Abstract: A bucket including a bottom section and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom to define an interior region. The bottom section has a compartment located therein. The bottom section further includes a door that may be moved between a first position that allows access to the compartment and a second position that closes the compartment.

Abstract: A pet platform assembly configured to securely mount to a window sill may include a base configured to support the weight of a pet, at least one clamp secured to the base, and a support bracket secured to an underside of the base. The clamp is configured to securely mount the base to an edge of the window sill. The support bracket is configured to brace the base with respect to a wall that supports the window sill. The support bracket may include a cord passage that routes the electrical cord therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid heating system configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid within a fluid receptacle having a fluid reservoir includes a processing unit, at least one fluid temperature sensor in electrical communication with the processing unit, and a heating element in electrical communication with the processing unit. The at least one fluid temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of one or both of the fluid receptacle and/or fluid retained within the fluid receptacle. The processing unit selectively activates and deactivates the heating element to regulate the temperature of the fluid within the fluid receptacle.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a fluid receptacle having a fluid reservoir, and a heating control system configured to heat fluid retained within the fluid reservoir. The heating control system includes a processing unit, at least one fluid temperature sensor positioned on or within the fluid receptacle, a heating element configured to heat fluid within the fluid reservoir, and a power switch disposed within an electrical path between the heating element and the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the heating element through the power switch based on the fluid temperature detected by the fluid temperature sensor.

Abstract: A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming includes a sensing unit and a heating element. The sensing unit is configured to detect a change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity. The heating element is configured to heat the fluid. The sensing unit operates to deactivate the heating element when the sensing unit detects the change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity.

Abstract: A water agitation system configured to be positioned within a water retention structure configured to receive and retain water, includes a housing having a drive shaft extending downwardly therefrom; at least one upright member connected to a cross beam that is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; and at least one buoyant stirrer that slidably engages an upright member. The buoyant stirrers are configured to move relative to the upright members in response to a level of water within the water retention structure.

Abstract: An automatic liquid filling system including a liquid supply, a liquid-retaining structure, and a filling apparatus in fluid communication with the liquid supply and the liquid-retaining structure. The filling apparatus is configured to automatically supply liquid to the liquid-retaining structure when the liquid recedes below a low level that is based on a position of the filling apparatus in relation to the liquid-retaining structure.

Abstract: An automatic liquid filling system including a liquid supply, a liquid-retaining structure, and a filling apparatus in fluid communication with the liquid supply and the liquid-retaining structure. The filling apparatus is configured to automatically supply liquid to the liquid-retaining structure when the liquid recedes below a low level that is based on a position of the filling apparatus in relation to the liquid-retaining structure.

Abstract: A bird bath including a basin configured to receive and retain water, and a mounting a mounting assembly configured to securably mount the bird bath to a structure. The mounting assembly supports the basin and includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to the structure and a pivoting bracket pivotally secured to the mounting bracket. The basin is secured to the pivoting bracket, which is configured to pivot with respect to the mounting bracket so that the basin may move between a secured retracted position for receiving and retaining water within the basin and a fully extended position for emptying contents of the basin.

Abstract: A water deicer for maintaining an opening in a body of water that would otherwise freeze over with ice, includes a water pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a heater. The heater is constructed and positioned to deliver heat to the body of water at or near the water surface. The combination of the heater and the pumped water functions to maintain an opening in the water's surface that would otherwise freeze over with ice.

Abstract: An electric water heater for use with a livestock water tank includes a heating element, a housing including a drain plug fitting, and a power cord. The power cord is interconnected with the heating element through a temperature control device, e.g. a thermostat, for delivering electrical power to the heating element in a controlled fashion so as to regulate the temperature of the contents of the tank. The heating element and housing are sized and configured for insertion through the drain plug opening from the outside of the tank. The housing includes a drain plug fitting for affixing the heater to the tank through the drain plug opening in a sealed manner, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the heater and also preventing the contents of the tank from leaking out of the drain plug opening. The fitting includes a threaded portion or boss sized for insertion through the drain plug opening and a back wall which is larger than that of the drain plug opening.

Abstract: A bird bath includes a bird bath basin adapted to hold water, a water reservoir adapted to hold water, and an electrically operated pump adapted to pump water from the reservoir to the basin. The pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a flow opening positioned in the lowest part of the base. When the pump is operating it pumps water from the reservoir, through the flow opening, and into the basin. When the pump is not operating, water in the basin drains under gravity flow through the flow opening, through the pump and into the reservoir. As a result, the basin may be automatically filled and drained at selected times during the day. A mechanism, such as a timer or photocell, may be provided for controlling operation of the pump. The bird bath may include a heater for heating the water in the reservoir. The basin can be mounted on a base, or alternatively it can be mounted on a structure such as a deck, fence, post or building.

Abstract: A bird bath includes a bird bath basin adapted to hold water, a base adapted to support the basin, a water reservoir contained within the base, an electrically operated pump contained with the base, and a mechanism, such as a timer or photocell, for controlling operation of the pump. The pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a flow opening positioned in the lowest part of the base. When the pump is operating it pumps water from the reservoir, through the flow opening, and into the basin. When the pump is not operating water in the basin drains under gravity flow through the flow opening, through the pump and into the reservoir. As a result, the basin may be automatically filled and drained at selected times during the day. The bird bath may include a heater mounted in the base for heating the water reservoir.

Abstract: A heated water bucket includes a main bucket having a bottom wall and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The side wall has an upper portion, a lower portion and a downwardly extending lip formed at the junction of the inner and outer buckets. The outer bucket has a reduced height relative to the height of the main bucket and its side wall seats within a radial groove defined by the downwardly extending lip. A heating element in the form of a foil heater is disposed between the inner and outer buckets outer shell and the main bucket. The heating element is wrapped around the side wall of the inner bucket and may be secured thereto by an adhesive backing. A power cord extends from the watering tank and is interconnected with the heating element for delivering electrical power thereto.

Abstract: An electric water tank heater is installable through the drain plug opening of a water tank. The heater includes a power cord interconnected with a heating element through a temperature control device for delivering electrical power to the heating element in a controlled fashion. A housing hermetically seals the interconnection between the heating element, the power cord and the temperature control device. The power cord extends through the drain plug opening of the tank and terminates in a conventional male plug that is configured for insertion into a reciprocal power outlet. A drain plug adapter is secured about the power cord and is mountable through the drain plug opening in a water-tight fashion. The drain plug adapter may be permanently mounted about the power cord or may be removably mountable about the power cord. The power cord may include a detachable connector interposed between the heating element and the male plug.

Abstract: A heated bed for dogs, cats or other animals which can provide a selected amount of heat to the animal depending upon environmental temperatures. The bed includes a hollow blanket casing within which is disposed at least three layers of foam insulation material placed one on top of another. A removable heating element is interposed between two adjacent layers of the foam material and supplies heat to the animal resting on the bed. The amount of heat delivered to the animal is regulated by selectively positioning the heating element between different adjacent layers of the foam material. The heating element is connected to a power source via a step down transformer which converts high voltage energy into lower voltage energy to minimize the danger of serious shock to the animal.

Abstract: An electric water tank heater is installable through the drain plug opening of a water tank. The heater includes a power cord interconnected with a heating element through a temperature control device for delivering electrical power to the heating element in a controlled fashion. A housing hermetically seals the interconnection between the heating element, the power cord and the temperature control device The power cord extends through the drain plug opening of the tank and terminates in a conventional male plug that is configured for insertion into a reciprocal power outlet. The power cord includes detachable connector interposed between the heating element and the male plug. The connector is smaller than the electrical plug, and, as a result, the heater may be installed through drain plug openings that are too small to permit the passage of the electrical plug. The connector can be positioned anywhere along the length of the power cord, and integrally formed with the male plug or the heater housing.

Abstract: A heating pad for animals consisting of a plastic housing and an electric heating element. The base of the housing contains conical supports upon which the heating element rests. The heating element is supported in the housing to provide air gaps above and below the heating element, allowing an even temperature throughout the housing. This prevents regions of localized heat on the top of the bed, and also prevent unnecessary heating of the base. This temperature is regulated by a thermostat that shuts down the heating element if the temperature of the air within the chamber exceeds the preset limit. The conical supports also provide structural support, preventing the top of the bed from collapsing on top of the heating element when subject to the weight of an animal.

Abstract: An electrically heated molded plastic pet feeding bowl capable of being interengagedly stacked in nested relationship with similar bowls for shipment or storage has a removable electric heating unit insertable through an open bottom of the bowl into heat exchange relationship with the bottom wall of an open-top bowl cavity holding food or water to be heated. The removable heating unit includes a bottom base having an electric heating element disposed on its upper side electctrically connected to and surrounding a centrally located thermostatic control on the upper side of the bottom base. The bottom base has an upwardly convex shape for ensuring that the heating element and thermostatic control are in proper heat transfer relationship with the bottom wall of the bowl when the heating unit is installed on bowl. The under side of the bottom base has a plurality of posts about which a flexible electrical cord for supplying power to the heating element can be wound for storage within the open bottom of the bowl.