US4185743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial aquarium plant, anchor and container therefor
Assignee: Willinger Brothers Inc
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Filing: 1978-05-30
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Granted: 1980-01-29
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Expires: 1998-05-30
Abstract
Abstract An artificial aquarium plant which includes an anchor in the shape of a narrow, elongated trough having a generally V-shaped cross section. The ends of the anchor are diverging downwardly to form scoops at the opposing ends. Transverse connecting walls define storage cells therebetween to receive the anchoring material, such as sand, for retaining the anchor at the bottom of an aquarium tank. A hollow tubular post provided in the anchor includes a restraining shoulder in its hollow portion. The plant member includes a bifurcated stem which can be inserted into the hollow post, and a ledge or lip section on the stem which engages the restraining shoulder to prevent removal of the plant member from the anchor. A package is designed to retain the artificial aquarium plant where the anchor acts in such a manner as to avoid crushing of the plant member.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan H. Willinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:39
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/003; A01K63/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An anchor for an artificial aquarium plant, comprising: a narrow, elongated, trough-shaped base member generally V-shaped in cross section, having open ends for defining a forward and rearward entrance way, said ends diverging downwardly to define scoops at said entrance ways, and coupling means on said base member for securely retaining an artificial aquarium plant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An anchor for an artificial aquarium plant, comprising: a narrow, elongated, trough-shaped base member generally V-shaped in cross section, having open ends for defining a forward and rearward entrance way, said ends diverging downwardly to define scoops at said entrance ways, and coupling means on said base member for securely retaining an artificial aquarium plant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An anchor as in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart connecting walls transversely crossing said base member for defining therebetween storage cells for receiving material to provide anchorage for said base member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anchor as in claim 2, wherein said connecting walls are shorter than the height of the base member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An anchor as in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a hollow tubular post provided in said base member for receiving the stem portion of an artificial aquarium plant, and a restraining shoulder provided in said hollow portion for preventing removal of the stem portion therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An anchor as in claim 4, wherein said hollow tubular post is vertically oriented and is provided with a two diameter bore having the smaller diameter of said bore, positioned vertically above the larger diameter of said bore, the radial interface between said two diameters of said bore defining said restraining shoulder for preventing upward removal of the stem portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An anchor as in claim 5, wherein said hollow tubular post is centrally disposed and spaced from said ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
An anchor as in claim 4 and further comprising a plant member having a stem portion insertable in said tubular post, said stem portion having a bifurcated end to facilitate insertion of the stem portion into said hollow tubular post, and a ledge section provided about the bifurcated end for engaging said restraining shoulder to prevent removal of the plant member from the anchor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An anchor as in claim 6, wherein said stem portion comprises a cylindrical shaft with an enlarged conical head, the radial interface therebetween providing said ledge section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An anchor as in claim 1, wherein said base member is formed of a clear, rigid, thermoplastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
An anchor as in claim 9, wherein said material is polystyrene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
An artificial aquarium plant comprising, an anchor and a plant member, said anchor comprising a base member for receiving materials to provide anchorage for said plant member, said plant member including a bifurcated stem portion having a ledge section formed about said bifurcated end, said base member being provided with a hollow tubular post for receiving said bifurcated end, and a restraining shoulder provided in said hollow post for engaging said ledge section to prevent removal of the plant member from the anchor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
An artificial aquarium plant comprising, an anchor and a plant member, said anchor comprising a base member for receiving materials to provide anchorage for said plant member, said plant member including a bifurcated stem portion having a ledge section formed about said bifurcated end, said base member being provided with a hollow tubular post for receiving said bifurcated end, and a restraining shoulder provided in said hollow post for engaging said ledge section to prevent removal of the plant member from the anchor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 11, wherein said hollow tubular post is vertically oriented and is formed with a two diameter bore having a smaller diameter bore portion positioned vertically above a larger diameter bore portion, the radial interface between said two bore portions defining the restraining shoulder for preventing upward movement of the stem portion inserted therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 11, wherein said stem portion comprises a cylindrical shaft and an enlarged conical head, the radial interface therebetween providing said ledge section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 11, wherein said base member is an elongated, trough-shaped member of generally V-shape in cross section, and having open ends for defining a forward and rearward scoop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 14, wherein said ends are downwardly diverging.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 11 and further comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart connecting walls transversely crossing said base member for defining therebetween storage cells for receiving material to provide anchorage for said base member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 16, wherein said connecting walls are shorter than the height of the base member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An artificial aquarium plant as in claim 11, wherein said anchor is formed of clear, rigid, thermoplastic material, and said plant member is of a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination, an artificial aquarium plant and a package therefor, said artificial aquarium plant comprising a narrow elongated anchor, a plant member simulating a natural plant, and coupling means for centrally connecting said plant member to said anchor in a T-connection; the package comprising an elongated container for holding said artificial aquarium plant, the length of said container being sufficient to retain said plant member, and the width being slightly larger than the length of said anchor, whereby said anchor retains the shape of the package to prevent crushing of said plant member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination, an artificial aquarium plant and a package therefor, said artificial aquarium plant comprising a narrow elongated anchor, a plant member simulating a natural plant, and coupling means for centrally connecting said plant member to said anchor in a T-connection; the package comprising an elongated container for holding said artificial aquarium plant, the length of said container being sufficient to retain said plant member, and the width being slightly larger than the length of said anchor, whereby said anchor retains the shape of the package to prevent crushing of said plant member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as in claim 19, wherein said container is of a flat rectangular shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as in claim 19, wherein at least part of said container is of a clear plastic material to permit viewing of the plant member contained therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as in claim 19, wherein said plant member is of flexible, resilient material and comprising a stem portion coupled to said anchor and a plurality of branches with foilage thereon spreading from said stem portion to substantially fill the container.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as in claim 19, wherein said anchor is a trough-shaped configuration of generally V-shape in cross section and having slanted open ends for defining a forward and rearward scoop.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as in claim 23 and further comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart connecting walls transversely crossing said base member for defining therebetween storage cells for receiving materials to provide anchorage for said base member.
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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) | 1983-01-28 | 1983-07-30 | 1984-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-28 | 1987-07-30 | 1988-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-28 | 1991-07-30 | 1992-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |