GB2317806A

GB2317806A - Drinking trough

Info

Publication number: GB2317806A
Application number: GB9720106A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Francis Concannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-24
Filing date: 1997-09-23
Publication date: 1998-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-23
Also published as: IES78001B2; GB9720106D0; GB2317806B; IES960676A2; IE970692A1

Abstract

A drinking trough 1 comprises a top wall 10 extending from side wall 3 and closing part of the open mouth 8, a valve float 15 for controlling flow of water to the hollow interior region 7 being located beneath the top wall 10, a water inlet 17 extending from the valve 15 through the top wall 10 and terminating in a connection 18 for connecting to a water supply pipe 17, and a portion of the base 2 being shaped for accommodating a corresponding connecting means 18 of an inlet 17 of another similar drinking trough 1 for facilitating stacking of the drinking trough 1 on top of another drinking trough 1.

Description

"A drinking trough'1 The present invention relates to a drinking trough, and in particular, though not limited to an animal drinking trough.

Animal drinking troughs are manufactured for receiving water from a mains or other water supply. Typically, a float controlled valve is mounted within the drinking trough, and an inlet to the float control valve extends externally from the drinking trough terminates in a pipe connector for connecting a mains or other water supply pipe to the valve. In general, because of the fact that the inlet and connector to the inlet of the float valve extends externally from the drinking trough such drinking troughs, do not lend themselves to ease of packing or stacking in bulk for dispatch to a distributor or the like. Moreover, the inlet and pipe connector tend to prevent relatively close packing of one trough to its next adjacent trough in a bulk pack, leading to a considerable amount of wasted space in the bulk pack.

A need exists for a drinking trough which overcomes the problems of the prior art, and which lends itself to relatively easy packing in bulk with other similar troughs for ease of transportation.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a drinking trough.

According to the invention there is provided a drinking trough comprising a base, an upstanding side wall extending upwardly from the base, and defining with the base a hollow interior region for drinking water, the side wall also defining an upwardly facing open mouth to the hollow interior region for providing access to an animal to the drinking water, a top wall extending from the side wall and closing part of the open mouth, a valve for controlling flow of water to the hollow interior region being located beneath the top wall, a water inlet extending from the valve through the top wall and terminating in a connecting means for connecting to a water supply pipe, and a portion of the base being shaped for accommodating a corresponding connecting means of an inlet of another similar drinking trough for facilitating stacking of the drinking trough on top of another drinking trough.

In one embodiment of the invention the portion of the base which is shaped for accommodating the connecting means of another drinking trough lies beneath the top wall.

In another embodiment of the invention the base is shaped for accommodating the top wall.

Preferably, the base comprises female receiving means to receive the connecting means in a male-female fit.

More preferably, the connecting means comprises a pipe.

Suitably, the female receiving means comprises a sleeve.

Advantageously, the base comprises a lower step and upper step.

Preferably, a socket having a longitudinal axis is defined between the upper and lower step for accommodating a top wall of another similar drinking trough.

More preferably, a second supporting means is definable between a first and second stacked drinking trough.

Suitably, the second supporting means is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the socket.

Preferably, the second supporting means comprises a groove defined between the upper and lower steps engagable with the side wall of the upper step of a second trough.

Advantageously, a third supporting means is definable between a first and second stacked drinking trough.

Preferably, the third supporting means comprises a peripheral groove defined in the lower step adapted to receive the side wall of an upper step of a second drinking trough.

In a further embodiment of the invention a portion of the top wall projects upwardly for forming a housing for housing the valve.

In one embodiment of the invention the valve is a float controlled valve, and ideally, a valving spindle of the float controlled valve extends downwardly from the top wall, and a float carrying pivotal arm which is pivotally connected to the valve for operating the valving spindle is bent for facilitating operation of the spindle by a float carried on the end of the float carrying arm. Preferably, the float carrying arm is bent intermediate its ends to substantially form a right angle. Preferably, the top wall forms a housing for the valve and the float.

In a preferred embodiment the float valve is an equilibrium float valve.

In another embodiment of the invention a portion of the side wall adjacent the top thereof terminates in a rim for forming the open mouth, and preferably, the base is shaped for engaging the rim of another similar drinking trough for facilitating stacking of the drinking trough on another similar drinking trough.

Preferably, the rim adjacent the top of a portion of the side wall is formed by an inwardly extending return adjacent the top of the side wall, which terminates in a downwardly extending portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention the water trough is adapted for mounting in a corner, and preferably, for mounting in a corner defined by a pair of walls extending from each other at right angles. In one embodiment of the invention the trough comprises a pair of side walls extending from each other at an angle thereto, and terminating in a front wall.

Preferably, the front wall is of arcuate shape.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an animal drinking trough according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an underneath perspective view of the trough of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the trough of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the trough of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the trough of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the trough of Fig. 1, which is similar to the plan view of Fig. 3, but with the trough oriented through 450; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the trough of Fig. 1 on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7 showing a mounting hole for mounting the trough to a wall; Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a plurality of troughs of Fig. 1 illustrated stacked one on top of the other in a mating fashion, and Fig. 10 is a front elevation of an equilibrium float valve for use in the drinking trough according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a threesided animal drinking trough according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The drinking trough 1 is of plastics material formed by a rotational moulding process. It will be appreciated that the drinking trough 1 may be of any other suitable material, and may be formed by any other forming process.

The drinking trough 1 is particularly suitable for mounting in a right-angle shaped corner, and comprises a base 2, and a pair of side walls 3 extending upwardly from the base 2 and extending from an inner corner 4 from each other at right angles. The drinking trough 1 is substantially segment-like in shape when viewed in plan from above or below in that an outwardly curved or arcuate front wall 5 extends upwardly from the base 2 and between the side walls 3.

The base 2, the side walls 3 and the front wall 5 together define a hollow interior region or reservoir 7 for drinking water. The side walls 3 and outwardly curved front wall 5 define an upwardly facing open mouth 8 to facilitate access by a beast to the contents of the reservoir 7.

The side walls 3 of the drinking trough 1 together with the base 2 are stepped such that the trough 1 made up of a lower step 47 defining the reservoir proper 7 and an upper step 48 partially defining a valve housing 14.

More particular the base 2 is made up of a lower central portion 44 in the lower step 47, such that the lower central portion 44 and the side wall 3 of the lower step 47 in combination define the reservoir 7.

The base 2 is also formed from an upper step portion 37 corresponding with the upper step. The side walls of the upper step 48 are made up of upwardly extending extensions 12 which defines the side wall of the valve housing 14. A top wall 10 for the valve housing 14 extends between the side walls 3 adjacent the inner corner 4, and closes part of the open mouth 8 towards the upper step portion 37. The top wall 10 is curved or radiussed downwards at its outer periphery as indicated by the reference 11. The top wall 10 together with the extensions 12 of the side walls 3 form the housing 14 beneath and within which a float controlled valve 15 for controlling a supply of water to the reservoir 7 is located.

An inlet 17 to the valve 15 extends substantially vertically upwards through and from the top wall 10 and is threaded on its outer surface 18 to form a connecting means for connection to a water supply pipe (not shown) typically, from a mains water supply.

An upwardly extending sleeve 38 extends from the upper step portion 37 of the base 2 for accommodating the inlet 17 of a second trough 1 in a male-female fit manner there by providing positive inter-trough connecting means. The sleeve 38 is closed by a top cap 39.

The upper step portion 37 is inwardly curved or radiused adjacent the lower-step 47 to define an elongate socket-type channel 49 between the upper step portion 37 and the lower central portion 44. The socket-type channel 49 extends arcuately between the side-walls 3 substantially parallel to the arc defined by the front wall 5.

The float control valve 15 also extends downwardly from the top wall 10 and a valving spindle (not shown) which controls the flow of water through the valve 15 extends vertically within the valve 15. A float 20 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve 15 is carried on a carrier arm 21 which is in turn pivotally connected to the valve 15 by a pivot pin 22. The float 20 extends into the reservoir 7.

In order to facilitate the vertical orientation of the valve 15, the carrier arm 21 is bent at right angles at 23 such that the carrier arm 21 is made up of a horizontal portion 50 on which the float 20 is mounted and a vertical portion 51 connected to the valve 15.

Accordingly, the float 20 extends horizontally on the horizontal portion 50 within the reservoir 7 to rise and fall with the liquid level within the reservoir 7 while the vertical portion 51 of the arm 21 facilitates control of the vertical valve 15.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the normal orientation for a float valve 15 is for the body of the float valve to extend horizontally, as opposed to vertically as in the case of the present invention.

A rim 24 extends around the open mouth 8 of the reservoir and a portion of the rim 24 is formed by an inwardly extending return 25 which extends from the front wall 5 and a portion of the side walls 3, and which terminates in a downwardly extending portion 26.

The remainder of the rim 24 is formed by a portion 27 of the top wall which terminates in the downwardly extending portion 26.

A mounting means for mounting the trough 1 to adjacent walls forming the corner comprises a pair of mounting holes 28 which extend to the rim 24 at each side wall adjacent the front wall 5. The holes 28 are formed in the side walls 3 and in the downwardly extending portion 26 of the rim 24. A cylindrical sleeve 30 located between each side wall 3 and the corresponding downwardly extending portion 26 of the rim 24 is aligned with the holes 28 and forms a communicating bore 31 with the holes 28 for accommodating a mounting bolt or screw.

The mounting means also comprises a pair of mounting bracket portions 33 which are formed by double skinned extensions of the upper steps 48 of respective side walls 3. Holes 34 extending through the bracket portions 33 accommodate mounting bolts or screws for securing the trough 1 to the adjacent walls. A sleeve (not shown), which is similar to the sleeve 30 extends between the skins of the bracket 33.

A drain outlet 45 is defined in the central portion 44 of the base 2 and is closed by a cap 46. In this embodiment of the invention the outlet 45 is provided by a standard outlet from a sink, which is closed by the cap 46. During transportation, the outlet fitting 45 is mounted in the orientation illustrated in the drawings for facilitating packaging and handling of the trough 1, and is reversed into a normal position for use.

A trough 1 in accordance with the invention can be stacked for ease of transportation as follows: The male-female fit defined by the inlet 17 and sleeve 38 of stacked troughs 1 enhances the stability of stacked troughs 1 by providing as positive connection between stacked troughs 1.

The socket-type channel 49 of the portion 37 of the base 2 beneath the top wall 10 of the trough 1 is also shaped for engaging a top wall 10 of a similar trough 1 for facilitating stacking of the trough 1 on top of another similar trough. More particularly, the channel 49 is adapted to receive the radiused portion 11 of the top wall 10 of a second trough 1 to define a first supporting fit.

Inwardly extending recesses 40 are also formed in the upper step portion 37 either side of the channel 49 of the base 2 for accommodating the bracket portions 33 of another trough 1. The inwardly extending recesses 40 have longitudinal axes which extend substantially perpendicular to the arcuate longitudinal axis defined by the channel 49 such that a second supporting fit, transverse to the first supporting fit is formed between stacked troughs 1. The transverse second supporting fit ensures stability of stacked troughs 1.

Additionally, the central portion 44 of base 2 is also shaped to define a peripheral indent or groove 42 for receiving the rim 24 of another trough 1 to provide a third supporting fit between troughs. In this way, the central portion 44 of the base 2 which is surrounded by the recessed groove 42 extends into and is supported at the open mouth 8 of a second trough 1 stacked beneath the trough 1 to locate and centralise stacked troughs 1 with respect to each other.

Accordingly, at least four stabilising interlocking relationships are defined between stacked troughs 1 in accordance with the invention.

Three inter supporting or stacked troughs 1 are illustrated in Fig. 9. As shown in the drawing a plurality of troughs 1 according to the invention may be stacked one on top of the other for ease and convenience of bulk packing for transportation and delivery to, for example, a distributor.

Fig. 15 shows a preferred form of an equilibrium float valve 15 suitable for use in the trough 1 of Figs. 1 to 9. The valve 15 is similar to the valve previously described and accordingly like numerals indicate like parts. More particularly, the equilibrium float valve 15 is attached to the inlet 17 having threads on its outer surface 18 to form a connecting means for connection to a water supply pipe (not shown). A float 20 is carried on a carrier arm 21 which is in turn pivotally connected to the valve 15 by a pivot pin 22.

The carrier arm 21 is bent at right angles at 23 such that the carrier arm 21 is made up of a horizontal portion 50 on which the float 20 is mounted and a vertical portion 51 connected to the valve 15. The valve 15 operates substantially as previously described. The valve 15 is provided with a flow diverter 52 disposed between the valve 15 and the inlet pipe 17 and a body coupling nut 53 for attaching the flow valve 15 to the inlet 17. The float 20 can be moved horizontally along the carrier arm 21 to adjust the sensitivity of the flow valve 15 to water levels.

Internally, the flow valve 15 is provided with a filter for filtering the water passing through the flow valve 15.

Use of an equilibrium flow valve helps to minimise water pressure sensitivity of the drinking trough 1 in accordance with the invention thereby ensure efficient filling of the drinking trough whilst eliminating overflow of the drinking trough 1.

In use, each trough 1 is mounted in a corner defined by adjacent walls by securing the trough 1 to the walls by bolts or screws (not shown) through the holes 28 and 34. The water inlet 17 is connected to a water supply pipe, and the outlet 45 may be connected to a drain or left unconnected.

The invention enjoys a number of advantages. The trough of the invention exploits the inlet 17 of a trough 1 to provide a positive connecting means to facilitate space saving trough stacking. The connecting means, provided by the male-female fit defined by the inlet in a first trough and the receiving sleeve of a second trough therefore exploits the inlet value/connector to facilitate stacking and storage of troughs.

More particularly, as the base of the trough 1 is shaped to accommodate a connecting means extending from a top wall 10 of a similar trough, many troughs can be stacked one on top of the other. Accordingly the number of troughs which can be transported within a given volume is significantly increased. Moreover, by extending the inlet and connecting means to the valve through the top wall, a further significant reduction in the space required for each container during packaging is achieved. In more conventional troughs, where a valve inlet and connecting means to the valve inlet extend through a side wall of the trough, considerable space is wasted between adjacent troughs when bulk packed. Furthermore, by shaping the base so that a portion of the base extends into the open mouth of a similar trough on which it is stacked provides a relatively stable and secure stack.

Moreover, by providing the holes 29 and 34 through the rim of the trough, and the mounting brackets, and by locating the holes 29,34 in double skinned parts of the trough, and a sleeve communicating between the holes extends between the skins of the wall of the trough provides a relatively strong mounting. Accordingly, the troughs can be securely and rigidly mounted to a wall by passing suitable screws or bolts through the holes 28 and 34 without any need for separate mounting brackets.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein before described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A drinking trough comprising a base, an upstanding side wall extending upwardly from the base, and defining with the base a hollow interior region for drinking water, the side wall also defining an upwardly facing open mouth to the hollow interior region for providing access to an animal to the drinking water, a top wall extending from the side wall and closing part of the open mouth, a valve for controlling flow of water to the hollow interior region being located beneath the top wall, a water inlet extending from the valve through the top wall and terminating in a connecting means for connecting to a water supply pipe, and a portion of the base being shaped for accommodating a corresponding connecting means of an inlet of another similar drinking trough for facilitating stacking of the drinking trough on top of another drinking trough.

2. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the portion of the base which is shaped for accommodating the connecting means of another drinking trough lies beneath the top wall.

3. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the base is shaped for accommodating the top wall.

4. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the base comprises female receiving means to receive the connecting means in a male-female fit.

5. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that the connecting means comprises a pipe.

6. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 characterised in that the female receiving means comprises a sleeve.

7. A drinking trough as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the base comprises a lower step and upper step.

8. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 7 characterised in that a socket having a longitudinal axis is defined between the upper and lower step for accommodating a top wall of another similar drinking trough.

9. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 characterised at a second supporting means is definable between a first and second stacked drinking trough.

10. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 9 characterised in that the second supporting means is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the socket.

11. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 10 characterised in that the second supporting means comprises a groove defined between the upper and lower steps engagable with the side wall of the upper step of a second trough.

12. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that a third supporting means is definable between a first and second stacked drinking trough.

13. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 12 characterised in that the third supporting means comprises a peripheral groove defined in the lower step adapted to receive the side wall of an upper step of a second drinking trough.

14. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 characterised in that a portion of the top wall projects upwardly for forming a housing for housing the valve.

15. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14 characterised in that the valve is a float controlled valve.

16. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 15 characterised in that a valving spindle of the float controlled valve extends downwardly from the top wall, and a float carrying pivotal arm which is pivotally connected to the valve for operating the valving spindle is bent for facilitating operation of the spindle by a float carried on the end of the float carrying arm.

17. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16 characterised in that the float carrying arm is bent intermediate its ends to substantially form a right angle.

18. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 characterised in that the valve is an equilibrium float valve.

19. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18 characterised in that the top wall forms a housing for the valve and the float.

20. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19 characterised in that a portion of the side wall adjacent the top thereof terminates in a rim for forming the open mouth.

21. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 20 characterised in that the base is shaped for engaging the rim of another similar drinking trough for facilitating stacking of the drinking trough on another similar drinking trough.

22. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 characterised in that the rim adjacent the top of a portion of the side wall is formed by an inwardly extending return adjacent the top of the side wall, which terminates in a downwardly extending portion.

23. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 22 characterised in that the water trough is adapted for mounting in a corner.

24. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 23 characterised in that the trough is mountable in a corner defined by a pair of walls extending from each other at right angles.

25. A drinking trough as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 24 characterised in that the trough comprises a pair of side walls extending from each other at an angle thereto, and terminating in a front wall.

26. A drinking trough as claimed in Claim 25 characterised in that the front wall is of arcuate shape.

27. A drinking trough substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.