Patent US2460789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6415535B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circulating fluid amusement device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-07-10
•
Granted: 2002-07-09
•
Expires: 2021-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A fluid filled novelty amusement device with a magnetic impeller 9 driven by an electric motor 16 , through a magnetic couple created between a magnetic rotor 15 and the magnetic impeller 9 , that provides forced circulating fluid 3 flow that entrains and disperses ornamental particles 2 throughout a transparent enclosure 1 to provide viewing entertainment.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. White
- 👤 Patricia E. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device that comprises: a) an enclosure with an opening, said enclosure substantially transparent; b) a fluid substantially filling said enclosure; c) a base attached to said enclosure to seal said opening, said base having a first housing and a second housing, said first housing sealed from said second housing; d) at least one suction port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; e) at least one discharge port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; f) a first magnet disposed in said first housing; g) a second magnet rotatably mounted in said second housing, said second magnet closely spaced and aligned to said first magnet to form a magnetic couple; and h) a drive mechanism disposed in said second housing, said drive mechanism connected to said second magnet to rotate said second magnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device that comprises: a) an enclosure with an opening, said enclosure substantially transparent; b) a fluid substantially filling said enclosure; c) a base attached to said enclosure to seal said opening, said base having a first housing and a second housing, said first housing sealed from said second housing; d) at least one suction port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; e) at least one discharge port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; f) a first magnet disposed in said first housing; g) a second magnet rotatably mounted in said second housing, said second magnet closely spaced and aligned to said first magnet to form a magnetic couple; and h) a drive mechanism disposed in said second housing, said drive mechanism connected to said second magnet to rotate said second magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device as described in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of particles disposed in said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device as described in claim 1 wherein said first magnet is rotatably mounted in said first housing.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for circulating fluid in an amusement device comprising: a. rotating a first magnet in a second housing with a drive mechanism connected to said first magnet; b. forming a magnetic couple between said first magnet and a second magnet disposed in a first housing to cause said second magnet to rotate, said first housing sealed from said second housing, said first housing and said second housing forming a base; c. suctioning fluid from a substantially transparent enclosure though an inlet port into said first housing; and d. pumping fluid from said first housing through an outlet port into said enclosure, said enclosure and said base connected together to form a fluid tight boundary.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for circulating fluid in an amusement device comprising: a. rotating a first magnet in a second housing with a drive mechanism connected to said first magnet; b. forming a magnetic couple between said first magnet and a second magnet disposed in a first housing to cause said second magnet to rotate, said first housing sealed from said second housing, said first housing and said second housing forming a base; c. suctioning fluid from a substantially transparent enclosure though an inlet port into said first housing; and d. pumping fluid from said first housing through an outlet port into said enclosure, said enclosure and said base connected together to form a fluid tight boundary.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as described in claim 4 further comprising entraining particles in said fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device that comprises: a) an enclosure with an opening, said enclosure substantially transparent; b) a fluid substantially filling said enclosure; c) a base attached to said enclosure to seal said opening, said base having a first housing and a second housing, said first housing sealed from said second housing; d) at least one suction port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; p 1 e) at least one discharge port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; f) an impeller disposed in said first housing, said impeller having a plurality of magnetic poles; g) a rotor rotatably mounted in said second housing, said rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles, said rotor closely spaced and aligned to said impeller to form a plurality of magnetic couples; and h) a drive mechanism disposed in said second housing, said drive mechanism connected to said rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device that comprises: a) an enclosure with an opening, said enclosure substantially transparent; b) a fluid substantially filling said enclosure; c) a base attached to said enclosure to seal said opening, said base having a first housing and a second housing, said first housing sealed from said second housing; d) at least one suction port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; p 1 e) at least one discharge port allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said first housing; f) an impeller disposed in said first housing, said impeller having a plurality of magnetic poles; g) a rotor rotatably mounted in said second housing, said rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles, said rotor closely spaced and aligned to said impeller to form a plurality of magnetic couples; and h) a drive mechanism disposed in said second housing, said drive mechanism connected to said rotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device as described in claim 6 wherein said impeller is rotatably mounted in said first housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved fluid filled amusement device as described in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of particles disposed in said enclosure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6282820B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |