AU684533B2 - Fountain assembly - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 -1-

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 aQD4FI~E 'rE S FE C I F I cz~r I C)~ S 'I'2~JST D2~RD '2~'rE N'r APPLICANT: C J T ENTERPRISES PTY LjTD NUMBER: PM1908 FILING DATE: 19/10/93 Invention Title: FOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY S S a. S

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The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: "FOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY AND ENGAGEMENT MEANS SUITABLE THEREFOR" This invention relates to a fountain assembly and to engagement means suitable therefor.

The invention has particular but not exclusive application to a floating fountain assembly for use in a swimming pool or the like and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application.

In a known swimming pool fountain, a dedicated outlet in the water reticulation system is provided in the floor of the swimming pool into which can be screwed a rigid pipe carrying a spray or fountain head at one end. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. It is not easy to temporarily locate or remove if located centrally in the pool as is usually the case, and if left remaining in place becomes an obstacle to swimmers usig the pool. Furthermore, this arrangement must be installed at the time of building an in-ground pool and moreover is not suitable for use with an above-ground pool having a plastic liner.

It is also known for an aesthetic fountain spray effect to be created by locating fixed fountains at the edges of a pool, one such example having sprays coming S 25 from the mouth of gargoyles or animal-like figures etc.

These arrangements are also best installed at the time of building an in-ground pool.

e Another fountain arrangement is known in which a boat-like container floats on the surface of a pool and contains an electric pump which draws in water from the pool and ejects it as a fountain. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages including its relative bulk and the need for an external power source. Furthermore, the provision of electric power to an in-water location can be dangerous and necessitates t e introduction of safeguards.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a fountain assembly including:nozzle means; flotation means for supporting the nozzle means, and connection means for establishing fluid connection between the nozzle means and the return water outlet in a swimming pool or the like; wherein the connection means includes a plug assembly releasably engageable with the return water outlet and a flexible conduit or hose extending from the return water outlet to the nozzle means, the plug assembly including at least one resilient finger adapted to be compressed for entry in the return water outlet and engagement thereby when the compression is released.

The nozzle means are preferably adapted to direct a liquid stream streams into the air.

The flotation means may comprise any suitable arrangement for supporting the nozzle means. The flotation means can thus include an inflatable enclosure.

*oo '"In one preferred embodiment the flotation means comprises 6*e* a substantially planar float. Alternatively the 20 flotation means can be configured as a substantially conical float.

Suitably the plug assembly includes bracing means for releasably bracing the resilient fingers into locking engagement with the return water outlet. It is preferred 25 that the bracing means are associated with the flexible hose or conduit.

In an alternative embodiment, the plug assembly is adapted to releasably engage return water outlets of varying diameter. Suitably this embodiment includes a tapered tubing adapted to be retained by frictional engagement with the aperture walls of an eyeball outlet.

The fountain assembly may also include flow control means for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the nozzle means. The flow control means may suitably include a pressure relief valve and/or adjustable valve means for bleeding fluid from the connection means.

SIt is also preferred that the fountain assembly includes stabilising means for stabilising the assembly.

Suitably the stabilising means includes anchor means for anchoring the assembly. The stabilising means may also include jetting means for substantially preventing the assembly tracking across the surface of the fluid.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of forming a water fountain in a swimming pool having a return water outlet, the method including establishing fluid connection between the nozzle means and the water return outlet. It is preferred that the method further includes supporting the nozzle means on a float.

In another apect this invention resides broadly in engagement means for insertion into a bore, the engagement means including at least one axially extending resilient finger having a radial protrusion adjacent the distal end thereof, wherein said at least one resilient finger is radially displaceable between a locked position wherein the protrusion resists withdrawal of the engagement means from the bore and an unlocked position.

omoe S 20 Preferably, the engagement means further includes ebracing means adapted to retain the at least one resilient finger in the locked position.

Preferably, the at least one resilient finger is 25 integal with a generally cylindrical piping and the 25 bracing means is a coaxial cylinder which is axially slidable relative to the piping.

Preferably, the bracing means includes means for retaining the the bracing means in an axial position relative to the piping wherein the at least one resilient finger is retained in the locked position.

Preferably, the engagement means includes a selectively variable aperture adapted to vary the flow rate to the nozzle means.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- SFIG 1 is a sectional side view of a swimming pool including a fountain assembly in accordance with the present invention; FIG 2 is a sectional side view of an eyeball connector and associated engagement means; FIG 2A is an exploded perspective view of alternative engagement means for connection with an eyeball connector; FIG 2B is an exploded perspective view of another alternative engagement means for connection with an eyeball connector; FIG 3 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of a flow control valve; FIG 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a flow control valve; FIG 5 is a sectional side -iew of the nozzle means Sand flotation means; FIG 6 illustrates a first embodiment of a fountain stabilizer; and FIG 7 illustrates another embodiment ot a fountain S 20 stabilizer.

