GB2435267A - Washing machine and waste pipe flood protection system - Google Patents

Abstract

A three part electrically operated system which can be used in whole or part and can be added to as required. The function of the system is to turn off the electricity supply to a washing machine the moment water is detected by one of the sensors. This will prevent flooding caused by further water being pumped from the machine. This is particularly useful on the waste pipe as the U-bend from the machine. This is particularly useful on the waste pipe as the U-bend frequently blocks with washing powder residue and heavier soil particles. This overflows as the machine continues to pump out its used washing and rinsing water as the machine is not faulty so will continue to run. One sensor may be located in a tray in which the washing machine stands.

Description

<p>1 2435267 Washin2 machine and Waste pipe flood protection system This

invention relates to a system that can be used to protect from damage caused by water escaping from a washing machine (or dishwasher) andlor a blocked waste outlet pipe.It is a three part system ( see fig 1) comprising of a main unit ( see fig 2) which shuts off the electricity supply to the machine in the event of water being detected in the sesor units.These sensor units are in the form of an overflow trap which is secured around the existing waste pipe and U-bend ( see fig 3) (which often blocks up with washing powder residue) and a shallow tray in which the machine stands.Both the trap and tray shall incorporate a water sensitve device and a drain plug (which cannot be left open).the tray or trap can be purchased, installed and used individually or together as finances and protection levels required dictate.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>Claims 1. A three part system that can be used to protect against flood

   damage from water escaping from a washing machine (or dishwasher) or overflowing from a blocked waste pipe.</p>

   <p>2. The system can be supplied, fitted and used in whole or in part according to level of protection required.</p>

   <p>3. The system can be added to so that additional machines and wastes can be protected as required.</p>

   <p>3. The system operates by switching off the electricity power supply to the protected machines the instant that water is detected by the sesor devices, thus preventing further water being pumped from the machine.</p>

   <p>4. The main switch unit will have a reset which can only be operated once the sensor receptical has been emptied.</p>

   <p>5. The sensor recepticals shall have a drain (emptying) facility which cannot be left in the open position thus rendering the sensor ineffective.</p>

   <p>6. The whole system is electrically operated so there are no mechanical componants (ie: floats and levers etc.) to fail, jam or get trapped and not work after long periods of standing idle.</p>

   <p>7. The main switch unit is in the form of an earth RCD unit with multiple inlet sockets which plugs into the mains electricity supply socket. The washing machine plugs into the mains supply socket of this unit (Via a multi socket extension lead if more than one machine to be protected).</p>

   <p>8. The waste sensor is in the form of two electrical contacts (shielded from touching by hand) located at the bottom of a recepticle that slides onto and is secured to an existing waste pipe with U-bend.These contacts shall be connected to one end of a lead. The other end of said lead shall have a small plug which fits into soket on main unit as in claim 7.</p>

   <p>9. The machine sensor is the same as that in claim 8 except that the water receptical is in the form of a tray in which the machine stands.</p>