Abstract:
An apparatus includes a housing having a first surface having a first contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a base structure positioned adjacent the housing and including a second surface having a second contour that closely matches the first contour. The housing is positioned such that the first surface and the second surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another. The apparatus further includes a lighting element supported by the base and positioned to selectively illuminate the housing. The apparatus further includes a storage compartment having an open cavity for receiving and holding an object and a third surface having a third contour that closely matches the first contour, the storage compartment supported by the base structure such that the first surface and the third surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to fish tanks, and in particular to fish tanks used in home and office settings. 
     Fish tanks are commonly found in home and office settings, and typically include a small transparent bowl filled with water that houses one or more fish. The fish tanks are placed on a desk, or on a counter or cabinet, so that people inside the home or office are able to view and observe the fish inside the bowl. The fish tanks also commonly include an opening at the top of the bowl so that food may be added into the bowl, and so that water may be removed and added as needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one construction, the invention provides an apparatus that includes a housing having a first surface having a first contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a base structure positioned adjacent the housing and including a second surface having a second contour that closely matches the first contour. The housing is positioned such that the first surface and the second surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another. The apparatus further includes a lighting element supported by the base and positioned to selectively illuminate the housing. The apparatus further includes a storage compartment having an open cavity for receiving and holding an object and a third surface having a third contour that closely matches the first contour, the storage compartment supported by the base structure such that the first surface and the third surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another. 
     In another construction, the invention provides an apparatus that includes a housing having a bottom surface and a first surface having a first contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a base structure including a vertically extending portion and a lower portion having a recessed area, the recessed area formed to receive the bottom surface of the housing, the vertically extending portion defining a cavity. The apparatus further includes a lighting element positioned within the lower portion to selectively illuminate the housing through the bottom surface. The apparatus further includes a drainage compartment supported by the vertically extending portion and at least partially disposed within the cavity. The apparatus further includes a storage compartment having an open cavity for receiving and holding an object, the storage compartment supported by the base structure immediately above the drainage compartment. 
     In another construction, the invention provides an apparatus that includes a first housing having a first surface having a first contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a second housing having a second surface having a second contour and arranged to contain a quantity of water. The apparatus further includes a base structure positioned between the first housing and the second housing and including a third surface having a third contour and a fourth surface having a fourth contour, the first contour closely matching the third contour. The first housing is positioned such that the first surface and the third surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another, and the second contour closely matching the fourth contour. The second housing is positioned such that the second surface and the fourth surface are disposed immediately adjacent one another. The apparatus further includes a storage compartment formed as part of the base structure and having an open cavity for receiving and holding an object. The apparatus further includes a cavity formed as part of the base structure immediately below the storage compartment, and a removable drainage drawer selectively positioned within the cavity. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fish tank according to one construction of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a left side view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a back elevational view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the fish tank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fish tank according to another construction of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 11  is a right side view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a back elevational view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 16  is a partially exploded perspective view of the fish tank of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a fish tank  10  according to one construction of the invention. The fish tank  10  includes a housing  14  for holding gravel, water, and fish. The housing  14  is at least partially transparent, and is in the shape of a bowl having a rim  18  defining an opening  22  at a top portion of the housing  14 . Other constructions of the fish tank  10  include different shapes and sizes for the housing  14  other than that illustrated. 
     The fish tank  10  includes a base structure  26  that supports the housing  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the base structure  26  includes a first recessed area  30  disposed along a lower portion  34  of the base structure  26 . The first recessed area  30  receives at least a portion of the housing  14  and inhibits the housing  14  from tipping out of the base structure  26 . 
     The base structure  26  also includes a second recessed area  38  disposed along a back, generally vertically extending portion  42  of the base structure  26 . The second recessed area  38  has a curved surface disposed adjacent an outer surface of the housing  14 , with a contour that approximately matches the contour of the outer surface of the housing  14 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the base structure  26  also includes a generally flat bottom surface  46  and four friction elements  50  along the bottom surface  46 , although other constructions include different numbers of friction elements  50 . The friction elements  50  are pads that grip the surface of a desk, shelf, cabinet, etc., and inhibit the base structure  26  from moving or sliding. In some constructions the entire flat bottom surface  46  itself is made of a pad or padding material that functions as a friction element. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 , the base structure  26  also includes a switch element  54  and at least one lighting element  58  ( FIGS. 1, 6, and 8 ) that illuminates the inside of the housing  14 . The switch element  54  is positioned along a front of the fish tank  10 , and is used to turn the lighting elements  58  on and off. Other constructions include different locations for the switch element  54 , including along a side of the base structure  26 , or along a back of the base structure  26 . In some constructions the switch  54  is also used to create a low, medium, and high intensity light setting. For example, by pressing the switch  54  a first time, a low intensity light setting is generated. By pressing the switch  54  a second time, a medium intensity light setting is generated, the medium intensity light setting being brighter than the low intensity light setting. By pressing the switch  54  a third time, a high intensity light setting is generated, the high intensity light setting being brighter than the medium intensity light setting. In some constructions different colored lighting elements  58  are used to give a different color effect or effects in the housing  14 . 
