US3432099A - Figure having an associated spray of liquid simulating wearing apparel - Google Patents

Description

March 11, 1969 K. w. BONIECKI ETAL 3,432,099

FIGURE HAVING AN ASSOCIATED SPRAY OF LIQUID SIMULATING WEARING APPAREL Filed Feb. 20, 1967 V l// I 1/1/11 INVENTORS KRYSTYNA w HON/E00 MAR/A ALB/N EON/E00 United States Patent 3,432,099 FIGURE HAVING AN ASSOCIATED SPRAY 0F LIQUID SIMULATING WEARING APPAREL Krystyna W. Boniecki and Maria Albin Boniecki, both of 1822 S. Sherman St, Denver, Colo. 80210 Filed Feb. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 617,154 U.S. Cl. 239-18 10 Claims Int. Cl. Bb 1/14, 17/08 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A decorative fountain having a figure, which may be a threedimensional statue, high or low or base relief, medallion, picture or the like, has liquid spray openings located at different levels and locations of the figure body, providing a spray of liquid assuming the shape of wearing apparel, such as a garment, a dress or a portion of a garment for the figure. In one form the figure is a representation of a human female and has openings at about the level of the waist of the figure to provide a flow of liquid which has the appearance of a skirt for the figure. In another form, spray openings located above the chest will form a spray of liquid having the appearance of a full dress for the figure. The spray of liquid may be made as a series of small jets, a full peripheral sheet of liquid flowing from the figure, or animated jets such as formed by a rotary sprinkler. In each instance, a spray of liquid in a different shape and form of Wearing apparel is provided for the figure. In darkened areas colored lights effectively and dramatically show up the water apparel for the statue, magically transforming the configuration of the figure.

Included among the objects and advantages of the invention is to provide a decorative fountain having a figure or statue with a spray of liquid representing wearing apparel or portion thereof such as is worn by human beings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a figure or statue of human form having a spray pattern of a liquid formed integrally with the figure, and the spray having the appearance of wearing apparel such as a dress or a portion of a dress.

Another object of the invention is to provide a figure representing a human female figure provided with spray openings at dilferent positions on the figure body to provide different sizes and shapes of wearing apparel formed of a spray of the liquid, representing different fashions, diiferent styles and different epochs of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a figure of a human body arranged with a spray of liquid from different levels forming a spray of liquid in the shape of a dress for the figure, and the figure may be rep:- resented by a three-dimensional statue, high or low relief, or similar decorative media representing the human form.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a figure of a human form provided with a spray of a liquid from various locations on the figure, representing wearing apparel for the figure, with the spray being a full peripheral spray or a portion thereof repersenting some type of wearing apparel and forming a total composition with the figure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appanded illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention illustrating a statue of the human female form, with a liquid skirt and shawl formed of sprays of liquid from the figure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation of a figure of the human female form utilizing a sheet of liquid forming a skirt therefor;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of a figure according to the invention mounted in a fountain trough or catch basin, shown in section, provided with a pump for continuously providing a spray of liquid forming a skirt for the figure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a statue illustrating an animated liquid spray forming a different configuration of a skirt for the figure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a figure at the waist level, illustrating one form of spray arrangement for forming a skirt for the figure;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 5, taken along section line 6-6, showing the spray arrangement for the figure;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a figure, taken at about the waist level, illustrating another spray arrangement for forming a sheet of liquid for a skirt;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-section taken at about the waist of a figure, illustrating a pair of rotative sprayers for forming an animated liquid skirt for a figure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 8, showing a rotary spray arrangement; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the use of a figure as a frieze or base relief for mounting on a wall, with a catch basin and pump providing a continuous spray of circulating liquid therefor.

In general, the invention includes a figure, in one preferred form that of a human female, normally in standing position in any desired pose, and provided with a supply line for liquid extending to at least one spray opening associated with the figure which may be at the waist, the shoulders or other location for providing a stream of liquid to the sprayers, forming a spray having the appearance of wearing apparel, such as a dress, a skirt, a portion of a dress or other wearing apparel for the figure formed of a spray of the liquid. The liquid may be clear water, colored water, or other liquid for forming the costume or dress or portion of dress. .As is conventional with many types of fountains, a catch basin may be provided around the statue to catch the spray from the fountain. A pump, normally an electric pump, provides continuous circulation of the liquid from the catch basin to the figure and forming the spray. Thus, the figure of the invention may be provided with a recirculating system for the liquid or may be provided with a direct connection to a water or other liquid line. From an aesthetic standpoint the liquid supply line should normally pass internally of the figure to the spray area; however, the concept of the invention includes an external line to an external spray area, for example, a supply line representing a belt around the waist of the figure with the spray issuing from orifices in the belt peripherally thereof. Obviously, the invention contemplates exterior fountains as well as interior fountains. Various types of lighting dramatically highlight the liquid apparel or portion of a dress for the figure. Additionally, the figure may represent a nude, a partially dressed or fully dressed human, with the spray still providing a dramatic transformation of the figure by the liquid dress.

As shown in FIG. 1 a statue or figure, shown in general by numeral 10, of a female is provided with a ballet costume consisting of an upper portion 12 and a small skirt 14. A spray arrangement, illustrated in general by numeral 16, provides a spray of liquid 18 peripherally of the waist of the figure, forming a flowing skirt thereof. The figure is standing on a base or pedestal 20. A series of spray jets form a stole or shawl for the figure. The figure of FIG. 1 is shown with a plurality of orifices at the waist forming the spray for the skirt, and a mechanism for forming the same is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. A liquid line 22 extends through a leg and torso of the figure to an internal chamber 23 in a connector portion at the waist of the figure. A plurality of small tubes 24 extend through the connector 25 at the torso of the figure to provide the spray of liquid from the chamber. The number of the tubes providing spray is determined by the shape or the size of the skirt desired. When water or other liquid is forced through the supply line 22 into the chamber 23 it issues as a plurality of spray jets from the orifices in the tubes 24. Where a catch basin and circulating pump is provided, a pulsating pump may be used to provide an animated skirt continuously moving with the pulsations of the pump. The skirt may be made to appear to be formed of a series of drops or strips of water issuing from the spray jets by means of lighting. The pressure of the liquid may be adjusted to change the shape and the size of the skirt. Additionally, the spray jets or outlet tubes at the waist of the figure may be turned slightly upwardly to change the shape of the skirt. Further, the size and shape of the openings in the tubes may be varied to pro a duce different designs of the liquid drops.

As shown in FIG. 2, a figure is provided with a skirt 31 formed of a sheet of water issuing from the waist of the figure. The mechanism for this arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein the torso of the figure is formed of two parts at the waist. A lower part 33 is mounted on a hip portion 35 of the statue and it is provided with an arcuate top 36. A stud or bolt 37 extends through the part 33 and threadedly engages the upper part 34. The upper part 34 has an arcuate bottom 38 to provide a chamber between the two parts. A rubber grommet 3h is mounted around the rod 37 and provides means for adjusting an opening 40 which extends peripherally around the waist of the statuette. A supply line 41 which may extend through a leg of the statuette communicates with the chamber 38, providing means for supplying liquid to the chamber which issues as a sheet out of the peripheral opening 40. The opening may be adjusted to conform with the pressure and volume of liquid in the chamber between the two parts. The direction of the issuing liquid from the opening is controlled by the geometry of the surfaces forming the opening, thereby directing the liquid downwardly, outwardly or upwardly as desired.

In FIG. 4 a statuette is provided with a double layer, animated skirt 51 formed by rotative sprayers, the mechanism of which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. A lower torso portion 52 of a statue is connected to an upper torso portion 50 by means of a sprayer mechanism which is arranged in two levels and includes rotative jets. A supply line 53 extends through a leg of the statue and is in communication with a manifold chamber 54. A lower rotative disc 55 having a pair of opposed directed jet tubes 56 communicates with the manifold 54 and liquid passing from the manifold through the jet tubes 56 exhaust at substantially high velocity, giving a rotative movement thereto as indicated by the arrow. An upper disc 58 having a pair of opposed tubes 59 each of which extends outwardly and has a 90 outlet which provide a rotative action indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9 as liquid passing from the manifold through the tubes exhausts through the outlets. Thus, a two-level animated skirt is formed having a crossing spiral effect. Obviously, two or more levels may be provided, depending upon the desires of the maker. Additionally, the effect may be completely changed by providing a single rotative sprayer combined with a straight spray arrangement, with the rotative sprayer either above or below the other, forming a different pattern for the skirt of the model.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a *figure shown in general by numeral is mounted in a catch basin 66. The basin 66 is provided with opaque sides 67 and a transparent or at least translucent bottom 68. A plurality of spotlights or lamps 69 may be provided under the bottom 68 for shining up through liquid in the catch basin toward the figure. The lamps may be spotlights with changing colors or may be a series of colored spotlights arranged to be turned off and on to change the color of the spray of liquid from the figure. A recirculating pump 70, indicated as an electrical pump, having a lead wire 72 to a standard two-prong outlet 73, provides means for recirculating the liquid from the catch basin through the figure. An interesting innovation is to provide different colors for the dress of the figure related to changes in the weather, even connected with a barometer to change the colors automatically. Thus, different colors of the lights would indicate different weather conditions. The figure is provided with a spray pattern 74 in the shape of a skirt, and a spray pattern 75 forming plumage for a hat 76.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a base relief or frieze is attached to a wall 81 in conventional fashion; however, a catch basin 82 is provided below the figure, and a pump 83 with an electric lead 84 provides for recirculating the liquid from the catch basin through the figure to provide a recirculated flow for forming the skirt for the figure. Thus, when only a portion of the figure is represented, a dress or other wearing apparel for the figure may still be provided in a similar manner, using less than a full peripheral shape for the spray, or using only a spray forming an outline of the wearing apparel.

While the invention has been illustrated by reference to a particular embodiment, there is no intent to limit the spirit or the scope of the invention to the precise details so set forth except as defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A decorative fountain figure simulating a human form having; liquid outlet means formed with said figure at a position to direct a spray of liquid therefrom, said spray being directed from said figure and simulating a garment of human wearing apparel; and means for supplying liquid to said liquid outlet means.

2. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 1 wherein said figure represents a human female form and said liquid outlet means is positioned at about the waist of said figure and arranged to simulate a skirt therefor.

3. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 2 wherein said liquid outlet means is a series of closely spaced outlets for spraying liquid outwardly peripherally at about the waist of said figure simulating a full skirt therefor.

4. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 2 wherein said liquid outlet means is a peripheral slit at about the waist of the figure for forming a peripheral sheet of liquid directed outwardly from the figure and simulating a skirt formed of a sheet of falling liquid.

5. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 2 wherein said liquid outlet means is at least a pair of outlets spaced at different levels, and of said pair of outlets is a rotary sprayer, whereby liquid issuing from said sprayers forms at least two layers of sprays, simulating a multi-layer skirt for said figure.

6. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 2 wherein said liquid outlet means is a pair of rotatable sprayers mounted one above the other at about the waist of said figure, whereby liquid issuing from said sprayers forms two layers of rotating sprays simulating a multilayer, animated skirt for said figure.

7. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 1 wherein said liquid outlet means is a series of outlets arranged at different levels on said statue forming a plurality of sprays of liquid simulating dilferent garments of Wearing apparel for said statue from different levels.

8. A decorative fountain ifigure according to claim 1 wherein said figure is mounted in a catch basin, and pump means recirculates a liquid for a continuous spray.

9. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is water, and colored lights mounted adjacent said figure are arranged to shine on said spray of liquid for changing the color of the simulated wearing apparel.

10. A decorative fountain figure according to claim 1 wherein said figure is a base relief and said spray of liquid extends from side to side forming less than a complete peripheral article of wearing apparel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 156,979 11/1874 Burton 239--17 428,365 5/ 1390 Baillairge 239-18 5 636,803 11/1899 Hollingsworth 23917 1,952,353 3/1934 Barclay- 239--20 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

10 U.S. Cl. X.R.

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