Metaframe Corporation

Donald James Rodemeyer

John Eugene Hruby

A novel integrated aquarium is disclosed wherein all of the necessary mechanical functions (air pump, lighting, heating) are located in a compartment provided as part of the aquarium base and those components particularly subject to mechanical failure are mounted in a slide-out drawer provided as part of said base so that they may be more easily repaired or replaced. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, an incandescent light bulb located in said base furnishes both light and heat to the aquarium and is controlled by a thermal sensor with a manual lamp socket over-ride switch provided. To facilitate removal of the air pump for maintenance and possible replacement, the air supply tube leading from the air pump to a sparger/riser tube assembly associated with an undergravel filter is removably connectable to a passageway communicating with said sparger/riser tube by means of a rubber air cup. A one-way check valve is provided as part of said sparger/riser assembly to prevent backflow of water into said compartment. The preferred embodiment disclosed is of an especially pleasing aesthetic hexagonal design and has a thin, unobstructive cover instead of the usual bulky light reflector hood mounted on the aquarium top.

Integrated aquarium

An animal habitat includes an exercise wheel simulating the drive wheel on a steam-powered locomotive; protuberances on the exercise wheel strike a trip wire which swings a locomotive bell and an idler disc connects the exercise wheel to simulate locomotive running wheels which may be suitably decorated to produce an effect pleasing to the eye when the running wheels are rotated by the exercise wheel which, in turn, may be rotated by an animal housed in the habitat.

Aminated animal habitat

Platform is provided with an opening in which a hollow cylindrical member is mounted. The cylindrical member includes an opening for admitting a small animal to the platform and carries a post on which a dome is rotatably mounted with its encompassing sidewall coacting with the platform to cage the animal. The dome carries food compartments depending to a position closely adjacent the platform. An opening in the bottom of each food compartment permits food to be dropped onto the platform beneath the compartment in a position such that the animal must push against the compartment to rotate the dome and expose the food.

Rotatable feeder for animals

Revolvable, hollow spheroid has a pair of tubes communicating with its interior 180.degree. apart. The free ends of the tubes may be closed with caps to prevent the animal from escaping. A housing mount rotatably mounts the spheroid and serves as an access opening for an animal of the rodent type. The animal may rotate the spheroid by running on its inner surface or by entering one of the tubes. The housing mount includes a fitting for connecting the spheroid to a tube communicating with an animal cage.

Animal activity apparatus

Edible material is dispersed in a pad of nesting material. The pad may be placed in a container housing an animal, such as a bird or a rodent, so that the animal may discover food when it pulls tufts of nesting material from the pad.

Growing community of inventors

City Island, NY, United States of America

Donald James Rodemeyer