Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Fountains or drinking tubes and straws – Ornamental
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-11-06
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Fountains or drinking tubes and straws
Ornamental
C239S016000, C239S020000, C239S023000, C239S193000, C239S211000, C040S406000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311898
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to waterfalls, and specifically to sheet or panel-type waterfalls.
2. Description of Prior Art
Water from a reservoir running over a dam, in such a manner as to create a dispersion, is noted to produce aesthetically and acoustically pleasing effects.
It is noted that this same effect can be duplicated in an artificial waterfall by using a thin angled panel, and allowing water to run down the panel. This panel may also have indentures that cause a rippling effect in the falling water.
Waterfalls such as those represented by the prior art allow water to collect in an upper reservoir, flow down an angled surface, and collect in a lower reservoir. The water is then re-circulated to the upper reservoir using a pump means, whereby the cycle may repeat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,368 (1992) to Nash shows a waterfall providing a natural waterfall effect with accompanying acoustical effects.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,378 (1965) to Zysk is a wall fountain having a pool of water and a pump for raising water from the pool to a higher lever where it then falls over a vertical wall back into the pool.
The waterfalls described previously, and others like them, all suffer from a number of distinct disadvantages:
1) considerable water droplet splashing over a range of several feet from the base of the waterfalls;
2) significant evaporation of water to the point that refill may be required daily;
3) risk of water spillage during relocation of the waterfall; and
4) a large base to house a lower reservoir and a means for returning water to the upper reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a self-contained sealed-cell waterfall display unit comprises a closed cell having a front wall, a back wall, side walls, and top and bottom panels.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
It is an object of this invention to provide a sheet or panel-type waterfall.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a sheet or panel-type waterfall flowing down a front wall with indentures to induce a rippling effect as the water flows over it.
Besides the objects and advantages of the previously mentioned waterfalls, some of the objects and advantages of the present invention are:
1) to provide a waterfall enclosed in a sealed cell to prevent the splashing of water;
2) to provide a waterfall enclosed in a sealed cell to prevent evaporation;
3) to provide a waterfall enclosed in a sealed cell to negate the possibility of water spillage during relocation; and
4) to provide a waterfall enclosed in a sealed cell to eliminate the need for a reservoir or base which protrudes beyond the front panel, allowing for a minimal overall depth from a wall.
It is another object of this invention to have a lower reservoir for water, an upper reservoir with an overflow means, and a means for conveying water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, whereby the water overflows the upper reservoir and returns to the lower reservoir in a waterfall fashion.
This waterfall display unit contemplates a unitary structure, which may be placed at any location or moved from site to site as needed. This waterfall display unit may also be placed in a shallow, framed cabinet or housing for purposes of mounting on a wall or displaying on a table or shelf.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains as this description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, proceeds.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1458208 (1923-06-01), Houghton
patent: 3211378 (1965-10-01), Zysk
patent: 3842531 (1974-10-01), Sloan
patent: 4111363 (1978-09-01), Kawamura et al.
patent: 4747538 (1988-05-01), Dunn et al.
patent: 5167368 (1992-12-01), Nash
patent: 5226935 (1993-07-01), Wolff et al.
patent: 5234728 (1993-08-01), Chiang
Evans Robin O.
Kremblas, Foster Phillips & Pollick
Scherbel David A.
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