Abstract: A method of joining a first pipe of a plastic material to a second pipe of a material which does not bond well to the plastic material, utilizes an electrofusion sleeve of a plastic material which bonds well to the plastic material of the first pipe and having a first coil of electrical heater wire on the inner surface at one end of the sleeve to receive the first pipe and a second coil of electrical heater wire on the inner surface at the opposite end of the sleeve to receive the second pipe. The opposite end of the sleeve includes a bonding material capable of producing a good bond, when activated by heat, between the materials of the sleeve and of the second pipe. The two pipes are inserted into the two ends of the sleeve, and electrical current is applied to the two coils to cause the first end of the sleeve to bond by electrofusion to the first pipe, and the second end of the sleeve to bond by electrofusion and by the bonding material to the second pipe.

Abstract: A water supply system and method for supplying water to a plurality of water utilization devices, particularly poultry drinkers, supported over a floor extending at a predetermined slope, includes a water supply conduit extending over and substantially parallel to the floor, and a plurality of pressure reducers in the water supply conduit at spaced intervals along its length. Each pressure reducer reduces the water pressure a predetermined amount according to the slope of the span of the water supply conduit from the respective pressure reducer to the next adjacent one upstream of the water supply conduit.

Abstract: A tapping fitting for application to a pipe in order to tap a fluid conducted therethrough to an ancillary device includes a housing having a rotatable blade assembly threadedly received within the housing main section and including a cylindrical cutting blade at its inner end such that rotation of the blade assembly cuts a cylindrical slug from the pipe when attached thereto. The device further includes a hollow stem having an inner end secured to the rotatable blade assembly and an outer end for receiving a key to rotate the hollow stem and the blade assembly from an initial retracted position to a projected position and then to a final retracted position. A seal between the outer surface of the hollow stem and the housing main section seals the interior of the pipe from the external side of the housing both during and after the cutting of the cylindrical slug from the pipe.

Abstract: A drinking water dispenser for animals for use in suspension-type water supply systems includes a pin received within a vertical bore in a housing and having a lower portion projecting downwardly through the bore, and an upper portion formed with an enlarged head, and overlying weight engageable with an upper portion of the pin, the enlarged head of the pin having a surface engageable with a surface of the housing around the bore. One or both of the latter surfaces are rounded such that the two surfaces define between them a valve which may be opened either by raising the pin or by tilting the pin. In addition, the weight is spaced from the upper portion of the enlarged head of the pin so as to be separated therefrom by a gap when the pin is not tilted or raised.

Abstract: A tapping fitting for a pipe, preferably a plastic pipe, includes a rotatable blade assembly threaded within a sleeve non-rotatably received within a housing such that rotation of the blade assembly causes it to cut a cylindrical slug from the pipe to which the housing is attached. The opposite faces of the sleeve are exposed to the fluid pressure within the pipe thereby producing a balance of forces substantially eliminating transverse creep. In addition, the attaching section of the fitting is formed with a bore which is engageable by a sealing ring received around the rotatable blade assembly and which is of sufficient length to accommodate any axial creep, thereby enabling the blade assembly also to serve as a valve.

Abstract: A flush valve mechanism for controlling the flushing action of water through the water outlet of a flush cistern, comprising, in combination: (a) a water outlet valve to effect the flushing action; (b) a buoyant device, at least indirectly engaging the outlet valve, to exert a maintaining force thereon at the completion of the lifting thereof and to hold it open while the cistern is emptying and until the completion of a predetermined flushing action; and (c) a shock damping device attachable to the outlet valve and, comprising an inverted cup-shaped member and a body member, the body member being configured to freely move within the inner surface of the cup, the cup-shaped member and the body member defining therebetween a changeable volume of substantially surrounded space and having restricted openings for the passage of water into and out of the space, whereby upon attachment of the device to the valve, any vertical movement of the water outlet valve will also be affected by the device, whereby, upon the

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, comprises a displaceable valve member disposed within a chamber and including an inlet valve element on one side facing an inlet valve opening and movable to open and closed positions with respect thereto, an outlet valve element on the opposite side facing an outlet valve opening and movable to open and closed positions with respect thereto, a substantially rigid connection between the two valve elements, and a passageway extending through the rigid connection and the two valve elements. The outlet valve opening and the outlet valve element are larger than the inlet valve opening and inlet valve element, respectively, such that the fluid flow control device permits fluid flow only in the direction of the inlet to the outlet, and produces a reduction in pressure between the inlet and outlet having a constant ratio depending on the ratio of the areas of the inlet and outlet diaphragms.

Abstract: A quarter-turn valve comprises a housing formed with a cylindrical socket, and a cylindrical plug receivable within the socket and having a bore extending diametrically through the plug for establishing communication between the inlet and outlet nipples in the open position of the plug, but terminating the communication when the plug is turned to its closed position one-quarter turn from the open position. The plug is formed with a finger-piece projecting from the housing for manually rotating the plug to its open, closed or an intermediate position. The plug is closed at its bottom, such that the fluid flowing through the bore subjects the plug to a fluid pressure which is balanced on all sides of the plug, thereby facilitating turning of the plug and preventing its accidental ejection when subjected to a high pressure.

