GB2289337A

GB2289337A - Liquid level alarm device

Info

Publication number: GB2289337A
Application number: GB9409339A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mohammed Tanwir
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-11
Filing date: 1994-05-11
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Also published as: GB9409339D0

Abstract

An alarm device A is adapted to sense when a rising liquid level in a receptacle, such as water in a bath, reaches a desired or predetermined maximum level, and is adapted to provide a warning signal to indicate that said desired or predetermined maximum level has been reached. The device A comprises a buzzer 1 and/or a visual alarm and may be mounted on a suction device or a bracket. The alarm may include a free-floating duck incorporating sonar and/or ultrasonic means (Fig 4). <IMAGE>

Description

ALARM DEVICE Description of Invention This invention relates to an alarm device intended primarily but not exclusively for warning the occupier of a dwelling, such as a house or flat, or a hotel guest, when his bath water is in danger of overflowing during the running of water into the bath. It can also be used to indicate when a desired maximum water level in the bath has been reached.

Almost all households have a bath in their bathroom, and increasing numbers of bathrooms, and baths, are now being provided in hotels and the like, and it is generally the case that users have at one time or another allowed their bath water to overflow, during the running of water into the bath, causing a flood. This not only causes inconvenience but can also be dangerous if there is electrical wiring under the fl,oorl)o.lrds, and generally after such a flood it is nessary to carry out repairs to the floor and any underlying ceiling.Usually such floods are due to forgetfuiness: the user is busy doing something else and forgets to turn off the water taps whicl are running water into his bath, and the conventional bath overflow outlet is unable to Co l)e. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or reduce these prol)lems.

According to my present invention, I provide an alarm device adapted to sense when a rising liquid level in a receptacle reaches a desired or predetermined maximum level, and being adapted to provide a warning signal to indicate that said desired or predetermined maximum level has been reached.

In its preferred embodiments, the invention is adapted to sense when a rising water level, such as the level of water in a bath, reaches such desired or predetermined maximum level.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference ot the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1. is a cross section of a first alarm device in accordance with the invention in use on the side of a bath; Fig 2. is a more general view showing the alarm device of figure 1 in place on the bath.by way of a suction type mounting.

Fig 3. shows a second bath alarm in accordance with the invention, the same as that of figure 1 except that iL is loung adjustably in position on the bath using a clamp type bracket notably for the different type of bath illustrated.

Fig 4. shows a third alarm device according to tile invention incorporated in a flexible rubber belt draped over the edge of the bath which can be adjusted to set the desired level and also fourth and fifth,devices in accordance with the invent'ion.

Each alarm device illustrated , in accordance with the invention, senses when the rising water level in the bath reaches a desired or predetermined maximum level, and provides an electrical warning signal to indicate that that desired or predetermined maximum level has been reached, to cause alarm means of the device to provide an alarm indication, preferably audible )using a buzzer or the like), to a user, to warn the user.

Refering to the drawing of Fig 1 the alarm device A shown comprises: l-buzzer assembly incorporating water resistant buzzer, 2- permanently sealed battery or removable, 3-electronics using standard electronics and integrated circuits for managing the buzzer switching and timer and battery management circuit.

Also including low battery warning circuit, 4-unit housing made out of plastic or rubber housing can be cheerful, 5-water sensor circuit, 6-prongs the sensor being activated when the rising water makes contact with therm, 7-suction type bracket, 8-bath surface.

The alarm is releasably fixed inside the bath at the desired height, so predetermining the maximum water level to I)e sensed, by utilising different brackets according to leash type or fixed by a suction pad, or permanently mounted. The water is turned on in the bath and when water reaches to the sensing proii gs 6, this activates the circuits to sound the buzzer 7 the buzzer can be pre-set to sound for given time such as about 30 seconds.

The buzzer will alert the occupier that the water has reached the desired level. The occupier will then turll tic taps off hence preventing an overflow. The alarm can he removed from the bath when not in use or left attached to the side of the bath. The invention can be waterproof. The alarm can be lowered further down into the bath for a lower water level for children.

The bath alarm can be used in households or commercial outlets.

In figure 2, the suction-type version Of my alarm device may be adhered to the bathroom wall at B, when not in use. in figure 3 the height of the alarm device A is adjustable on the part C of the bracket 8. In figure 4, the alarm device incorporated in the rubber belt 9 has a water sensor at its one end 10, and the buzzer and electronics and battery at its other end 11.

In each embodiment the battery is of "5 year" lithium type.

The water sensor and buzzer could be housed remote from each other, in different units as in the fourth embodiment AA of figure 4 in which the sensor 12 is on the bath, and the buzzer is on the wall (and could each be permanently mounted e.g. in hotels, the avoid theft). Communications he tween units can be by infa-red, wiring or radio signals. In the fifth embodiment AAA, the alarm device is in a floating toy, and senses the water depth by sonar and/or ultrasonic means or the like. The toy may incorporate means for setting any one of a selection of desired maximum water levels.

Alternative or additionally, the alarm may l)e vi su'ol The invention can benefit the user by not only reducing the nuisance oL a bath overflowing, it can also save on water if a 1 lower level of water is required in the bath. It can also reduce the danger of electric shocks from water entering nearby wiring after an overflow.

Claims

1. An alarm device adapted to sense when a rising liquid level in a receptacle reaches a desired or predetermined maximum level, and being adapted to provide a warning signal to indicate that said desired or predetermined maximum level has been reached.

2. An alarm device according to claim 1, adapted to sense when a rising water level reaches such desired or predetermined maximum level.

3. An alarm device according to claim 2 adapted for use in relation to the water in a bath.

4. An alarm device according to claim 3 adapted to lie against a side of the bath.

5. An alarm device according to claim 4 provided with suction means by which at least a sensing means of the device may be releasably retained, by suction, on the surface of a side wall of the bath.

6. An alarm device according to claim 4 provided with bracket or clamp means by which at least a sensing means of the device may be hung against the side of the bath.

7. An alarm device according to claim 6 wherein the sensing means is adjustable in height on the bracket or clamp means.

8. An alarm device according to claim 4 wherein at least the sensing means is provided in a portion of a flexible member which my be draped over the cdge of the bath.

9. An alarm device according to claim 4 wherein at least the sensing means is adapted to be permanently mounted on the sid3 of the bath at a predetermined height.

IO.An alarm device according to any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the sensing means is activated by contact with the water.

11.An alarm device according to claim 3 wherein at least the sensing means is provided in an object (for example a floating toy such as a duck) adapted to float on the water surface, and includes sonar and / or ultrasonic means or the like for sensing the water depth below the object.

12.An alarm device according to ay one of the preceding claims wherein the sensing means and alarm means responsive to the warning signal to provide an alarm indication to a user are situated in a common housing or unit.

13.An alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the sensing means and alarm means responsive to the warning signal to provide an alarm indication to a user are remotely situated in different housings or units.

14.An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising alarm means to provide an alarm indication at least primarily of an audible nature in response to the warning signal.

15.An alarm device substantially as described herein and / or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

16.Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and / or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.