GB2372614A - Rainfall or humidity sensor and warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A warning device that can be housed in one or more bodies 10 where one body is an audio and/or visual signalling device 12. The unit when positioned appropriately can detect 11 a change in the environment such as moisture and/or temperature. The signalling unit 12 may comprise an enunciator (programmable/recording chip) with or without a control/input panel. The sensor 11 can activate motorised movement of the body. The body 10 can be applied with heat sensitive material that changes colour to provide a visual indication separate to that of the electronic, and may take the form of a garden gnome.

Description

WARNING DIVICE This invention relates to a warning device particularly, but not exclusively relating to garments that have been hung or placed outside to dry.

A percentage of people choose to dry their garments outside, usually by pegging them onto a washing line. Once done, if the person doesn't remain outside it may be difficult to monitor the change in the weather. Should an outburst of rain or damp occur the drying process can be lengthened considerably.

An object of this invention is to provide an audio warning device to indicate when it is raining.

Accordingly this invention relates to a cloths peg holder that will indicate when wet weather is apparent.

The clothes peg holder could be manufactured in various shapes or forms, preferably from weatherproof materials such as plastic.

Incorporated into the cloths peg holder and therefore becoming an integral part is a moisture sensor or hygrometer. If rain or damp weather occurs the sensor will reach a level that will automatically transmit a signal to a separate receiver. This receiver will then give out an audio alarm that will indicate damp or rain.

While in use important that the clothes peg holder is positioned outside, and the separate receiver within hearing distance.

The moisture sensor or hygrometer warning system could also become an integral part of a clothesline, clothesline prop, garden furniture or ornament such as a garden gnome.

It is possible that the invention could assist in other areas such as work carried out in the open air needing time to dry out.

Also many home/work items that should only be outside if the weather is dry.

The moisture sensor hygrometer warning device could also be manufactured as a stand alone object that does not take any other feature.

WARNING DEVICE This invention relates to a warning device particularly but not exclusively relating to changes in atmospheric conditions such as rainfall or adverse temperatures.

Environmental warning devices are well known and come in a variety of shapes and forms however they are usually static and specific to a prescribed function, they rarely possess any aesthetic qualities or entertainment value.

According to the present invention there is provided an atmospheric warning device that can incorporate both versatile, aesthetic and entertainment qualities.

Comprising a body that houses a warning device within two or more bodies where one body or bodies are sensor units and the other body or bodies are the activated signalling devices (s). The invention comprises one combined unit or separate units that combine to perform the following function :-The combined unit or sensor unit can be placed out of doors to enable it to detect changes in environmental conditions, the combined unit would then also activate its warning. When separate units are employed the sensor unit may trigger the signalling unit by remote control, hard wire or other means, which may be placed indoors to activate its warning within a given proximity.

Any of the bodies may be made in any shape or form. The warning emitted or made by a body may be audible visual or by physical movement or both. The warning signal unit may comprise an enunciator (programmable/ recording chip) with or without a control/input panel. The invention may therefore be tailored to suit specific requirements specified at manufacture or may be programmable by the end user. The signal unit could then give its audible warning by playing a pre-recorded tune or any other sound. The pre-recorded tune may be pre-set or selectable from the control/input panel.

The combination of form, visual and or audible warning (pre-set or programmable by the end user) creates the versatility, aesthetic and entertainment qualities desired of this invention.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings : Fig. 1 Shows the sensor and activated signalling device housed in one unit in the form a garden gnome.

Fig. 2 Shows the sensor housed in the form of a garden gnome and also shows the activated signalling device housed in the form of a box.

Fig. 3 Shows the sensor housed in the form of a box and the activated signalling devise housed in the form of a garden gnome.

Referring to the drawings the invention shown in : Fig 1 Comprises a body 10. which contains the sensor 11. part of which can be seen to be exposed to the elements.

The activated signalling device 12. in this combined example is housed within the body 10. and therefore cannot be seen. When the sensor 11. detects rainfall or high humidity it will electronically trigger and therefore activate the signalling device 12. housed within the body 10.

Fig 2 Comprises a body 10. which contains the sensor 11. separate to the activated signalling device 12. which is in the form of a box 14. When the sensor 11. detects rainfall or high humidity it will initiate a signal by remote control to the activated signalling device 12. to emit its warning by way of a pre-recorded song, from the programmable voice chip, the gnome would therefore appear to be singing Fig 3 Comprises a sensor 11. in the form of a box 14. separate to the body 10. which houses the activated signalling device 12. When the sensor 11. detects rainfall or high humidity it will signal by remote control to the activated signalling device contained within the body 10. to emit its warning. Alternatively the sensor 11. may be placed on the side of a bath to assist in the prevention of bath overflow and with the addition of a heat sensor may provide for a duel function signalling device.

In addition to all of the afore mentioned descriptions the sensor 11. may also detect changes in pressure, temperature and or changes in air quality such as pollen counts or carbon monoxide levels. The sensor 11. may be fan assisted for some applications to ensure that sufficient air is drawn over it to detect the required environmental condition (s). The sensor 11. may also be a close proximity warning device. The sensor 11. may also be manufactured to be :-clip-on, stick-on, magnetic or suspended. The body 10. and or the sensor 11. may also be applied with heat sensitive material that changes colour to provide a visual indication in addition to and or separately to the electronic sensor 11.. For instance if 18 degrees centigrade was chosen as a colour change temperature then below this temperature the gnomes nose or hat could be blue in colour, above this temperature the nose or hat would change colour to red. Alternatively the gnome's jacket could be blue in colour below 18 degrees centigrade and become transparent above this temperature therefore exposing a yellow vest.

Possible technologies that may be applied are :- thermocromic compounds, inks, liquid crystal and heat expanding liquids.

The activated signalling device (s) may also be manufactured to be :-clip-on, stick-on, magnetic or suspended and may emit, trigger or activate its warning by one or more of the following : Motorised movement of part of the body, all of the body and or additional parts attached to the body and or displaced from the body.

For instance : Example 1 this may be arranged so that the gnomes mouth moves or its facial expression changes.

Example 2 the gnome could be holding an umbrella that opens when activated thus visually indicating that it is raining.

Audible warning by playing a pre-recorded tune or any other sound. The pre-recorded tune may be pre set or selectable from the control/input panel. The gnome would therefor appear to be singing the pre recorded tune.

Lighting up of the body or part of the body or additional parts attached to the body. The lighting effect may be static or active-flashing or both.

Making a telephone call.

Releasing smoke, and or coloured/dyed air effect.

Blowing up a balloon.

Giving off a scent.

Claims (2)

1. CLAIMS 1 A warning device housed and or incorporated in a body and or body's that includes an activated audible and or visual signalling unit, a control panel and a sensor, the audible warning that may be in the form of a tune is provided by way of pre-programmed or programmable enunciator voice chip, the warning signal can be initiated by the sensor when that sensor is triggered by the presence of rain.
2. 2. A warning device as claimed in claim 1, where the body is in the form of a garden gnome that can house or incorporate the sensor and or signalling unit, that can receive or transmit to a separate unit, the sensor can initiate a signal to activate motorised movement of part of the body and or all of the body and or additional parts attached to the body and or displaced from the body.

   3 A warning device as claimed in claim 1 and 2 where the body is applied with heat sensitive material that changes colour to provide a visual indication separate to that of the electronic indicator previously claimed.

   4 What I have claimed in claim 1,2 and 3 can be applied individually or be a collective combination