Abstract:
A water device comprising at least a water-carrying vessel and head, and a structure configured to blend in with a landscape environment wherein the structure conceals at least a portion of the water-carrying vessel while leaving the head exposed. Depending on the configuration, the structure may resemble a rock, bark, plant trunk, stone, bedding material, pavers, edge brick and similar decorative landscaping items and may be fabricated of resins, cements, epoxies, fillers, polymers, metals, recycled materials. Natural articles like stone and bark may also be used. Illumination systems, speakers and self-contained music systems may be included as well. Power may be provided by batteries, electricity or solar panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/588,802 filed Aug. 17, 2012 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an irrigation system which can be concealed in the surrounding environment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Irrigation systems for residential and commercial properties are ubiquitous throughout the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions. Such irrigation systems may include sprinklers, bubblers, drips and the like. While such irrigation systems are suitable for their intended purposes, they are often unsightly, broken and not directing water to the plant. 
         [0004]    Thus, there exists a need for irrigation systems which are substantially concealable in their environmental surroundings, protected from breakage and directed to the subject plant. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a water device comprising at least a water-carrying vessel and head; and a structure configured to blend in with a landscape environment, said structure concealing at least a portion of said water-carrying vessel while leaving said head exposed. Depending on the embodiment, the structure may resemble a rock, bark, plant trunk, stone, bedding material and similar decorative landscaping items and may be fabricated of resin, stones, cements and fillers. Natural stone and bark may also be used. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, an irrigation device is fabricated by molding a structure around a portion of the water-carrying vessel. Alternatively, the structure may be formed with a channel configured to receive a portion of the water-carrying vessel. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising: molding a structure around a portion of a water-carrying vessel of a water device while leaving a water device head exposed, said structure configured to blend in with a landscape environment. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising: molding a structure with a channel therethrough, said structure configured to blend in with a landscape environment; and inserting a water-carrying vessel of a water device in said channel while leaving a water device head exposed. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes an illumination system and/or speaker and/or audio system. These features allow the water device to illuminate adjacent natural landscape (e.g., tree) and man-made articles (e.g., plant trestle) and disburse audio tones such as music. 
         [0009]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate perspective views of bubblers of the type which may be used with the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a conventional irrigation system of the type which may be used with the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   a - 3   c  illustrate bubblers according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate a prior art bubbler installed in comparison to a bubbler installed according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a first method of fabricating an irrigation device according to the embodiments of the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second method of fabricating an irrigation device according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a third method of fabricating an irrigation device according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative bubbler including an illumination system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates another alternative bubbler including an illumination system and speaker according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates another alternative bubbler including a self-contained audio system according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative bubbler including an illumination system and solar panel according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0022]    Initial reference is made to Figs. la and lb illustrating perspective views of a prior art bubbler  100  and pop-up sprinkler  105  of the type suitable for use with the embodiments of the present invention. Bubblers  100  are normally installed, along with flexible tubing  101 , proximate to a plant or arrangement of plants and operate to dispense drops of water to keep the plant or plants hydrated. Pop-up sprinklers  105  are normally installed around edges of grass areas and aimed to pop-up and water the grass. When activated, a sprinkler mechanism  106  pops-up from a housing  107  and begins dispensing water. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a conventional irrigation system  110  comprises a water source  115  connected to bubblers  120 , sprinklers  125  and the like, and a timer  130  which controls activation and de-activation of the irrigation system  110 . Water flow control means may also be linked to the irrigation system  110 . Tubing, piping, conduits and similar water-carrying vessels  135  link the water source to the bubblers  120  and sprinklers  125 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3   a  shows a sprinkler  150  having a head  155 , cap  160  and body  165  with a channel (i.e., water-carrying vessel) therethrough for carrying water to the head  155 . A structure  170  in the form of a stone surrounds a portion of the body  165  and water-carrying channel therethrough.  FIG. 3   b  shows a bubbler  175  having a head  180  and flexible tubing  185  for carrying water to the head  180 . A structure  190  in the form of a stone surrounds a portion of the tubing  185 .  FIG. 3   c  shows a bubbler  195  having a head  200  and tubing  205  for carrying water to the head  195 . A structure  210  in the form of bark surrounds a portion of the tubing  205 . Other structures include brick pavers, edge bricks and similar structures. Alternatively, structures may be molded into decorative shapes such as animals, plants and similar shapes suitable for the environmental area in which the structure is to be placed. As shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c,  the structures  170 ,  190  and  210  are positioned proximate the heads  155 ,  180  and  195  and surround the water-carrying vessel of the bubbler or sprinkler By positioning the structures  170 ,  190  and  210  proximate the heads  155 ,  180  and  195  allows the devices to be substantially concealed in the landscape environment because the piping or tubing carrying water to the head  155 ,  180  and  195  is concealed by the structures  170 ,  190  and  210 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the structures  170 ,  190  and  210  may be positioned elsewhere as well. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4   a  shows a prior art bubbler  250  installed proximate a plant  255  using a spike  256  and  FIG. 4   b  shows a bubbler  260  having a stone structure  265 , head  266  and flexible tubing  267  installed proximate a plant. The stone structure  265  allows the bubbler  260  to blend in with the stones proximate the plant  255 . The stone structure  265  also serves to protect the bubbler head  270  and maintain the direction of drip from the bubbler. That is, stone structure  265  acts to maintain a position of the bubbler  260  against the impact of the environment such as the rain and wind and other forces. 
         [0025]    Fabricating the devices according to the embodiments of the present invention may take various forms as described relative to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . A first fabrication method detailed in flow chart  300  of  FIG. 5 , involves a method of forming the structure around the water-carrying vessel (e.g., flexible tubing, piping, etc.). At  305 , a structure type (e.g., stone, bark, etc.) is selected. At  310 , the water-carrying portion of a water device is appropriately positioned in a structure mold. At  315 , resins, cements, epoxies, fillers, polymers, metals, recycled materials (of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,593) and similar types of materials are poured into the mold to create the selected structure type. At  320 , the molded structure is permitted to cure or dry with the water device molded therein forming a single unit. A second fabrication method detailed in flow chart  350  of  FIG. 6 . involves a method of forming the structure separately from the water device. At  355 , a structure type (e.g., stone, bark, etc.) is selected. At  360 , resins, cements, epoxies, fillers, polymers, metals, recycled materials and similar types of materials are poured into a mold having a channel therethrough to create the selected structure type. The channel dimensioned based on the water-carrying vessel to which is will be combined. At  365 , the molded structure is permitted to cure or dry. At  370 , the water-carrying vessel of the water device is inserted into the channel in the structure. The water-carrying vessel may be held in place within the structure channel via friction or a water proof adhesive. An alternative method is described in flow chart  400  of  FIG. 7 . At  405 , the structure in the form of a natural stone or bark (or other article) is selected. At  410 , a channel is drilled, bored or otherwise created in the structure. The channel dimensioned based on the water-carrying vessel to which is will be combined. At  415 , a water-carrying vessel of a subject water device is inserted into the channel. The water-carrying vessel may be held in place within the structure channel via friction or a water proof adhesive. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a bubbler  500  including a stone structure  501  incorporating a water bubbler head  502  and an illumination system comprising a waterproof housing  505 , light  510  (or one or more LEDs) and power cables  515 . Optionally, a control circuit board may be incorporated within the housing  510  to provide lighting control beyond on-off functionality. The stone structure  501  may also integrate a battery compartment to provide battery power rather than electrical power transmitted via said power cables  515 . Like the integration of the bubbler  500  within the stone structure  501 , the housing  510  may be received by a cavity made in said stone structure  501  or the stone structure  501 , if man-made, may be molded or otherwise formed around the housing  510 . Similarly, the power cables  515  may run through drilled channels or the stone structure  501  be molded or otherwise formed around the power cables  515 . The light  510  (or one or more LEDs) may be directed at a tree, bush or other article such that the article is illuminated. 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a bubbler  600  with a stone structure  601  incorporating a bubbler head  602  and illumination system comprising a housing  605 , light  610  and power cables  615 . In addition, the stone structure  601  integrates a water proof housing  617 , one or more speakers  620  and power cables (not shown). Alternatively, batteries may be received by a battery compartment. The speaker  620  may be provided with audio signals via a wired or wireless arrangement. If wired, audio wires may run from an audio source to said one or more speakers  620  along designated channels, or via channels through which said power cables  625  run. If wireless, audio signal may be transmitted by a transmitter to a receiver in communication with said one or more speakers  620 . In one embodiment, the receiver is integrated into the stone structure  601  and the transmitter is in communication with an audio source such as a stereo system, television, computer, smart phone, tablet, MP3 player or any other device capable of generating audio signals. 
         [0028]    While  FIG. 9  shows a speaker  520  integrated into the stone structure  601 , in another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , a stone structure  550  incorporates a self-contained music system comprising a waterproof housing  555 , one or more speakers  560 , interface  565 , antenna  570  and port  575  for connection with an external music source such as a stereo system, television, computer, smart phone, tablet, MP3 player or any other device capable of generating audio signals. Electronics associated with the interface  565  and operation of the self-contained music system are incorporated within a waterproof cavity in the stone structure  601  or the stone structure  601  is molded around an electronics housing. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the stone structure incorporates a bubbler and speaker only (i.e., no illumination system). 
         [0030]    The embodiments of the present invention may be used with static sprinklers, pop-up sprinklers, drips, drip lines, bubblers and similar water devices. While batteries and electrical power are detailed above, another embodiment utilizes solar power facilitated by one or more solar panels integrated with the structure.  FIG. 11  shows a stone structure  620  with an illumination system  625  and a solar panel for driving the same. The solar panel  625  is conventional and converts sun energy into electrical power. 
         [0031]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.