Patent US4236488A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4236488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separable multi-component aquarium filtering and cleaning device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-08-23
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Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1998-08-23
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an internal multi-component accessory for tall aquariums (those whose depth makes the aquatic life inaccessible and cleaning of the inside walls of the aquarium impractical by normal means). The objective of this accessory is to filter the water, clean the inside walls of the aquarium, provide heat and light, while providing for the transfer of air into the aquarium. It is a further objective of this accessory to provide convenient access to all fish and plant life within the aquarium by floating from its position on the bottom of the aquarium to the top bringing up all fish and plant life as well as gravel (filtration medium). The accessory is a plastic container abutted to a sponge between two rigid plastic plates, both of which are designed to conform to the inside of the aquarium. The container holds gravel in its top outer shell while providing a bottom inner core or pocket for trapping air. The sponge with its two plastic plates has a heating and lighting unit in its center.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda W. Olds
- 👤 Merton R. Olds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/06; A01K63/04; A01K63/045; A01K63/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An aquarium comprising a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly, therefrom, a floatable unit inside the container normally at the bottom thereof having an exterior configuration that closely conforms to the interior configuration of the container, a pocket formed on the underside of the floatable unit, means providing a source of air in communication with the pocket, a portion of the floatable unit defining an opening capable of being plugged located near the top of the floatable unit and normally providing an exit for the air but when plugged allowing the air to collect in the pocket whereby the floatable unit rises to the top of the container, and a cleaning unit connected to the floatable unit for movement therewith, the cleaning unit including a cleaning element in contact with the inside surface of the container side wall during movement of the floatable unit within the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An aquarium comprising a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly, therefrom, a floatable unit inside the container normally at the bottom thereof having an exterior configuration that closely conforms to the interior configuration of the container, a pocket formed on the underside of the floatable unit, means providing a source of air in communication with the pocket, a portion of the floatable unit defining an opening capable of being plugged located near the top of the floatable unit and normally providing an exit for the air but when plugged allowing the air to collect in the pocket whereby the floatable unit rises to the top of the container, and a cleaning unit connected to the floatable unit for movement therewith, the cleaning unit including a cleaning element in contact with the inside surface of the container side wall during movement of the floatable unit within the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An aquarium as in claim 1 including a source of light located within the pocket of the floatable unit when the unit is at the bottom of the container, and the floatable unit including a transparent portion at the top thereof communicating with the light source for transmitting the liqht upwardly into the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An aquarium as in claim 1 wherein the floatable unit includes a filtration receptable with filtration medium therein, and at least one passageway through the receptable that enables water to flow through the filtration medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
An aquarium comprising a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom, a floatable unit inside the container normally at the bottom thereof having an exterior configuration that closely conforms to the interior configuration of the container, a pocket formed on the underside of the floatable unit, means providing a source of air in communication with the pocket, a portion of the floatable unit defining an opening capable of being plugged located near the top of the floatable unit and normally providing an exit for the air but when plugged allowing the air to collect in the pocket whereby the floatable unit rises to the top of the container, and the floatable unit including a filtration receptacle with filtration medium therein, and at least one passageway through the receptacle that enables water to flow through the filtration medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
An aquarium comprising a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom, a floatable unit inside the container normally at the bottom thereof having an exterior configuration that closely conforms to the interior configuration of the container, a pocket formed on the underside of the floatable unit, means providing a source of air in communication with the pocket, a portion of the floatable unit defining an opening capable of being plugged located near the top of the floatable unit and normally providing an exit for the air but when plugged allowing the air to collect in the pocket whereby the floatable unit rises to the top of the container, and the floatable unit including a filtration receptacle with filtration medium therein, and at least one passageway through the receptacle that enables water to flow through the filtration medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An aquarium as in claim 4 including a source of light located within the pocket of the floatable unit when the unit is at the bottom of the container, and the floatable unit including a transparent portion at the top thereof communicating with the light source for transmitting the light upwardly into the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3265388A
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US3208090A
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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) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |