Circulating water sound box

A circulating water system is contained in a portable box. The water system includes a tray which carries the water from an overflow chamber and breaks up the water flow before dropping it onto a reservoir surface. Water dropping onto the reservoir surface creates sounds which are carried primarily through openings provided in the box. The sounds are transmitted to the immediate surroundings and are analogous to sounds emanating from naturally occurring water streams. Various trays are described which provide different sound intensities and tones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to apparatus for generating sounds which 
simulate natural sounds of flowing water streams through use of a 
circulatory water system. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Circulating water fountains which are designed to provide a pleasing 
appearance as well as sounds of flowing water are well known and some have 
been designed as portable units suitable for use in the home or office. 
Different designs of flow impediments such as stones and terraces have 
evolved to create cascading or gurgling sounds by the moving water. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a circulatory water system incorporated 
within an acoustic box that contains a flowing waterway which includes 
selectable flow disturbing features to create random sounds similar to 
those from a variety of naturally flowing streams. Rivers, rivulets, 
brooks and creeks having water cascades or streams over rocks and other 
obstacles generate a variety of sounds which may be pleasing and relaxing 
to the listener. The present invention closely simulates these naturally 
occurring sounds through a closed loop water circulation system having a 
waterfall in an acoustic chamber. Different types and intensity of natural 
stream flows are reproduced through a variable output circulatory pump, 
selectable flow disturbing or modulating trays and a water drop distance 
dependent on reservoir level. A tray is inserted in position to receive 
and carry water falling from an overflow chamber and flow disruptive and 
gurgling sounds occur as the water drops from the tray into a partially 
filled water reservoir. 
A wooden box contains all components of the system and acts as an acoustic 
chamber for delivering realistic sounds of impeded water streams. These 
sounds can be very effective for a listener to relieve stress or to 
provide pleasant relaxation. The different trays provide a variety of 
tones and the frequency and intensity of the sounds can be additionally 
varied through the variable output circulatory pump and the water drop 
distance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In FIG. 1, a box indicated generally at 10 includes a top section 11 and 
bottom section 12 that may be hinged together for convenient access to the 
interior. Openings 13 and 14 of selected area are provided to transmit 
sound from inside the box to the exterior surroundings. An additional open 
area is provided around the top perimeter of the box bottom through proper 
mounting of the hinges 14 and 15 together with spacers 16 and 17 as shown 
in FIG. 2. 
In FIG. 2, the box 10 is shown opened with the contents removed in an 
exploded view for convenience in illustrating. A flexible strap 18 is 
employed to hold the top 11 in a convenient position for adjusting or 
servicing the box contents. A water reservoir 19 is positioned in the box 
bottom 12 with the pump inlet 20 and pump overflow ledge 21 overhanging 
one end of reservoir 19. A suitable reservoir is a polycarbonate container 
made by Cambro Manufacturing, Huntington Beach, Calif. This material 
contributes to the sound quality of the box when in operation. Tray 22 has 
one end 23 engaging the edge of ledge 21 to capture the overflow water and 
a bail 24 at the other end rests upon upper edge 25 of reservoir 19. The 
tray is supported at edge 25 such that the overflow proceeds at a slight 
upward incline along the tray surface. Spacers can be provided under 
reservoir 19 to raise edge 25 to a height above the overflow ledge 21. The 
upward incline encourages a uniform distribution of water on the tray 
surface. Bail 24 is semi-firmly attached to tray 22 so the incline can be 
selected by positioning of the bail. An electrical cord 26 connects to a 
pump situated cooperatively with overflow chamber 27. The pump volumetric 
flow is adjustable through movement of the control lever 28 situated in an 
accessible position at the upper end of chamber 27. A suitable combination 
chamber and pump is an AquaClear.RTM. 150 made in Italy and distributed by 
the Rolf C. Hagen Corporation, 50 Hampden Road, Mansfield, Me. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the pump is running, water is drawn upward 
through intake tube 20 to the pump shown schematically at 29 where it is 
discharged into overflow chamber 30. The water then flows over the 
overflow ledge 21 onto tray 22. Tray 22 is positioned above the water 
level in reservoir 19 and has openings provided to allow the water flow to 
be broken up before falling onto the water surface in reservoir 19. Flow 
circulation is continuous so long as the pump is powered and there is 
water in the reservoir. Impingement of the dripping water columns shown 
schematically at 31 on the reservoir surface creates sounds similar to 
that from naturally occurring streams or brooks where water flow is broken 
up by various obstacles such as rocks, abrupt changes in elevation and 
turns in the stream path. 
