Inventors:
Frank Lack - Springfield MO
Francis R. Rustin - Springfield MO
Assignee:
Agri Manufacturing Corporation - Springfield MO
International Classification:
A01K 706
Abstract:
A nipple waterer consists of a valve body including a base with exterior and interior bosses projecting in opposite directions from that base. A pair of spring fingers project from that base generally parallel to each other and to the interior boss. These fingers are provided with interior cylindrical recesses for engaging the cylindrical exterior of a water pipe; and the pipe is provided with a radial hole to receive the interior boss which communicates with the interior of the pipe. A bore extends axially through the two bosses and the intervening base and defines a valve chamber. A cap, secured to the exterior boss, is provided with a central hole and defines a valve seat. A valve closure member consists of a headed stem, with the stem projecting through the hole and the cap to be actuated by an animal to unseat the closure member. The closure member head is maintained against the valve seat by a helical compression spring within the valve chamber, retained therein by an internal lip at the distal end of the interior boss. In cup waterer form, a frusto-conical cup member is formed integrally with the valve body, surrounding the exterior boss and projecting closure member stem.