The present invention relates to a device for providing water to a dog and more particularly to a device which is capable of being actuated by a dog to provide water. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of providing water to a dog. Background Art

Water is typically provided to dogs by their owners filling a bowl or other receptacle with water and providing it to the dog. This obviously involves the owner in filling the dog's bowl with water. While this is typically perfectly adequate, when the owner is absent it requires the intervention of some other third party to fill the dog's bowl. The present invention seeks to provide an alternative system in which the water is supplied on the demand of the dog, and the apparatus is readily actuatable by the dog. Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a dog watering apparatus comprising a base, an inlet adapted for connection to a pressurized fluid supply, an outlet adapted to direct a fluid stream in an upward direction from the base and which is fluidly connected to the inlet via a valve means, the valve means being adapted to selectively open and close the supply of fluid to the outlet, and actuating means including a platform mounted on the base which is adapted to actuate the vaix?e means when pressure is directed against a portion of the platform and wherein the valve means stops the supply of fluid to the outlet except when pressure is directed against the platform, the valve means comprising a frusto-conical cylinder and a piston within the cylinder, the piston being urged into a first position by a spring means and moving to a second position when pressure is

directed against the platform.

The present invention also provides a method of providing water to a dog whereby the dog applies pressure to a portion of a platform thereby actuating a valve by causing movement of a piston within a frusto-conical cylinder to open the valve and allow flow of water from a. pressurised source through an outlet, thereafter releasing pressure on the platform allowing return movement of the piston within the frusto-conical cylinder to close the valve and stop flow of water through the outlet.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the fluid from the outlet is directed into a reservoir adjacent the platform. In a further preferred embodiment the floor of the reservoir is contiguous with the platform. In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the reservoir includes a weir means for allowing overflow from the reservoir.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the nature of the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred forms thereof will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention _? Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first preferred form taken along line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second preferred form taken along line II-II of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the second preferred form taken along line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

As shown in Figure 1 the dog watering apparatus 10 comprises a platform 12, a reservoir 14, an outlet means 16 and fluid inlet means 18.

The view shown in Figure 2 is of a first preferred* form of the apparatus when no pressure is applied to platform 12. As can be seen in this figure water enters the apparatus through inlet means 18 and passes via tube 20 to valve means 22. The valve means 22 consists of a cylinder 24 and piston 26. The piston 26 is urged into the position shown in Figure 2 (closed position) by spring means 28. Due to the frusto-conical shape of cylinder 24 when pressure is applied to platform 12 piston 26 moves down cylinder 24 thereby creating a space through which water may pass from tube 20 through to outlet 16.

The second preferred form of the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4 is similar to that shown in Figure 2 but has a stabilizing rod 30 in the platform 12 and spring means 28 spaced from the valve means 22 on either side thereof. The stabilizing rod and the arrangement of the spring means distribute pressure on the platform thereby causing more even pressure to be applied to the piston and giving smoother movement of the piston within the cylinder. This enhances proper actuation of the valve means when pressure is applied to an edge or one side of the platform. Industrial Applicability

A dog will actuate the valve means by stepping on the platform when it comes to drink and will thereby be provided with fresh water. The watering apparatus could be used for other pets such as cats or for livestock.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.