Self-sustaining indoor waterfall planter

• US 6,634,138 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Jed Katzman
• Original Assignee: Richard Jed Katzman
• Inventors: Katzman, Richard Jed
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Valenti, Andrea M.
• Application Number:
  US09/752,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: D30/121, D30/101, D30/105, D30/106, D30/107, D25/2, D23/201, D23/13, 239/23, 239/12, 239/16-22, 47/79--83, 47/47, 47/666, 47/67, 47/59, 47/62.R, 47/62.E, 47/63, 47/64, 210/255, 210/262
• US Class Current: 47/79
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/022 Pots for vertical horticulture
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/08 Fountains drinking fountains E03B9/20; wash fountains E03C1/16

Abstract

A decorative fountain comprising a support member that can be disposed on a floor or a wall is disclosed. The decorative fountain is comprised of a decorative element which may be disposed on the support member and at least one reservoir. A liquid can flow from an upper position on the decorative element, down the front of the decorative element, where it is received by the reservoir. Optionally, a liquid pumping device coupled to the reservoir may pump the liquid to the upper position on the decorative element. The decorative fountain further comprises flowers in a growing medium, with a sunlight substitute.

Claims

1. A decorative fountain, comprising:

(a) a support member, said support member comprising a display support structure having an area, and said support member being configured to be put at rest extending upwardly in a stable position;

(b) a plurality of decorative elements disposed throughout the area of said support structure, said decorative elements receiving and supporting non-aquatic living plants in a respective recess, said decorative elements being configured to generally resemble ledge-like structures found in nature, said decorative elements extending from said support structure and defining recesses configured and dimensioned to support a growing medium for said plants, and configured to guide the surface flow of an aqueous liquid toward the top surface of said growing medium and said non-aquatic living plants, said surface flow of said liquid being fed by a falling flow of said liquid and said support structure being configured and dimensioned to guide said falling liquid from an upper position on said support structure to a lower position on said support structure, said support structure and said decorative elements configured to guide said falling flow of liquid from said upper position to said lower position, with said falling flow of liquid cascading to said decorative elements;

(c) at least one reservoir disposed on said support member and positioned to receive liquid flowing from said lower position;

(d) a liquid pumping device having an input and an output;

(e) an input coupling member for coupling said reservoir to the input of said liquid pumping device; and

(f) an output coupling member for coupling the output of said liquid pumping device to said upper position.

2. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, further comprising at least one source of light for providing a sunlight substitute to said non-aquatic living plant.

3. A decorative fountain as in claim 2 wherein said reservoir comprises compartments for collecting said flowing liquid.

4. A decorative fountain as in claim 2, wherein said reservoir comprises a front reservoir disposed on a front surface of said support structure, and a rear reservoir disposed on a rear surface of said support structure, said front reservoir and said rear reservoir separated by a wall structure, and being functionally connected by at least one channel penetrating said wall structure to allow for the flow of liquid between said front and said rear reservoirs.

5. A decorative fountain as in claim 4 further comprising a pH measuring member for monitoring the pH of said flowing liquid.

6. A decorative fountain as in claim 5 further comprising a timer device to control the time said light is on.

7. A decorative fountain as in claim 6 wherein said display support structure is oriented with a rearward tilt of 10-55 degrees.

8. A decorative fountain as in claim 7 wherein said support member is an easel.

9. A decorative fountain as in claim 8 wherein rate of flow of said falling liquid is controlled by a valve, said valve disposed on said output coupling member, and said valve applies a compressive force on said output coupling member.

10. A decorative fountain as in claim 9 further comprising a drain member to facilitate removal of said liquid from said decorative fountain comprising:

(g) a drain coupling member attached to said output coupling member; and

(h) a valve disposed on said drain coupling member to control the draining of said liquid from said decorative fountain, said valve being configured and dimensioned to provide a compressive force on the outer walls of said drain coupling member.

11. A decorative fountain as in claim 10, wherein said display support structure further comprises a decorative frame around said display support structure of said support member.

12. A decorative fountain as in claim 1 wherein said decorative element comprises a precast material, optionally porous rock, such as porous volcanic lava rock, a porous, nontoxic concrete-based resin material, or a pre-molded porous, recycled plastic.

13. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, wherein said decorative elements are further configured and dimensioned to guide said liquid toward said non-aquatic living plant by capillary action.

14. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, wherein said decorative element further comprises rock and a second non-aquatic living plant in a growing medium, and wherein said decorative elements are further configured and dimensioned to guide the surface flow of said liquid toward said non-aquatic living plant due to the capillary action inherent in said rock.

15. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, wherein said surface flow is caused by capillary action.

16. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, wherein said support structure is configured for mounting on a wall.

17. A decorative fountain as in claim 1, wherein said support structure further comprises a tripod secured to said display support structure.

18. A decorative fountain as in claim 1 wherein said decorative element comprises a precast material configured to resemble shelves.

19. A decorative fountain, comprising:

(a) a support member configured to rest extending upwardly in a stable position on a floor, said support member comprising a display support structure having an area, wherein said display support structure is oriented with a rearward tilt of 10-55 degrees;

(b) a plurality of decorative elements disposed throughout the area of said support structure, each of said decorative elements being configured and dimensioned to define a recess for containing a plant and to guide a falling aqueous liquid from an upper position on said decorative elements to a lower position on said decorative elements, said decorative elements containing a non-aquatic living plant in a growing medium, and being further configured and dimensioned to support said non-aquatic living plant and guide said liquid toward the top surface of said growing medium, said support structure and said decorative elements being configured to guide said liquid cascading to said plurality of decorative elements;

(c) at least one reservoir disposed on said support member and positioned to receive said liquid flowing from said upper position to said lower position;

(d) a liquid input coupling member for coupling a liquid supply to said upper position;

(e) a source of light for providing a sunlight substitute to said non-aquatic living plant; and

(f) a timer device to control the time said light is on.

20. A decorative fountain as in claim 19, further comprising a pH measuring member for monitoring the pH of said flowing liquid.

21. A decorative fountain as in claim 19, wherein said support member is an easel.

22. A decorative fountain as in claim 21, wherein rate of flow of said falling liquid is controlled by a valve.

23. A decorative fountain as in claim 22, further comprising a decorative frame around said display support structure of said support member.

24. A decorative fountain as in claim 23, wherein said decorative element comprises a precast material so configured to resemble vertical ledge found in nature.

25. A decorative fountain as in claim 24, wherein decorative element is further configured and dimensioned to guide the surface flow of said liquid toward said non-aquatic living plant and said liquid also flows due to the capillary action inherent in the rock.

26. A decorative fountain, as in claim 19 further comprising:

(h) a liquid volume sensing device and control valve attached to said liquid supply;

(i) a liquid pumping device having an input and an output;

(j) a pump input coupling member for coupling said reservoir to the input of said liquid pumping device; and

(k) a pump output coupling member for coupling the output of said liquid pumping device to said upper position;

(l) a valve disposed on said drain output coupling member to control the draining of said liquid.

27. A decorative fountain, comprising:

(a) a support member configured to be disposed in a stable upwardly extending position on a wall, said support member comprising a display support structure having an area and having an upper position and a lower position;

(b) a plurality of decorative elements, disposed throughout the area of said support structure, said decorative elements each defining a recess configured to receive and support a growing medium for a non-aquatic living plant having roots, said decorative elements being configured to generally resemble ledge-like structures found in nature, said decorative elements extending from said support structure and configured to guide the surface flow of an aqueous liquid in a direction extending across the flow of said liquid under the influence of gravity and momentum into direct contact with said growing medium, and to fall in a cascade to said decorative elements from said upper position to said lower position on said support structure toward said non-aquatic living plant, said surface flow of said liquid being fed by a falling flow of said liquid and said decorative element disposed on said support structure, said decorative element being configured and dimensioned to guide a falling liquid from said upper position on said decorative elements to said lower position on said decorative element, and said decorative elements defining channels to allow water to flow away from said roots by gravity;

(c) at least one reservoir disposed on said support member and positioned to receive liquid flowing from said lower position;

(d) a liquid pumping device having an input and an output;

(e) an input coupling member for coupling said reservoir to the input of said liquid pumping device; and

(f) an output coupling member for coupling the output of said liquid pumping device to said upper position.

28. A decorative fountain, comprising:

(a) a support member configured to rest in a stable upwardly extending position on a wall and having a display support structure integral with said support structure;

(b) a decorative element disposed on said support structure, said decorative element being configured and dimensioned to guide a falling water from an upper position on said decorative element to a lower position on said decorative element;

said decorative elements extending from said support structure and defining recessed configured and dimensioned to support a growing medium and non-aquatic plants;

(c) at least one reservoir disposed on said support member and positioned to receive water flowing from said lower position and accumulate the same in a volume defined by said reservoir;

(d) an input coupling member for coupling said water from said volume to said upper position; and

(e) a water volume sensing device disposed within said volume, said water sensing device being couple to a control valve attached to a water supply to replenish water in said reservoir lost as a result of evaporation or other causes.

29. A decorative fountain as in claim 28, further comprising at least one source of light for providing a sunlight substitute to said non-aquatic living plant.