Abstract:
A multilevel birdbath consists of a main body that has a concave, contoured inside surface and an exterior lower surface, the main body further has a flat rim surrounding the concave inside surface and the concave inside surface optionally has stepped areas fluctuating in height and a sloping portion such that the stepped areas would create different depths of the multilevel birdbath which can accommodate and attract birds of different sizes and species.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is continuation-in-part of and related to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/377,189 filed Oct. 18, 2010, to be issued as D669,230 on Oct. 16, 2012, attorney docket no. MVJ-101, entitled DESIGN FOR MULTILEVEL BIRDBATH, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which it is entitled therefrom. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a multilevel birdbath and/or a removable liner for conventional birdbaths, and more particularly to a birdbath that features multiple pools with different depths which accommodate and attract birds of different sizes and species. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to an improvement on current birdbaths. A birdbath is an artificial “puddle” or small shallow pond, created with a water-filled basin, for birds to bathe and ‘cool off’ in, and drink from. A birdbath can be a garden ornament, small reflecting pool, outdoor sculpture, or part of creating a vital wildlife garden. 
         [0004]    A birdbath requires regular maintenance. Maintenance may be as simple as a daily quick wash and refill, but it will depend on the birdbath materials. This is important because of the possible adverse health effects of birds drinking dirty water, or water which may have become fouled with excrement, algae, or fungi. Fresh water is important. Concrete bird baths tend to become mossy and, therefore, slippery—requiring an occasional scrubbing out with a stiff brush. Conventional birdbaths can be troublesome in maintaining. The ideal conditions for birds of varying sizes being largely a matter of depth and cleanliness of water. If the water is too deep or too shallow, birds will not or cannot avail themselves of bathing and/or drinking. 
         [0005]    Applicant submits that there is no birdbath found in the marketplace that has a gradual sloping and/or multilevel bottom birdbaths that accommodates birds of varying sizes and species to perch, bathe and drink. 
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to birdbaths, specifically to varying depth birdbaths and birdbaths with stepped, sloping or otherwise contoured lower surfaces. 
         [0007]    One object and advantage of the present invention is to accommodate birds of varying sizes and species to bathe, perch and drink. 
         [0008]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a removable birdbath liner surface which is contoured, stepped and/or sloping and can be easily cleaned. 
         [0009]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide flexibility in adding and adapting a lower, stepped and/or contoured lower interior surface to existing birdbaths of varying dimensions and configurations. 
         [0010]    Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    All drawings are of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath and related shape and configuration, other birdbaths can differ in size, shape, material, color and/or finish. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a representative top view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a representative top view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100 ′with specific dimensions of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath removable liner  100 ″ of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a representative view of application of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention resembling a shallow basin having a circular shape. In one embodiment, multilevel birdbath  100  consists of side wall  102 , rim  104  and bottom surface  108 . Multilevel birdbath  100  can be entirely and/or partially made of cement, faber glass, plastic, Silicones depending on whether multilevel birdbath  100  is a fixture or used as a replaceable and removable liner to an existing birdbath. In one embodiment, in the case that cement is being used as a building material, multilevel birdbath  100  needs to have a relatively uniform thickness to avoid stress fractures during the curing process. 
         [0022]    As best shown in  FIG. 1 , rim  104  functions as a dam to stop water from overflowing from birdbath pool  106  of multilevel birdbath  100 . When multilevel birdbath  100  is filled with water to the rim  104 , due to the contour of bottom surface  108 , water body  90  of varying depths will be available for birds of vary sizes to rest on. Moreover, the rim  104  can be of varying widths, such as but not limited to 0 to 2 inches, and can also have one or more grooves thereon in order to prevent water from settling on the rim  104 . 
         [0023]    In addition, it will be understood that the multilevel birdbath  100  can be hollow, such as cast. It can also be made of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of cement, concrete, plaster of Paris, wood, rubber, resin, fiberglass, reinforced fiberglass, plastic, metal, natural fiber and composite materials. 
         [0024]    The stepped or otherwise contoured portion  105  of the present invention is very important. Often birds of varying sizes or species will prefer not to stand on a sloping portion  107  but prefer a flat step or area to sit or lie on. Discrete steps  105  provide an alternative to a sloping surface  107  this is at once inviting, protective, uniform with regard to the width of the step and offering of variation for birds of varying sizes and species. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, multilevel birdbath  100  can be installed on any surfaces, stands and/or pedestals and used independently as a birdbath. In one alternative embodiments, multi-level birdbath  100  can be placed on top of an existing birdbath as an addition or replacement. In one embodiment, multi-level birdbath  100  can be fitted in a custom frame [not shown] with a centered post. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a representative top view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. In one embodiment, multilevel birdbath  100  is circular in shape. However, in alternative embodiments, multilevel birdbath  100  can adapt other regular shapes such as square, rectangular, oval, etc., to suit varying aesthetic purposes. As shown in  FIG. 2 , rim  104  is a flat surface having an approximate width of between 0 inch to 5 inches. In alternative embodiments, rim  104  can also be rounded or patterned. In one embodiment, bottom surface  108  starts to gradually sloping down from rim  104  in the approximate range of 5% to 20%. In one embodiment, grade throughout bottom surface  108  varies such that areas of different water depths are available for birds of vary sizes to stand on. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a representative top view of one specific embodiment of multilevel birdbath  100 ′ with specific dimensions. In this embodiment, rim  104 ′ is 2″ wide and flat, bottom surface  108 ′ starts to grade downward gradually from rim  104 ′ and subsequently sloping upward or downward randomly to form various shaded areas as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this particular embodiment, stepped area A is 1/8″ lower than rim  104 ′, stepped area B is 1/4″ lower, stepped area C is 1/2″ lower and stepped area D is 1″ lower. In this particular embodiment as best shown in  FIG. 3 , area D is shaped resembling a diamond, which is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , bottom surface  108  is a contour surface such that when multilevel birdbath  100  is filled with water, areas of different depth of water will be created. In one embodiment, bottom surface  108  is textured to provide better gripping for birds. In one embodiment, bottom surface  108  is textured with perpendicularly crossing linear crevices. In this embodiment, users can simply stroke along those linear crevices with a brush for easy cleaning. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. As discussed, the stepped bottom surface  108  starts to gradually sloping down from rim  104  in the approximate range of 5% to 20% such that birds  90  [not shown] can enter birdbath pool  106  easily and gradually from rim  104  without a big drop. As shown in  FIG. 5 , bottom surface  108  will then step or grade uniformly or randomly to create a contour surface that will then create areas of varying depths of water. In one embodiment, bottom surface  108  can even be sloped upwardly above water level/rim  104  so birds can perch on those peaks. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, water stop  110  is optionally featured in the underside of multilevel birdbath  100 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , water stop  110  is a groove running along the edge of the underside of multilevel birdbath  100  which prevents water from running and/or trickling down underneath the birdbath  100 . In addition, water stop  110  can also be used as a mounting ring. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a representative vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilevel birdbath removable liner  100 ″ of the present invention. In one embodiment, multilevel birdbath removable liner  100 ″ is made of light and durable materials and can be placed on top or inside existing birdbaths. The main advantage of the liner  100 ″ is that users can retain their current birdbath structures while getting the benefits of the multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. Also, removable liner  100 ″ can be easily replaced or removed for cleaning so water quality is maintained efficiently. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a representative view of a method of use of a multilevel birdbath  100  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 7 , birds  80  of varying sizes and species will be attracted to the multilevel birdbath  100  since they can find water  90  at the right depth for drinking, bathing and/or perching. 
         [0033]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0034]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.