Combined planter and waterfall for pool or the like

A combined receptacle and waterfall unit for a pool or the like, comprising a lower receptacle portion, an upper receptacle portion positioned above and within the lower receptacle portion to define a space therebetween, and a water dispensing unit positioned in the space between the upper and lower receptacle portions and being constructed to dispense water like a waterfall laterally outwardly adjacent to or near the substantially aligned outer peripheral edges of the upper and lower receptacle portions. The upper receptacle portion may be shaped to be used as a planter. A lighting device may be positioned on or near the water dispensing unit to illuminate the water being dispensed therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a decorative accessory for a swimming pool
 or the like and, more particularly, to a combined planter and waterfall
 unit which can be installed adjacent to a pool or the like.
 Currently, if it is desired to provide a waterfall for a swimming pool or
 the like, it is necessary in most cases that the waterfall unit be built
 into the pool or the deck surrounding it. Such installations are expensive
 and are difficult to service in the event of operational problems.
 The combined planter and waterfall unit of the present invention is not
 subject to these disadvantages and possesses the following advantages:
 1. It is a portable unit and can be easily installed in any desired
 position adjacent to a pool or the like;
 2. It is simple in construction and thus easy and inexpensive to
 manufacture;
 3. It is reliable in operation;
 4. It can be easily serviced in the event of operational problems; and
 5. It is attractive and streamlined in appearance and can be made in any
 suitable style or shape to complement a pool style and shape.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The combined planter and waterfall unit of the present invention generally
 comprises a lower receptacle portion of any suitable material having a
 rim, and an upper receptacle of any suitable material having a size and
 shape complementary to that of the lower receptacle portion so that it can
 be mounted on and inside of the lower receptacle portion. The upper
 receptacle portion has a rim that rests on the lower receptacle rim to
 position the upper receptacle portion within the lower receptacle portion
 with a predetermined space therebetween. Alternatively, the upper and
 lower receptacle portions may be formed of unitary construction.
 A water dispensing unit of any suitable construction is mounted on the
 lower receptacle portion and is positioned between the upper and lower
 receptacle portions with the outer edge of its dispensing opening being
 substantially flush with or in close proximity to the adjacent outer edges
 of the rims of the upper and lower receptacle portions. Preferably the
 dispensing opening of the water dispensing unit is a wide opening or slit
 of narrow height defined by a sharp lower edge portion to produce a thin,
 wide and uniform flow or waterfall. In use, the combined planter and
 waterfall unit is positioned near the edge of a pool or the like so that
 the waterfall produced thereby flows into the pool.
 The water dispensing unit is connected to a water source, such as the pool
 water, by a water line which extends therefrom through the space between
 the upper and lower receptacle portions, and then outwardly through an
 opening in the lower receptacle portion. The outer end of the water line
 is connected to a suitable water source such as the pump for circulating
 pool water or the like.
 The upper receptacle portion can be used as a planter by filling it with
 soil or the like and planting a desired plant or plants therein. In this
 manner, the combined planter and waterfall unit serves a dual function in
 a very simple construction. The unit may be mounted on a pedestal or the
 like of any suitable construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the combined planter and waterfall unit 10
 generally comprises a lower receptacle portion 12 having a rim 14, and an
 upper receptacle portion 16 having a size and shape complementary to that
 of the lower receptacle portion so that it can be mounted on and inside of
 the lower receptacle portion 12. The upper receptacle portion 16 has a rim
 18 that rests on the lower receptacle rim 14 to position the upper
 receptacle portion 16 within the lower receptacle portion with a
 predetermined space 20 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3.
 A water dispensing unit 22 of any suitable construction is mounted on the
 lower receptacle portion 12 and is positioned between the upper and lower
 receptacle portions with the outer edge of its dispensing opening 24 being
 substantially flush with or in close proximity to the adjacent outer edges
 of the rims 14, 18 of the lower and upper receptacle portions. Preferably,
 the dispensing opening 24 of the water dispensing unit 22 is in the form
 of a wide opening or slit of narrow height defined by a sharp lower edge
 portion to produce a thin, wide and uniform flow or waterfall. In use, the
 combined planter and waterfall unit 10 is positioned near the edge of a
 pool or the like so that the waterfall produced thereby flows into the
 pool.
 The water dispensing unit 22 is connected in any suitable manner to a water
 source (not shown), such as the pool water, by a water line 26 which
 extends therefrom through the space 20 between the upper and lower
 receptacle portions 16, 12, and then outwardly through an opening 28 in
 the lower receptacle portion, as shown in FIG. 3. The outer end of the
 water line is connected in any suitable manner to a water source such as
 the pump for circulating pool water or the like.
 The upper and lower receptacle portions 16, 12 may be of any suitable shape
 and may be formed of any suitable material. The upper receptacle portion
 16 can be used as a planter by filling it with soil or the like and
 planting a desired plant or plants (not shown) therein. In this manner the
 combined planter and waterfall unit 10 serves a dual function in a very
 simple construction. As shown in FIG. 1, the unit may be mounted on a
 pedestal P or the like of any suitable construction.
 Preferably, the rim 18 of the upper receptacle portion is recessed on the
 lower surface thereof so as to fit over the rim 14 of the lower receptacle
 portion 12. The upper receptacle portion 16 may merely rest on the lower
 receptacle portion 12 so as to be removable therefrom, or may be secured
 in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive, to the lower receptacle
 portion. Alternatively, the upper and lower receptacle portions may be
 formed of unitary construction.
 As shown in FIG. 5, the rim 14 of the lower receptacle portion 12 may be
 provided with a recess 30 for receiving the water dispensing unit 22
 therein, and the rim 18 of the upper receptacle portion 16 may be provided
 with an opening 32 to accommodate the water dispensing unit 22.
 As an additional feature, lighting means such as a fiber optic stick 34
 (FIG. 1) may be mounted on the lower portion of the rim 14 beneath the
 water dispensing unit 22 for the purpose of illuminating the waterfall
 flowing therefrom. The lighting means may be of any suitable form or
 construction.