Waterer for livestock

{
  "publication_number": "US6189488B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Waterer for livestock",
  "abstract": "An assembly for adjusting the vertical height of a pipe in an animal waterer includes a bracket for securing the assembly to pen gating and a locking portion for locking the pipe at a particular height. The bracket includes a plurality of retaining loops having an arch portion with a pin protruding inwardly therefrom. The locking portion, having a locked position and an unlocked position, urges the pipe to engage the pins of the retaining loops in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the locking portion allows the pipe to move away from the pins so that the pipe may slide for height adjustment.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An animal waterer assembly having a pipe secured in a vertical position, said animal waterer assembly comprising: a bracket for attaching said assembly to a structure; a plurality of retaining loops extending from said bracket, each of said plurality of retaining loops being aligned and spaced apart with respect to each other, each of said plurality of retaining loops having an arch portion; and a locking portion disposed between said bracket and said pipe, said locking portion having a locked position and an unlocked position, in said locked position said locking portion urging said pipe toward said arch portions of said retaining loops of said bracket to secure said pipe in a set position against said arch portions, in said unlocked position said locking portion releasing said pipe from said set position for adjustment of said pipe, each of said arch portions of said retaining loops further including an inward protrusion to engage said pipe in said locked position, said inward protrusion being a pin.",
    "2. An animal waterer assembly having a pipe secured in a vertical position, said animal waterer assembly comprising: a bracket for attaching said assembly to a structure; a plurality of retaining loops extending from said bracket, each of said plurality of retaining loops being aligned and spaced apart with respect to each other, each of said plurality of retaining loops having an arch portion; and a locking portion disposed between said bracket and said pipe, said locking portion having a locked position and an unlocked position, in said locked position said locking portion urging said pipe toward said arch portions of said retaining loops of said bracket to secure said pipe in a set position against said arch portions, in said unlocked position said locking portion releasing said pipe from said set position for adjustment of said pipe, said assembly being fabricated from plastic.",
    "3. The animal waterer assembly according to claim 2 wherein each of said arch portions of said retaining loops further includes an inward protrusion to engage said pipe in said locked position.",
    "4. The animal waterer assembly according to claim 2 wherein said bracket has a central aperture for rotatably engaging said locking portion.",
    "5. The animal waterer assembly according to claim 2 wherein said locking portion has a plurality of tabs protruding outwardly therefrom for rotating said locking portion between said locked position and said unlocked position.",
    "6. The animal waterer assembly according to claim 2 wherein said locking portion is rotatable on said bracket between said locked position and said unlocked position.",
    "7. An animal waterer assembly having a pipe secured in a vertical position, said animal waterer assembly comprising: a bracket for attaching said assembly to a structure; a plurality of retaining loops extending from said bracket, each of said plurality of retaining loops being aligned and spaced apart with respect to each other, each of said plurality of retaining loops having an arch portion; and a locking portion disposed between said bracket and said pipe, said locking portion having a locked position and an unlocked position, in said locked position said locking portion urging said pipe toward said arch portions of said retaining loops of said bracket to secure said pipe in a set position against said arch portions, in said unlocked position said locking portion releasing said pipe from said set position for adjustment of said pipe, said locking portion having a locking thickness and an unlocking thickness with said locking thickness being greater than said unlocking thickness, in said locked position of said locking portion said locking thickness urging said pipe toward said arch portions of said retaining loops to engage said pipe with inward protrusions extending inward from said arch portions, in said unlocked position said unlocking thickness allowing said pipe to disengage from said inward protrusions and to be moved vertically.",
    "8. An animal waterer assembly having a pipe secured in a vertical position, said animal waterer assembly comprising: a bracket for attaching said assembly to a structure; a plurality of retaining loops extending from said bracket, each of said plurality of retaining loops being aligned and spaced apart with respect to each other, each of said plurality of retaining loops having an arch portion; and a locking portion disposed between said bracket and said pipe, said locking portion having a locked position and an unlocked position, in said locked position said locking portion urging said pipe toward said arch portions of said retaining loops of said bracket to secure said pipe in a set position against said arch portions, in said unlocked position said locking portion releasing said pipe from said set position for adjustment of said pipe, said locking portion having a first cam surface and a second cam surface for urging said pipe toward and releasing said pipe from said arch portions."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to waterers for livestock and, more particularly, to assemblies for adjusting the vertical height of a pipe therefor.\n\nYoung livestock confined to gated pens typically obtain drinking water from animal waterers. The height of the animal waterer must be periodically adjusted to accommodate for the growing size of the animals. Conventional animal waterers include a metal pipe, with the top end of the pipe being attached to a water supply and the bottom end of the pipe terminating in a nipple. The nippled end is shaped to fit into the animals' mouths. The pipe is usually attached to the gate by a metal bracket. The metal bracket includes a spring located between two tabs, with each tab having an oval shaped opening for the pipe to pass through. The spring forces the tabs apart and into a position angled with respect to the pipe, resulting in a frictional engagement of the pipe and the tabs. As the tabs are squeezed together, the spring compresses and the tabs become substantially perpendicular to the pipe, allowing the pipe to move vertically through the oval shaped openings and to adjust for the appropriate height of animals. Releasing the tabs results again in frictional engagement of the pipe at the newly adjusted height.\n\nOne problem that arises with existing animal waterers is that metal corrodes. Corrosion necessitates frequent replacement of parts and of the entire assembly. Also, corrosion of both the pipe and the bracket makes moving the pipe vertically within the tabs difficult.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01K 7/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01K 7/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Engineering Services and Products Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Barry Goldsher",
    "Tom Francis Soboleski"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-03-24",
  "publication_date": "2001-02-20",
  "grant_date": "2001-02-20",
  "priority_date": "1998-03-24",
  "application_number": "US-4704898-A",
  "family_id": "21946792",
  "cited_by_count": 30,
  "citations": [
    "US1043260A",
    "US1152089A",
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    "US2679933A",
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    "US4173948A",
    "US4348989A",
    "US4546949A",
    "US5603286A"
  ]
}