GB2413424A

GB2413424A - A triple function repositionable bath warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2413424A
Application number: GB0418062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Mills
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-20
Filing date: 2004-08-13
Publication date: 2005-10-26
Also published as: GB0418062D0

Abstract

A device is provided which warns if the water in a bath is too hot or the bath is about to overflow. In one embodiment the device is provided with a temperature sensor on the end of a bendable arm 1 which sensor is in the path of water from the hot tap (faucet) and a level detector at the end of a second bendable arm 2. The device also has a panic button 9. The warning device is detachably mounted on the bath by a sucker or the like. In alternative arrangements the device takes the form of a sealing tape or may be arranged to fit over the faucet.

Description

24 1 3424

DESCRIPTION

A TRIPLE FUNCTION REPOSITIONABLE WATER WARNING DEVICE

The invention relates to a triple function repositionable water temperature, level indicator and panic button 'warning device'. The invention is a battery powered device for measuring the temperature of hot water from the hot water tap outlet area and / or the vessel area The invention provides a warning of water vessel overfill. The device also incorporates a panic button which emits a loud 90 decibel audible alarm. The invention is repositionable.

The current state of the art water warning devices are fixed / bolted to the faucet outlet, and must be plumbed to the faucet part. If the faucet is a hot and cold mixer type the control valves will be of a independent function, it is therefore necessary to provide temperature measurement at the combined water outlet nozzle.

The primary object of this invention is to provide visual and audible, advance warning of a potential scald risk from the water outlet zone and / or the water vessel containment zone.The secondary object of this invention is to provide audible warning of water vessel overfill.The third object of the invention is to provide a panic button which will emit an audible alarm for a user in difficulty.

Accordingly, the invention provides a specifically designed housing for containing the electrical analytical components and battery. Integrated into the sensor arms are activation probes, temperature probe, and water level activation probes. The invention having a robust casing which can withstand high temperatures, is sealed against water ingress.

Preferably the casing should be made from a polymer, alloys and EPDM compounds, which are temperature, water resistant and cleaning chemical resistant.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 Shows in perspective, a warning device, attached to the vessel wall with 2 bendable arms, temperature and water level probes.

Figure 2 Shows a warning device, attached to adjacent wall, with the self sealing tape, temperature and water level probes Figure 3 Shows a warning device attached to a mixer type faucet outlet nozzle, single bendable arm with temperature probe only.

Figure 4 Shows a side view of single arm warning device attached to water vessel wall with temperature and water level probes. ) 2

Referring to the drawings, for the triple function repositionable water temperature, level indicator and panic button warning device. There are several methods for positioning / attaching the warning device. The device can be placed on the water vessel inner or outer wall surfaces Fig 1, or the adjacent wall surfaces Fig 2.The wall attachment method Fig 4 can be achieved by hooking, clipping the device onto a moulded sucker or magnet, double sided adhesive or, the support bracket can be screwed to the wall 11.Alternatively the device can be attached to the hot water tap outlet noble Fig 3 by means of either a purpose designed elastic rubber band, or a plastic strap with an interlocking ratchet which is moulded into the plastic strap 10.

This strap hooks onto the main casing back surface 12, which then contacts the hot water tap nozzle outlet external surface. There are two sensor probe arm types.The first one having one or two bendable / flexible arms protruding from the main assembly housing 1,2. The bendable flexible arms and probe 4, can be placed in the optimum position for measuring the temperature of the water form the outlet nozzle and / or positioned into the water of the containment vessel.The second being Fig 2, a see sealing tape 3, connecting to the main sensor assembly housing. The tape is stuck and sealed to the surfaces of the vessel and the adjacent wall surfaces, and the water fill zone.The self sealing tape having integrated wires and temperature probe 4, at the position of water fill to vessel zone, and water level primary 5 and secondary 6 activation probe sensors. The connecting wires from the thermal sensor probe communicate by means of electrical impulse.The impulses go to a micro chip or electronic circuitry.The electrical impulses are analysed instantly by the micro chip and electronic circuits, K the thermal probe sensor is above a specific pre-programmed temperature.

Example

The sensor alarm is set to operate at temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius or pre programmed settings.Several pre-set temperature variants could be manufactured, as scalding can depend on the volume of delivered hot water; for shower applications 41 deg C, for an unassisted bath fill 44 deg C, for assisted bath fill 46 deg C, for washbasins applications 41 deg C, for bidet applications 38 deg C. For babies and children temperatures will need to be set lower.

The pre-programmed micro chip electronic circuitry will recognise and react by means of sending electrical impulses to; an audible alarm / magnetic resonating element / siren, creating various siren alarm sounds or emitting a verbal scalding warning 7. Also by visual indication 8 of a scald risk, by flashing coloured light emitting diodes, or by flashing a graphical display screen, or a liquid crystal display screen.

The pre-programmed micro chip electronic circuitry will recognise and react to primary water level overfill, and secondary water level overfill, by emitting a loud audible waming. An) 3

The pre-programmed micro chip electronic circuitry will recognise and react to the activation of the panic button 9, by emitting a loud 90 decibel audible warning.

The casing 12 for the electrical components is made from high temperature heat resistant plastic, encasing and protecting the electrical components from water ingress / contamination.The battery powering the device is housed and accessible by means of a screwed on door, which compresses a flexible water tight seal. The casing is designed to be robust, with easy wipe surfaces and its features are angled for a natural water shed run off. ) 4

Claims

CLAIMS A TRIPLE FUNCTION REPOSITIONABLE WATER WARNING DEVICE

1 A triple function, water outlet temperature warning device, for measuring faucet outlet water temperature, the device also comprising a vessel fill, water overfill, and panic button, which will provide a warning of excess temperature and or overfill, or user in difficulty.

2 A water outlet temperature device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor probe which contacts the outlet water flow and within the vessel.

3 A device as claimed in either claims 1 and 2, one of which devices, measures the outlet temperature of the water and vessel fill water and will give advanced warning of potential injury and temperature of water, by utilising, battery, electrical, electronic, micro circuits, sensors, thermal colour changes, thermal chemical reaction, thermal metals reaction, temperature measuring and reacting devices, and thermal state of the art technology.

4 A water outlet device as claimed in any one of claims 1,2 and 3 wherein a warning will be indicated by audible, graphic display, or other means of communication and will indicate if the temperature of the water is likely to cause injury such as scalding or general temperature of water.

A water warning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which can be easily installed and repositioned, and requires no interference or connections to the existing faucet plumbing.

6 A water warning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 which device can be readily positioned, attached to the water vessel inner or outer walls or adjacent walls.

7 A water warning device as claimed in any one claims 1 to 6 with single or double sensor flexible, bendable arms for optimum positioning.

8 A water warning device as claimed in any one of claims 1to 7, with self sealing tape, integrated wires, temperature probe, activation on / off, and level probes.

9 A water warning device as claimed in any one claims 1to 8, with bendable, flexible, positionable arms with integrated temperature probe, on / off activation probe and water level activation probes.

A water warning device as claimed in any one claims 1to 9 with integrated panic button, which will emit a loud audible alarm for users in difficulty.

11 A triple function repositionable water temperature, level indicator and panic button warning device substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1to 4 of the accompanying drawings.