Double shell structure for air pumps

Abstract

A double shell structure for air pumps has an outer shell and an inner shell housed in the outer shell for installing an air pump body. The double shell structure can effectively reduce noise leakage resulting from air pump operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to the shell structure of air pumps and particularly to air pumps that have a double shell structure for reducing noise leakage during operation.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Conventional shell structure for air pumps (referring to FIG. 1) generally includes a shell 2 consisting of an upper lid 21 and a base 22. The shell 2 has a hollow housing chamber 20 located inside for installing the body 1 of an air pump. When the air pump body 1 operates, air is discharged through an air duct 11 into an aquarium for use. Such a structure generates a greater noise when the air pump body 1 operates. It becomes an annoyance in house environments. While breeding pet fish can enhance environmental aesthetics and provide visual amusement, the generated noise spoils house serenity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the aforesaid disadvantages, the object of the invention is to provide a double shell structure for air pumps to reduce the noise leakage during air pump operation.

[0006] The double shell structure of the invention mainly has an inner shell housed in an outer shell. The air pump body is installed in the inner shell. By means of the double shell structure, leakage of noise generated by the air pump during operation may be effectively reduced.

[0007] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional air pump.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the invention mainly includes an outer shell 31 and an inner shell 32 located in the outer shell. The outer shell 31 and the inner shell 32 are interposed by a hollow space 310. The inner shell 32 has a hollow housing chamber 320 for installing an air pump body 4. The outer shell 31 consists of an outer upper lid 311 and an outer base 312 coupling together. The outer base 312 has a top edge forming an indented coupling rim 3124. A sealing gasket 34 is mounted on the coupling rim 3124 to couple with another coupling rim 3112 formed on the inner side of the bottom edge of the outer upper lid 311 to form a seal to enhance noise insulation effect. Then screws 3123 are engaged with screw holes 3121 to fasten the outer upper lid 311. The outer upper lid 311 further has at lest one semi-circular opening 3111 on the lateral side corresponding to at least one semi-circular opening 3122 on the outer base 312 to form at least one air discharge anchor hole A (the number of the hole depends on the number of air discharge ducts of the air pump body 4). The inner shell 32 has an inner base 322 to couple with an inner upper lid 321. The inner base 322 has a hollow chamber 320 for installing the air pump body 4, and one lateral side having at least one notch 3221 to enable an air discharge duct 41 to run through to connect to an elbow duct 42. The elbow duct 42 has another end connecting to another air discharge duct 43 which couples with a duct sleeve 44 for discharging air. The inner upper lid 321 has a downward recess with a lid peripheral rim 3214 slightly larger than the outer peripheral rim of the inner base 322. The inner upper lid 321 further has an opening 3211 to allow an air inlet duct 35 to run through. The air inlet duct 35 has a lower section 351 running through the inner side of the inner upper lid 321 to couple with an opening 361 of a thin sheet 36 (which serves to eliminate transmission of resonance and reduce noise generation) and an opening 331 of a soft pad 33 such that the soft pad 33 may be in contact with the top rim of the inner base 322. Then the inner upper lid 321 may be closed and fastened through engaging screws 3213 into the apertures 3212 and 332 of the inner upper lid 321 and the soft pad 33 and the screw holes 3222 of the inner base 322, thereby to fasten the inner upper lid 321 tightly to the inner base 322.

[0013] By means of the construction set forth above, when the air pump body 4 operates (air pump operation is known in the art and forms no part of the invention, thus details are omitted), vibrations and noises occur. Through the double sealing structure of the inner shell 32 and outer shell 31, most noise leakage are eliminated, thus noise annoying problem can be effectively resolved.

[0014] Refer to FIG. 4 for another embodiment of the invention. An outer shell 31′ includes an outer upper lid 311′ to cover an outer base 312′. An inner shell 32′ is housed in the outer shell 31′. The inner shell 32′ has a hollow housing chamber 320′ for installing an air pump body 4′. The outer shell 31′ and the inner shell 32′ are interposed by a hollow space 310′. The inner side of the outer upper lid 311′ has an indented and downward lid rim 3110′ to hold a soft pad 33′ for covering to the top rim of the inner shell 32′. The inner shell 32′ has at least one notch 3210′ to enable an air discharge duct 41′ to run through.

[0015] By means of the construction set forth above, noise resulting from vibrations during air pump operation may be reduced from leaking out. Thus people can enjoy the pleasure of breeding pet fish and the serenity of the house can be maintained.

Claims

1. A double shell structure for air pumps comprising an outer shell and an inner shell housed in the outer shell, the outer shell and the inner shell being interposed by a hollow space therebetween, the inner shell having a hollow housing chamber for installing an air pump body such that noise resulting from operation of the air pump body is reduced from leaking through the inner shell and the outer shell.

2. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes an outer upper lid and an outer base.

3. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 1, wherein the inner shell includes an inner upper lid and an inner base.

4. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 3, wherein the inner base has a lateral side which has at least one notch forming thereon.

5. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 3, wherein the inner upper lid has a downward recess which has a lid peripheral rim slightly larger than the outer peripheral rim of the inner base.

6. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 5, wherein the inner base has a top rim in contact with a soft pad, and the inner upper lid being covered on the soft pad to achieve a tightly sealing.

7. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 6, wherein the inner upper lid has an opening to allow an air inlet duct to run through.

8. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 7, wherein the soft pad and the inner upper lid are interposed by a thin sheet which has an opening to couple with a lower section of the air inlet duct.

9. A double shell structure for air pumps comprising an outer shell and an inner shell housed in the outer shell, the outer shell and the inner shell being interposed by a hollow space therebetween, the inner shell having a hollow housing chamber for installing an air pump body, the outer shell having an outer upper lid which has an inner side forming a downward rim surrounding a recess for housing a soft pad to allow the outer upper lid to cover the top rim of the inner shell to increase tightly fastening effect.

10. The double shell structure for air pumps of claim 9, wherein the inner shell has at least one notch to allow an air discharge duct to run through.