Automatic water supply device

• US 5,749,170 A
• Filed: 06/25/1996
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fulta Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Fulta Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Furuta, Mikio
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Downs, Joanne C.
• Application Number:
  US08/673,153
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 47/62 E, 47/79 N, 47/81 N, 47/62, 47/79, 47/81
• US Class Current: 47/79
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/003 Controls for self-acting watering devices

Abstract

An automatic water supply device comprises a pot-shaped case having a space enclosing a flowerpot in the inside, a supporting bed of reverse bowl shape enclosed in the case and holding the flowerpot thereon, a control unit arranged in a gap between the inside of the case and the flowerpot and containing at least an air pump, a controller and a timer, an air tube connected to outlet side of the air pump and having a front end part communicating with the inside of the supporting bed, and a device to exhaust air in the supporting bed when the supplying water is finished. Since the water supplying device basically has simple structure that a supporting bed of reverse bowl shape is inserted from the upper side and enclosed in the case, a part storing water can be taken to pieces and inspection or cleaning is easy. Also since the control unit is arranged between the inside of the case and the flowerpot, it can be easily detached and when the casing of the unit is made the waterproof structure, it can be used in enclosing in any position in the case without trouble. Further since all parts including the control unit are enclosed in the case, mechanical parts are not exposed or projected and good appearance can be secured. Also noise of the air pump can be prevented from being dispersed to the outside.

Claims

1. An automatic water supply device comprising:

(a) a pot-shaped case having a space enclosing a flowerpot in an inside;

(b) a supporting bed of reverse bowl shape enclosed upside down in said pot-shaped case in an attachable or detachable state for supporting the flowerpot thereon;

(c) a control unit arranged between an inner surface of said pot-shaped case and the flowerpot in an attachable or detachable state and containing at least an air pump, a controller and a timer;

(d) an air tube connected to the outlet side of said air pump and having a front end part arranged communicating with an inside of said supporting bed; and

(e) exhaust means for exhausting air within said supporting bed when the water supply is complete.

2. An automatic water supply device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said exhaust means exhausts air within the supporting bed naturally through the air tube and the air pump by the air pressure due to weight of water existing at a position higher than the position of the supporting bed when the air pump is stopped.

3. An automatic water supply device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a moisture sensor detecting the moisture content within the flowerpot is connected to said controller, and when the moisture sensor detects a prescribed moisture content, operation of the air pump is stopped.

4. An automatic water supply device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a level sensor detecting the water level within the pot-shaped case is connected to said controller, and when the level sensor detects a prescribed water level, operation of the air pump is stopped.

5. An automatic water supply device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said supporting bed is engaged with an engaging convex part provided in said pot-shaped case and is prevented from floating.