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 agitation system for use with a water retention structure, such as a bird bath or livestock water trough, includes a motor operatively connected to a drive shaft, and a blade assembly extending outwardly from the drive shaft. The motor is operable to rotate the blade assembly in order to impart motion to water retained within the water retention structure.

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: 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: 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 said 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: 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 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: 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: According to certain aspects of an embodiment of the present invention, a male electrical plug has housing supporting a line blade and neutral blade and a grounding pin which are oriented for insertion into a conventional electrical outlet. The housing is sized to permit it to be inserted through drain plug openings that are less than 1 inch in diameter. In one embodiment, the housing of the plug is formed such that the wall thickness around the line and neutral blades is as thin as {fraction (3/32)} of an inch and the wall thickness around the ground pin is less than {fraction (3/32)} of an inch. In one embodiment the wall thickness around the ground pin on the order of {fraction (1/16)} of an inch. The ground pin may be offset inwardly within the housing to provide additional wall thickness around the ground pin, thereby increasing the structural rigidity of the plug.

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: 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.