Abstract: This invention comprises a valve filter unit (23, 53) comprising a filter (24, 54) the face (25, 55) of which extends angularly to the flow of a fluid medium toward same, and having perforations (26) formed therein; the filter (24, 54) biased by a spring (33, 63) toward a first position wherein the fluid is forced to flow through the filter (24, 54) to remove foreign particles therefrom; said filter (24, 54) movable against the spring (33, 63) in response to additional pressure of the fluid to unseat the filter (24, 54) from its first position engagement with a surface (40, 66) of the conduit (12, 51) within which the filter (24, 54) is mounted, the additional pressure occurring due to a valve (21) downstream from the filter (24, 54) moving away from a closed position with its seat (22) such that the fluid moves quickly past the filter (24, 54) and through the space formed between the filter (24, 54) and the surface (40, 66), thereby cleansing both the filter surface (25, 55) and the mating surfaces of the va

Abstract: This invention comprises an assembly (10) for controlling the level (64) of fluid, such as water (14), in a container (11), which invention includes a source of supply (29) for discharging the water (14) into the container (11), a valve (21) connected to the water source (29), a float (23) pivotally connected to the valve (21) for holding said valve (23) open or closed, depending upon the level of fluid in the container (11); the assembly (10) comprising a bracket (31) pivotally mounted within the container (11) and fastened to the valve (21) and float (23) as a unit, and a shaft (57) and screw (49) combination seated in a wall (33) of the container (11), with one end of the screw (49) non-rotatably mounted in the bracket (31), the shaft (57) manually rotatable from external the container (11) which rotation results in longitudinal movement of the screw (49) relative to the shaft (57), thereby pivoting the bracket (31) upwardly or downwardly in the container (11), resulting in varying very slightly--or more a

Abstract: An apparatus for watering animals having an enclosed housing with a reservoir of water disposed therein. A cup-shaped member is disposed on an upward part of such housing for receiving the mouth of an animal to be watered, and an opening is disposed in the cup-shaped member which has a draw tube attached thereto. The draw tube extends from such opening down into the water in the reservoir for permitting an animal having its mouth in such cup-shaped member to suck water from the reservoir, through the draw tube and through the opening and into its mouth, whereby the water in the reservoir will constantly be made available for drinking, but will be isolated from outside ambient temperatures and dirt.

Abstract: This invention relates to freeze protected livestock watering assemblies in general, and more specifically to a watering device, which incorporates a dual activated variable flow water supply valve structure, which is operatively connected to an apertured float arm to progressively increase the volume of water supplied to a drinking receptacle in proportion to the degree of depression of the float arm actuator.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus has an exterior housing with a water pipe disposed therein leading from a below ground source of water under pressure to an above ground outlet valve mechanism which can be actuated by an animal to release water directly into the animal's mouth. A longitudinally extending electric heating element disposed within the housing in immediate heat exchange relationship with one side of the water pipe continually supplies heat to the pipe to prevent freezing of the water therein. Thermal insulation surrounds the heating element and pipe. A circuitous passageway, provided within the heated portion of the pipe by means of an open-ended tubular member disposed therein, causes continuous water circulation in the pipe for preventing build-up of heat at the water outlet valve of the watering device.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus of a type having an inlet pipe connected to a source of water under pressure and an outlet valve which can be actuated by an animal to release water directly into the animal's mouth. A tubular casing is disposed around the water supply pipe. A conduit is disposed along side the water supply pipe within the casing and has a heating element therein for preventing the freezing of the watering apparatus. Still another conduit is disposed within the casing for allowing a power supply cord to be connected to the heating element. The casing being filled with an insulation material such a urethane foam. A baffle structure is provided in the water supply line for causing the water within the water supply line to continually circulate and thereby prevent a buildup of heat in the water which the animals are drinking and furthermore distributing the heat from the heating element along the entire water supply pipe so as to insure that it does not freeze.

Abstract: An electrically heated fluid coupling apparatus having an electrical resistance heating element positioned inside a hollow heating conduit which runs along the side of the fluid conduit, which conduit is connected at its lower end to the fluid source. Positioned opposite the hollow heating conduit along the fluid conduit is a power cable conduit carrying the power cable which connects to the heating element at the top of the apparatus and near the bottom of the apparatus travels away therefrom to be connected to a source of electrical energy. A casing is positioned about the apparatus and thermal insulation fills the area between the casing and the internal components.