     The lighting elements  58  are LED&#39;s, though in other constructions different types of lighting elements  58  are used. Three lighting elements  58  are located in a generally central area of the first recessed area  30 , directing light up into the housing  14  from beneath the housing  14  to illuminate the inside of the housing  14 . In other constructions different numbers and locations for the lighting elements  58  are used, including locations that direct light into the side of the housing  14  or direct light from above down into the housing  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , the base structure  26  includes a battery compartment cover  62 . Each of the lighting elements  58  is powered by a battery or batteries (not shown) located behind the battery compartment cover  62  and within a battery compartment of the base structure  26 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the base structure  26  also includes a power port  66  (e.g., USB, DC plug, etc.), for powering the lighting elements  58  with outside electrical power. 
     The lighting elements  58  can include a timer, so that they are not left on for extensive periods of time. In particular, if a user actuates the switch element  54  to turn on the lighting elements  58 , the lighting elements  58  will stay on for approximately four hours if left uninterrupted before they will automatically shut off. Other constructions include different timing periods other than four hours. An electrical control unit  70 , illustrated schematically in  FIG. 8 , communicates with the lighting elements  58  to control the timing of the lighting elements  58 . The electronic control unit  70  may be disposed, for example, in the lower portion  34  or elsewhere within the fish tank  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the fish tank  10  further includes a storage compartment  74  that is supported by and is removable from the base structure  26 . The storage compartment  74  includes an open cavity  78  for receiving and holding one or more objects, including but not limited to soil, plants, office supplies (e.g., pens, pencils), or other items a user may wish to store in the fish tank  10 . The storage compartment  74  is disposed generally behind the housing  14 , and includes a removable divider portion  82 . The divider portion  82  couples to an edge  86  of the storage compartment  74 , and includes a plurality of openings  90  for insertion of the one or more items described above. The divider portion  82  may be used, for example, as an organizer for organizing various office supplies. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , the fish tank  10  also includes a drainage compartment  94  that is supported by and is removable from the base structure  26 . The drainage compartment  94  is disposed adjacent to and below the storage compartment  74 , and includes an open cavity  98  for holding water. The drainage compartment  94  is disposed within a cavity  102  inside the base structure  26 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , the storage compartment  74  is in communication with the drainage compartment  94 . The storage compartment  74  includes an opening  106  along a bottom wall  110  of the storage compartment  74 . In the event that soil and plants are placed into the storage compartment  74 , the small opening  106  allows excess water applied to the plants and soil to drain through the bottom of the storage compartment  74  and into the open cavity  98  beneath the storage compartment  74 . While only a single small opening  106  is illustrated, in other constructions the storage compartment  74  includes a plurality of openings  106 . When the drainage compartment  94  becomes full with water, a user first removes the storage compartment  74  from the base structure  26 , and then removes the drainage compartment  94  to dump the water out before reinserting the drainage compartment  94  and then the storage compartment  74 . 
       FIGS. 9-16  illustrate another fish tank  210 . The fish tank  210  includes two separate housings  214  for holding gravel, water, and fish. The housings  214  are both at least partially transparent, and are in the shape of cylinders having rims  218  defining openings  222  at top portions of the housings  214 . Other constructions of the fish tank  210  include different shapes and sizes for the housings  214  other than those illustrated. 
     The fish tank  210  includes a base structure  226  that supports the housings  214 . The base structure  226  separates the housings  214 , although in some constructions the housings  214  are in direct contact with one another. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 and 15 , the base structure  226  includes a first, vertically extending recessed area  230  disposed along a front portion of the base structure  226  that receives a portion of one of the two housings  214 . The base structure  226  also includes a second, vertically extending recessed area  238  disposed along the front portion of the base structure that receives a portion of the second of the two housings  214 . The recessed areas  230 ,  238  each have a curved surface disposed adjacent an outer surface of one of the housings  214 , with a contour that approximately matches the contour of the outer surface of the housing  214 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 15 , the base structure  226  includes a generally flat bottom surface  246  and three friction elements  250  disposed along the bottom surface  246 , although other constructions include different numbers of friction elements  250 . The friction elements  250  are pads that grip the surface of a desk, shelf, cabinet, etc., and inhibit the base structure  226  from moving or sliding. In some constructions the flat bottom surface  246  itself is made of a pad or padding material that functions as a friction element. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9-12, 14, and 15 , the base structure  226  also includes a switch element  254  and at least one lighting element  258  ( FIG. 15 ) that illuminates the water and/or other contents within the housing  214 . The switch element  254  is positioned along a front of the base structure  226 , and is used to turn the lighting elements  258  on and off. Other constructions include different locations for the switch element  254 , including along a side of the base structure  226 , or along a back of the base structure  226 . 
