Abstract:
An aquarium cleaning device having an inner component with a plate employing a cleaning surface and an alternative cleaning element operative on a second surface opposite the cleaning surface. A magnetic element is carried by the plate and means for providing orienting buoyancy is carried adjacent one end of the plate. An outer component has a body with a surface for engaging the exterior of an aquarium wall. A second magnetic element is carried by the body such that the body is positionable for magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements with the cleaning surface adjacent the aquarium wall or with the second surface adjacent the aquarium wall. By moving the body between the first and second positions, the inner component is flipped within the aquarium to alternate the cleaning elements.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to the field of aquarium surface cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a magnetically coupled multifunction inner cleaning element for a surface controlled, actuated and positioned by an external unit located on the surface opposite from the surface being cleaned. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Cleaning of aquarium interior surfaces which are difficult to access or have other limitations, require specialized cleaning devices. In the aquarium art it is desirable to be able to clean the interior of the glass or clear plastic walls without draining the tank or reaching into the water. The currently available devices for cleaning the interior surface of the aquarium wall use two oppositely charged magnets carried in specially adapted housings. 
   The first magnet is positioned on the outside of the glass with the second magnet on the inside of the glass in the tank. The second magnet has a covering of a rough or abrasive substance as a cleaning surface to scrape off algae and other materials adhered to the glass. The outer magnet case has a smooth resilient surface to avoid scratching or marring the external surface of the glass. The magnets are positioned adjacent one another on the internal and external surfaces of the glass. The internal magnet is attracted to the external magnet. The external magnet is moved by hand over the glass with the internal magnet following the motion. This induced motion of the internal magnet moves the cleaning surface across the inner surface of the glass to clean the glass. An example of this type of device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 6,348,104 entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING AQUARIUM WINDOWS issued on Feb. 19, 2002 to Bakker. 
   The device in Bakker also has the property that upon disengagement of the internal and external magnetic devices, the internal element floats to the surface of the water in the aquarium for retrieval. However, this property prevents recovery of the internal element anywhere but on the surface of the water and floating buoyancy tends to uncouple the internal and external units. Current products like that disclosed in Bakker have weight or buoyancy distribution within the internal element such that immediately upon disengagement the polarized faces of the internal element magnets orient themselves in a perpendicular plane to the glass thus minimizing the chance for re-engagement. 
   It is therefore desirable to have a remotely actuated surface cleaning device capable of more vigorous cleaning action. It is further desirable to have a cleaning device with a reduced profile cleaning component for access to areas in which other objects are in close proximity to the glass thereby limiting accessibility. It is also desirable to have a flexible inner component to conform to convex or concave glass surfaces. It is also desirable to distribute the bouyancy proximate one end of the inner cleaning component such that the polarized magnet faces remain parallel to the aquarium glass upon disengagement thus greatly improving the ability to re-engage with the outer unit. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An aquarium cleaning device embodying the present invention incorporates an inner component having a plate with a cleaning surface and an alternative cleaning element operative on a second surface of the plate opposite the cleaning surface. A magnetic element is carried by the plate and means for providing orienting buoyancy is carried adjacent one end of the plate. An outer component is provided having a body with a surface for engaging the exterior of an aquarium wall. A second magnetic element is carried by the body such that the body is positionable in a first position for magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements with the cleaning surface adjacent the aquarium wall in a second position for magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements with the second surface adjacent the aquarium wall. By moving the body between the first and second positions orientation of the first and second magnetic elements is sequentially changed for repulsive force to flip the inner component within the aquarium then attractive force to draw the inner component back to the aquarium wall thus allowing additional cleaning features to be available. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side section view of the internal and external components of the cleaning system of a first embodiment of the invention operably engaged to the surfaces of an aquarium wall; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a back view of the inner cleaning component of a first embodiment of the present invention as disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
     FIB.  2   b  is a side view of the inner cleaning component disclosed in  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 2   c  is a front view of the inner cleaning component disclosed in  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 2   d  is an isometric view of the inner cleaning component; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a side section view of the outer actuation component disclosed in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3   b  is a front view of the outer actuation component; 
       FIG. 3   c  is an isometric view of the outer actuation component; 
       FIG. 4   a  is an exploded side view of the components of the internal and external components of the invention showing the relationship of the magnetic elements in the first position; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a view of the components of the invention with the external actuating component reversed to flip the internal component; 
       FIG. 4   c  is a view of the components after the internal component has been flipped; 
       FIG. 5   a  is a top isometric view of an exemplary perform elements for manufacture of the internal cleaning component; and, 
       FIG. 5   b  is a bottom isometric view of the perform elements of  FIG. 5   a.    
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows an internal cleaning component  10  and an external actuating component  12  of a cleaning system employing the present invention. The internal and external components are shown as they are employed in use operably engaged magnetically through a glass or plastic wall  14  of an aquarium.  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  show an embodiment of the cleaning or internal component of a device according to the present invention. A resiliently flexible plate  16  carries a pair of magnets  18  and  20  mounted to or molded in a back surface  22  of the plate. The magnets are mounted with opposite polarity for utility to be described in greater detail subsequently. High strength magnets such as rare earth or neodynium type magnets are employed in exemplary embodiments. Additionally, chambers  24 ,  26  and  28  are positioned on an upper portion of the plate. The chambers are filed with foam, air or gas filling to provide buoyancy and are of a precalibrated size based on the weight of the internal component as a whole to provide neutral or slightly negative buoyancy at a nominal mid depth of the aquarium. Alternative buoyancy elements or filling such as wood, including balsa or other appropriate density species, are employed in alternative embodiments. Also in alternative embodiments, the chamber volume may be modified for neutral buoyancy at different depths for use in large aquariums having greater depth or there may be more or fewer chambers as needed. Distributed buoyancy within the inner unit is arranged in any fashion that naturally moves the magnet faces away from the orientation perpendicular to the aquarium wall common in the prior art with the method disclosed herein being buoyancy added to one end such that the inner unit magnets maintain a parallel orientation upon disengagement or descent. 
   For the embodiment shown the three chambers are positioned in a U shape around the top magnet  20 . The spacing of the lower magnet from the upper magnet and the weight of the lower magnet assist in maintaining the upright orientation of the internal component in its neutral or negatively buoyant state. As most clearly seen in  FIG. 2   c , an abrasive element covers substantially the entire front surface  30  of the inner component. The abrasive face is physically embossed on the front surface in certain embodiments of the invention. In alternative embodiments, an abrasive pad  32  (as shown in  FIG. 2   b ) is attached to the front surface. This allows replacement of the pad upon loss of effectiveness due to wear or excessive contamination by the algae or other materials cleaned from the aquarium surface. The pad employs a self adhesive backing in certain embodiments and is physically restrained in channels or clips  34  in alternative embodiments. An exemplary material for the pad is Trizact Film, 268XA in 5 micron thickness with a PSA adhesive backing as produced by 3M Company. In certain of these embodiments as shown in  FIG. 2   c , the depth and resilience of the pad is sufficient to avoid contact of the channels with the aquarium surface to avoid marring and to assure intimate contact of the cleaning pad with the surface to be cleaned. 
   The resilient flexibility of the inner component allows the front surface to conform to curved surfaces in the aquarium allowing the abrasive face to remain in intimate contact with the surface for enhanced cleaning. Additionally, the slim profile afforded by fabrication of the inner component according to the present invention allows the inner component access to areas behind tank equipment and between the aquarium wall and rocks or other ornaments and decorations within the aquarium that may be placed near the wall not typically accessible with other cleaning devices. The thin cross section of the flexible plate of the inner component below the lower magnet allows the abrasive surface to pass between the substrate, typically sand, placed in the bottom of the aquarium and the adjacent glass to allow cleaning below the sand line. 
   For the embodiment shown in the drawings, a scraper  36  extends from the rear surface as a secondary cleaning element. For the embodiment shown, the scraper is integral to and comprises an upper outside edge of the chambers. In alternative embodiments, a separate scraper element is attached to the inner component. A slightly outwardly curved plastic blade is effective in certain embodiments providing the necessary scraping action against the aquarium glass surface. This blade is molded into the inner component or attached using adhesive or mechanical fasteners. For effective use of the scraper, the inner component must be reversed for opposite contact with the aquarium surface. The present invention provides the ability to accomplish this without removal or handling of the inner component as will be described in greater detail subsequently. In alternative embodiments, the secondary cleaning element is a second abrasive surface with more aggressive or alternative abrasive to allow additional cleaning. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , the external actuating component  12  incorporates a body  38  in which a mating pair of magnets  40  and  42  are mounted. As with the internal cleaning component, the magnets  40  and  42  are mounted in the body with opposite polarity. In certain embodiments, the magnets are molded into the body while in alternative embodiments the body is molded with recesses  44  to receive the magnets which are press fit or adhesively bonded within the recesses. A surface covering  46  is employed in certain embodiments depending on the material chosen for the body for interface with the aquarium exterior surface to avoid marring. The surface covering in exemplary embodiments is a micro fiber cleaning cloth such as Swift microfiber cloth which cleans the exterior surface of the aquarium wall without solvents. The cleaning cloth is affixed in selected embodiments with a light bonding adhesive such as used with 3M post-its so that it can be exchanged when dirty. In alternative embodiments, one or more Velcro moieties are attached to the cleaning cloth with the mating moieties affixed to the body for attachment of the cloth. The embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein therefore allows simultaneously cleaning of the inside and outside of the aquarium wall. For the embodiment shown, the body is sculpted to incorporate a handle portion  48  for ease of manipulation of the outer component. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c , the polarity of the magnets as mounted in the inner and outer components provides novel functionality. In a first position shown in  FIG. 4   a , the outer component is placed adjacent the aquarium surface in a first orientation with magnet  40  having a positive polarity adjacent bottom surface  50  of the body and magnet  42  having a negative polarity adjacent the bottom surface. The inner component is oriented with magnet  20  having a positive polarity adjacent and attracted to magnet  42  while magnet  18  having a negative polarity adjacent and attracted to magnet  40  providing magnetic engagement between the inner and outer components. In this orientation, the inner component has the abrasive cleaning surface  30  adjacent the aquarium surface for cleaning and motion of the outer component on the outer surface of the aquarium will be followed by the inner component. 
   By disengaging and rotating the outer component 180° about an axis perpendicular to the aquarium wall to the position shown in  FIG. 4   b , with like polarity on the adjacent magnets in the inner and outer components and placing the outer component next to the aquarium surface, the resulting repulsion of the magnets in the two components will result in the inner component being driven from the aquarium inner surface. The basic instability of the repulsion between the two components will result in the inner component rotating in the water to “flip”. In this configuration, now shown in  FIG. 4   c , the polarities of the adjacent magnets in the inner and outer component will again be opposite. The inner component will again be attracted to the outer component and once again be drawn to the inner surface of the aquarium. The neutral or negative buoyancy provided by the chambers in the inner component maintains the substantially vertical orientation of the inner component during the “flip” and substantially maintains the floating depth within the aquarium. If slight sinking of the inner component occurs, the outer component is easily aligned to provide greatest attraction forces between the magnets to draw the inner component to the wall. In this configuration, the opposite side of the inner component is now adjacent the aquarium surface bringing the scraper into contact for disengaging algae build-up or other contamination of the aquarium inner surface. 
   The inner surface of the aquarium can therefore easily be cleaned using the abrasive surface of the inner component with the “flip” accomplished to engage the scraper when necessary and an additional “flip” to reengage the abrasive. If the external component is removed from the aquarium wall, the inner component will remain in proper orientation with the plate and magnets in a plane substantially parallel to the aquarium wall for reengagement. The slight negative buoyancy of the embodiment disclosed herein will result in the inner component slowly sinking until the bottom edge contacts the aquarium bottom. The inner component will remain upright to be reengaged by the outer component when desired. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the polarities of the magnets in the inner component are commonly oriented and the magnets in the outer component are commonly oriented. The outer component is substantially a rectangular box. In this case, rotation of the outer unit to create attractive or repulsive polarity with the inner unit is accomplished by rotating the outer unit about an axis parallel to the aquarium wall. For this configuration, the two opposing face surfaces of the outer component are provided with a surface covering for cleaning of the outer surface of the aquarium. 
   In yet another alternative embodiment, the magnetic elements employed in the inner and outer components are bar magnets and orientation of the components is accomplished by orienting the polarities at the opposite ends of the bars. In this embodiment, greater buoyancy may be required to offset the tendency of the inner component to rotate parallel to the aquarium wall as opposed to flipping in surface orientation. 
     FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show an exemplary molding for manufacture of the inner component according to the present invention. The molding provides the flexible plate  16  which attaches to a contoured element  56 . The contoured element includes molded recesses creating volumes  58 ,  60  and  62  for the chambers and receivers  64  and  66  for the upper and lower magnets. A lip  68  having a periphery sized to be encompassed within the dimensions of the plate surrounds the contoured element. Subsequent to molding, the magnets are inserted in to the receivers, sealing adhesive is applied to the lip and the contoured element is adhesively bonded onto the plate. In this configuration, the volumes and receivers are sealed against the plate providing the buoyant chambers and restraining the magnets. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 5   b  for this exemplary embodiment, the volumes  58  and  62  are separated from the central volume  60  by grooves  70  and  72  and further contain additional grooves  74  and  76  which reduce the rigidity of the chamber shapes. This provides structural relief which allows the flexibility of the upper portion of the plate to be substantially retained for conforming to curved surfaces in the aquarium. 
   In alternative embodiments, the inner component is molded in a single piece with fold lines to accommodate folding the contoured component back onto the plate. The inner component is assembled subsequent to molding by inserting the magnets into the receivers, applying sealing adhesive to the lip and the contoured element is folded back in alignment with and secured onto the plate. In this configuration, the volumes and receivers are sealed against the plate providing the buoyant chambers and restraining the magnets. 
   Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.