Fountain
Abstract
Abstract A fountain includes a closed fluid system having three superposed compartments. A first tube has an open end adjacent the bottom wall of the intermediate compartment and a nozzle end within the upper compartment. A second tube has an open end near the bottom of the upper compartment and extends downwardly into the bottom compartment. A third tube has an open end near the top wall of the bottom compartment and extends upwardly with an open end near the top wall of the intermediate compartment. A liquid is provided within the system of sufficient volume that, upon inversion of the device, it will fill the intermediate compartment and partially fill the normally upper compartment and, upon reinversion of the system to its upright position, will flow from the normally upper compartment through the second tube into the normally bottom compartment, displacing air from the bottom compartment into the intermediate compartment through the third tube, displacing liquid from the intermediate compartment through the first tube to cause a liquid jet into flow from the nozzle end into the upper compartment. Several embodiments of the fountain are disclosed. One embodiment includes an auxiliary compartment between the intermediate and bottom compartments to increase the pressure head causing the jet to flow. Another provides two closed fluid systems, one inverted with respect to the other, with compartments of the two systems interspersed in a vertical stack. An additional embodiment includes an upper compartment divided into two chambers with syphon means to transfer liquid received from the jet from the upper chamber to the lower chamber so that fluid may be transferred back through the second tube into the lower compartment. Toy and amusement devices of various types may be employed within the fountain for operation by or for use in conjunction with the jet.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilaire G De Gast
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |