Method and Apparatus for Creating a Kinetic Water Display

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating an asthetically pleasing display of moving water and, more particularly, relates to a method and apparatus for creating a kinetic water display.

It is an object of the present invention to create an aesthetically pleasing kinetic water display.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for creating a kinetic water display for placement within sidewalks, lobbys, etc. wherein the apparatus has sufficient structural integrity to permit walking there across by viewers.

Still other objects will become apparent after a reading of the foregoing specification.

The above objects are achieved in an apparatus and method for creating a kinetic water display. The apparatus comprises a means for generating at least one stream of water in a first direction and a transparent plate means being disposed at a substantial angle and in opposing relationship to the first direction of the stream of water. The plate means is disposed across the means for generating the at least one stream of water such that the stream impinges upon the inner surface of the bridge means thereby forming at least one kinetic shape comprised of ambient air and the water upon the inner surface of the plate means, whereby an aesthetically pleasing kinetic water display viewable from above said outer surface is achieved.

The method of the present invention comprises the steps of; disposing a transparent plate means, having inner and outer surfaces, at a substantial angle to and across a means for generating at least one stream of water;

actuating the means for generating at least one stream of water such that the stream flows in a first direction, the first direction being in opposing relationship to the transparent plate means; wherein the at least one stream impinges upon the inner surface of the transparent plate means thereby forming at least one kinetic shape comprised of ambient air and the water upon the inner surface of the plate means; whereby an aesthetically pleasing kinetic water display viewable from above the outer surface of the transparent plate means.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of the present invention;

In FIG. 2 there is shown a top plan view of the present invention;

In FIG. 3 there is shown a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention;

In FIG. 4 there is shown a perspective view of the present invention installed in a pool.

The foregoing description will include reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The kinetic water display apparatus is generally denoted by reference numeral 9.

A generally large transparent plate of clear glass 10 having a sufficient structural integrity to hold persons walking upon it is disposed generally above a plurality of water jets, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the jets 12, 14, 18 and 20 are generally equa-distantly spaced apart from the central jet 16, and the outlets thereof are disposed a predetermined distance D apart from the glass plate 10. In the particular embodiment herein disclosed as an example of the present invention, the glass plate 10 has thickness in the range of between 3/4 to 11/2 inches and a length and width of approximately 5 feet. It will be appreciated, however that the dimensions of the glass plate 10 are not particularly relevant to the practice of the present invention, so long as the requirements of structural integrity and substantial transparency are satisfied.

The glass plate 10 is supported at the sides or corners thereof such that the plate 10 is generally co-planar with the surrounding area in which the apparatus 9 is installed, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the glass plate 10 may also be comprised of nearly any transparent material having similar transparency characteristics as that of clear glass and which also has a structural integrity sufficient enough to continuously support persons walking upon the outer surface thereof.

The plurality of jets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 output a generally continuous stream of turbulent water and, because of their proximity to the glass plate 10, the water outputted from the jets impinges upon the inner surface of the glass plate 10 such that a plurality of outwardly spreading columns of water is continuously achieved at the areas of the glass plate surrounding each of the jets. The spreading columns of water and their interaction with one another form various kinetic (i.e. constantly and slightly varying) graphic shapes 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. This effect is best observed in FIG. 2 wherein a top plan view of the apparatus 9 and the kinetic graphic shapes 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are shown.

The jets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 comprise generally cylindrical tubes and in the preferred embodiment are comprised of substantially clear acrylic tubes having an inner diameter ranging from 1 inch to 3 inches. However, it will be appreciated that, the jets may be formed from other material and may also have inner diameters less than 1 inch or greater than 3 inches. As may be observed from FIG. 2, the centrally located jet 16 has a larger inner diameter than the jets on either side thereof such that the central spreading column of the kinetic graphic shape 26 has greater flow and turbulence than the adjacent shapes 24, 32, 28 and 30, and such that the interaction of shape 26 with the adjacent shapes forms a kinetic generally square pattern in the central area of the glass plate 10, while the other columns form a kinetic generally five sided graphic shape.

It will thus be appreciated that various other desired kinetic graphic shapes may similarly be formed on the inner surface of the glass plate 10 through selective arrangement and orientation of the water jets, variation of the number of water jets used and the inner diameters thereof such that a nearly infinite variety of water patterns forming various kinetic graphic shapes may be achieved.

With reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus 9, a pump means 36 supplies each of the jets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 with a continuous flow of water. Water outputted by the jets and returning from plate 10 is retained by tank means 34 and is syphoned through port 40 by the pump means 36 for recirculation. It will be appreciated that in order to maintain a substantially uniform velocity of outflowing water at each of the jets, and to adjust the same, various valving arrangements may be employed at the base of the jets that communicate with common conduit 38 such that the flow of water received by each jet is as desired. It will also be appreciated that various pumping and piping arrangements, other than that illustrated, may be employed with the present invention. Further, as previously indicated, it will be appreciated that jets having various inner diameters may be used for creating corresponding water patterns, or even linear jets, linear arrays of jets or jets of other shapes. Also, while the preferred embodiment, whether used as part of a walkway or only as a decoration, is illustrated as being horizontal, similar inclined or even vertical arrangements may also be used, the pump of course still being at the lower region thereof. Whether horizontal or not, display should be less than full of water to get the desired water flow patterns unless colored particles or the like were put in the water to provide an aesthetically pleasing visual perception of the nature, patterns, etc. in the flow.

Moreover, as may best be observed from FIG. 2, there is an additional aesthetically pleasing effect created by the apparatus 9 in that the turbulent columns of water which surround each jet appear to have a hollow center since, due to the forces that act upon the water in its path from the outlet of the jets as it impinges against the glass plate 10, the area in the center of the jets is substantially free from outflowing water and air such that the water hugs the inner diamater of the jets at their respective outlets, thereby appearing to present spreading columns of water that have a hollow center and which also appear, due to the transparrency of the jets, to continuously emanate from no observable source of origin.

The apparatus for creating a kinetic water display may be installed in a sidewalk, hotel lobby floor, or any other area where an aesthetically pleasing water effect is desired.

An important aspect of the present invention being that the structure which is partly responsible for the aforedescribed kinetic graphic shapes (glass plate 10) also provides a means upon which people may walk and view the effect from directly above the spreading columns of water, as if they were standing upon the very columns of water. As such, it will be appreciated that since the glass plate 10 is transparent, a person walking across the same would encounter the optical illusion of walking across a virtual bridge of turbulent water columns which continuously form various kinetic graphic shapes.

A particularly dramatic installation is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the apparatus 9 is shown installed in a pool 42 with the glass plate 10 spanning from one side of the pool to the other side thereof. Due to the water of the pool which surrounds the apparatus 9, the optical illusion of walking across a bridge of water is heightened.

It will also be appreciated, as stated before, that the apparatus 9 may be mounted vertically in a wall, or separately as a self contained unit. Such installations of the present invention serves a highly desirable relatively maintenance free alternative to aquariums or other aqueous display devices.

It will also be appreciated that the above described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is to be considered, therefore, in all aspects as illustrative and unrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.