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US 6,634,138 B2Granted
Self-sustaining indoor waterfall planter
OwnerRichard Jed Katzmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims29
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.
4 more elements
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.
4 more elements
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.
4 more elements
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.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.