Patent ID: 6339998
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A water feed device for a small animal rearing apparatus, comprising:a stationary sheathing pipe extending in a substantially horizontal direction and having an open end and a fixed opposite base end; an elongated water feed member extending within said sheathing pipe to define a thin annular space (M) between the water feed member and the sheathing pipe, said water feed member being rockable within said sheathing pipe and having a fore end portion, to be touched by a small animal, located in said open end of the sheathing pipe and a rear end portion opposite the fore end portion; a closing valve having an inlet side connected to a water source and an outlet side connected to said rear end portion of the water feed member; said closing valve including holding means holding the rear end portion of the water feed member to normally maintain the water feed member at a valve closing position and to enable the water feed member to tilt to a valve opening position when a small animal touches the fore end portion of the water feed member, the closing valve being closed when the water feed member is at said valve closing position and being open to enable water to flow along the water feed member toward the fore end portion of the same when the water feed member is tilted to the valve opening position; and a stationary protective pipe coaxially receiving the sheathing pipe therein so as to define a thicker annular space (N) surrounding the sheathing pipe, said thicker annular space having a thickness greater than that of the thin annular space (M).