Abstract:
An adjustable bracket for mounting and supporting a water garden accessory on the sidewall of a support structure to create a water garden, as well as a kit and method for creating a water garden using the bracket. The bracket includes a mounting platform and a support arm that is cooperatively adjustable with the platform to accommodate sidewalls of different widths. Elongated apertures in the mounting platform, through which the accessory is secured to the platform, also allow the water garden accessory to be mounted in a wide range of positions for proper balancing on the sidewall.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is entitled to and hereby claims the priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/594,733 filed May 2, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to weight bearing structures useful for supporting selected items. More particularly, the present invention relates to brackets useful for outdoor lawn and gardening applications. The brackets of the present invention have particular usefulness for mounting water related accessory items for ground water gardens. The present invention also concerns a kit for the assembly of above-ground water gardens, using the brackets of the present invention. The present invention further concerns a method of mounting water garden accessory items to water garden vessels.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many people enjoy spending time in their back yards or around the premises of their domicile. As such, many hire landscapers or simply choose to work in their back yards, weeding, planting, and keeping their grounds manicured and pleasant.  
         [0004]     Water gardens are becoming a very attractive addition for many backyards and patios and particularly those having water pumps, which power fountains or other water accessory items to provide movement to the water. Water gardens can be elaborate and incorporate waterfalls, lights, rockwork, and even fish. Alternatively, water gardens can be quite simple and include a conventional, submersible water pump connected to simple or decorative nozzles with various aquatic plants.  
         [0005]     Whether elaborate or simple, water gardens are easy to take care of in that there is little weeding or water involved, while at the same time, these gardens can produce vibrantly colored and fragrant lilies and other aquatic flowers that are enjoyable. Coupled with the relaxation and comfort many tend to find from the sound of moving water, the water garden industry is increasing in popularity.  
         [0006]     Above-ground water gardens that make efficient use of space can be ideal for those with limited space for landscaping. Many kits can be purchased for constructing such above-ground water gardens from whiskey barrels, or other similar vessels. Since whiskey barrels are not waterproof, they are provided with liners, such as pool liners or other plastic or rubber liners. Submersible pumps attached to decorative nozzles or spitters are also associated with these whiskey barrel water gardens. However, due to the limited size of whiskey barrels, it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to associate a spitter or other accessory with the garden. Many have opted to span a portion of the barrel with a plank of wood and place their desired items on the wood. However, this compromises the available space and, for some, is unsightly, detracting from the beauty of the garden.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there remains a need to provide alternatives for those who desire to have water gardens for associating those gardens with selected accessory items without detracting from the garden itself, or further making inefficient use of the available space. There is also a need for a new kit that provides such an alternative. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide a device that supports a selected gardening accessory item at a desired location.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device useful for supporting water accessory items associated with water gardens and that is not highly visible.  
         [0010]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit that includes items useful for creating water gardens.  
         [0011]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified construction useful in connection with water garden accessories that is relatively easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive.  
         [0012]     These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water garden incorporating a bracket and a water garden accessory according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the water garden shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of the mounting platform of the bracket shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the support leg of the bracket shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front view in elevation of the assembled mounting platform and support leg shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a back view in elevation of the mounting platform and support leg shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of the bracket and water garden accessory, shown in the form of a spitter fountain, wherein both the mounting rod and threaded nut are visable.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the bracket and water garden accessory.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the bracket and water garden accessory.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front view in elevation of the assembled water garden accessory and bracket.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a back view in elevation of the water garden accessory and bracket.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the assembled water garden accessory and bracket shown mounted on a sidewall of a water vessel wherein the sidewall and liner appear therewith in partial cross-section.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a back view in elevation of the mounted water garden accessory shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 15 ( a ) is a perspective view of the bracket showing the support leg and mounting post at a first selected location.  
         [0028]      FIG. 15 ( b ) is a perspective view of the bracket showing both the support leg and mounting post at a second selected location that is different from that in  FIG. 15 ( a ).  
         [0029]      FIG. 15 ( c ) is a perspective view of the bracket showing both the support leg and mounting post at a third selected location that is different from both the first and second locations shown in FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ).  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the mounting platform that is part of the bracket shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is perspective view of the support leg of the bracket shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a front view in elevation of the assembled bracket shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of the bracket shown in connection with the hood that is inserted through the aperture of the mounting platform.  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a front view in elevation of the bracket shown together with the mounting rod, threaded nut and hose.  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a right side view in elevation of the bracket shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a back view in elevation of the bracket shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     The present invention broadly concerns weight-bearing structures useful for supporting selected items. More particularly, the present invention concerns brackets useful for supporting accessory items associated with above-ground water gardens. The present invention also concerns a water gardening kit that includes, among various items, a bracket to support accessory items, such as a fountain spitter. The present invention further concerns a method of mounting a water garden accessory item to the sidewall of a vessel.  
         [0039]     Generally, the bracket according to the present invention includes two components—a mounting platform that is adapted for support on a structure, such as a water garden vessel, to provide a surface upon which selected accessory items may be seated; and a support leg that cooperates with the mounting platform to retain its position relative to the support structure and enable it to bear the weight of the accessory item. The bracket components may be constructed as two individual pieces that, when assembled, form a bracket that straddles the sidewall of a water garden vessel. Preferably, the bracket is of sufficient size to bear the weight of the accessory item, while also being at least partly concealed from view so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the water garden.  
         [0040]     One type of above-ground water garden is shown in  FIG. 1 . Here, water garden  10  includes vessel  12 , in the form of a whiskey barrel, which contains water and aquatic plants such as lily  14  floating on the water surface, cattails  16 , and grass  18 . The water garden may include real or faux plant life, as desired, and may further include fish or other water gardening accessories such as rocks and decorative pebbles, snails, and the like. As should be appreciated, a whisky barrel, as shown here, is for exemplary purposes only and any suitable vessel, that accommodates the structure of the bracket described below, may be used.  
         [0041]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and with additional reference to  FIG. 2 , vessel  12  includes a circumferential sidewall  22  formed by a plurality of wooden barrel staves  13  extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the barrel (not shown) to terminate in a continuously extending circumferential top edge  24  and defining a vessel interior  26 . Sidewall  22  has an outer surface  21  and an oppositely facing inner surface  23 . Waterproof liner  28  is disposed in the interior  26  of vessel  12  thereby allowing vessel  12  to retain the water for the garden. Liner  28  may be any suitable liner, such as a pool or pond liner as known in the art and may be rigid or flexible and of a suitable size to be disposed within the interior of the vessel and line the sidewall thereof. However, should the selected vessel already be waterproof by other means, a liner, such as liner  28 , may be unnecessary.  
         [0042]     Decorative spitter fountain  40 , shown here in the form of an antique water pump, is supported by vessel  12  and located proximate to top edge  24 . Spitter fountain  40  is in fluid communication with a submersible recirculating water pump  30 , by means of hose  32 . One end of hose  32  is fixed within spitter fountain  40 , while the opposite end is secured into pump  30  at connector  36 . Pump  30  includes electrical cord  34  that can be plugged into an electrical outlet. When activated, pump  30 , which is submerged in vessel  12 , pumps water from within the vessel and through spitter fountain  40 . The water is then dispensed through spout  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and returned back to vessel  12 .  
         [0043]     The bracket of the present invention is interposed between top edge  24  of the vessel sidewall  22  and spitter fountain  40 . More particularly, the bracket is mounted to the sidewall and straddles the top edge  24 , supporting the spitter fountain thereabove. However, before discussing how the spitter fountain is mounted onto the bracket, it is perhaps first helpful to discuss the various features of the bracket.  
         [0044]     Turning to  FIGS. 3-5 , a first exemplary embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention is shown. Bracket  80  generally includes two components—mounting platform  50  and support leg  60 . First, mounting platform  50  includes a planar top surface  58 , which confronts the accessory item that the bracket supports when in an assembled state. Mounting platform  50  is generally rectangular in shape and includes a front end  82 , back end  84 , and a pair of side ends  86  extending therebetween. Back end  84  includes groove  81  for nestably receiving electrical cord  34 , shown above in  FIG. 2 , which adds overall structural support to mounting platform  50 .  
         [0045]     Mounting platform  50  also includes a centrally located entryway  90  that extends through a majority of the width of mounting platform  50 . Entryway  90  terminates in an end wall  61  and includes laterally extending flanges  62  and  64  on either side thereof. End wall  61  further includes groove  69  formed therethrough, which, like groove  81 , also is sized and adapted to nestably receive electrical cord  34 . Visually, entryway  90  divides mounting platform  50  into two identical sections, each having an aperture  66  formed therethrough, and a downwardly depending finger or tab  68 .  
         [0046]     Support leg  60  is an elongate piece having an upper portion  71  which includes head  70  and shoulders  72 ,  74 . Opposite upper portion  71  is lower portion  73  which includes feet  76 ,  78  and hose channel  79 . Support leg  60  generally tapers toward the lower portion  73  such that the width of upper portion, W 1 , is generally greater than the width of lower portion W 2 .  
         [0047]     Mounting platform  50  slidably receives support leg  60 . More particularly, head  70  is sized and adapted to be received by entryway  90  and travel the length of flanges  62  and  64 , so that when the two components of bracket  80  are engaged, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , head  70  is flush with upper surface  58  of mounting platform, and shoulders  72  and  74  confront bottom surface  59  of mounting platform  50 . In this way, movement of support leg  60  is confined to lateral movement along the length of the flanges. In other words, when the bracket components are engaged, support leg  60  is prevented from moving above upper surface  58  by the contact between shoulders  72  and  74  and lower surface  59 . Similarly, support leg  60  is prevented from moving below lower surface  59  by the contact between head  70  and flanges  62  and  64 .  
         [0048]     Both mounting platform  50  and support leg  60  may each be formed of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable material. Each piece and their respective features described above may be formed as an integral piece, such as by plastic injection molding.  
         [0049]     Now that the features of the bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention have been described in some detail, the fastening of the bracket to the garden accessory, such as the spitter fountain shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may now be described. Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , spitter fountain  40  has been provided with a mounting post in the form of threaded rod  56  projecting downwardly from base portion  44 . An opening in base portion  44 , which is concealed by rod  56 , provides access into the interior of spitter fountain  40 . Rod  56  is sized and adapted to receive hose  32  therein so that hose  32  is in fluid communication with the interior of spitter fountain  40  thereby to permit entry of water therein so that it may thereafter be dispensed via its spout  42 .  
         [0050]     As shown, hose  32  is fed through a selected aperture  66  where it is next received by threaded nut  54 . Threaded nut  54  is adapted to engage threaded rod  56  so as to be releasably secured thereto. Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , when threaded nut  54  is secured to the threaded rod  56  on the spitter fountain, top surface  58  confronts base portion  44  of spitter fountain  40  such that spitter fountain  40  is seated on mounting platform  50  to define an assembled state. Hose  32  extends from threaded nut  54  along the length of support leg  60  where it then passes through hose channel  79 . Additionally, as should be appreciated, electrical cord  34  may be laced up through hose channel  79  from pump  30  and then through grooves  69  and  81  and then over the sidewall of the vessel. Channel  79  and grooves  81 ,  69  help keep cord in place.  
         [0051]     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , mounting platform  50  need not extend under the entire area of the base portion of the accessory item that it supports. Rather, it is preferred that mounting platform  50  be concealed from view when the item is mounted thereon so as not to detract from the accessory item when placed in the garden.  
         [0052]     Turning now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the assembled bracket and spitter fountain is shown mounted to sidewall  22  of vessel  12 . As shown, mounting platform  50  rests on top edge  24  of sidewall  22 . Fingers  68  (one finger  68 , partially in phantom, is shown in  FIG. 13 ) of mounting platform  50  confront the outer surface  21  of sidewall  22 . Support leg  60  has been pushed into the entryway of the mounting platform so that it confronts the interior surface  23  of sidewall  22  and liner  28 . Foot  78  also rests against liner  28 . Fingers  68  and support leg  60  work together to achieve the appropriate balance on top edge  24  such that mounting platform  50  appropriately bears the weight of spitter fountain  40 .  
         [0053]     Some of the various bracket features heretofore described enable the bracket of the present invention to be adjustable to accommodate various vessels. For example, both the size and configuration of apertures  66  and entryway  90  formed in the mounting platform permit the selective positioning of the mounting post and the support leg. Three examples of this adjustability are shown in FIGS.  15 ( a )- 15 ( c ). When compared to one another, the position of mounting post  56  and head  70  of support leg  60  as shown in  FIG. 15 ( a ) are adjusted to mount bracket  80  to a sidewall having the largest width while the positioning of the same in  FIG. 15 ( c ) is adjusted for a sidewall that is comparatively less in width. The positioning of mounting post  56  and head  70 , as shown in  FIG. 15 ( b ) is adjusted for a sidewall width somewhere in between that shown in FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ).  
         [0054]     As should now be appreciated, it is not necessary that positioning rod  56  be necessarily parallel with head  70  of support leg  60 . Rather, it is preferable that positioning rod  56  be located so that the water pump hose and the threaded nut do not interfere with the balance needed between the finger of the mounting platform and the support leg to mount the selected garden accessory item.  
         [0055]     A bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 16-18 . Here, bracket  180  includes two components—mounting platform  150  and support leg  160  that is slidably received therein. Here, mounting platform  150  is a generally rectangular piece having a top surface  158 , front wall  182 , a back wall  184 , and a pair of sidewalls  186  extending therebetween. Extending outwardly beyond sidewalls  186  are flanges  162  and  164 . Mounting platform  150  also includes one centrally located aperture  166  formed therethrough and having groove  169 , formed proximate to back wall  184 . Back wall  184  also includes groove  181  formed therethrough. Together, grooves  169  and  181  receive and retain the electrical cord associated with the pump. Further, two downwardly depending fingers  168 , which are proximate to back wall  184  and on either side of groove  181 , are provided.  
         [0056]     Support leg  160  is an elongate piece having an upper portion  171  and a lower portion  173 . Upper portion  171  includes nubs  170  and  177  and shoulders  172  and  174 , which form respective grooves  194  and  196 . Support leg  160  generally tapers from upper portion  171  to lower portion  173  such that lower portion  173  has a smaller width than that of upper portion  171 . Additionally, support leg  160  includes opening  192  and a pair of hose channels  179 .  
         [0057]     When mounting platform  150  and support leg  160  are assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 19 , flanges  162  and  164  on the mounting platform are received in the grooves  194  and  196  of the support leg and, once fitted thereon, the support leg is able to be selectively positioned along the length of the flanges. Once assembled, nubs  170  and  177  are flush with top surface  158  and shoulders  172  and  174  confront bottom surface  159  so as to confine movement of support leg  160  to travel along the length of the flanges. Additionally, when assembled, the electrical cord can be passed through hose channels  179  and up through grooves  169  and  181  so as to be received and retained thereby and to provide discreet passage up and over the vessel sidewall for insertion into the electrical outlet.  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIG. 20 , hose  132  is fed through aperture  166  in mounting platform  150 . Similar to that described above, threaded nut  154  is received by threaded mounting rod  156  thereby to assemble the selected accessory item to the bracket. As shown here, mounting rod  156  is not shown in connection with a spitter fountain, but it should be appreciated that any water accessory item that can be associated with such a mounting rod is contemplated for assembly onto the bracket of the present invention. Further, it should be appreciated that non-water garden accessory items can also be mounted, such as flower pots, or decorative outdoor items such as weather vanes, or even a fish food dispenser.  
         [0059]      FIGS. 21-23  show bracket  180  in the assembled state, whereby threaded nut  154  is received by mounting rod  156  and secured to the underside thereof. Hose  132  is received by hose channels  179  to facilitate placement of the hose when mounted to the sidewall of the vessel. Further, as shown in the figures, opening  192  formed in support leg  160  accommodates both mounting rod  156  and threaded nut  154  therein to permit the versatility of the bracket to mount accessory items to vessel sidewalls of varying thicknesses. As should be appreciated, assembled bracket and accessory item may then be mounted to the sidewall of a water garden vessel in the manner discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Accordingly, fingers  168  and support leg  160  together stabilize the entire assembly when mounted on the sidewall.  
         [0060]     The present invention further contemplates providing a kit. The kit would include a bracket according to the present invention, and may specifically include a bracket such as those described above. The kit may further include a liner, for lining a whisky barrel or other selected water vessel that needs to be water proofed. The kit may also include a spitter fountain or other water accessory item having a mounting post associated therewith for assembly with the bracket. Finally, the kit may also be provided with a conventional submersible recirculating water pump.  
         [0061]     From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention is also directed to a method for supporting a selected garden accessory product to the sidewall of a vessel, or other appropriate support structure. The method includes providing a bracket having an aperture formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive a mounting post, such as a threaded rod. The method further includes the step of releasably securing the accessory item to the bracket, such as by fastening a threaded nut onto the mounting rod. Other suitable fasteners known in the art are also contemplated, such as snaps, ties and other matable fasteners. Once secured to the bracket, the method further includes adjusting the bracket to accommodate the width of the sidewall and then mounting the entire assembly onto the sidewall of the vessel. Further, it should be understood that this method includes any step contemplated by the structures described above.  
         [0062]     Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, It should be appreciated, though, that the modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.