Liquid filled display stand

Abstract

In a liquid filled display stand, an upright transparent hollow member is mounted on a top end wall of a hollow base, and confines a water-tight inner space that is adapted to be filled with a liquid body. A nozzle set, which includes a plurality of tubular needles, is mounted on the top end wall of the hollow base. Each of the needles extends into the inner space, and has inlet and outlet ends. The outlet end is disposed above a bottom end of the hollow member. An air source is disposed in the hollow base, is coupled to the inlet ends of the needles, and is operable so as to supply air bubbles into the liquid body in the inner space via the outlet ends of the needles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a liquid filled display stand, more particularly to a liquid filled display stand that is easy to maintain, that is inexpensive to manufacture, and that is power saving.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Liquid filled stands or panels exhibit unique and lively visual effects. In a conventional liquid filled stand or panel, pressurized air is introduced into a liquid body contained in a hollow member to generate air bubbles. Control members can also be provided to control supply of the air bubbles. Such liquid filled stands or panels have been incorporated into many useful items, such as display stands, cabinets, screens, etc., to add liveliness to the environment.

[0005] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1a, a conventional liquid filled display stand 1 is shown to include a hollow base 11, an upright transparent hollow member 12 mounted on the hollow base 11, and an air pump 13 disposed in the hollow base 11 to supply air into the hollow member 12. The hollow member 12 is filled with a liquid body 10. A water-tight chamber 14 is provided at a bottom end of the hollow member 12, and has an upper side formed with a plurality of air holes 141 that are in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow member 12. Air supplied by the air pump 13 is introduced into the liquid body 10 in the hollow member 12 via the chamber 14 to form streams of air bubbles 100 to thereby create a unique visual effect.

[0006] As algae formation is common in confined water, and as dust particles may enter the hollow member 12, impurities 101 resulting therefrom will settle on the upper side of the chamber 14 and may eventually clog the air holes 141. To clear the air holes 141, the liquid body 10 within the hollow member 12 has to be drained first, and tools have to be used to remove the impurities 101 clogging the air holes 141, which is very inconvenient due to the small size of the air holes 141 and the height of the hollow member 12. As the chamber 14 is generally formed from a plurality of acrylic sheets joined together, attempts to clear the impurities 101 clogging the air holes 141 by introducing increased air pressure into the chamber 14 via the air pump 13 may result in gaps between the acrylic sheets, which may lead to water and air leakage of the chamber 14.

[0007] FIGS. 2 and 2a show another conventional liquid filled display stand 2 which was developed in an attempt to overcome the drawbacks associated with the aforesaid display stand 1. The display stand 2 includes a hollow base 21, an upright transparent hollow member 22 disposed on the hollow base 21, a plurality of shelves 23 mounted on the hollow member 22, and an air pump (not shown) disposed in the hollow base 21 to supply air into a liquid body 20 in the hollow member 22. The difference between the display stands 1, 2 resides in that a plurality of diffuser 24 extend from a bottom end of the hollow member 20. Each of the diffusers 24 has a top end wall and a surrounding wall circumferentially formed with a plurality of air outlets 240. As the diffusers 24 project from the bottom end of the hollow member 20, impurities 201 cannot get into the air outlets 240 to block passage of air therethrough. However, the diffusers 24 are relatively expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a liquid filled display stand that is easy to maintain, that is inexpensive to manufacture, and that is power saving.

[0009] Accordingly, a liquid filled display stand of the present invention includes:

[0010] a hollow base having a top end wall;

[0011] an upright transparent hollow member mounted on the top end wall of the base and confining a water-tight inner space that is adapted to be filled with a liquid body, the hollow member having top and bottom ends and a surrounding wall that extends between the top and bottom ends;

[0012] a nozzle set including a plurality of tubular needles mounted on the top end wall of the hollow base, each of the needles extending into the inner space and having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being disposed above the bottom end of the hollow member; and

[0013] an air source disposed in the hollow base, coupled to the inlet ends of the needles, and operable so as to supply air bubbles into the liquid body in the inner space via the outlet ends of the needles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional liquid filled display stand;

[0016] FIG. 1a is an enlarged view of an encircled portion of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional liquid filled display stand;

[0018] FIG. 2a is an enlarged view of an encircled portion of FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 7a is an enlarged view of an encircled portion of FIG. 7;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing sound generating means of the fifth preferred embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sixth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand according to the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the sixth preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 3 according to the present invention is shown to include a hollow base 31, an upright transparent hollow member 32, a nozzle set, and an air source 33.

[0030] The hollow member 32 is mounted on a top end wall 310 of the base 31, and confines a water-tight inner space 320 that is adapted to be filled with a liquid body 30, such as water. The hollow member 32 has top and bottom ends 321, 322 and a surrounding wall that extends between the top and bottom ends 321, 322. A liquid filtering device (not shown) may be further disposed in the hollow member 32 to filter the liquid body 30. In this embodiment, the hollow member 32 is partitioned to form three isolated inner spaces 320.

[0031] The nozzle set includes a plurality of tubular needles 34 mounted on the top end wall 301 of the hollow base 30. Each of the needles 34 extends into one of the inner spaces 320, and has inlet and outlet ends 341, 340. The outlet end 340 is disposed above the bottom end of the hollow member 32. In this embodiment, the needles 34 extend transverse to the top end wall 321 of the hollow base 32.

[0032] The air source 33 is disposed in the hollow base 32, is coupled to the inlet ends 342 of the needles 34, and is operable so as to supply air bubbles 300 into the liquid body 30 in the inner space 320 via the outlet ends 340 of the needles 34. Due to the configuration of the outlet ends 340 of the needles 34, impurities 301 in the liquid body 30 will not attach to the outlet ends 340 to block passage of the air bubbles 300 into the liquid body 30 but will settle at the bottom end 322 of the hollow member 32.

[0033] The air source 33 includes a supply pipe 35 having a plurality of branches 36, each of which is connected fittingly to the inlet end 341 of a respective one of the needles 34 via a seal ring 39. The air source 33 further includes a plurality of check valves 37, each of which prevents entry of the liquid body 30 into a respective one of the branches 36. In this embodiment, the air source 33 supplies air via the supply pipe 35 to each of the branches 36 so as to output air into the liquid body 30 via the outlet ends 340, thereby generating streams of air bubbles 300 to create a lively visual effect. Furthermore, shelves 38 can be mounted on the hollow member 32 for placement of articles.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 4 according to the present invention is shown to include a hollow base 41 with a top end wall 410, two upright transparent hollow members 42 mounted on the top end wall 410 at opposite lateral sides thereof, and an air source 43 disposed in the hollow base 41 to supply air into a liquid body 40 within a respective one of the hollow members 42. Shelves 401 are mounted between the hollow members 42 for placement of articles. This embodiment is essentially similar to the previous embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment resides in that the air source 43 further includes an air flow regulator 48 connected to a supply pipe 45 having branches 46 so as to regulate air flow volume therethrough to thereby control sizes of the air bubbles 400 generated at outlet ends of needles 44. In addition, the air source 43 further includes a plurality of control valves 49 respectively disposed on the branches 46 and operable so as to control air flow through a respective one of the branches 46 to result in variable visual effects.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, the third preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 5 according to the present invention is shown to include a hollow base 50 having a top end wall 51, two upright transparent hollow members 52 spacedly mounted on the top end wall 51 with shelves 59 mounted therebetween, and an air source 53 for supplying air bubbles 500 into a liquid body 50 within a respective one of the hollow members 52. This embodiment is essentially similar to the previous embodiments. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments resides in that the air source 53 further includes a plurality of air flow regulators 58, each of which is operable so as to control air flow volume through a respective one of branches 56 of a supply pipe 55 to control sizes of the air bubbles 500 generated at outlet ends of needles 54.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7a, the fourth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 7 according to the present invention is shown to have a construction substantially similar to that of the previous embodiments. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments mainly in that a hollow base 71 has a top end wall 712 that has a raised part 711 extending into a water-tight inner space 721 confined by an upright transparent hollow member 72 and containing a liquid body 70, and that needles 74 extend horizontally from the raised part 711 into the inner space 721. The needles 74 are likewise connected to an air source (not shown) which is disposed in the hollow base 71. As outlet ends 740 of the needles 74 are disposed horizontally in the inner space 721 above the bottom end of the hollow member 72, impurities 701 in the liquid body 70 are prevented from entering and clogging the needles 74.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, the fifth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 6 according to the present invention is shown to include a hollow base 61 with a top end wall 610, an upright transparent hollow member 62 mounted the top end wall 610, and a plurality of air sources 63 disposed in the hollow base 61 to supply air into an air-tight inner space 620 confined by the hollow member 62. Each of the air sources 63 is connected to a plurality of supply pipes or branches 65, each of which is connected to a respective one of needles 64, and is further connected to a respective one of control valves 66 which is operable so as to control air flow through the respective one of the branches 65. Each of the air sources 63 includes a respective one of air flow regulators 68 for controlling air flow volume through a respective one of the branches 65. As such, supply and size of air bubbles 600 can be controlled via the air sources 63 and the air flow regulators 68. In addition, the air sources 63 are all connected to a programmable controller 60 for controlling activation and deactivation sequences of the air sources 63 and hence air flow through the branches 65 and supply of the air bubbles 600 so as to obtain a more lively and interesting visual effect.

[0038] With further reference to FIG. 9, the fifth preferred embodiment further includes sound generating means 67 for generating an audible output upon detecting that an object is proximate to the display stand 6. The sound generating means 67 includes an infrared sensor 671 mounted on the hollow base 61 for generating a detector signal upon detecting that the object is proximate to the display stand 6, an audio signal source 672 connected electrically to the infrared sensor 671 and activated by the detector signal so as to generate an audio signal output, and a loudspeaker unit 673 connected electrically to the audio signal source 672 for audibly reproducing the audio signal output to result in the audible output. In this embodiment, two infrared sensors 671 are disposed, and the audio signal source 672 is an audio recording and playback unit. The air sources 63 are coupled electrically to the infrared sensors 671 via the controller 60 such that the air sources 63 are activated upon generation of the detector signal so as to supply the air bubbles 600. In actual use, the air sources 63 are programmed to be normally off, and the hollow member 62 is used as a product display with shelves 69 mounted thereon to display articles for sale. When a potential customer approaches the display stand 6, one of the infrared sensors 671 will detect the presence of the potential customer and generates the detector signal to activate the audio signal source 672 to playback a commercial recording for broadcasting via the loudspeaker unit 673 so as to attract the attention of the potential customer. At the same time, the air sources 63 are activated to supply air bubbles 600 into a liquid body in the inner space 620. Thus, in addition to displaying articles and providing a beautiful and unique visual effect, this embodiment has the advantage of power-saving.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sixth preferred embodiment of a liquid filled display stand 8 according to the present invention is shown to include a hollow base 81 with a top end wall 810, and two spaced-apart upright transparent hollow members 82 mounted on the top end wall 810. A plurality of needles 84, each of which has inlet and outlet ends 842, 841, are fastened on the top end wall 810 by using a plurality of fasteners 80. Each of the fasteners 80 includes an externally threaded sleeve 801 having an upper sleeve portion (A) threadedly engaging a respective one of threaded holes 811 formed in the top end wall 810, and a lower sleeve portion (B) extending downwardly from the top end wall 810, an internally threaded nut 802 that threadedly engages the lower sleeve portion (B) to anchor the sleeve 801 on the top end wall 810, and a seal ring 803 fittingly disposed in the upper sleeve portion (A) and formed with a needle hole 8031 for sealingly engaging the inlet end 842 of the respective one of the needles 84. An air source 83 is disposed in the hollow base 81, and includes a supply pipe 85 having a plurality of branches 851, each of which extends into the lower sleeve portion (B) and abuts sealingly against the seal ring 803 of a respective one of the fasteners 80 to communicate fluidly with the inlet end 842 of a respective one of the needles 84. By means of this arrangement, a worn needle 84 can be easily removed from the seal ring 803 for replacement. Alternatively, the nut 802 is loosened, and the sleeve 801 is disengaged from the branch 851. The sleeve 801 is then released from threaded engagement with the threaded hole 811 in the top end wall 810 to permit replacement of the needle 84.

[0040] In this embodiment, sound generating means 87 is likewise disposed in the hollow base 81. The sound generating means 87 includes two infrared sensors 871 connected to the air source 83 via a programmable controller 89 such that when one of the infrared sensors 871 detects the presence of an object near the display stand 8, a detector signal is generated thereby to activate the controller 80 and thus the air source 83 so as to control supply of air bubbles 800 via the needles 84. A plurality of air flow regulators 831 are also provided so as to regulate the air flow volume through each of the branches 851. In actual use, an advertising board 86 can be mounted between the two hollow members 82, and shelves 88 can be mounted on the hollow members 82 to display articles for sale. When a potential customer approaches the display stand 8, and one of the infrared sensors 871 detects the presence of the customer, a detector signal is generated to activate an audio signal source 872 to playback a commercial recording for broadcasting via a loudspeaker unit 873 so as to attract the attention of the potential customer. At the same time, the detector signal will activate the controller 89 to thereby control air bubble supplying time. Thus, in addition to permitting display of articles and providing a unique visual effect, this embodiment also achieves advantages of power saving and controlled air bubble supplying time.

[0041] From the aforesaid, it can be appreciated that the present invention has various advantages over the prior art, as set forth below:

[0042] 1. Due to the configuration of the needles of the nozzle set, and since the outlet ends of the needles are disposed above the bottom end of the hollow member, impurities in the liquid body cannot gain entry into the needles to block the outlet ends, and will settle instead at the bottom end of the hollow member, thereby eliminating the need to clear impurities as required in the prior art.

[0043] 2. As the needles are relatively small in size, they are easy to manufacture and assemble to result in lower costs.

[0044] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A liquid filled display stand comprising:

a hollow base having a top end wall;

an upright transparent hollow member mounted on said top end wall of said base and confining a water-tight inner space that is adapted to be filled with a liquid body, said hollow member having top and bottom ends and a surrounding wall that extends between said top and bottom ends;

a nozzle set including a plurality of tubular needles mounted on said top end wall of said hollow base, each of said needles extending into said inner space and having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end being disposed above said bottom end of said hollow member; and

an air source disposed in said hollow base, coupled to said inlet ends of said needles, and operable so as to supply air bubbles into the liquid body in said inner space via said outlet ends of said needles.

2. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein said needles extend transverse to said top end wall of said hollow base.

3. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one shelf mounted on said hollow member.

4. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air source includes a supply pipe having a plurality of branches, each of which is connected to said inlet end of a respective one of said needles.

5. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air source includes a plurality of check valves, each of which is adapted to check flow of the liquid body into a respective one of said branches.

6. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air source further includes an air flow regulator connected to said supply pipe so as to regulate air flow volume therethrough.

7. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air source includes a plurality of control valves, each of which is operable so as to control air flow through a respective one of said branches.

8. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air source further includes a plurality of air flow regulators, each of which is operable so as to control air flow volume through a respective one of said branches.

9. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outlet ends of said needles are horizontally disposed in said inner space.

10. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air source further includes a controller for controlling air flow through said branches.

11. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sound generating means for generating an audible output upon detecting that an object is proximate to said display stand.

12. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 11, wherein said sound generating means comprises:

an infrared sensor mounted on said hollow base for generating a detector signal upon detecting that the object is proximate to said display stand;

an audio signal source connected electrically to said infrared sensor and activated by said detector signal so as to generate an audio signal output; and

a loudspeaker unit connected electrically to said audio signal source for audibly reproducing said audio signal output to result in said audible output.

13. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 12, wherein said air source is coupled electrically to said infrared sensor and is activated by said detector signal so as to supply the air bubbles.

14. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners for fastening a respective one of said needles on said top end wall of said hollow base, each of said fasteners including

an externally threaded sleeve having an upper sleeve portion threadedly engaging said top end wall, and a lower sleeve portion extending downwardly from said top end wall,

an internally threaded nut that threadedly engages said lower sleeve portion to anchor said sleeve on said top end wall, and

a seal ring fittingly disposed in said upper sleeve portion and formed with a needle hole for sealingly engaging said inlet end of the respective one of said needles.

15. The liquid filled display stand as claimed in claim 14, wherein said air source includes a supply pipe having a plurality of branches, each of which extends into said lower sleeve portion and abuts sealingly against said seal ring of a respective one of said fasteners to communicate fluidly with said inlet end of a respective one of said needles.