Patent Document

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to watering systems for poultry and/or small animals and, more particularly, to watering systems employing trigger drinkers. 
     Various types of watering devices for fowl and small animals have been developed previously. One particular watering device for fowl and small animals is a two-part trigger drinker. One element telescopically interfits into the other element. Interlocking hooks on the housings prevent relative rotation of the housings when properly telescopically interfit together. The interlocking hooks releasably resist relative rotation of the housings when the interlocking hooks are operatively engaged. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,589,373 and 4,637,365, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, both utilize telescopically inter-fitting parts connected by a bayonet-type lock. The disclosures of these patents are specifically incorporated herein. 
     These telescopically inter-fitting components, utilizing a bayonet-type lock, provide distinctive advantages over the earlier trigger drinker units. However, the bayonet-type lock may become worn from changing and cleaning. Worn interlocking hooks may require less rotational force for removal of the frictional engagement. This can cause problems when an adult bird pecks on the drinker component out of curiosity or mischievous design. These birds can also inadvertently bump against the interlocking hooks causing the telescopically interfitting components to disengage. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved watering device for poultry and small animals. 
     It is a further object to provide an improved safety lock for securing the telescopically interfitting components. 
     It is a further object to provide anti-rotational lock in conjunction with the bayonet-type lock. 
     It is a further object to provide a simple independent anti-rotational lock adaptable to trigger drinkers presently used in the poultry industry. 
     It is a further object to provide a lock which can prevent rotation in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. 
     It is a further object to provide a lock which is easily insertable within a trigger drinker. 
     It is a further object to provide a weakened portion on the lock so that the safety clip will break at a pre-determined torque. 
     It is a further object to provide the weakened portion on the arm of the clip at a pre-selected location whereby removal of the broken clip is easily facilitated. 
     It is a further object to provide the safety clip with a small opening for insertion of a small tool to facilitate removal of the safety clip from the coupling unit. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are obtained in the provision of an independent safety lock which is insertable into the mating hooks of a trigger drinker. The lock provides additional protection from incidental contact by poultry and other animals. The safety lock provides a rotation limiting device which has retention means incorporated therein so that the lock is easily inserted and difficult to remove from an opening in the interlocking hooks. A preferred embodiment of the safety lock incorporates weakened portions on the arm section to allow breakage at a predetermined torque. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction of the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of two drinker units attached to a water supply line. 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the U-shaped safety lock which is insertable in a trigger drinker. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view with a portion broken away of a trigger drinker unit with a bayonet-type lock utilizing the safety clip of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view along AA of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a fluid supply line 10 with two trigger drinker units 20 having a first telescopically inter-fitting element 22 attached to supply line 10. Element 22 is ultra therefor sonically welded to supply line 10 at base section 23. Alternatively, a glue joint connection could be used to secure the components together. A second telescopically inter-fitting element 24 is inserted in the internal portion 25 of element 22 thereby forming a valve housing with an inlet valve chamber 26 and an outlet via trigger pin 60. The bayonet-type lock is described in the detailed descriptions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,589,373 and 4,637,365 assigned to the same assignee and incorporated previously by reference. 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the U-shaped safety lock 30 providing a rotation limiting means for drinker units. Lock 30 is a separate component from the trigger drinker 20. The U-shaped safety lock 30 has a base portion 32 and two arms 34 extending outward from the base portion 32. In a preferred embodiment the arms are tapered at the end distal from base 32 to form line 35. The distal end portion of the arm resembles a wedge shape. The wedge shape includes inclined plane 36 on the outside portion 37 of arms 34. A preferred safety lock 30 has a ledge 38 formed by a wider section of the arm 34 which is the broadest portion of the wedge shape. Ledge 38 is used as a stop or holding portion when in contact with arm 62 of component 24 as seen in FIG. 4. This ledge 38 is also constructed with a slight chamfered edge to facilitate removal of the safety lock from the anti-rotational position. 
     Base portion 32 also has ledges 39 formed as a result of legs 34 being connected to base portion 32 inwardly from the width of the base. In other words, a lip remains on the base portion which acts as a stop. Ledge or stop 39 engages the bottom of arms 62 of component 24 to prevent clip 30 from further insertion into the opening 65 in component 24. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the two piece coupling system utilizing telescopic portions 22 and 24 in conjunction with safety lock 30. As mentioned earlier, U-shaped safety lock 30 is a separate, removable component which restricts rotation of the cylindrical members 22 and 24 of the coupling system when inserted through opening 65 of component 24. The coupling system includes a hook-like boss 50 on an outer surface 52 of the first coupler element 22. The distance between arms 34 of safety lock 30 at the distal end is slightly larger in diameter than boss 50. When lock 30 is inserted through opening 65 the inside portion of arms 34 surround boss 50. 
     Ledges 41 on the inside portions of arms 34 provide a secondary stop to prevent the safety lock from being inserted beyond the designed location. Ledges 41 also provide a weakened area of arms 34 for breaking at a predetermined torque. Additionally, The ledges 41 allow the arms 34 to bend inward until the inner portion contacts boss 50. At this location the distal end must bend outward to surround boss 50. 
     The second cylindrical element 24, which includes the trigger drinker nipple 60, has two arms 62 extending radially outward and substantially parallel to each other. These arms 62 are connected by a bight 63 thereby forming a U-shape portion. In the center of the U-shaped portion is a opening 65 which is directly below boss 50 when the coupler is properly positioned. The bight is connected to a resilient J-shaped hook 70 extending longitudinally which cooperates with the boss 50 of the first cylindrical element 22 to provide the initial two-piece coupler. Frictional forces of boss 50 and hook 70 hold the bayonet type lock in position. In other words, the bayonet lock utilizes complimentary hooks on members 22 and 23. The previously incorporated patents provide additional details to this aspect of the lock. The safety lock 30 cooperates with these features of the trigger drinker to restrict rotation and proved a more secure unit. 
     Specifically, safety lock 30 is inserted through opening 65 formed by the cylindrical drinker, the two parallel arms 62 and the connecting bight 63. Arms 34 are preferably flexible and resilient. When inserted through opening 65 inclined planes 36 force arms 34 to flex inward. Arms 34 then spring back in position. Ledge 38 is slightly chamfered so as to allow removal of safety lock 30 with appropriate force. Boss 50 is partially surrounded on both sides by arms 34 of the safety lock 30. Opening 65 is filled by the outer portions 37 of arms 34 thereby restricting rotational motion of elements 22 and 24. In other words, one arm prevents clockwise rotation while the other arm prevents counterclockwise rotation. 
     As stated earlier, the safety lock 30 preferably includes a weakened portion 75 which will break at a pre-determined torque. As seen in FIG. 4, the weakened portion 75, including inclined plane, will fall from the drinker unit allowing the broken safety lock 30 to be easily replaced without substantial harm to the trigger drinker unit. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, protrusions 42 are used to position the safety clip 30 within the opening 65. Protrusions 42 also are used to limit horizontal motion if the opening 65 is substantially larger than the width of the safety lock 30. Additionally protrusions 42 can be designed for specific sizes of openings 65. 
     A preferred embodiment of safety lock 30 includes opening 44 in the base. Opening 44 is constructed so that a tool arrangement (not shown) can be inserted within. Opening 44 is small enough so that an adult chicken cannot force its beak into the opening and pull the safety clip from the trigger drinker unit. 
     The present invention is a rotation limiting device. However, by limiting the rotation in the telescopic coupling system which utilizes the bayonet-type lock, the coupling system is prevented from telescopic movement as well. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1