Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to automatic water supply devices and, more specifically, to a pet watering device and the method for supplying a pet automatically with fresh drinking water as needed as well as a water recovery device for a tile saw and the method for supplying a constant flow of clean water to a tile saw cooling system. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art illustrates, various automatic water supply devices for different applications. 
     One application comprises an automatic watering device to keep domestic pets and livestock replenished with water for an extended period of time, without involvement by an owner or a caretaker. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,132 issued to Morton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,202 issued to Strickland, U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,371 issued to Strickland, U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,365 issued to Peters, U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,967 issued to Tamborrino, U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,140 issued to Byrd, and U.S. Pat. No. 649,436 issued to Cooper, all utilize a system with a standard ball cock float system with different designs or a similar float system, which is incorporated into the shape of the water dish itself. 
     In general, prior art float valve assemblies consist of a movable float that is horizontally positioned within the reservoir and is mechanically linked to the valve through a float arm or lever. The float-activated valve automatically replenishes the water supply in the drinking reservoir as that supply is depleted. However, these devices are relatively complicated in their design, space consuming, and expensive. Because they do consist of many parts that are mechanically connected, they are unreliable, become easily inoperable, can be accidentally upset by the animal, and require a high amount of maintenance. To prevent injury to the animal and to keep the valve functioning, the bulky float valve assembly often needs to be separated from the animal&#39;s drinking reservoir. 
     A different application where a constant supply of clean water is needed is the cooling system of a tile saw. A tile saw relies on water being distributed through orifices directed toward a diamond impregnated blade to keep the blade at a low operating temperature. 
     In general, the prior art consists of a small water pump that is placed in a self-contained tray. After cutting several pieces of tile, the water in the tray becomes contaminated. The water pump continues to circulate the contaminated water until eventually the water circuits become obstructed along with the water pump itself and the cooling system fails. 
     Therefore a need existed to provide a device that provides an uninterrupted automatic supply of fresh water that is practical, low maintenance, jam resistant, portable, easily secured, self cleaning and inexpensive. A further need existed to provide an automatic water supply device that uses a compact, jam resistant, reliable, and easily adjustable valve. A still further need existed to provide an improved, practical, and inexpensive automatic pet watering device that provides an uninterrupted supply of fresh drinking water as needed. A still further need existed to provide a practical and inexpensive water recovery device that provides the cooling system of a tile saw with a constant flow of fresh water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a practical, inexpensive, and reliable automatic water supply device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved, practical, inexpensive, and reliable automatic pet watering device. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a practical, inexpensive, and reliable water recovery device for a tile saw. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an automatic water supply device is disclosed which comprises, in combination, a water container; a pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve comprising a rubber diaphragm, an adjustable screw, and an outlet; means for extending the adjustable screw; and a water inlet. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for supplying a pet automatically with fresh drinking water as needed is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a water container; providing a pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve comprising a rubber diaphragm, an adjustable screw, and an outlet; providing means for extending the adjustable screw; providing a water inlet; filling the water container with water; adjusting water level using the adjustable screw; lowering the water level of the water container by animal; activating the pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve; and refilling the water container to the adjusted level. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for supplying a constant flow of clean water to a tile saw cooling system is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a water container; providing a pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve comprising a rubber diaphragm, an adjustable screw, and an outlet; providing means for extending the adjustable screw; providing a water inlet; filling the water container with water; adjusting water level using the adjustable screw; lowering the water level of the water container by a pump of the tile saw cooling system; activating the pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve; and refilling the water container to the adjusted level. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic water supply device, wherein the refill valve is installed within the water container. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of the automatic water supply device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a cross-sectional view of an automatic water supply device  10  according to the present invention is shown. The automatic water supply device  10  generally comprises a water container  11 , a pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve  12 , and a garden hose adapter  13 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1-2 the water container  11 , having an inside, an outside, a bottom and an open top, preferably includes a built in handle  20 . The handle  20  can be used to secure the water container  12  to any wall or fence using a half-inch conduit strap, and can be used to transport the automatic water supply device  10  easily. The water container  11  is preferably a plastic utility bucket having a volume of 3½ gallons or 5 gallons. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve  12  is installed at the inside of the water container  11  by inserting it through an aperture  21  (shown in FIG. 2 only) and securing it using a rubber washer  14  on the inside of the water container  11  and a retaining nut  13  on the outside of the water container  11 . The pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve  12  is covered by a protective cap  15 , preferably a four inch PVC pipe cap, and has water access holes  16  drilled there through. The protective cap  15  is mounted to the inside of the water container  11  and fits over the refill valve  12 . The pressure sensitive diaphragm refill valve  12  comprises generally a pressure sensitive rubber diaphragm  22  (shown in FIG. 2 only), an adjustable screw  17  (shown in FIG. 1 only) that is used to regulate the water level in the water container  11 , and an outlet  23 . Low water pressure on the inside of the water container  11  starts the flow of fresh water through the outlet  23  from the outside. High water pressure on the inside of the water container  11  stops the flow of water. The adjustable screw  17  (shown in FIG. 1 only) can be extended through the protective cap  15  by tube  18 , preferably a ⅜-inch vinyl tube, for easy access. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, a garden hose adapter  19  is mounted on the outside of the water container  11  at the refill valve outlet  23  next to the retaining nut  13 . Using a common garden hose, fresh water can be delivered to the water container  11  from any faucet. It should be understand that the garden hose adapter  19  can be replaced with an inlet for a water supply coming from a source other than a garden hose. 
     The automatic water supply device  10  can be used as an automatic pet watering device. The animal can drink the water from the water container  11  through the open top. The consumed water will be automatically refilled since a lower water level in the water container  11  results in a lower water pressure, activating the diaphragm refill valve  12 . Fresh water will flow in until the water pressure on the outside and inside of diaphragm  22  (shown in FIG. 2 only) is the same. 
     The automatic water supply device  10  can further be used as a water recovery device for a tile saw. A pump from a tile saw cooling system can be submerged into the water container  11 , preferably a 5 gallon plastic utility bucket, through the open top. As the pump uses a certain amount of water, the diaphragm refill valve  12  is activated and the water container  11  refills automatically. The automatic water supply device  10  provides not only clean water for the pump, but by supplying a constant flow of clean water to a tile saw cooling system it also eliminates the need to stop working and refill the bucket with water frequently. 
     The automatic water supply device  10  is relatively maintenance free and virtually self-cleaning. The water container  11  only needs to be turned sideways to empty. This causes the refill valve  12  to open, and the inflowing water rinses the water container  11 . Turning the water container  11  upright again ends the cleaning process and starts filling the water container  11  with fresh water again. The automatic water supply device  10  is jam resistant, even if the water container  11  has overturned, the refill valve  12  will not become inoperable. 
     By introducing a diaphragm activated fill valve  12  inside a water container  11  instead of a prior art float valve mechanism, problems associated with the prior art watering devices are solved. The diaphragm activated fill valve  12  has a very compact design and can be easily adjusted to every desired water level. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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