GB2385183A

GB2385183A - Device for warning of the presence of moisture

Info

Publication number: GB2385183A
Application number: GB0203232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Robert Kirk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-12
Filing date: 2002-02-12
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Also published as: GB0203232D0

Abstract

Wall-mounted moisture detectors, which may be hard-wired F or remote J, include sensor leads G responsive to water at floor level. The detectors F,J are coupled to a main operating unit A which is connected to an automatic dialling unit C for sending a pre-recorded or text message. A manual test button is located on the side of the wall box F, which also houses a speaker for audible warning, a battery, and a low battery voltage audible warning device.

Description

Moisture Notification System-Mk 2 Approximately eight years ago, the emersion tank serving my property failed (through excessive scaling/corrosion) causing water to leak though the pitted cylinder.

Undetected until too late, this caused excessive material damage to both the first and ground floors.

With the principle of'need'for early warning established for such an event; combined with other now'obvious'factors, e. g. unpredictable weather patterns (flooding/water ingress) and the enormous growth in domestic and commercial construction (poor/ faulty manufacturing, poor/lack of maintenance, lack of good workmanship, possible failure and even vandalism), the lack of simple, affordable and effective early detection/ notification of such an event became even more apparent.

The'purpose'of this invention is to provide an'early-warning'and'notification', via not only an alarm, but also an Auto-Dial Out device, so as to more accurately address the need for response/action to that of water ingress/spread, be it natural (inclement weather/flooding), or man-made (leaking utility appliances, damaged pipes, or similar).

Not a preventative tool, it does afford an effective means of allowing those affected by such events (be they the private property owner, commercial, retail, leisure, public buildings, etc. ) to take the necessary action to safeguard their valued property (nonphysical structure), i. e. personal belongings, furnishings, stock, equipment, etc. , subject to use.

This invention is an aesthetically pleasing, easily installed and maintained multi-unit installation that is capable of high sensitivity to the presence of moisture, alerting the occupier of such'presence'at a very early stage, via both'audible'and telephone'autodial' (message or text) facility, so as to allow the necessary action to be taken to protect their valuables, furnishings and potentially, life.

A multi-interdependent wall mounted installation, which may be either hard-wired to 'independent'detectors or from'remotely'operated ones, the Main Operating Unit and Auto-Dial Out Device requires'hard-wire'to both mains and telephone socket respectively.

The Mains Operating Unit being no greater in size, shape and finish to that of a conventional'domestic'security alarm, and the Moisture Notification Units no greater in size or shape to that of a typical surface mounted socket box, such would allow this invention to in-keep with that of most modern wall mounted fixtures, i. e. light switches, socket boxes, etc.

A pictorial overview will now be described with reference to the accompanying'Figures: FIGURE 1 - shows the Front View of the Moisture Notification System~Mk 2 with both the'hard-wired'and/or'remote'moisture notification unit options.

As shown in Figure 1, the plastic surface mounted Main Operating Unit A is primarily mains powered operated via electric cable B (with integrated battery back-up); connected to the Auto-Dial Out device C via both power and communications cable.

The Auto-Dial Out unit requires separate connection into telephone socket via cable E.

Hard-Wire Installation This requires the connection of one or multiple'hard-wired'Moisture Notification units F, each with sensor lead G connected back to A via signal cable H. The workings of Unit F should be referred to under Patent Application No. 02024743.

Remote Installation This requires the connection of one or multiple'Remote'Moisture Notification units J with no physical connection back to A, however, as F, requires sensor lead G Irrespective of'hard wire'or'remote'detection, the sensor lead G must be drawn down from the Notification Unit to top of finished floor level.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 An easily installed and maintained surface mounted box unit (Main Operating Unit) with interdependent Auto-Dial Out device connected to either a single or multiple Moisture Notification Units that each come with sensor lead and internal electronic circuit board I independent'internal'power supply that allow for the early detection of moisture and notification back to the main operating unit.

2. A system as Claim 1 that upon detection of moisture activates the main operating unit to sound an'audible'warning (alarm). Manual reset is required.

3. A system as Claims 1 and 2 that upon activation of the main operating unit and alarm, can if preset, activate the'Auto-Dial'Out device that is capable of dialing up to six telephone numbers.

4. A system as Claims 1,2 and 3, where upon receiving and answering the telephone communication, allows the auto-dial device to initiate either a standard 'pre-recorded'message to landline or mobile, or text message to pager.

5. The Main Operating Unit is primarily powered via mains supply with a 12v battery back up.

6. The Auto-Dial Out device is power fed direct from the Main Operating Unit.

7. The'hard-wired'moisture Notification Unit (s) is powered via an intemal 9v battery, which in addition to Item 1, comes with low battery audible warning and manual test button.

8. Items 1,2, 3,4, 5 and 6 may also be incorporated as a System using independent'remote'Moisture Notification Units, independently battery operated.

<Desc/Clms Page number 5>

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A no-nonsense installed and maintained'system'that comprises of a surface mounted Main Operating Unit (M. O. U) with integrated pre-programmed dial out

ev : ce"*LIL 1 a-h-, 4 device (with'pre-recorded'statement and/or'text message') connected either by d 'hard-wire'or via'remote'signal to either a single or multiple (up to 10 number with standard fitting) Moisture Notification Units that each come with self moulding'Feeler-com *'cable and internal circuit board I internal power source that enables both the early detection of moisture and communication/back to the Main Operating Unit.
2. A system as Claim 1 that upon detection of moisture by the Moisture Notification Unit (s) activates the M. O. U to deliver an audible warning, such having a'manual' reset button, required for known accidental activation or at installation test stage.
3. A system as claims 1 and 2 that upon activation of the M. O. U. and audible warning, can if preset, initiate the pre-programmed dial out device (with'pre- recorded'statement), such mechanism capable of calling up to'six'preset telephone numbers.
4. A system as claims 1,2 and 3, where upon receiving and answering the telephone communication (pre-recorded statement), allows the pre-programmed dial out device to convey the pre-recorded statement to landline or mobile and in parallel deliver a'text statement'to pager.
5. A system as Claim 1, where the M. O. U. is primarily powered via a mains supply with a 12v Battery Back-up.
6. A system as Claim 1 where the integrated pre-programmed dial out device receives its power source from the M. O. U.
7. A system as Claim 1 where the Moisture Notification Unit or Units are capable of communication back to the M. O. U via either hard-wire or remote operation.
8. A system as Claim 1 where the workings of the referred Moisture Notification Unit or Units are as described under Patent Application No. 0202474.3, that in addition, incorporates, where of remote operation, a wire-free relay which may be radio wave (selective Radio Frequency) or infra-red communicated back to receiver within the M. O. U, the'receiver'in turn initiating the audible warning and tele-communication dial-out device.
9. A system as Claim 1 where the number of Moisture Notification Units can be increased in excess of 10 number subject to retro-fit of'approved'component.

Copyright @ Christopher Paul Kirk 2002