Patent Abstract:
An adjustable support apparatus provides for easy installation and proper and precise location of water features, such as fountains, cascade water falls, and the like. After the water features are properly positioned, the installation is secured by bolts or clamps. The nature of the invention provides for keeping the position of water in the feature level.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the apparatus for installing water features, such as waterfalls, fountains and the like in residential and commercial flora displays. The apparatus allows for proper location and height of the features to accomplish intended blending with landscaping, flora, and the like. This invention has particular utility in its ability to provide water features at proper heights and location to produce attractive water fall transfer from water feature to water feature. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Water features such as water falls have existed for many years as part of the prior art. There are a multitude of water fall type water features that are commercially available. U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,797, Jennney, describes a cascade waterfall over three simulated leaves which are mounted on three pedestals. The pedestals are constructed of hoops separated by metal rods. The pedestals stand located in a water source pool. 
       PRESENT INVENTION —OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0005]    The present invention provides for installation of a water feature in an unleveled ground surface, wooden hardware, concrete or the like. The terrain for each feature need not be level with respect to other features. The height and the distance between the water features are adjustable at installation. The invention provides means for keeping the water at proper level in the water feature. Holes can be drilled in wood or concrete to accept the support stake for the apparatus, or the support stake can easily be driven into soil. The apparatus is inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to install. The parts of the apparatus are easily and economically packaged for transport to distribution or installation sites. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a water feature in the form of a leaf. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a cascading water fall. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a water feature that is a bird bath and fountain. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A and 5B  show a cross section and a partial longitudinal view of an extruded plastic tube. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross section taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1  and shows an arrangement for providing decorative lighting for a water feature. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a typical water feature in the form of leaf  12 , although the feature may take many forms, such as a flower, a bowl or the like. Leaf  12  can be made of a variety of materials such as stainless steel, copper, and the like. The preferred material is plastic. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 1  and shows a preferred embodiment  10  of the present invention. Attached to the bottom of leaf  12  is a cup shaped receptacle  14 . Receptacle  14  can be made of any suitable material and the preferred material is plastic. Receptacle  14  is attached to leaf  12  by brazing, welding, and the like with the preferred method being adhesive bonding or sonic welding. Alternately, if the leaf  12  is vacuum formed plastic, the receptacle may be formed as part of leaf  12 . 
         [0014]    During installation, an elongated tube  16  of suitable material, such as brass, copper, steel, plastic, and the like, is inserted into receptacle  14 . The preferred material for tube  16  is plastic. Tube  16  has attachment screws  18 , or other attachment devices, strategically positioned for attachment to elongated stake  20  during installation. 
         [0015]    During installation, stake  20  is driven vertically into soil. Conversely, if the apparatus is to be installed on concrete, wood, plastic or the like, proper holes are drilled to accommodate insertion of stake  20 . Stake  20  is shown as round but may take on other shapes such as angle iron. After stake  20  is properly secured, assembled parts, leaf  12 , receptacle  14 , and tube  16  are inserted onto stake  20 . Leaf  12 , receptacle  14  and tube  16  are then properly positioned vertically and properly rotated to the desired angle, and then attachment screws  18  are tightened against stake  20 . The apparatus installation for this water feature is then complete. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a series of water features arranged as a cascade waterfall  30 , mounted on uneven terrain  32 . In this figure, tubes  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C are shown to be equal in length. Because of the height adjustment afforded by this invention, proper vertical orientation of the water features can still be obtained. Tubes  16 D and  16 E are of different lengths. Hose  34  supplies water from a pump, generally mounted in reservoir  36 , up through tube  16 A and through a central hydraulic fitting in leaf  38 , thereby supplying the necessary flow for the waterfall  30 . Electric cords may also be installed up through tube  16  to provide lighting or to provide power to a pump, and the like, in order to provide special aesthetic effects. 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 4  the water feature is a bird bath  40  with a central fountain  42 . Pump  44  provides the water flow for fountain  42 . Electrical cord  46  provides power to pump  44 . 
         [0018]    When tube  16  is made from plastic, the preferred method is extrusion.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show tube  16  with longitudinal vertical grooves  50  to enhance the apparatus aesthetics. Grooves  50  are easily produced by the extrusion process. Longitudinal rib  52  can also be provided by the extrusion process to enhance the support structure for attachment screw  18 . Longitudinal ribs  54  provide a centering means for stake  20 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a cross section of a lighting support  60  for a water feature. Elongated tube  16  supports a bulb holder  62 . Bulb  64  is shown as an incandescent bulb but may be a light emitting diode, laser, or the like. Bulb  64  is shown as a single unit but may be several units that can be of different color, turned on intermittently, turned on sequentially, and the like. Surface  66  may be fitted with a polished reflective material to produce special optical affects. Transparent lens  68  is secured to bulb holder  62  in such a way as to clamp rubber seal  70  to leaf  12  and therefore sealing water to the confines of leaf  12 . 
       Conclusions: 
       [0020]    Accordingly, this invention offers a means for relatively unskilled individuals to install attractive inexpensive water features. Prior to installation all the components of this invention are essentially separate items. Therefore, an important part of this invention is that all the individual components can be easily and inexpensively packaged for distribution. 
         [0021]    It will be appreciated that while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the claims to cover all modifications that come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8