Abstract:
A submersible, universal water fountain system for an animal watering vessel. The system includes a port for discharging water into the vessel, a housing which has an inlet through which water is drawn from the vessel, and a pump for drawing water through the inlet and forcing the water from the housing through the port back into the vessel. The port discharges water in a pattern to diminish overspray outside the vessel and create a stream-like flow path of water movement in the vessel to enhance the water drinking experience of an animal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/363,918, filed on Jul. 13, 2010. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to animal watering devices, and more particularly, to animal watering devices that provide moving water for an animal to drink. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Animals in the wild drink from various water sources, including sources with moving water and sources with stationary water. Given the choice, most animals prefer moving water and, whenever possible, clean, fresh, moving water. Animal caretakers have a desire for animal watering devices that deliver moving, filtered, clean water to an animal or plurality of animals, such as pets or zoo animals. Unfortunately, traditional water vessels do not provide circulation or filtration to the water, but, instead, only provide a containment vessel for stationary, unfiltered water. Accordingly, if an animal caretaker desires to provide moving, filtered clean water to an animal or plurality of animals, the animal caretaker must invest in a specialized watering vessel which does not allow the caretaker consumer to provide moving, filtered clean water from a vessel of their choice. 
     A submersible, universal water fountain system would offer great flexibility to animal caretakers, so they could provide an animal or plurality of animals with moving, filtered clean water in a variety of vessels. Such vessels might include specific bowls, trays, troughs or design-specific vessels, such as custom-shaped vessels designed to blend with the aesthetics of an animal exhibit at a zoo. The submersible, universal water fountain system would be relatively small compared to the volume of the vessel such that the submersible, universal water fountain does not interfere with an animal drinking from the reservoir of water within the vessel. Stated differently, the size of the submersible, universal water fountain system would be small enough to be able to fit into the vast majority of watering vessels, with the vessel serving as a water reservoir while the submersible, universal water fountain system would provide a source of movement for the water flow, and, optionally, filtration of the water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of the submersible universal water fountain system; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded illustration of one embodiment of the submersible universal water fountain system; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an interior view of the upper housing for one embodiment of the submersible universal water fountain system; and 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of the basic electronics for one embodiment of the submersible universal water fountain system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A submersible universal water fountain system for animals is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The submersible, universal water fountain system comprises a housing defined to have at least one intake port for the intake of water into the system, a submersible pump for forcibly moving water into, through, and out of the system, and at least one exit port for the output of water from the system back into the reservoir of water contained within the vessel. In some embodiments, an optional filter is included. In some embodiments, the at least one exit port is rectilinear in shape to provide for directional, stream-like moving water flow back into the reservoir. 
     The submersible universal water fountain system is readily attachable and detachable from a vessel utilized for providing water for an animal. When residing in a reservoir of a filled vessel, or, alternatively, a vessel carrying water, the submersible universal water fountain system provides circulation to the water such that an animal may be more readily enticed to drink the moving water. The submersible universal water fountain system also may provide filtration for the vessel to remove unwanted contaminants from the water. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of the submersible universal water fountain system. This submersible universal water fountain system is utilized with any vessel that provides water for an animal to convert the vessel into one that provides filtered moving water. For example, the submersible universal water fountain system transforms any animal watering vessel or gravity water system into a filtered water fountain with stream-like water flow. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the submersible universal water fountain system includes a housing comprised of an upper housing  10  and a lower housing  11 . In some embodiments, upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  are configured to snap together (see  FIG. 2 , brackets  60  and recessed ledge  61 , and  FIG. 3 , tabs  64  and tab  63 ). In the illustrated embodiment, upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  are configured in an overall curved shape, alternatively known as a “bean” or “kidney” shape, not only to better conform to the interior curvature of curved water vessels, thus maximizing access to the water reservoir by the animal, but also excluding sharp edges from the housing shape to avoid injury to the animal. In some embodiments, upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  are configured to snap together in sufficiently tight proximity such that pump  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) creates a vacuum within the joined housing  10 ,  11  during operation. This allows the system to be able to continue to move and filter water even when the water level has dropped below the level of the intake (see  FIG. 2 ,  24 ) of pump  20 . In some embodiments, at least one removable fastener  14  is included on the lower housing  11  to facilitate attachment of the lower housing  11  to a water vessel. Fastener  14  is removable such that removal of lower housing  11  is easily facilitated. In some embodiments, fastener  14  is a suction cup. It should also be recognized that magnets, fasteners, or suction cups on the bottom of the lower housing  11  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates upper housing  10  having wall  12  defined therein. In some embodiments, wall  12  is curved. Also defined within upper housing  10  and above wall  12  is port  13 , through which water flows out from the interior of the system back into the vessel. In some embodiments, port  13  is rectilinearly shaped. In some embodiments, port  13  is rectilinearly arcuate in shape, to facilitate directional, stream-like, outflow of water from the system back into the vessel and water reservoir contained within the vessel. Upper housing  10  is designed to overlay port  13  such that only directional, stream-like, outflow of water is achieved, thus minimizing or, optimally, eliminating overspray of moving water outside the vessel. Additionally, so long as the water reservoir level is maintained sufficiently above port  13 , the outflow of water is entirely submerged, thus creating a stream-like moving water flow beneath the reservoir surface. Alternatively, should the water reservoir level fall below port  13 , the outflow of water will continue to be directional, thus overspray of moving water outside the vessel remains minimized. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 1  is grommet port  16  defined in upper housing  10 . Grommet  41  is structured so as to completely fill grommet port  16  in sufficiently tight proximity such that pump  20  creates a vacuum within the joined upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  during operation. Grommet  41  is defined to have an internal through opening through which cable  40  travels. Cable  40  connects submersible pump  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) to an electrical plug  70  which remains outside the vessel. Grommet  41  provides cable relief and secures cable  40  of pump  20  within and between lower housing  11  and upper housing  10 . In some embodiments, cable  40  includes a connector  72  (see  FIG. 4 ) which provides a means of readily accessible disconnect for the power source to the system. In some embodiments, optional additions of fasteners  14  may be utilized to position cable  40  out of the access path to the water, thus creating a safer and more inviting and accessible water vessel from which animals may drink. It should also be recognized that a formable sleeve encompassing the exterior of cable  40 , or a clip or clips placed along cable  40  may be used as fasteners  14  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, as  FIG. 2  illustrates, lower housing  11  is shown, with at least one fastener  14 , which serves to attach lower housing  11  to the bottom of a water vessel. Defined within the perimeter edge of lower housing  11  are at least one bracket  60  and a recessed edge  61  to facilitate attachment to upper housing  10  via complementary definitions within upper housing  10 , respectively tab  64  and tab  63  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Structural support may be enhanced in some embodiments by inclusion of one or more optional protrusion(s)  62  which is defined into the interior surface of lower housing  11 . Also defined into lower housing  11  are a series of intake ports including curved intake ports  30  which surround a central intake port  31 . The composite intake ports  30  and central intake port  31  allow continuous water intake into the system from the reservoir contained within the vessel. 
     Further illustrated in  FIG. 2  is upper housing  10  including wall  12 , port  13 , and grommet port  16  as defined therein. Grommet  41  is shown as pulled away from and through grommet port  16 , to illustrate cable  40  connecting from pump  20  through grommet  41  through grommet port  16 . Cable  40  connects submersible pump  20  to an electrical plug  70  which remains outside the water vessel. Defined into pump  20  is port  22  which serves to direct water flow from the pump  20  through port  22 , through transfer port  15  such that the pumped water flows out through port  13  thus creating directional, stream-like water flow back into the water reservoir within the water vessel. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 2  is optional filter  50 . Filter  50  is adapted to receive contaminants, such as, for example, chlorine, organic compounds, heavy metals, debris, etc., in the reservoir that are received from intake port(s)  30  and central intake port  31 . In some embodiments, filter  50  is adapted to be removably received within and between lower housing  11  and upper housing  10 . More specifically, filter  50  is configured for placement adjacent to submersible pump  20  such that water directed from intake port(s)  30  and central intake port  31  is in fluid communication with filter  50 . Moreover, filter  50  is selectable for the desired filtering properties of the system. For example, filter  50  may include an embodiment wherein filter  50  includes soft batting heat sealed to a plastic frame trapping carbon inside, or an embodiment wherein filter  50  includes a molded plastic housing containing carbon and or other filter media. Because filter  50  is removably received within and between lower housing  11  and upper housing  10 , filter  50  is readily replaceable as desired. 
     Pump  20 , shown in  FIG. 2 , features adjustment switch  21  whereby the water flow rate through pump  20  may be adjusted as desired. In some embodiments, pump  20  is configured to reside within and between lower housing  11  and upper housing  10  of the system such that submersible pump  20  draws water into lower housing  11  via intake port(s)  30  and central intake port  31 . Stated differently, pump  20  must be in fluid communication with the water reservoir in the water vessel. In some embodiments, pump  20  may be secured to lower housing  11  via fasteners, such as, for example, fasteners similar to fastener  14  used to secure lower housing  11  onto an inner surface of the water vessel. The water thus drawn into lower housing  11  flows through optional filter  50  and into pump  20  via pump intake port(s)  24 . Upon water flowing into pump  20  via pump intake port(s)  24 , pump  20  then moves water forcibly out of pump  20  via exit port  22 . Exit port  22  connects to transfer port  15 , transfer port  15  being detachedly affixed to the interior of upper housing  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  additionally illustrates the interior of upper housing  10 . Pump  20  is fixedly attached to cable  40 , with grommet  41  shown, for illustrative purposes, drawn outside of grommet port  16  where grommet  41  resides when the system is fully assembled. (See  FIG. 1 ). Tab  63  in upper housing  10  correlates and attaches to recessed edge  61  of lower housing  11  whereby attachment and closure of one side edge of upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  is achieved. To attain attachment and closure of the other side edge of upper housing  10  to lower housing  11 , at least one tab  64  in upper housing  10  inserts into at least one bracket  60  of lower housing  11 , thus the combination of tabs  63  and  64 , and recessed edge  61  and brackets  60 , serve to attach the edges of upper housing  10  and lower housing  11  sufficiently to obtain tight closure and adequate seal between upper housing  10  and lower housing  11 . Structural support may be enhanced in some embodiments by inclusion of one or more optional protrusion(s)  62  which is defined into the interior surface of upper housing  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the interior diameter of exit port  22  is slightly larger than the exterior diameter of transfer port  15 , thus facilitating close connectivity between the exit port  22  of pump  20  and the transfer port  15  of upper housing  10 , whereby water efficiently flows between exit port  22  and transfer port  15 . Transfer port  15  flows water directly against wall  12  of upper housing  10  and the interior surface of upper housing  10 , whereby water must undergo a directional change of flow to exit via port  13 . In some embodiments, port  13  is rectilinearly shaped. In some embodiments, port  13  is rectilinearly arcuate in shape, thus altering the exit path of pumped water to create a directional, stream-like, moving water flow. In some embodiments, port  13  is configured so as to produce a plurality of spaced-apart streams of water discharged therefrom. Water exits the system via port  13  and reenters the water reservoir of the vessel. So long as the level of water in the water reservoir is maintained sufficiently above port  13 , the outflow of water is entirely submerged, thus creating a stream-like moving water flow beneath the reservoir surface. Alternatively, if the water level is maintained below port  13 , the stream-like moving water flow occurs above the water surface and an aural enhancement, namely, the sound of running water, is produced. Additionally, the directional flow of water provided by port  13  reduces, minimizes, or, optimally, eliminates overspray of moving water outside the vessel. The efficiency of the overspray diminution or elimination is controlled, at least in part, by factors outside the scope of this invention, including, but not limited to, factors such as placement of the invention within the vessel, selection of water flow adjustment on adjustment switch  21 , and level of water maintained within the water reservoir of the vessel. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of the power flow within the submersible, universal water fountain system, wherein plug  70  is placed into a power source and cable  40  emerges from plug  70  to provide power transfer along cable  40 , through optional connector  72  to pump  20 . Thus powered, pump  20 , in turn, draws water through the system and out through transfer port  15  where the water exits the system via port  13 . Optional connector  72  provides a means of readily accessible disconnect for the power source to the system. In some embodiments, optional additions of fasteners  14  may be utilized to position cable  40  out of the access path to the water, thus creating a safer and more inviting and accessible water vessel from which animals may drink. It should also be recognized that a formable sleeve encompassing the exterior of cable  40 , or a clip or clips placed along cable  40  may be used as fasteners  14  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It should also be noted that alternate embodiments of the submersible universal water fountain system can include other types of devices for enticing an animal to drink. For example, in one embodiment, the upper housing is lit by lights (e.g., LEDs) to entice or attract the animal and improve the appearance of the water system. 
     From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a submersible universal water fountain system is provided. The submersible universal water fountain system is readily attached and detached from a vessel utilized for providing water for an animal while allowing the animal caretaker to use the vessel of their choice or the preferred vessel of an animal. More specifically, the submersible universal water fountain system provides circulation and filtration to the water such that an animal may be more readily enticed to drink the filtered moving water. Furthermore, this invention allows the animal&#39;s caretaker to provide filtered, moving water at a much lower cost compared to other inventions which tend to be much larger and have an integrated water reservoir and drinking vessel. Additionally, this invention provides for minimized overspray of moving water outside a water vessel.