Bird bath assembly having a ballast-fillable base

A bird bath includes a base and a removable basin mounted to the base. The base includes a hollow interior space that accommodates ballast material. A threaded joint facilitates a removable connection between the basin and base. The base is configured with one of a threaded male and female fastener formation at its upper end, while the basin is configured with the other of the threaded male and female fastener formation at its lower end. A threaded engagement between the male and female fastener formations is effective in mounting the basin to the base. A removable plug insert can be used to isolate the basin reservoir from the ballast-receiving interior space of the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bird bath constructions, and, more particularly, to the design of bird bath units that promote stability by using a base that is fillable with a ballast.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bird baths are used to attract birds and other small animals to visible locations, usually in the yards of home owners in order that the home owners and guests may enjoy the presence of such wildlife. Providing a bird bath with fresh water is a proven way to attract birds and cater to their love of bathing. Ground-supported bird baths are commonly constructed from concrete or other heavy materials in order to provide stability (i.e., to prevent the birdbath from falling over and potentially injuring someone; particularly, young children who may pull on or hang from the bird bath unaware of the inherent risk of injury).

Conventionally, ground-supported bird baths have a water-fillable upper basin supported by a heavy lower base portion. It is very important that the basin is cleaned regularly. Even the best designed bird bath can be a hazard to birds in several ways. For example, water contaminated with feces, rotting debris, and mold is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can spread diseases to any bird that takes a drink. Even if one sick bird sips from the bath, the water can be contaminated and dangerous to other birds. Additionally, stagnant water harbors insects that can transmit diseases between birds or even to other wildlife, pets, and humans. The base portions are typically solid constructions, but even in those base structures that are not completely solid the overall weight of the bird bath makes it difficult to remove water from the basin. Removing water in order to clean the basin is a tedious chore requiring the user to tip the bird bath over to pour out water from the basin, a task made difficult by the bulkiness and weight of the bird bath, especially one having a solid or semi-solid base.

Moreover, due to the heavy weight of most ground-supported bird baths, the packaging, shipping, and transporting of such goods are difficult and expensive. This complexity is a primary reason that many people do not purchase bird baths in the first place.

Accordingly, there is a long-felt, but as-of-yet unmet, need for a bird bath design that features adjustable stability, modularity, portability, and ease of assembly and disassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bird bath unit including a base and a basin. The base includes an interior compartment space capable of holding fluid or other suitable material to serve as stabilizing ballast.

In one exemplary implementation, the bird bath may include:

a base having a ballast-receiving interior space; and

a basin removably mounted to the base and defining a fluid receptacle space isolated from the ballast-receiving interior space of the base.

In another exemplary implementation, the bird bath may include:

a base having a ballast-receiving interior space, the base further having an opening defined at an upper end of the base and disposed in communication with the ballast-receiving interior space;

a male fastener sleeve disposed at the upper end of the base and having an interior bore space disposed in communication with the opening of the base, the male fastener sleeve including external threads provided on an exterior surface thereof and internal threads provided on an interior surface thereof;

a basin removably mounted to the base and defining a fluid receptacle space;

an aperture formed in a lower portion of the basin and disposed in communication with the fluid receptacle space of the basin, the basin aperture including internal threads;

a joint defined by an adjustable threading engagement between the male fastener sleeve at the external threads thereof and the basin aperture at the internal threads thereof;

a selectively removable plug having external threads; and

a sealing formation defined by an adjustable threading engagement between the plug at the external threads thereof and the male fastener sleeve at the internal threads thereof.

In yet another exemplary implementation, the bird bath may include:

a unitary bird bath structure includinga base having a ballast-receiving interior space;a basin integral with the base and defining a fluid receptacle space; anda fluid port connecting the fluid receptacle space of the basin and the ballast-receiving interior space of the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS

Referring now generally to accompanyingFIGS. 1 through 4a, a bird bath is generally shown at100, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bird bath100includes, in combination, a base shown generally at102and a basin shown generally at104. The basin104is removably mounted to base102, making bird bath100an assembled two-piece construction. The base102forms the lower part of bird bath100, while basin104forms the upper removable part of bird bath100.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 1 and 4, the base102has a lower pedestal structure shown generally at110and an upper neck or mounting portion shown generally at112that extends upwardly from pedestal110. Base102is preferably a one-piece construction. The pedestal110of base102has a generally circular bottom end120and an intermediate portion shown generally at122connecting the bottom end120to neck112. The bottom end120serves as the location for contacting the ground surface when bird bath100is installed. Bottom end120may incorporate a cavity124formed at its underside—and further defining an annular peripheral wall portion125—to accommodate objects, such as grass, rocks, and uneven earth, when bird bath100is situated on the ground (FIG. 2). In one form, pedestal110has a progressively narrowing, reduced diameter profile extending in the direction from bottom end120. The basin104has a conventional form including a depression, cavity or generally concave-shaped surface106. The surface106defines a fluid receptacle space that receives and holds water during use.

Referring toFIG. 3A, base102has a hollow interior space generally shown at130that functions as a compartment to receive ballast material such as water. The ballast-receiving interior space130of base102can be designed in any suitable manner. For example, the entirety of base102can be hollowed out, making the whole interior available to receive ballast material. In such a construction, the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102would be circumscribed by the entire outer peripheral surface132of base102(FIG. 3A). Alternatively, a portion or section of the interior of base102can be hollowed out.

For purposes of accessing the ballast-receiving interior space130, the upper end140of base102(proximal neck112) is formed at its terminus with an orifice or open-ended mouth section142defining a hole or fluid port that is arranged in communication with the ballast-receiving interior space130. The mouth section142enables access to the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102. In this manner, mouth section142functions as an inlet port through which the interior space130of base102can be filled with ballast material (such as by admitting water), and functions as an outlet port through which the ballast material held in base102can be removed or discharged (drained out) in order to empty base102of its ballast contents.

The basin104is removably mounted to base102. In particular, base102and basin104are joined together using a selectively adjustable threaded connection. Referring toFIG. 4, in one form, the base102provides the male fitting and the basin104provides the complementary, mateable female fitting. In particular, in base102, the upper end140has a set of external threads generally indicated at150to define an externally-threaded cylindrical male portion152that functions as a male fastener or fitting. The externally-threaded male portion152preferably defines the uppermost portion of base102. In basin104, the counterpart female fitting is provided in a flange section160centrally disposed at an underside of basin104in facing opposition to base102. The flange section160is integral with basin104and can be provided in any suitable form. The flange section160preferably defines the lowermost portion of basin104. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 4, flange section160has an open end166, or upper opening, configured with a set of internal threads shown generally at162to define an internally-threaded cylindrical female portion164that functions as a female fastener or fitting. The externally-threaded male portion152formed in base102and the internally-threaded female portion164formed in the basin104are complementary and mateable with one another, facilitating a cooperative threading engagement therebetween. The upper opening166, in the form of a cavity, includes a closed bottom end, shown generally at168, to define a closed terminus of cavity166opposite the open end of cavity166.

Prior to assembly, when basin104is removed from base102, the user locates base102in its installation location. The user then fills base102with a desired amount of ballast material by supplying or admitting such ballast material into the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102via mouth opening142. In a preferred form, the ballast material is a fluid such as water. The user then positions basin104over base102, joining these parts together by screwing the basin104onto base102. In particular, basin104is maneuvered into position over base102so that the internally-threaded female portion164formed at the lower end of basin104is aligned in axial registration with the externally-threaded male portion152formed at the upper end of base102. A subsequent threading engagement between the internally-threaded female portion164and the externally-threaded male portion152forms a secure threaded connection or attachment between basin104and base102. This threaded connection positions basin104into a selectively removable mounting or support relationship with base102. The basin104can be removed from base102by simply reversing the threaded connection in an unscrewing operation.

Referring toFIG. 3A, the cavity166defined in flange160at the bottom end of basin104effectively functions as a cap to close off, plug, or otherwise cover the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102, once basin104is screwed onto base102. In particular, when the internally-threaded female portion164formed at the lower end of basin104is screwed onto the externally-threaded male portion152formed at the upper end of base102, the bottom end168of cavity166fully covers the mouth opening142formed at the upper end140of base102, thereby sealing shut the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102and forming a closed containment space for holding the ballast material.

Referring toFIG. 4A, an alternate joint arrangement to that shown inFIG. 4can be used to attach the basin104to base102, which involves reversing the location of the male and female fasteners. In this alternative arrangement, the base102provides the female fastener and the basin104provides the complementary, mateable male fastener. In particular, in base102, the upper end140has a set of internal threads generally indicated at170, formed proximate mouth opening142, to define an internally-threaded cylindrical female portion172that functions as a female fastener or fitting. In basin104, the lowermost terminus of basin104(at flange160) includes a set of external threads generally indicated at180to define an externally-threaded cylindrical male portion182that functions as a male fastener or fitting. During assembly, the externally-threaded male portion182formed at the lower end of basin104is inserted and subsequently screwed into the internally-threaded female portion172formed at the upper end of base102. This threaded connection positions basin104into a selectively removable mounting or support relationship with base102. This alternate arrangement also offers fluid isolation between the basin reservoir and the ballast-receiving interior space130of base102. The externally-threaded male portion182disposed at the bottom end of basin104(at flange160) functions as a sealing cap over the ballast-receiving interior space130, once the male portion182is threaded into the internally-threaded female portion172formed at the upper end of base102to mount basin104onto base102.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the assembled relationship between base102and basin104features a removable connection facilitated by a pair of male and female fasteners joined together by a threading engagement. In this way, the components of bird bath100can be considered a kit that requires no tools to assemble or disassemble. The action required to assemble and disassemble bird bath100simply involves a relative turning movement between the parts, in order to screw or unscrew basin104relative to base102as appropriate. Moreover, the threading engagement between base102and basin104is accomplished with a set of fastener structures that are integral with the base102and basin104. For example, inFIG. 4, base102is adapted to provide a male fastener formation (152) and basin104is adapted to provide a complementary and mateable female fastener formation (164), while inFIG. 4Athe arrangement is switched; namely, base102is adapted to provide a female fastener formation (172) and basin104is adapted to provide a complementary and mateable male fastener formation (182).

Referring now generally to accompanyingFIGS. 5-7, a bird bath is generally shown at200, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The bird bath200includes, in combination, a base shown generally at202, a basin shown generally at204, and a removable plug shown generally at208. As best depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7, the bird bath200is considered an assembled three-piece construction, taking into account that basin204is removably mounted to base202and a removable plug208in incorporated into bird bath200. The base202forms the lower part of bird bath200, while basin204forms the upper removable part of bird bath200. Similar parts and features between the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-4) and the second embodiment (FIGS. 5-7) are designated with similar reference numerals, except that the leading digit of ‘1’ for reference numerals in connection withFIGS. 1-4is replaced by a leading digit of ‘2’ for the counterpart reference numerals in connection withFIGS. 5-7.

Referring toFIG. 5A, base202has a hollow interior space generally shown at230that functions as a compartment to receive ballast material such as water. The ballast-receiving interior space230of base202can be designed in any suitable manner. For example, the entirety of base202can be hollowed out, making the whole interior available to receive ballast material. In such a construction, the ballast-receiving interior space230of base202would be circumscribed by the entire outer peripheral surface232of base102(FIG. 5A). Alternatively, a portion or section of the interior of base202can be hollowed out.

For purposes of accessing the ballast-receiving interior space230, the upper end240of base202(proximal neck212) is formed at its uppermost terminus with an orifice or open-ended mouth section shown generally at242(FIG. 5A). The mouth section defines an aperture or fluid port that is arranged in communication with the ballast-receiving interior space230. The mouth section242enables access to the ballast-receiving interior space230of base202. In this manner, mouth section242functions as an inlet port through which the interior space230of base202can be filled with ballast material (such as by admitting water), and functions as an outlet port through which the ballast material held in base202can be removed or discharged (i.e. drained out) in order to empty base202of its ballast contents.

The basin204is removably mounted to base202. In particular, base202and basin204are joined together using a selectively adjustable threaded connection between a pair of male-female parts. As discussed further, basin204is configured with a threaded female fitting or fastener, while base202is configured with a complementary, mateable male fitting or fastener. Referring toFIG. 6, the upper end240of base202includes a flat or planar surface241that functions as a mounting surface to seatingly receive, during assembly, a corresponding and opposing flat surface205formed at the lowermost portion of basin204(FIG. 7). The mouth section242is formed in flat surface241. Base202includes a male connection member or cylindrical projection sleeve211having a set of external threads213and a set of internal threads215. The sleeve211is suitably positioned over the mouth section242formed in flat surface241so that the axial hollow or bore defined by sleeve211is aligned over mouth section242. Sleeve211projects or extends axially from planar surface or seat241formed at the uppermost terminus of upper end240of base202. Referring toFIG. 7, an aperture, orifice, or hole221is formed in flat surface205defined at the lowermost portion of basin204. The hole221includes a set of internal threads223that are complementary and mateable with the set of external threads213of sleeve211projecting from base202. The hole221of basin204is aligned with the bore of projection sleeve211of base202. The projection sleeve211of base202forms a male fastener part at its external threads213, while hole221of basin204forms a female fastener part at its internal threads223that is complementary and mateable with the external threads213of projection sleeve211. In this manner, a male-female threading engagement is possible between projection sleeve211at its external threads213and aperture221, at its internal threads223.

Referring still toFIGS. 6 and 7, the removable plug208preferably has a solid core construction and includes a set of external threads209that are complementary and mateable with the internal threads215of sleeve211projecting from the upper end240of base202. The plug208forms a male fastener part at its external threads209, while projection sleeve211forms a female fastener part at its internal threads215. In this manner, a male-female threading engagement is possible between plug208at its external threads209and projection sleeve211at its internal threads215.

Referring again toFIGS. 5-7, and particularlyFIG. 5A, during assembly the basin204is mounted to base202by screwing basin204onto base202. In particular, aperture221provided in basin204is aligned over, and maneuvered onto, projection sleeve211extending from surface241formed at the upper end240of base202. In a subsequent turning operation involving the rotation of basin204relative to base202, external threads213of sleeve211incorporated into base202threadingly engage internal threads223of aperture221in basin204. In this manner, basin204is screwed onto base202, such that seating surface241at the upper end240of base202is disposed in flush contact with surface205formed at the underside of basin204. In this assembled configuration, bird bath200includes a continuous fluid pathway between the fluid receptacle space or reservoir206defined in basin204and the ballast-receiving hollow space230defined in base202. This fluid pathway has an intermediate channel defined by the internal bore of projection sleeve211extending from base202and now threaded into basin204. At this point, base202can be filled with ballast material, such as water, by pouring the water into basin reservoir206, which then drains down into ballast-receiving space230of base202through sleeve211.

Once the ballast-receiving space230has been adequately filled with ballast material, the as-filled ballast-receiving space230of base202can be isolated from basin reservoir206by threadedly inserting plug208into projection sleeve211. Once basin204is securely mounted to base202, the interior bore space of sleeve211is still accessible at the bottom of basin reservoir206, enabling plug208to be threadingly inserted into the bore of projection sleeve211where its internal threads215are located. In particular, plug208can be screwed into projection sleeve211via a threading engagement between the external threads209of plug208and the internal threads215of sleeve211. As installed, plug208functions as a fluid barrier between the overlying basin reservoir206and the underlying ballast-receiving space230. The basin reservoir206can now be filled separately with water, without any drainage into the ballast-receiving space230of basin202, thereby preventing a mixture between the two. In an alternate filling operation, the ballast-receiving space230of base202can first be filled with fluid in a standalone manner prior to mounting basin204to base202. Next, plug208can be installed in the filled base202, and then basin204screwed onto base202as before.

It is beneficial to seal off the basin reservoir206from the ballast-receiving space230of base202. For example, the fluid isolation facilitated by plug208enables the water contained in the ballast-receiving space230to be treated with a chemical additive, such as a tablet, powder, or liquid, in order to prevent the growth of bacteria. Due to the sealing function of plug208, there is no possibility that such chemical treatment will become mixed with the drinking water contained in basin reservoir206.

Referring now generally to accompanyingFIGS. 8-10, a bird bath is generally shown at300, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The bird bath300includes, in combination, a base shown generally at302and a basin shown generally at304. The base302and basin304cooperatively form a unitary, one-piece, integral structure such as a molded construction. The bird bath300is considered a one-piece construction, due to the integral formation of base302and basin304. The base302forms the lower part of bird bath300, while basin304forms the upper part of bird bath300. Similar parts and features between the first and second embodiments (FIGS. 1-4andFIGS. 5-7, respectively) and the third embodiment (FIGS. 8-10) are designated with similar reference numerals, except that the counterpart reference numerals inFIGS. 8-10have a leading digit of ‘3.’ For example, cavity224formed in the bottom end of base302and defining annular peripheral wall325is identical to corresponding cavity124formed in the bottom end of base102and defining annular peripheral wall125inFIGS. 1-4.

Referring toFIG. 8A, base302has a hollow interior space generally shown at330that functions as a compartment to receive ballast material such as water. The ballast-receiving interior space330of base302can be designed in any suitable manner. For example, the entirety of base302can be hollowed out, making the whole interior available to receive ballast material. In such a construction, the ballast-receiving interior space330of base302would be circumscribed by the entire outer peripheral surface332of base302. Alternatively, a portion or section of the interior of base302can be hollowed out. The basin304defines a fluid receptacle space306(FIG. 9).

Bird bath300further includes an opening317(FIG. 9) formed at the lower portion or bottom of basin304. The opening317defines a fluid port that establishes fluid communication between the fluid receptacle space306of basin304and the ballast-receiving interior space330of base302. In this manner, the ballast-receiving interior space330can be filled by pouring water, for example, into fluid receptacle space306of basin304, which then drains through opening317into the ballast-receiving interior space330.

In an alternate configuration, bird bath300can be modified to include a selectively removable plug (not shown) similar to the one deployed inFIGS. 5-7(i.e. removable plug208). For this purpose, a set of internal threads (not shown) would be provided in opening317, similar in placement to the threads223provided at the bottom of basin204in opening221(FIGS. 5-7). A plug fitted with external threads could then be inserted into such a threaded opening317via a threading engagement. In this manner, the fluid receptacle space306defined in the basin304could be isolated from the ballast-receiving interior space330of base302.

In all of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the water-fillable feature of the bird bath base enables ballast to be added to the bird bath unit, helping it to remain anchored and stable when placed in its working position on a resting surface. The bird bath designs support an adjustable and variable ballasting feature, since the user can selectively fill and drain water from the ballast-receiving interior space of the base according to a desired amount of ballast, such as a particular volume or weight of water. The amount of ballast is varied or adjusted by simply adding or removing ballast from the base. Moreover, the embodiments provide a means for isolating the basin reservoir from the ballast-receiving interior space of the base. In the second (FIGS. 5-7) and third (FIGS. 8-10) embodiments, a removable plug can function as a fluid barrier between these two fluid spaces. In the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-4), the male-female threaded joint between the base and removable basin is designed with a built-in structural feature to offer such fluid isolation.

The construction, structure, and design of the first (FIGS. 1-4) and second (FIGS. 5-7) embodiments provide a selectively attachable basin, which enables the bulk of the weight to be temporarily removed. Additionally, this removable feature enables a lightweight, modular, and portable construction that is much easier to package, ship, transport, and set-up/install by a single individual. A variety of materials could be used to construct the bird baths disclosed herein, though it is preferred that the product is a molded polymer. Molding facilitates the manufacturing of an exterior surface having a very realistic appearance (e.g., natural stone, metal, cement, etc.).