Improvements in Ornamental Fountains.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 10th Dec. 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ornamental Fountains.
I, CHARLES M. HOLLINGSWORTH, of Newburgh, County of Orange, State of New
York, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this:
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following. statement; -
This invention relates to improvements in ornamental fountains and refers
more particularly to that class of fountains in which jets. or sprays of water
are discharged from an artistic figure attached to a moving part of the fountain
in such manner as to give movement to said figure and other moving part of
the fountain, such for instance, as in the well known reaction fountains.
The object of the invention is to give life-like motion and appearance to artistic,
figures, of human or other form, mounted on a movable part of the fountain.
such as a water pipe, by the re-action of water issuing under pressure from suit-
ably shaped orifices in said figure. The invention also relates to the shape and
connections of the water pipes and other fittings and to the location of the
artistic figures thereon and the location and form of the outer orifice whereby
life-like appearance and movements are given to said figures.
The general form and relation of the parts of the mechanism which has been
found most suitable for the purpose is that in which horizontal cross pipes or
arms are mounted on vertical pipes by means of loose fittings which permit said
horizontal pipes to rotate freely in horizontal planes upon the vertical pipes as
pivots or axes, the artistic figures being supported in proper positions on such
horizontal pipes. Such revolving movements of the figures may be either simple:
or compound, that is to say, the figures may merely revolve about a fixed axis
or certain of the figures may be mounted to revolve about a secondary axis which
is itself mounted to revolve about the primary axis. A portion of the figures:
may, therefore, have a simple movement and the remaining portion a compound
movement.
The artistic figures or groups mounted on the pipe arms are made so as to be
deficient in some one of their parts or members, and the discharge orifices are
so located and formed that the issuing jets or sheets of water will supplement or
unite with the forms of the solid figures or groups so as to constitute the lacking:
part thereof, while at the same time serving to impel the same forward; the
solid figures or groups and the liquid jets or sprays forming moving combinations!
which are suggestive and pleasing. As herein shown, the figures. represent,
cupids or cherubs which are ordinarily represented as having outstretched
wings. Wings are omitted from the figures and replaced by sprays or jets of

page_text: 2
water representing wings. For this purpose the discharge orifices are located
upon the backs or shoulders of the figures and are so formed that the water issues
from them in wing-like sheets, which for the greater part are directed tangen-
tially backwards with respect to the circular or other path in which the figure
moves. Moreover, by a suitable arrangement and shape of the parts through
which the water passes from the vertical to the horizontal pipes, such sheets of
water may be caused to alternately expand and contract in simulation of the
Hitting movements of wings. Thus the cupids or other similar figures appear to
be propelled by the active movements of their own wings of water.
The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth and more particu-
larly pointed out in the appended claims..
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper part of a re-action fountain embody-
ing my invention, with parts broken away.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one side of the fountain shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detail section of one of the horizontal pipe arms and the nozzle
from which the water issues to simulate wings of the figures.
Figure 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a vertical section taken through the main supply pipe and the
revolving head, the parts being so arranged as to give a continuous flow of water
to the discharge nozzles.
Figure 6 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section of one of the discharge
-nozzles.
Figure 8 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the junction of
one, of the horizontal supply pipes and vertical discharge pipes.
Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse vertical section of the supply pipe and
revolving head, the parts being arranged to give a varying flow of water to the
discharge nozzles!
Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 9.
In said drawings, A. designates a vertical supply pipe which also constitutes a
standard on which is supported a revolving head B, said head being connected
with radial arms CC which are fitted outside of said head with discharge
nozzles DD to discharge a stream or jet of water tangentially with respect to a
circle in which the nozzles. D revolve about the standard A.
Referring more particularly to the form of fountains shown in Figures 1 to 7,
the
upper end of the supply pipe A is provided with one or more circular series
of radial openings a, (Figure 5) which register with the tubular boss b. of the
revolving head B mounted to rotate on said upper end of the pipe A and with
which tubular boss the arms C have screw, threaded connection. In order that
the head B may rotate freely on the pipe or standard A, the latter. is turned at
its upper end to a true cylindrical form and its closed upper end terminates in
a conical point A¹ coincident with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion
of the pipe A, and the vertical sleeve of the head B is bored to form a cylin-
drical socket 6 of such diameter as to fit snugly upon the cylindrical portion of
the pipe A without binding. The inner end of this cylindrical socket 62 is pro-
vided centrally with a recess 63 to receive the conical point a¹ of the pipe A,
thereby forming a step bearing as more clearly shown in Figure 5.
In order to insure a continuous flow of water through the apertures a of the
pipe A to the tubular boss b of the head B, the interior diameter of said boss
should bear such relation to the imperforate spaces between said openings a that
said imperforate spaces will never entirely close the inner ends of the tubular
bosses. This result is attained by the arrangement shown in Figure 5, wherein
the pipe A is provided with two circular series of apertures a, the openings of
one series alternating with those of the other series so that when the imperforate

page_text: spaces between two of the openings a in the upper series is opposite the inner
end of the tubular boss 6 of the head B an opening a of the lower series will
register with said inner end of the tubular boss, thus insuring a free and uniform
discharge of water therethrough at all times irrespective of the position of the
head B on the standard A.
