U.S. patent application number 12/640639 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for water feature construction.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aquascape Designs, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edgar Beaulieu, David R. Kelly.
Application Number | 20100170959 12/640639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552101 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100170959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; David R. ; et
al. |
July 8, 2010 |
WATER FEATURE CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A water feature for use in landscaping applications. A water
issuing device, such as a waterfall construction is provided for
receiving water and discharging water onto a gravel bed. The bed is
positioned below the waterfall and forms a path or surface along
which the water can flow in a stream-like manner and through which
the water can percolate downwardly into the bed. A perforated and
tabularly shaped collection module having a plurality of openings
for receiving water percolating downwardly through the bed. A
cylindrically-shaped and generally vertically oriented stack is
coupled to the module for receiving water therefrom. A pump in the
stack receives water from the water collection member and directs
water to the waterfall construction. It is noted that water from
the waterfall appears to disappear into the gravel and only a
shallow stream is formed.
Inventors: |
Kelly; David R.; (St.
Charles, IL) ; Beaulieu; Edgar; (Sugar Grove,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP;Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Welsh & Katz
120 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA, 22ND FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Aquascape Designs, Inc.
St. Charles
IL
|
Family ID: |
34552101 |
Appl. No.: |
12/640639 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10704346 |
Nov 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
12640639 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 17/085 20130101;
B05B 1/36 20130101; B05B 17/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/17 |
International
Class: |
B05B 17/08 20060101
B05B017/08 |
Claims
1. A water collection device of a water feature, said water
collection device comprising: (a) an elongated and vertically
positionable structure selected from a group of structures
consisting of a container, enclosure and stack, (b) a removable
closure, closes an opening of said structure; (c) a pump having a
pump housing disposed in said structure; (d) said pump removable
through said opening closed by said closure; (e) an opening
different from said opening closed by said closure, said different
opening adapted to receive a conduit coupled to a fluid outlet of
said pump.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/704,346, filed Nov. 7, 2003.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates to a water feature for landscaping
applications and more particularly to a system where water issuing
from a device flows to a bed where the water forms a surface stream
and then flows downwardly within the bed so as to minimize or
eliminate surface accumulation or pooling.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Water features have become increasingly popular as
landscaping tools. Many water features include a pool, pond,
reservoir or other accumulator for surface water and may include at
least one waterfall, fountain or the like from which water flows
into a pond. The pond is usually stocked with fish and may include
vegetation.
[0004] In general, people have found these water features to be
relaxing and soothing due to the appearance and sound of flowing
water. However, in some situations, for example in public settings,
it is desirable to avoid pooling or the accumulation of surface
water. By avoiding or minimizing surface accumulation, safety and
liability concerns, if any, can be minimized.
SUMMARY
[0005] There is described herein a water feature for landscaping
use which employs a device from which water issues or flows to a
stream bed, a system for collecting water from the bed and a
recirculating system. The water in the bed forms a shallow surface
stream (usually less than a few inches), flows downwardly into the
bed and does not pool so that surface accumulation is minimized. In
other words, a pond or other surface accumulator is not present and
safety and liability concerns are minimized.
[0006] The system includes a device which discharges water such as
a waterfall, fountain or the like. With respect to a waterfall, it
is positioned at an elevated level and discharges water to the bed,
preferably of gravel, therebelow. The water flows on the bed so as
to form a surface stream and flows into the bed so it does not
accumulate on the surface of the bed. The water percolates
downwardly into the bed to an elongated perforated, generally
horizontally positioned, and tubularly-shaped collection module. An
elongated vertically oriented and tubularly shaped vault or stack,
which defines a sump at its lower end, is provided which is coupled
at its lower end to the module, extends to a position adjacent the
surface and provides a housing for a pump. Water from the bed
enters the module and flows through the module to the vault and
sump. The pump then delivers the water to the waterfall or other
discharge device. The cycle is then repeated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an elevational style view of the water feature
showing a waterfall and stream and in section, the gravel bed,
collection module, vault and pump;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1
showing the waterfall, bed, module, vault and pump;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in exploded fashion the
waterfall inlet connection;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective style view showing an excavation
with a liner for the horizontal collection module and the vertical
vault which has removable sections; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the stack showing the
pump in a position to be removed;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing a height extender
member and a cap for the stack; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective style view showing the stack and
multiple collection modules coupled thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, the water feature system 10
generally is shown. The system includes a water issuing device,
such as a waterfall construction 12 generally, a gravel bed 14
generally and a water collection and recirculation system 16
generally.
[0015] The waterfall construction 12 includes a box-like member 13
which is open at the top 18 and forms a lip 20 from which water
falls or is discharged. The waterfall construction includes an
inlet 21 at the bottom of the waterfall box 13 so that water can be
received in the waterfall construction. Water enters the box 13,
flows upwardly through filters provided therein (not shown) and
exits via the lip 20. In a landscape setting, the waterfall
construction is blocked from view by surrounding soil, vegetation
and/or rock formations so that only the downwardly flowing or
cascading water is seen. It will be appreciated that other
water-issuing devices, like a fountain can be used in place of the
waterfall.
[0016] Streams of water such as 22 and 24 cascade downwardly from
the waterfall construction 12 to the gravel bed 14. The gravel bed
forms an elongated and sometimes meandering surface path or stream
26 from the waterfall construction.
[0017] The water forms a surface stream which is usually shallow
and since it is on a gravel bed, the water percolates downwardly.
Thus as shown in the figures and described herein water received
from the waterfall construction flows along the bed surface and
percolates downwardly through the bed. The depth of the bed per se
depends upon landscape considerations and on water collection
considerations and on water collection considerations. Usually the
bed is shallow near the waterfall construction and substantially
deeper (e.g. 4 feet) in a position downstream from the waterfall
construction 12. The stream of water 26 is seen at the base of the
waterfall construction and flows on the bed surface. At the deeper
portion 14a of the bed, the surface water (as shown by arrows such
as 27, 28 and 30) appears to be lost or fall into the bed.
[0018] The bed includes gravel of different sizes. The gravel
generally varies in size from small gravel 32 at the top to large
gravel or stones 34 (sometimes referred to as cobbles) at the
bottom. Brick or other aggregate materials can be used instead of
gravel.
[0019] In other words, water flows from the waterfall along the bed
surface, down into the bed and disappears into the bed. Thus, a
child can play in the stream on the gravel, get his or her feet
wet, experience flowing water and still hear a gurgling or flowing
noise. The bed is formed by an excavation which is lined by a water
impervious material 36, such as a rubber, ethylene propylene diene
monomer, concrete or the like. In fact, the liner is under the
entire water feature so as to retain the water in a closed system.
This includes the waterfall construction 12, the gravel bed 14 and
the water collection and recirculation system 16.
[0020] The water collection and recirculation system 16 includes an
elongated tubular and perforated water collection module 38 which
is positioned below the bed surface (usually at the bed bottom) and
at a generally horizontal attitude. The module includes water inlet
apertures such as 40 and 42 by which water percolating through the
gravel bed enters the module. It should be noted that large size
gravel 34, sometimes referred to as cobble stones, is positioned
adjacent the module thereby minimizing the risk of the apertures
becoming clogged with the smaller gravel such as 32. The apertures,
such as 40 and 42 are spaced along the length of the module.
[0021] One end 44 of the module is closed. The other end 46 of the
module is open, forms a fluid coupling and is connected to an
elongated, tubular, vertically oriented vault or stack 48. The
stack has a sump 49 at its lower end. The sump is connected or
coupled to the collection module 38. The top end 50 is closed with
a cap 51 and positioned adjacent the surface of the bed. A
connection opening 52 is provided in the side of the stack for use
in the recirculation. In the sump 49 there is a pump 54 which
receives water collected by the collection module 38 and discharges
the collected water into a conduit 56 that directs collected water
to the waterfall inlet 21. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the pump
includes an external housing 54a. As also can be seen from FIG. 1,
the structure 48 can a container or enclosure.
[0022] The conduit 56 includes a discharge pipe 58 that extends
from a fluid outlet 54b of the pump 54 and is positioned in the
sump 49. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the stack 48 provides a cavity,
chamber or hollow 48a, the bottom 48a' of the cavity, chamber or
hollow 48a is formed by sump 49. A check valve 60 is positioned at
the upper end of the discharge pipe. The check valve 60 is also
connected to tube 62 which extends from the check valve 60 through
the opening 52 to the waterfall inlet 21. The tube 62 forms part of
conduit 56. The check valve 60 prevents reverse flow from the
waterfall.
[0023] In FIG. 2, the water feature system 10 is seen in section
and it is seen that appropriate rock, vegetation and other
landscape features can be placed about the various water feature
components to provide an appropriate setting. The waterfall
construction 12 is positioned above the gravel bed 14 so as to
provide for the flow of water from the waterfall to the bed in a
cascading manner, down the bed surface like a stream and to the
module 38. The collection module 38 is at the bottom of the gravel
bed 14 so that water entering the gravel bed can percolate
downwardly through the gravel to the module for recirculation.
[0024] The inlet to the waterfall system employs a bulkhead
connection system 64. Generally, the connection system includes a
threaded fitting 66 and a gasket 68 on the inside of the waterfall
construction wall 70. A second gasket 68a is provided on the
outside. A nut 72 secures the fitting 66 to the wall 70. The inside
of the threaded fitting 66 is threaded (but in the reverse
direction) and receives a threaded slip 74 which can be tightened.
The slip has an opening to receive and seal to the conduit or
tubing 62. The end of conduit 62 is slipped into the slip 74 and
sealed thereto.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, an excavation is shown for the
liner, gravel bed (not shown), horizontal collection module 38 and
vertical stack 48. It is seen that the stack 48 includes a
plurality of tube-like sections 75, 76, 78 and 80. The sections can
be removed or sections added so as to adjust the height of the
stack and position the top of the stack at, below or just above the
surface of the gravel bed. This positioning provides access to the
interior of the stack 48 for cleaning or for pump removal. Usually
these sections are marked with score lines and the sections can be
cut from one another. Each stack section includes a boss-like
projection such as 82 (sometimes referred to as a hose tail) that
can be cut open to provide for the connection or opening 52. Each
section also includes a cap or extender engaging nibs or small
projections 84 and 86 which are used to secure with an extender or
cap to the main stack.
[0026] The collection module 38 although generally horizontal, is
slightly sloped or tipped so that entering water flows to the sump
49.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 5, the pump 54, the discharge pipe 58
and check valve 60 can be removed from the stack or sump by
disconnecting from the conduit 62 and then tipping or lifting.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a stack 48 with sump 49.
Also shown is an extender section 90 and cap 51. The stack includes
three sections with the top section such as 80 including the hose
tail 82 and nibs 84 and 86. The extender 90 is shown including two
tubular extender sections 92 and 94 with the lower extender section
including a collar 96 that is slightly larger in diameter than the
stack sections such as 80. The collar 96, has threads 84a and 86a,
can fit on the stack section 80, engage the nibs 84 and 86 and thus
be screwed or otherwise secured and sealed to the section 80. It is
seen that the extender sections also include a hose tail such as 98
and nibs such as 100 and 102. The cap 51 is formed similarly to the
collar 96, has threads 51a that engage the nibs 100 and 102 and can
be screwed down and sealed to the extender. It will be appreciated
that the cap can also be secured to sections such as 80 as long as
nibs such as 84 and 86 are provided.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a stack and
collection module system 104 which is suitable for larger
operations having a larger bed. Stack and module system includes a
plurality of modules such as 106, 108, 110 and 112 which are
connected to a vault or stack 114 having a sump 116 at the lower
end thereof. This system is suitable for use in larger areas where
it is desired to collect larger amounts of water so as to maintain
the stream-like appearance and minimize accumulation.
[0029] Modifications and changes can be made to the foregoing
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *