Patent US4678568A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4678568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-use aquarium maintenance system
Assignee: PENN PLAX PLASTICS Inc A CORP OF NEW YORK
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Filing: 1985-06-11
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Granted: 1987-07-07
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Expires: 2005-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A maintenance system for aquariums which utilizes an electrically powered suction force and a lift tube made of flexible plastic tubing. The lift tube may be provided with one or more branch points to allow for simultaneous or independent powering of a variety of aquarium maintenance accessories. The branch points may be further provided with valves in order to allow for a wide range of control over the suction force provided to the individual branches of the lift tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome Goldman
- 👤 Marvin Goldman
- 👤 Gerald Phillips
- 👤 Terry Goldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an aquarium maintenance apparatus having the conventional components including (a) an electrically powered means for suctioning water; (b) a filter case removably attached to the water suction means in a manner so that the suctioned water enters the filter case. (c) a lift tube formed of a segment of plastic tubing, removably attached to the water power suction means at a point inside the filter case in a manner which draws suctioned water through the lift tube, the lift tube having an open end within the filter case to allow the entry of the suctioned water from an aquarium into the filter case and an opposite opened end which may be placed inside the aquarium; (d) a means for allowing the suctioned water to return to the aquarium, from the filter case, formed on the filter case the improvement comprising: enabling the maintenance apparatus to function as a multi-use aquarium maintanence system by providing a branched section of hollow tubing having a plurality of branches, removably attached to the plastic lift tube to provide two or more branched lift tube segments each having an opened end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an aquarium maintenance apparatus having the conventional components including (a) an electrically powered means for suctioning water; (b) a filter case removably attached to the water suction means in a manner so that the suctioned water enters the filter case. (c) a lift tube formed of a segment of plastic tubing, removably attached to the water power suction means at a point inside the filter case in a manner which draws suctioned water through the lift tube, the lift tube having an open end within the filter case to allow the entry of the suctioned water from an aquarium into the filter case and an opposite opened end which may be placed inside the aquarium; (d) a means for allowing the suctioned water to return to the aquarium, from the filter case, formed on the filter case the improvement comprising: enabling the maintenance apparatus to function as a multi-use aquarium maintanence system by providing a branched section of hollow tubing having a plurality of branches, removably attached to the plastic lift tube to provide two or more branched lift tube segments each having an opened end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lift tube is flexible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of branches of the branched section of hollow tubing are formed from a flexible plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved aquarium maintenance appartus of claim 1 which further comprises at least one suction cup removably attached to the plastic lift tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments are adapted to connect to an aquarium maintenance accessory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises an aquarium accessory element connector which is removably attached to the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter case is adapted to accomodate cartridge filter material and the lift tube is attached to the water suction means in a manner so that water entering the filter case must pass through the filter material cartridge before returning to the aquarium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a valve, adapted to control the amount of water flow through the various branches of a branched hollow tube, the valve positioned within the branched section of hollow tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 8 wherein the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments are adapted to connect to an aquarium maintenance accessory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 8 which further comprises an aquarium accessory element connector which is removably attached to the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 8 wherein the filter case is adapted to accomodate cartridge filter material and the lift tube is attached to the water suction means in a manner so that water entering the filter case must pass through the filter material cartridge before returning to the aquarium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 8 which further comprises at least one suction cup removably attached to the plastic lift tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 12 wherein the filter case is adapted to accomodate cartridge filter material and the lift tube is attached to the water suction means in a manner so that water entering the filter case must pass through the filter material cartridge before returning to the aquarium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 12 wherein the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments are adapted to connect to an aquarium maintenance accessory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 11 wherein the filter case is adapted to accomodate cartridge filter material and the lift tube is attached to the water suction means in a manner so that water entering the filter case must pass through the filter material cartridge before returning to the aquarium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 12 which further comprises an aquarium accessory element connector which is removably attached to the opened ends of the branched lift tube segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved aquarium maintenance apparatus of claim 16 wherein the filter case is adapted to accomodate cartridge filter material and the lift tube is attched to the water suction means in a manner so that water entering the filter case must pass through the filter material cartridge before returning to the aquarium.
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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) | 1990-07-06 | 1991-01-05 | 1991-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-06 | 1995-01-05 | 1995-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-06 | 1999-01-05 | 1999-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |