Abstract:
An apparatus for viewing an object through falling liquid includes structure defining a chamber for at least partially containing the object. At least one transparent or translucent member further defines the chamber. A conduit defines at least one hole positioned such that the transparent or translucent member is between the falling water and the chamber. The object is thus viewable by an observer through the falling liquid, and the member protects the object from the falling liquid.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/591,443, filed Jul. 27, 2004, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to apparatuses for viewing media in a chamber through falling liquid.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The sound and appearance of flowing water is often considered desirable. For example, many find the sound and appearance of flowing water to be relaxing or inspiring. Small fountains for home or office use employ a pump to recirculate water over real or artificial stones to provide the sound and appearance of flowing water indoors from a small, portable device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An apparatus for viewing media is provided. The apparatus includes structure, such as a housing, that at least partially defines a chamber for containing the media. A panel exhibiting transparence or translucence further defines the chamber such that an observer can view the media through the panel. The apparatus also includes a conduit configured to convey liquid. The conduit has at least one hole through which the liquid can exit the conduit. The hole is sufficiently positioned such that the liquid, after exiting the hole, falls so that the panel is between the falling liquid and the chamber.  
         [0005]     Thus, a waterfall is created between a viewer and the media. Examples of media include photographs, prints, paintings, sculpture, plants, etc. The media may also be electronic, such as a liquid crystal screen.  
         [0006]     In an exemplary embodiment, a controller is configured to selectively vary the flow rate of the liquid exiting the hole to produce waves, pulses, etc. A light source may be mounted with respect to the structure and configured to illuminate the media inside the chamber and provide an aesthetic lighting effect outside the chamber.  
         [0007]     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective, exploded, rear view of a waterfall frame including a housing, a transparent panel, and a fluid circuit;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the waterfall frame of  FIG. 1  without the panel;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the waterfall frame of  FIG. 1  with the panel;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic, perspective, front view of the waterfall frame of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the waterfall frame of  FIG. 1  taken about a vertical plane; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an alternative waterfall frame taken about a vertical plane. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a waterfall frame  10  is schematically depicted. The waterfall frame includes a main housing  14 . The housing  14  includes a frame portion  18  having first and second vertical portions  22 ,  26  spaced a distance apart from one another, and first and second horizontal portions  30 ,  34  that are spaced a distance apart from one another and that interconnect the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  26 . Portions  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34  cooperate to partially define a chamber  36  therebetween. Each of the portions  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34  includes an inwardly extending lip  37 ; the lips  37  cooperate with each other to define an opening  40  therebetween. Portions  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  34  also define opening  38  of the chamber  36 . Openings  38 ,  40  are generally rectangular. The housing  14  also defines a reservoir  42  adjacent horizontal portion  34 . The reservoir  42  is configured to store liquid such as water.  
         [0015]     Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of materials that may be used to form the housing  14  within the scope of the claimed invention, such as metals, woods, plastics, etc. In the embodiment depicted, the housing  14  is plastic formed in a mold having positive and negative cavities. The housing  14  in the embodiment depicted is one-piece; however, and within the scope of the claimed invention, the housing may be formed of multiple pieces joined together.  
         [0016]     The waterfall frame  10  also includes a fluid circuit  44  having a pump  46  and a conduit  50 . The conduit  50  in the embodiment depicted includes three sections  54 ,  58 ,  62  of pipe. Section  54  extends horizontally from pump  46  to section  58 . Sections  54  and  58  are connected to each other for fluid communication therebetween with connector  66 . Section  58  extends vertically from section  54  to section  62 . Sections  58  and  62  are connected to each other for fluid communication therebetween by connector  70 . Section  62  extends horizontally from section  58 .  
         [0017]     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pump  46  is located within reservoir  42 , and conduit  50  is located within a channel  74  formed in main housing  14 . More specifically, pipe section  54  is in a generally horizontal portion of channel  74 , pipe section  58  is located in a generally vertical portion of channel  74  formed by the lip  37  of housing portion  26 , and pipe section  62  is located in a generally horizontal section formed by the lip  37  of housing portion  30 . Pipe section  62  defines a plurality of holes  78 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the waterfall frame  10  includes a protective barrier, i.e., panel  82 , that is generally transparent or translucent. Examples of transparent materials that may be utilized to form the panel  82  include glass, plexiglass, shatterproof glass, mirror, acrylic, etc. It may be desirable for the panel  82  to be characterized by properties such as reflection control, glazing, protective ultraviolet coatings, and frosting or etchings. The panel  82  has a first surface  86  and a second surface  90  opposite the first surface  86 . The panel  82  is sufficiently sized and shaped such that the periphery  94  of the panel abuts lips  37  formed by the housing  14 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , the panel  82  completely obstructs opening  40  such that surface  86  further defines chamber  36 . The panel  82  is adhesively bonded to the housing  14  such that the panel  82  completely separates opening  40  from chamber  36 . It may be desirable to employ a gasket or elastic strip (not shown) between lips  37  and the panel  82  to provide a watertight seal between the housing  14  and the panel  82 . Within the scope of the claimed invention, the waterfall frame  10  may include more than one panel  82 . For example, a first panel may define surface  86  and a second panel may define surface  90 .  
         [0019]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , the housing  14  defines a ledge  98  adjacent the reservoir  42  for supporting shelf  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the shelf  102  rests on the ledge such that it is suspended over the reservoir  42 , thereby to conceal the pump  46  and to create a sound barrier for the pump.  
         [0020]     Media, i.e., an object to be viewed through the panel  82 , is shown schematically in  FIG. 1  at  106 . The media  106  is positioned within the chamber  36 . Examples of media that may be employed in the waterfall frame  10  include a photographic image, digital media, sand, a painting, an illustration, a poster, digital projection, pixels, a screen, light emitting diodes (LEDs), a carving, a print, a sculpture, etc. Digital media may encompass screens such as liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), plasma screens, projectors, etc.  
         [0021]     A spacer (not shown) may be used to separate the media  106  from the panel  82 . A backing member  110  is releasably attached to the housing  14  to obstruct opening  38  and thereby further define chamber  36 . In exemplary embodiments, the media  106  may be mounted to the backing  110  or may be held in place by the backing  110 . Exemplary backing members  110  include acid-free mat board, a foam core, corrugated cardboard, and plastic. The backing member  110  may be held to the housing  14  in any number of methods including adhesive, fasteners, spring clips, staples, pins, screws, nails, etc. The backing member  110  is optional, and it may be desirable to omit the backing member to provide air circulation if electronic media is displayed in the chamber  36 .  
         [0022]     The media  106  may or may not be mounted to a variety of materials including acid free mounting, foam core, and more. Borders and trim may or may not be applied. The media  106  is selectively interchangeable or replaceable inside the chamber  36 . For example, backing member  110  may be removed to provide access to the chamber  36  to remove the media  106  and to replace it with other media. Alternatively, a slot may be formed in the housing  14 , such as through frame portion  26 , to provide access to media  106  in the chamber  36 .  
         [0023]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , the front side of the frame  18  may include a piece of trim  114  to obscure the interface between the panel  82  and the lips (shown at  37  in  FIG. 1 ). Referring again to  FIG. 2 , an electrical channel  118  is formed by housing  14 . The channel  118  enables a power cord (not shown) to extend into the reservoir  42  for attachment to pump  46 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIGS. 1-4 , the operation of the waterfall frame  10  is schematically depicted. Media  106  is located inside chamber  36 , with backing member  110  secured to the main housing  14  to close opening  38 . Surface  86  of the panel  82  partially defines chamber  36 . In the embodiment depicted, the media  106  is elevated by a support member  120 . It may be desirable for the media  106  to contact panel  82 , and for the backing member  110  to contact the media  106  such that chamber  36  is significantly smaller in width. In another exemplary embodiment, the reservoir  42  may be below the chamber  36  to avoid the use of a support member  120  to elevate the media  106 .  
         [0025]     Water  124  is stored in the reservoir  42 . The pump  46  pressurizes water  124  in the reservoir  42  and causes water to flow through the conduit (shown at  50  in  FIGS. 1-3 ), which directs the water upward from the reservoir  42  to pipe segment  62 . The pressurized water within pipe segment  62  exits the conduit through the holes  78 , where the water  124  falls through the force of gravity back into the reservoir  42 . More specifically, the water  124  exits the holes  78  and falls into the reservoir  42  such that the panel  82  is directly between the falling water  124  and the media  106 . Thus, an observer of the media  106  views the media through the falling water  124 .  
         [0026]     In a preferred embodiment, the falling water  124  contacts surface  90  of the panel  82  as it descends from pipe segment  62  into the reservoir  42 . In an exemplary embodiment, surface  90  of panel  82  is nonplanar. For example, the surface  90  may include features such as protuberances, shown in phantom at  132 , over which the falling water  124  flows. Within the scope of the claimed invention, nonplanar surface features may be integrally formed in the panel  82 , or may be separate members affixed to the panel  82 . A gap is present between the shelf  102  and the panel  82  to allow the falling water  124  to pass into the reservoir  42 .  
         [0027]     Although water is used in the embodiment depicted, other liquids may be employed in the waterfall frame  10  within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, chemicals may be added to the water to prevent algae contamination. Water coloring may be added for aesthetic effect. A filtration system may be incorporated in the fluid circuit to keep fluids clean.  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, the waterfall frame  10  includes at least one controller. In the embodiment depicted, a first controller  136  is operatively connected to, and programmed to control, the pump  46 . A sensor  140  is positioned within the reservoir  42  and is configured to monitor the amount of water  124  in the reservoir  42 . The sensor  140  transmits a signal  144  to the controller  136  when the water level is below a predetermined amount to indicate that there is insufficient water for the pump  46  to operate. The controller  136  turns the pump  46  off in response to the signal  144  from the sensor  140 . Alternatively, the sensor  140  may send a signal to a water source to supply water to the reservoir when the water level in the reservoir is below the predetermined amount.  
         [0029]     The controller  136  may also be programmed to cause the pump  46  to vary the amount of water transmitted through the conduit with respect to time, thereby to cause waves or pulses of water to fall from holes  78 . Water may be programmed to flow at certain times and in certain ways, patterns, shapes, and flow rates.  
         [0030]     The waterfall frame  10  may also include a light source  148  mounted with respect to the housing and sufficiently positioned to illuminate the media  106  inside the chamber  36  and to provide lighting effects outside the chamber  36  through panel  82 . Exemplary light sources  148  include incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes, etc. The light source  148  is connected to a second controller  152 , which controls the light source  148 . For example, the controller  152  may be programmed to selectively cause the light source  148  to change color, brightness, etc. The color or brightness may vary with respect to time to cause a strobe or pulse effect. Mood lighting can take the effect of setting the tone for a romantic dinner in a restaurant to an evening at home. Lighting may also be for illumination of plants that are either within chamber  36  or located outside the waterfall frame  10 . Controllers  136  and  152  may be consolidated as a single controller. A timer (not shown) may be employed to cause the pump  46  and the light source  148  to turn on and off according to a user-defined schedule. In an alternative embodiment, the light source  148  is located within the reservoir  42 .  
         [0031]     The shelf  102  may also sustain weight where items like small stones or plants may be placed on top of it. The shelf may function as a sound barrier, splash absorber, and filter. The shelf may have holes or may be porous.  
         [0032]     A guide  156  keeps the water uniform and flowing effectively down the panel  82  evenly. Any overfill of water that backs up inside the guide  156  can easily drain through the channel  74  into the reservoir  42 .  
         [0033]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the frame includes features for enabling the waterfall frame to be hung on a wall. More specifically, the frame defines cavities  160  into which nails or other hangers may be inserted for supporting the waterfall frame on a wall. Alternatively, the waterfall frame may be configured for placement on a horizontal surface such as a table top. Furthermore, the panel  82  may be tilted so as to be non-vertical. In the context of the present invention, water “falls” when its velocity vector has a downward component.  
         [0034]     Optionally, housing portion  30  defines a slot  158  through which the media  106  may be inserted into the chamber  36 , and through which media  106  may be removed from the chamber  36 . A member (not shown) may be attached to the media  106  and extend upward into or through slot  158  to facilitate removal of the media.  
         [0035]     The transparency of the panel  82  may be selectively variable. For example, the panel  82  may be configured such that the opacity of the panel  82  is responsive to an electronic charge.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIGS. 1-5 , a waterfall frame  10 ′ having an alternative housing  14 ′ design is schematically depicted. Portion  30 ′ of the frame  18 ′ defines a chamber  164  through which pipe segment  62  extends. The chamber  164  extends substantially the entire length of the pipe segment  62 . The chamber  164  is obscured from view, and is partially defined by an inclined surface  168 . Holes  78  in pipe segment  62  are positioned such that water  124  falls onto surface  168  prior to falling such that the panel  82  is between the falling water and the chamber  36 . By flowing along surface  168 , the water  124  from holes  78  is more evenly spread across the panel  82 . The flow rate of water  124  from holes  78  may be such that water accumulates inside the chamber  164 , whereby chamber  164  functions as a reservoir. Within the scope of the claimed invention, a reservoir formed above the panel  82  may be a “conduit” with a hole therein for conveying liquid. Moreover, a hole in the conduit may be any size or shape within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, and within the scope of the claimed invention, a hole  78  may be an elongated slot formed in pipe segment  62 .  
         [0037]     Light source  148  is shown situated in a cavity  160  defined by housing portion  30 ′.  
         [0038]     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.