Abstract:
A circulatory water flow sensory system having a water nozzle attached to a basin. A pump sends water from the water reservoir through the nozzle and into the basin. The water then drains from the basin into the water reservoir. The basin is shaped in such a way to allow easy and safe access to the flowing water for children, especially those with developmental disorders such as autism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders are complex disabilities which affect a person&#39;s ability to communicate and interact with the world around them. The CDC estimated that 1.5% of children under the age of 3 were diagnosed with autism in 2014. Many of these children have difficulty functioning in a normal manner which leads to an increase in anxiety levels. This sensory water system was designed to provide a safe environment for any child, including those with developmental disorders, to have the benefit of various sensory experiences. Soothing sounds and flowing water, among other sensory engagement, tend to relax and reduce anxiety in autistic children. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a sensory water system which is safe and easy to use for children with autism. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for a safe and easy to use water system to allow children with autism to engage in various sensory activities, including running water and soothing sounds. The apparatus comprises a base which houses a removable water reservoir and a pump, and a basin on which a nozzle and a control mechanism are attached. The pump pulls water from the water reservoir, pushes it through the nozzle, and into the basin. Once in the basin, the water drains into the water reservoir and the cycle begins again. The apparatus can include a locking mechanism to lock the removable water reservoir into the base. The apparatus can also include a basin with a drain hole positioned so the water drains directly into the removable water reservoir without need of a hose. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus embodying features of the present invention; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view with a “cut-away” showing internal elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the Summary above and in the Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” components A, B, and C can consist of components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. 
         [0012]    As shown in  FIG. 1  a circulatory flow water sensory system comprises a base  10 , a water reservoir  16 , a basin  22 , a control mechanism  26 , a nozzle  30 , and a pump  32 . The base  10  is generally cuboid shaped and comprises an opening  14  on the front, back, or a side to allow insertion of the removable water reservoir  16 , a mounting location for the pump  32 , and a mounting location for the basin  22 . Optionally, the base  10  can also comprise a locking mechanism to lock the removable water reservoir  16  inside the base  10 . The removable water reservoir  16  is generally cuboid shaped and comprises an opening  20  in the lid  18  to allow water to pour in and an opening on one side to permit connection to the pump  32  and a removable lid  18 . Optionally, the lid  18  of the removable water reservoir  16  can be hinged. The basin  22  is generally shaped like a common household sink but with the front facing wall significantly shorter than the back wall to allow easy access to the water in the basin  22 . The basin  22  comprises a mounting location for the nozzle  30 , a mounting location for the control mechanism  26 , and drain holes  24 . The control mechanism  26  is affixed to an outer surface of the basin  22  and is electrically connected to the pump  32 . Optionally, the control mechanism  26  can be electrically connected to any number of additional sensory engagement elements. The nozzle  30  is affixed on the basin  22  and connected to the pump  32 . The pump  32  is affixed inside the base  10  and connected to the removable water reservoir  16  and nozzle  30 . The base  10  is a rectangular block with the longest dimension oriented along the horizontal axis facing the user. The bottom has a convex arch  12  running the entire length horizontally from one side to the other. The base  10  is made from injection molded plastic, but could also be made out of fiberglass or machined aluminum. The purpose is to house the internal wiring for the entire system, as well as house the pump  32  and the removable water reservoir  16 . In order to insert and remove the removable water reservoir  16 , the base  10  must have an opening  14  located on either the front, back, or a side wall. In an alternative embodiment, the removable water reservoir  16  locking mechanism is built into the base  10  near the water reservoir opening  14 . 
         [0013]    The removable water reservoir  16  is a hollow rectangular box with a lid  18  on top. The removable water reservoir  16  is made from injection molded plastic, but could also be made out of fiberglass or machined aluminum. The purpose is to store water and to catch water which drains from the basin  22 . The lid  18  of the removable water reservoir  16  has an opening  20  which will allow water to drain from the basin  22  into the removable water reservoir  16 . The lid opening  20  lines up directly underneath the basin drain hole  24  so that only gravity is needed to drain the water from the basin  22  into the removable water reservoir  16 , but draining could also be accomplished using a tube connected from the drain hole to the removable water reservoir  16 . The removable water reservoir  16  is removable to allow for quick changing of the water. The lid  18  is also removable to allow quick dumping and refilling of the water once the removable water reservoir  16  is removed, but could also be hinged. The basin  22  is generally shaped like a hollow box. The bottom surface is square and slanted slightly downwards towards the back. The bottom also contains drain holes  24  situated next to the back wall. The walls of the basin  22  extend vertically from the bottom. The back wall is the highest wall and contains a mounting location for the nozzle  30 . The side walls of the basin  22  slope downward towards the front wall. A side wall contains the mounting location for the control mechanism  26 , but the control mechanism could be located on any outer surface of the basin  22 . The front wall is the shortest wall and curved slightly concave up. In alternative embodiments the basin  22  could have mounting locations for any number of additional sensory engagement elements. The basin  22  is made from injection molded plastic, but could also be made out of fiberglass or machined aluminum. The purpose is to collect water from the nozzle  30  and drain water back into the removable water reservoir  16 . The basin  22  is affixed directly above the base  10  using interlocking fasteners, or other such fastening means. 
         [0014]    The control mechanism  26  is rectangular and contains the on/off toggle switch  28  for the pump  32 . In alternative embodiments, the control mechanism  26  could contain on/off switches for any number of additional sensory engagement elements. The control mechanism  26  is located on the top of one of the side walls of the basin  22 , but could be located on any outer surface of the basin  22 . The control mechanism  26  is affixed to the basin  22  by screws, or other such fastening means. The purpose is to make the on/off toggle switch  28  for the pump  32  easily accessible by the user and not in the water. 
         [0015]    The nozzle  30  is a rectangular box with a domed top and an opening on one face of the box. The open face is oriented towards the basin  22 . The nozzle  30  is affixed on the back wall of the basin  22  using screws, or other such fastening means. The bottom side of the nozzle  30  has an opening to allow insertion of a tube. The nozzle  30  is made from injection molded plastic, but could also be made out of fiberglass or machined aluminum. The purpose is to allow water to flow from the removable water reservoir  16  into the basin  22 . 
         [0016]    The pump  32  is generally cylindrical and housed inside the base  10 . The pump  32  is made out of injection molded plastic, but could be made out of machined aluminum. A check valve  34  connects the pump  32  to the removable water reservoir  16 . A hose  36  connects the pump  32  to the nozzle  30 . The pump  32  is oriented in such a way as to pull water out of the removable water reservoir  16  through the check valve  34  and then push the water through the hose  36  to the nozzle  30 . The pump  32  is affixed to the base  10  by screws, or other such fastening means. The purpose is to circulate water from the removable water reservoir  16  into the nozzle  30 . This invention is used to provide a safe environment for special needs and other children to interact with sensory elements such as running water and soothing sounds. The removable water reservoir  16  houses the water. The pump  32  pulls water from the removable water reservoir  16  and sends it through the nozzle  30 . The water coming out of the nozzle  30  will land in the basin  22 , pool up temporarily, and drain through the drain holes  24  back into the removable water reservoir  16 . The control mechanism  26  allows the user to turn the pump  32  on and off. The control mechanism  26  also allows the user to turn on and off any additional sensory elements that are present in the specific embodiment. The removable water reservoir  16  can be removed from the base  10  to allow easy fill up and disposal of the water. The water system as a whole is small enough to be portable and placed on top of a table, if desired. The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including a circulatory water flow, a removable water reservoir, and safe use. However, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention. By having a circulatory flow water system, a child can play with water in a way that does not run up a family&#39;s water bill. By having a removable water reservoir, each individual user of the system can have their own fresh water instead of using the water of the previous user. By having no access to electrical components, the autistic child is in no danger of shock or harm from coming into contact with electricity while playing in the water. By having no temperature control, the user is not in danger of burning one&#39;s skin while using the system.