Modular connector for fountains

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular connector for use in fountains that includes a collar having a first collar portion, a second collar portion, a third collar portion, two ears and two flanges. The first collar portion has a first outside diameter and a first inside diameter. The second collar portion is disposed between the first collar portion and the third collar portion and has the first outside diameter and a second inside diameter. The third collar portion has a second outside diameter and the first inside diameter. The two ears oppose one another, each ear extending from the second collar portion through the first collar portion and above the first collar portion, each ear disposed between the first inside diameter and the second inside diameter. The two flanges oppose one another and extend inwardly from the first collar portion to form a channel with the second collar portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular connector, comprising: 
 a collar having a first collar portion, a second collar portion, a third collar portion, two ears, two flanges and at least two mounting tabs;    the first collar portion having a first outside diameter and a first inside diameter;    the second collar portion disposed between the first collar portion and the third collar portion and having the first outside diameter and a second inside diameter, the second inside diameter being smaller than the first inside diameter;    the third collar portion having a second outside diameter and the first inside diameter, the second outside diameter being smaller than the first outside diameter;    the two ears opposing one another, each ear extending from the second collar portion through the first collar portion and above the first collar portion, each ear disposed between the first inside diameter and the second inside diameter;    the two flanges opposing one another, each flange extending inwardly from the first collar portion forming a channel with the second collar portion; and    the at least two mounting tabs extending outwardly from the third collar portion and being approximately equally spaced from one another.    
     
     
         2 . A modular connector system, comprising: 
 a first collar and a second collar, each collar having a first collar portion, a second collar portion, a third collar portion, two ears, two flanges and at least two mounting tabs;    the first collar portion having a first outside diameter and a first inside diameter;    the second collar portion disposed between the first collar portion and the third collar portion and having the first outside diameter and a second inside diameter, the second inside diameter being smaller than the first inside diameter;    the third collar portion having a second outside diameter and the first inside diameter, the second outside diameter being smaller than the first outside diameter;    the two ears opposing one another, each ear extending from the second collar portion through the first collar portion and above the first collar portion, each ear disposed between the first inside diameter and the second inside diameter;    the two flanges opposing one another, each flange extending inwardly from the first collar portion forming a channel with the second collar portion;    the at least two mounting tabs extending outwardly from the third collar portion and being approximately equally spaced from one another; and    the first collar being engagable with the second collar by engaging the ears of the first collar with the flanges of the second collar and the ears of the second collar with the flanges of the first collar.    
     
     
         3 . A modular fountain, comprising: 
 a top portion having a cavity therein and a lower surface, the lower surface having an opening extending therethrough for access to the cavity;    a base for supporting the top portion, the base having a cavity therein, an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having an opening extending therethrough, the lower surface for resting on a support surface; and    a bayonet connector for removably connecting the top portion and the base, the bayonet connector comprising a first portion rigidly disposed in the opening extending through the lower surface of the top portion and a second portion rigidly disposed in the opening extending through the upper surface of the base, the first portion of the bayonet connector being engagable with the second portion of the bayonet connector, the bayonet connector having a passage therethrough so that, when the first portion of the bayonet connector is engaged with the second portion of the bayonet connector, a passageway exists between the cavity of the top portion and the cavity of the base.    
     
     
         4 . The modular fountain as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the top portion comprises a statue.  
     
     
         5 . The modular fountain as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a bowl disposed between the top portion and the base portion, the bowl having an upper curved surface defining a concave portion for storing water and a lower surface, the bowl having an opening extending through the lower surface and the upper curved surface.  
     
     
         6 . The modular fountain as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a pump for circulating water in the modular fountain, the pump having a power cord for supplying electrical power to the pump.  
     
     
         7 . The modular fountain as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a pump housing for supporting the top portion and for containing the pump, the pump housing having a wall with an inner surface, the wall connected to and extending from the upper curved surface of the bowl and a top having an inner surface, the upper curved surface of the bowl, the inner surface of the wall, and the inner surface of the top defining an internal portion of the pump housing, the top having an opening extending therethrough for access to the internal portion of the pump housing, the pump housing disposed on the upper curved surface of the bowl so that the opening in the bowl allows access to the internal portion of the pump housing.  
     
     
         8 . A modular fountain, comprising: 
 a pump for circulating water in the modular fountain, the pump having a power cord for supplying electrical power to the pump;    a statue having a cavity therein and a lower surface, the lower surface having an opening extending therethrough for access to the cavity;    a bowl having an upper curved surface defining a concave portion for storing water and a lower surface, the bowl having an opening extending through the lower surface and the upper curved surface;    a pump housing for supporting the statue and for containing the pump, the pump housing having a wall with an inner surface, the wall connected to and extending from the upper curved surface of the bowl and a top having an inner surface, the upper curved surface of the bowl, the inner surface of the wall, and the inner surface of the top defining an internal portion of the pump housing, the top having an opening extending therethrough for access to the internal portion of the pump housing, the pump housing disposed on the upper curved surface of the bowl so that the opening in the bowl allows access to the internal portion of the pump housing;    a first bayonet connector for removably connecting the statue and the pump housing, the first bayonet connector comprising a first portion rigidly disposed in the opening extending through the lower surface of the statue and a second portion rigidly disposed in the opening extending through the top of the pump housing, the first portion of the first bayonet connector being engagable with the second portion of the first bayonet connector, the first bayonet connector having a passage therethrough so that, when the first portion of the first bayonet connector is engaged with the second portion of the first bayonet connector, a passageway exists between the cavity of the statue and the internal portion of the pump housing;    a base for supporting the bowl, the base having a cavity therein, an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having an opening extending therethrough, the lower surface for resting on a support surface;    a second bayonet connector for removably connecting the bowl and the base, the second bayonet connector comprising a first portion rigidly disposed in the opening in the bowl and a second portion rigidly disposed in the opening extending through the upper surface of the base, the first portion of the second bayonet connector being engagable with the second portion of the second bayonet connector, the second bayonet connector having a passage therethrough so that, when the first portion of the second bayonet connector is engaged with the second portion of the second bayonet connector, a passageway exists between the internal portion of the pump housing and the cavity of the base; and    a tube extending through the opening in the bowl, wherein, when the statue is connected to the pump housing via the first bayonet connector and the bowl is connected to the base via the second bayonet connector, the tube extends between the cavity of the statue and the cavity of the base and the tube is capable of providing a passageway for the power cord of the pump from the pump housing into the cavity of the base.