GB2294636A

GB2294636A - Shower drainage

Info

Publication number: GB2294636A
Application number: GB9422026A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antoni Harold Nikolas Gontar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-01
Filing date: 1994-11-01
Publication date: 1996-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-01
Also published as: GB2310374B; GB2294636B; GB9422026D0; GB2310374A; GB9707734D0

Abstract

Apparatus for draining a shower tray 21 comprises one or more water level sensing devices 14, 15 mounted within the gully trap 10, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of a pump 22. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WATER DRAINAGE The present invention relates to imProvements in or relating to water drainage, in particular in situations where a pump is used to remove water from areas such as showers.

The use of a pump to remove water from a shower tray is well known. Various methods for activating the pump are known, from a simple switch operated by the user prior to entering the shower to systems including sensors in the shower tray which sense the presence of water and thus activate the pump.

One such system is described as part of a complete shower cubicle in UK Patent No. 1532953. The shower tray is provided with a sump for accepting water from the floor of the tray and a number of electrical probes are provided in the sump area. There are a number of problems with such an arrangement, not least in that it requires installation of a complete shower cubicle and disposal of an otherwise satisfactory existing installation. Such systems are typically very noisy in operation in that they tend to allow the pump to operate when there is little water in the sump and so the pump begins to suck up large quantities of air.

The present invention has been made with a view to alleviating these problems, in particular, to provide a system that is suitable for use with existing shower trays, both in existing installations and in new installation.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for operative connection with a water pump and an otherwise conventional shower tray or area and comprising one or more water level sensing devices, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

Typically, the water level sensing devices comprise electrical probes or float switches.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is in the form of a gully trap for operative connection to the underside of a shower tray.

In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a length of pipe which is positionable with respect to the upper surface of a shower tray such that an end of the pipe extends downwardly towards the surface of the tray, with a clearance therebetween.

Typically a second water level sensing device is provided to detect when water in a shower tray exceeds a predetermined level and cuts off the supply of water to the shower in response thereto to prevent flooding. Further water level sensing devices may be provided for further monitoring and responses as required.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be explained in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates in a sectional view the embodiment of Figure 1 in a typical installation; Fig. 3 illustrates in further detail a typical electrical wiring arrangement in the installation of Figure 2; Fig. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig.6 illustrates in sectional view a further embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig.7 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 6; and Fig.8 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig.6.

Referring to Fig. 1, a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention comprises a trap 10 having conventional means 11 to sealably engage the underside of a shower tray and means 12 for connection to a conventional waste pipe 13.

The apparatus is further provided with probes 14 and 15 forming part of an electrical circuit. In use, when the water level rises above both probes, the electrical circuit is completed which triggers activation of a water suction pump.

In alternative embodiments (not shown) further probes may be provided. For example a further probe may be provided at higher level such that when the water level reaches that level a circuit is completed between that probe and, say, probe 14 which acts as a common terminal, and thus activates a safety cut-off valve in the shower water supply to prevent flooding.

To reduce noise caused by the pump sucking up water with large quantities of air, the probes 14, 15 are preferably positioned in the trap at a height above the level of the waste pipe 13 at the point where it joins the apparatus 10.

A typical installation is illustrated in Figure 2. Apparatus 10 is connected to the underside of a shower tray 21 sat on a floor 20 with apparatus 10 embedded into the floor. A waste pipe 13 leads from the apparatus 20 to a suction pump 22 and thence to the waste water system of the property in which the shower is installed.

The pump can be of any type as is typically used in this field, with a low voltage pump being preferred. The electricity supply to the pump and the supply 23 to the probes are conveniently provided in a single housing 24.

Housing 24 accommodates a mains voltage input 30, an appropriate transformer 31, and a low voltage circuit 32 to the probes switching a 24 volt supply 33 to pump 22.

An alternative arrangement, particularly suitable when it is not possible or is undesirable to embed a trap in the floor, is shown in Figure 4. Connected to the inlet of a suction pump (not shown) is a waste pipe 40 passing through an aperture in a side wall 41 of a shower tray (a section of which is shown generally at 42) and which terminates in an elbow 43 the end of which is, in use, positioned above the floor of the shower tray 42 with a small clearance therebetween. As illustrated, the elbow 43 of waste pipe 40 is provided in an area of the shower tray of the type where a depression 44 is provided to assist the accumulation of water. Such an arrangement is described in more detail in UK patent application number GB 2276541.Two or more probes 45 are provided on the internal surface of the elbow with the electrical connection to the probes being made by wires 46 extending to the outside of pipe 40 or continuing along the inside length of pipe 40 (not shown). The remaining features of such an arrangement may suitably be as described above.

To reduce noise caused by the pump sucking up water with large quantities of air, probes 45 are preferably positioned such that a reasonable depth of water must accumulate before the circuit is completed and the pump is triggered. This is typically assisted achieved by depression 44.

A further arrangement is illustrated in Figure 5 where the probes 51 are provided in a cover 50. Cover 50 acts to prevent foreign objects such as hair or soap from being sucked into the pump. Cover 50 is suitable for use with either a trap similar to that shown in Figure 1 without the probes or with top-suction arrangement as described in GB 2276541 and allows the provision of water level sensors to existing installations without needing to replace the plumbing to the shower.

A yet further embodiment is shown in Figures 6 to 8. A shower tray shown generally at 60 has a sump 61 of a generally frusto-conical shape. Probes 62 are mounted in the side walls of the sump 61 with wires 63 forming a switching circuit as described above. A shallow trap (not shown) as described above is fitted to the underside of the tray 60. In the embodiment of Figure 7 a top suction water removal arrangement is provided in place of a trap.

By positioning the sensors in the pipework itself, or in the trap it is ensured that the pump operates only when there is sufficient water to suck. Thus a pump draining a shower provided with the apparatus of the present invention is considerably quieter than systems known hitherto.

Many devices suitable for sensing the level of water in the shower will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Electrical probes or contacts or float switches are suitable examples.

A further advantage of the arrangements described is that they are suitable for use both in new shower installations with a conventional shower tray and also for adapting existing installations since they do not necessitate providing a new shower tray itself.

Claims

1. Apparatus for operative connection with a pump and a shower tray or shower area: the apparatus comprising one or more water level sensing devices.

the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim I wherein the water level sensing device(s) comprise electrical probes.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim l wherein the water level sensing device(s) comprises a float switch.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in the form of a gully trap for operative connection to the underside of a shower tray.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 further comprising a length of pipe wherein the water level sensing devices are positioned within said pipe and the pipe is positionable with respect to the upper surface of a shower tray such that an end of the pipe extends downwardly towards the surface of the tray.

with a clearance therebetween.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 comprising a further water level sensing device arranged to detect when water in a shower tray or shower area exceeds a predetermined level and cuts off the supply of water to the shower in response thereto.

7. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A shower tray wherein water is removed with the aid of a pump. wherein one or more water level sensing devices is provided. the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

9. A shower tray as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the water level sensing device is positioned within the drainage outlet of the shower tray.

10. A shower tray as claimed in Claim 8 further comprising a suction pipe positioned with respect to the upper surface of the shower tray such that an end of the pipe extends downwardly towards the surface of the tray with a clearance therebetween, wherein the water level sensing device is positioned within said suction pipe.

11. A shower tray substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.