GB2342143A

GB2342143A - Supply shut off valve with manual reset

Info

Publication number: GB2342143A
Application number: GB9821367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-02
Filing date: 1998-10-02
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-02
Also published as: GB2342143B; GB9821367D0

Abstract

This invention called the slam dunk valve is an automatic water supply shut off valve with manual reset, incorporating a dissoluble tablet 14. When a cistern overflows the valve operates by the dissoluble tablet 14 dissolving on contact with the overflow water 20. This in turn causes the spring 16 to push down on the water shut off lever 18 at point A and due to the pivot action of the lever, the valve at point B is forced onto the valve seating 17 and the flow of water is stopped. Once the overflow fault is rectified, the dissoluble tablet 14 can be replaced by unscrewing the access cap 15, removing the dissoluble tablet 14 which is contained within a perforated receptacle. A new dissoluble tablet 14 can then be fitted and the flow of water is resumed by the dissoluble tablet 14 pushing open the water shut off lever 18.

Description

1 2342143 AUTONIATIC WATER SUPPLY SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NLkNUAL RESET This

invention is an automatic water supply shut off valve with manual reset, incorporating a dissoluble tablet.

The idea of the invention is totally based around the principle that a dissoluble tablet, being strong and solid when dry breaks down rapidly when in contact with water.

Water storage vessels and cisterns all have an overflow facility that allows the safe removal of excess water to a safe discharge point. Unfortunately the drawback with this system is that although the discharge point is placed in a prominent position, unless the fault is repaired manually, the water continues to flow and consequently this water is wasted.

The automatic water supply shut off valve, for future reference called the slam dunk valve is fitted upstream of the water supply to a cistern fitted with a standard overflow facility. It is also connected directly to the overflow facility of the said cistern.

The slam dunk valve automatically cuts off the supply of water to a cistern in the event of an overflow and the supply of water can only be resumed once the fault causing the overflow has been manually rectified.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:

The slam dunk valve is a water operated valve made of a non ferrous material consisting of four ports, a cold water inlet 11, a cold water outlet 12, a water overflow collection inlet 13 and an access cap with seal 15, as shown in Fig I. The seal on the access cap 15 is to prevent any overflow water from leaking out of the slam dunk valve. Contained within the body of the valve is a water shut off lever 18 that pivots at the gland seal and falcrum 19. The gland seal 19 creates a water tight seal that prevents mains cold water from mixing with overflow water. The spring 16 is tensioned to a set torque and applies a constant force to the water shut off lever 18 at point A. The dissoluble tablet 14 is a strong solid material when dry but breaks down rapidly on contact with water and is contained within a perforated, tea bag type receptacle. This allows for easy removal of the tablet from the slam dunk valve when wet and will contain any dissolved tablet from clogging the valve.The dissoluble tablet 14 is an inter changeable unit. The valve seating 17 stops the flow of water to a cistern when point B of the water shut off lever 18 is forced against it.

I Figure 1 shows the slam dunk valve in the normal operation position.

Cold water flows from the cold water inlet 11 to the cold water outlet 12 and continues on to the cistern. The water shut off lever 18 is held open by the dissoluble tablet 14, which is placed into position by means of the access cap 15. The dissoluble tablet 14 holds the water shut off lever 18 in the open position by pushing end A against the spring 16 and is held in position by fitting and tightening the access cap 15. The slam dunk valve will stay in this open position until any overflow water enters the valve at point 13.

Figure 2 shows the slam dunk valve in the shut off position.

The cistern which has created a fault causing an overflow of water now enters the slam dunk valve at point 13. The overflow water 20 reaches the dissoluble tablet 14 and causes it to dissolve rapidly. The resulting breakdown of the dissoluble tablet 14 causes the spring 16 to push down on the water shut off lever 18 at point A. Due to the pivot action of the water shut off lever 18, point B is forced against the valve seating 17, causing the flow of water to stop.

The stoppage of water to the cistern will alert any user of a fault that has to be rectified manually. Once the fault with the overflow has been rectified, the dissoluble tablet 14 in the slam dunk valve can be changed.

This is done by unscrewing the access cap 15, removing the dissoluble tablet 14 and draining off any excess overflow water 20. A new dissoluble tablet 14 is fitted and the access cap 15 screwed back into position. This in turn pushes the water shut off lever 18 back into the open position and allows the flow of water to continue onto the cistern. Fig 1.

Should the gland seal 19 break down and allow mains water to pass, the safety feature built into the slam dunk valve is that as soon as the mains water reaches the dissoluble tablet 14, the tablet will dissolve causing the valve to shut off and due to the design off the valve seating mains water is now prevented from reaching the gland seating. Any attempt to change the dissoluble tablet 14 without repairing the gland seal 19 or changing the slain dunk valve completely would only cause the valve to immediately shut back off. 4

Claims

1. The slam dunk valve is an automatic water shut off valve operated by overflow water from either a water storage vessel or cistern. The valve is reset manually.

2. The slam dunk valve operates on the principle of a dissoluble tablet which is a strong and solid material when dry but dissolves rapidly on contact with water.

3. The operation of the slam dunk valve immediately stops the flow of water to a cistern and consequently stops water overflowing and ensures that the fault causing the overflow of water is rectified before the supply of water to the cistern is restored.

4. The slam dunk valve, once fitted, will eliminate the need of an external discharge point.

5. The existing type of overflow, which if left unattended will allow water to be wasted unnecessarily through the discharge point. The slam dunk valve however prevents this wastage of water and is an excellent water conservation valve.