US1576462A - Fish bridge - Google Patents

Description

March 9* 1926.

H. A. POLZIN v FISH BRIDGE Filed Feb. 4, l92 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mmm@ March 9 1926.Y

H. A. POLZIN FI SH BRIDGE Filed Feb. 4. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIN Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

HEBIIAN A. POLZIN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FISH BRIDGE.

Application led February 4, 1924. Serial No. 690,472.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN A. PonzrN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Fish Bridge, of Which the following is a description.

My invention relates to improvements in a fish bridge, which may be used for ornamental or advertising purposes in connection with aquariums. The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described, which is simple, attractive, ornamental, efficient and satisfactory for use Wherever found applicable. More particularly it lhas as an object the production of a novel bridge and supporting means therefor as well as cooperating means for facilitating the handling of the bridge,

and iilling the same with water or removing the Water therefrom. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given. 4

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more partiqularly pointed out in the claims:

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: Y.

' Fig. 1 is a plan viewof one form of my improved bridge and supporting means therefor;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fi 3 is a sectional view illustrating in detai vthe supporting means;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portionof one of the legs of the bridge provided with the cap for filling;

lmay be Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig'. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of another.

type of bridge; and"y Fig. 7 is an elevation of bridge.

In one embodiment of my invention shown, 1 and 2 represent receptacles, bowls, or a ua'riums of suitable size, shape and materia and provided with such accessories as desired and that are usually found another form of l Connecting the two receptacles is a bridge 3 which is provided with two legs 4 adaptllent means for the purpose.

rod 12, one at ed to be positioned one in each receptacle below the water level, the connecting portion between the legs being of such form or vshape as is desired. `In use the bridge is filled and contains water so that there is formed a water bridge or connection between the two receptacles through which the lish may pass over.

In the particular type of bridge shown in Figs. l and 2, a loop 5 is formed between the two legs thereby increasing vthe distance of travel between the two aquariums and producing an attractive appearance.

I have provided suitable means to support the bridge and prevent its tilting, falling over or dropping too far in the water. The support should be so constructed that it does not close the top of the receptacle any more than necessary, but will permit exposure of the water in the receptacle to the air.

A very simple, attractive and convenient adjustable su port is shown and illustrated in Fig. 3. s shown, I provide a clamp consisting of cooperating and similar mat ing members 7 and 8, which may be secured together by bolts or screws 10, or equiva- The two members are arranged to tit the legs 4 and correspond in contour with the contour of the leg. If desired, and it is generally preferred, there may be provided a rubber or like gasket 11 on each clamp so as to give a good tit and prevent sliding of the clamp on the leg. I have shown each clamp part provided with a socket 9,' in which may be inserted a each side. Each rod 12, as shown, has a threaded engagement in the part 9 so that it will be securely locked in lace. It is also shown with an enlarged end v13, the two arms and ends being covered as indicated at 14 and 15 with a rubber composition, or like covering tending to cushion the saineas well as tending to prevent displacement and also give an attractive finish.

or slight adjustments the arms 12 may be screwed in or out. For greater adjustments, longer or- 'shorter arms may be substituted or the longer arms cut of. This imroved clamp may, be firmly secured to the ridge without danger or injury to the bridge and may be set on the receptacle at the mouth with the arms resting on the top without danger of chipping or injuring the globe.

The knobs 15 tend l to maintain the bridge against displacement as they los engage with the outer edge of the receptacle or globe at the mouth preventing the bridge from being shifted laterally. They may be adjusted on the legs 4 so that the legs project into the Water only to the desired extent.

To facilitate filling the bridge with Water at such times as may be desired, as for example when changing the water in the aquarium, I provide caps 16 preferably of soft rubber and with the flange 17 adapted to fit over the end of the leg. In this manner the bridge may be completely filled with water and the ends capped and inserted in the receptacles below the water level without losing any Water and then the caps removed. I .have shown each of the caps provided with a lug 18 having a hole 19 therethrough so that a string or the like may be employed to `secure the cap to the bridge or to the end of one of the arms 12 or to permit-its being hung up. The caps are onl employed when it is desired to remove tie bridge or to replace it, at other times the ends of the bridge being open.

I have shown in Fig. 6 how more than two aquariums may be connected by a single brid e. In this case 20 represents the depen ing legs adapted to project into the Water in the aquarium and 21 the connecting portions. Of course, a plurality of aquariums may be `connected by bridges similar to that shown in Fig. 7 or in Figs. 1 and 2, and while I have shown three connected by a single bridge, obviously any number may be so connected.

In Fig. 7 I have shown two bridges 6, both connecting two aquariums, that is, the two bridges give four openings, two to each aquarium. This permits the use of smaller size aquarium bowls with the maximum amount of water. While I have only shown two bridges so arranged, obviously there may be one or as many as may be accommodated. The large size aquarium bowls are expensive, more inconvenient to handle, and generally more easily broken, so that by being able to use smallerA bowls, breakage of the larger bowls is eliminated. While using two smaller bowls to contain the same amount of water as the 'larger one, the addition of the tubes-increases the water capaci of the aquarium. Where the plurality o tubes is used, the double effect is particularly artistic and pleasing, and adds to the entertainment.

When the bridges are in position, the fish pass from one aquarium to the other, frequently stopping in the bridge, and apparently enjoying it. Sometimes they will chase each other back and forth, and the device is an entertaining novelty as well asl a particularly convenient and useful article, for by means ofthe bridge it is a simple `matter to change the water in the receptacles by causing the fish to pass into the other without handling them. It also enables the water to be changed at dierent times in the different aquariums rather than a complete change at one time, 'as is the case where only one aquarium is used. The water is therefore kept more or less in an average condition rather than marked changes from old to fresh water. Obviously, a tube may contain water with some air space and with the fish in the tube, so that. when the caps are placed over the open ends, the tube can be handled and carried about and put in any desirable place for amusement. This makes in reality a sealed aquarium. It should also be noted that with the tubes, in warm weather, instead of changing the water in the bowl or bowls, fresh Water may be put in the tube or tubes. The cold Water in the tubes tends to flisplace the Warmer water. in the bowls, which goes up into the tubes. This is particularly noticeable as upon a hot day in replacing or replenishingthe water in a tube, the fish will travel up into the cool, fresh water. It goes without saying that such ornamental background may be employed with the aquarium as desired, and thereby adding to the artistic appearance of the device.

The tubes are not difiicult to clean. I have found them easily cleaned by filling a cloth bag with ground lead or the like and sliding it back and forth in the tube, thereby thoroughly cleanin the same.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modiH- cations ma be made in the same without departing om the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construetion, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having a. bore ltherethrough adapted to be filled with water, the open ends of said lpipe being down-turned and adapted to project into a water-filled receptacle, and means on the turned down ends for supporting the bridge and permitting vertical adjustment of the bridge with respect to the receptacle.

2. In combination with a pair of waterfilled receptacles adapted to contain fish, a sh bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having one end projecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles and the other end projecting into the liquid in the other of said rece tacles, and through which lish may travel om one receptacle to the other,

Vand detachable caps for the ends of said pipe.

3. In combination with a pair of waterfilled receptaclesadapted to contain sh, a

Uli

of said ends projecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles and the other end projecting into the liquid in the other receptacle, and through which fish may travel from one receptacle tothe other, and means clamped on said ends land adjustable thereon'for supporting (he pipe, said clamps provided with arms of a'leugth to overlie the tops of the receptacle. f

4. In combination with a pair of waterilled receptacles adapted to contain fish, a fish bridge connecting said receptacles and adapted to be filled with water, said bridge comprising a hollow transparent glass pipe having removable caps for its open ends, Ione of said ends projecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles and the other end projecting into the liquid in the lother receptacle, and through which fish may travel from one receptacle to the other, and means arranged on said pipe for maintaining said bridge in place, consisting of clamping memberssadjustably secured on the pipe adjacent each end `thereof provided with laterally extending arms of a length to overlie the edges of the receptacles at the mouth thereof, and constructed to engage at said edges and be thereby secured against lateral displacement.

5. In combination with a plurality of water-filled receptacles adapted to contain fish, i

a fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having more than two legs projecting into the liquid in the receptacles, and means for supporting the bridge and permitting vertical adjustment of the bridge with respect .to the receptacles.

6. In combination with a plurality of water-filled receptacles adapted to contain fish, a fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having one end projecting into the liquid in one, 'of said receptacles and another end projecting into the said receptacles, and means clamped on the bridge for supporting the bridge and permitting vertical adjustment, of the bridge with respect to the receptacles.'

In testimony. whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

. HERMAN A. PoLzIN.

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