Self-supporting basin

Abstract

Self-supporting pond. The invention relates to a self-supporting pond (10) comprising access means for wildlife, the access means for wildlife comprising a first staircase (50) leading upwards to the outside of the pond (10), and a second staircase (70) leading downwards to the inside of the pond (10), a passageway (60, 62) being provided connecting the upper parts of the first and second staircases (50, 70), the depth of the steps of the second staircase (70) being substantially greater than the depths of the steps of the first staircase (50), and the first staircase (50) comprising gripping means on at least some of the steps. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Self-supporting basin

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a self-supporting pond and finds particular, but not exclusive, utility in encouraging and enabling access to the pond by wildlife such as frogs and newts.

[0002] Typical garden ponds are set in the ground so that the upper part of the sides of the pond are substantially level with the surrounding ground. In such situations, wildlife such as frogs and newts can quite easily enter and exit the pond water. However, freestanding ponds, which are a popular garden feature today, have the upper part of their sides at a relatively large height above the surrounding ground, making entry into and exit from the pond water relatively difficult for wildlife such as frogs and newts.

[0003] It is desirable to allow wildlife, such as frogs and newts, to enter and exit the water of the freestanding ponds.

[0004] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a self-supporting pond comprising frog access means, the frog access means comprising a first staircase leading upwards outside the pond, and a second staircase leading downwards inside the pond, a passage area being provided connecting the upper parts of the first and second stairs, the depth of the steps of the second staircase being greater than the depths of the steps of the first staircase, and the first staircase comprising gripping means on at least some of the steps.

[0005] Although ramps are known to reach the upper part of the sides of ponds, they tend to have relatively low slopes and therefore occupy a relatively large space around the pond. These relatively low slope ramps are generally intended for birds, such as ducks. However, the freestanding pond according to the present invention is intended for smaller animals, such as frogs, newts, mice, voles, insects, beetles and the like. These animals are substantially smaller than ducks and do not require relatively low slope ramps. Accordingly, the inclination of the first stair may be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees above the horizontal (in use). The inclination of the first stair may be in the range of 45 to 60 degrees above the horizontal (in use).The inclination of the first staircase can be in the range of 45 to 55 degrees above the horizontal (in use). The inclination of the first staircase can be in the range of 50 to 60 degrees above the horizontal. (in use). The incline of the first staircase can be approximately 55 degrees above horizontal (in use).

[0006] Furthermore, these animals do not need relatively deep steps on the stairs and therefore the steps of the first staircase may have a depth in the range of 5 to 15 mm. The depth may be 5 to 10 mm.

[0007] Furthermore, these animals need relatively short risers on the stairs and therefore the risers of the first stair can have a height in the range of 10 to 25 mm. The height can be 5 to 10 mm.

[0008] The second staircase, placed inside the side walls of the pond, can be used to reach the pond water by both small animals such as frogs and newts, but also by larger animals such as birds. Accordingly, the steps on this second staircase are deeper than those on the first staircase and can be in the range of 15 to 30 mm.

[0009] The risers of the second staircase may have a height in the range of 10 to 25 mm. The height may be 5 to 10 mm.

[0010] The inclination of the second staircase may be in the range of 25 to 35 degrees above horizontal (in use). The inclination of the second staircase may be approximately 30 degrees above horizontal (in use).

[0011] The second staircase may include gripping means on at least some of the steps. This may allow frogs and newts to use their fingers and toes to grip the steps when ascending or descending the stairs.

[0012] The steps may comprise planar surfaces and the gripping means may comprise a recess in the planar surfaces disposed behind and adjacent the nosings of the steps.

[0013] The recess may be a groove arranged along the edge of the steps. The depth of the recess may be in the range of 1 to 4 mm.

[0014] The self-supporting basin may further comprise a barrier along the outer edge of the first stair. This barrier may have a height of approximately 10 to 20 mm, as measured vertically upwards from the nosing of the steps.

[0015] Similarly, the self-supporting pool may further comprise a barrier along the outer edge of the passage area. This barrier may have a height of approximately 10 to 20 mm, as measured vertically upwards from the nosing of the steps.

[0016] Barriers can help prevent wildlife from falling from the stairs in use.

[0017] The first and second stairs and the passage area, and optionally the barrier, may all be arranged so as to be capable of being removably connected to each other. This may allow the freestanding pool to be packaged in a relatively small box for assembly by a customer.

[0018] The self-supporting pond may further include a planter within the pond and adjacent to the second staircase. This planter may include a basket-shaped member arranged to be at least partially below the water level in use. Aquatic plants may be planted in the planter, in use, to encourage wildlife to visit the pond.

[0019] The planter can also be removably connected to the first and second stairs, the passage area and the barrier.

[0020] The self-supporting pool may also include modular side walls, a liner and a fountain.

[0021] The characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will be better understood from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting. The reference figures cited below refer to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a self-supporting basin according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is an elevational view of part of the basin of [Fig.l];

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of access steps for wildlife;

[0025] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of part of the steps of [Fig.3]; and

[0026] [Fig.5] is another perspective view of the wildlife access steps of the [Fig.3].

[0027] The present invention will be described with reference to certain drawings, but not limited thereto. The drawings described are schematic only and are not limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions in the practice of the invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the specification are used to distinguish like elements and not necessarily to describe a sequence, whether in time, space, order or otherwise. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances and that operation is possible in sequences other than that described or illustrated herein. Similarly, method steps described in a particular sequence may be understood as operating in a different sequence.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms top, bottom, above, below and the like in the specification are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances and that operation is possible in orientations other than that described or illustrated in this document.

[0030] It should be noted that the term "comprising" should not be interpreted as being limited to the means listed below; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the features, integers, steps or components mentioned, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. This means that, as far as the present invention is concerned, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0031] Reference to "an embodiment" or "an aspect" in this specification means that a particular function, structure, or feature described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, the expressions "in an embodiment" or "in an aspect" that appear in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects.Furthermore, particular functions, structures or features of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular function, structure or feature of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be obvious to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

[0032] Similarly, it should be appreciated that, in the description, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and facilitating understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. Furthermore, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered an embodiment of the invention. Rather, inventive aspects reside in fewer features than all of the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

[0033] Further, although certain embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the invention and form yet other embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0034] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been set forth in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of the present description.

[0035] In the disclosure of the invention, unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure of alternative values ​​for the upper or lower limit of the permissible range of a parameter, together with an indication that one of said values ​​is more preferred than the other, should be interpreted as an implicit statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, located between the most preferred and the least preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value as well as to each value located between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0036] The use of the expression "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term "any one" may mean "all" and / or "each" in certain circumstances.

[0037] The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is obvious that other arrangements may be configured according to the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the underlying scope or technical teaching of the invention.

[0038] [Fig.l] shows a self-supporting basin 10 comprising eight contiguous outer side walls 20, forming an octagonal shape. A watertight liner 30 is disposed within the walls so that the basin can retain water, in use, when filled. The basin rests on legs 15. The upper portion of the side walls 20 forms a substantially continuous rail 25 around the circumference of the basin. The basin may have a width of about one meter and a height of about 365 mm.

[0039] Since the side walls 20 of the pool 10 are steep, being substantially vertical, it is difficult for small animals, such as frogs, to reach the water inside the pool. Accordingly, a first set of outer steps (or first staircase) 50 is provided outside a side wall 20. The outer steps are arranged to reach the ground level on which the pool is located in use, although there may be a relatively small gap that would not prevent access by wildlife.

[0040] The outer steps 50 reach the upper part of the rail 25. Inside the basin 10, on the other side of the side wall 20 against which the steps 50 are arranged, there is a second set of inner steps (or second staircase) 70. This set of inner steps 70 extends to the top of the rail 25, but does not extend to the bottom of the interior of the pond. Indeed, there is no need for them to do so. This is because the water level of the pond is likely to be maintained at a height higher than the lowest step of the set of interior steps 70. Therefore, wildlife only needs to descend a few steps to reach the water.

[0041] In use, wildlife may cross the rail 25, from the outer set of steps 50, to reach the inner set of steps 70. In this regard, the step that is flush with the top of the rail 25 has a substantially greater step depth than the other steps. This is true for both the inner and outer sets of steps. These steps may serve as the first passage area 62. However, a second passage area 60 is shown, disposed across and straddling the top of the rail 25, connecting the inner and outer sets of steps. This second passage area 60 is formed by another step above the top of the steps that are flush with the top of the rail 25.

[0042] This second passage area 60 can be designed to be large enough for birds to land there before descending the interior steps to reach the water.

[0043] A planter 80 is shown located on the side of the interior step assembly 70 toward the center of the pool 10.

[0044] A barrier 90 is shown extending upwardly along the side of the radially outer edge of the first set of steps 50 and the radially outer edge of the second passage area 60. This barrier may have a height sufficient to prevent small animals from falling from the first set of steps in the event of loss of grip.

[0045] The first set of exterior steps 50 is illustrated in elevational view in [Fig. 2]. The steps 50 are disposed outside a side wall section 20. The barrier surrounds the second passage area 60 at the top of the steps 50. The barrier is not visible above the level of the steps due to the viewing angle of this Figure.

[0046] The first 50 and second 70 sets of steps may be arranged to be connected together, as shown in [Fig. 3]. They are also shown connected to the second passage area 60. The three elements may be connected together to form a structure which may then be arranged on the rail 25. Between the first 50 and second 70 sets of steps, a gap 100 is seen where the rail 25 and the side wall section 20 would fit together.

[0047] The first set of steps 50 comprises a plurality of risers 51 and steps 52. The second set of steps 70 also comprises a plurality of risers 71 and steps 72.

[0048] The barrier 90 is visibly higher than the steps 52 of the first set of steps 50.

[0049] In use, the water level may reach about half the height of the second set of steps, as indicated by the arrows 101. Under these circumstances, the steps of the second group of steps 70 located below the water level may be considered a "beach area" which allows amphibians and other relatively small animals and insects to exit the water. The steps of the beach area are deep enough horizontally to allow birds to bathe, stretch their wings and splash at a comfortable depth.

[0050] The steps of the second set of steps 70 above the water level can be considered a "landing area" which allows birds and insects to land on dry land before descending to the water's edge and descending to a comfortable depth for drinking or bathing.

[0051] An enlarged view of a section of the first set of steps 50 is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. As can be seen, the outer surface of the risers 51 includes grooves 54. These are intended to create a bark effect, but can also serve as gripping points for wildlife. Each step 52 also includes a groove 53 on its upper surface. The grooves 53 are shown located between the noses 55 of the steps and the base of the adjacent riser 51. They serve as gripping points for wildlife.

[0052] The barrier 90 is, once again, visibly higher than the steps 52 of the first set of steps 50.

[0053] A portion of the structure described above in connection with [Fig. 3] is shown in [Fig. 5] from a different viewpoint. The entire set of exterior steps 50 are not shown because they have been detached.

[0054] The inner step set 70 has steps 72 that are visibly deeper than the outer step set 50. These steps may allow wildlife to reach the water. The gap 100 where the side wall 20 and the rail 25 may be located, in use, is visible between the inner and outer step sets.

[0055] The planter 80 is visible in front of the set of interior steps 70. It comprises a basket-shaped element 81 which has holes 82 at its base to allow water to flow through the basket.

Claims

Claims

1. A self-supporting pond (10), characterized by comprising frog access means, the frog access means comprising a first staircase (50) leading upwards outside the pond (10), and a second staircase (70) leading downwards inside the pond (10), a passage area (60, 62) being provided connecting the upper parts of the first and second staircases (50, 70), the depth of the steps (72) of the second staircase (70) being greater than the depths of the steps (52) of the first staircase (50), and the first staircase (50) comprising gripping means on at least some of the steps (52).

2. Self-supporting basin (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second staircase (70) comprises gripping means on at least some of the steps (72).

3. A self-supporting basin (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the steps (52) comprise flat surfaces and the gripping means comprise a recess in the flat surfaces disposed behind and adjacent the noses (55) of the steps (52).

4. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inclination of the first staircase (50) is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees above the horizontal, in use.

5. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inclination of the first staircase (50) is in the range of 45 to 55 degrees above the horizontal, in use.

6. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the steps (52) of the first staircase (50) have a depth in the range of 5 to 15 mm.

7. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the risers (51) of the first staircase (50) have a height in the range of 10 to 25 mm.

8. Self-supporting pool (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and second stairs (50, 70) and the passage area (60, 62) are all arranged so as to be capable of being connected to each other in a removable manner.

9. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a planter (80) inside the basin (10) and adjacent to the second staircase (70).

10. Self-supporting basin (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises modular side walls (20), a covering (30) and a fountain.

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