Patent Publication Number: US-3874589-A

Title: Self-acting waterspout device

Description:
United StatesPatent m1 Yamada SELF-ACTING WATERSPOUT DEVICE [75] Inventor: Hiroshi Yamada, Tokyo, Japan [73} Assignee: Takayukl Masuda, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: May 15, 1974 [2|] Appl. No.: 470,025  
 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 21, I973 Japan 48-55542 521 vs. Cl 239121.239/211 [51] Int. Cl B05b 17/08 [58] Field of Search 239/l6, 1&#39;], 2i, 21 l, 20  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 200,l26 2/l878 Buchhorn 239/2] 3,570,765 3/l97l de 239/21 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 736,934 7/l943 Germany 239/16 4,461 I875 United Kingdom 239/21 L454 1884 United Kingdom 239/2l 693,387 7/1953 United Kingdom 239/2! Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Otto John Munz [57] ABSTRACT Self-acting waterspout device having a hollow body adapted to be held either in a first vertical position and an inverted second vertical position upside down with respect to the first vertical position. A pair of sets of oppositely arranged waterspout means each comprising a spout chamber, pressurizing chamber, a water storage chamber, a spout pipe communicating the pressurizing chamber with the spout chamber, a circulating pipe communicating the spout chamber with the liquid storage chamber, and a water feeding pipe communicating the water storage chamber with the pressurizing chamber are arranged in the body with one of the means positioned at the topside of the body when held in either of the first and second vertical positions while the other is positioned at the downside of the body. A predetermined amount of liquid is contained in the body, so that, when the body is held in either of the vertical positions with the liquid held in one of the pressurizing chambers and one of the spout chambers then positioned above the others, air in the water storage chamber communicating with the then upper spout chamber is pressurized by the liquid supply therefrom which air in turn pressurizes air in the then upper pressurizing chamber thereby urging liquid therein through the spout pipe into the spout chamber so that water jet is continuously effected by the spout pipe until the liquid level in the pressurizing chamber descends below the spout pipe. After termination of the water jet by one of the sets of the waterspout means, the body is inverted so that the water jet can be again effected by the other set of the waterspout means.  
 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures mmrimm 1 a s74. 58 9 Fig -2 Fig -3 SELF-ACTING WATERSPOUT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a self-acting waterspout device. and more particularly. to a watcrspout device having a pair of sets of waterspout means oppositely arranged in the body of the device which can repeatedly effect water jet continuously through alternate one of the sets of waterspout means by alternately inverting the body of the device.  
  Heretofore. a waterspout device has been proposed in which motor driven pump or eIcctro-magnetie vibrator associated with flexible diaphragm is provided so as to urge water through a nozzle for effecting water jet. Such a waterspout device requires drive power means and is necessarily complicated in construction and expensive in manufacture and susceptible to failure.  
  The present invention aims at avoiding the above described disadvantages of the prior art waterspout device.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and useful self-acting waterspout device which avoids the above described disadvantages of the prior art waterspout device.  
  Another object is to provide a novel and useful waterspout device of the type described above which does not require any drive power means and which can effect water jet fora longtime by utilizing natural physical law.  
  A further object is to provide a novel and useful waterspout device of the type described above which is provided with a pair of sets of waterspout means oppositely arranged to each other in the body of the device so that the water jet is repeatedly effected by either of the sets of the waterspout means by alternately inverting the body of the waterspout device.  
  The above objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by the provisions ofa waterspout device comprising a hollow body adapted to be held either in a first vertical position with its one end positioned at the topside of the body and in a second vertical position inverted upside down with respect to the first vertical position with the opposite end positioned at the topside of the body. a pair of transparent spout chambers each defined by a portion of the wall of the body and a first partition provided in the body with one of the spout chambers located at the end of the body while the other spout chamber is located at the opposite end of the body. a pair of prcssurizing chambers each located inside of the respective spout chamber within the body and defined by a portion of the wall of the body. the first partition and a second partition provided in the body. at least a water storage chamber located inside of the pair of pressurizing chambers within the body and defined by a portion of the wall of the body and the second partitions. a pair of spout pipes each having a jet nozzle at its one end and secured to the first partition with the jet nozzle located in the respective spout chamber and with its other end opening in the pressurizing chamber adjacent to the second partition. a pair of circulating pipes each secured at its one open end to the respective first partition for communication with the respective spout chamber and extending through the respective pressurizing chamber and fill  the second partition into the water storage chamber with the other end terminating adjacent to the opposite wall ofthe water storage chamber. a pair of water feed ing pipes each secured at its one open end to the seeond partition for communication with the water storage chamber and extending into the respective pressurizing chamber with its other end terminating adjacent to the respective first partition, and a predetermined amount of liquid contained in the body. thereby permitting water jet to be continuously effected through either one ofthe jet nozzles located at the topside ofthe body by placing the same in either of the first and second vertical positions so that liquid is contained in one of the pressurizing chambers then located at the upside of the other by virtue of a preliminary liquid supply given from one of the spout chambers located at the upside of the other through the circulating pipe to the water storage chamber.  
  In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the spout pipe may be located within the circulating pipe with the other end secured to the wall ofthe circulating pipe for communication with the pressurizing chamber. This arrangement makes it impossible for the observer how the water is circulated to continue the water jet.  
  In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, an overhanging piece may be provided around the jet nozzle so that the circulating pipe and the water feeding pipe are hidden by the overhanging piece thereby making it impossible to understand the operation of waterspout thus rendering the device more interesting.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1:  
  FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;  
  FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an alternate arrangement of the spout pipe and the circulating pipe incorporated in the embodiments of the present invention; and  
  FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the overhanging piece provided above the spout pipe for modifying the appearance of the water jet.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention. a transparent spherical body I is rotatably supported by a pair of oppositely arranged pivot pins 1A secured to the body I in a frame 18 mounted on a base by legs 11. Thus, the body I can be held in a first vertical position as shown in FIG. I and in a second vertical position inverted upside down with respect to the position shown.  
  As shown, a pair of horizontal parallel partitions 7. 7 are symmetrically provided in the body I located in the position as shwon in FIG. I so as to define spout chamhers 2. 2 by the partitions 7. 7&#39; and the wall portions of the body I. respectively.  
  A pair of partitions 8. 8&#39; parallel to the partitions 7. 7&#39; are symmetrically provided within the body I inward of the partitions 7, 7, respectively, so that the pressurizing chambers 3. 3&#39; are defined by the wall portions of the body I. the partitions 7, 7&#39; and the partitions 8, 8&#39;, respectively.  
  A partition l2 divides the space defined by the wall portion of the body I and the partitions 8. 8&#39; into two water storage chambers 4, 4&#39; as shown in FIG. I.  
  Spout pipes 6. 6&#39; having jet nozzles 6A at their one ends. respectively. are secured to the partitions 7, 7&#39;. respectively. with the jet nozzles 6A located in the spout chambers 2 2&#39; and with the opposite ends thereof opening in the pressurizing chambers 3, 3&#39; adjacent to the partitions 8. 8&#39;, respectively.  
  Circulating pipes 5. 5&#39; are secured at their one ends to the partitions 7, 7&#39; for communication with the spout chambers 2. 2&#39;. respectively, and extend through the pressurizing chambers 3, 3&#39; and the partitions 8. 8&#39; into the water storage chambers 4, 4&#39; and terminate adjacent to the oppositely located partitions 8&#39;, 8, respectively.  
  Water feeding pipes 9. 9&#39; are secured at their one ends to the partitions 8. 8&#39; for communication with the water storage chambers 4. 4&#39;, respectively. and extend into the pressurizing chambers 3, 3&#39; and terminate adjacent to the partitions 7, 7&#39;, respectively.  
 A predetermined amount of liquid such as water is contained in the respective spaces in the body I divided by the partition I2 as shown.  
  The amount of liquid is so determined that as shown in FIG. I. an excess portion of liquid serving as preliminary liquid supply is given as indicated by X at the bottom of the body I when the body I is so located that liquid is exhausted from the water storage chamber 4&#39; through the water feeding pipe 9 into the pressurizing chamber 3&#39; so that liquid overflows the upper end of the spout pipe 6 to form the preliminary liquid supply X.  
  In operation, it is assumed that the body I is inverted so as to bring the spout chamber 2&#39; and the prcssurizing chamber 3&#39; filled with liquid into the positions having been assumed by the spout chamber 2 and the pressurizing chamber 3 so that substantial portion of liquid is contained in the pressurizing chamber 3 now located at the upside of the other 3.  
  For convenience of description, one of the spout chambers and one ofthe prcssurizing chambers located at the upside of the other ones and other components associated therewith will be designated by numerals without primes. respectively.  
  The excess portion of liquid X serving as preliminary liquid supply now llows through the circulating pipe 5 into the water storage chamber 4 so that air therein is pressurized so as to pressurize air into the pressurizing chamber 3 through the water feeding pipe 9. Thus. liquid in the prcssurizing chamber 3 is forced into the spout chamber 2 through the spout pipe 6 and the jet nozrlc 6A thereby causing waterspout. The liquid dis charged from the jet nozzle 6A is caused to continuously flow through the circulating pipe 5 into the water storage chamber 4 thereby permitting the waterspout to be continued until the liquid level in the pressurizing chamber 3 descends below the lower end of the spout pipe 6.  
  When the waterspout terminates, it is only necessary to invert the body I in order to repeatedly continue the waterspout in the same manner as described above.  
  It is apparent that the wall portion ofthe body I other than the wall portions defining the spout chambers 2. 2&#39; may be made opaque so that the observer can not understand the manner of operation of the device and the operation of the device is made more interesting.  
  FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. I, in which a single common water storage chamber 4&#34; is provided instead of separate two water stor age chambers in FIG. I and the frame 15 of FIG. I is dispensed with. The manner of operation is substantially similar to that of FIG. I.  
  As shown in FIG. 2. the excess liquid supply given from the upper spout chamber 2&#39;A flows through the circulating pipe S&#39;A into the water storage chamber 4&#34; from where liquid flows directly into the lower pressurizing chamber 3&#39;8 through the water feeding pipe 9&#39;B. Thus, air in the lower pressurizing chamber 3&#39;8 is pressurized which in turn pressurizes air in the water storage chamber 4&#34; and the upper pressurizing chamber 3&#39;A through the circulating pipe 5&#39;3 and the water feeding pipe 3A thereby urging liquid in the upper prcssurizing chamber 3&#39;A through the spout pipe 6&#39;A so that water jet is effected until the liquid level in the upper pressurizing chamber 3&#39;A descends below the lower end of the spout pipe 6&#39;A. When the waterspout is terminated. it is only necessary to invert the body I in order to repeatedly continue the waterspout in like manner as in the case of FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the water storage chamber of FIG. 2 is dispensed with and the circulating pipes 5&#34;A and 5&#34;B extend into the opposite pressurizing chambers 3&#34;A and 3&#34;B. respectively.  
  A gravity actuated non-return valve I0 is attached to each of the open ends of the water feeding pipes 9&#34;A and 9&#34;B secured to the partition separating the pressurizing chambers 3&#34;A and 3&#34;B. Thus. when the body I&#34; is located so that the valve 10 is positioned above the water feeding pipe 9&#34;B as seen in FIG. 3. the valve I0 is closed to inhibit communication between the pressurizing chambers 3&#34;A and 3&#34;8, whereas the valve 10 which is positioned beneath the water feeding pipe 9&#34;A as seen in FIG. 3 is opened so that the space in the chamber 3&#34;A above the liquid level therein communicates through the pipe 9&#34;A with the space in the lower pressurizing chamber 3&#34;B above the liquid level therein. When the body I&#34; is inverted, the valve III of the pipe 9&#34;B is opened while the valve 10 of the pipe 9&#34;A is closed.  
  The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is substantially similar to that of FIG. 2. The preliminary liquid supply from the upper spout chamber 2&#34;A flows through the pipe 5&#34;A into the lower pressurizing chamber 3&#34;B and pressurizes air therein which in turn pressurizes air in the upper pressurizing chamber 3&#34;A through the pipe 9&#34;A with its valve 10 held opened. Thus. liquid in the upper pressurizing chamber 3&#34;A is urged through the spout pipe ()&#34;A to continuingly effect waterspout until the liquid level in the upper pressurizing chamber 3&#34;A descends below the lower end of the spout pipe 6&#34;A. After termination of the waterspout. the body I&#34; is inverted to bring the lower pressurizing chamber 3&#34;B in which liquid has been accumulated upside of the pressurizing chamber 3&#34;A. Then, the waterspout is again effected in the manner as described above.  
  FIG. 4 shows a modification of arrangement of the circulating pipe and the spout pipe. The spout pipe 68 is located within the circulating pipe 513 in parallel thereto and the lower end of the spout pipe 68 is secured to the wall of the circulating pipe 58 so as to communicate the pipe 68 with the pressurizing chamber adjacent to the partition 8. ln such an arrangement, the circulating pipe 58 is made invisible by virtue ofliquid supplied by the spout pipe 68 and lying on the partition 7. Therefore, the observer does not understand the manner of operation of continuous waterspout thereby making the device more interesting.  
  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the jet nozzle of the spout pipe. An overhanging piece 6A is provided around the tip of the spout pipe 68&#39; and the upper end of the circulating pipe 58&#39; and the upper end of the water feeding pipe 98&#39; are arranged beneath the overhanging piece 6A&#39; as shown. Thus, when the water jet is being effected, the observer can not see the existence of the circulating pipe and the water feeding pipe by virtue of the jet of liquid issuing from the jet nozzle, thereby making it impossible for the observer to understand the operation of the device thus rendering the device more interesting.  
  It is apparent that the device of the present invention ntay be applied to a water-clock or various decorative appliances. and the liquid may be colored so as to increase charming appearance.  
 I claim:  
  I. Selt acting waterspout device comprising a hollow body adapted to be held either in a first vertical position with its one end positioned at the topside of said body and in a second vertical position inverted upside down with respect to said first vertical position with the opposite end positioned at the topside of said body, a pair of transparent spout chambers each defined by a portion ofthe wall of said body and a first partition provided in said body with one of said spout chambers located at said one end of said body while the other spout chamber is located at said opposite end of said body, a pair of pressurizing chambers each located inside of the respective spout chamber within said body and defined by a portion ofthe wall ofsaid body, said first partition and a second partition provided in said body, at least a water storage chamber located inside of said pair of pressurizing chambers within said body and defined by a portion of the wall of said body and said second partitions. a pair of spout pipes each having a jet nozzle at its one end and secured to said first partition with said jet nozzle located in the respective spout chamber and with its other end opening in said pressurizing chamber adjacent to said second partition, a pair of circulating pipes each secured at its one open end to the respective first partition for communication with the respective spout chamber and extending through the respective pressurizing chamber and said second partition into said water storage chamber with the other end terminating adjacent to the opposite wall of said water storage chamber, a pair of water feeding pipes each secured at its one open end to said second partition for communication with said water storage chamber and extending into the respective pressurizing chamber with its other end terminating adjacent to the respective first partition, and a predetermined amount of liqtlid contained in said body, thereby permitting water jet to be continuously effected through either one of said jet nozzles located at the topside of said body by placing the same in either of said first and second vertical positions so that liquid is contained in one of said pressurizing chambers then located at the up side ofthe other by virtue ofa preliminary liquid supply given from one of said spout chambers located at the upside of the other through said circulating pipe to said water storage chamber.  
  2. Self-acting waterspout device according to claim I wherein a pair of water storage chambers are provided between said pair of-second partitions separated by a third partition connected therebetwecn, each of said water storage chambers having one of said pair of circulating pipes and one of said water supply pipes, liquid being contained in each of said water storage chambers, thereby permitting water jet to be continuously effected through either one of said jet nozzles located at the upside of the other by virtue of a preliminary liquid supply given from said spout chamber then located at the upside of said body through said circulating pipe to said water storage chamber to pressurize air therein which in turn pressurizes air in said pressurizing chamber through said water feeding pipe so as to urge liquid in said pressurizing chamber through said spout pipe for continuously effecting waterjet into said spout chamber until the liquid level in said pressurizing chamber descends below said other end of said spout pipe.  
  3. Self-acting waterspout device according to claim I, wherein a single water storage chamber is provided between said pair of pressurizing chambers with said pair of circulating pipes terminating in said water storage chamber while said pair of water feeding pipes communicate with said water storage chamber thereby permitting water jet to be continuously effected through either one of said jet nozzles located at the upside of the other by virtue of a preliminary liquid supply given from said spout chamber then located at the upside of said body through said circulating pipe and said water storage chamber to one of said pressurizing chambers located at the downside of the other to pressurize air therein which in turn pressurizes air in said water storage chamber and said other pressurizing chamber through said circulating pipe and said water feeding pipe so as to urge liquid in said other pressurizing chamber through said spout pipe for continuously effecting waterjet into said spout chamber until the liquid level in said other pressurizing chamber descends below said other end of said spout pipe.  
  4. Self-acting waterspout device comprising a hollow body adapted to be held either in a first vertical position with its one end positioned at the upside of said body and in a second vertical position inverted upside down with respect to said first vertical position with the opposite end positioned at the topside of said body, a pair of transparent spout chambers each defined by a portion ofthe wall ofsaid body and a first partition provided in said body with one of said spout chambers located at said one end of said body while the other spout chamber is located at said opposite end of said body, a pair of pressurizing chambers located within said body between said first partitions and separated by a second partition provided in said body, a pair of spout pipes each having a jet nozzle at its one end and secured to said first partition with said jet nozzle located in the respective spout chamber and with its other end opening in the respective pressurizing chamber adjacent to said second partition, a pair of circulating pipes each secured at its one open end to the respective first partition for communication with the respective spout chamber and extending through the respective pressurizing chamber and said second partition into the other 7 pressurizing chamber and terminating adjacent to the first partition defining said other pressurizing chamber a pair of water feeding pipes secured with their one open ends to said second partition and extending therefrom oppositely to each other into the respective pressurizing chambers and terminating adjacent to the respective first portions, gravity actuated non-return valve means provided at each of said one open ends of said water feeding pipes, said valve means being so actuated by gravity that it is closed when said water feeding pipe associated therewith extends downwardly from said valve means while said valve means is opened when the water feeding pipe associated therewith extends upwardly from said valve means, and a predetermined amount of liquid contained in said body, thereby permitting water jet to be continuously effected through either one of said jet nozlles located at the topside of said body by placing the same in either of said first and second vertical positions so that liquid is con tained in one of said pressurizing chamber then located at the upside of the other by virtue of a preliminary liquid supply given from one of said spout chambers located at the upside of the other through said circulating pipe to one of said pressurizing chambers then located at the downside of the other so as to pressurize air therein which in turn pressurizes air in said other pres surizing chamber then located at the upside of said one pressurizing chamber through said valve means then held opened and said water feeding pipe associated therewith so as to urge liquid in said pressurizing chamber through said spout pipe for continuously effecting water jet into said spout chamber until the liquid level in said pressurizing chamber descends below said other end of said spout pipe.  
  5. Self-acting water spout device according to claim I. wherein each of said spout pipes is located within the respective circulating pipe with said other end of said spout pipe secured to the wall of said circulating pipe so as to communicate with said pressurizing chamber.  
  6. Self-acting water spout device according to claim I, wherein an overhanging piece is provided around the tip ofeach of said spout pipes thereby hiding said circulating pipe and said water feeding pipe.  
  7. Self-acting water spout device according to claim 4, wherein each of said spout pipes is located within the respective circulating pipe with said other end of said spout pipe secured to the wall of said circulating pipe so as to communicate with said pressurizing chamber.  
  8. Self-acting water spout device according to claim 4. wherein an overhanging piece is provided around the tip of each of said spout pipes thereby hiding said circulating pipe and said water feeding pipe.