Patent · US Expired

Fish and marine mammal observatory featuring a carousel that moves within a sealed aquatic environment

US6128863A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
25References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 24, 1999
Grant dateOct 10, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE04H3/06
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A fish and marine mammal aquatic observatory. The observatory comprises an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall that define an enclosed annular volume. The inner cylindrical wall is formed of a transparent material, e.g., glass or reinforced plastic. The enclosed annular volume is partially filled with a body of sea water that includes fish and marine mammal animals and other aquatic plants. The observatory further includes a carousel or platform supported on a tower located along a longitudinal axis of the observatory. An outer diameter of the carousel substantially abuts the inner cylindrical wall of the observatory. The carousel is accessible to participants when located at a first or upper position above the enclosed annular volume of water. A lift mechanism moves the carousel from the first, upper position to a second, lower position within the enclosed annular volume of water. As the carousel moves between the first and second positions, it is also rotated to afford viewers a panoramic, substantially 360.degree. view of the enclosed aquatic environment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.