AU714032B2

AU714032B2 - Floating support

Info

Publication number: AU714032B2
Application number: AU41054/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Norman Laurence Harris
Original assignee: GARRIS HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Harris Norman L
Priority date: 1996-11-06
Filing date: 1997-09-11
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-11
Also published as: AU4105497A

Description

WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 -1- Title FLOATING

SUPPORT

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a floating support and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a floating support for supporting a garden pot on a body of water such as a pool or a lake.

Background of the Invention The Applicant initially developed the present invention to better utilise the space occupied by domestic swimming pools particularly during cooler months when usage is minimal. Moreover, the Applicant developed this invention to allow for the maintenance or growing of plants on the swimming pool and thus enhance the utilisation of the space of the swimming pool and improves its aesthetics.

Embodiments of this invention allow this to occur with minimal risk of cross contamination between the water in the swimming pool and soil or other growing medium in the garden pot from which the plant derives nutrients.

Notwithstanding that the invention was initially developed for use with swimming pools, it can of course be used in any other body of water such as a pond or lake on a golf course or in the lobbies of hotels etc.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a floating support for supporting a garden pot on a body of water comprising: buoyancy means; ballast holding means supported by the buoyancy means and provided with a lower portion for holding ballast, an upper portion for holding a garden pot at a predetermined level, and at least one opening below said predetermined level and above the water line of the body of water, so that excess water within said garden pot or the WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 2 upper portion can flow through the at least one opening and into the body of water.

Preferably said buoyancy means is provided with a through hole for accommodating the ballast holding means, and the lower portion has an outer diameter less than the diameter of a length of the through hole opposite the lower portion so that a first annular space is formed therebetween whereby water flowing out through the at least one opening passes via the first annular space into the body of water.

Preferably the ballast is a liquid ballast held within the lower portion; and, baffle means is disposed in the lower portion for baffling movement of the liquid ballast.

Preferably said baffle means comprises a side wall of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the lower portion to form a second annular space therebetween, and one or more baffles fixed to an inside of the side wall.

Preferably said baffle means comprises a centrally located tube extending axially therethrough through which the excess water from the pot or upper portion can flow to add to the liquid ballast, and wherein particles carried by the excess water settle in the liquid ballast at the bottom of the lower portion and are thereby substantially trapped within the ballast holding means.

Preferably said baffle means is supported above a bottom inside surface of the ballast holding means to prevent sealing of a lower end of the tube so that excess water flowing down through the tube is able to flow into the lower portion.

Preferably the bottom inside surface is provided with one or more spaced apart projections for supporting the lower end of the tube above the bottom inside surface.

WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 3 In an alternate embodiment the lower end of the tube is castellated to prevent sealing thereof and allow water to flow from the upper portion through the tube into the lower portion.

Preferably said floating support further comprises a plate supported on an upper end of the baffle means and on which the garden pot rests, the plate extending to at least the side wall of the baffle means and provided with a central hole for registration with the tube, and one or more upstanding protrusions for spacing a bottom surface of the garden pot above an upper surface of the plate.

Preferably said plate extends beyond the Periphery of the side wall and is arranged to rest on an annular shoulder formed on an inside of the ballast holding means between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Preferably said the plate is formed integrally with the baffle means.

Preferably said support further comprises anchoring means for holding the buoyancy means at a substantially fixed location on the body of water, the anchoring means comprising a tether which is coupled at one end or intermediate its length to the buoyancy means or the ballast holding means and at one end or at both of its ends to a fixed point.

Preferably said tether is buoyant so as to float on the surface of the body of the water.

Preferably an undersurface of said buoyancy means is provided with at least one recess, and the floating support further comprises a buoyant connection device comprising two spaced apart but connected pins, wherein each pin is adapted to sit within a recess of a different buoyancy WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 4 means so that two buoyancy means can be connected together by said connecting means.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a floating support device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the buoyancy unit of the floating support device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of the buoyancy unit shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the ballast holding unit, baffle unit and plate of the floating support device in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of a connection unit to connect two floating support devices, as shown in Figure 1, together; Figure 6 is a plan view of the connection device shown in Figure Figure 7 is a side view showing how two floating devices are connected together with a connection device of the type shown in Figure Figure 8 is an underside plan view of the ballast holding unit; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a i~flir7r [~~uioi~ir WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 baffle unit incorporated in the floating support device; and, Figure 10 is an underside view of a bottom portion of the baffle unit shown in Figure 9.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments In Figure 1, there is shown a floating support 1 comprising a buoyancy unit 2 and a ballast holding unit 3 for holding ballast. The ballast holding unit 3 is arranged to be supported by the buoyancy unit 2. The ballast holding unit 3 has a space to receive an object (such as a plant pot 100) to be supported by the floating support 1.

The buoyancy unit 2 has sufficient buoyancy so as to float when plant pot 100 (and associated plants) is supported in the ballast holding unit. The buoyancy of unit 2 may also be made sufficient to assist in maintaining a person's head above water so that floating support 1 may act as a safety device although this is not its primary function nor an essential feature.

The buoyancy unit 2 is substantially annular as can be best seen in Figures 1 and 2. The buoyancy unit 2 is provided with a central opening or through hole 4 therein. Typically the buoyancy unit 2 can be made as a hollow sealed unit, or from a solid buoyant material such as polystyrene foam.

The buoyancy unit 2 is provided with recessed holes 5 in its undersurface 6. The undersurface 6 is the surface that is submerged when the floating support 1 is in use. The recessed holes 5 are provided to enable one floating support 1 to be connected with a second floating support device 1, as shown in Figure 7.

The buoyancy unit 2 is substantially dome-shaped as can be best seen in Figure 2, and has a curved surface 7 which is located above the surface of the liquid 8 when the floating support 1 is in use. Whilst the buoyancy unit 2 is described and depicted as being of dome-shape, other shapes may also be used, eg. hexagonal, octagonal, circular etc., or in the shape of any other natural or man-made object, eg. rock, a volcano, boat, etc.

WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 6 The ballast holding unit 3 comprises a side wall 10, a base 11, and an opening 12 opposite the base 11. Flange 13 extends outwardly from the side wall 10 about the opening 12. When the ballast holding unit 3 is lowered into the opening 4, the flange 13 rests on the buoyancy unit 2. In this way, the ballast holding unit 3 is supported by the buoyancy unit 2.

The side wall 10 of the ballast holding unit 3 has an upper or first portion 14a and a lower or second portion 14b.

The first portion 14a extends from the opening 12 to an intermediate location 15 that is located between the base 11 and the opening 12 of the ballast holding unit 3. The second portion 14b extends from the intermediate location to base 11. Outer surface 16 of the first portion 14a fits snugly against the surface 17 of the buoyancy unit 2 inside the opening 4.

The first portion 14a has both a larger inner and outer diameter than portion 14b so that a shoulder, or ledge 18 is formed on the inside of the ballast holding unit 3 adjacent intermediate location 15. This also results in an annular space 19 being formed between outer surface 20 of the second portion 14b and the surface 17 of the buoyancy unit 2 inside the opening 4, as best seen in Figure i.

Openings 21 are provided at a predetermined level being at an upper region of the second portion 14b of the side wall adjacent the intermediate location 15. The openings 21 act as drainage openings as will be later herein described.

A baffle unit 22 (refer Figure 4) may be provided for insertion into the ballast holding unit 3. The baffle unit 22 is substantially tubular with openings at both of its ends. In this embodiment, four baffles 23 are provided in the baffle unit 22 extending in the vertical direction between its openings and radially from a central settlement WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 7 tube 52. The baffle unit 22 is inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 such that it is located beneath the intermediate location 15. The baffle unit 22 fits near the inside surface of the second portion 14b so as to maintain a small gap therebetween.

A platform 24 is provided in the base 11 of the ballast holding unit 3 in order to support the baffle unit 22 a short distance above the base 11. Moreover, the upper surface of the platform 24 is provided with spaced projections such as ridges 38 to lift the bottom of sediment tube 52 from platform 24. This ensures that the bottom of tube 52 does not become blocked, enabling sediment to pass at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3.

A plate 25 is insertable into the ballast holding unit 3 to rest on the shoulder 18 and the baffle unit 22. The plate is provided with a central opening 26 which registers with upper end of settlement tube 52, and has a plurality of upstanding protrusions in the form of ridges 27 radiating from the central opening 26 to the periphery of the plate The object (ie. flower pot 100) to be supported by the floating support 1 rests on the ridges 27 of the plate The plate 25 may be formed so that its surface slopes downwardly from its periphery to the central opening 26.

An attachment member 40 may be provided in the undersurface of the ballast holding unit 3 to enable the floating support device 1 to be attached to a support (not shown).

The platform 24 is formed as a depression in the undersurface of the ballast holding unit 3 in which the attachment member 40 is provided, extending diametrically.

The attachment member 40 is provided with holes 42 therein.

WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 8 Figures 5 and 6 show a connection unit 30 which may be used to connect together two floating supports i. The connection unit 30 has a base portion 31 with a pair of pins 32 extending therefrom at spaced locations. The base 31 is substantially flat. The pins 32 are able to engage in the recessed holes 5 in the undersurface 6 of the buoyancy unit 2. The flat base 31 of the connection unit enables it to fit flush against the undersurface 6 of the buoyancy unit 2.

Figure 7 shows how a connection unit 30 is used to connect together two floating supports i. As can be seen, the pins of a connection unit 30 engage in recessed holes 5 of two respective floating supports i. Advantageously, the connection unit 30 is buoyant so that its buoyancy maintains it in engagement with two adjacent support devices 1. This avoids the need to use positive locking arrangements or devices to maintain connection or coupling between a plurality of floating supports i. Although such arrangements can of course be used. Several connection units 30 can be used to connect together -several floating support devices i.

The manner of operation and use of the floating support 1 will now be described.

In use, the ballast holding unit 3 is first inserted into the opening 4 of the buoyancy unit 2 such that the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3 rests on the buoyancy unit 2.

Ballast material, preferably water, is then inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 up to a maximum level of the openings 21. The baffle unit 22 is inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the platform 24. Any water that is displaced from the ballast holding unit 3 when the baffle unit 22 is inserted is able to escape from WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 9 the openings 21 into the space 19. Plate 25 is lowered into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the shoulder 18 and the baffles 23 of the baffle unit 22. The object to be supported by the floating support i, eg. a plant pot 100, is then inserted into the ballast holding unit 3 and rests on the plate 25. The plant pot 100 is received in the space 36 in the ballast holdings unit 3 that is surrounded by the first portion 14a of the side wall The floating support 1 can then be located in a pond or a pool and will float on the surface of the water therein.

The plant in the plant pot 100 may be periodically watered as necessary. Any excess water from such watering or from any other source eg. rain, is able to flow along the plate through the opening 26, sediment tube 52 and into the ballast holding unit 3. Any sediment that flows through the opening 26 with any such excess water sinks to the base 11 at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3. Collection of any sediment at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3 ensures that sediment does not escape from the ballast holding unit 3 (via the openings 21) to enter the swimming pool or pond in which the floating support 1 is located.

The provision of a gap between the baffle unit 22 and the inside surface of the second portion 14b ensures that water is always able to reach the openings 21 (to exit therefrom) so that the water level in the ballast holding unit 3 does not rise above the level of the openings 21.

In addition, the baffles 23 prevent or at least minimise water loss (via the openings 21) from any rocking motion of the floating support i. Thus, any rocking or surging motion which does occur (eg. due to turbulence in the pond or pool in which the floating support 1 is located) will not result in excessive ballast water in the ballast holding unit 3 escaping via the openings 21. Accordingly, WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 10 the baffle unit 22 provides stability to the ballast water in the ballast holding unit 3.

The baffle unit 22 acts as a support for the plate consequently also acts as a support for the plant pot 100 that is supported by the floating support i.

In the above embodiment, the ballast material used is water. However, other ballast material may be used, such as other liquids or even solid matter.

In an alternate embodiment when solid ballast is used, the baffle unit 22 may be omitted if the size and/or configuration of the solid ballast is such that it cannot be accommodated between the baffles 23. In such case, an alternative support (not shown) is provided to support the plant pot 100 and for the plate 25 to rest upon.

Further, when solid ballast is used, a filter (not shown) may be provided to filter any water which may otherwise pass from the ballast holding unit 3 through the holes 21.

In this way, the filter prevents sediment escaping from the ballast holding unit 3 into the pool or pond in which the floating support 1 is located. The filter may be provided as a mesh screen ring provided on the inside surface of the second portion 14b adjacent and covering the holes 21.

As previously herein before described, an alternative support may be provided to support the plant pot 100 and for the plate 25 to rest upon.

One alternative embodiment of a support that may be used (when solid ballast is used) is a support plate (not shown) that is fixedly attached to the side wall 10 inside the ballast holding unit 3. The plate 25 is of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the weight of theplant pot 100 resting thereon. Such a support plate may be WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 11 fixedly attached to the side wall 10 just beneath the lowermost level of the holes 21. A filter in the form of a mesh screen ring is provided adjacent the holes 21 as Previously herein before described. Sediment then collects on the support plate, rather than pass to the base 11 at the bottom of the ballast holding unit 3.

The attachment member 40 (previously described) may be used to anchor the floating support 1 to one or more points at the edge of the pool or pond. This attachment may be by way of a tether such as a cord or cable (not shown) which passes through the holes 42 in the attachment member Ends of the cord or cable are then fixed to points about the pool. The cord or cable may be clear buoyant tubing.

The buoyancy of the tubing allows automatic pool cleaning apparatus to pass unhindered. Clear tubing is also almost not visible when used to attach the floating support 1 as herein described. A lower rim of the buoyancy unit 2 between surfaces 6 and 7 is provided with a bevel 50 to reduce the possibility of the cord or cable catching and snagging with the floating support i.

As an example of dimensions for the buoyancy unit 2, it may have an overall diameter of 500mm and a height of approximately 220mm. The shoulder 18 provided at the intermediate location 15 may have a width of approximately The buoyancy unit 2 may be used as a form that is able to accept a variety of mouldings (not shown) to enhance its visual appearance. Such mouldings may be of various shapes. Such a moulding may be retained in position with the buoyancy unit 2 at the upper edge of the opening 4 that is above the liquid surface 8 of the pond or pool.

Such mouldings are provided with a flange which rests upon the buoyancy unit 2 adjacent the opening 4. The moulding T~ifJii1J WO 98/19582 PCTAU97/00597 12 covers the buoyancy unit 2 and may provide a decorative effect. The ballast holding unit 3 is then inserted into the opening 4 of the buoyancy unit 2. The flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3 overlies the flange of the moulding such that the flange of the moulding is sandwiched between the buoyancy unit 2 and the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3. The weight of the ballast in the ballast holding unit 3 ensures that the flange of the mounding is securely held in place between the buoyancy unit 2 and the flange 13 of the ballast holding unit 3. The lower edge of the moulding fits snugly around the buoyancy unit 2 at the surface of the liquid 8.

In yet a further variation, in the case of a liquid (eg.

water) ballast, the baffle unit 22 and plate 25 can be formed as a single integral unit as shown as item 22' in Figures 9 and 10. In the unit 22', the features which correspond to those of unit 22 are indicated by identical but primed reference numbers. Unit 22' includes four baffles 23' which extend radially from settlement tube 52' and run the full vertical height of the unit 22'. The baffles 23' are evenly spaced to divide the unit 22' into quarters.

Plate 25' has a central opening 26' which is in registration with upper end of the settlement tube 52'. Further, the radius of the plate 25 extends beyond that of the circumferential wall of unit 22' to form a lip 56, which can rest on shoulder 18. Lower end 58 of settlement tube 52' is castellated to form a plurality of openings 60 which allow sediment to escape into ballast holding unit 3. This allows one to dispense with the ridges 38 so that tube 52' sits flush on platform 24. In this instance, the baffles 23' may stop short of tube 52' or can be provided with apertures near ill WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 13 their lower ends to allow equalisation of liquid levels within the holding unit 3.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and appended claims.

Claims

2. A floating support according to claim 1 wherein the buoyancy means is provided with a through hole for accommodating the ballast holding means, and the lower portion has an outer diameter less than the diameter of a length of the through hole opposite the lower portion so that a first annular space is formed therebetween whereby water flowing out through the at least one opening passes via the first annular space into the body of water.
3. A floating support according to claim 2 further comprising a liquid ballast held within the lower portion; and, baffle means is disposed in the lower portion for baffling movement of the liquid ballast.
4. A floating support according to claim 3 wherein the baffle means comprises a side wall of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the lower portion to form a second annular space therebetween, and one or more baffles fixed to an inside of the side wall.
5. A floating device according to claim 4 wherein the baffle means comprises a centrally located tube extending axially therethrough through which the excess WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 15 water from the pot or upper portion can flow to add to the liquid ballast, and wherein particles carried by the excess water settle in the liquid ballast at the bottom of the lower portion and are thereby substantially trapped within the ballast holding means.
6. A floating device according to claim 5 wherein the baffle means is supported above a bottom inside surface of the ballast holding means to prevent sealing of a lower end of the tube so that excess water flowing down through the tube is able to flow into the lower portion.
7. A floating support according to claim 6 wherein the bottom inside surface is provided with one or more spaced apart projections for supporting the lower end of the tube above the bottom inside surface.
8. A floating support according to claim 5 wherein a lower end of the tube is castellated to prevent sealing thereof and allow water to flow from the upper portion through the tube into the lower portion.
9. A floating support according to claim 5 further comprising a plate supported on an upper end of the baffle means and on which the garden pot rests, the plate extending to at least the side wall of the baffle means and provided with a central hole for registration with the tube, and one or more upstanding protrusions for spacing a bottom surface of the garden pot above an upper surface of the plate. A floating support according to claim 9 wherein the plate extends beyond the periphery of the side wall and is arranged to rest on an annular shoulder formed on an inside of the ballast holding means between the upper portion and the lower portion. WO 98/19582 PCT/AU97/00597 16
11. A floating support according to claim 10 wherein the plate is formed integrally with the baffle means.
12. A floating support according to claim 1 further comprising anchoring means for holding the buoyancy means at a substantially fixed location on the body of water, the anchoring means comprising a tether which is coupled at one end or intermediate its length to the buoyancy means or the ballast holding means and at one end or at both of its ends to a fixed point.
13. A floating support according to claim 12 wherein the tether is buoyant so as to float on the surface of the body of the water.
14. A floating support according to claim 1 wherein an undersurface of said buoyancy means is provided with at least one recess, and the floating support further comprises a buoyant connection device comprising two spaced apart but connected pins, wherein each pin is adapted to sit within a recess of a different buoyancy means so that two buoyancy means can be connected together by said connecting means.