Modular water garden construction
A portable, modular water garden structure, suitable for the containment of water and adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, is provided. The structure first comprises a base unit, formed of a lightweight sturdy material, having an exposed outer surface, a top side, perimeter walls and an underside. The base unit is further characterized as having on its top side a generally centrally located depressed area suitable for use as a tub capable of accommodating an appropriate quantity of water. A moisture-proof flexible membrane is situated directly over the exposed outer surface area of the base unit, and extending over the tub and at least a portion of the upper edge of the perimeter walls. A layer of moisture- and flex-resistant material is formed over the moisture-proof membrane, covering the membrane and at least covering the exposed outside surfaces of the perimeter walls and any exposed outer surfaces of the base, so as to give a generally natural-looking appearance to said modular structure. One or more natural or natural-appearing stones may be attached to and or imbedded in said material to add to the appearance of the structure, as desired.
1 . A modular structure, suitable for the containment of water and adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, for creating water gardens, said modular structure comprising:
a base,
formed of a lightweight sturdy and durable moisture-resistant material,
having a body with perimeter walls, a top side and an underside,
said base further characterized as having a generally centrally located depressed area on its top side that is capable of accommodating and/or directing the flow of a quantity of aqueous liquid;
a moisture-resistant membrane
formed over the exposed outer surface area of the base structure, and
extending at least over the top side thereof and a portion of the upper edge of the perimeter walls;
a moisture- and flex-resistant substrate
extending over and on top of said moisture-resistant membrane and at least covering the exposed outside surfaces of the top and perimeter walls of the base, and
at least one natural-appearing stone
attached to and/or imbedded in said substrate such as to give a generally natural appearance to said modular structure.
2 . The modular structure of claim 1 , wherein the moisture-resistant membrane and substrate are formed of a single unitary material.
3 . The modular structure of claim 1 , wherein the base of the modular structure includes a plumbing assembly having:
a pump;
a supply hose, connected to the pump, that extends to a port at the exterior surface of the structure; and
a return hose originating from within a depressed area on the surface of the structure and terminating at the pump to allow for a return of aqueous liquid to the pump.
4 . The modular structure of claim 1 , wherein the width and depth of the centrally located depressed area are sufficient to hold one or more human beings.
5 . The modular structure of claim 1 , wherein said membrane has a thickness of at least about 40-80 mils.
6 . The modular structure of claim 1 , wherein at least four natural stones are imbedded into the substrate.
7 . A modular structure, suitable for the containment of water and adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, for creating water gardens, said modular structure comprising:
a base unit,
formed of a suitable lightweight material,
having a body with an exposed outer surface, perimeter walls and an underside,
said base unit further characterized as having a generally centrally located depressed area on its exposed outer surface that is suitable for use as a tub capable of accommodating a quantity of liquid;
a moisture-proof membrane
formed over the exposed outer surface area of the base structure, and
extending over at least the tub and the upper edge of the perimeter walls;
a moisture- and flex-resistant substrate
formed over the exposed outer surface of the base at least covering the exposed outside surfaces of the perimeter walls;
said substrate having one or more stones attached to and or imbedded therein such as to give a generally natural appearance to said modular structure; and
a plumbing assembly
including a pump and at least one hose adapted to supply flowing water to said modular structure.
8 . A modular structure as in claim 7 , combined into a water garden including at least one modular structure according to claim 1 .
9 . A modular structure suitable for the containment of water and adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, for creating water gardens, said modular structure comprising:
a base,
formed of lightweight sturdy material, suitable to support the weight of the structure and give it a transportable character,
having a body with an exposed outer surface, perimeter walls and an underside,
said base further characterized as having at least one sloped area suitable for allowing water to run in a downward direction;
a moisture-proof membrane
formed over the exposed outer surface area of the sloped area, and
a moisture- and flex-resistant substrate
formed over the exposed outer surface area of the sloped area at least covering the exposed outside surfaces of the perimeter walls, and characterized as providing a generally natural appearance to said modular structure.
10 . The modular structure of claim 8 , wherein at least one natural-appearing stone is attached to and/or imbedded in said substrate such as to give a generally natural appearance to said modular structure.
11 . The modular structure of claim 10 , wherein a fiberglass mesh reinforcing material is secured to the base unit before applying the substrate.