The specific sounds created are completely random in sequence and intensity 
and tone can be controlled within limits through the amount of water in 
the system which affects the drop distance between tray 22 and the 
reservoir surface, the volumetric flow rate of the pump which can be 
adjusted by movement of lever 28 and by design of tray 22. Some sound is 
passed through the box walls but openings 13 and 14 together with the 
continuous opening provided by hinges 14 and 15 and spacers 16 and 17 
provide the strongest acoustic path. An opening area of about one sixth to 
one third of the area of the top of the box has been found to be 
satisfactory. The box can be hinged along the long side as illustrated or 
along the short side (not shown). I have found that an opening area of 
about one fourth the top area is preferred for a box hinged on the short 
side and an opening area of about one fifth is preferred for the 
illustrated box configuration. A box measuring 8".times.12".times.9" high 
utilizing the AquaClear.RTM. 150 pump assembly referred to above and an 
initial charge of two liters of water has been found to be very 
satisfactory for providing water sounds to a typical room or office 
enclosure of 100 to 400 square feet in area. The box may be constructed of 
various materials but I have found 1/2" plywood to be suitable for the 
side and top panels. The bottom may also be of 1/2" plywood or varnished 
pressed wood. I employ moldings of 1/4" pine at all corners to provide 
rigidity. This design also lends itself to specific artistic expressions 
on the outward facing of the panels through painted or burned designs on 
those panels. Alternatively, any of the outward facing surfaces can be 
used to mount a photograph under a glass or plastic sheet. The interior of 
the box is sealed against moisture penetration through the following 
process. The wood panel material is initially painted with a black latex 
gloss enamel and then covered with a polyurethane coating. Sections are 
then cut and the box is assembled using construction adhesive between 
surfaces and at all interior joints. The inside is then given a coating of 
marine varnish and a top coat of Geocel.RTM. Watershield brushable 
elastomeric sealant. One or more holes can be provided through the bottom 
of the box to provide free air circulation through the box. 
An important feature of this invention is the adjustability in sound 
afforded through different tray designs shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The 
specific tray illustrated as 22 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in more detail 
in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B it may be seen that there 
are small circular holes 33 and larger star shaped apertures 33 in the 
tray surface. The tray may be formed from 23 gauge galvanized metal, 
stainless steel or aluminum and has containment walls along three sides as 
shown. The star shaped holes are conveniently made by drilling and then 
puncturing on a soft surface with a sharp chisel so that the apertures are 
funnel shaped. A random sizing of the openings helps to provide pleasant 
sounds. The small holes may be 1/16" diameter and the apertures are made 
with 3/32" holes and a 1/4" chisel. Thirty three apertures and forty holes 
in a 3".times.51/2" tray gives a good result in the embodiment described. 
An alternate tray 34 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Tray 34 has a small 
number of larger holes 35 and a dam 36 but it has now containment side 
walls. A screw 37 is positioned to fit against the reservoir upper edge 25 
to urge the forward end 36 of tray 34 onto the overflow ledge 21. Overflow 
water flows through the holes 25 and also over the sides of tray 34. In 
the embodiment shown, tray 34 is made of 3/16" wood and the nine holes are 
3/8" diameter. Dam 36 is a piece of 1/4" braided nylon rope fastened to 
tray 34 by water resistant glue and staple (not shown). 
A third alternate is shown in FIG. 6 where the tray 22 is comprised of a 
rack 38 and rope 39. Rack 38 tapers slightly in width from leading edge 40 
to trailing edge 41. In the embodiment illustrated, rack 38 is made of 
stainless wires approximately 1/16" diameter. The leading edge wire 40 is 
3" long and the trailing edge wire 41 is 21/2" long. The rack length is 
6". Rope 39 is a 5/16" braided manila approximately five feet in length 
which is interlaced over and under adjacent wires over about 3/4 the 
length of rack 38 and secured at each end with knots. In use, leading edge 
40 is positioned on overflow ledge 21 and trailing edge 41 fits over 
reservoir upper edge 25. The water flow is broken up in a complex manner 
by the rope and tightness of the weave is a significant and adjustable 
variable. 
A variety of sound intensities and tones are available through control of 
volumetric flow, drop distances of the water and, very significantly, 
through choice of trays which break up or modulate the water flow in 
different ways, thereby providing different sound effects. The metal tray 
illustrated in FIG. 4 provides energetic, action related sounds which can 
be mentally uplifting to a tired or depressed state of mind. In contrast, 
the rope tray illustrated in FIG. 6 provides much more of a soothing or 
relaxing type of sound suitable for alleviating a state of high stress. 
The effect is akin to that of running water in a natural setting and as 
indicated the nature of the sound may be altered by slight repositioning 
or shifting of the rows of woven rope. The wood tray illustrated in FIG. 5 
provides sound effects somewhat between that of the metal and rope trays 
and may be likened to sounds emanating from a spring brook. 
Although the present invention has been described with reference to 
preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that 
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention.