US3785494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filtering device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-30
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Granted: 1974-01-15
•
Expires: 1993-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved and compact filtering device especially adapted for use in aquariums which includes a tubular chimney of porous material having an internal column or bore which column constitutes a lift tube pumping means for the filter. Means are provided for introducing a stream of air bubbles into the bottom of the chimney column or lift tube to flow therethrough and to cause water to be drawn through the porous walls of the chimney from the aquarium for filtering, the water passing directly from the filtering medium into the lift tube column or pumping means, to exit therefrom through an unobstructed and free unreduced opening at the top of the chimney column or bore. The bottom of the chimney is preferably provided with means to constrain the flow of liquid through the filtering medium; and means connected to the chimney are provided to hold the device in a submerged vertical attitude.
Inventors
- 👤 N Sama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04; A01K63/045; B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A filter assembly for continuously filtering aquarium water comprising: a lower cap assembly including a weighted portion having an upper and lower surface portion, said weighted portion including peripheral orienting means projecting above said upper surface portion, said weighted portion including an air-outlet mouth opening from said upper surface portion of said cap assembly, said weighted portion including an air inlet tube integrally connected to said weighted portion and projecting vertically from the upper surface portion and terminating in an upper free end for connection to a fluid-pressure source, said weighted poRtion including an internal passageway below the upper surface and connecting said air-inlet tube to said airoutlet mouth whereby air introduced under pressure into said air-inlet tube will forcibly rise from the upper surface of said weighted portion; and a one-piece, integrally-molded, filter chimney having a lower end portion removably seated generally conforming to the upper surface of said weighted portion and oriented on said weighted portion as its outer surface by said peripheral orienting means, said chimney including a through chimney column having a generally uniform cross section, said chimney column being in axial alignment with said airoutlet mouth and at least surrounding the same whereby air freely moves into said chimney, said filter chimney having a through bore extending the length thereof and parallel to said chimney column and being substantially complementary in cross section to said air-inlet tube and removably receiving the same therethrough to cooperate with said peripheral orienting means to position said filter chimney in an operative position on the upper surface of said cap assembly weighted portion, said filter chimney comprising an open-celled, flexible, deformable, washable material of the class of polyurethane foam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A filter assembly for continuously filtering aquarium water comprising: a lower cap assembly including a weighted portion having an upper and lower surface portion, said weighted portion including peripheral orienting means projecting above said upper surface portion, said weighted portion including an air-outlet mouth opening from said upper surface portion of said cap assembly, said weighted portion including an air inlet tube integrally connected to said weighted portion and projecting vertically from the upper surface portion and terminating in an upper free end for connection to a fluid-pressure source, said weighted poRtion including an internal passageway below the upper surface and connecting said air-inlet tube to said airoutlet mouth whereby air introduced under pressure into said air-inlet tube will forcibly rise from the upper surface of said weighted portion; and a one-piece, integrally-molded, filter chimney having a lower end portion removably seated generally conforming to the upper surface of said weighted portion and oriented on said weighted portion as its outer surface by said peripheral orienting means, said chimney including a through chimney column having a generally uniform cross section, said chimney column being in axial alignment with said airoutlet mouth and at least surrounding the same whereby air freely moves into said chimney, said filter chimney having a through bore extending the length thereof and parallel to said chimney column and being substantially complementary in cross section to said air-inlet tube and removably receiving the same therethrough to cooperate with said peripheral orienting means to position said filter chimney in an operative position on the upper surface of said cap assembly weighted portion, said filter chimney comprising an open-celled, flexible, deformable, washable material of the class of polyurethane foam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said peripheral orienting means comprises a peripheral flange extending vertically from and surrounding the upper surface of said weighted portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said air-inlet tube is J-shaped and includes a lower portion defining said internal passageway, and a branch portion communicating with said outlet, said lower portion of said J-shaped tube being embedded in said weighted portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lower cap assembly and filter chimney are cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 including a porous element seated on said weighted portion and overlying said air-outlet mouth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said internal passageway includes a vertical portion extending depthwise from the air-inlet mouth and a lateral portion to the center line of the air-inlet tube, and the cross sectional area of the vertical and lateral portion are of a diameter greater than one-eighth inch to resist accumulation of substances in said portion tending to block the flow of gas therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
254 words
For use in an aquarium, filled to a depth with liquid, a filter comprising: A tubular chimney of porous material having a bore constituting a lift tube pumping means, the wall of said chimney being of an open-celled washable material of the class of plastic foams and defining a filtering medium and flow paths for the liquid being filtered into the lift tube pumping means, said filtering medium and said lift tube pumping means being substantially coaxial and of equal height, said filtering medium occupying the space surrounding and defining the lift tube pumping means, said chimney being adapted to be submerged in the aquarium liquid depth with the bore in generally vertical alignment; access means at the bottom of the chimney to introduce air into the bore of the chimney to cause a pumping action, and an air tube communicating with said access means to deliver air thereto means to maintain said access means at the bottom of said chimney bore, said chimney bore providing for substantially unrestricted upward movement of air and water therein, the water being drawn through and filtered by the porous chimney wall when air is introduced into said chimney bore, said chimney having a substantially unrestricted upper free discharge end providing substantially unrestricted flow therethrough, means at the chimney bottom constraining flow of liquid to be filtered to flow through the porous material, orienting means to orient and maintain said chimney in the aquarium in a stable position, and means to connect the orienting means to said chimney.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
254 words
For use in an aquarium, filled to a depth with liquid, a filter comprising: A tubular chimney of porous material having a bore constituting a lift tube pumping means, the wall of said chimney being of an open-celled washable material of the class of plastic foams and defining a filtering medium and flow paths for the liquid being filtered into the lift tube pumping means, said filtering medium and said lift tube pumping means being substantially coaxial and of equal height, said filtering medium occupying the space surrounding and defining the lift tube pumping means, said chimney being adapted to be submerged in the aquarium liquid depth with the bore in generally vertical alignment; access means at the bottom of the chimney to introduce air into the bore of the chimney to cause a pumping action, and an air tube communicating with said access means to deliver air thereto means to maintain said access means at the bottom of said chimney bore, said chimney bore providing for substantially unrestricted upward movement of air and water therein, the water being drawn through and filtered by the porous chimney wall when air is introduced into said chimney bore, said chimney having a substantially unrestricted upper free discharge end providing substantially unrestricted flow therethrough, means at the chimney bottom constraining flow of liquid to be filtered to flow through the porous material, orienting means to orient and maintain said chimney in the aquarium in a stable position, and means to connect the orienting means to said chimney.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device as set fOrth in claim 7 wherein said chimney is provided with a straight, longitudinally extending, bore in the side wall thereof, a straight tube is nested in said bore, said tube communicating with said access means for introducing air into said chimney bore, and said tube connecting said chimney to said orienting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said access means includes a porous stone to distribute air bubbles over the cross sectional area of said chimney bore.
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 |