Patent Application
20140262992
The present invention relates to a basin and system and more particularly a water basin and system having at least a preconfigured water system and an adjustable basin.
Water systems are typically installed or integrated as part of a structure designed to receive and support the basin of a water system. These water systems require on-site work, including on-site design and installation of various lines, valves and controls. Further, these water systems require on-site connections of water, gas, and/or electrical lines and systems and these systems are not portable or adjustable. The on-site work adds unpredictable amounts of time and installation costs and the systems cannot be installed in environments having rough or uneven support surfaces.
Accordingly, an improved water basin and system is desired that includes at least a preconfigured water system that includes an adjustable base for installation in unpredictable environments, including environments having rough and uneven support surfaces.
Water basins and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a basin having a bottom, sidewall, a plurality of leveling supports, a bottom side, a top side, and a first passageway. The passageway extends from the bottom side to the top side. Further the plurality of leveling supports adjustably extend from the bottom side of the basin. The apparatus further includes a tower that includes first and second ends and a second passageway extending between these first and second ends. Here the tower extends upward from the bottom of the basin. The first and second passageways are substantially aligned. The apparatus also includes a water system and an electrical system. The water system includes at least a pump, a first water line, a second water line, and a water filter housing. Here the pump is securedly connected to the bottom side of the basin and the first water line extends from the pump to the second passageway of the tower. Further, the second water line extends from the water filter housing to the pump. The electrical system is securedly connected to the bottom side of the basin and it controls the pump.
In another aspect, a water basin and system is disclosed. The basin and system includes a concave water basin having a at least one tower extending upward from a bottom of the water basin, a bottom side, a top side, a plurality of leveling supports, and a passageway. The passageway extends from the bottom side of the concave water basin through the tower. Further, the plurality of leveling supports are adjustable from the bottom side of the concave water basin. The basin and system further includes a water system and an electrical system. The water system includes at least a pump, at least a first water line, and a water filter housing. Here the pump is securedly connected to the concave water basin and the at least first water line extends from the pump to at least the passageway. Further, the electrical system controls at least the pump and the electric system is securedly connected to the concave water basin.
A water system is another aspect disclosed. The system includes a first basin having a longitudinally upward extending tower, a first side, a second side, and a plurality of supports. The plurality of supports are adjustable from the first side of the water basin. The system includes a water system having a pump, a water line, and a water filter. Here the water line extends from the pump to the second side. Further, the system includes a fuel system that has a gas valve, a flame control system, and a gas line. The fuel system is securedly connected to the first side of the water basin and the gas line extends from the fuel system to the second side of the first basin. The electrical system controls at least the water system and the fuel system.
Advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments and from the claims
The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention or the application and uses of such embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, water basin 102 includes a bottom 102a and a sidewall 102b having an optional upper flange 102c. Bottom 102a and sidewall 102b form an upward facing, circular, concave basin configured to hold at least a liquid, e.g., water and the like. In another embodiment, the water basin includes a bottom and one or more sidewalls forming an upward facing basin having an alternative shape, including but not limited to a triangle, square, rectangle, octagon, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the water basin includes a bottom and one or more sidewalls forming an irregular or non-uniform shape.
In the illustrated embodiment, tower 106 extends upward from bottom 102a of water basin 102, e.g., a longitudinally upward extending tower. Tower 106, e.g., a basin tower, is configured to extend upward to form an inner edge of a water envelop that is further defined by bottom 102a and sidewall 102b of water basin 102. In the illustrated embodiment, tower 106 extends above the height H1 of sidewall 102b. In another embodiment, the tower extends less than or equal to the height of the sidewall.
In the illustrated embodiment and further illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiments, tower 106 is integrally formed with basin 102, e.g., basin and tower are integrally formed using a rotational molded process, e.g., polyethylene, polycarbonate, or urethan materials may be used. In another embodiment, the tower and the basin are made using a casting process or an injection molding process. In another embodiment, at least the lower second end of the tower is configured to mechanically attach, e.g., bolt, rivet, weld, etc., to at least one portion of the water basin, including the bottom, at least one sidewall, or to both the bottom and at least one sidewall of the basin. In yet another embodiment, the tower and the water basin connection includes a liquid tight seal. In another embodiment, the tower and the water feature are integrally formed as one or more parts that are securedly attached to the water basin. In another embodiment, the water effect may include more than one tower and/or more than one water effect and/or water feature.
In the illustrated embodiment, water feature 108 has an upward facing, concave circular shape, e.g., the shape of a bowl or a half sphere, that extends upward from tower 106. Water feature 108 includes a first end 116 (e.g., a lower end) that is attached to tower 106 (as discussed above). As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, four scuppers 118 are equally spaced on the perimeter of the upper second end 117 and are in fluid communication with the water system discussed herein. In another embodiment, the water feature may include at least one scupper that extends three-hundred and sixty degrees around the perimeter of the water feature. In yet another embodiment, the at least one water outlet or scupper circumferentially extends along at least a portion of the outer surface of the water feature. In another embodiment, the water feature may include more or less scuppers that what are illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiments, water feature 108 is configured to include an optional fire feature or fire/pit container (not shown) that is configured to contain at least one of the following media: glass, lava rock, and the like. In another embodiment, the water feature is configured to hold another water effect and/and or a water scupper.
In the illustrated embodiment, water scupper 118 is open to atmosphere, therefore, the water outlet or scupper provides a water effect, e.g., a waterfall effect that directs water back into water basin 102. In another embodiment, at least one scupper may be fluidly connected to another water feature (e.g., another tier of water features) or to a manifold that includes one or more outlets that open to atmosphere or to an inlet of another basin and the like. In yet another embodiment, the water feature includes a cascading water effect.
In yet another embodiment, the water feature may include another upward facing, concave shape, including but limited to a square, rectangle, oval, star shape, and/or an irregular shape. In another embodiment, the water feature may be supported by two or more towers. In another embodiment, the basins, tower, and/or the water effect may include lighting effects, sound effects or speakers, and other electrical accessories. These effects may also be referred to as features.
In the illustrated embodiment, water feature 108 includes an optional fire pit holding feature and includes a preconfigured gas supply line 120 fluidly connected to a fuel system configured to connect to at least one fuel source, e.g., natural gas, propane, and the like. For example, gas line 120 may be fluidly connected to a gas valve and may include a flame control system, including but not limited to a hot wire ignition, a pilot flame, and a thermocouple flame detector. In the illustrated embodiments of
In another embodiment, the water feature is configured to hold a plant, bush, flowers, and other types of plants and the water feature includes another water line and the like that is configured to periodically water the plant(s). Further, the water feature may include an overflow to remove excess water such as rain that may collect in the water feature. In another embodiment, the water feature is configured to hold a statue or some other object and may include a drain to allow rain water and the like to flow out of the water feature and the like.
In one embodiment, the water basin, the tower, and the water feature discussed herein may be made from metals, plastics, and light weight concrete reinforced materials. In another embodiment, the water basin, the tower, and the water feature discussed herein may be made from at least one type of polyethylene (low, medium, and/or high density), new/used/recycled materials, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and the like. For example, the materials may include fiberglass and light weight concrete, GFRC lightweight concrete, and the like.
In another embodiment, a water tank is fluidly connected to the water basin.
Further, water basin 102 includes auto fill compartment 128 and overflow 130. The a valve 131a is fluidly connected to a water supply (discussed herein) and includes a liquid sensor 131, e.g., a float sensor, that opens a valve 131a (shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the water basin and system 100 includes a drain plug 119 that may be used for servicing and winterization of the system. In another embodiment, the water basin and system may not include an auto fill compartment.
In the illustrated embodiments of
In the illustrated embodiment, electrical junction box 144 includes an electrical power cord or the like that can be connected to a power source. Electrical junction box 144 is in electrical communication with the water basin and system 100, including but not limited to at least one of the following: a first electrical connection 144a electrically connected with low level sensor 126, a second electrical connection 144b electrically connected with pump 138, and a third electrical connection 144c electrically connected with gas controller 132b and/or hot wire ignition gas control valve 132a. Electrical junction box 144 includes pre-wired electrical connections, controls, and the like. Further, electrical junction box 144 is a water tight rated design. In another embodiment, the electrical junction box is adapted to connect to lighting systems, sound systems, and the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, water inlet 131a may be connected to a water supply to fill water manually or automatically. In another embodiment, a user manually fills the water basin when needed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling supports 104 can be adjusted to the same or different heights to accommodate for even and/or uneven surfaces and support surfaces of varying elevations, heights, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, four leveling supports 104 support the water basin and system 100. In another embodiment, more or less than four leveling supports support the water basin and system 100. In another embodiment, adjustable hydraulic leveling supports extend from the water basin.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
