Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/949,397, filed Mar. 7, 2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to aquariums, and in particular to housing components of aquariums. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Aquariums typically include either a generally round or rectangular-shaped transparent housing made of glass or other suitable material that houses an interior volume of water, as well as one or more aquatic animals, plants, and decor disposed within the interior volume. Aquariums are also often illuminated by a lighting system that provides illumination of water, fish, and/or the other elements disposed within the aquarium. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with one construction, an aquarium includes an outer housing including a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall, the outer housing defining a first interior tank volume to house water. The aquarium also includes a base disposed inside the first interior volume and coupled to the bottom wall, the base including an aperture. The aquarium also includes an inner housing coupled to the base, the inner housing defining a second interior tank volume to house water, wherein the aperture provides fluid communication between the first and second interior tank volumes. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another construction, an aquarium includes an outer housing defining a tank volume to house water. The aquarium also includes an inner housing disposed within the outer housing and dividing the tank volume into an inner volume and an outer volume, the outer volume disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing. The aquarium also includes a filter coupled to the outer housing, the filter operable to filter all of the water within both the inner volume and the outer volume. 
         [0006]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an aquarium according to one construction. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the aquarium. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the aquarium, with a top panel removed. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the aquarium, with both the top panel and outer housing removed. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the aquarium, with the top panel, outer housing, and inner housing removed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a base for holding the inner housing. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the base. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an aquarium according to another construction. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 , with a top panel removed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 , with both the top panel and outer housing removed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 , with the top panel, outer housing, and inner housing removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of a base for holding the inner housing of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the base for holding the inner housing of the aquarium of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of an aquarium according to another construction. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 , with a top panel removed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 , with both the top panel and outer housing removed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 , with the top panel, outer housing, and inner housing removed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of a base for holding the inner housing of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the base for holding the inner housing of the aquarium of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
       [0028]    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 is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIGS. 1-21  illustrate an aquarium  10  for housing water and one or more aquatic animals, plants, coral, and/or decor. The aquarium  10  includes an outer housing  14  that has a bottom wall  18  (e.g., circular in shape in  FIG. 2  or rectangular in  FIG. 9 ) that rests on a supporting surface (e.g., a floor, desk, or counter) and a side wall or walls  22  that extend from the bottom wall  18  and terminate at a rim  26 . Other constructions include different shapes for the outer housing  14  than that shown. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  8 ,  10 ,  15 , and  17 , the outer housing  14  defines a first interior volume  30  of the aquarium  10 , and is transparent (e.g., made of glass or plastic) to permit viewing of water, aquatic animals, plants, coral, and/or decor within the interior volume  30 , although in some constructions one or more areas of the outer housing  14  are opaque. 
         [0031]    The aquarium  10  also includes a top panel  34  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  15 ) that is coupled to the rim  26 . In some constructions ( FIGS. 15-17 ) one or more clips  36  are provided to couple the top panel  34  to the rim  26 . The top panel  34  is a flat, transparent panel (e.g., glass or plastic) that permits viewing of water, aquatic animals, plants, coral, and/or decor within the outer housing  14 . In other constructions the top panel  34  is only partially transparent, and/or includes at least one portion that is not flat (e.g., a generally rounded or raised portion). As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  15 , the top panel  34  includes two notches  38  on opposite sides of the panel  34  that form openings to provide access into the interior volume  30 . The two notches  38  permit the addition and removal of water and food from the aquarium  10 . 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 ,  8 - 12 , and  15 - 19 , the aquarium  10  also includes a lighting system  42  that is coupled to the outer housing  14 . The lighting system  42  includes an arm  46  that is coupled to the side wall  22  and extends over the panel  34 , and a light element  50  with one or more LEDs that is coupled to the arm  46  and that directs light in a downward direction through the panel  34  and into the interior volume  30 . In some constructions the lighting system  42  is powered by an electrical cord  54  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 5 , and  8 - 12 ). In other constructions the lighting system  42  is powered by a battery or batteries, or other power sources. The lighting system  42  illuminates the water, fish, plants, coral, and/or decor within the aquarium  10 , as well as provides sustenance in some constructions to one or more plants or coral in the aquarium  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 1-5  and  8 - 12 , in some constructions the light element  50  is generally circular. With references to  FIGS. 15-19 , in some constructions the light element  50  has a crescent or generally half-circle shape. Other constructions include different shapes. In some constructions the lighting system  42  is a track lighting system where the light element  50  includes one or more removable light-emitting modules such as the modules  50 ,  54 ,  250 ,  254 , and  350  described and illustrated throughout U.S. Patent No. 2014/0226325, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-5 ,  8 ,  10 - 12 ,  18 , and  19  the aquarium  10  includes a filter  58 . In the constructions illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 ,  8 , and  10 - 12 , the filter  58  is coupled to or integrally formed with the arm  46  (e.g., sits or nests within a portion of the arm  46 ). In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the arm  46  and the filter  58  are separate elements. The arm  46  is releasably coupled to the rim  26  with a clip  60 , and the filter  58  is releasably coupled to the side wall  22  (and/or to the clip  60 ) with suction pads  61 . In some constructions the filter  58  includes a pump (not shown) powered for example by the electrical cord  54  or by its own separate electrical cord or battery. The pump moves water through a filter element (not shown) within the filter  58  to clean the water. The filter  58  is disposed within the interior volume  30 , adjacent and below the rim  26 . The filter  58  is exposed directly to the water within the aquarium  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  15 , one of the notches  38  on the top panel  34  provides an opening for insertion and removal of the filter  58 . In some constructions the filter  58  operates as a filtration system for filtering the entire volume of water held within the aquarium  10 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  10 ,  11 ,  17 , and  18 , the aquarium  10  also includes an inner housing  62  that is disposed within the outer housing  14 . In some constructions the inner housing  62  is cylindrical ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  17 , and  18 ), whereas in other constructions the inner housing is rectangular ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ). Other constructions include different shapes. The inner housing  62  is transparent (e.g., made of glass or plastic) and defines a second interior volume  66  separate from the first interior volume  30 . The second interior volume  66  is sized to hold water, aquatic animals, plants, coral, and/or decor. 
         [0035]    The inner housing  62  includes a top end  70  and a bottom end  74 . The top end  70  includes a rim  78  that defines an opening  82 . In the illustrated constructions the rim  78  and opening  82  are disposed below the top panel  34 , such that a space or gap exists between the rim  78  and the top panel  34  through which water may enter or leave the opening  82  of the inner housing  62  (e.g., overflowing into or out of the inner housing  62 ). In other constructions the rim  78  contacts the top panel  34 , and/or the inner housing  62  does not include the opening  82 , such that water is unable to enter or leave the inner housing  62  through the top end  70 . During use, in some constructions the water level within the aquarium is maintained at or below the rim  78 , so that any fish or other aquatic animals are unable to move between the inner and outer housings  62 ,  14  through the top end  70 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-7 ,  11 - 14 , and  18 - 21 , the aquarium  10  also includes a base  86  that is supported by the bottom wall  18  of the outer housing  14 , and is attached to the inner housing  62 , to provide support for the inner housing  62 . In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the base  86  is coupled to the bottom wall  18  through use of fasteners (not shown) that extend through apertures  90  and into the bottom wall  18 . In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 18-21 , the base  86  is coupled to the bottom wall  18  with suction pads  92 . In other constructions the base  86  is coupled to the bottom wall  18  with adhesive or other materials or structures. In some constructions the base  86  is releasably coupled to the bottom wall  18 , so that the aquarium  10  may be used without the base  86  and/or inner housing  62 . 
         [0037]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 4-7 ,  11 - 14 , and  18 - 21 , the base  86  includes a lower portion  94 , an upper portion  98  extending from the lower portion  94 , and a ledge  102  disposed between the lower and upper portions  94 ,  98 . The inner housing  62  is coupled to the base  86  by sliding the bottom end  74  of the inner housing  62  over the upper portion  98  of the base  86  and resting the bottom end  74  of the inner housing  62  on the ledge  102  ( FIGS. 4 ,  11 , and  18 ). In the illustrated constructions the diameter (or cross-sectional area for the construction in  FIGS. 8-14 ) of the lower end  74  of the inner housing  62  is only slightly larger than a diameter or cross-sectional area of the upper portion  98  of the base  86 , such that the inner housing  62  is held frictionally in place over the upper portion  98  of the base  86 , but may easily be removed from the base  86  if desired. In some constructions the base  86  is formed integrally as a single piece with the inner housing  62 , and is part of the inner housing  62 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 ,  12 - 14 , and  19 - 21 , the base  86  also includes a plurality of apertures  106  disposed on the lower portion  94  of the base  86 . In the illustrated constructions the apertures  106  are elongate slots that extend vertically, along generally the same direction as the inner housing  62 . The apertures  106  are disposed at locations around the lower portion  94 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in some constructions the apertures  106  are disposed in three groups spaced equally around the lower portion  94 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , in some constructions the apertures  106  are disposed in four groups spaced equally around the lower portion  94 . As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , in some constructions the apertures  106  are disposed entirely around the lower portion  94 . Other constructions include different numbers, sizes, shapes, and locations for the apertures  106  than that illustrated. 
         [0039]    The apertures  106  permit exchange of water between the second interior volume  66  of the inner housing  62  and the first interior volume  30  of the outer housing  14 , and maintain consistency within the water in both interior volumes  66 ,  30  (e.g., with natural diffusion principles that keep chemical water concentrations of contaminants such as Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia equal in both interior volumes  66 ,  30 ). In some constructions a heating element is included (e.g., coupled to an inside of the outer housing  14 ) that heats water in the first interior volume  30 . The apertures  106  facilitate water temperature equilibrium, by allowing warmed water to pass into the second interior volume  66 , and cooler water to pass out of the apertures  106  into the first interior volume  30 . A Betta disposed and confined in the inner housing  62  can thus benefit from the heated water. 
         [0040]    In use, the outer housing  14  is positioned in a desired location and the base  86  and inner housing  62  are attached or otherwise positioned therein. Any desired bottom decor (e.g., rocks, coral, plants, glass beads, etc.) is then placed in the outer housing  14 . Water is then placed in the outer housing  14 . The water also flows into the inner housing  62  via the apertures  106  in the base  86 . During use, the water freely flows between the annular space defined between the outer housing  14  and the inner housing  62  (i.e., the interior volume  30 ) and the space within the inner housing  62  (i.e., the interior volume  66 ). The user then places any animals into the two available spaces. The sharing of water between the spaces allows for the use of a single filtration system and a single aeration system for both spaces. In addition, by separating the spaces, the user can now place animals that may not necessarily be compatible into a single aquarium without fear of the animals mingling in an unwanted manner. For example, territorial animals (e.g., Betta fish) are typically placed with only a single animal in each aquarium. The aquarium  10  illustrated herein allows a user to place two territorial animals in the same aquarium  10  while maintaining a physical separation between the animals. 
         [0041]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Technology Category: 1