The arms C may be continuations of the boss b, but for convenience they are
separated therefrom and connected with said tubular bosses in any suitable
manner, as for instance, by screw threads as shown. With said arms C outside
the said head B are connected vertical pipes D¹ provided at their upper ends with
the discharge nozzles D. Said pipes D are connected with the arms C by means
of the usual T coupling d. Upon said arms C and adjacent to the vertical dis-
charge pipes II are located artistic or ornamental figures; said figures in the
instance shown being cupids or cherubs which are shown as standing upon
the arms C, with one hand of each figure resting upon the adjacent
discharge pipe D¹. The discharge orifices D of the pipes D are
desirably curved inward so as to partially overhang the figures E. The nozzles D)
are constructed to discharge a semi-circular sheet of water to the rear of the
figures E, which falls in the form of a thin vail or film, the whole constituting in
effect a statuette arranged in a niche, the niche being formed by a sheet of
water issuing from the nozzle.
A desirable form of the discharge nozzle D is shown in detail in Figure 7
wherein the pipe D is curved at its outer end and terminates in a flaring mouth.
The longitudinal concave interior wall of this flaring mouth is provided with a
tapped boss d arranged in aligument with the radial center of the annular lip d²
of the nozzle. Said boss is adapted to receive the screw threaded end of a
tapered plug the larger end of which is of substantially the same diameter as
the annular lip of the nozzle. This construction admits of adjustment of the
plug to regulate the size of the discharge orifice. A packing of rubber or
other suitable material is confined between the annular lip 2 of the nozzle and
the end of the plug d³, this packing being of such form as to prevent the escape
or discharge of water except at the rear side of the nozzle. With this construc-
tion the nozzles D, and figures E on the arms C are caused, when water under
pressure is discharged from the nozzles, to revolve about the pipe or standard A.
Obviously the nozzles D may be connected with the figures E and the water
pipe D contained within said figure.
As a further and separate improvement, the arms or pipes C are continued out-
wardly beyond the discharge pipes D¹ and are provided at their opposite ends
with other vertical discharge pipes F which support at their upper ends revolving
heads similar to the head B, said heads being constructed to rotate upon the
upper ends of said pipes in a manner similar to the heads B. To the opposite sides
of said heads F are attached pipes or arms G which support at their opposite
ends artistic figures H. Said figures in the instance shown represent cherubs or
cupids attached to said arms in the conventional position which they are sup-
posed to assume when in the act of flying. Said figures are provided with
internal water passages leading to suitable discharge orifices H₁ which are so
located and formed that the jets or films of water issuing from said orifices simu-
late wings, thus representing flying cupids. It will, of course, be understood
that the figures H may have other suitable forms, as for instance, that of a
butterfly, bird or other winged figure and that the discharge orifices will be so
located that the jets issuing therefrom will constitute the wings of the figure.
Whatever the form of the figure, the wings or other parts simulated by the jet
of water will be omitted from the solid figure and the jet or stream of water
will supplement or unite with the figure to supply such missing part.
A desirable form of discharge orifice for such figures is shown in detail in
Figure 3. In said figure, a short discharge pipe H2 is connected with the arm
or pipe G adjacent to its outer end by means of a Ț coupling G¹. Said discharges

page_text: pipe H2 constitutes the internal water passage of the figure and projects_at its
upper end from the back of said figure between the shoulders thereof. In the
upper end of said pipe is inserted a removable section H3 which is of such size
as to be held in said pipe by friction and is provided at its outer end with a
cap 14. Just underneath the cap are provided two horizontal slits h which are
separated from each other at their rear ends by a small imperforate section-but
are more widely separated at their opposite ends, as shown in Fig. 4. The
adjacent ends of the slits h are directed rearwardly with reference to the direc-
tion of movement of the figures and the relation of said slits produces two diver-
gent streams or jets which simulate the form of wings. By moving the section H³
further into or out of the discharge pipe H, the slits h may be made larger or
smaller thus varying the thickness of the sheets or jets of water which form the
wings of the figure. With the construction described, the figures H on the
opposite ends of the pipes or arms G will be caused to revolve about the pipes F
as axes while at the same time, said figures and pipes F. will together revolve
about the pipe or standard A as an axis thus producing in said figures H a com-
pound motion similar to the dual motion of the moon around the earth and sun.
This will obviously result in greatly enhancing the beauty and artistic effect of
the fountain as a whole.
In Figures 9 and 10, is shown a construction by which jets or sheets of water
may be momentarily interrupted or cut off so as to cut off the supply of water at
intervals, whereby the water will issue from the discharge orifices with a pulsat-
ing movement and be projected at varying distances and at varying angles.
Such pulsating movement of the sheets or jets of water will give to the same the
appearance of being raised or lowered to simulate the flitting or flapping of
wings. In said figures, the openings a² in the upper end of the pipe Fare
separated by imperforate spaces equal to or nearly so in width to the openings
in the inner ends of the bosses f of the bead F so that the passage of water will
be nearly cut off in the movement of said openings past said imperforate spaces.
By constructing a fountain as herein before described with inovable figures
having discharge orifices so shaped and located as to afford to the jets of water
which form constituent parts of the figures and act to impel the same, I am able
to obtain strikingly novel and pleasing results, it being obvious that when said
figures are mounted separately apart from each other and are given bodily motion
or translation through considerable distances and in constantly varying direc-
tions, exceedingly lifelike effects are produced and the same effects are afforded
as though the movements were free and independent for the different individuals,
like those of children in animated play. Moreover, by multiplying the figures,
the lifelike appearance is made very striking and the general effect very pleasing,
and by making the motion more composite, the pleasing effect produced by means
of the figures will be greatly enhanced. It will also be obvious that by the con-
struction described, I obtain by simple mechanical means and through the use of
water under pressure, as a source of power, to impel the figures, a simulation of
motion both in the figures themselves and in the issuing sheets or jets of water
which form wings or other parts of the figures, which could otherwise be secured
only by mechanical means or by the employment of a mechanical motor and a
complicated system of actuating devices. One of the most suggestive and pleas-
ing features of the novel fountain described, is the simulation of the oscillations
or beatings of the wings of artistic figures that are ordinarily represented as
having fixed outspread wings, such as cupids, cherubs or birds, but in which
the ordinary solid wings are replaced with wings of water which are caused to
move or pulsate by variations in the pressure of water at the jet orifices by the
rotation of the revolving parts of the apparatus, as herein before described.
Obviously by this feature of the construction, the cupids or other similar figures
which appear to be propelled by the active movements of their own wings of
water and the flitting movements of wings, such as of birds in flight, are imitated
in a most striking and attractive manner.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is;-
1. A. fountain provided with a movable figure or group having a discharge
orifice for water of such form and location as to cause the discharged water to
impel the figure or group and form an essential constituent part or member of
the group or figure.
2. An ornamental fountain provided with a moving figure which lacks a part
or feature necessary for making it complete and provided with a water passage
leading to a rearwardly directed discharge orifice so shaped and located that water
issuing therefrom will constitute the lacking part of said figure or group and
serve to impel the figure or group forward.
3. An ornamental fountain provided with a rotating arm and with an orna-
mental figure or group which lacks a part or feature necessary for making it com-
plete and which is mounted upon said arm and has a water passage leading to a
rearwardly directed discharge orifice so arranged that water issuing therefrom will
form the lacking part or feature of said figure or group.
4. An ornamental fountain provided with a rotating arm and with an orna-
mental figure or group which lacks a part or feature necessary for making it
complete and which is mounted upon said arm and has a water passage leading
to a rearwardly directed discharge orifice so arranged that water issuing there-
from will form the lacking part of feature of said figure or group and means for
varying the pressure of water through said water passage.
5. The combination with a vertical pipe and a rotating head thereon provided
with a radial pipe arm which opens into the interior of said head, a figure or
group on the outer end of said arm and having a discharge orifice connected
therewith of such form and location as to cause the discharged water to impel the
figure or group and form an essential constituent member or part of the figure
or group, said vertical pipe being provided opposite to the inner end of said radial
pipe arm with a plurality of apertures and imperforate sections, and said imper-
forate sections being substantially equal in width to the diameter of said pipe
arms.
6. In an ornamental fountain, the combination with a rotating arm and an
ornamental figure thereon, of a discharge pipe connected with said arm and pass-
ing through and projecting from said figure, said discharge pipe being provided
in its outer end with a sleeve which has sliding engagement therewith, which
sleeve is provided in its outer end with a cap, and, inside of said cap, with rear-
wardly directed slits which are separated at their rear ends by a narrow imper-
forate section.
7. The combination with a vertical supply pipe, a rotating horizontal pipe arm
mounted thereon, a rearwardly directed discharge orifice between the end of said
horizontal pipe arm and the vertical pipe, al second horizontal pipe
arm rotatively mounted on the outer end of the first horizontal pipe
arm, and an ornamental figure or group on said second pipe arm provided
with a water passage which is of such form and location as to cause the dis-
charged water to impel forward the figure or group and to form an essential con-
stituent part or member of the group or figure.
8. The combination with a vertical supply pipe and a rotating horizontal pipe
arm, an ornamental figure or group between the end of said horizontal arm and the
vertical pipe, a vertical discharge pipe adjacent to said figure or group and pro-
vided with a narrow horizontal discharge orifice, or nozzle, so arranged that a sheet
or film of water issuing therefrom will form a niche partially inclosing said figure
or group and serving at the same time to rotate said pipe arm, a second horizontal
pipe arm mounted on the end of the first horizontal pipe arm, and an ornamental
figure or group on said second arm provided with a discharge orifice of such form

page_text: and location as to cause the discharged water to impel the figure or group and
to form an essential constituent member or part of the figure or group.
Dated this 17th day of October 1898.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.