Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a filtered metal trough. A filtered metal trough can have various uses. A filtered metal trough can be used as a stylish aboveground swimming pool. Such pool is rugged, compact, requires little maintenance, and is durable. A filtered metal trough can also be used as clean, healthy alternative to a standard metal trough for watering animals. In particular, this disclosure describes a filtered metal trough comprising a trough comprising an intake orifice and a discharge orifice, a water pump, and a water filter. Additionally, such filtered metal trough can comprise an intake hose that connects the trough intake orifice to the water pump, an intermediary hose that connects the water pump to the water filter, and a discharge hose that connects the water filter to the discharge orifice.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a system and method for filtering a metal trough. 
         [0002]    Most people would love to and enjoy having their own pool for swimming and other water activities. However, many people cannot afford or do not have the space for a full size in-ground fiberglass pool as it can be very expensive. Further, installation and upkeep maintenance of such pool can be very costly as well. As such, aboveground pools were developed. An aboveground pool can be less expensive; however, the parts associated with the aboveground pool are not as durable as the other pool options available on the market, and if not maintained properly, can deteriorate quickly. For example, a vinyl-lined pool has to be replaced every few years since the appearance of the pool structure deteriorates over time. 
         [0003]    Further, unrelated to pools, when watering many animals, a rancher can place large metal troughs containing water, outside for the animals A large trough can hold hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water, and can last for long periods of time depending on the number of livestock drinking from the pool. During this time, problems can arise. First, stagnant water can be a breeding ground for mosquitos. Mosquitos can transmit illnesses that can be harmful to human and livestock. Second, stagnant water can is capable of harboring disease and transferring it between animals. 
         [0004]    As such it would be useful to have an improved system and method for filtering a metal trough. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This disclosure relates to a filtered metal trough. A filtered metal trough can have various uses. A filtered metal trough can be used as a stylish aboveground swimming pool. Such pool is rugged, compact, requires little maintenance, and is durable. A filtered metal trough can also be used as clean, healthy alternative to a standard metal trough for watering animals. 
         [0006]    In particular, this disclosure describes a filtered metal trough comprising a trough comprising an intake orifice and a discharge orifice, a water pump, and a water filter. Additionally, such filtered metal trough can comprise an intake hose that connects the trough intake orifice to the water pump, an intermediary hose that connects the water pump to the water filter, and a discharge hose that connects the water filter to the discharge orifice. 
         [0007]    This disclosure further describes a method of providing clean water to livestock. In particular, the method comprises the step of filling a metal trough with water, wherein said metal trough comprises a base and a one or more thin walls, further wherein said trough comprises an intake orifice and a discharge orifice. The method further includes the step of cycling the water as follows: from said trough, through said intake orifice, to an intake hose; through said intake hose, to a first water-handling device; through said water handling device, to an intermediary hose; through said intermediate hose, to a second water handling device; through said second water-handling device, to a discharge hose; through said discharge hose, to a discharge orifice; and through said discharge orifice, into said trough. The method also includes the step of providing said water in said trough to livestock for consumption. In such embodiment, a water-handling device can be a water pump or a water filter. 
         [0008]    This disclosure further describes a method of providing clean recreational area for water activities. In particular, the method comprises the step of filling a metal trough with water, wherein said metal trough comprises a base and a one or more thin walls, further wherein said trough comprises an intake orifice and a discharge orifice. The method further includes the step of cycling the water as follows: from said trough, through said intake orifice, to an intake hose; through said intake hose, to a first water handling device; through said water handling device, to an intermediary hose; through said intermediate hose, to a second water handling device; through said second water handling device, to a discharge hose; through said discharge hose, to a discharge orifice; and through said discharge orifice, into said trough. The method also includes the step of providing said trough to one or more persons for water activities. In such embodiment, a water-handling device can be a water pump or a water filter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a filtered metal trough system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an intake port outer assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an intake port inner assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a discharge port outer assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a discharge port inner assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Described herein is a system and method for filtering a metal trough. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation of a filtered metal trough are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any project), design decisions must be made to achieve the manufacturer&#39;s specific goals (e.g., compliance with system and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a filtered metal trough system  100 . Filtered metal trough system  100  can comprise of a trough  101 , a water filter  102 , and a water pump  103 , all connected through various hoses  104 . Trough  101  can comprise metal such as, but not limited to, steel, galvanized steel, iron, and/or copper. In one embodiment, trough  101  can consist only of metal. Trough can be round, oval, rectangular, square, or any other shape. The preferred embodiment for a trough is a round trough, as a round trough can hold the larger amounts of water using less material. Structurally, trough  101  comprises a floor  105  and walls  106  following the edge of floor  105 , rising vertically. As metals are heavy, trough  101  structure will, in a preferred embodiment be thin, having wall  106  and floor  105  thickness each less than half of one centimeter. 
         [0016]    Hoses  104  can comprise various materials, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, and/or rubber. In a preferred embodiment, hoses  104  are flexible. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an intake hose  104   a  can connect trough  101  to water pump  103 . An intermediary hose  104   b  can connect water pump  103  to water filter  102 . Water filter  102  can filter water as it pass through. From water filter  102 , filtered water can pass through a discharge hose  104   c  connecting water filter  102  to trough  101 . 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, intake hose  104   a  can connect trough  101  to water filter  102 , second hose  104   b  can connect water filter  102  to water pump  103 , and third hose  104   c  can connect water pump  103  to trough  101 . In such embodiment water pump  102  can pull water through filter  102  and push filtered water into trough  101 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, filtered metal trough system can further comprise a ground plate  107  and/or a ground wire  108 . In such embodiment, water filter  102  and water pump  103  can be electrically grounded to ground plate. In such configuration, ground plate can also provide structural support for water filter  102  and water pump  103 , keeping both off the ground surface. In such embodiment, ground wire  108  can connect trough  101  to ground plate  107 , effectively grounding trough  101 . In another embodiment, ground wire can connect trough  101  directly to water pump  103  and/or water filter  102 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates an outer view of an intake port assembly  200 . Intake port assembly  200  can comprise a male-male threaded conduit  201   a,  a washer  202   a,  an outer threaded cap  203   a,  and a transition assembly  204   a.  Male-male threaded conduit  201   a  can pass partially through an intake orifice  205  of trough  101 . Washer  202   a  can then pass around threaded conduit  201  a and rest against outer wall  206  of trough  101 . In a preferred embodiment, washers  202  comprise a compressible material such as rubber. Outer thread cap  203   a  can then screw onto threaded conduit  201   a,  pressing washer  202   a  against outer wall  206 . Transition assembly  204   a  can connect threaded conduit  201   a  to intake hose  104   a.  In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , transition assembly  204   a  can comprise a transition conduit  207   a  and a jubilee clip  208 . In such embodiment, threaded conduit  201  a can connect to transition conduit  207   a  on one end, and intake hose  104   a  can push around transition conduit  207   a  on it other end. To keep intake hose  104   a  in position, jubilee clip  208  can be placed around intake hose  104   a.  It should be recognized that specific components such as transition assembly  204   a  and outer thread cap  203   a  can be combined into one component. Additionally, in another embodiment, threaded conduit  207   a  can be threaded on a portion residing inside trough  101  and immediately outside trough  101 , but unthreaded on an end port that is outside trough  101 . In such embodiment, outer thread cap  203   a  can screw onto threaded conduit  207   a,  and intake hose  104   a  can connect directly to threaded conduit, over the unthreaded portion. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an inner view of an intake port assembly  200 . Intake port assembly  200  can further include a second washer  202   b  and a threaded intake cap  301 . Washer  202   b  can pass around threaded conduit  201   a  at the inside of trough  101 . Threaded intake cap  301  can screw on to threaded conduit  201   a,  pressing washer  202   b  against an inner wall  302  of trough  101 . Threaded intake cap  301  can, in one embodiment, cover a portion of a threaded conduit opening  303 . Threaded intake cap  301  can comprise a cap orifice  304  for water to pass through, and in one embodiment, threaded intake cap  301  can comprise a grill  305  within cap orifice  304 . Grill  305  can prevent large particles from entering intake hose  104   a,  potentially damaging water pump  203  or water filter  202 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates an outer view of a discharge port assembly  400 . Discharge port assembly  400  can be similar to intake port assembly  200 . Discharge port assembly  400  can comprise a male-male threaded conduit  201   b,  a washer  202   c,  an outer threaded cap  203   b,  and a transition assembly  204   b.  Male-male threaded conduit  201   b  can pass partially through a discharge orifice  401  of trough  101 . Washer  202   c  can then pass around threaded conduit  201   b  and rest against outer wall  206  of trough  101 . Outer thread cap  203   b  can then screw onto threaded conduit  201   b,  pressing washer  202   b  against outer wall  206 . Transition assembly  204   b  can connect threaded conduit  201   b  to discharge hose  104   c.  In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , transition assembly  204   b  can comprise a transition conduit  207   b  and a jubilee clip  208   b.  In such embodiment, threaded conduit  201   a  can connect to transition conduit  207   b  on one end, and intake hose  104   a  can push around transition conduit  207   b  on it other end. To keep discharge hose  104   c  in position, jubilee clip  208   b  can be placed around discharge hose  104   c.  It should be recognized that specific components such as transition assembly  204   c  and outer thread cap  203   c  can be combined into one component. Additionally, in another embodiment, threaded conduit  207   b  can be threaded on a portion residing inside trough  101  and immediately outside trough  101 , but unthreaded on an end port that is outside trough  101 . In such embodiment, outer thread cap can screw onto threaded conduit  207   a,  and discharge hose  104   c  can connect directly to threaded conduit  207   b,  over the unthreaded portion. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates an inner view of a discharge port assembly  500 . Discharge port assembly  500  can further include a fourth washer  202   d  and a threaded discharge cap  501 . Washer  202   d  can pass around threaded conduit  201  a at the inside of trough  101 . Threaded discharge cap  501  can screw on to threaded conduit  201   a,  pressing washer  202   d  against an inner wall  302  of trough  101 . Threaded discharge cap  501  can, in one embodiment, cover a portion of a threaded conduit opening  303 . Threaded discharge cap  501  can comprise a discharge orifice  502  for water to pass through. In one embodiment, discharge orifice  502  can be directional. Further, in one embodiment, discharge orifice  502  can be rotatable. By discharging water in a direction along the direction of trough wall, water within trough  101  will swirl. 
         [0023]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”