US3820715A

US3820715A - Ornamental rhythmic fountain

Info

Publication number: US3820715A
Application number: US00397075A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-09-13
Filing date: 1973-09-13
Publication date: 1974-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-28

Abstract

An ornamental fountain intended for small garden ponds around a home or in office lobbies and apartment entrances in which a water retaining basin is provided having a decorative center piece with ornamental foliage projecting upwardly therefrom and supported on a framework on the bottom surface of the basin, and a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the center piece at different points about a circle defined thereabove and extending radially outwardly from the center of the circle, each of the leaf members supported on a flexible thin rod extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom to be attached at positions on the supporting frame beneath the normal level of the water in the basin, and a water supply tube having one end disposed in the container from whence it branches into a plurality of inverted Jshaped tubes each extending longitudinally out of the container and having their respective outlet portions each associated with a particular leaf member in a manner to discharge water onto the leaf members, the force of the water impinging on the leaf members effecting the rhythmic rocking motion thereof back and forth in the general plane defined by the direction of the water discharged thereonto thus providing a pleasing rhythmic effect, with the water supply tube connected in a suitable manner to a water pump and motor for constantly circulating the water from the basin up through the tube and onto the leaf from whence it falls back into the basin to again be circulated.

Description

United States Patent [191 Hamilton [11] 3,820,715 June 28, 1974 ORNAMENTAL RHYTHMIC FOUNTAIN [76] Inventor: Charles Edward Hamilton, Rt. No. 5

18 West Ave, Arcadia, Fla. 3382] [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,075

Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Assistant Examiner-Andres Kashnikow [57] ABSTRACT An ornamental fountain intended for small garden ponds around a home or in office lobbies and apartment entrances in which a water retaining basin is prohis vided having a decorative center piece with ornamental foliage projecting upwardly therefrom and supported on a framework on the bottom surface of the basin, and a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the center piece at different points about a circle defined thereabove and extending radially outwardly from the center of the circle. each of the leaf members supported on a flexible thin rod extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom to be attached at positions on the supporting frame beneath the normal level of the water in the basin, and a water supply tube having one end disposed in the container from whence it branches into a plurality of inverted J-shaped tubes each extending longitudinally out of the container and having their respective outlet portions each associated with a particular leaf member in a manner to discharge water ontothe leaf members, the force of the water impinging on the leaf members effecting the rhythmic rocking motion thereof back and forth in the general plane defined by the direction of the water discharged thereonto thus providing a pleasing rhythmic effect, with the water supply tube connected in a suitable manner to a water pump and motor for constantly circulating the water from the basin up through the tube and onto the leaf from whence itfalls back into the basin to again be circulated.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 ORNAMENTAL RHYTHMIC FOUNTAIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to fountains and more particularly to a novel ornamental fountain having leaf members provided with a rhythmic motion by the force of water discharged by the fountain and impinging on the leaf members.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ornamental fountains occur in various forms and types ranging from the very simple fountain devices up to quite complex fountain devices, with such normally involving multitudes of jets to provide stationary orv moving jets of water in a lively and pleasing display. While the viewing of such fountains is pleasurable it soon becomes quite boring except for the pleasure of the sound of running water in a location where the same would not be otherwise expected, such as in an office lobby or entrance and the like.

While the number and type of fountains are endless, there are none provided in the prior art which utilize simulated plant foliage with the water operating therewith to provide a somewhat natural rhythmic effect to the .plant as would be obtained as when the plant would be blown in the woods or when the plant is subjected 'to a light rain or the like where the leaves thereof move back and forth in a rhythmic manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ornamental fountain having a rhythmic leaf motion and which is of a size which may be incorporated into small garden pools around the home, or which may be made of a larger size or with a multitude of such devices in a single overall fountain basin to enhance an office lobby, apartment entrance and the like.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a novel ornamental rhythmic fountain simulating foliage of a typical plant and supported in the basin of a fountain with simulated leaf members disposed angularly about the simulated plant in a manner simulating branches and the like, and with water being discharged onto such leaf members in a manner effecting the rhythmic rocking motion thereof.

A further feature of the present invention provides an ornamental rhythmic fountain adapted for indoor and outdoor utilization, which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is relatively devoidof moving parts with the motion imparted thereto being effected by the forces of the running water such that the fountain is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged in construction and reliable in operation; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in apperance; and one which, otherwise. is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a water retaining basin having a plurality of fountain devices constructed in accordance with the present invention disposed randomly therein to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fountain device constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the fountain of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings there is disclosed a preferred form of a fountain constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, the fountain being comprised of a supporting frame 11, a vase 12, a plurality of water delivery tubes 13, and a like number of leaf like members 14 each rockingly supported at the end of separate flexible rods 15 depending downwardly therefrom to be connected to the supporting frame 11. The fountain 10 is adapted to be supported on frame 11 on the bottom surface 20 of a basin, such as designated by reference numeral 21, having a normal water level designated by reference numeral 22, this being as seen in the drawings. While a plurality of fountains 10 are disclosed in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the basin 21 may be of various sizes and configurations with any number of fountains being disposed therein depending on the individual desires of the user and the intended location therefor, as to whether it is to be placed in a large office lobby or to be placed in a small entry hallway of an apartment.

The supporting frame 11 comprises four independent legs 31 each depending downwardly and outwardly from a base 32 and terminating at ends 33 adapted to be rested on the basin bottom surface 20 and which are equally spaced angularly from each other concentrically about the base 32.

The vase I2 is defined by a vase bottom surface 41 adapted to be removably secured in any convenient conventional manner to the supporting frame base 32 with the side walls 42 of the vase extending upwardly therefrom and terminating at a top rim 43 which surrounds and defines an opening leading into a compartment interiorly of the vase. Disposed in the vase com partment is a plurality of simulated foliage 45 which projects outwardly from the vase above the rim 43 in a manner simulating the growth of a plant.

The plurality of leaf like members 14 are disposed equally about the vase 12 at a level above rim 43 approximately equal the height of the terminal end portion 46 of the foliage 45 to provide an appearance as being an extension of such foliage, each leaf like member including a base portion 51, a tip portion 52, and an intermediate body portion 53. Connected to the bottom of the body portion 53 adjacent the base portion 51 is anend 56 of an associated flexible rod 15 which depends downwardly and radially inwardly therefrom with the opposite end 57 connected in a suitable manner to the legs 31 of the supporting frame 11 at positions beneath the water level 22 in the basin 21. Fur ther, it is to be noted that the normal water level 22 is above the base 41 of the vase 12 such that only the upper portion of the vase and the foliage thereabove is seen above the level of the water, this being as shown in the drawings.

For each leaf like member 14 there is provided a separate water delivery tube 13 each being of a general inverted J-shape having a stem portion 61 and a curved head portion 62, each head portion extending vertically above the level of the associated leaf member 14 and oriented in a direction to discharge water from the end 63 thereof downwardly onto the top surface of the body portion 53 of the associated leaf member, the stems 61 of each of the water delivery tubes extending longitudinally downward from the head portions substantially centrally of the vase l2 withthe portions extending into the vase compartment being fixedly supported therein to retain the tubes 13 in their properly oriented position.

The inlet ends (not shown) of each of the delivery tubes 13 disposed inwardly of vase 12 are connected in a suitable manner to the discharge end (not shown) of a tube 71 having its discharge end projecting into the vase compartment through the vase l2 and vase bot tom surface 41, with the tube extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a water flow control valve 73 adapted to control the volume of water flow through tubes 71 and associated connected water delivery tubes 13. The water control valve 73 is connected by a flexible hosing 74 to an outlet 75 of a water pump 76 which is driven by motor 77 and which is provided with an inlet port 78 for drawing water thereinto in the direction of arrow 79, such inlet port receiving its supply of water from within the basin 21 in a manner to continuously circulate the water in the basin through the pump providing a constant water flow with no waste of the water being used except for normal evaporation thereof.

In operation, the basin 21 is first filled with water to the normal water level 22, after which the fountain is placed therein and connected to the water pump 76. The pump 76 is then energized and the water flow control valve 73 slowly opened to permit water to pass through hosing 71 and interconnected water delivery tubes 13 to be discharged from openings 63 onto leaf like members 14, the force of the discharged water impinging on the top surface of the body portion of the individual leaf like members effecting the movement of the same in a direction outwardly from base 12 in a manner to flex rod 15, the forces of the flexed rod then serving to return the leaf member to its normal position which is somewhat prevented by the force of the water still impinging on the leaf member such that a rocking type rhythmic motion is established, this rhythmic motion continuing as long as the water flow continues and would be in the direction of arrows 80 in FIG. 2.

Further, in view of the uneven contours of the top surface of the leaf like members, the water impinging thereon is deflected therefrom in different directions thus dispersing and varying the force of the water on the leaf member which also assists in the effecting of the rhythmic leaf motion.

There is thus provided an aesthetically pleasing ornamental fountain simulating rhythmic plant motion while simultaneously providing the pleasures of running water normally associated with fountains, the rhythmic leaf motion being quite pleasing and restful to an individual viewing the fountain.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. An ornamental rhythmic fountain intended for placement in a water retaining basin having an initial supply of water at a normal water level disposed therein, the fountain comprising a supporting frame having a base portion with leg members depending downwardly and outwardly therefrom adapted to engage the basin bottom surface to support the base at a distance thereabove beneath the normal water level, a vase member having a bottom surface removably secured to the support base with the vase extending upwardly therefrom terminating in a rim portion surrounding a compartment defined interiorly of the vase and opening outwardly and upwardly from the vase between the rim portion, a plurality of foliage simulating members in the form of leaves and the like projecting upwardly and outwardly of the vase compartment terminating a distance upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the rim of the vase at a level approximately equal to the height of the foliage within the vase compartment above the vase rim, the leaf members being angularly disposed at equal distances about the vase and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, each leaf member including a baseportion disposed nearest the vase foliage and a tip portion disposed furthest therefrom with such base and tip being interconnected by a body portion, a plurality of flexible rods adapted to fixedly support the leaf members above the vase, the bottom surface of each leaf member fixedly attached to one end of an associated flexible rod which then projects downwardly and inwardly therefrom with the opposite rod end portion fastened to a leg of the supporting frame at a position disposed beneath the normal water level, a plurality of inverted .l-shaped water delivery tubes equal in number to the number of leaf like members with a tube associated with each leaf member, each tube having a stem portion disposed approximately centrally of the vase and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to a position above the level of the associated leaf member, with each tube having a curved head portion connected with the tube and curving to a position above the associated leaf member in a manner to discharge water from the tube onto the body and tip portions of the leaf member, each stem provided with an inlet opening in fluid communication with a water supply pipe extending through the support base and vase bottom surface and joined in fluid connection with each of the water carrying tubes, the opposite end of the water pipe connected to a water flow control valve operable to control the flow of water through the pipe and the associated water delivery tubes, the water flow control valve adapted to be connected by a flexible hose to a motor driven water pump in a manner to effect circulation of the water from the basin upwardly through the water pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the top surface of the associated leaf members, the force of the water impinging on such leaf members effecting the outward and downward movement thereof with the associated flexing of the associated rod supporting the same, the force of the rod tending to restore the leaf member to its normal position, and the leaf member having a contoured top surface simulating a leaf which contours serve to deflect the water discharged thereonto in a manner to reduce the water force on the leaf member the further the leaf member is deflected from its normal position such that between the forces of the water on the leaf member and the associated force of the flexible rod supporting the same the leaf provides a rhythmic rocking motion radially inwardly and outwardly of the vase providing a pleasing appearance simulatory of normal plant and leaf movement.

2. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set' forth in claim 1 wherein the leg members of the supporting frame are convex in shape and each extend outwardly from the frame base at equal angular distances about the base with each terminating in a foot portion disposed substantially radially outwardly ofthe longitudinal axis of the base providing a firm stable frame.

3. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a water pump having an outlet connected by a flexible hosing to the water flow control valve and an inlet connected by a flexible hosing to the water within the basin in which the fountain is resting, and an electric motor d'rivingly connected to the pump in a manner to remove water from the basin and direct the same through the water flow control valve upwardly through the pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the leaf like members from which the water falls upon the surface of the water in the basin to again be recirculated in the same manner.

4. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 3 wherein the support frame has four leg members, the leaf like members numbering four in total spaced at angular equal distances about the vase, the water delivery tubes number four in total with each associated with one of the leaf like members, with there being a total of four flexible rods with each rod associated with one of the leg members and one of the leaf like members disposed thereabove.

Claims

1. An ornamental rhythmic fountain intended for placement in a water retaining basin having an initial supply of water at a normal water level disposed therein, the fountain comprising a supporting frame having a base portion with leg members depending downwardly and outwardly therefrom adapted to engage the basin bottom surface to support the base at a distance thereabove beneath the normal water level, a vase member having a bottom surface removably secured to the support base with the vase extending upwardly therefrom terminating in a rim portion surrounding a compartment defined interiorly of the vase and opening outwardly and upwardly from the vase between the rim portion, a plurality of foliage simulating members in the form of leaves and the like projecting upwardly and outwardly of the vase compartment terminating a distance upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the rim of the vase at a level approximately equal to the height of the foliage within the vase compartment above the vase rim, the leaf members being angularly disposed at equal distances about the vase and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, each leaf member including a base portion disposed nearest the vase foliage and a tip portion disposed furthest therefrom with such base and tip being interconnected by a body portion, a plurality of flexible rods adapted to fixedly support the leaf members above the vase, the bottom surface of each leaf member fixedly attached to one end of an associated flexible rod which then projects downwardly and inwardly therefrom with the opposite rod end portion fastened to a leg of the supporting frame at a position disposed beneath the normal water level, a plurality of inverted J-shaped water delivery tubes equal in number to the number of leaf like members with a tube associated with each leaf member, each tube having a stem portion disposed approximately centrally of the vase and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to a position above the level of the associated leaf member, with each tube having a curved head portion connected with the tube and curving to a position above the associated leaf member in a manner to discharge water from the tube onto the body and tip portions of the leaf member, each stem provided with an inlet opening in fluid communication with a water supply pipe extending through the support base and vase bottom surface and joined in fluid connection with each of the water carrying tubes, the opposite end of the water pipe connected to a water flow control valve operable to control the flow of water through the pipe and the associated water delivery tubes, the water flow control valve adapted to be connected by a flexible hose to a motor driven water pump in a manner to effect circulation of the water from the basin upwardly through the water pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the top surface of the associated leaf members, the force of the water impinging on such leaf members effecting the outward and downward movement thereof with the associated flexing of the associated rod supporting the same, the force of the rod tending to restore the leaf member to its normal position, and the leaf member having a contoured top surface simulating a leaf which contours serve to deflect the water discharged thereonto in a manner to reduce the water force on the leaf member the further the leaf member is deflected from its normal position such that between the forces of the water on the leaf member and the associated force of the flexible rod supporting the same the leaf provides a rhythmic rocking motion radially inwardly and outwardly of the vase providing a pleasing appearance simulatory of noRmal plant and leaf movement.

2. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the leg members of the supporting frame are convex in shape and each extend outwardly from the frame base at equal angular distances about the base with each terminating in a foot portion disposed substantially radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis of the base providing a firm stable frame.

3. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a water pump having an outlet connected by a flexible hosing to the water flow control valve and an inlet connected by a flexible hosing to the water within the basin in which the fountain is resting, and an electric motor drivingly connected to the pump in a manner to remove water from the basin and direct the same through the water flow control valve upwardly through the pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the leaf like members from which the water falls upon the surface of the water in the basin to again be recirculated in the same manner.