     The lighting elements  258  are LED&#39;s, though in other constructions different types of lighting elements  258  are used. Three lighting elements  58  are disposed along the bottom of a first overhang portion  260  at the top of the base structure  226 , and three other lighting elements  258  are disposed along the bottom of a second overhang portion  261  at the top of the base structure  226 , the overhang portions  260 ,  261  being disposed adjacent the first and second recessed areas  230 ,  238  respectively. The lighting elements  258  direct light down into the housings  214  to illuminate the insides of the housings  214 . In some constructions, when the switch  254  is pushed a first time, less than all of the lighting element  258  are activated (e.g., only one or two out of three lighting elements  258  are activated on each overhang portion  260 ,  261  respectively). When the switch  254  is activated a second time, the remaining lighting elements  258  on the overhangs  260 ,  261  are activated, such that all of the lighting elements  258  are activated. When the switch  254  is activated a third time, all of the lighting elements  258  are turned off. In other constructions different lighting patterns and sequences are used, as are different numbers and locations for the lighting elements  258 , including locations that direct light into the sides of the housings  214  or up from below the housings  214 . In some constructions different colored lighting elements  258  are used to give a different color effect or effects in the housings  214 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10, 11, and 13 , the base structure  226  also includes a battery compartment cover  262 . Each of the lighting elements  258  is powered by a battery or batteries (not shown) located behind the battery compartment cover  262  and within a battery compartment of the base structure  226 . The base structure  226  also includes a power port  266  (e.g., USB, DC plug, etc.), for powering the lighting elements  258  with outside electrical power. 
     The lighting elements  258  can also include a timer, so that they are not left on for extensive periods of time. In particular, if a user actuates the switch element  254  to turn on the lighting elements  258 , the lighting elements  258  will stay on for approximately four hours if left uninterrupted before they will automatically shut off. Other constructions include different timing periods other than four hours. An electrical control unit  270 , illustrated schematically in  FIG. 15 , communicates with the lighting elements  258  to control the timing of the lighting elements  258 , as well as the lighting patterns discussed above. The electronic control unit  270  may be disposed, for example, inside the base structure  226 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9, 14, and 16 , the base structure  226  further includes a storage compartment  274  disposed within the base structure  26 . The storage compartment  274  includes an open cavity  278  for receiving and holding one or more objects, including but not limited to soil, plants, office supplies (e.g., pens, pencils), or other items a user may wish to store in the fish tank  210 . The storage compartment  274  is disposed generally behind the housings  214 , and includes a removable divider portion  282 . The divider portion  282  couples to an edge  286  ( FIG. 16 ) of the storage compartment  274 , and includes a plurality of openings  290  for insertion of the one or more items described above. The divider portion  282  may be used, for example, as an organizer for organizing various office supplies. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10, 11, 13 and 16 , the fish tank  210  also includes a drainage compartment  294  that is supported by and is removable from the base structure  226  by pulling the drainage compartment out laterally from the base structure  226  ( FIG. 16 ). The drainage compartment  294  is disposed adjacent to and below the storage compartment  274 , and as illustrated in  FIG. 16  includes an open cavity  298  for receiving water. The drainage compartment  294  is disposed within a cavity  302  inside the base structure  226 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , the storage compartment  274  is in communication with the drainage compartment  294 . The storage compartment  274  includes two small openings  306  disposed along a bottom wall  310  of the storage compartment  274 . While only two small openings  306  are illustrated, in other constructions the storage compartment  274  includes a plurality of openings  306 . In the event that soil and plants are placed into the storage compartment  274 , the small openings  306  allow excess water applied to the plants and soil to drain through the bottom of the storage compartment  274  and into the removable drainage compartment  294 . When the drainage compartment  294  becomes full with water, a user simply removes the drainage compartment  294  to dump the water, and then reinserts the drainage compartment  294  back into the base structure  226 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred constructions, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.