US4192255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquarium airstone device
Assignee: Willinger Brothers Inc
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Filing: 1978-09-07
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Granted: 1980-03-11
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Expires: 1998-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An aquarium device for use in an aquarium tank, the device includes two cylindrical airstones each having a nozzle with an end portion thereof secured within a bore of the airstone and an opposing stem portion thereof extending from the airstone. A T-shaped connector includes a tubular central portion for receiving the stem portions on the nozzles of the two airstones. A connecting stem portion extends from the central portion of the connector for coupling to an air hose. The stem portions on the nozzles of the airstones and the connecting stem portion on the connector are substantially identical in shape, whereby the airstones can be used as a pair in conjunction with the connector, or individually by directly connecting the airstone to the air hose.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan H. Willinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04; A01K63/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An aquarium device for use in an aquarium tank, said device comprising two airstones each having a nozzle extending therefrom, a connector having a tubular central portion for receiving said nozzles therein through respective outer ends thereof, and a tubular stem portion extending from said central portion for coupling to an air hose, said central and stem portions being connected to provide a T-shaped connector, whereby air entering said tubular stem portion is directed to both airstones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An aquarium device for use in an aquarium tank, said device comprising two airstones each having a nozzle extending therefrom, a connector having a tubular central portion for receiving said nozzles therein through respective outer ends thereof, and a tubular stem portion extending from said central portion for coupling to an air hose, said central and stem portions being connected to provide a T-shaped connector, whereby air entering said tubular stem portion is directed to both airstones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein said tubular stem portion is frustroconical in shape, and wherein each of said nozzles includes a frustroconical stem section substantially identical in shape to said tubular stem portion, whereby each airstone can be individually coupled directly to the air hose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An aquarium device as in claim 2, wherein each of said airstones has a bore provided therein, and wherein each of said nozzles includes a cylindrical portion inserted in said bore, said frustroconical stem extending outwardly from said cylindrical portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein a portion of each of said nozzles is inserted within their respective airstones, an inserted end of each of said nozzles having an axially extending slot therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein a portion of each of said nozzles is inserted within their respective airstones, and further comprising an adhesive collar disposed around each of said nozzles and against their respective airstones for securing said nozzles to their respective airstones.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An aquarium device as in claim 5, wherein each said adhesive collar is of a plastic, wet-proof material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An aquarium device as in claim 5, wherein said central portion of said T-shaped connector includes opposed bell shaped ends for covering said collars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein said airstones are cylindrical in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
An aquarium device as in claim 8, and further comprising a package for retaining at least one aquarium device, said package including a rear wall, resilient clips upwardly extending from said rear wall, said clips being spaced apart from each other by a dimension slightly less than the diameter of the tubular central portion of said T-shaped connector, recesses provided in said rear wall laterally on both sides of said resilient clips, the length of said recesses being greater than the length of said airstones, and the width of said recesses being less than the diameter of said airstones, said tubular central portion of said T-shaped connector being supported between said clips on said rear wall with said airstones floating in said recesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An aquarium device as in claim 9, wherein said central portion includes opposed bell shaped ends, and wherein said rear wall of said package includes arcuate cutouts extending from said recesses in a direction towards said clips for accommodating said bell shaped ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An aquarium device as in claim 9, wherein said resilient clips are integrally formed with said rear wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
An aquarium device as in claim 9, wherein there are two pairs of laterally spaced apart resilient clips for said central portion of said T-shaped connector, the lateral spacing between said two pairs of clips accommodating said tubular stem portion of said T-shaped connector which extends from said central portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein said airstone is formed of sand bonded together under heat and/or pressure with adhesive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein said nozzle is formed of styrene acrilonitrile.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An aquarium device as in claim 1, wherein said T-shaped connector is formed of acrilonitrile butediene styrene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |