Abstract:
The invention is directed toward an electro-mechanical simulated aquarium. It includes a novel combination of a planetary gear train driving two endless loops of transparent material in counter-rotating directions. Depictions of marine life are applied to the loops and the entire arrangement is housed in an aquarium-like enclosure in order to maximize its realism.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There is no related application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention is generally directed toward a decorative object, more particularly, it is a decorative object simulating the appearance and motion of an aquarium. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     This early part of the 21 st  century has been a particularly remarkable time in history. We are in the midst of a technological revolution and each succeeding week brings with it increasingly sophisticated devices that permit us to be ever-more productive. However, while increasing technology has in many respects made our lives easier, the availability of so much information and the ability to work twenty-four hours per day has also resulted in an unprecedented degree of stress experienced by an exponentially growing number of Americans. 
     Reducing this stress has recently become an industry in and of itself. Spas have become prevalent and various devices are now available to massage or otherwise “melt” that stress away. However, long before the availability of the technological wizardry we have today, generations of Americans have found the simple act of watching fish swim in a home aquarium to be a wonderful way to “wind down” after a long, stressful day. Unfortunately, unless one has the financial resources to pay someone to maintain that tank, cleaning the tank, changing its water, feeding the fish, and all the other too numerous requirements of keeping the fish healthy can itself become an onerous task. 
     What is needed is a way to combine the technology available to us today with the old fashioned concept of relaxing in front of an aquarium. Such a device would ideally eliminate the difficult and time-consuming elements of aquarium ownership while nevertheless permitting the user to enjoy the soothing, stress-reducing experience offered by a traditional aquarium. 
     It is now feasible to create an electro-mechanical aquarium, and although previous attempts have been made, all previous versions have been economically impractical or unrealistic in its depiction of a marine tableu. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention is an electro-mechanical simulation of an aquarium including a novel combination of a planetary gear train driving two endless loops of transparent material in counter-rotating directions. Depictions of marine life are applied to the loops and the entire arrangement is housed in an aquarium-like enclosure in order to enhance its verisimilitude. In a preferred embodiment, cartoon-like depictions of marine life are used in lieu of more photorealistic representations in order to create a more whimsical, and therefore more relaxing, effect. 
     Previously known electro-mechanical aquariums are limited to a single endless loop of material driven via an electric motor and reduction drive arrangement. Where multiple endless loops are desired in order to enhance the realism of the arrangement, multiple motors and reduction drives are required, with each loop having its own dedicated drive motor. Moreover, these multi-motor arrangements are necessarily bulky and unlike true aquariums, require significant amounts of distracting opaque material in order to disguise their interior mechanisms. These multi-motor arrangements are also inherently more expensive in comparison to the instant invention. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a realistic, simulated aquarium conducive to promoting relaxation. 
     Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to enhance the realism of a simulated aquarium environment including two counter-rotating endless loops of material with marine scenes depicted thereon. 
     It is also an object of this invention to further enhance the realism of a simulated aquarium environment by minimizing the size the working mechanisms therein and thereby minimize the exterior fascia required to hide the aforementioned mechanisms. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to minimize the cost of producing a realistic, simulated aquarium. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent when considered with the teachings contained in the detailed disclosure along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation of a preferred embodiment 
         FIG. 2  is front perspective of a preferred embodiment with cover removed and its two endless loops in phantom 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the planetary gear drive 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of the planetary gear drive with its cover removed 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the planetary gear drive in depicted in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , viewed at a rotation of approximately 90 degrees. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments and best modes of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . While the invention is described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the present invention be so limited. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The invention may be constructed from any moldable material, but in a preferred embodiment, is constructed from plastic, including but not limited to various nylon formulations, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyfluoroethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and other acrylics, silicones, polyurethanes, or their composites. 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the instant invention  100 . A power switch  14  is mounted to the base  10  for operation of the invention, with the base  10  holding the electro-mechanical mechanisms therein, an encircling lens  16  mounted to the base protects the interior from damage while simulating the transparent sidewalls of an actual aquarium, and a top cover  15 . In this preferred embodiment, the invention is generally parallelepiped. In an alternate embodiment, various curvatures, for example, convex, concave, or undulating surfaces may be molded into or embossed into the encircling sidewall lens  16  to affect the light transmissive qualities of the lens  16  and therefore the appearance of objects viewed therethrough. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the preferred embodiment is shown with its top cover  15  and encircling lens  16  removed. First and second endless loops  11 ,  12  are shown in phantom, as are the depictions of marine life applied on the endless loops. A drive mechanism  50  containing a planetary gear train (not visible) is mounted at one end of the base with an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the base. In use, torque applied to the planetary gear train by a drive motor (not shown) causes counter-rotation of the first endless loop bearing element  37  and second endless loop bearing element  33 . First and second endless loops  11 ,  12  are in functional engagement with the first and second endless loop bearing elements  37 ,  33  and are therefore caused to move in counter-rotating directions. An undriven freewheeling mechanism  52  with a first endless loop bearing surface  53  and an undriven freewheeling mechanism second endless loop bearing surface  54  is disposed on the base at an end opposite from the drive mechanism  50  and maintains tension on the first and second endless loops  11 ,  12 . Means for illuminating the loops  11 ,  12  is in the form of a fluorescent lamp  13  is mounted to the base  10 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other methods of illumination are available, including light emitting diodes (LEDs) and incandescent fixtures. The distal ends of the drive mechanism  50  and undriven freewheeling mechanism are mounted to the drive mechanism carrier  30  to ensure the stability of these components. 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the drive mechanism  50  of the current invention, including its cover  51  and first and second endless loop bearing elements  37 ,  33 . A drive axel  31  is shown whereby torque applied by the motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear train. A planetary gear fixing pin  38  prevents orbital rotation of the aforementioned gear about the sun gear but does not impede rotation about its axis. 
     Operation of the planetary gear train  36  is depicted in  FIG. 4 , showing the mechanism in  FIG. 3  with its cover removed. In use, torque is applied by the drive motor (not shown) through the drive axel  31  thereby turning it in one direction. The sun gear  35  and first endless loop bearing element  37  are in fixed communication with the drive axel  31  and are therefore caused to rotate in the same direction. At the same time, torque is transmitted from:
         1. the sun gear  35  to the planetary gear  34  thereby causing counter-rotation relative to the movement of the sun gear  35 , and   2. from the planetary gear  34  to the ring gear  32  thereby causing rotation of the ring gear  32  in the same direction as the planetary gear  34 .
 
The second endless loop bearing element  33  is in direct communication with the ring gear  32  and therefore is caused to rotate in a direction opposite that of the first endless loop bearing element  37 . First and second endless loops  11 ,  12  are in communication with the first and second endless loop bearing elements  37 ,  33  and are counter-rotated accordingly.
       

       FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the drive mechanism in  FIGS. 3 and 4  at an angle advantageously depicting the first and second endless loop bearing surfaces  37 ,  33 . Note also the drive axel  31  transecting the planetary gear train  36 . 
     In operation, the invention is activated by operation of the power switch  14 , thereby energizing the drive motor (not shown) and causing the drive axel  31  mounted thereon to rotate in one direction. The sun gear  35  of the planetary gear train  36  and first endless loop bearing element  37  are in fixed communication with the drive axel  31  thereby causing rotation of the first endless loop  11  in the same direction as the drive motor (not shown). The sun gear  35  simultaneously turns the planetary gear  34 , which in turn causes rotation of the ring gear  32  in a direction counter to the rotation of the sun gear  35 . The second endless loop bearing element  33  is in direct communication with the ring gear  32 , thereby causing rotation of the second endless loop  12  in a direction counter to the rotation of the first endless loop  11 . 
     The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: