Patent ID: 9474249
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: A01K

Claim Text:
1. A recirculating pet water fountain comprising: a first water-holding basin defining a lower drinking bowl; a second water-holding basin defining an upper drinking bowl arranged at least partially above the lower drinking bowl of the first water-holding basin, the upper drinking bowl configured so that the water in the upper drinking bowl flows out of the upper drinking bowl and into the lower drinking bowl; an arm extending upwardly from the first water-holding basin to the second water-holding basin, the arm spacing the upper drinking bowl from and above the lower drinking bowl; a pump in fluid-flow communication with a generally upwardly extending fluid-conveying conduit, the pump delivering the water from the lower drinking bowl through the fluid-conveying conduit upwardly to the upper drinking bowl; a generally horizontally extending step disposed alongside the lower drinking bowl upon which an animal is able to at least partially support itself when drinking from either the lower drinking bowl or the upper drinking bowl; a water-conveying bridge that receives the water that flows out of the upper drinking bowl, the water-conveying bridge comprising an open water-transport channel that faces outwardly toward the step, the open water-transport channel comprising a generally concave water-conveying channel surface; an overflow tube extending upwardly out of the water in the lower drinking bowl, the overflow tube having a mouth disposed above the water in the lower drinking bowl in which water from the water-conveying bridge is received that overflows from the overflow tube into the lower drinking bowl; and wherein the mouth of the overflow tube is disposed adjacent the step.