AU2006100945A4 - External (garden) tap guard - Google Patents

Description

08/08/2006 15:49 0000000000 GARRY AND JLLIEADJMD PAGE 03

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT EXTERNAL (GARDEN) TAP GUARD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: lof 13- COMS ID No: SBMI-05245111 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:18 Date 2006-11-03 08/00/2008 15:49 0800000060 GARRY AND JLLIEADJMD PAGE 04 EXTERNAL (GARDEN) TAP GUARD For many years Australia and other parts of the world has been o responding to climate change and water scarcity. This invention was Z created in response to my children constantly playing with and turning the water on from the external garden taps located around our home, s which added to the misuse and waste of water.

The External (Garden) Tap Guards was specifically designed to provide a method of securing the external tap on all types of buildings including, but not limited to; homes, units, industrial buildings, sporting and o recreational grounds, schools, child minding facilities, daycares, caravan 0 o parks, motels, hotels, nursing homes, retirement villages, other buildings INC and structures with external taps including recreational motor vehicles o and industrial vehicles or equipment where an external tap is fitted and 0 unobacured from any other mechanism to lock or prevent unauthorised use of the tap.

The External (Garden) Tap Guard can in accordance with this invention, comprises a device which slides over the standard external garden tap and seals the tap lever inside the device whilst covering the tap spout and or hose screw-on thread. A locking bolt is then inserted through the device aQ and locked accordingly with a padlock (not supplied and purchased from most retail outlets). Once locked, the tap is no longer able to be turned on or off and the tap fittings (screw on devices for attachment of hoses etc.) also becomes protected from removal.

The External (Garden) Tap Guard is adaptable for two different tap handle heights, as the locking bolt may be locked either through the top holes or lower holes as shown in diagram 2 detailing the side view and photograph 2 detailing the locking bolt on the prototype.

3o This revolutionary device assists people in limiting the unauthorised use of water from external taps located on buildings and equipment and also has the added benefit of being able to secure and lock a tap that is on as it will protect the current flow of water through the tap. If a certain volume of water usage is required or preferred through an external tap, this mechanism can secure the tap and prevent any unauthorised person from changing the water flow, as the tap handle is secured and locked under the device.

The External (Garden) Tap Guard can be easily removed or placed on the tap by sliding the open end of the device over the tap and then secured by placing the locking bolt through the allocated holes on the side of the -2 of 13 COMB ID No: SBMI-05245111 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:18 Date 2006-11-03 08/08/2006 15:49 0000000000 GARRY AND JULIEADJMD PAGE O device and then placing a padlock into the bolt. It allows generic locks to 0 be placed on the External (Garden) Tap Guard for buildings, businesses or equipment that may have a number of external taps requiring securing.

o In this instance the same key can be keyed for all padlocks securing the Z device at the same site or location.

0 The External (Garden) Tap Guard is preferably made of an ultraviolet (UV) rated injection mould plastic so it is lightweight, water and UV In resistant and is suitable for domestic application, whilst the locking bolt is l o made from galvanised steel. The "Guard" may also be made of a light Smetal, galvanised steel or brass and is suitable for commercial 0 applications, as the heavier material of steel is more robust and less likely to be subjected to tampering from unauthorised users in remote or 0 isolated areas where the Tap Guard has been fitted.

The External (Garden) Tap Guard may be better understood with reference to the diagrams 1-5 and embodiments of the invention as well as the photographs 1-3 detailing the use of a prototype on an external domestic garden tap which:- Diagram 1 is a front elevation of the External (Garden) Tap Guard.

Diagram 2 and 3 are the left and right side elevations of the External (Garden) Tap Guard detailing the two positioning holes for the locking bolt.

Diagram 4 is a rear elevation of the External (Garden) Tap Guard Diagram 5 is a plan elevation detailing the closed top.

Photograph 1 is a standard external tap without the External (Garden) Tap Guard 'prototype' attached.

Photograph 2 is a standard external tap with the External (Garden) Tap Guard 'prototype' fitted. The Guard completely seals the tap handle and also provides protection for any fitted tap fittings, either screw-on or click-on). The locking bolt slides under the tap mechanism and allows the user to place a padlock on the locking bolt to secure both the tap and any attachments to the tap spout or outlet.

Photograph 3 is a side elevation of a standard external tap with the External (Garden) Tap Guard 'prototype' fitted.

-3 of13 COMS ID No: SBMI-05245111 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:18 Date 2006-11-03

Claims (4)

1. The External (Garden) Tap Guard slides over the tap and provides z a method to lock an external water tap either in the closed or open position and reduces any tampering or unauthorised use of water o from the tap.

2. The External (Garden) Tap Guard can as claimed in claim 1, slide over the tap spout or outlet and any fittings that may be attached Q (screw-on or click-on devices for attachment of hoses etc.) and o reduces tampering or removal of both the tap and any attached o fittings on the tap spout or outlet. o3. The External (Garden) Tap Guard as claimed in 1 and 2, is easily ci 5 adaptable for different height levels of tap handles, as it has two tap height settings for the locking bolt to secure the tap, as it provides a locking bolt which slides under the base of the tap mechanism and allows the user to place a padlock on the locking bolt to secure both the tap and any attachments to the tap spout or outlet as illustrated in photographs 1, 2 and

3. The device has the added advantage of being able to be keyed alike for larger applications as padlocks can be master keyed or have identical locking keys.

4. The External (Garden) Tap Guard can according to claims 1-3 wherein the Guard is made of injection mould plastic for domestic use and steel, metal or brass for industrial use. The External (Garden) Tap Guard can substantially herein before described with reference to diagrams 1-5 of the accompanying drawings and photographs 1-3. Geert Slik 2 November 2006 (Name of Applicant) (Date) -4of 13 COMS ID No: SBMI-05245111 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:18 Date 2006-11-03