GB2310374A

GB2310374A - Apparatus for draining a shower tray

Info

Publication number: GB2310374A
Application number: GB9707734A
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: 1997-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-01
Also published as: GB9707734D0; GB9422026D0; GB2294636A; GB2310374B; GB2294636B

Abstract

Apparatus when used to operatively connect a pump with a shower tray comprises a length of pipe 43 positionable with respect to the upper surface 41 of a shower tray 42 such that an end of the pipe extends downwardly towards the surface of the tray with a clearance therebetween; wherein one or more water level sensing devices 45 are positioned within said pipe, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DRAINING A SHOWER TRAY The present invention relates to apparatus for draining a shower tray, in particular in situations where a pump is used to remove the water from shower trays.

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 installations.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus when used to operatively connect a pump with a shower tray; the apparatus comprising a length of pipe 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; wherein one or more water level sensing devices are positioned within said pipe, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

Typically, the water level sensing devices comprise electrical probes or float switches 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 an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates in a sectional view a typical installation; and Fig. 3 illustrates in further detail a typical electrical wiring arrangement in the installation of Figure 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, 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).

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.

In usÇwhen the water level rises above both probes, the electrical circuit is completed which triggers activation of a water suction pump.

This arrangement is particularly suitable when it is not possible or is undesirable to embed a trap in the floor.

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, one of probes 51 which acts as a common terminal, and thus activates a safety cutoff valve in the shower water supply to prevent flooding.

A typical installation is illustrated in Figure 2 based on the embodiment described in the parent application (9422026.6) of this divisional application. In this particular arrangement, 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 probesswitching a 24 volt supply 33 to pump 22.

By positioning the sensors in the pipework itself 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 arrangement described is that it is suitable for use both on 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 when used to operatively connect a pump with a shower tray; the apparatus comprising a length of pipe 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; wherein one or more water level sensing devices are positioned within said pipe, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the water level sensing device(s) comprise electrical probes.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the water level sensing device(s) comprises a float switch.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 comprising a further water levelensing 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.

5. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying Figure 1.

6. A shower tray wherein water is removed with the aid of a pump, further comprising apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Apparatus when used to operatively connect a pump with a shower tray; the apparatus comprising a length of pipe 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; wherein one or more water level sensing devices are positioned within said pipe, the triggering of the sensing device causing operation of the pump.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 comprising a further water level sensing device arranged to detect when water in the shower tray exceeds a predetermined level and cuts off the supply of water to the shower in response thereto.