Abstract: A suspension-type water supply system for poultry includes a plurality of rigid, elongated suspension members each formed at one side with a longitudinally-extending socket section receiving a water supply pipe for supplying water to poultry drinking devices suspended therefrom, and formed at its opposite side with a continuous, longitudinally-extending flange section for increasing the resistance of the water supply system to sagging; and a plurality of bridging members each bridging the ends of two adjacent suspension members and securing them together by fasteners passing through the bridging members and the ends of the suspension members. The flange section flange section of each of the suspension members is formed with a pair of longitudinally-extending ribs on its opposite faces. The system further includes a plurality of hangers slidably receiving the ribs for supporting the water supply system in suspension at any desired points thereof.

Abstract: A suspension-type poultry drinking fountain comprises a bowl supported in suspension and containing a water trough for receiving water to be made available for drinking by the poultry, and a valve assembly controlled by the weight of the bowl to maintain a predetermined level of water in the trough. For prefixing the level of the water to be maintained in the trough, the valve assembly includes a rotatable member having a plurality of projections circumferentially spaced around its outer periphery and releasably engageable with a retainer member fixedly carried by the drinking fountain to releasably retain the rotatable member in a preselected rotary position against unintentional rotation, but permitting forceful intentional rotation in order to change the water level in a convenient manner without disassembling the drinking fountain or its valve assembly.

Abstract: A poultry watering device, connectable to a water supply line for supplying water to the poultry, comprises a cup integrally formed with a sleeve, a valve including a valve body receivable within the sleeve, and a valve operator disposable within the cup and engageable by the poultry to replenish the water supply to the cup. Bayonet-pin and socket connecting elements join the sleeve and valve body facilitate quick attachment of the cup to the valve by rotating the sleeve with respect to the valve body. Either the cup or the valve includes a projection engageable with a part of the other to restrain the rotation of the sleeve with respect to the valve body, and thereby to prevent detachment of the cup with respect to the valve by the poultry.

Abstract: A tube connection fitting comprises a body member formed with an annular recess for receiving the end of a tube to be connected, and a cap threaded onto the body member and including a plurality of fingers engaging the end of the tube received within the annular recess. The outer end of the annular recess is shaped in such a manner that it accomodates different sizes of tubes, and securely locks and seals the tube within the recess.

Abstract: A manual slide valve comprises a housing having a valve slide slidable within the housing. The housing is constituted of two sections each including projections and recesses cooperable with each other and with the slide valve such that when the slide valve is disposed within the housing, the housing sections are interlocked with it and with each other against separation, and when the slide valve is removed from the housing, the housing sections are free and may be separated from each other. The control device may also be embodied in an electrical switch wherein the slide member is the movable electrical contact.

Abstract: A poultry watering device is described connectable to a water supply line and including an open-top cup receiving water from the supply line, a valve assembly having a valve operator disposed within the cup and controlling a valve member for periodically admitting water into the cup from the water supply line, and mounting means for mounting the device to a support with the cup positioned to permit the poultry to drink water from the cup through the open top thereof. A wall of the cup is extended outwardly to form a sleeve whose interior communicates with the interior of the cup. The valve assembly includes an outer valve body received within the sleeve with the valve operator disposed within the cup, such that the cup may be removed from the outer valve body without shutting-off the water supply or disconnecting the valve assembly from the water supply line.

Abstract: In a pipe coupling including a housing having a bore for receiving the end of a pipe, and clamping means for clamping the pipe to the housing, the clamping means is formed on its inner face with a first circumferentially-extending recess for receiving a first clamping ring, and with a second circumferentially-extending recess axially spaced from said first recess for receiving a second clamping ring of a different hardness than the first clamping ring, to thereby enable the coupling to be used for coupling pipes of different hardnesses by selecting the appropriate clamping ring and inserting it into its respective recess.

Abstract: A suspension-type poultry drinking fountain comprises a hanger assembly adapted to be supported in suspension, and a bowl supported by the hanger assembly and containing a water trough for receiving water to be made available for drinking by the poultry. The hanger assembly and bowl include a bayonet-pin-and-socket connection permitting quick attachment and detachment of the bowl with respect to the hanger assembly.

Abstract: A pipe coupling is described comprising a split-ring having an outer conical surface defined by the top lands of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axially-extending ribs, the higher end of each rib being formed with an outwardly-projecting step. The coupling further includes a sleeve formed with an internal conical surface engageable with the outer conical ribs of the split-ring to cause the ring to tightly clamp the pipe within the housing, the sleeve further including an internal annular shoulder engageable with the outwardly-projecting steps of the split-ring converting tensile stresses in the split-ring to shear stresses.