NL2016890A

NL2016890A - Pond device

Info

Publication number: NL2016890A
Application number: NL2016890A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Koelemij Robbert
Original assignee: Ubbink Garden B V
Priority date: 2016-06-03
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2017-12-11
Also published as: NL2016890B1

Abstract

A pond device comprising a liquid reservoir comprising at least two opposing first side walls and at least two opposing second side walls, wherein the pond device comprises a box-shaped container to be detachably or non-detachably provided on the first and/or second side walls. In particular, the box-shaped container is configured to receive a liquid output device of a waterfall device, wherein the liquid output device comprises a row of LEDs located upstream relative to an outlet opening of the liquid output device, configured such that the liquid guides the light emitted by the LEDs downstream through the outlet opening and down toward the liquid reservoir.

Description

POND DEVICE

The present invention relates to a pond device comprising a liquid reservoir comprising at least two opposing first side walls and at least two opposing second side walls. The invention in particular relates to a pond device installed on a ground surface, in particular a lawn or a paved surface (such as a terrace) or a balcony. The liquid reservoir is preferably a water reservoir.

Such a pond device is generally known. In particular garden centres are experiencing an increasing public interest in all kinds of garden ornaments and related articles. This public interest in particular results from an increasing need that people feel to embellish the surroundings of their houses, in particular the garden, for example with ponds. Especially the last few years there has been an increasing interest in ponds that can be placed on a ground surface without much bother (i.e. without using complex tools and that within a short time), and from which water, for example, can spout up with some force in a decorative manner.

The object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive pond device which is easy to install on a ground surface and which meets the public's increasing need to arrange a garden in a decorative way without harming the quality and the decorative nature of the pond.

In order to achieve that object, the invention provides a pond device of the kind described in the introduction, which is characterised in that the pond device comprises a box-shaped container to be detachably or non-detachably provided on the first and/or second side walls. Depending on the client's preferences, a lower level can function as a water pond, whilst the higher-level container can be used as a box for growing plants therein. It is noted that the pond device according to the invention is not limited to two levels. Several containers, which may or may not be box-shaped, may be placed on top of each other or beside each other on the first and/or second side walls of the pond device. Viewed from the bottom up, the pond device may thus comprise a level with a pond, a level with a waterfall and a level with plants. It is furthermore noted that the pond device may be arranged so that the pond is located on an intermediate level. The container can also be used for placing a waterfall device as well as potting compost therein.

According to a preferred embodiment, a side wall of the box-shaped container comprises a recess for receiving a nozzle of a waterfall device. A special advantage of such a recess is that a squirting portion of a waterfall device can be concealed in the box-shaped container. This makes the pond device look attractive, whilst at the same time creating the effect that the liquid to be squirted from the nozzle is squirted directly from the box-shaped container.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pond device comprises a cage-like body to be placed in the box-shaped container for receiving a liquid output device of the waterfall device. A special advantage of such a cage-like body is that it is capable of supporting a liquid output device, so that liquid output devices of varying size and shape can be installed at a desired level in the container whilst at the same time providing lead-throughs for supply and discharge hoses and power cables to be connected to the liquid output device. Such a cage-like body in particular makes it possible to place a liquid output device as well as potting compost and plants in the box-shaped container without there being a risk of the liquid output device sinking into the potting compost.

According to a preferred embodiment, the box-shaped container comprises at least one opening in a bottom side thereof for leading a hose from a pump device in the liquid reservoir to the liquid output device in the box-shaped container via said opening. This opening makes it possible to create a waterfall between a liquid output device installed in the container and the lower-level liquid surface of the liquid present in the liquid reservoir, in particular the water surface of a water pond.

According to a preferred embodiment, an outlet opening of the nozzle is directed toward the liquid reservoir, wherein the outlet opening shapes an outer circumference of a stream of liquid to be output such that the outer circumference of the stream of liquid at least partially corresponds to the circumference of the outlet opening. In this way the liquid being pumped up, in particular water being pumped up from a pond, falls back into the liquid reservoir, so that no liquid flows off into the environment. The shape of the nozzle and/or the outlet opening can be selected such that it creates a waterfall having a desired shape and which produces an attractive sound.

According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid output device comprises an array of LEDs located upstream relative to an/the outlet opening of the nozzle, said outlet opening being directed toward the liquid reservoir, wherein the LEDs are configured such that the liquid to be output guides the light emitted by the LEDs downstream through said outlet opening and down toward the liquid reservoir. In other words, the liquid serves as a light guide, as if the liquid forms a collection of glass fibres that keep the light emitted by the LEDs captured within itself and guide it in a downward direction. In this way a playful and elegant effect of falling water and light is created. Preferably, the nozzle comprises a flat portion, at the location of which the light can illuminate the liquid to be output in a downstream direction. As a result, the light emitted by the LEDs can be efficiently coupled into the liquid flowing on said flat portion, said liquid thereby serving as a light guide.

According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid-tight flexible bag, which is provided between the first side walls and the second side walls so as to form the liquid reservoir. A special advantage of such a bag is that in this way a liquid-tight liquid reservoir is realised in a simple manner. The first and second side walls function as suspension elements for the bag and also determine the shape of the liquid reservoir, such as a pond.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bag is folded over at least along part of an upper edge thereof so as to form one or more channels for receiving a tubular element therein. Because the flexible bag is configured to receive tubes at its upper edge, the circumferential shape of the bag can be defined by the tubes near the upper end thereof. The dimension and shape of this defined circumference of the bag preferably correspond to the circumference defined by the upper edges of the first and second side walls of the liquid reservoir. These tubes also function as suspension elements from which the bag is suspended in the pond device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pond device further comprises an elongate section defining a first space extending in a longitudinal direction of the section for receiving the tubular element, and a second space extending in the longitudinal direction of the section for receiving the first and second side walls near upper edges thereof remote from a supporting surface of the pond device. A special advantage of such a section is that it transfers forces being exerted on the flexible bag, in particular the gravitational force exerted by the liquid in the bag, to the side walls of the liquid reservoir via the aforesaid tubes. In other words, the flexible bag can be suspended from the side walls by means of the section. The section is configured so that it firmly holds the bag in place and in contact with the side walls.

The section is preferably configured to receive the tubular element in the longitudinal direction of the section and to receive the first and second side walls in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the section and in the plane of the first and second side walls. The section further strengthens the connections between the side walls and gives the upper edge of the liquid reservoir an attractive, robust appearance.

According to a preferred embodiment, a cross-section of the section is W-shaped. Such a shape makes it very easy to fit the tubes provided in the upper edge of the bag into the section and to connect the section to the side walls of the liquid reservoir.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pond device further comprises a connecting piece for connecting the section to another section having an at least substantially identical cross-section and/or of the tubular element to another tubular element having an at least substantially identical cross-section. Such a connecting piece makes it easier to fit several tube portions into several sections, which must jointly form a rectangular frame, for example, which is subsequently placed on an upper edge of the liquid reservoir in its entirety. Preferably, the connecting piece comprises an L-shaped section and/or a tubular element bent to a right angle. Such an L-shaped section is capable of connecting two sections as mentioned above together, whilst a tubular element bent to a right angle is capable of connecting two tubes as mentioned above together. The latter tube element is in particular advantageous if the section is provided only on part of the upper edge of the side walls of the liquid reservoir. This makes it possible in particular to place a vessel for accommodating a waterfall device, a water fountain or plants, for example, on the part of the upper edge that is not provided with a section.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least part of the first and/or second side walls comprises a structure that strengthens the side walls, which structure extends from a bottom edge to an upper edge of the first and/or second side walls. Such a structure offers resistance against forces exerted on the upper edges of the liquid reservoir, such as the gravitational force exerted by the liquid in the bag and also the gravitational force exerted on the side walls of the liquid reservoir by the box-shaped container. Such a strengthening structure is at least substantially made of a metal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pond device is at least substantially made of plastic or wood. Preferably, the first side walls and/or second side walls are selectively covered on the outside with a lining of, for example, woven reed, in particular provided with an attractive design.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pond device further comprises a U-shaped section to be placed on the side walls of the box-shaped container near upper edges of side walls of the boxshaped container. Preferably, the U-shaped section is configured as a rectangular frame. Such a section imparts rigidity to the box-shaped container, as it strengthens connections between side walls of the box-shaped container. It also gives the upper edge of the box-shaped container an attractive, robust appearance. Preferably, an outer side of the U-shaped section has the same shape and dimension as the section provided on the liquid reservoir, and both sections are preferably made of the same material.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in a drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pond device according to a preferred variant of the invention:

Figures 2-13 shows steps of a manner of assembling the pond device of figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pond device 100 comprising a liquid reservoir 101 and a box-shaped container 102 placed on top thereof. The liquid reservoir 101 is made up of, inter alia, first opposing side walls 103 and second opposing side walls 104, which are for example made of plaited reed, and a flexible, liquid-tight bag 105 between the side walls 103 and the side walls 104. The liquid-tight bag 105 is detachably connected to a section 110 that is provided on upper edges of the side walls 103 and 104. In use, the liquid reservoir 101 is filled with a liquid 126, for example water. Disposed on the bottom of the liquid reservoir is a pump 127, which pumps up the liquid 126, via a hose 121, to a liquid output device 119 disposed at a higher level in the box -shaped container 102, which liquid output device outputs the pumped-up liquid 126 via a nozzle 118. The nozzle 118 can have the shape of a slit, a round hole or a fan or the like. Via the nozzle 118, liquid 126 is fed back as a waterfall to the liquid reservoir 101, preferably in an decorative fashion. Optionally, a pump 127 is installed in the liquid reservoir 101 for squirting liquid 126, for example water, up from the reservoir in a decorative fashion, so that a fountain is created. To make the pond device 100 look more attractive, a section 129 is provided on upper edges of side walls of the box-shaped container 102, which section preferably has the same shape and is made of the same material as the section 110. The box-shaped container 102 is furthermore filled with plants 130, which not only makes the pond device 101 multifunctional, but in addition makes it look very attractive. In this way and effect is created which makes it look as if liquid 126 comes from the plants 130. At the location of corner joints, where the sections 110, 129 are connected together, strips 116 are furthermore provided for hiding any gaps between the sections from view and also for preventing objects from being damaged by the sharp-edged corners of the sections 110, 129 at the location of the corner joints. Optionally, the liquid reservoir 101 is placed on bases that increase the stability of the pond device 100.

Figures 2-13 show steps of a manner of assembling the pond device of figure 1.

Tubes 107 are first introduced into hems 106 formed along upper edges of the liquid-tight bag 105 by sliding the tubes 107 into the hems 106 via hem openings 106a. Two of the tubes 107 are bent at one end, such that said end of the tube 107 extends perpendicularly relative to the other end. Furthermore, pins 108 are provided on the perpendicular ends, which pins are formed so that they can be inserted into another tube 107. The bent tubes 107 also have a ring-shaped eye 109 for connecting the bent tubes 107 to the upper ends of the first side walls 103.

Subsequently, sections 110 are provided around the tubes 107 present in the hems 106 on upper edges of two opposing sides of the liquid-tight bag 105 by sliding said tubes 107 present in the hems 106 into tube spaces 111. The sections thus provided extends opposite each other in a parallel orientation relative to each other. Following that, such a section 110 is provided in a similar manner on an upper edge of the liquid-tight bag 105 that extends along the short side of the pond device 100. Using connecting pieces 113, the two parallel sections 110 arranged around tubes 107 present in the hems 106 are then each connected at a short end thereof to short ends of the section extending along the short side of the pond device 100.

Following that, the liquid-tight bag 105 with the tubes 107 present in the hems 106 and the sections 110 placed thereon is turned upside-down in its entirety about its longitudinal or transverse axis for subsequently fixing the sections 110 together using section fixing means 114, such as screws or bolts. The sections 110 are for that purpose provided with recesses near their short ends, which recesses are for example provided with screw thread. Once the sections 110 have been fixed together, the whole of the liquid-tight bag 105 with the tubes 107 present in the hems 106 and the sections 110 mounted thereon is turned back about its longitudinal or transverse axis to be subsequently placed on the upper edges of the first and second side walls 103, 104. The sections 110 are for that purpose each provided with a wall space 112 at the bottom side, which wall space is configured to receive the aforesaid upper edges of the side walls 103 and 104. Figure 8 also shows that the side walls 103 and 104 are provided with upright bars 131, which extend from a lower edge to an upper edge of the side walls 103 and 104, which side walls 103 and 104 provide greater rigidity for bearing the weight of the liquid 126 as well as the weight of the container 102. It is noted that the bars 131 are for example made of a metal or a composite material that may or may not be reinforced with fibres, and that the bars 131 may also comprise a grid of such reinforcing material.

The box-shaped container 102 is then placed on the upper edges of the side walls 103 and 104 and fixed to the side walls 103 and 104 by means of container fixing means 123, such as socket screws or torque screws. Bottom edges of side walls of the box-shaped container 102 for that purpose have lips 124 provided with a hole, which cooperate with lips 125 present on upper edges of the side walls 103 and 104, which are each provided with a hole provided with screw thread for screwing the container fixing means 123 through the holes in the lips 124 and into the holes of the lips 125 .

After the box-shaped container 102 has been fixed in position, a rack 120 is placed in the container for placing the liquid output device 119 of a waterfall device therein. The liquid output device 119 is connected to a liquid pump 127 by means of a hose 121 that passes through an opening in a bottom wall of the box-shaped container 102, which liquid pump 127 pumps liquid 126 from the liquid reservoir 102 to the liquid output device 119 via the hose 121. This liquid pump 127 is powered through a power cable 133.

The nozzle 118 of the liquid output device 119 is disposed in a recess 117 near an upper edge of a side wall of the box-shaped container 102. An outlet opening of the nozzle 118 is directed toward the liquid reservoir 101. This outlet opening shapes an outer circumference of a stream of liquid 126 to be output such that the outer circumference of the stream of liquid 126 at least partially corresponds to the circumference of the outlet opening.

In this way, the liquid 126 being pumped up, in particular water being pumped up from a pond, falls back into the liquid reservoir 101, so that no liquid 126 flows off into the environment. The shape of the nozzle 118 and/or of the outlet thereof can be selected so that it creates a waterfall having a desired shape and which produces an attractive sound.

In addition, the liquid output device 119 comprises an array of LEDs 132 located upstream relative to the outlet opening of the nozzle 118, which are powered through a power cable 122. The LEDs 132 are configured such that the liquid 126 to be output guides the light emitted by the LEDs 126 downstream through said outlet opening and down toward the liquid reservoir 101. In other words, the liquid 126 serves as a light guide, as if the liquid forms a collection of glass fibres that keep the light emitted by the LEDs 132 captured within itself and guide it in a downward direction.

As shown, the nozzle 118 comprises a flat portion, at the location of which the light can illuminate the liquid 126 to be output in a downstream direction. As a result, the light emitted by the LEDs 132 can be efficiently coupled into the liquid 126 flowing on said flat portion, said liquid 126 thereby serving as a light guide.

The power cable 133 connected to the liquid pump 127 and the power cable 122 connected to the LED array 132 are both led to the bottom side of the pond device 100 via an opening between the bent tubes 107 and the flexible liquid-tight bag 105 to be connected to a power source. To make the pond device 100 look more attractive, a section 129 is placed on upper edges of side walls of the boxshaped container 102, which section preferably has the same shape and is preferably made of the same material as the section 110. Finally, strips 116 are provided on the sections 110 at the location of corner joints between the sections 110, so that the upper sides and the sides of the section are locally covered.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown herein, but that it also extends to other preferred variants that fall within the scope of the appended claims .

Clauses 1. A pond device comprising a liquid reservoir comprising at least two opposing first side walls and at least two opposing second side walls, characterised in that the pond device comprises a box-shaped container to be detachably or non-detachably provided on the first and/or second side walls . 2. A pond device according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of the box-shaped container comprises a recess for receiving a nozzle of a waterfall device. 3. A pond device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cage-like body to be placed in the box-shaped container for receiving a liquid output device of the waterfall device . 4. A pond device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the boxshaped container comprises at least one opening in a bottom side thereof for leading a hose from a pump device in the liquid reservoir to the liquid output device in the boxshaped container via said opening. 5. A pond device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein an outlet opening of the nozzle is directed toward the liquid reservoir, wherein the outlet opening shapes an outer circumference of a stream of liquid to be output such that the outer circumference of the stream of liquid at least partially corresponds to the circumference of the outlet opening. 6. A pond device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the liquid output device comprises an array of LEDs located upstream relative to an/the outlet opening of the nozzle, said outlet opening being directed toward the liquid reservoir, wherein the LEDs are configured such that the liquid to be output guides the light emitted by the LEDs downstream through said outlet opening and down toward the liquid reservoir. 7. A pond device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid-tight flexible bag, which is provided between the first side walls and the second side walls so as to form the liquid reservoir. 8. A pond device according to claim 7, wherein the bag is folded over at least along part of an upper edge thereof so as to form one or more channels for receiving a tubular element therein. 9. A pond device according to any one of claims 1-8, further comprising an elongate section defining a first space extending in a longitudinal direction of the section for receiving the tubular element, and a second space extending in the longitudinal direction of the section for receiving the first and second side walls near upper edges thereof remote from a supporting surface of the pond device. 10. A pond device according to claim 9, wherein the section is configured to receive the tubular element in the longitudinal direction of the section and to receive the first and second side walls in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the section and in the plane of the first and second side walls. 11. A pond device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a cross-section of the section is W-shaped. 12. A pond device according to any one of claims 9 - 11, further comprising a connecting piece for connecting the section to another section having an at least substantially identical cross-section and/or of the tubular element to another tubular element having an at least substantially identical cross-section. 13. A pond device according to claim 12, wherein the connecting piece comprises an L-shaped section and/or a tubular element bent to a right angle. 14. A pond device according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein at least part of the first and/or second side walls comprises a structure that strengthens the side walls, which structure extends from a bottom edge to an upper edge of the first and/or second side walls. 15. A pond device according to claim 14, wherein the strengthening structure is at least substantially made of a metal. 16. A pond device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pond device is at least substantially made of plastic or wood. 17. A pond device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a U-shaped section to be placed on the side walls of the box-shaped container near upper edges of side walls of the box-shaped container. 18. A pond device according to claim 17, wherein the U-shaped section is configured as a rectangular frame.

Claims

A pond device comprising a liquid reservoir, comprising at least two first side walls arranged opposite each other and at least two second side walls arranged opposite each other, characterized in that the pond device can be arranged on the first and / or second side walls, which can be detachable or not. container-shaped container.

A pond device according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of the box-shaped holder comprises a recess for receiving a nozzle from a waterfall device.

3. Pond device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cage-like body to be arranged in the box-shaped holder for receiving a liquid discharge device from the waterfall device.

4. Pond device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the box-shaped container comprises at least one opening in its underside for guiding a liquid hose from a pumping device in the liquid reservoir via the opening to the liquid discharge device in the box-shaped container.

A pond device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein an outlet opening is directed from the nozzle to the liquid reservoir, wherein the outlet opening forms an outer circumference of a stream of liquid to be exported such that the outer circumference of the stream of liquid corresponds at least partially to the circumference of the exit opening.

6. Pond device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the liquid discharge device comprises a series of LEDs, which is located upstream with respect to an outlet opening of the nozzle, the discharge opening facing the liquid reservoir, the LEDs being arranged such that the liquid to be conducted conducts the light emitted by the LEDs downstream through the outlet opening and down towards the liquid reservoir.

A pond device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid-tight flexible bag arranged between the first side walls and the second side walls to form the liquid reservoir.

A pond device according to claim 7, wherein the bag is turned over at least along a portion of an upper edge thereof to form one or more channels for receiving a tubular member therein.

A pond device according to any of claims 1-8, further comprising an elongated profile, defining a first space extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile for receiving the tubular element, and a second space extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile for receiving the first and second side walls near upper edges thereof remote from a surface of the pond device.

Pond device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the profile is adapted to receive the tubular element in the longitudinal direction of the profile and the first and second side walls in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profile and in the plane of the first and second side walls receive.

A pond device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a cross section of the profile is W-shaped.

12. Pond device as claimed in any of the claims 9-11, further comprising a coupling piece for coupling the profile to another profile with an at least substantially equal cross section and / or from the tubular element to another tubular element with an at least substantially equal cross section .

A pond device according to claim 12, wherein the coupling piece comprises an L-shaped profile and / or a tubular element bent at a right angle.

A pond device according to any of claims 1-13, wherein at least a portion of the first and / or second side walls comprises a structure reinforcing the side walls, which extends from a lower edge to an upper edge of the first and / or second side walls.

A pond device according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcing structure is at least substantially made of metal.

A pond device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pond device is at least substantially made of plastic or wood.

17. Pond device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a U-shaped profile to be placed near upper edges of side walls of the box-shaped holder on the side walls of the box-shaped holder.

The pond device of claim 17, wherein the U-shaped profile is formed as a rectangular frame.