Aquarium Structural Elements And Assembly Patents (Class 119/269)
  • Patent number: 10906723
    Abstract: A portable insulated storage container includes an insulated body having an internal cavity for storing one or more items and an insulated lid. The insulated body includes a base, first and second opposing end panels, and first and second opposing side panels. The first and second opposing end panels are each configured to move between a first vertical orientation and a second horizontal orientation. Each of the first and second opposing side panels includes an upper portion connected to a lower portion by a hinge. The insulated lid configured to engage the insulated body to close the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Douglas A. Kempel, Matthew M. Glanzer, Richard W. Vinson, Patrick G. Skovsted, Jason Sagen, Alan V. Morine, Todd Eichinger, Alex S. Breeden, Taylor S. Massey, Peter Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 10457457
    Abstract: Flexible containers with structural support frames including bottom support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lee Mathew Arent, Jun You, Kenneth Stephen McGuire
  • Patent number: 10156090
    Abstract: This showcase for conserving and displaying objects in a protected environment comprises a case, fixed walls, an openable wall and a gasket housed in a seat formed in part in the fixed walls and in part in the openable wall, open towards the interior of the showcase. The showcase ensures better security, since the gasket cannot be reached from the outside (unless the showcase is open) and therefore any possibility of tampering is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: GOPPION S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Goppion
  • Patent number: 9565839
    Abstract: An aquarium with a flexible side wall includes a support arrangement. The support arrangement can include a lower support that serves as a base and an upper support capturing an upper edge of the flexible side wall to distribute forces applied to the upper edge of flexible side wall so that a force applied to a discrete location to the side wall is distributed across a relatively larger portion of the side wall than at the discrete location for preventing localized buckling of the side wall preventing spilling. The support arrangement includes an upper support formed of a ring and a ring-shaped insert received in a cavity of the ring providing opposing support surfaces engaging an upper portion of the flexible side wall. In a preferred embodiment, the ring and ring-shaped insert nest to clamp part of the side wall therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 8973532
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises an arm member fixedly attached to the panel, a clamp member for attachment of the device to a wall of the aquarium, a hinge member for hingedly attaching the arm member to the clamp member, and at least one light element disposed on the at least one panel such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Current-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20150020746
    Abstract: An aquarium with a flexible side wall includes a support arrangement. The support arrangement can include a lower support that serves as a base and an upper support capturing an upper edge of the flexible side wall to distribute forces applied to the upper edge of flexible side wall so that a force applied to a discrete location to the side wall is distributed across a relatively larger portion of the side wall than at the discrete location for preventing localized buckling of the side wall preventing spilling. The support arrangement includes an upper support formed of a ring and a ring-shaped insert received in a cavity of the ring providing opposing support surfaces engaging an upper portion of the flexible side wall. In a preferred embodiment, the ring and ring-shaped insert nest to clamp part of the side wall therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Publication number: 20140123905
    Abstract: The present invention is an aquarium system in which the interior of the aquarium may be accessed through a push window. The aquarium window allows for expeditious access to the interior of the aquarium without the burden of dealing with an aquarium lid or cover. To expose the interior of the aquarium, the user pushes the top portion of the from panel and then lifts the bottom portion of the front panel. Users may access the aquarium interior without removing, and temporarily storing, a heavy and burdensome aquarium lid or cover. This less arduous system provides access to the aquarium's interior allowing for faster cleaning and feeding of aquatic life. The aquarium system also fosters increased humidity to encourage tropical plant growth within the aquarium system and provides natural pond like views to observers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Lammert deHaan
  • Publication number: 20140116346
    Abstract: A containment vessel includes a tank having a front wall, a back walk two side wails, and a base. A top perimeter is defined by a top edge of the front wall, the back wall, and the two side watts and a bottom perimeter is defined by the intersection of each edge of a perimeter of the base and a bottom edge of each of the front wall, the back wall, and the two side walls. An over-frame is coupled to both the top perimeter and the bottom perimeter to at least partially visibly conceal the top perimeter and the bottom perimeter. The over-frame includes an over-frame top portion having a plurality of corner elements and side elements that are coupled together and an over-frame bottom portion having a plurality of corner elements and side elements that are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Matthew Allen
  • Publication number: 20130098304
    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: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Richard C. Schluter, II
  • Patent number: 8393298
    Abstract: An aquarium suitable for keeping, maintaining and displaying jellyfish is described. The aquarium has a container having a first and second exterior wall and a panel connecting the first and second exterior wall and defining an interior of the container, an interior wall having an upper and lower side, an upper and lower end, a first and second side, wherein the first side of the interior wall is connected to the first exterior wall of the container and the second side of the interior wall is connected to the second exterior wall of the container, and further wherein the interior wall is positioned parallel at least a portion of the panel along at least a side of the exterior wall to form a channel therebetween, an air pump positioned in communication with a lower end of the channel and a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Anyvivo, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Urban Andon
  • Publication number: 20120174871
    Abstract: An aquatic tank comprising a housing shaped or otherwise configured to represent an animate object is presented. Furthermore, the housing comprises a body with a display area, and a removably disposed upper head portion. A container is disposed within body of the housing and is viewable through the display area. The apparatus also comprises a lid removably disposed relative to the container in order to allow at least temporary access into said interior portion thereof. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of elongated access channels disposed within the housing in a manner such that the access channels are fluidically connected to the interior portion of the container in order to facilitate feeding, breathing, and/or draining or other maintenance. A lighting assembly is disposed in an illuminating relation with the container such that the apparatus may be used as a night-light or other soothing accent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Spencer Grabois
  • Publication number: 20120160178
    Abstract: An aquarium assembly comprising a housing having an interior floor, the housing including one or more apertures, and an aquarium operatively arranged within the housing such that the aquarium is visible through the one or more apertures, where the aquarium matingly engages the interior floor when the aquarium is nested within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: UMBRA LLC
    Inventor: Teddy LUONG
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110209668
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aquarium with a pressure-tight aquarium tank (7-12), which during operation is filled with a liquid, and with a pressure-resistant rising pipe (1), which opens out into the aquarium tank (7-12) and is intended for producing an increased hydrostatic pressure in the aquarium tank (7-12) by a liquid column located in the rising pipe (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Günter R. Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20110011348
    Abstract: An aquarium which includes a block shaped tank with projecting studs or posts on one face and aligned openings on an opposite face allowing the tanks to be arranged in any desired configuration by interlocking the tanks via the posts of one tank interlocking with the openings of another tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MAG-LIFE LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Allis
  • Patent number: 7793617
    Abstract: A wildlife containment system, including a lid that may be attached to a selectively extensible support member, which in turn may be attached to a base member. The lid may be selectively removable from the extensible support member to allow for improved maintenance and use of the containment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto J. Venezia
  • Publication number: 20100212598
    Abstract: A universally fitting apparatus to hang onto an aquarium or sump and automatically regulate replacement of evaporated water in real time. Further, while maintaining the fluid level and salinity of the total body of water, a normally closed solenoid, actuated by a float switch, will act redundantly with a float valve to meter incoming fluid. Said solenoid will act to close the water source in the event that the float valve fails to operate or in the event of power failure to shut off the incoming water. For additional safety, the power supply may be plugged into an electronic programmable timer to further minimize the likelihood of an overflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: JAMES PHILLIP JONES
  • Publication number: 20100206239
    Abstract: A wall mountable tank system for holding live flora or fauna includes an integrally formed tank including a rear panel, a bottom panel, and at least one of a front panel, first side panel, and second side panel. The panels define a tank interior for containing the flora or fauna. The rear panel includes a mounting portion having a receiving groove. A mounting member capable of being fixedly coupled to a vertical mounting surface is provided. The mounting member includes a tongue portion receivable in the receiving groove for engaging the mounting member to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Narda Margerum, Linda R. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7681530
    Abstract: The invention is a zero edge or infinity aquarium for viewing aquatic life. The design offers unobstructed viewing through a smooth lens of water on the sides and the top. The aquarium is constructed of a transparent material and water is circulated over the top of and along the outside of the sidewall before being collected in a gutter and drain box. The top edge and corners of the aquarium are rounded to aid in the flow of water. The water is then returned to the interior of the aquarium via an infeed. The infeed may comprise a sump, pump, piping, valving, and a return outlet. It offers a unique view of the contents as there appears to be no lid, edge, or structure within the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: ZeroEdge Aquarium Corp.
    Inventor: Brett Perry
  • Patent number: 7624704
    Abstract: In a frame element for placement onto an aquarium container so as to extend around the top opening thereof, wherein the frame element includes a frame member of rectangular cross-section having at least one web which extends around the top edge area of the walls of the container so as to abut the top edges thereof, at least one transverse element extends between opposite areas of the frame member for retaining the opposite areas of the frame member and the side walls of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Juwel Aquarium GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Köhlmoos
  • Publication number: 20090229533
    Abstract: Closed top home aquarium for setting up and maintaining a sea water aquatic environment in particular. The aquarium includes a transparent open topped box-like enclosure, a compartment integrally formed with and behind the box-like enclosure, and a hinged dual position fan cooled hood. The compartment includes a water circulation system and a multistage filtration system. The hood includes a lighting system for daytime and nighttime illumination, and a built-in 24 programmable timer. The aquarium includes a thermostat controlled water temperature system and a below water level splash proof power center for safely and aesthetically connecting all electrical aquarium components to a mains electricity outlet. Home aquariums can be provided with an integrally formed below water level splash proof power center for use with off-the-shelf electrical aquarium appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Neil H. Marks, Eli Nissemberg, Sharon Ram
  • Patent number: 7544290
    Abstract: An aquarium is provided that hides ugly electrical wires. The aquarium comprises: a tank capable of holding water, the tank having an interior and an exterior, and a bottom, the bottom having an opening within the interior of the tank, a hollow member disposed within at least the interior of the tank and having an upper opening, a lower opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, the lower opening capable of aligning around or with the opening in the bottom of the tank so that water is prevented from leaking out the opening in the bottom of the tank, the outer surface of the hollow member capable of preventing water flow into the inner surface of the hollow member, and the inner surface of the hollow member capable of receiving one or more electrical wires to or from the upper and lower openings of the hollow member. In various embodiments, a decorative structure is provided that can hide and protect electrical devices typically used in the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Reading Etc., Inc.
    Inventors: Diana Lynn Pulice, Jeff Cameron Wright
  • Patent number: 7421976
    Abstract: This device will allow an aquarium owner to easily monitor whether or not condensation or leakage is emanating from his/her aquarium. The water is gathered in a collection bin at the base of this device and can be drained from the device by the owner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Jonathon J. Travers
  • Publication number: 20080105210
    Abstract: The invention is a zero edge or infinity aquarium for viewing aquatic life. The design offers unobstructed viewing through a smooth lens of water on the sides and the top. The aquarium is constructed of a transparent material and water is circulated over the top of and along the outside of the sidewall before being collected in a gutter and drain box. The top edge and corners of the aquarium are rounded to aid in the flow of water. The water is then returned to the interior of the aquarium via an infeed. The infeed may comprise a sump, pump, piping, valving, and a return outlet. It offers a unique view of the contents as there appears to be no lid, edge, or structure within the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Brett Perry
  • Patent number: 6892673
    Abstract: An in-wall display assembly is provided for mounting in a passage extending at least partway through a wall. The display assembly has a chamber with opposite front and rear walls, opposite end walls extending between the front and rear walls, an open top defined by the front, rear and end walls and a bottom opposite the top. At least one of the front and rear walls is transparent. The display assembly includes a mounting assembly securable to opposite sides of the passage for mounting the chamber to the opposite sides of the passage. The mounting assembly is movable between an in-wall configuration wherein the chamber is disposed in the passage and an access position wherein at least the top of the vessel extends from the wall to provide access to its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Shane Zwezdaryk
  • Patent number: 6779485
    Abstract: An automatic distributor of fish food for aquariums comprising a rotating container (30) for fish food, a cover (40), an electric motor (53) and transmission (54) for transmitting the motion to the rotating container (30). At the bottom (31) of the container (30) there is an housing (14) for the electric motor (53) and the transmission (54), and furthermore the rotation axis of the rotating container (30) is aligned with the motor axis of the electric motor (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hydor SRL
    Inventor: Valerio Bresolin
  • Patent number: 6761133
    Abstract: An aquarium device for draining and cleaning an aquarium. The aquarium device includes a base having a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The top side has a depression therein. A peripheral edge of the depression has a slot therein. A valve selectively opens and closes to facilitate draining water. A substantially rigid panel having slots therethrough has a size and shape substantially equal to the peripheral edge of the depression. The panel may abut the peripheral edge and generally cover the depression. A housing has a top and bottom open end. The bottom end has an edge extendable into the slot such that a generally watertight seal is defined. The housing comprises a substantially transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen D. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 6672250
    Abstract: New and improved molded magnetic geometrical components are used as underwater ornamentation to form the scenery in aquariums and other aquatic displays. These modular imitation rocks and/or other shapes, when added to an aquarium will create a natural setting for the fish. These rocks, gravel, reefs, and other water icons are constructed, in various shapes, sizes, and colors, out of magnetizable materials, having north and south magnetic poles. To form the display, a two-dimensional background structure of the display is constructed from a ferromagnetic material. A first layer of the shaped molded magnetic components are then placed on the background structure, with the magnetic component's north and south poles properly aligning to firmly hold the components on the background structure. Then the various molded magnetic components are stacked on to the first layer of molded magnetic components to construct a three-dimensional scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas A. Traylor, Roger H. Traylor
  • Patent number: 6564748
    Abstract: A reef rack system for aquariums is provided, which includes a ledge supported by first and second removably attached posts having first and second lengths, respectively. The posts each include a first channel having a first width extending along the length of the post on a first side of the post and a second channel having the first width extending along the length of the post on a second side of the post opposite to the first side of the post. The posts also have a first plurality of protruding ridges along the length of the post on a third side of the post between the first and second channels and a second plurality of protruding ridges extending along the length of the post on a fourth side of the post between the first and second channels, the fourth side of the post being opposite to the third side of the post. The ledge includes a frame, a first attachment frame attached to the frame, and a second attachment frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Karl D. Olsson, Peter E. Reese
  • 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: 6029936
    Abstract: A stand for supporting a fishbowl thereon in which the stand includes a base, a support surface for supporting at least a portion of a bottom of the fishbowl, and at least one upwardly extending portion attached to said base which is positioned and dimensioned to extend about and around at least a side portion of a fishbowl placed on the support surface. At least one of the base and the upwardly extending portion simulate a three-dimensional pictorial representation, such as a landscape or aquatic scene, individual, object, or a combination thereof, in which a fishbowl placed on the support surface is incorporated. Preferably, the support surface is disposed in an elevated and parallel relation relative to the base. Desirably, the upwardly extending portion extends around a portion of the lower side portion, upper side portion and top of the fishbowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Vincent J. Senese
  • Patent number: 5967088
    Abstract: A structure for a watertight plug in an aquarium, having a positioning ring fitted in a neck portion of the aquarium, the watertight plug having a positioning ring and a ring flange so as to fit in the neck portion of a glass bowl of the aquarium, a flat portion on the top of the watertight plug having a plurality of buffer grooves, which have various and suitable shapes and sizes. Each of the buffer grooves has a thin film portion extending downwards from the groove mouth to form a curved bottom side, and then the thin film extends upwards and towards the center to form a separation plate. Such a structure can provide the glass bowl with a buffer effect to prevent the water from leaking out of the glass bowl or air being sucked into the glass bowl to form an air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 5849185
    Abstract: A gravity vacuum system for a fish tank which will fit onto any standard fish tank and will get rid of waste through a gravitational system. The top of the system is a false bottom for the upper portion of the fish tank. The false bottom features openings small enough to allow the waste to pass. A solid pyramid directly in the middle of the lower one third supports the false bottom. At the right and left foot of the pyramid are drainage valve areas enclosed in boxes. When the drainage valves are opened, the waste flows through the false bottom and into the triangular areas and left of the pyramid. The waste then flows down through the triangular spaces and into the drainage valve areas. The owner then hooks connective tubing to the drainage valves for easy drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Donald M. Judy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5832871
    Abstract: A vivarium is provided with simplified retention of a top cover. The vivarium has four sidewalls with an upper border frame that extends along the top of the sidewalls. A flange extends laterally from the upper border frame towards the interior, to provide a support surface for the top cover. Slide lock handles are slidably attached to the front edge of the top cover to make it easy to open the top cover, and for securing the top cover in a closed, locked position. The slide lock handles may be slid along the front edge of the top cover to engage the flange and lock the top cover in place. S-clamps are attached to the rear, right, and left edges of the top cover and to the flange extending from the upper border frame to secure the top cover to the vivarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K Leis
  • Patent number: 5732657
    Abstract: A sea current generator aquarium including an air fight water chamber located at one end of the aquarium with a first opening into the aquarium extending across the bottom of the chamber. At the opposite end of the aquarium between the end wall and a horizontal divider wall is a second opening into an upper chamber which is open to atmosphere. A constant flow air pump is connected to the water chamber for pumping air in and expelling water out of the first opening into the aquarium and then into the upper chamber. An air valve which cycles open or closed, connects the water chamber to atmosphere and in its vented position, the valve dumps the capacity of the pump and allows the elevated water column in the aquarium and upper chamber to move back into the water chamber through both openings until the valve cycles closed thereby creating a back and forth current of water within the bottom regions of the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Badr Idbeis
  • Patent number: 5693220
    Abstract: An aquarium filtration system for semi-aquatic animals, such as turtles, frogs and the like, which provides for collection and removal of waste material or debris generated within the aquarium while also providing for an artificial pond and a sunning platform for the semi-aquatic animals. The filtration system includes a multi-layer reverse flow filter, a plurality of collecting tubes which support the reverse flow filter, an inclined ramp structure providing exit and entry between the artificial pond and sunning platform while also serving as a filter structure, and a biological filtration unit which also provides a sunning platform. The filtration system provides for a circulating flow of water contained within the aquarium through filter media while creating an artificial pond and sunning platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Sceusa
  • Patent number: 5469811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved leak-proof device for a bubbling port of an aquarium comprising a water tank, a base cover and a base disc, the water tank having a bubbling port on the bottom, and an exhaust outlet setting with a check valve. The base cover has an integrally molded communication connector, and on top of the connector, a check valve. The base disc has an air pump with a connected conduit. With the assembly of these members, air produced from the air pump may enter water tank for bubbling, and because of the check valve and related devices on the water tank and base cover, the bubbling port on the base, of the water tank has double leak-proof effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Yu-An Lin
  • Patent number: 5435270
    Abstract: A wall mounted aquarium includes an aquarium, a frame which holds the aquarium, and brackets which mount the frame to a wall. The frame has a bottom member, side members, and a top member. The bottom and side members are generally C-shaped to define a groove sized to receive the aquarium and are joined together to vertically and slideably receive the aquarium in the groove. The frame top fits over the aquarium. The wall brackets have openings which slidably receive downwardly and outwardly extending tabs from the frame side members to removably mount the frame and aquarium to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Stuart G. Newman
  • Patent number: 5427060
    Abstract: A screen is used for an aquarium tank having a tank body, a filter unit disposed on the tank body, a case for the filter unit, and a pump mechanism having a water conducting section extending into the tank body from the underside of the case. The screen is configured so as to conceal the water conducting section at least from the front and opposite sides of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Nisso Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiki Kikuta
  • Patent number: 5404840
    Abstract: The covering device for an aquarium, terrarium or like vivarium for living things includes an approximately rectangular frame (13); an upwardly openable cover member (15) pivotally mounted on the frame; a lighting device (17) mounted on the bottom side (16) of the cover member (15); a device for locking and releasing the cover member (15) when it is in a closed position on the frame (13) and a drive mechanism (18) for pivoting the cover member (15) upward automatically automatically to open it when the cover member (15) is released by the locking and releasing device, at least over a predetermined initial pivot angle range. A brake device for braking the action of the drive mechanism can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Eheim GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Walter Wiedenmann, Ulrich Herold, Gerhard Frank, Ferdinand Mayer, Albert Baier, Michael Schmidt, Jorg Ploger
  • Patent number: 5404839
    Abstract: The terrarium includes at least one glass sidewall serving as a viewing window, and a chassis formed of rigid plastic providing a bottom wall and a rear side wall. In one embodiment, the chassis includes a bottom channel formed in the bottom wall of the chassis, for mounting the glass viewing wall. In another embodiment, the glass wall is mounted to the chassis by a plastic frame member bonded to the plastic sidewalls of the chassis. The terrarium also includes a top screened closure member. In one embodiment, a channel for the closure member is formed in the upper portions of the sidewalls of the chassis, and in another embodiment, a channel for the closure member is provided by opposing F-shaped molding members fitted over opposing glass sidewalls of the terrarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mancuso's Exotic Tropical Fish, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Mancuso