Abstract:
A livestock watering apparatus having a housing having a moveable door, a reservoir, and a valve system connected to a water source. The moveable door in combination with the valve mechanism provides a continuous flow of water to the water reservoir and allows animals to receive fresh water that is maintained at a desired level throughout the year.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a watering apparatus and more particularly, to a livestock watering fountain for outdoor use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A technical problem recognized with respect to conventional livestock watering systems relates to the flow and maintenance of water levels. Few water fountains provide for the maintenance of water levels for animals in an expansive area such as a field. In addition, most watering systems do not provide for extreme temperatures in winter when water often freezes. Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide continuous flow of water and the maintenance of particular water levels that allow an animal to consume water. 
     Another technical problem related to conventional livestock watering systems includes the inability to provide continuous flow of water to animals in an extensive area. Conventional systems provide a trough of water near feeding sources, but they do not provide relief for animals that are grazing or feeding in an open field. Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved livestock watering system that provides a continuous flow of water and regulates the amount of water in the system so that animals may receive fresh water at various locations in a large area of land at any time of the year. 
     Another technical problem related to conventional livestock watering systems includes failure due to ice. Ice may freeze the mechanical features of some watering systems rendering them useless. Further, ice may simply block the livestock&#39;s access to the water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments, including the technical features of the invention for which protection is sought, are illustrated and described herein and include a livestock watering system including a water source, a valve mechanism, and a housing having a reservoir which contains water for the livestock watering apparatus. 
     The housing of the present invention extends above and below ground level and includes a door, which allows an animal to nudge the door to receive direct access to water retained in a water reservoir. A valve mechanism connects the pressurized water source and a housing to trigger water flow into the reservoir when the door on the housing is opened. 
     The watering apparatus of the present invention may be utilized in a field, feed lot or any other area where livestock require water. 
     The watering apparatus of the present invention provides for the expulsion of ice from the water reservoir. Pressurized water may lift the ice out of the water reservoir, melt the ice, and/or break the ice. 
    
    
     These and other aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood and appreciated in the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a livestock watering system illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the livestock watering system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the livestock watering system of FIG. 2 taken along the line  3 — 3 . 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the valve mechanism shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the livestock watering system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a left view of the livestock watering system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a right view of the livestock watering system of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures, there is shown preferred embodiments for the livestock watering system of this invention, including the technical features of the invention for which protection is sought. Referring to FIG. 1, an improved livestock watering system  20  is illustrated. The livestock watering system  20  comprises a housing  26  having a door  24 , a pressurized water source  36 , and a valve mechanism  66  that controls the flow of water into a water reservoir  44  from the water source  36 . The valve mechanism  66  (shown in FIG. 3) is generally activated by the movement of the door  24  connected to the housing  26 . The housing  26  comprises a unitary piece having two portions, an upper portion  76  that extends above ground  32  and a lower portion  78  that remains mostly in the ground  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the housing  26  is shown and described as having a substantially cylindrical shape, however, it is understood that the housing may comprise any geometric shape that could provide for a door allowing access to the water reservoir. 
     The lower portion  78  is mostly in the ground  32  and contains the water reservoir  44 . The water source  36  is connected to the lower portion  78  by a coupler  64 , which secures the water source  36  to the housing  26 . Preferably, the housing is secured at two locations using concrete  34  and/or gravel  22 . The concrete  34  and the gravel  22  at the base of the housing  26  and at the ground level  32  secures the housing  26 . The gravel  22  and/or concrete  34  may also be used to secure the housing  26  in position in the ground. 
     The upper portion of the housing  26  includes a door  24 , which partially covers an opening  72  in the upper portion of the housing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door  24  has a length that is shorter than the length of an opening  72  in the upper portion  76 . Therefore, a small opening between the bottom of the opening  72  and the bottom of the door  24  is formed and allows an animal to see water in the water reservoir  44  without pushing the door  24 . The small opening also assists in allowing ice to be expelled from the top of the water reservoir  44 , as the small opening provides clearance for the ice to exit from the water reservoir  44 . Further, the distance between the bottom of the door  24  and water  80  helps reduce the likelihood of the door  24  freezing to the water  80 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door  24  has a length of about fifteen inches, and the opening  72  has a length of about eighteen inches. 
     The door  24  is connected to the housing  26  such that the door  24  can swing without restraint. The door  24  is connected to the housing  26  by a rod  28  to allow the door to swing freely. The rod  28  may either extend horizontally through the door  24  from one side of the opening  72  to the other; or two rods may connect the door  24  to the housing  26  without extending through the door  24 . In some embodiments, the door  24  is connected to the housing  26  by a hinge. 
     Not only is the door  24  useful in protecting the water from debris and other matter, but it also functions to activate the valve mechanism  66  of the livestock water apparatus  20 . Affixed to the door  24  is an eyebolt  30 . The eyebolt  30  is connected to a cable  38 , which connects the door  24  to the valve mechanism  66  in the lower portion  78  of the housing  26 . From the eyebolt  30 , the cable  38  extends down through a cable housing  40  that is affixed to an inner surface of the housing  26 . The cable housing  40  is preferably ½″ polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. The cable housing  40  extends through portions of the upper portion  76  and lower portion  78 . The cable housing  40  protects and encloses the cable  38 . The cable housing  40  may optionally comprise one or more guides  68 . The guides  68  may define a circular opening through which the cable  38  passes through. In some embodiments, the cable housing  40  is replaced with a series of guides  68 . The cable  38  is connected generally to the valve mechanism  66  and, more specifically, it is connected to a lever  52 . The lever  52  activates a valve  58  and thereby allows water from the water source  36  to enter into the water reservoir  44 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the valve mechanism  66  comprises a lever and spring combination to operate the flow of water into the water reservoir  44 . A hook  60  is mounted to the inner surface of the lower portion of the housing  26 . A spring  54  connects the hook  60  and an eyebolt  30  that is affixed to a lever  52 . When lever  52  moves, it opens valve  58  and allows water to flow from the water source  36  and enter into the water reservoir  44  through an inlet  48 . The water source  36  is connected to the water reservoir  44  by a pipe sleeve  62  and at least two washers  56 , which secure the water source  36  to the water reservoir  44 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, silicone is placed in between the washers  56 . 
     The water reservoir  44  and the water source  36  are in fluidic communication. The water  80  enters the water reservoir  44  through an inlet  48  and is triggered by movement of the door  24 . An animal may access the water contained in the water reservoir  44  by nudging the door  24  toward the center of the housing  26 . Within the lower portion  78  of the housing  26 , the water reservoir  44  is encased in an inner housing  46 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water reservoir  44  has a conical shape such that the water inlet  48  is located at the vertex of the conical water reservoir  44 . The inner housing  46  has a tubular or spherical shape such that there are insulating air gaps formed between the outer surface of the water reservoir  44  and the inner surface of the inner housing  46 . Due to the nature of the different shapes of the water reservoir  44  and the inner housing  46 , the air gaps are formed such that a larger mass of air is formed near the water inlet  48 . These air gaps help provide insulation. The conical water reservoir  44  also assists in expelling ice from the water reservoir  44 . As water  80  enters the water reservoir  44 , it pushes up on any ice which has collected on the surface of the water reservoir  44 . Since the water reservoir  44  is conical-shaped, the ice is moving to a larger area and may be expelled from the water reservoir  44 . The water  80  may also melt or break the ice instead of or in addition to expelling the ice. 
     The inner housing  46  may also be surrounded by foam insulation  42 . The foam insulation  42  further insulates the water reservoir  44  to prevent the water from freezing in inclement weather. 
     In operation, an animal will nudge the door  24  with its head, whereby the door  24  will move toward a center of the upper portion  76  of the housing  26 . The cable  38 , which is affixed to both the door  24  and the valve mechanism  66 , will trigger and extend the spring  54 , and thereby, the lever  52 . The upward movement of the lever  52  will allow the valve  58  to open and cause the water  80  from the water source  36  to flow into the water reservoir  44  by passing through the water inlet  48 . After the animal has finished drinking and removes its head from the door  24 , the valve mechanism  66  will close as the cable  38  is no longer extending the spring  54 . 
     In some embodiments, as the door  24  is opened more, greater force is applied to the lever  52  and more water is released from the valve  58 . This feature controls the amount of water released into the water reservoir. Thus, a larger animal that opens the door  24  wider than a smaller animal will cause more water to be released into the water reservoir  44 . 
     The present invention provides for an automated livestock watering apparatus. The water reservoir  44  is automatically refilled as the livestock drinks from the watering apparatus and thus the water level in the water reservoir  44  is generally maintained constant. The present invention also provides for the removal, breaking, and/or melting of ice that may form on the surface of the water reservoir  44 . The present invention also provides many insulating features to prevent the underground mechanical components from freezing. 
     Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made of the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalent.