Abstract:
An automatic pet watering device installed on the toilet bowl of a conventional toilet, consisting of a conventional toilet bowl having a top cap connected to an outlet for releasing water, a hollow tube extending from the top cap and above the water line and through the toilet bowl and having an end portion bent in a downward position, a water bowl located near the toilet bowl below the hollow tub, the water bowl having an open end and a bottom end, the first end of the water tube connected to the bottom of the water bowl and extending vertically and connected through the toilet bowl and bent downwardly to a point below the water line of the toilet bowl.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to providing water for pets and more particularly to an automatic watering device connected to a toilet bowl. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common for pets, when left alone, to drink from toilet bowls. This practice subjects pets and their owners to contamination from the bacterial with the toilet bowl. In some cases, the pet can fall into the toilet bowl and drown. Pet owner&#39;s attempts to keep the pet (especially in the case of larger canines) from drinking from the bowl by keep the lid down, are often thwarted by the animals&#39;ability to lift the lid in order to drink. 
     The prior art includes a limited number of devices for attachment to a conventional toilet bowl or toilet seat for cleaning and irrigating the anal and/or genital areas of a user. Examples of such prior art bidet attachments are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,711 to Parikh, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,520 to Lockhard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,067 to Cogdill, U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,248 to Gentry, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,195,148 to Merkel Jr.; each of which discloses an attachment or assembly for mounting either on the upper surface of a toilet bowl or the under surface of a toilet seat for cleaning and irrigating the anal and/or genital areas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is not a bidet. It is an automatic watering device which is separate from, yet connected to the water supply and drainage system of a common toilet. By drawing from the water supply of the toilet, the watering device is replenished whenever the flushing system of the toilet is activated and by the virtue of its connection at its lowest point by an “S” shaped tube to the drainage side of the toilet, it is simultaneously drained. The “S” shaped tube, by acting as a buffer between the water level in the toilet bowl and the level in the watering device, permits the watering device to refill to its operational level and prevents back-flow contamination of the pet&#39;s drinking water. 
     The instant invention requires, for its installation only minor modifications to an existing toilet. Two small holes are used as inlet and drain holes respectively, and standardly available flexible tubing can be affixed into the holes and sealed with modern sealing adhesives. The bowl portion of the watering device can be mounted by various attachment means in location adjacent to the existing toilet. 
     The instant invention provides a unique and cost-effective method of providing fresh drinking water for pets. Unlike conventional water containers, which can be overturned or otherwise emptied, the watering device described herein provides a stable and clean watering means to household pets. The invention is easily installed on an ordinary household toilet. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic pet watering device. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic pet watering device which can be easily installed on the toilet bowl of a conventional toilet. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic pet watering device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install. 
     These objects as well as other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     The present invention an automatic pet watering device installed on a conventional toilet having a top cap, said watering device comprises: 
     (a) a water bowl in fluid communication with a top cap of a toilet; 
     (b) said water bowl receiving clean water from a top cap of a toilet during flushing of a toilet; 
     (c) said water bowl further including a water outlet means for discharging excess water to said toilet drain; and 
     (d) whereby flushing said toilet automatically fills said water bowl and if necessary simultaneously empties a quantity of water to achieve a preselected water level in the water bowl. 
     Preferably wherein said outlet means in fluid communication with the toilet air trap such that the water level in the water bowl is established above or below the standing water level in the toilet bowl. 
     Preferably wherein said outlet means in fluid communication with the toilet bowl such that the water level in the water bowl is established at substantially the standing water level in the toilet bowl. 
     Preferably wherein said outlet means in fluid communication with the toilet down spout such that the water level in the water bowl is established at or below the standing water level in the toilet bowl. 
     Preferably wherein said outlet means further includes an outlet orifice defining the location where s aid outlet means empties into said down spout, said outlet orifice located such that the water level in the water bowl is established at or below the standing water level in the toilet bowl. 
     Preferably wherein said outlet means further includes a hollow tube, including one end in fluid communication with the bottom of said water bowl and the other end in fluid communication with said outlet orifice. 
     Preferably wherein said water bowl is located near a side of said toilet bowl and fastened to said toilet bowl with a vertical support and a horizontal support. 
     In an alternate embodiment the present invention an automatic pet watering device installed on the toilet bowl of a conventional toilet said watering device comprises: 
     (a) a water inlet and water outlet means in communication with an external water source, and having outlet means; 
     (b) a toilet bowl having a top cap connected to said outlet means, for releasing water from said water source; 
     (c) a hollow tube extending from said top cap and above the water line of said toilet bowl and through said toilet bowl for conducting water from said source, said hollow tube having an end portion bent in a downward position; 
     (d) a water bowl located near said toilet bowl and below said hollow tube end potion, sad water bowl having an open end and a bottom end, 
     (e) a first end of a water tube connected to said bottom end of said water bowl and a second end extending vertically and connected through said air trap and bent downwardly to a point above or below the water line of said toilet bowl; 
     (f) whereby flushing said toilet automatically fills said water bowl and simultaneously empties a quantity of water. 
     In an alternate embodiment the present invention an automatic pet watering device installed on the toilet bowl of a conventional toilet, said watering device comprises: 
     (a) a water inlet and water outlet means in communication with an external water source, and having outlet means; 
     (b) a toilet bowl having a top cap connected to said outlet means, for releasing water from said water source; 
     (c) a hollow tube extending from said top cap and above the water line of said toilet bowl and through said toilet bowl for conducting water from said source, said hollow tube having an end portion bent in a downward position; 
     (d) a water bowl located near said toilet bowl and below said hollow tube end portion, said water bowl having an open end and a bottom end, 
     (e) a first end of a water tube connected to said bottom end of said water bowl and a second end extending vertically and connected through said down spout and bent downwardly to a point below the water line of said toilet bowl; 
     (f) whereby flushing said toilet automatically fills said waterbowl and simultaneously empties a quantity of water. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of an automatic pet watering device in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view, partly in section, of an automatic pet watering device in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear of a second embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in section of an alternate embodiment of an automatic pet watering device in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section of an alternate embodiment of an automatic pet watering device in accordance with the invention, showing water tank as water source with a water level valve. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several view, numeral  50  generally designates a typical water closet toilet which is installed in most bathrooms and the watering device of the invention is designated overall with the numeral  10 . Inlet tube  40  supplies water  20  which is discharged during normal flushing through aperture  47  through top cap  46 . Water  21  then flows down as shown by arrows  22  down into position as water  45 . Lips  43  and  44  control the eventual water level  45 . During the flushing, water  23  flows down through tube  15  to fill water bowl  11 . Water  24  is maintained at the same level as water level  45  by reason of its flowing during filling through trap tube  13  and outlet  14 . By reason of the natural behaviour of water, once the water level  45  has been reached, no further water can flow through trap tube  13  and water level  24 ,  25  and  45  reach equilibrium The equilibrium thus described is achieved by reason of the relationship between water level  45  as set by lip  43 , the height of trap tube  13  and watering device  10  and the cessation of water flow  21  simultaneously to both the toilet bowl  41  itself and through tube  15  to the watering device  10 . 
     Drainage from watering device  10  is not dependent entirely upon the siphoning effect caused by a reduction of water level  45  because water flow  23  into the watering device  10  will effectively flush water  24  through trap tube  13  until water  20 ,  21  and  22  cease to flow. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein the operational position of watering device  10  is shown adjacent to the side of the toilet bowl  41 . This is the more usual location for watering device  10 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a possible method of attaching watering device  10 , by attachment means  61 , to blow  17 . Vertical support  60  and horizontal support  62  are shown here beneath a lip on water device  10 . 
     The instant invention lends itself to adaptation to different toilet configurations and styles by reason of its mountability using a variety of possible attachment means and by the wide availability of flexible and non flexible tubing and sealing adhesives by which said tubing can be affixed in position between said watering device  10  and the toilet installation being used. 
     Presently Preferred Embodiment 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, in a presently preferred embodiment, the present invention, an automatic pet watering device is shown generally as  160  and comprises many of the same elements as the watering device  10  shown in FIG. 1 with the major modification being that trap tube  13  is replaced with a discharge conduit  134  being a hollow tube which does not lead into toilet bowl  144 , but rather into down spout  126  of air trap  120 . The up stream components meaning upstream of water bowl  11  are essentially the same in that during the flushing of water closet toilet  50 , water  20  out of toilet tank  170 , flows through aperture  47  and into top cap  46  where water  21  and  22  is distributed and flows into toilet bowl  144  and some of water  23  flows through tube  15  filling water bowl  11  in the exactly same manner in the previous embodiment, namely watering device  10 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, however trap tube  13  is no longer present and instead is replaced with discharge conduit  134  being a hollow tube. 
