AUTOMATIC WATER DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an automatic water dispenser that supplies water and other liquids automatically to containers/receptacles (buckets, pails, etc) according to required needs and that the number of fillings (refills) are registered and that the container can be removed easily for cleaning.

Background

It is important for horses to maintain normal fluid levels in order for them to keep healthy and to perform at optimum levels. Water can be supplied via automatic water cups where refilling is accomplished by use of a floater or pressure (release) valve where the horse itself dispenses the amount desired via a small rubber clad lever. It has been shown that this does not provide the horse with a sufficient amount of water and it can not be determined just how much the horse drinks. Because of mis many have now reverted to giving horses water via a bucket that is manually filled when needed. A horse that is being trained can transpire considerable amounts of water especially during a hard workout. It is often difficult to get a horse to drink satisfactorily so that liquid levels are quickly returned to normal because horses do not have the same sensations of thirst as human beings. An efficient method of getting horses to drink satisfactorily is to manually give them a physiological sodium chloride solution in the amount needed according to exertion levels, hi this manner liquid levels are restored much faster and salt levels are also restored which can not be achieved only by a salt lick.

Description of the Invention

The present invention concerns an automatic water dispenser that supplies water and other liquids automatically to containers (buckets, pails, etc) where every refill is registered in a counter. The automatic water dispenser is comprised of know parts such as a container (bucket, pail, etc) valves, dosing feeder and counter as well as hardware for the cradle and stand.

In reference to the enclosed figures the automatic water dispenser and its functions will be described in more detail below.

Figure 1 shows the automatic water dispenser's comprising parts. Figure 2a shows the automatic water dispenser with a rilled container. Figure 2b shows the automatic water dispenser during its tilling.

Figure 3 shows the automatic water dispenser with the water distributor in its upright position which allows for the removal of the container.

The present invention is comprised of a container 1 for holding water and other liquids which is placed in a cradle 2 that is articulately suspended in a stand 3. A point of suspension is chosen that allows the material weight of the cradle and a low water level to shift the center of gravity allowing the cradle to tip outwards. At the full water level the center of gravity is shifted so that the cradle tips to an upright (inward) position. When the cradle 2 tips outward the valve 6 is triggered via an arm from the cradle 2 so that water is supplied to the container 1. When the cradle 2 tips back into its upright (inward) position the valve 6 is closed by the same arm. The dosing feeder 7 is triggered in the same manner by the arm whereby liquid is conveyed out into the water conduit and further on to the container 1. When the cradle tips back to its upright (inward) position, the dosing feeder 7 is filled with the chosen liquid from the receptacles 4, 5. The choice of receptacle is accomplished manually by way of the reverse valve 10. Each tip of the cradle triggers the counter 9 by the arm from the cradle so that each refill of water and liquid is registered and automatically provides for the measure of consumed water and liquid. Water is led into the container 1 via a water distributor 11 that in its downward position locks the container in the cradle. When the water distributor is tipped up with the cradle in its upright (inward) position, the cradle is locked in the stand 3 whereby the valve 6 is secured in its closed position. In this position the container can be safely lifted from its cradle for cleaning.

Advantageous of the Invention

Use of the present invention provides water and any other desired liquids automatically to horses in the best manner in a container that can be easily removed for cleaning. Another advantage of the present invention is that the amount of water and other liquids is registered automatically which provides the possibility of reviewing how much a horse consumes and if the pattern of consumption changes, which may be a sign that something is not right with the horse, which allows for appropriate measures to be taken.