporation of liquid from the second container eliminates the counterbalanced relationship of said containers causing said containers to move from a horizontal position to a vertical position thereby discharging liquid from said first container to an auxiliary container, means extending from said base member for supporting said auxiliary container subjacent thereto and in liquid receiving relation to said first container in the discharge position, and at least one conduit secured to said auxiliary container for conveying liquid therein to a remote site containing at least one plant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a baffle plate spanning a minority of the opening of said second container so as to avoid liquid spillage from said container in the vertical position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The automatic plant watering apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical member has a U-shaped cradle on the top extremity thereof for supporting the lever arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automatic plant watering apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second container has gradations therein to enable the second container to be filled with liquid to a predetermined level.