Abstract: A drinker system having a pressure regulator that receives water at its inlet and provides water at a predetermined pressure at its outlet. At least one drinker is connected to the outlet of the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is moveable between a lower position and an upper position relative to the drinker. When the pressure regulator is moved to its upper position relative to the drinker, the drinker receives a higher pressure than the predetermined pressure at the outlet of the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is connected to the drinker with a four bar linkage having a pair of bars that are substantially parallel to each other. Each of the bars is pivotally connected to the drinker at one end and the opposite ends of the bars are pivotally connected to the pressure regulator.

Abstract: The present invention is a bracket connector for a water supply system having a ballast pipe supporting a conduit with a plurality of dispenser valves. The three piece bracket connector includes a bottom or saddle receiving portion attached on the conduit and keyed to a vertical wall of the conduit saddle, a middle or ballast receiving portion having arms for receiving and holding the ballast pipe, and a top portion for fitting between the arms whereby the three portions form a bracket connector body having a substantially continuous external surface for minimizing the accumulation of particulate. By keying the saddle receiving portion on the wall of the conduit saddle, the dispenser valves are maintained in a perpendicular alignment with the ground. The bottom and middle portions are interconnected by a tongue and slot arrangement which extends across substantially all of the width of the bracket connector, thus distributing the weight of the conduit across the tongue and slot interconnection.

Abstract: The present invention is a water conduit connector for an animal water supply system. The connector has a body which receives adjacent ends of water conduit sections. Inserts are positioned into the connector body and define pockets for positioning sealing o-rings. The inserts, o-rings, and connector body receive the conduit section ends, with the o-ring being compressed to form a sealing contact with the outer surface of the water conduit. The insert includes a ridge which engages an internal groove of the connector body to securely fasten the insert within the connector body. Tapered portions of the insert and connector body facilitate the entry of the insert into the connector body. The connector facilitates manufacture because no sonic welding is needed to complete the connector body and form the pockets in the connector body which house the o-rings.

Abstract: The present invention is a watering system for small animals and fowl which provides for automatic cleaning of the internal surfaces of the conduits of the system. In such a watering system, residue from the water supply or nutrients in the form of vitamins, medicines, or other water additives may accumulate on the inner surfaces of the watering system conduits. This accumulation of sediment and nitrients provides a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria and other biological contaminants which may infect livestock. The invention involves connecting the conduits of a poultry house in an arrangement so that upon activation of a high pressure water supply, a high pressure fluid circuit is formed within the conduits to flush the inner surfaces of the conduits. The system may be operated automatically because mechanical switching of valves on the conduits is not required to provide the high pressure fluid flow which scrapes away the biofilm on the inner surfaces of the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is a bracket insert for water supply system for fowl and small animals. The system includes hangers which engage a ballast pipe connected to a conduit having a plurality of dispensing valves. The ballast pipe and conduit are connected by a bracket assembly which includes holes in a peripheral wall. To avoid undesirable accumulation of particles within the bracket, a bracket insert is provided which fits within the interior of the bracket assembly and physically blocks passage of any particles through the holes.

Abstract: A watering device for fowl and small animals having a two-part telescopically interfitting housing and interlocking hooks on the housing parts which are provided with elements to accommodate interlock and release thereof by relative rotation of the housing parts when telescoped. The interlock hooks releasably resisting relative rotation of housing parts when the interlock hooks are operatively engaged. One housing part has a projecting externally screw threaded inlet tube for sealing threaded fit and anchorage in an aperture of a water supply conduit.