Patent ID: 12193420

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates an aquarium100. The aquarium100includes a tank102having a surrounding wall104defining an interior volume106. Within the interior volume106is typically water, although the tank102can be for sustaining non-aquatic habitats, as well.

Along the upper portion of the surrounding wall104is an open top108in communication with the interior volume106.

A lid assembly110assembly is illustrated covering the open top108of the tank102. The lid assembly110includes a frame50secured to the free terminal end of the top of the surrounding wall104and a lid52in pivotable relation to the frame50. The frame50is typically secured to the tank wall104, and the lid52is removable, such that the interior volume106of the tank102can be accessed. In many example systems, the lid assembly110is oriented relative to the tank wall such that the lid52pivots relative to the frame50adjacent a rear wall112of the tank wall104at a pivot connection113. The pivot connection113can be with hinges other suitable attachments. The lid52can be pivotable between the covered position as shown inFIG.1and an uncovered position, in which the lid52is pivoted along arrow111about the pivot connection113so that the interior volume106can be accessed through the top108.

In reference now toFIGS.2-14, the lid52has an interior portion114that is in communication with the interior volume106, when the lid52is in the covered position. Opposite of the interior portion114is an exterior portion116.

The lid assembly110has a light source120. The light source120can be secured to the interior portion114and moved with the lid52between the covered position and uncovered position. The light source120emits a light beam. In many typical systems, the light source120is a florescent light bulb122fixed to the interior portion114of the lid52at opposite ends.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the light system includes an alignment arrangement124. The alignment arrangement124is for the light source120and is constructed and arranged to ensure that the light beam projects into the tank interior volume106regardless of the position of the lid52and light source120. This will provide the advantage of having light into the interior volume106, while servicing the aquarium106with the lid52pivoted into the uncovered position while avoiding having the light beam shine directly into the eyes of the person servicing the aquarium100.

In reference now to the embodiment ofFIGS.2-6, a first embodiment of the alignment arrangement124is illustrated. In this embodiment, the alignment arrangement124includes a pivotable shield130. The shield130is secured to the interior portion114of the lid52and moves with the lid52between the covered position and uncovered position. The shield130pivots by gravity to a position deflecting the light beam into the tank interior volume106, when the lid52is moved to the uncovered position.

The alignment arrangement124includes a pair of swivel joints132,134, at opposite ends of the light bulb122. The swivel joints132,134extend between the lid52and opposite ends of the shield130. As can be seen by comparingFIGS.2and3, the shield130swivels or rotates with gravity about the swivel joints132,134when the lid52pivots between the covered position ofFIG.2and the uncovered position ofFIG.3. In this way, the light beam is always projecting into the interior of the tank102and prevented from shining into the eyes of the person servicing the aquarium100.

In reference now toFIGS.7-10, a second embodiment of the alignment arrangement124is illustrated. In this embodiment, the alignment arrangement124includes a pair of articulated joints140,142between the lid52and the light source120. The articulated joints,140,142permit the light source120to pivot with gravity to project the light beam continuously into the tank interior volume106, when the lid52is moved between the covered position and uncovered position.

The light source120is typically a florescent light bulb122, fixed at opposite ends to the articulated joints140.

It can be seen by comparingFIG.8toFIG.10how the light bulb122pivots by gravity such that: (i) when the lid52is in the covered position, the light beam is directed into the tank interior volume106; and (ii) when the lid52is in the uncovered position, the light bulb122pivots along the articulated joints140,142so that the light source120is still directed into the interior volume106due to rotating about the articulated joints140,142.

In reference now toFIGS.11-14, a third embodiment of the alignment arrangement124is illustrated.

In the embodiment ofFIGS.11-14, the alignment arrangement124includes a pulley system150(FIG.13). The pulley system150can be used to rotate the light source120when the lid52is moved between the covered position and uncovered position.

Many embodiments are possible. In the example shown, the pulley system150includes a belt-pulley system152having at least: a first wheel154connected to the hinge joint113; a second wheel156connected to the light source120; and a belt158connected to the hinge joint113. The belt158is around each of the first wheel154and second wheel156.

In variations, the belt-pulley system152can also include a pair of first wheels at opposite ends of the light source120; a pair of second wheels at opposite ends of the hinge joint113; and a pair of belts connecting the first and second wheels.

When the lid52is moved along the hinge joint113between the covered position and uncovered position, the first wheels154,160rotate and translate motion to the belts158,164, causing the second wheels156,162to rotate and rotate the light source120. In this manner, the light beam projects into the tank interior106, regardless of the position of the lid52. In this embodiment, the light source120is also florescent lightbulb122secured at opposite ends to the pulley system150.

These systems can be used in a method of providing lighting into the interior volume106of the aquarium100. The method includes pivoting the lid52from a position covering the tank102to a position exposing the top108of the tank102. The method includes using the alignment arrangement124to ensure that the light beam from the light source120projects into the tank interior volume106regardless of the position of the lid52and light source120.

The above represents example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.