US4922858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animal waterer
Assignee: Ahrens Agricultural Industries Co
•
Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1990-05-08
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Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An energy free animal waterer includes a base unit having an upstanding tube in which a ballast connected to a cable moves for normally pivoting a closure valve upwardly into engagement with an access opening in a top unit mounted on the base unit. The mechanism for opening and closing the closure valve is totally independent of the water in the reservoir and the top unit such that freezing of the water will not render the closure valve inoperative and the unit may be easily assembled and disassembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude W. Ahrens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:13
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K7/00; A01K7/02; A01K7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An animal watering tank comprising: a base unit including a water reservoir having a water level; a top unit positioned on said base unit over said water reservoir and having an access opening into said reservoir; a closure valve pivoted to said base unit under said top unit for opening and closing said access opening in said top unit; an upstanding tube in said base unit having an interior isolated from water in said reservoir; and a ballast element in said tube connected to said valve to exert an upward pull thereon to normally maintain said valve in said closed position but operable to pivot downwardly to said open position in response to downward pressure on said closure valve from an animal seeking water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An animal watering tank comprising: a base unit including a water reservoir having a water level; a top unit positioned on said base unit over said water reservoir and having an access opening into said reservoir; a closure valve pivoted to said base unit under said top unit for opening and closing said access opening in said top unit; an upstanding tube in said base unit having an interior isolated from water in said reservoir; and a ballast element in said tube connected to said valve to exert an upward pull thereon to normally maintain said valve in said closed position but operable to pivot downwardly to said open position in response to downward pressure on said closure valve from an animal seeking water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said water level in said reservoir is spaced below said closure valve whereby freezing of said water does not render said closure valve inoperative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein a pulley is positioned above the said tube and a cable extends from said ballast in said tube over said pulley to said closure valve at a point spaced from its pivotal connection to said base unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said base unit includes a ledge extending over said reservoir and said closure valve is mounted on said ledge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said ledge includes a groove in which said cable extends from said pulley to said closure valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said tube is open at its lower end and is in communication with the ground whereby ground heat will rise in said tube and warm the interior of said reservoir.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |