ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE

• US 3,648,659 A
• Filed: 06/08/1970
• Issued: 03/14/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roy A. Jones
• Original Assignee: Roy A. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Roy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chamblee, Hugh R.
• Application Number:
  US05/044,264
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 119/1,73 47/34,39,41.1 248/154,158 108/150,159
• US Class Current: 119/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/02 Drinking appliances A01K39/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/91 Weighted base

Abstract

An article of manufacture comprising a top member mounted on an upper end of a pedestal with electric heating elements and a thermostat recessed in the bowl structure. A connection is adapted to be made to the heating elements whereby the heating elements operate during cold weather to heat water in the bowl to maintain a temperature sufficient to prevent freezing.

Claims

1. A bird bath comprising:

a. a pedestal having a cylindrical upper end portion;

b. a bowl having a portion thereof shaped to retain water therein;

c. a downwardly facing shoulder on said pedestal adjacent the upper end thereof;

d. an annular flange depending from a bottom wall of said bowl; and

e. a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections extending from said annular flange, said projections being engageable with said downwardly facing shoulder to retain said bowl on said pedestal.

2. The bird bath as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. members on said bowl positioned to form a downwardly open recess adjacent said water retaining portion; and

b. a heating unit mounted in said recess and operative to heat said water retaining portion of said bowl to maintain water therein at a temperature above freezing.

3. The bird bath as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said bowl has a bottom wall and an annular edge wall upstanding from the periphery of the bottom wall;

b. said edge wall has a rim portion extending therefrom; and

c. said rim portion has an annular wall depending therefrom in spaced substantially parallel relation with said edge wall to define the downwardly open recess on said bowl.

4. The bird bath as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said pedestal is hollow and said pedestal and bowl are formed of plastic; and

b. said pedestal has a closed lower end and an open upper end to receive ballast material to increase the stability of the bird bath.

5. The bird bath as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said heating unit is an annular member;

b. said heating unit comprises a heating element enclosed within a flexible plastic sheath; and

c. said heating unit has temperature responsive means for controlling the heating element to maintain the temperature thereof between selected limits.

6. An article of manufacture comprising:

a. a pedestal formed of synthetic resin and having wall portions defining a base portion and an upper end;

b. a top member formed of synthetic resin and mounted on the upper end of said pedestal and having a bottom wall portion and Upwardly open compartment therein;

c. a flange depending from said bottom wall of said top member and positioned to define wall portions receiving the upper end of said pedestal therein;

d. a shoulder formed on one of the flange of the top member and wall portions of said pedestal; and

e. a plurality of spaced projections extending from the other of said flange and wall portion and positioned to engage said shoulder and cooperate therewith for retaining said top member on the upper end of said pedestal, said flange yielding and permitting the projections to pass the shoulder as the upper end of the pedestal is moved within said flange.

7. An article of manufacture as set forth in claim 6 including a heating unit mounted within the wall portions of said top member and operative to heat the upwardly open compartment therein to maintain same at a temperature above freezing whereby water within the upwardly open compartment will be maintained in liquid form.

8. A bird bath comprising:

a. a pedestal;

b. a bowl having a portion shaped to retain water therein;

c. cooperating portions on said bowl and pedestal for mounting and maintaining said bowl on an upper end of said pedestal and including a downwardly facing shoulder on said pedestal adjacent an upper end thereof, an annular flange depending from a bottom wall of said bowl, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections extending from said annular flange, said projections being engageable with said downwardly facing shoulder to retain said bowl on said pedestal;

d. members on said bowl positioned to form a downwardly open recess adjacent said water retaining portion; and

e. a heating unit mounted in said recess and operative to heat said water retaining portion of said bowl to maintain water therein at a temperature above freezing.

9. A bird bath comprising:

a. a pedestal;

b. a bowl having a portion shaped to retain water therein, said portion having a peripheral wall;

c. cooperating portions on said bowl and pedestal for mounting and maintaining said bowl on an upper end of said pedestal;

d. an annular wall on said peripheral wall and having a portion spaced therefrom and cooperating therewith to define a downwardly opening recess around the water retaining portion;

e. an annular heating unit in said recess, said heating unit comprising a heating element enclosed within a flexible plastic sheath, said heating element being operative to heat said water retaining portion of said bowl to maintain water therein at a temperature above freezing;

f. means engaging said walls adjacent the opening of said recess for retaining the heating unit in said recess;

g. a temperature responsive means controlling the heating element to maintain the temperature thereof between selected limits.