US3828176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safe underwater lighting system for aquariums
Assignee: Penn-Plax Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-09
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-08-09
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a lighting system for use within an aquarium for the purposes of safely illuminating and decorating the same. The new system includes a wall mounted transformer for reducing normal household current, i.e., 110-120 volt 60 cycle AC to 3-3.5 volt 60 cycle AC; a special low voltage terminal box means adapted to be self supporting on the upper edge of an aquarium wall; conductor means interconnecting the transformer and the terminal box means and having interposed therein a single ''''onoff'''' switch; a plurality of submersible miniaturized incandescent lamps each having a pair of elongated conductors projecting therefrom which conductors are adapted to be connected to a pair of terminals in the terminal box means for being energized by low voltage; and a telescoping channel means for retaining the lamp energizing conductors against the side of an aquarium wall. By virtue of the reduction of the voltage available at the terminal box to three volts, the system is totally safe and harmless. In the event of the accidental submersion of the terminal box or in the event of any other accidental shorting across the lamp terminals, the applied voltage is absolutely harmless and will not exceed 3-3.5 volts. Moreover, since the lamps are operated submerged in water, they are constantly cooled during operation, causing their effective life spans to be greatly increased, thereby substantially reducing the need for replacement.
Inventors
- 👤 M Goldman
- 👤 J Goldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:37
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/06; F; F21; F21S; F21S8/00; F21V; F21V29/00; F21V29/50; F21V29/56; F21V31/00; F21V31/005; F21W; F21W2121/00; F21W2131/00; F21W2131/30; F21W2131/308
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A safe, electrical lighting system for aquariums and the like, comprising a. a transformer means including high voltage, input electrode means and low voltage output lead means; b. said electrode means being in the form of male plug means adapted to connect said transformer means directly to a 60 cycle AC source of approximately 110-120 volts and being further adapted to support said transformer means directly from female wall outlet means at said source; c. said transformer means being adapted to convert effectively an approximate 110-120 volt input applied to said plug means to a 3-3.5 volt AC output at said output lead means; d. said output lead means comprising a pair of wire conductors of substantial length; e. a hollow terminal box means formed from thermoplastic material and including integral hanger bracket means adapted to mount said terminal box means at the upper edge of an aquarium wall; f. a pair of low voltage conductor terminals supported within said box means; g. said output lead means being fastened to each of said terminals to establish a low voltage source in said terminal box; h. at least one submersible, miniaturized low voltage incandescent lamp means, having a pair of insulated lamp energizing conductors integral therewith; said conductors being adapted to connect said lamp means to said terminal means to energize said lamp means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A safe, electrical lighting system for aquariums and the like, comprising a. a transformer means including high voltage, input electrode means and low voltage output lead means; b. said electrode means being in the form of male plug means adapted to connect said transformer means directly to a 60 cycle AC source of approximately 110-120 volts and being further adapted to support said transformer means directly from female wall outlet means at said source; c. said transformer means being adapted to convert effectively an approximate 110-120 volt input applied to said plug means to a 3-3.5 volt AC output at said output lead means; d. said output lead means comprising a pair of wire conductors of substantial length; e. a hollow terminal box means formed from thermoplastic material and including integral hanger bracket means adapted to mount said terminal box means at the upper edge of an aquarium wall; f. a pair of low voltage conductor terminals supported within said box means; g. said output lead means being fastened to each of said terminals to establish a low voltage source in said terminal box; h. at least one submersible, miniaturized low voltage incandescent lamp means, having a pair of insulated lamp energizing conductors integral therewith; said conductors being adapted to connect said lamp means to said terminal means to energize said lamp means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1, further including a. hollow elongated channel means formed from thermoplastic material and adapted to retain a plurality of said lamp energizing conductors therein; b. suction cup means adapted to hold said channel means against an inner aquarium wall surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 2, further characterized in that a. said hollow channel means includes at least two cooperating telescoping elements which provide said channel means with a selectively adjustable length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1, further characterized in that a. said terminal box means has an inverted U-shaped cross-section having first and second hollow legs; b. said legs being connected by horizontal hanger wall; c. said terminal box means thereby being adapted to be self-supporting when said legs straddle and said hanger wall rests upon an upper edge of an aquarium wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 4, further characterized in that a. said terminal box comprises a base element and a cover element; and b. said base and cover elements are telescopically assembled in a manner wherein said cover element nests within peripheral lip walls of said base element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
The system of claim 5, further characterized in that a. said first leg has a top and three side walls formed by said cover element and a bottom and a fourth side wall formed by said base element; b. said second leg has a top and three side walls formed by said cover element and a fourth side wall formed by said base element; c. said cover top wall has channel formed therein on said top wall and in said rear wall cooperating with a pair of channel walls formed on the top and rear walls of said base element to form an L-shaped conduit for said lamp energizing conductors; d. said terminals are mounted on the rear wall of said first leg; e. said first leg is adapted to be mounted externally of an aquarium wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of Claim 6, further characterized in that a. said first leg is longer than said second leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, further characterized in that a. a switch means is included in series with said transformer means and said terminal box means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6, further characterized in that a. said base element includes an integral spacer bar disposed between said terminals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |