Automated animal watering apparatus

An automated animal watering apparatus having an inlet-outlet aperture disposed within a recessed repository, a first water sensor, a second water sensor, a combined pipe with an inlet portion and an outlet portion; the inlet portion operationally connected to an extant faucet, the outlet portion operationally communicating with an extant drainage; a heater plate, a temperature sensor, a drain pump, and a central processing unit controlling the device; wherein the central processing unit operationally communicates with the sensors, inlet valve, and drain pump, to maintain a water level within the repository, a water temperature between determined norms, and engages a preprogrammed flushing cycle by alternately activating and deactivating the drain pump.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Be it known that we, Theresa J. Dunn, Sylas B. Ashton, and Seth J. Ashton, all citizens of the United States of America, have invented a new and useful automated animal watering apparatus of which the following is a specification. We claim benefit of our U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/206,080 filed on Sep. 8, 2008 and our U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,561 filed on Sep. 7, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various automated animal watering devices are known in the prior art; however, what is needed is an automated animal watering apparatus having an inlet-outlet aperture disposed within a recessed repository, a first water sensor, a second water sensor, a combined pipe with an inlet portion and an outlet portion; said inlet portion operationally connected to an extant faucet, said outlet portion operationally communicating with an extant drainage; a heater plate, a temperature sensor, a drain pump, and a central processing unit; wherein said central processing unit operationally communicates with said sensors, inlet valve, and drain pump, to maintain a water level within the repository, a water temperature between determined norms, and engages a preprogrammed flushing cycle by alternately activating and deactivating the drain pump.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to animal accessories and, more specifically, to an automated animal watering apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the automated animal watering apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an automated animal watering apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved automated animal watering apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

The present automated animal watering apparatus has been devised for use predominantly with household pets, such as cats and dogs. However, certain novel features of the device, as disclosed in this specification, are not limited to watering apparatuses used for household pets and may be applicable for larger quadrupeds such as herd animals.

It is often problematic for pet owners to keep a clean and ready supply of water on hand for animals. Cats especially can be finicky, and refuse to drink perceived dirty water. Therefore, a watering device that maintains a level of clean water automatically is preferable.

The present device includes an open-topped container with a base, an exterior wall extending upward from said base, an upper rim disposed atop the exterior wall, and an inner wall extending downward inwardly to adjoin a sloped surface. The inner wall and sloped surface define the limit of a recessed repository. An access panel is removably attached to the base. The sloped surface is disposed divergently parallel with respect to the access panel when said panel is installed to the base. The sloped surface is disposed between a maximum height and a minimum height with respect to the base. An inlet-outlet aperture, functioning as both a drain and an inlet for water, is disposed in the sloped surface, at the minimum height, proximal to the inner wall.

A cavity is disposed between the access panel, the exterior wall, and the inner wall. The cavity is accessible when the access panel is removed. This cavity houses a combined pipe. The combined pipe has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion is operationally connected to an extent faucet or water supply. The outlet portion operationally communicates with an extant drainage.

A T junction interconnects the inlet-outlet aperture and the combined pipe. An inlet valve is disposed in the inlet portion of the combined pipe, the inlet valve disposed upstream of the T junction. A drain pump is disposed in the outlet portion of the combined pipe, the drain pump is disposed downstream of the T junction.

A first water sensor is disposed in the inner wall proximal the upper rim. A second water sensor is disposed in the inner wall proximal the inlet-outlet aperture. A central processing unit is in operational communication with these first and second water sensors. When the water level falls beneath the second water sensor, the central processing unit activates the inlet valve, and water is introduced to the recessed repository. When water is detected at the first water sensor, the central processing unit deactivates the inlet valve thereby maintaining a water level between the first and second water sensors.

The central processing unit is also in operational communication with the drain pump. The central processing unit activates the drain pump to drain the repository of water according to a predetermined flushing cycle as regulated by a timer. Thusly, water is emptied from the repository at a determined time, and a clean supply of water is subsequently inlet into the repository when the first water sensor detects the absence of water; the inlet valve thusly activated, and the repository refilled.

The present device also includes a heater plate. This heater plate is disposed within the cavity, in contact with the sloped surface. A temperature sensor is in operational communication with the central processing unit. When the water temperature in the repository falls to a predetermined activation temperature, the heater plate is activated to heat the water. When the water temperature reaches a predetermined deactivation temperature, the central processing unit deactivates the heater plate, and warming of the water ceases. Thusly, the water temperature may be regulated by means of the heater plate between a predetermined temperature range.

Also, if the temperature exceeds a predetermined activation temperature, the central processing unit will activate the flushing cycle and cooler water will then be introduced into the repository.

A filter screen is disposed over the inlet-outlet aperture to exclude debris (such as partially masticated food) from entering the combined pipe to prevent clogging or the build up of matter which may cause unsanitary conditions to prevail in the pipe.

Objects of the present automated animal watering apparatus, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the automated animal watering apparatus, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particularFIGS. 1 through 5thereof, the principles and concepts of the automated animal watering apparatus generally designated by the reference number10will be described.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 5a preferred embodiment of the present automated animal apparatus10is illustrated.

The preferred embodiment of the automated animal watering apparatus10is configured to be used predominantly by domestic pets such as cats and dogs, and is not generally intended for large quadrupeds or herd animals. However, it is not intended that the device be limited exclusively for use with pets and animals in the home. Some of the features of the device as disclosed in this specification may be useable on a larger scale for watering larger herd animals, should such be desirable at manufacture.

The preferred embodiment of the instant device10is depicted herein with a generally frustroconical shape. However, it should be readily apparent in this specification that other shapes—such as square or polygonal shapes—are not necessary limited by this depiction.

The present automated animal watering apparatus10includes an open-topped container20. This container20includes a base22, an access panel24removably fastened to the base22, and an exterior wall26extending upward from the base24.

As is evident in the accompanying drawings, the exterior wall26laterally encloses the container20.

The access panel24releasably attaches to the base22by means of a plurality of fasteners70. The access panel24is disposed parallel with the ground when attached to the device10.

An upper rim28is disposed atop the exterior wall26. An inner wall30extends downward and inwardly from the upper rim28. A recessed repository32is thusly laterally delimited by the inner wall30. A sloped surface34is disposed at a lower limit within the repository32, the sloped surface34divergently parallel with the installed access panel24. The sloped surface34is continuously connected with the inner wall30and disposed between a maximum height and a minimum height with respect to the base22.

A combined inlet-outlet aperture36is disposed in the sloped surface34at the minimum height, the inlet-outlet aperture36proximal the inner wall30. A first water sensor38is disposed in the inner wall30proximal to the upper rim28and a second water sensor40is disposed in the inner wall30proximal to the inlet-outlet aperture36.

A cavity42is disposed between the exterior wall26, the inner wall30, the access panel24, and the sloped surface34. This cavity42is accessible when the access panel24is removed. A heater plate44is disposed within the cavity, the heater plate44in contact with the sloped surface34. A temperature sensor46is in operational communication with the heater plate44.

A combined pipe48having an inlet portion50and an outlet portion52is disposed within the cavity42. The combined pipe48runs parallel with the base22, the inlet portion50operationally connected to an extant faucet (not shown) and the outlet portion52operationally communicating with an extant drainage (also not shown).

A T junction54interconnects the inlet-outlet aperture36and the combined pipe48. An inlet valve56is disposed within the combined pipe48, the inlet valve56disposed upstream of the T junction54. A drain pump58is disposed within the combined pipe48, the drain pump58disposed downstream of the T junction54.

A central processing unit60is disposed within the cavity42. The central processing unit60is in operational communication with the first water sensor38, the second water sensor40, the temperature sensor46, the heating plate44, the drain pump58and the inlet valve56.

A plurality of wiring62is disposed within the cavity42interconnecting the central processing unit60, the first38and second40water sensors, the temperature sensor46, the heating plate44, the drain pump58and the inlet valve56. A plurality of apertures64is disposed in the exterior wall26proximal the base22, the combined pipe48inlet portion50, outlet portion52, and a power cord66disposed therethrough.

The automated animal watering apparatus10thusly regulates a water level within the repository32, said water level maintained between the first38and second40water sensors. When water in the repository32falls to a level detectable by the second water sensor40the inlet valve56is activated to inlet water into the repository32, the water entering the repository through the inlet-outlet aperture36.

When water is detected by the first water sensor38the inlet valve56ceases inletting water. Furthermore, the drain pump58is operationally activated to a programmable cycle by means of a timer72operationally communicating with the central processing unit60to flush the device10to a predetermined schedule, the water draining from the repository32through the inlet-outlet aperture36. This programmable flushing cycle ensures a clean supply of water is maintained in the repository32.

To lessen clogging within the combined pipe48and T junction54and exclude debris therefrom, a filter screen68is disposed over the inlet-outlet aperture, said filter screen68preventing coarse debris from draining through the device when the flushing cycle is activated.

The heater plate44is activated when the water temperature in the repository32falls to an activation temperature as relayed by the temperature sensor46. This activation temperature is defined as a temperature above the freezing temperature of water. The heater plate44is deactivated when the water temperature in the repository32reaches a deactivation temperature as relayed by the temperature sensor46. This deactivation temperature is defined as a temperature less than the temperature at which water boils.