GB2222766A

GB2222766A - Bath plug release mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2222766A
Application number: GB8821590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Errol Philmore Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-15
Filing date: 1988-09-15
Publication date: 1990-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-15
Also published as: GB8821590D0; GB2222766B

Abstract

A bath plug release mechanism comprises a vessel 1 connectable to bath plug P and locatable below bath overflow 3 and having a valve element 4 mounted above an aperture in its base, and a duct 2 surrounding the vessel and provided with spring-loaded ball retaining members 6b which are engageable with lugs 6a on the exterior surface of the vessel, the arrangement being such that when the vessel is filled with water from the overflow to an extent such that its weight overcomes the restraining force of the spring-loaded ball retaining members, the vessel descends thereby raising the bath plug and on reaching the bottom of the duct, valve element 4 lifts to allow discharge of water. Overfilling of the bath is thereby prevented. <IMAGE>

Description

BATH PLUG SAFETY RELEASE THIS INVENTION relates to a safety release arrangement for the plug of bath to prevent the bath being filled to overflowing.

It is commonplace in a domestic bath to provide an overflow outlet spaced a few inches below the level of the rim of bath. However, flow through the overflow is general purely by gravity, and unless the overflow outlet is particularly large it cannot cope with the water arriving through the bath taps turned full on.

Thus, it is not uncommon for the bath taps to be turned on, and left to fill the bath, overpowering the effect of the overflow orifice, and leading to eventual overflow of the bath and damage to the floor and in many cases fabric of the building.

This problem is exacerbated in use since overflow pipes, being only occasionally used, and predominantly carrying water from the upper liquid surface, become restricted in flow.

The present invention sets out to provide a device which. if the bath is overfilled, operates to release the bath plug whereby both the overflow and the outlet of the bath are available to drain off excess water.

The invention consists in a bath plug safety release arrangement comprising: a vertical duct for placement generally beneath the bath overflow; a vessel movable within the duct and having an open mouth at the top and a valve closure seated by gravity over an aperture at the base, the valve possessing a stem extending through the aperture; restraint means holding the vessel with its open mouth upwards for placement beneath the overflow and held by means capable of releasing the vessel for descent under gravity when the combined weight of vessel and contents exceeds a predetermined weight; and a linkage from the vessel for attachment to the bath plug this being operable to raise the plug when the vessel descends under gravity.

If desired, the mouth of the vessel may be transversely spaced from the overflow in use so as not to receive low velosity overflow.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in diagrammatic vertical cross section one embodimeNt of such equipment.

The equipment shown basically comprises an elongate vertical vessel 1 moveable within an elongate vertical duct 2, the bottom end 2a of which duct 2 is attached to the drainage system and the other end of which is to be fed by the normal bath overflow 3. At the bottom of the elongate vessel 1 is a gravity operated valve 4 with a stem 4a extending beneath the vessel 1. This internal vessel 1 is guided along the walls of the duct 2 by guides 5 in which lug Sa on the vessel are guided.

Towards the top of the vessel, lugs 6a are held above spring loaded ball retaining members 6b. When the vessel 1 is in its upper position (in relation to the duct 2) pressure exerted downwardly upon the vessel 1 is initially resisted by the spring loading at 6b but is thereafter overcome and thus allows for sudden movement.

The vessel 1 itself is connected to the bath plug P in the embodiment shown, by virtue of a chain 7 or similar flexible attachment which fixes to the plug P and which is of a length such that when the vessel 1 is in its lower position the plug cannot plug the outlet.

As shown in the Figure, the vessel 1 is located in normal use with its mouth 8 just below the level of the overflow 3.

The device operates as follows. When the plug P is inserted and the taps turned on full, the water rises towards the overflow level 3. Normally, the taps would be turned off before the overflow is reached. However.

if by inadvertance no one attends to the bath the water will reach the overflow and start to run through the overflow 3. If, as is usually the case, the overflow ?a is not large enough to cope with a full flow of water arriving through the taps, the level of water in the vessel will continue to rise past the over low.

Eventually, vessel 1 will fill with water, and become heavy enough to overcome the restraining action of the lugs 5a and retaining catches 6b. The vessel 1 will then fall rapidly downwards in the duct 2, guided by lugs Sa in guides 5. As the vessel falls the chain will pull the plug P out of the bath whereby the danger of overflow of the bath is overcome. When the vessel reaches the bottom of the duct the stem 4 on the valve 4 will raise the valve 4 and allow the water in the vessel 1 to escape. Needless to say, the whole system is reset next time the bath plug P is used.

The installation as described is of general utility.

but may find special utility in hospitals, nursing homes, and the like.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bath plug safety release arrangement comprising: a vertical duct for placement generally beneath the bath overflow; a vessel movable within the duct and having an open mouth at the top and a valve closure seated by gravity over an aperture at the base, the valve possessing a stem extending through the aperture: restraint means holding the vessel with its open mouth upwards for placement beneath the overflow and held by means capable of releasing the vessel for descent under gravity when the combined weight of vessel and contents exceeds a predetermined weight; and a linkage from the vessel for attachment to the bath plug this being operable to raise the plug when the vessel descends under gravity.

2. A bath plug safety release arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the mouth of the vessel is transversely spaced from the overflow in use so as not to receive low velosity overflow.

3. A bath plug safety release arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.