US3734853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suction cleaner for aquariums
Assignee: HOLVIN PROD CO
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract In aquarium tanks having a separate filter tank from which water is pumped from below layers of filter material into the aquarium and a syphon returning water from the aquarium to the filter tank, a suction cleaner is provided to replace or augment the syphon return, the suction cleaner having a suction arm with an upper portion grasped by the hand of a user, a flared, offset, and rotatable end to suck up debris on the bottom of the aquarium, and means to reduce and control the flow into the lower end of the arm, a syphon leg extending into the filter tank, flexible tubing connecting the suction arm and the syphon leg, and pump and valve means to start the action of the suction cleaner as a syphon. The means to reduce and control the flow into the suction arm may be a bypass opening or a valve in the arm activated to reduce flow therethrough when the arm is raised by its upper end.
Inventors
- 👤 T Horvath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:47
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
For use with an aquarium tank, and associated filter tank having layers of filter material therein, a circulating pump drawing water from below the filter material and returning it to said aquarium tank, and means enabling water to flow from said aquarium tank into said filter tank; a suction cleaner for said aquarium tank syphoning debris from the bottom of said aquarium tank and depositing it above the layers of filter material in said filter tank, said suction cleaner comprising, in combination, a syphon, an inlet of said syphon having a suction arm having an upper end adapted to be held by the hand of a user and a lower end reaching the bottom of said aquarium tank, an outlet of said syphon having a syphon leg extending downward into said filter tank and having an upper end, flexible tubing connecting said upper end of said syphon leg and said upper end of said suction arm, and suction pump means associated with said syphon leg drawing water into said suction cleaner to start a syphon flow therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
For use with an aquarium tank, and associated filter tank having layers of filter material therein, a circulating pump drawing water from below the filter material and returning it to said aquarium tank, and means enabling water to flow from said aquarium tank into said filter tank; a suction cleaner for said aquarium tank syphoning debris from the bottom of said aquarium tank and depositing it above the layers of filter material in said filter tank, said suction cleaner comprising, in combination, a syphon, an inlet of said syphon having a suction arm having an upper end adapted to be held by the hand of a user and a lower end reaching the bottom of said aquarium tank, an outlet of said syphon having a syphon leg extending downward into said filter tank and having an upper end, flexible tubing connecting said upper end of said syphon leg and said upper end of said suction arm, and suction pump means associated with said syphon leg drawing water into said suction cleaner to start a syphon flow therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said suction pump means associated with said syphon leg comprises check valves in said syphon leg and a resilient bulb communicating between said check valves so that squeezing and releasing said bulb draws water into said suction cleaner starting a syphon flow therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said suction arm has an offset lower end extending downward at an angle, a tube extending upward from said lower end, and a hand held portion to which said tube is rotatably connected, said tube having a portion adapted to be turned by the fingers of a user to rotate and direct said lower end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said hand held portion has a tubular lower end and said tube has an enlarged upper end disposed about the lower end of said hand held portion, said portion of said tube adapted to be turned by the fingers of a user being a turning flange formed at the upper end of said tube, said flexible tubing being pinched by the hand of a user to restrict flow therethrough, and with the addition of means rotatably securing said lower end of said hand held portion within said upper end of said tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said means securing said lower end of said hand held portion within said upper end of said tube comprises a circumferential ridge on said lower end of said hand held portion, said upper end of said tube containing an internal annular groove and a longitudinal split extending below said annular groove, said circumferential ridge seating within said annular groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said tube is a first tube having a larger diameter upper end containing vertical splits and having inward facing hooks, and wherein said hand held portion is a second tube having a collar thereon, said second tube slidably entering said firsT tube with said collar being retained in the larger diameter upper end of said first tube by said hooks, said first tube containing lateral ports and said second tube extending past said lateral ports blocking said lateral ports until said second tube is raised sliding upward uncovering said lateral ports, said larger diameter upper end being said portion adapted to be turned by the fingers of a user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said tube is a first tube having an enlarged center and an upper portion, said upper portion terminating in a rotating flange, said rotating flange being said portion adapted to be turned by the fingers of a user, said hand held portion being a second tube extending downward through said upper portion into said enlarged center, said second tube terminating in an end wall containing a split extending upward in said second tube, said split having widened portions forming ports above said end wall, said second tube having lateral hooks on each side of said split preventing the withdrawal of said second tube from said enlarged center, raising said second tube sliding it upward in said upper portion of said first tube blocking said ports to reduce flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said tube terminates in an upper end wall containing a split extending downward in said tube, said split having widened portions forming ports below said end wall, said tube having a rotating flange disposed below said split, said rotating flange being said portion adapted to be turned by the fingers of a user, said hand held portion having a lower enlarged portion receiving the upper end of said tube, said tube having lateral hooks on each side of said split preventing the withdrawal of said tube from said enlarged portion, raising said hand held portion drawing it upward about said tube blocking said ports to reduce flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said lower end of said suction arm is tear drop in section with a more curved upper wall portion and a rounded lower wall portion, said lower end having a horizontal bottom with a raised front lip formed by the lower end of said more curved upper wall portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |