Abstract: An animal watering valve that includes a housing having an internal bore having an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. The housing includes a downstream guard and an upstream cap. The valve is actuated by deflecting a valve stem, located in the bore and accessible by the animal, to open a valve within the housing. The valve may be located in a valve cartridge retainable in the housing in a snap-fit manner. A bite-resistant shield cooperates with the valve stem to act as a barrier that prevents an animal from forcing materials between the valve stem and the guard and lodging the valve stem in its deflected or actuated position.

Abstract: An automatic animal watering system has a manifold for transporting drinking water, a controlled volume dispenser in the manifold for receiving a volume of drinking water, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve. A plurality of drinking valve assemblies is provided in fluid communication with the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. A fluid sensor, capable of responding to changes in one or both of the water volume and pressure, is provided in the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. The volume of drinking water available to the drinking valve assemblies can be regulated as a function of time to limit maximum potential leakage. The system also includes a controller receiving signals from the fluid sensor and generating a response to changes in the monitored water volume or pressure, thereby limiting potential water leakage in the system.

Abstract: An animal watering valve that includes a housing having an internal bore having an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. The housing includes a downstream guard and an upstream cap. The valve is actuated by deflecting a valve stem, located in the bore and accessible by the animal, to open a valve within the housing. The valve may be located in a valve cartridge retainable in the housing in a snap-fit manner. A bite-resistant shield cooperates with the valve stem to act as a barrier that prevents an animal from forcing materials between the valve stem and the guard and lodging the valve stem in its deflected or actuated position.

Abstract: An automatic animal watering system has a manifold for transporting drinking water, a controlled volume dispenser in the manifold for receiving a volume of drinking water, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve. A plurality of drinking valve assemblies is provided in fluid communication with the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. A fluid sensor, capable of responding to changes in one or both of the water volume and pressure, is provided in the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. The volume of drinking water available to the drinking valve assemblies can be regulated as a function of time to limit maximum potential leakage. The system also includes a controller receiving signals from the fluid sensor and generating a response to changes in the monitored water volume or pressure, thereby limiting potential water leakage in the system.

Abstract: An animal water supply system includes disposable containers such as plastic bags that can be supplied in bulk in sterile form and filled under a change hood or other sanitary environment using a filling machine located in the sanitary environment. The containers preferably comprise plastic bags configured to be suspended from a hanger of a bag filling machine. The machine's hanger is preferably configured to support a plastic bag during both bag filling and the subsequent insertion of a watering valve into the bag. The bag is further configured to permit its placement in or on a conventional cage while protecting the tearable material of the bag from the animal. If desired, a liner can be provided to further protect and support the bag or other container on a wire bar lid.

Abstract: An animal water supply system includes disposable containers such as plastic bags that can be supplied in bulk in sterile form and filled under a change hood or other sanitary environment using a filling machine located in the sanitary environment. The containers preferably comprise plastic bags configured to be suspended from a hanger of a bag filling machine. The machine's hanger is preferably configured to support a plastic bag during both bag filling and the subsequent insertion of a watering valve into the bag. The bag is further configured to permit its placement in or on a conventional cage while protecting the tearable material of the bag from the animal. If desired, a liner can be provided to further protect and support the bag or other container on a wire bar lid.

Abstract: An animal water supply system includes disposable containers such as plastic bags that can be supplied in bulk in sterile form and filled under a change hood or other sanitary environment using a filling machine located in the sanitary environment. The containers preferably comprise plastic bags configured to be suspended from a hanger of a bag filling machine. The machine's hanger is preferably configured to support a plastic bag during both bag filling and the subsequent insertion of a watering valve into the bag. The bag is further configured to permit its placement in or on a conventional cage while protecting the tearable material of the bag from the animal. If desired, a liner can be provided to further protect and support the bag or other container on a wire bar lid.

Abstract: A gang-type rotary lawn mower including a frame supported by wheels for movement over the ground, a power source which is mounted on the frame and which drives at least two of the wheels, an operator's seat mounted on the frame, a steering system enabling the operator to steer the lawn mower, at least two side-by-side front rotary cutting deck assemblies mounted on the frame, the front deck assemblies defining a gap between adjacent front deck assemblies, and at least one rear rotary cutting deck assembly mounted on the frame behind the front deck assemblies, each rear deck assembly being aligned with a respective gap between adjacent front deck assemblies, each of the front and rear deck assemblies including a single-spindle mulching deck defining a downwardly opening space, a single spindle mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis within the space, and at least one cutting blade mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An oil cooler movably supported on a vehicle, and being in combination with a radiator supported preferably on a tractor. The two exchangers are in tandem position, relative to air flow, and each has it own vertically clear space, and the oil cooler can be moved in its space to an inoperative position and out of tandem so that both the cooler and radiator can be maintained, such as by cleaning. The support for the cooler is shown to be a pivotal support and the hoses remain connected while the cooler is moved, and there is an air filter screen which is also movably mounted in the assembly, and there is a stand for supporting the cooler in its inoperative position.

Abstract: A vehicle having ground wheels and an engine and a radiator and a steering column. Hood segments are disposed over the aforementioned elements, and the segments are movable from positions adjacent the elements to positions remote from the elements, in order to expose the elements for servicing or the like. The several hood segments are interengageable and thereby secured in projected positions over the aforementioned elements, and they are arranged to be moved for full exposure of the aforementioned elements.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly which includes a pedal extending in spaced position over a foot platform and with the pedal being movable up and down for respective control of the vehicle and/or of implements mounted on the vehicle. The operator can press down or lift up on the pedal, while resting his heel on the platform, and he can actuate the pedal in either the up or down direction for vehicle traction control, with one pedal, and for control of the implements mounted on the vehicle, with another pedal.