Ornamental Patents (Class 239/17)
  • Patent number: 4715136
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a kinetic water display is provided having a plurality of water jets for outputting streams of water and also having a transparent plate of clear glass or acrylic material. The transparent plate is disposed proximate to and in opposing relationship to the streams of water such that the streams impinge upon the inner surface of the transparent plate thereby forming at least one kinetic shape comprised of ambient air and water upon the inner surface of the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Wet Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Fuller, Alan S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4688720
    Abstract: A nozzle for an architectural fountain which has fixed deflector surfaces that produce a plume divided into well-aerated drops of substantial size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Kidde Consumer Durables Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. MacDonald, Ernst von Winckelmann
  • Patent number: 4591094
    Abstract: A fountain, suitable in particular for use in domestic locations, comprises a generally vertical fluid inlet tube, a spray tube surrounding the fluid inlet tube and free to move linearly in the direction of the length of the latter, the spray tube being open at its lower end and having at least one flow-restricting orifice at its upper end, and a liquid container surrounding the spray tube. A pump may be provided to feed fluid, e.g. air or water, to the fluid inlet tube. Liquid ejected from the orifice or orifices may be collected in a catchment vessel and returned to the liquid container for recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Arthur Morris
  • Patent number: 4413778
    Abstract: A self contained fountain in the form of an antique hand pump on a stand. A motor in the pump body oscillates the pump handle up and down and this movement alternately actuates and deactuates a submerged electric pump in the fountain reservoir so that water is pumped from the pump spout in timed relation to the movement of the pump handle. The water drains from the receiving container back to the reservoir concealed in the pump stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Inventor: William S. Middlemiss
  • Patent number: 4349293
    Abstract: A compound block kit of edge-toothed concrete blocks, in which the compound blocks are coordinated relative to their cross-sectional shape and size and have cobblestone blocks to palisade blocks of various heights. The cobblestone compound blocks and palisade compound blocks are provided with edge-teeth extending around the entire block circumference and are engageable with one another. The similar edge-teeth prevent a relative shifting of the blocks. The identical cross-sectional shapes and sizes permits any desired insertion and exchange of compound blocks at any desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Hugo Rosenberger
  • Patent number: 4269352
    Abstract: An arrangement of water pumps comprising two electric motor operated pumps for each of a plurality of formations of nozzles whereby the water flow from the pairs of pumps to the various formations of nozzles may be selectively controlled by pluralities of electric switches located in a remote station. Electric circuitry associated with the switches controls the electric current flow to the various pump motors in a manner whereby the height of the water sprays emitted from the respective nozzles is selectively controlled along with providing a generally universal control over the activation of individual, various groups and formations of nozzles to produce a very wide range of different rhythmic visual effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Gunter Przystawik
  • Patent number: 4217315
    Abstract: A combination humidifier and moving indoor sculpture is provided comprising a reservoir containing a body of water, an upright helix rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and means for pumping water to the top of the helix. The helix floats on the surface of the body of water, and the water pumped to the top of the helix flows down the helix under the influence of gravity adding humidity to the surrounding atmosphere and rotatably driving the helix due to the change of momentum of the water flowing down the helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Inventor: Miner S. Keeler, II
  • Patent number: 4205785
    Abstract: A water play toy comprising a base portion and an elevatable, elongated upper portion having a water deflector mounted at the top. A source of water under pressure is coupled to an upwardly directed nozzle located in the base portion. When the water pressure is turned on, a jet of water is directed upwardly from the nozzle through the upper portion to the deflector and the force of water lifts the upper portion into the air where it balances on the head of the water stream. When the deflector is an impeller, the upper portion rotates and an umbrella-shaped shower of water is broadcast outwardly from the deflector. As long as the water pressure is uninterrupted, the upper portion is balanced on the top of the water stream from the nozzle and continues to spray water in a circular pattern around the toy. The nozzle is slidably positionable to enable it to be positioned to direct the water stream directly vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: George O. Stanley
  • Patent number: 4204631
    Abstract: An ornamental fountain nozzle for generating a plurality of nonaerated water streams includes a body defining a chamber therein. A plug is disposed across an upper water outlet opening of the body and has a portion of its length outside the body. A plurality of grooves are formed at intervals in the circumference of the plug and have their lengths substantially aligned with the length of the plug. The grooves have a substantial portion of their length disposed within the body. The grooves have lower ends which communicate with the chamber and upper ends which communicate with the exterior of the nozzle only through the peripheral walls of the plug above the upper end of the body. Each groove has a base element therealong located farthest inwardly of the groove from the plug peripheral walls. The base element of each groove is sloped outwardly relative to the length of the body proceeding upwardly along the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Rain Jet Corporation
    Inventor: John O. Hruby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4202056
    Abstract: A toilet waterfall including a cover member arranged to fit on the open top of a flush tank of a conventional toilet and having a series of drip pans supported thereabove in superposed, staggered relationship so that water delivered upon flushing of the tank will be delivered through a suitable conduit to the uppermost drip pan to create a series of small waterfalls and another conduit for return of the water ultimately into the flush tank itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Inventor: Christopher A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4111363
    Abstract: A unit type slanting water fountain display apparatus for displaying time and/or characters on a slopewise display surface. The apparatus is formed as a portable type and is easily moved at a desired site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Inventors: Koichi Kawamura, Yoshiko Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4094464
    Abstract: A water fountain device having stepwisely arranged nozzles in matrix. The water fountain may be displayed to express clock, characters or notations under control of electromagnetic valves controlled by program in a controller. The display is in three dimension so that it is very easy to be seen from the ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Inventors: Koichi Kawamura, Yoshiko Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4002293
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for use in decorative water fountains, dish washers, and the like, wherein one or more pairs of oppositely projected fluid streams are collided to form dispersals having preselected shapes and movement or location functionally related to the relative magnitude, pressure or impact velocity, and alignment of the streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Inventor: Thomas R. Simmons
  • Patent number: 3941154
    Abstract: A swimming pool system including an inlet conduit around the walls of the pool having spaced apart outlet openings directing fountains of water upwardly and inwardly for cooling in the night air and for providing a decorative fountain affect around the periphery of the pool. The inlet conduit is comprised of a plurality of sections each of which is connected to a control flow valve having a continuously rotatable valve element. The valve element is cylindrical and hollow and includes a series of peripheral rows of openings registerable with the inlet conduit sections. Each of the successive openings in the rows are different in shape and size to provide a continuously varying pattern of fountain activity. A reciprocal power means may be provided for reciprocating the cylindrical valve element such that different peripheral rows of openings register alternately with the sections of inlet conduit to further vary the pattern of fountain activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Bishop
  • Patent number: 3930334
    Abstract: A hanging apparatus for falls and hanging plant which includes a pair of liquid receptacles which are supported in respective top and bottom positions with the top liquid receptacle being substantially directly above the bottom receptacle. The top liquid receptacle is capable of dropping liquid from a plurality of locations to the bottom liquid receptacle, and the bottom liquid receptacle is positioned for and is capable of receiving the falling liquid so as to enable a multiple falls effect. At least one other receptacle is capable of supporting a hanging type plant. This plant receptacle is positioned above the bottom liquid receptacle, and the plant receptacle has a periphery which is different from the outside envelope of the falling liquid so that the hanging plant will not interfere with the falling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Inventor: Ervin F. Johnston