US3855970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquarium
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-02
•
Granted: 1974-12-24
•
Expires: 1993-04-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved aquarium for fish capable of living only in water in a given temperature range. The aquarium has a heat exchange coil therein near its bottom and the coil is coupled to an external source of fluid, whereby the water in the aquarium and the fluid in the coil can be placed in heat exchange relationship to each other. In one form, the external source comprises a refrigeration unit, whereby the water in the aquarium can be cooled. In another form, the source comprises a closed circuit means for heating water to be directed through the coil, whereby the water in the aquarium can be heated. The coil is disposed in a water-receiving space below a biological filter and pump means externally of the aquarium removes water from the space and returns it to the aquarium at a location above the filter. The coil preferably comprises a metallic tube having a coating of heat-conductive plastic thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 L Harwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:09
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/06; A01K63/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An aquarium comprising: a receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of water in which fish are to be placed, the receptacle having a bottom; means in the receptacle for forming a waterreceiving space adjacent to said bottom; a porous filter mounted on said forming means and disposed to permit water to pass into said space from a region above the filter; pump means coupled with the receptacle near the center of said bottom for drawing water out of the space; means coupled with said pump means for directing water therefrom back into the receptacle through the bottom near one end thereof and into said region along an inclined path from a location adjacent to the upper level of said filter; a tubular heat exchanger in said space for conditioning water therein when a conditioned fluid flows through the heat exchanger; and means externally of the receptacle and coupled to the heat exchanger for conditioning a fluid and directing the same through said heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An aquarium comprising: a receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of water in which fish are to be placed, the receptacle having a bottom; means in the receptacle for forming a waterreceiving space adjacent to said bottom; a porous filter mounted on said forming means and disposed to permit water to pass into said space from a region above the filter; pump means coupled with the receptacle near the center of said bottom for drawing water out of the space; means coupled with said pump means for directing water therefrom back into the receptacle through the bottom near one end thereof and into said region along an inclined path from a location adjacent to the upper level of said filter; a tubular heat exchanger in said space for conditioning water therein when a conditioned fluid flows through the heat exchanger; and means externally of the receptacle and coupled to the heat exchanger for conditioning a fluid and directing the same through said heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger comprises a planar coil having a pair of opposed ends, said receptacle having an open top, and including a pair of tubes connecting the ends of the heat exchanger with the inlet and outlet, respectively, of the conditioning and directing means, the tubes passing upwardly from said ends through the receptacle and out of the same through the open top thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said directing means comprises a nozzle having an opening dirEctly adjacent to and above the upper level of said filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 3, wherein said directing means includes a coupling extending through said bottom, a tube secured to the coupling and extending through said forming means and into said filter, said nozzle being secured to the upper end of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forming means comprises a porous grid and a sidewall for spacing the grid above said bottom, said grid overlying a major portion of said bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the filter is comprised of a mass of a particulate material, there being a non-toxic screen between the grid and the filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is comprised of an inner metallic tube and an outer plastic tube surrounding the inner tube and being formed of a material which is non-toxic to the fish to be placed in the receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An aquarium as set forth in claim 7, wherein said metal is copper.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |