Supported Water Column Patents (Class 119/249)
  • Patent number: 10054124
    Abstract: A submersible, water circulation system for enclosed tanks such as used by municipalities, fire districts, and industries. The system includes a driving unit having a shell extending along an axis with a pump supported within the shell. The shell has at least one inlet and at least one outlet and is positionable on the floor of the tank with the outlet facing upwardly. The upwardly facing outlet is preferably a thin, upwardly facing, elongated slot and creates a thin, substantially planar discharge of water therethrough that is directed upwardly toward the surface of the body of water. The substantially planar discharge presents a very large surface area for its volume and induces water adjacent the outside of the shell of the driving unit to move upwardly with it toward the surface of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas P. Walter, Joel J. Bleth, Willard R. Tormaschy, Corey M. Simnioniw, Jonathan L. Zent
  • Patent number: 9137968
    Abstract: A watering device for animals with continuously flowing water to attract the attention of the animal utilizes a water screw device within the watering device to move water from a lower bowl of the device to an upper bowl to create flowing water. The water screw is configured such that the electrical components of the water screw remain separated from the water of the watering dish to remove the possibility of electrocution of the water. Rather, only the mechanical components of the water screw device contact the water of the watering device while the electrical motor of the water screw remains safely out of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventors: David R. Veness, Steven Green
  • Patent number: 8726841
    Abstract: An aquarium accessory shaped and dimensioned for sitting upon the upper edge of an aquarium frame to elevate the water level in an aquarium for viewing fish contained within the aquarium outside of the aquarium. The aquarium accessory includes a transparent container shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a support shelf in an inverted configuration for the creation of a mechanism for holding water above a water surface of the aquarium. The support shelf is shaped and dimensioned for mounting along a frame of an aquarium and includes a base member having a central aperture. The support shelf includes arms supporting the base below the waterline of an aquarium. The lower ends of the arms are connected to the base and the upper ends of the arms are secured to a lateral flange member extending therefrom, the lateral flange member includes first and second downwardly extending flange members shaped and dimensioned to wrap about the adjacent walls of an aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Richard C. Schluter, II
  • Patent number: 8487836
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional image rendering device for displaying multi-dimensional images by layering 2D physical pixel configurations featuring a plurality of tubes in a tank, the inner cavities of the tubes are each filled with a liquid medium such that an air pocket is disposed at the first end of each tube; displacement components slidably disposed in the inner cavity of each tube that can slide between a down position and an up position; a tube aperture disposed in each tube; and a moving means operatively connected to each displacement component functioning to systematically move the respective displacement component a fixed distance creating uniform air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas A. Bodine
  • Patent number: 8291864
    Abstract: An aquarium accessory shaped and dimensioned for sitting upon the upper edge of an aquarium frame to elevate the water level in an aquarium for viewing fish contained within the aquarium outside of the aquarium. The aquarium accessory includes a transparent container shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a support shelf in an inverted configuration for the creation of a mechanism for holding water above a water surface of the aquarium. The support shelf is shaped and dimensioned for mounting along a frame of an aquarium and includes a base member having a central aperture. The support shelf includes arms supporting the base below the waterline of an aquarium. The lower ends of the arms are connected to the base and the upper ends of the arms are secured to a lateral flange member extending therefrom, the lateral flange member includes first and second downwardly extending flange members shaped and dimensioned to wrap about the adjacent walls of an aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Richard C. Schluter, II
  • Publication number: 20110283950
    Abstract: An aquarium accessory shaped and dimensioned for sitting upon the upper edge of an aquarium frame to elevate the water level in an aquarium for viewing fish contained within the aquarium outside of the aquarium. The aquarium accessory includes a transparent container shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a support shelf in an inverted configuration for the creation of a mechanism for holding water above a water surface of the aquarium. The support shelf is shaped and dimensioned for mounting along a frame of an aquarium and includes a base member having a central aperture. The support shelf includes arms supporting the base below the waterline of an aquarium. The lower ends of the arms are connected to the base and the upper ends of the arms are secured to a lateral flange member extending therefrom, the lateral flange member includes first and second downwardly extending flange members shaped and dimensioned to wrap about the adjacent walls of an aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Richard C. Schluter, II
  • Patent number: 8006646
    Abstract: An aquarium system for containing water and aquatic life therein is disclosed that includes a reservoir and an aquarium that is mounted generally above the reservoir. The aquarium has an outlet in liquid communication with the reservoir through an outlet conduit that includes a discharge mechanism, preferably an inverted U-shaped siphon conduit, that periodically discharges a portion of the water from the aquarium to the reservoir therethrough once the water has reached a maximum water level. A pumping mechanism pumps water from the reservoir up to the aquarium through an inlet conduit that is in fluid communication with the reservoir and an inlet of the aquarium. As such, when the water reaches the maximum level in the aquarium, the siphon conduit substantially fills with water which begins to flow out through the outlet conduit, drawing a portion of water from the aquarium rapidly through the outlet conduit until the water in the aquarium reaches the open bottom end of the siphon conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Andrew Grad
  • Patent number: 6848395
    Abstract: By adding an evacuated vertical structure onto a body of water where part of the structure extends above the body of water, the water level rises into the structure because of the vacuum. Use of the structure increases the overall volume of water in an aquarium and provides added space for fish as well as enhanced viewing of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: ID Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Deming, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6276303
    Abstract: A holder (4) for retaining an aerator conduit (5) for placement on the bottom (6) of an aquarium tank (1). The holder has a trough with at least one side wall (11a,b) and a retaining means, such as channel (12), in the trough. The holder may be supported in an upright position on the bottom of the aquarium tank by sand and gravel pressing against the outside surface of its side walls. Side walls further keep sand and gravel from covering the aerator conduit. A stabilizer base (14) may be provided on the bottom of the holder. The aerator holder provides for more evenly distributed air bubbles (2) in the aquarium and thus better oxygenation of the water for the fish contained therein. Preferably the holder is made of clear plastic so that it is virtually invisible to an observer, thereby providing an overall more aesthetic appearance for the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Scott A. Van Kley
  • Patent number: 6039005
    Abstract: An aquatic habitat extension device uses a circulation assembly to reversibly maintain a volume of water above the surface of an underlying body of water. The aquatic extension can be used alone or with other similar aquatic habitat extensions that themselves can be varied in terms of size, shape, and the degree to which they are filled with water. Each habitat extension has a water inlet located beneath the surface of a body of water, which preserves the partial vacuum in the aquatic extension, and provides an entryway for aquatic animals to enter the transparent habitat extension where they are observed. To increase the occasions when fish or other aquatic animals enter a given habitat, a food delivery system delivers food to an air pocket trapped in the upper portion of an individual extension. Illuminating or tinting the habitats enhances the beauty of an aquarium, pond, water garden, or other body of water and can be accomplished through the use of a fiber optic cable system or more conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Charles E. Themar
  • Patent number: 5947058
    Abstract: An aquarium pumping system includes: a container having a pump installed in the container and having sand filled in the container, a discharge tube connected between the container and an aquarium for delivering water into the aquarium, a suction tube connected between an aquarium and a suction port of the pump with the suction tube having an inlet aperture formed in the suction tube and constantly submerged in the container under a water level within the container to obtain an enough net positive suction head (NPSH) of the pump, and a gas tube connected to the container for supplying carbon dioxide gas into the container to react with calcium carbonate in the sand to form calcium ions which will be dissociated into the water delivered into the aquarium for raising fish, coral or other animals in the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Ku-Pao Chen
  • Patent number: 5605115
    Abstract: An aquarium system is provided for displaying marine life. The aquarium includes a reservoir for receiving water therein, the water in the reservoir defines a reservoir water level. A tank is positioned above the reservoir also for receiving water therein. The water in the tank defines a tank water level such that the reservoir water level is below the tank water level. A fish display tube provides a habitat for the marine life and has first and second ends communicating with the water in the tank. A return tube includes a first end coupled to and communicating with the fish display tube, and a second end communicating with the reservoir such that a syphon on the second end of the return tube draws water from the tank, through the fish display tube and the return tube, into the reservoir. Means are provided for pumping water from the reservoir into the tank to prevent the overflow of water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dale
  • Patent number: 5535702
    Abstract: A sea current generator aquarium including an air-tight water chamber located at one end of the aquarium with an opening into the aquarium extending across the bottom of the chamber. A constant flow air pump connected to the top of the water chamber for pumping air therein and expelling water therefrom out of said opening into the aquarium and an air valve positioned in an duct connecting the top of the water chamber to atmosphere in an actuating means for cycling the air valve from an opened to a closed position whereby in its opened position, the air valve and duct exceed the capacity of the pump and allow the elevated water column in the aquarium to move back into the water chamber through said opening until the water level is stabilized and thereby creating a back and forth current of water within the bottom regions of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Badr Idbeis
  • Patent number: 5447123
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an existing aquarium tank for extending the aquarium tank includes an extension tank having opposite side walls, a top wall, an open bottom, an interior chamber and a shoulder between the top wall and the bottom wall for supported engagement on the top of the aquarium tank. An exhaust valve assembly includes a one way air valve, a float valve and a valve seat structured and disposed to permit one way passage of air therethrough in response to an external vacuum force, causing air to be drawn from within the interior chamber of extension tank. The apparatus further includes a sealed pump box with an air pump therein to create a vacuum force for drawing air from within the interior chamber and an aeration assembly for replenishing air to the extension tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Robert A. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 5317991
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a lower hollow body which defines a lower chamber and an upper hollow body which defines an upper chamber. A mount plate is removably mounted in a bottom of the lower chamber and a waterproof housing is provided on the mount plate to receive a pump therein. The upper hollow body includes a plate and a housing projecting upward from the plate to define the upper chamber. A water inlet is formed in the plate beyond the housing, through which water is inputted into the lower chamber. An air passage is formed in an upper wall of the housing. A float is movably provided to the housing to block the air passage for isolating the upper chamber unless the float is raised. A protrusion projects upward from the upper wall of the housing, defining a cavity above the upper chamber. An inlet pipe has a lower end attached to the pump and an upper end extending into the cavity defined by the protrusion, preventing water from entering into the inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Chin-Mu Hsieh
    Inventors: Wen-See Lee, Wen-Long Che