As can be seen in FIG 1, a fountain assembly 11 can be installed in body of water 21 within pool 20 by connecting nozzle means 13 to the pool return water S. outlet 15 by connection means 14. Return water is 25 provided to water outlet 15 in known manner from the pool filter (not shown) by conduit 16.

eNozzle means 13 is supported above the waterline by flotation means 12 and the fountain assembly is stabilised by stabilizer 18 described in more detail with reference to FIG 6. Flow control valve 17 is located adjacent outlet 15 for ease of adjustment if required.

As can be seen in FIG 2, outlet 15 supports a known swivel-action eyeball connector 44 in known manner.

Engagement means 22 consists of a length of resilient piping having four longitudinally extending slits 24 peripherally disposed at one end and forming resilient fingers 45 therebetween such that engagement means 22 can S be compressed at the end having slits 24 so as to be insertable in the orifice in eyeball connector 44. A radial protrusion in the form of flange 25 extends radially outwardly of engagement means 22 to retain engagement means 22 within eyeball connector 44 as illustrated when resilient fingers 45 snap outwardly when a compressive force applied thereto is released. The other end of engagement means 22 is shown as including a radially outward extending coupling fla-'ge 23 having a screw thread on the outer face thereof for threaded coupling to flow control valve 26 which will be further described with reference to FIG 3. Alternatively, the other end of engagement means 22 can be directly coupled to a flexible hose by a hose clamp or other suitable coupling means.

FIG 2A illustrates an alternative engagement means e ;having a plug assembly including bracing means associated with the nozzle supply hose for reieasably bracing the resilient fingers into locking engagement with the eyeball connector of the return water outlet. The 20 engagement means includes a length of resilient piping 58 having four longitudinally extending slits peripherally disposed at one end and forming fingers 54 therebetween such that the engagement means can be compressed at the end having slits 55 so as to be 25 insertable in the orifice in eyeball connector 44.

Flange 56 extends radially outwardly to retain the e: engagement "neans within eyeball connector 44 as illustrated Then fingers 54 snap outwardly when a compressive force applied thereto is released. The outward face of flange 56 has a set of grooves or recesses 57 form in each finger 54. Bracing means in the form of a rigid hollow cylinder 59 attached to hose 53 is insertable into piping 58 and retains the flanges 56 on fingers 54 locked against the eyeball connector 44.

Lugs 60 are located within slits 55 during assembly of the connector and the piping 58 is thus retained on hose, 53 by lugs 60 bearing on the closed end of slits In use, lugs 60 slide along slits 55 when the cylinder is

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pushed within piping 58 when it has been inserted within eyeball connector 44. Cylinder 59 is then given a degree twist whereby lugs 60 are seated within recesses 57 and ined therein by the pressure of water flowing into hose 53 through eyeball connector 44.

Referring to FIG 2B, there is illustrated an alternative arrangement largely in accordance with the embodiment of FIG 2A. However, in this embodiment, the piping 58 includes two axially extending slits 55 which cooperate to define a single axially extending resilient finger 54. A radially projecting protrusion 99 is provided adjacent the distal end of the resilient finger and takes the form of a stud or screw projecting through the resilient finger. This embodiment also also includes bracing means in the form of an internal coaxial cylinder 59 which is closely received in the piping 58. In a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG 2A, lugs 60 on the bracing means are received in the slits of the piping 58. However, the distal end surface of the engagement means does not include recesses for receiving the lugs and preventing relative rotation between the bracing means and engagement means. Rather, friction and water pressure cooperate to retain the lugs rotated out of 2 alicnment with the slits.

25 The engagement means of FIG 2B also includes integral flow control means. In this regard, an aperture 97 is provided in the wall of the cylinder 59 and an overlying sleeve 98 havtring an aperture 96 is provided.

The apertures may be aligned in varying degrees by relative rotation or translation of the apertures to bleed flow and reduce the flow to the nozzle means. This is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG 4.

As can be seen in FIG 3, flow control valve 26 includes a threaded connector 27 and a fLexhose retainer 30. Auxiliary bleed valve 28 controls operating water pressure in hose 14 and hence controls the pressure and effect provided by nozzle means 13. Pressure relief Svalve 29 prevents damage to the nozzle means and prevents pressurised uncoupling of the components in the assembly potentially caused by surges in return water pressure.

Alternatively as seen in FIG 4, flow may be controlled by flow control valve 31 consisting of sleeve 32 having one or more longitudinally extending slotted apertures 34. Sleeve 32 is arranged to slide along a length of piping 46 having a corresponding number of longitudinally extending slotted apertures 33 arranged in alignment with apertures 34. By positioning sleeve 32 along piping 46 to vary the bleE opening defined by the overlap of the apertures, the pressure and effect provided by noxxle means 13 can be controlled and varied.

Alternatively sleeve 32 and piping 46 can be threaded so that the bleed opening is variable by rotation of sleeve 32 within piping 46.

Alternatively, in a manner not shown, the sleeve may not include slots and rather than slide along the length *444 of piping, may be threaded so as to rotate about pipe 46 and so move longitudinally with respect thereto so as to aor progressively increase or decrease the size of the bleed opening.

FIG 5 illustrates the flotation means 12 and nozzle means 13 of the fountain assembly. Polystyrene foam float 12 can be any suitable shape and dimension and is 44 preferably square, rectangular or circular and includes a centrally located aperture 47 in which neck 48 of nozzle means 13 is frictionally located. Nozzle means 13 has a plurality of nozzles formed by apertures 35 to 37 in known manner. Preferably the buoyancy of float 12 is such as to support nozzle means 13 substantially clear of the waterline and the width of float 12 is sufficient for the fountain sprays 19 (as seen in FIG 1) to be substantially vertical.

Stabilizer 18 is seen in FIG 6 as consisting of three or four stays 38 attached to the underside of float 12 and linked to each other and to rope or cord 39 to which an anchor 40 is attached. Suitably the anchor is a sandbag or the like. Alternatively in a manner not illustrated, float 12 may be of substantially conical configuration and have an axially extending bore through which either hose 14 or neck 48 of nozzle means 13 passes. A rope and anchor are attached to the downwardly directed apex of the conical float.

Because in some arrangements, as for example shown in FIG 6, the connecting hose 14 is not substantially vertical adjacent nozzle means 13, a reaction force against the waterjet will have a horizontal component resulting in a tendency for the fountain assembly to track across the surface of the pool. This tracking tendency can be overcome by the anchoring stabilizer 18 described above.

Alternatively, the tracking tendency can be balanced by the stabilizer illustrated in FIG 8. Sleeve 42 having a pair of longitudinally extending slotted apertures 43 is arranged to slide along hose 14 having a pair of "longitudinally extending slotted apertures 41 positioned to be in alignment with apertures 43. Alternatively apertures 41 can be located in a length of piping to which hose is attached. The apertures are angularly spaced by approximately 120 degrees. By positioning sleeve 42 along hose 14 to vary the bleed opening, and by rotating hose 14 relative to float 12, a compensating S 25 back pressure can be generated to offset the horizontal component of the reactive pressure of the waterjet and so 0,g0stabilise the fountain assembly.

In use the fountain assembly is installed by inserting engagement means 22 in the eyeball connector of outlet 15, and adjusting the flow control valve to provide the desired fountain height. If an anchor-style stabilizer is not utilised, the assembly may be stabilised by suitable adjustment of sleeve adjustment 42.

It will thus be seen that the fountain assembly in accordance with this invention can be simply and quickly installed and removed from a pool, is conveniently adjustably to provide differing operating conditions and can be stabilised in accordance with the different operating conditions. Furthermore the invention utilises existing pool equipment and neither modifications nor external power sources are required.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

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Claims (4)

1. A fountain assembly including:- nozzle means; flotation means for supporting the nozzle means, and connection means for establishing fluid connection between the nozzle means and the return water outlet in a swimming pool or the like; wherein the connection means includes a plug assembly releasably engageable with the return water outlet and a flexible conduit or hose extending from the return water outlet to the nozzle means, the plug assembly including at least one resilient finger adapted to be compressed for entry in the return water outlet and engagement thereby when the compression is released. o

2. A fountain assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the engagement means includes bracing means for releasably bracing the at least one resilient finger into 20 locking engagement with the return water outlet.

3. A fountain assembly as defined in any preceding *o* claim, wherein the fountain assembly includes flow control means for controlling the pressure of the fluid 25 supplied to the nozzle means.

4. A fountain assembly as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the fountain assembly includes stabilising means fox stabilising the assembly. A fountain assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the stabilising means includes anchor means for anchoring the assembly. C J T ENTERPRISES PTY LTD .Y by PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS ABSTRACT A fountain assembly (11) including:- nozzle means (13); flotation means (12) for supporting the nozzle means; and connection mean- (14) for establishing fluid connection between the nozzle means and a pressurised source of fluid. *e e