     In a conventional water closet toilet  50 , after a flush has been completed, the water level  45  in toilet bowl  144  is determined by the height of lip  43  and creates an air trap  120  not allowing air to move from drain  136  up into the toilet bowl  144 . Air trap  120  includes elbow  122 , lip  43  as previously described determining water level  45 , down spout  126  having an outer wall  142  and an inner wall  140  as shown in FIG. 4, wherein down spout  126  leads into drain  136 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, discharge conduit  134 , being a hollow tube is led into down spout  126  somewhere just below water level  45  and in the air space created by air trap  120 . As shown in FIG. 4, discharge conduit  134 , being a hollow tube enters down spout  126  at outlet orifice  130  and has a outlet lip  150  which determines water level  132  in water bowl  11 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that water level  132  and water bowl  11  may be at a different level than water level  45  in toilet bowl  144 . The height of outlet lip  150  is the determining factor of the water level  132  within water bowl  11 . 
     In Use 
     When water closet toilet  50  is flushed, as described above, water flows into water bowl  11  from top cap  46  which is clean water  20  from toilet tank  170  and water exits out of water bowl  11  via a discharge conduit  134  which empties into down spout  126  of air trap  120  at outlet orifice  130 . During a flush of course, water  128  out of toilet bowl  144  is urged over lip  43  and in the flushed water direction as shown by arrow  124  in FIG.  4 . The water rushing past outlet orifice  130  has a venturi and/or syphoning effect, thereby removing water  172  from water bowl  11  until it finds its level at water level  132 . 
     Those skilled in the art will see that the advantageous of positioning outlet orifice  130  in air trap  120  rather than as in the previous embodiment into toilet bowl  144  is that any debrett and/or contamination found in water  128  located in toilet bowl  144  will likely not get entrained into water  172  of water bowl  11  because firstly, the water is not stationary or standing in the air trap  120 , but rather moving vigorously pass outlet orifice  130  at any given time and secondly when water is moving through elbow  122  and down spout  126 , it acts as a venturing or syphoning action removing or sucking water out of discharge conduit  134  at outlet orifice  130  as fresh water it entering water bowl  11  through tube  15  simultaneously. 
     Those skilled in the art will also see that it is possible to locate outlet orifice  130  in either the inner wall  140  or the outer wall  142  or possibly anywhere around the outer periphery of down spout  126  which is a convenient locations for the attachment of water bowl  11  to the outside of water closet toilet  50 . 
     It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that even though the preferred location of outlet orifice  130  is below lip  43  there is no reason why outlet orifice  130  could not be located any where on elbow  122  provided there is no standing water adjacent outlet orifice  130 . For example if outlet orifice  130  is located above standing water level  45  the water level  132  within water bowl  11  would be higher than the standing water level  45  within toilet bowl  144 . Naturally water bowl  11  would have to be tall enough to maintain the higher water level. Entrainment of impurities is prevented by ensuring that water outlet  130  is located adjacent air within elbow  122  or down spout  126 . 
     An alternate presently preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, which is most respects is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with the exception that tube  15  is shown connecting to toilet tank  170  rather than to top cap  46 . In this alternate embodiment, rather than obtaining water from the top cap  46  of the water closet toilet  50 , it may be preferable to obtain water from toilet tank  170  in that way filling of water bowl  11  is not dependant upon flushing of the toilet. 
     In this case to avoid constant flowing of the water from toilet tank  170  into water bowl  11 , a water level valve  177  shown in FIG. 5 would be required. Water valve  177  is shown schematically only and those skilled in the art will of course be familiar with the many types of water level valves that currently are commercially available which would suite the purpose of controlling the water flow through tube  15  and into water bowl  11  to a desired water level  132 . 
     In all other aspects, the operation of the presently preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5 operates in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with the exception of obtaining the water the water connection of tube  15  through toilet tank  170  and the addition of a water level valve  177  for controlling water level  132  within water bowl  11 . 
     While the above description constitutes preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modifications, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims. 
     It should be apparent to persons skilled in the arts that various modifications and adaptation of this structure described above are possible without departure from the spirit of the invention the scope of which defined in the appended claim.