US3785493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquarium siphon
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-05
•
Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-06-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for siphoning foreign material from the top surface of the water within an aquarium tank. A liquid receptacle is suspendedly mounted externally to the aquarium tank having filtering means for cleaning the water taken from the top portion of the tank. The receptacle has an outlet connected to a pump which returns the cleaned water to the tank. The water from the top portion of the tank is siphoned into the receptacle by means of an inner tube which extends freely into a floating outer tube having a plurality of slots which extend through the surface of the water within the tank. Foreign material from the top surface of the water within the tank enters the slots and then into the inner tube and eventually into the receptacle. The outer tube includes a pair of floats for insuring that the outer tube remains in a vertical position. The bottom end of the outer tube is sealed and closed for supporting ballast. As the elevation of the top surface of the water within the aquarium tank changes, the elevation of the outer tube will also change with the inner tube remaining stationary.
Inventors
- 👤 W Harding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:15
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04F; F04F10/00; A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for cleaning the top surface of a body of liquid within a container comprising: an outer tube in said container having a top end and a sealed bottom end, said tube having a plurality of slots extending from externally of said liquid at said top end to beneath said top surface towards said bottom end; recirculation means for returning liquid to said container; and an inner tube extending through said top end and into said outer tube, said inner tube having an inlet end positioned below said top surface for receiving foreign matter flowing from said top surface through said slots and into said inner tube, said inner tube having an outlet end positioned lower in elevation than said top surface and positioned to couple said liquid to said recirculation means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for cleaning the top surface of a body of liquid within a container comprising: an outer tube in said container having a top end and a sealed bottom end, said tube having a plurality of slots extending from externally of said liquid at said top end to beneath said top surface towards said bottom end; recirculation means for returning liquid to said container; and an inner tube extending through said top end and into said outer tube, said inner tube having an inlet end positioned below said top surface for receiving foreign matter flowing from said top surface through said slots and into said inner tube, said inner tube having an outlet end positioned lower in elevation than said top surface and positioned to couple said liquid to said recirculation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: floatation means mounted on said outer tube being operable to float said outer tube in said liquid in a vertically erect position; and wherein: said outer tube has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of said inner tube allowing said inner tube to remain stationary as said outer tube fLoats and moves vertically as said top surface moves vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said recirculation means comprises: a receptacle positioned lower in elevation than said top surface for receiving liquid from the outlet end of said inner tube; filter means within said receptacle for filtering the liquid received from said inner tube; and pumping means coupled to said receptacle for removing the filtered liquid from said receptacle and returning said filtered liquid to said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising: floatation means mounted on said outer tube being operable to float said outer tube in said liquid in a vertically erect position; and wherein: said outer tube has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of said inner tube allowing said inner tube to remain stationary as said outer tube floats and moves vertically as said top surface moves vertically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: said bottom end of said outer tube is closed for holding ballast within said outer tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said floatation means includes a pair of sealed enclosures mounted externally to said outer tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said outer tube and said inner tube are both cylindrical with the outer cylindrical surface of said inner tube being spaced from the inner cylindrical surface of said outer tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said inner tube is hook-shaped with said outlet end of said inner tube being positioned at a higher elevation than said inlet end of said inner tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said receptacle has a hook attached thereto which extends over the side wall of said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |