Abstract
The preferred embodiment of the inventive lid has parallel primary layers separated by a plurality of longitudinal supports. The primary layers and supports are preferably constructed from a clear polycarbonate. Side-by-side supports create a plurality of longitudinal cells. An LED light system is operably configured to pass light through the lower primary section into the aquarium.
Claims
1. An enclosure lid, comprising: an upper primary layer; a lower primary layer; a plurality of longitudinal supports for rigidly securing the upper layer to the lower layer and forming a plurality of cells therebetween; and a LED strip light operably positioned within at least one of the plurality of cells for generating light capable of passing through the lower primary layer to illuminate the interior of the enclosure.
2. The lid of claim 1, wherein: the LED strip is operably positioned within more than one of the cells.
3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower primary layers further comprise: at least two distinct front and back sections positioned in close proximity to one another; and hinge means operably attached to the back section for pivotally securing the front section to the back section.
4. The lid of claim 3, further comprising: securing means for securing the back section to a rim of the aquarium in a stationary manner thereby enabling the unsecured front section to pivot between an open and closed position.
5. The lid of claim 4, further comprising: at least one middle section interpositioned between the front and back sections; and the hinge means enables the front or back section to pivot between an open and closed position.
6. The lid of claim 1, wherein: the LED strip is a SMD LED.
7. The lid of claim 6, wherein: the SMD LED strip is either a 3528 or 505 configuration.
8. The lid of claim 1, wherein: the SMD LED strip produces daylight white light.
9. The lid of claim 1, wherein: the SMD LED strip produces RGB colored light.
10. The lid of claim 1, wherein: the SMD LED strip produces high intensity light well-suited for saltwater aquarium applications.
11. An aquarium lid, comprising: an upper primary layer and a lower primary layer joined to the upper primary layer forming at least one cell interpositioned between the upper and lower layers; and an LED strip light operably positioned within the at least one cell to generate light capable of passing through the lower primary layer to illuminate the interior of the aquarium.
12. The lid of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of longitudinal supports for joining the upper and lower primary layers to form a plurality of cells, and the LED strip light is installed within a plurality of the cells.
13. The lid of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower primary layers further comprise: at least two distinct left and right sections positioned in close proximity to one another; and hinge means operably attached to the at least two left and right sections for enabling the left or right section to pivot with respect to the other.
14. The lid of claim 13, further comprising: securing means for securing the left or right section to a rim of the aquarium in a stationary manner thereby enabling the unsecured left or right section to pivot with respect to the stationary section.
15. The lid of claim 14, further comprising: at least one middle section positioned between the left and right sections; and the hinge means further comprises a left hinge for pivotally securing either the left or right section to the at least one middle section.
16. The lid of claim 15, further comprising: securing means for securing at least one of the left, right, or middle sections to the rim of an aquarium.
17. The lid of claim 11, further comprising: remote means for wireless control of the color hue and intensity including duration.
18. The lid of claim 17, wherein the remote means is: a smart phone with enabled software for automatic control.
19. The lid of claim 11, wherein: the LED strip is a SMD LED.
20. The lid of claim 19, wherein: the SMD LED strip is either a 3528 or 505 configuration.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings:
[0040] FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a primary, preferably upper, layer of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 is an elevated view of a primary, preferably lower, layer of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the preferred spaced apart parallel alignment of the primary layers of FIGS. 1 and 2 joined together with support walls forming a plurality of cells.
[0043] FIG. 4 is bottom view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. A-B.
[0044] FIGS. 5 is an enlarged end view taken along section line 5-5 in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 4.
[0045] FIGS. 6 & 7 are enlarged end views of the slices designated by the transverse lines 6-6 and 7-7 of FIG. 4 respectively.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hinged alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 15.
[0047] FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views of the alternate embodiment show in in FIG. 8 and C illustrating the closed (planar) position (FIG. 9), and open (angled) position (FIG. 10).
[0048] FIGS. 11 and 12 are ends views of the primary layers formed from a single sheet bent approximately in half (FIG. 11); and formed as a single rectangular flattened box (FIG. 12) each with a single cell.
[0049] FIGS. 13 and 14 are elevated perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-3.
[0050] FIG. 15 is an elevated perspective view of a preferred embodiment shown in communication with an aquarium style vivarium.
[0051] FIG. 16A is an elevated perspective photograph of the lid shown in communication with an empty fish tank enclosure.
[0052] FIG. 16B is an elevated perspective photograph of the lid shown in communication with side-by-side fish tank enclosures.
[0053] FIG. 17 is front planar photograph of the inventive lid with a hinge line, but without the lighting system described and claimed herein.
[0054] FIGS. 18 and 19 are elevated perspective photographs of the edge of the inventive lid illustrating the plurality of cells in which the preferred embodiment of the lighting system is installed.
[0055] FIGS. 20-33 illustrate some of the preferred embodiments of the SMD LED lighting system of the inventive lid.
[0056] FIG. 20 is an elevated perspective photograph of a spool of the preferred led strip lighting in daylight (cool) white with power supply.
[0057] FIG. 21 is an elevated perspective photograph of a spool of the preferred led strip lighting in RGB color with multiple power supplies.
[0058] FIG. 22 is an elevated perspective view of the power supplies of FIGS. 20 and 21
[0059] FIG. 23 is an enlarged top view of a strip portion of the preferred SMD LED spools of FIGS. 20 and 21.
[0060] FIG. 24 is an elevated perspective photograph collage of the RGB color emissions from the single spool of FIG. 21.
[0061] FIG. 25A is an elevated perspective photograph of an embodiment of a remote control for use with the inventive lighting system portion of the inventive lid.
[0062] FIG. 25B is a representative color triangle illustrating how the color hue variations are achieved by the electronics for the remote of FIG. 25A and SMD LED of FIGS. 23 and 21.
[0063] FIGS. 26R, 26G, 26B, 26Y and 26W are elevated close-up photographs of the RBG powered SMD LED of FIGS, 21, 23, and 25A-25B.
[0064] FIGS. 27-33 are elevated perspective photographs of the preferred lighting system installed within the inventive lid. The strip SMD LED could be attached directly to the outer surface of the inventive lid, such as the lowermost surface of the bottom primary layer, with a suitable adhesive or mechanical mounting structure to prevent detachment of the lighting strip from the lid as shown in FIG. 27.
[0065] Other preferred, alternate, and/or equivalent embodiments to those shown in the figures are contemplated within the scope of the present invention as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0066] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a primary layer is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The primary layer has an edge 12 and primary surface 14. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates the use of two (2) primary layers in communication with each other. A second primary layer designated by the reference numeral 20 (FIG. 2) has an edge 22, primary surface 24, a plurality of vents (shown as apertures) 26 with aperture boundary 28. The primary layers 10 and 20, as well as the surfaces 14 and 24, can be formed in a single piece of material such as a rectangular section of polycarbonate bent or formed to have a pair of substantially parallel surfaces held in the proper alignment by a support (see FIGS. 11 and 12 discussed in more detail below) like that discussed with respect to FIG. 3.
[0067] With reference to FIG. 3, a preferred arrangement of a primary layer 10 and primary layer 20 is shown. As viewed from an edge 12 and 22, a plurality of supports 30 form a right angle with the preferred primary layers 10 and 20 top keep them in a spaced apart relationship defining a plurality of cells 32. The size and configuration of the cells may all be the same, or vary. Similarly, the supports may be diagonal supports (30-D) for added strength with respect to the upper and lower primary layers (see FIG. 3.).
[0068] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, a lower primary layer 20 is illustrated. Section cut line 5-5 corresponds to FIG. 5. Slices 6-6 and 7-7 correspond similarly to FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively. The supports walls of FIGS. 4-7 are visible through the lower primary layer surface 24 indicating it is preferably translucent, and the longitudinal supports span the length of the lid sections, however, the longitudinal supports may just as easily run transverse to the length of the lid sections, and such orientation is well within the scope of the present invention (see FIG. 8). FIGS. 5-7 representatively illustrate a plurality of supports 30 defining a plurality of cells 32. The vent apertures 26 (vents) are shown with boundary walls 28 defining the size of the vent. The vents 26 may span the width of the cells, or any other dimension.
[0069] With reference to FIGS. 9-12 and 13-15 and the elevated perspectives views thereof, supports 30 separate an upper primary layer 10 and lower primary layer 20 (FIG. 15). Supports 30 may not form a right angle with the upper or lower primary layers as viewed from the edges 12 and 22 thereof. Cells 32 are illustrated as longitudinal because the supports 30 are longitudinal ribs that span the length of the primary layers. Lower primary layer 20 has a lowermost underside surface 24 that contacts the rim 52 of the empty fish tank (aquarium) designated by the reference numeral 50. Rim 52 has a protruding lip or ledge 54 on which a portion of the underside surface 24 rests.
[0070] In FIG. 15 the preferred embodiment shown therein comprises more than one section, e.g., left and right sections, or front and back sections depending upon the point of reference. Three or more sections are also within the scope of the present invention. For ease of reference, the elevated section opens the vivarium to reveal the inside 70 and plants 80 growing therein. Heat source 60 is adjacent an uppermost surface 14 and a hinge 40 (more readily visible in FIGS. 8-10). Of course, while the hinge is not mandatory, the use of a hinge helps establish the proper gap spacing 34 (FIG. 10), and maintain multiple sections in proper alignment when opened and closed during use.
[0071] With reference to FIGS. 16A-16B and 17, a fish tank enclosure is designated generally by the reference numeral 2 having rim 52. An alternate embodiment of the inventive lid is designated generally by the reference numeral 400 and will be used in combination of the remaining Figures to fully illustrate the inventive lid outfitted with an illuminating system described below in its preferred embodiments. Similar to the earlier Figures (FIGS. 1-12), lid 400 is shown having a top primary layer 10 with uppermost surface 14 and optional hinge 40 enabling the left or right, front or back, section to pivot between an open and closed position. With reference to FIGS. 18-19, lid 400 has spaced apart primary layers 410 and 420 held in rigid communication with one another by a plurality of longitudinal supports 430 defining cells 408 in which the preferred lighting system is installed (FIGS. 20-24).
[0072] With reference to FIGS. 20-24, spools of led strip lighting designated generally by the reference numerals 100 and 200 are shown (FIGS. 20 and 21). The preferred SMD LED lighting resembles a long tape 102 and 202. For ease of reference, LED tap 102 is a daylight or cool white, and tape 202 is Red-Green-Blue (RGB) capable of virtually infinite colors production. Power supplies 104 and 204 (also shown in FIG. 22), include power box 106 and 206, power cord 108 and 208 fitted with a household plug 110 and 210. Opposite the cord 108 and 208 is wiring harness 107 (FIGS. 22), 112 and 212 (FIGS. 20 and 21) configured to operably engage the SMD LED strip lighting as shown schematically in FIG. 23. Wiring harness 112 (and 212) power the LED segment designated general y by the reference numeral 300 in FIG. 23. LED segment 300 includes a plurality of diodes 302 and resistors 304. The diodes 302 are preferably surface mounted diodes (SMD LED) variety of either the 3528 or 5050 configurations. Pin connectors 216 (FIGS. 21 and 23) are used to operably interconnect individual strips of LED tap. End cap 306 closes the end of the strip 300.
[0073] With reference to FIGS. 28-33, the LED strip 300 is installed within the longitudinal cell 408 formed by the spaced apart primary layers 410 and 420 and held in rigid alignment with supports 430. The LED strip is also flexible and capable of spanning a hinged joint 406 (FIG. 29).
[0074] For sophisticated applications, as in the saltwater aquarium or sunrise to sunset automated control of the color hues by a smart phone application as the remote, where colors changes and the timing variability (duration) thereof are virtually infinite, the inventive lid may use wireless remote such as a smart phone with automated software control. With reference to FIGS. 21, 24 25A-25B, and 26R, 26G, 26B, 26Y, and 26W, the LED strip 300 of the RGB variety 302 (or other variety such as that shown as 102 of FIG. 20) is controlled by a remote designated generally by the reference numeral 218 powered by batteries 220. Of course, the remote may be replaced with a smart phone remote capability and maintain the same function of controlling ON/OFF, Brightness, and visual effects such as flash (218FL), strobe (218ST), fade (218FA), and smooth (218SM) of FIG. 25A. Of course, all of the Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Cyan, and Magenta (R, G, B, Y, C, M, respectively of FIGS. 25A and 25B are controllable. The graphic shown as FIG. 25B, designated generally by the reference BYGMRC indicates the nature of the electronic control to alter the color hues. To increase red R, the electronics will decrease cyan C, or increase magenta M and yellow Y. Similarly, for the electrics to decrease green G, an increase of magenta M, or decrease of cyan C and yellow Y can have the same result as they are related. FIGS. 26R, 26G, 26B, 26Y and 26Y depicts the colors emitted by the same LED strip installed within the inventive lid 400. Each Figure shows a plurality of diodes 302 and color B, Y, G, R, or W. Of course, in a less preferred, but useful embodiment, the LED strip 300 is attached to the surface of the lid 400 with an adhesive (not shown in this view) or a plurality of mounting brackets 450 (only one shown) (see FIG. 27).
