Patent Publication Number: US-6216286-B1

Title: Combined planter and waterfall for pool or the like

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a decorative accessory for a swimming pool or the like and, more particularly, to a combined planter and waterfall unit which can be installed adjacent to a pool or the like. 
     Currently, if it is desired to provide a waterfall for a swimming pool or the like, it is necessary in most cases that the waterfall unit be built into the pool or the deck surrounding it. Such installations are expensive and are difficult to service in the event of operational problems. 
     The combined planter and waterfall unit of the present invention is not subject to these disadvantages and possesses the following advantages: 
     1. It is a portable unit and can be easily installed in any desired position adjacent to a pool or the like; 
     2. It is simple in construction and thus easy and inexpensive to manufacture; 
     3. It is reliable in operation; 
     4. It can be easily serviced in the event of operational problems; and 
     5. It is attractive and streamlined in appearance and can be made in any suitable style or shape to complement a pool style and shape. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The combined planter and waterfall unit of the present invention generally comprises a lower receptacle portion of any suitable material having a rim, and an upper receptacle of any suitable material having a size and shape complementary to that of the lower receptacle portion so that it can be mounted on and inside of the lower receptacle portion. The upper receptacle portion has a rim that rests on the lower receptacle rim to position the upper receptacle portion within the lower receptacle portion with a predetermined space therebetween. Alternatively, the upper and lower receptacle portions may be formed of unitary construction. 
     A water dispensing unit of any suitable construction is mounted on the lower receptacle portion and is positioned between the upper and lower receptacle portions with the outer edge of its dispensing opening being substantially flush with or in close proximity to the adjacent outer edges of the rims of the upper and lower receptacle portions. Preferably the dispensing opening of the water dispensing unit is a wide opening or slit of narrow height defined by a sharp lower edge portion to produce a thin, wide and uniform flow or waterfall. In use, the combined planter and waterfall unit is positioned near the edge of a pool or the like so that the waterfall produced thereby flows into the pool. 
     The water dispensing unit is connected to a water source, such as the pool water, by a water line which extends therefrom through the space between the upper and lower receptacle portions, and then outwardly through an opening in the lower receptacle portion. The outer end of the water line is connected to a suitable water source such as the pump for circulating pool water or the like. 
     The upper receptacle portion can be used as a planter by filling it with soil or the like and planting a desired plant or plants therein. In this manner, the combined planter and waterfall unit serves a dual function in a very simple construction. The unit may be mounted on a pedestal or the like of any suitable construction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts shown in broken lines, of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, with parts shown in broken lines; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  4 — 4  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the present invention shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the water dispensing unit of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the combined planter and waterfall unit  10  generally comprises a lower receptacle portion  12  having a rim  14 , and an upper receptacle portion  16  having a size and shape complementary to that of the lower receptacle portion so that it can be mounted on and inside of the lower receptacle portion  12 . The upper receptacle portion  16  has a rim  18  that rests on the lower receptacle rim  14  to position the upper receptacle portion  16  within the lower receptacle portion with a predetermined space  20  therebetween, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     A water dispensing unit  22  of any suitable construction is mounted on the lower receptacle portion  12  and is positioned between the upper and lower receptacle portions with the outer edge of its dispensing opening  24  being substantially flush with or in close proximity to the adjacent outer edges of the rims  14 ,  18  of the lower and upper receptacle portions. Preferably, the dispensing opening  24  of the water dispensing unit  22  is in the form of a wide opening or slit of narrow height defined by a sharp lower edge portion to produce a thin, wide and uniform flow or waterfall. In use, the combined planter and waterfall unit  10  is positioned near the edge of a pool or the like so that the waterfall produced thereby flows into the pool. 
     The water dispensing unit  22  is connected in any suitable manner to a water source (not shown), such as the pool water, by a water line  26  which extends therefrom through the space  20  between the upper and lower receptacle portions  16 ,  12 , and then outwardly through an opening  28  in the lower receptacle portion, as shown in FIG.  3 . The outer end of the water line is connected in any suitable manner to a water source such as the pump for circulating pool water or the like. 
     The upper and lower receptacle portions  16 ,  12  may be of any suitable shape and may be formed of any suitable material. The upper receptacle portion  16  can be used as a planter by filling it with soil or the like and planting a desired plant or plants (not shown) therein. In this manner the combined planter and waterfall unit  10  serves a dual function in a very simple construction. As shown in FIG. 1, the unit may be mounted on a pedestal P or the like of any suitable construction. 
     Preferably, the rim  18  of the upper receptacle portion is recessed on the lower surface thereof so as to fit over the rim  14  of the lower receptacle portion  12 . The upper receptacle portion  16  may merely rest on the lower receptacle portion  12  so as to be removable therefrom, or may be secured in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive, to the lower receptacle portion. Alternatively, the upper and lower receptacle portions may be formed of unitary construction. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the rim  14  of the lower receptacle portion  12  may be provided with a recess  30  for receiving the water dispensing unit  22  therein, and the rim  18  of the upper receptacle portion  16  may be provided with an opening  32  to accommodate the water dispensing unit  22 . 
     As an additional feature, lighting means such as a fiber optic stick  34  (FIG. 1) may be mounted on the lower portion of the rim  14  beneath the water dispensing unit  22  for the purpose of illuminating the waterfall flowing therefrom. The lighting means may be of any suitable form or construction.