Animal husbandry – Aquatic animal culturing – Aquarium
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-05-01
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Aquatic animal culturing
Aquarium
C119S421000, C119S702000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223690
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a modular animal habitat, and more particularly to a modular animal habitat for housing one or more species of animals and which has passageways for allowing the animals housed therein to move horizontally between the modules making up the habitat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel modular habitat for animals comprising a plurality of spaced modules for housing animals therein and allowing them to move between two or more spaced modules.
Aquariums and other animal habitats have long been used in homes, schools, offices, and the like, both for their decorative and ornamental functions, and for providing means whereby various types of animals such as fish, frogs, turtles, tadpoles, iguanas, rodents, and the like may be viewed swimming, moving, feeding and engaging in other activities which are both educational and interesting to watch. The characteristics and tendencies of specific animals can be of extreme interest and educational value as the animals grow, and when viewed at periodic intervals.
While the prior art encompasses numerous aquariums or the like having a plurality of independent or spaced tanks for housing fish, such devices have numerous defects and disadvantages which are obviated by the present invention. The following U.S. Pat. Nos. are exemplary of such prior art devices: U.S. Pat. Nos. 192,595 (Palen et al.); 1,576,462 (Polzin); 2,059,927 (Beck); 3,903,844 (Greenia); 3,921,583 (De Shores); 3,991,715 (Gibson); 5,067,439 (Hand); 5,083,528 (Strong); and 5,799,611 (Park).
Each of the Palen et al, Polzin, Beck, Greenia and Gibson patents discloses an aquarium having two spaced tanks or reservoirs and an arched shaped bridge connecting the tanks or reservoirs which allow fish to swim between the spaced tanks or reservoirs. The De Shores patent discloses an aquarium arrangement having two or more spaced tanks interconnected by one or more passageway tubes which allow fish to swim between the spaced tanks. The Strong patent discloses an aquarium comprising a plurality of spaced tanks in stepped, gradually descending, relation whereby water introduced to the uppermost tank flows therethrough and then down into and through each succeeding tank with means for causing the flow of water from one tank to the next. The inventor of the invention disclosed and claimed in the Park patent is the same as the inventor of the invention disclosed and claimed in the instant application, with the invention disclosed in the instant application being an improvement over that disclosed in the Park patent. The Park patent discloses an animal habitat which allows animals to move between two or more modules or chambers and which generally comprises a plurality of lower tier modules having passageways therebetween, and a plurality of upper tier modules having passageways therebetween. The chambers or modules disclosed in the Park patent incorporate numerous parts that must be secured to each other and are not made as single parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a modular animal habitat is provided which allows animals housed therein to move between two or more modules or chambers. The modular animal habitat is adapted to be supported by a rack or support with legs that may be placed on a table or the like.
The modular animal habitat is generally comprised of a plurality of lower tier modules having passageways therebetween for allowing animals to move from a lower tier module to an adjacent lower tier module and a plurality of upper tier modules having passageways therebetween for allowing animals to move from one upper tier module to an adjacent upper tier module. However, it is to be understood that the animal habitat of the present invention could be comprised of a plurality of modules in a one-tier arrangement.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved modular animal habitat which allows animals housed therein to move from one module to one or more adjacent or contiguous modules.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved animal habitat having a plurality of lower tier modules and a plurality of upper tier modules and passageways for allowing animals to move horizontally or vertically between at least two adjacent or contiguous modules of a common tier of modules.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved modular animal habitat which is simple and inexpensive in construction and capable of housing both aquatic and terrestrial animals.
These objects as well as other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 84002 (1931-04-01), Smith
patent: 192595 (1877-07-01), Palen et al.
patent: D. 231371 (1974-04-01), Willinger et al.
patent: D. 232036 (1974-07-01), Willinger et al.
patent: 1576462 (1926-03-01), Polzin
patent: 1943417 (1934-01-01), Bringman
patent: 2059927 (1936-11-01), Beck
patent: 2512678 (1950-06-01), Rice
patent: 3653357 (1972-04-01), Sheidlower et al.
patent: 3687110 (1972-08-01), Braunhut
patent: 3791346 (1974-02-01), Willinger et al.
patent: 3903844 (1975-09-01), Greenia
patent: 3921583 (1975-11-01), De Shores
patent: 3991715 (1976-11-01), Gibson, Jr.
patent: 3994262 (1976-11-01), Suchowski et al.
patent: 5067439 (1991-11-01), Hand
patent: 5082000 (1992-01-01), Picha et al.
patent: 5083528 (1992-01-01), Strong
patent: 5092269 (1992-03-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5186122 (1993-02-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5357903 (1994-10-01), Rivera
patent: 5664524 (1997-09-01), Piglia et al.
patent: 5664525 (1997-09-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5799611 (1998-09-01), Park
Garvin, Jr. John C.
Jordan Charles T.
Nelson Judith A.
Waddey & Patterson , P.C.
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