GB2543092A - An ornamental water feature - Google Patents

Abstract

An ornamental water feature 10 is provided comprising a body, the body including a water pump 70, a water reservoir 40, and a battery chamber 50; wherein the battery chamber comprises first electrical contacts (Fig. 2, 270) for contacting with battery electrical contacts (Fig. 2, 310) of a battery (Fig. 2, 290) when placed within the battery chamber; the battery chamber further comprising pump connection means (Fig. 2, 240) for electrically connecting to the water pump, wherein the pump connection means are releasably connectable; wherein the battery chamber includes a weatherproof door (Fig. 2, 330) for accessing a battery when placed inside; wherein the battery chamber is releasably attachable to the body; and wherein the water feature is arranged such that the door is accessible from outside the body.

Description

An ornamental water feature

The present invention relates generally to an ornamental water feature and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in rechargeable, battery powered fountains.

Due to the improvement in battery performance in recent years it is now known to use batteries to power garden water features. This has the advantage that no mains supply needs to be installed to the location.

Such batteries may be rechargeable via connected solar (PV) panels. Alternatively, or additionally, the batteries may be connected to a mains powered battery charger. For the latter, it is typical to remove the battery from the water feature and take it indoors to connect it to the mains supply. After the battery has been charged it must then be returned to the water feature.

During the removal from, and re-fitting of the battery into, the water feature cables have to be disconnected and reconnected. There may be more than one cable to disconnect and reconnect since there may be one for the solar (PV) panel, one for the pump, and possibly one for a light (whether UV or otherwise). Accordingly, some users are reluctant to disconnect and reconnect as they are either worried that they will connect it up incorrectly, or they think it too much effort.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a garden water feature where the battery may be removed and reinstalled without the need to handle the disconnection and reconnection of cables.

In one aspect, the invention provides an ornamental water feature comprising a body, the body including a water pump, a water reservoir, and a battery chamber; wherein the battery chamber comprises first electrical contacts for contacting with battery electrical contacts of a battery when placed within the battery chamber; the battery chamber further comprising pump connection means for electrically connecting to the water pump, wherein the pump connection means are releasably connectable; wherein the battery chamber includes a weatherproof door for accessing a battery when placed therewithin; and wherein the water feature is arranged such that the door is accessible from outside the body.

The batter)1 chamber is connectable to the pump. This may be by the use of electrical cables, plugs and sockets. Once connected, they will probably not need to be disconnected again; although should the pump need replacing the use of cables, plugs and sockets allows it to be a relatively simple procedure. However, for everyday use and for the removal of the battery for recharging and/or replacement, no plugs need to be disconnected and reconnected. This is because the battery electrically connects to the pump via electrical contacts which press against each other. The electrical contacts may include springs and plates; however, other forms are contemplated such as plates and projections.

In other words, the battery may be relatively easily removed from the battery chamber and then replaced thereafter without the need for the user to have to disconnect, and then reconnect, plugs and sockets.

The body may be of any form such as a pedestal, bowl, jug and barrel. The body may comprise any suitable materials, such as stone, ceramics, plaster, plastics and resins.

The body may comprise a cavity into which the battery chamber may be insertable. Alternatively, or additionally, the battery chamber may be situated adjacent the body as a separate body. The battery chamber may be releasably attachable to the body. The battery chamber may be unitary with the body. In this latter case, an aperture for accessing the rear of the battery chamber may be provided to allow for connection and disconnection of the pump.

The door may include biasing means for pressing the battery electrical contacts (such as the terminals on a battery), when a battery is placed within the battery chamber, against the first electrical contacts. In this way, the battery electrical contacts may be urged into electrical contact with the first electrical contacts which are connected to the pump.

The biasing means may include a lock having a cam. Other arrangements are contemplated such as a spring. The urging of the battery by the closing of the door may be used to ensure that the door is closed properly before electrical contact is made.

The battery chamber may include biasing means for pressing the door against the chamber. This may be the same as the biasing means for pressing the battery electrical contacts, when a battery is placed within the battery chamber, against the first electrical contacts. However, it may be a separate biasing means. A spring or cam may be used to provide the biasing means although other means are contemplated.

This biasing means may assist in maintaining a weatherproof seal around the door.

The battery chamber may also include solar panel connection means for electrically connecting to a solar panel, wherein the solar panel connection means are releasably connectable. In this regard the term solar panel may refer to a PV solar panel. The connection means may be a plug and socket, although means are contemplated.

The ornamental water feature may further comprise a battery arranged in the battery chamber. The battery electrical contacts may be the battery terminals typically provided on the outer surface of such rechargeable batteries.

However, the battery may be arranged within a battery case inserted into the battery chamber, and the battery electrical contacts may be arranged on an outer surface of the battery case, the battery electrical contacts being electrically connected to the battery terminals within the battery case. In other words, the battery terminals typically provided on the outer surface of rechargeable batteries may be connected to battery electrical contacts arranged on an outer surface of the battery case, such that it is these outer surface battery electrical contacts which connect to the first electrical contacts within the battery chamber.

The battery case may include an electrical circuit for controlling the charging of the battery.

The battery chamber may include electrical circuits such as a timer for controlling the operation of the pump.

The battery may have a rating of at least 5 Volts during discharge and at least 1.5 Amp hours. The rating may be at least 6 Volts, or at least 7 Volts. The rating may have a rating of at least 2 Amp hours, or at least 2.5 Amp hours. The rating may be 7.4 Volts and 2.8 Amp hours.

The battery chamber is located outside of the water reservoir. This may ensure that any water in the reservoir does not come into contact with the battery.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is schematic diagram of a water feature; and

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery chamber.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. A typical water feature 10 is depicted in Figure 1. It comprises a body having a pedestal 20, upon a base 30 and supporting a bowl 40. The bowl contains water 110. A cavity 55 is provided towards the base of the pedestal 20 and accessible from the exterior of the pedestal. A battery chamber 50 is arranged within the cavity 55. A pump chamber 80 is arranged within the bowl 40. It comprises a pump 70 which has an intake 71 to suck in water and an outlet pipe 90 leading upwardly to a sprinkler head 100 located above the level of the water. A light 120 is also arranged within the bowl.

The pump and light are electrically connected via wires 121, 71 to the battery chamber 50 as will be explained in more detail below. A solar (PV) panel 60 is also arranged on the outside of the pedestal 20. The panel is also connected 61 to the battery chamber 50.

The point where the electrical wires 71, 121 pass through the base of the bowl is sealed with a grommet 45 to prevent water leaking out.

In use the battery chamber 50 provides electrical power to the pump and light to produce an illuminated water fountain. The solar (PV) panel assists in charging of the battery within the battery chamber 50.

In Figure 2 an example battery chamber 50 is depicted. It comprises a box-like housing 200 split into two compartments 210, 220 by a partition 230. The rear section 220 comprises an electrical circuit board 260 for controlling the electrical power distribution to/from the pump 70, light 120 and solar (PV) panel. For instance, it may include a timer. This is effected by sockets 240, 242, 244 provided on the rear surface of the housing 200. Electrical plugs 246, 248, 250 on the end of wires 61, 71, 121, leading to the various electrical items (pump 70, solar (PV) panel 60, and light 120) are plugged into the sockets 240, 242, 244 to provide electrical connection.

The sockets are waterproof so that no water may enter the housing 200. The sockets 240, 242, 244 are electrically connected to the electrical circuit board 260.

The electrical circuit board 260 is electrically connected 272 to two electrical contacts 270 arranged on the surface of the partition 230 on the side of the first section 210.

The first section 210 contains a battery case 280 which is a box-like housing containing a battery 290 and an electrical circuit board 300. On the rear surface of the case 280 two electrical contacts 310 are arranged. With the battery case 280 correctly positioned within the first section 210 the two contacts 310 will press against the two contacts 270 arranged on the partition 230 to ensure electrical connection therebetween.

The battery 290 is electrically connected to the electrical circuit board 300 to provide electrical energy to the water feature 10.

The case 280 also includes a socket 320 which allows the battery 290 to be recharged when the case 280 is removed from the battery chamber 50. For instance, the socket 320 may be arranged for use with USB cables. The electrical circuit board 300 may control the charging of the battery 290. The battery may be a lithium ion battery although other types are contemplated.

The battery chamber 50 includes a door 330 attached to the housing 200 by a hinge 340 arranged at the base of the housing 200 such that the door opens outwardly and downwardly.

The door 330 includes a cam lock 370 rotatable by a knob 360 to engage with a catch 350 arranged on the underside of the top of the housing 200 adjacent the door. In this way the door may be tightened in a closed position. The door, and frame into which the door fits on the housing 200, may include a weatherproof and/or waterproof seal.

The door 330 may also include a resilient pad 380 arranged on its inner surface such that as it is closed and locked the pad 380 urges the battery case 280 into the correct position within the first section 210 to ensure that the electrical contacts 310, located on the rear surface of the battery case 280, engage correctly with the contacts 270, arranged on the surface of the partition 230, to ensure electrical connection therebetween.

In use, once the water feature has been set up, to recharge the battery a user only needs to open the door 330, pull out the battery, charge it and then replace it in the housing 200. There is no need for a user to disconnect and reconnect any plugs (such as those for the pump, light and PY panel). This ensures that those users who do not wish to have to disconnect and reconnect plugs (for instance, those who do not consider themselves practically-minded) may still enjoy their water feature.

However, if the water feature needs any maintenance, such as replacing the pump, a more competent person, may still be able to disconnect the pump by removing the battery chamber 50 from the cavity 50 and accessing the plugs and sockets.

Although the invention has been described in relation to a water feature it will be understood that it could be used in other circumstances such as a

Claims (12)

1. An ornamental water feature comprising a body, the body including a water pump, a water reservoir, and a battery chamber; wherein the battery chamber comprises first electrical contacts for contacting with battery electrical contacts of a battery when placed within the battery chamber; the battery chamber further comprising pump connection means for electrically connecting to the water pump, wherein the pump connection means are releasably connectable; wherein the battery chamber includes a weatherproof door for accessing a battery when placed therewithin; and wherein the water feature is arranged such that the door is accessible from outside the body.

2. The ornamental water feature according to claim 1, wherein the door includes biasing means for pressing the battery electrical contacts of a battery, when a battery is placed within the battery chamber, against the electrical contacts.

3. The ornamental water feature according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means includes a lock having a cam.

4. The ornamental water feature according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery chamber includes biasing means for pressing the door against the chamber.

5. The ornamental water feature according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery chamber also includes solar panel connection means for electrically connecting to a solar panel, wherein the solar panel connection means are releasably connectable.

6. The ornamental water feature according to any preceding claim, further comprising a battery arranged in the battery chamber.

7. The ornamental water feature according to claim 6, where the battery is arranged within a battery case inserted into the battery chamber, and the battery electrical contacts are arranged on an outer surface of the battery case, the battery electrical contacts being electrically connected to the battery within the battery case.

8. The ornamental water feature according to claim 7, wherein the battery case includes an electrical circuit for controlling the charging of the battery.

9. The ornamental water feature according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the battery has a rating of at least 5 Volts during discharge and at least 1.5 Amp hours.

10. The ornamental water feature according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery chamber is located outside of the water reservoir.

11. The ornamental water feature according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery chamber is releasably attachable to the body.

12. An ornamental water feature substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.