US1122667A - Overflow-alarm for refrigerators. - Google Patents

Description

T. M. TOLLIVER.

OVEBFLOW ALARM FOB BEFRIGERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1914.

1 1 22,667. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS M. TOLLIVER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ovERFmw-A AFM F03 BEFRIGERATORS.

To all whom it may concerh Be it known that I, THOMAS vented certain new and. useful Impr0ve meats in Overflow-Alarms for Refrigerators; and I hereby declare "the following to be a full, clear, andieii'act ,descriptionof the invention, such as-will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap'pertains to make and use thesame. wt 1- 1 n i over flow alarms Th's invention relates to for refrigerators' and has fforian objectto:

provide a float control electric circuit closer that will be easily and quickly detachable to cleanse or replace a fouledor water logged float. 1

A further object is to provide a device of this character in which the 'float is carried" by a resilient arm that is swingably securedin place by a single screw, the resiliency of the arm coacting with the screw in attaching one of the circuit wires to the arm.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will be extremely simple in construction, consisting of a few parts that will not easily get out of order, and which may be manufactured at a minimum cost.

\Vith the above objects in view, the invention resides more specifically in the resilient float carrying arm in combination with the securing screw whereby the screw is enabled to perform the dual function of a binding post for one circuit wire and a means for removably attaching the float in place, itbeing understood that various changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the application of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view showing parts of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the various views, 10 designates an ordinary refrigerator, and 11 the drip pan thereof. In carrying out my invention I provide a battery cell 12, a buzzer or electric bell 13, electric circuit wires 14 and 15, and a float controlled electric circuit closer 16 which serves to close the circuit and actuate the bell or other alarm when the water in the drip pan reaches a predef i i Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed January 7, 1914. Serial No. 810,710.

M. TOLLIVER, a citizen of the United States, Ie SldiDg at: Washington, District of Columbia, have m- Patented Dec. 29, 1914;.

termined height. The battery cell, circuit wires and alarm device may be located at any desired place while the circuit closer is attached to the bottom of the refrigerator.

In constructing the circuit closer I employ a base plate 18 that is equipped with attaching screws 19 or the like and carries centrally an insulated-contact 20 to which is fixably secured in any preferred manner the circuit wire 14. I

An arcuate resilient 'arm 21, formed of metal, is pivotally attached to the ends of theibase plate, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and centrally carries a vertically inovable float stem 22 which is equipped below the arm with a float 23, which may be of cork if desired to promote cheapness, the stem being equipped above the arm with a nut 24 to limit downward movement of the stem and to prevent the same dropping from the arm. The arm is equipped at one end with an integral gudgeon 25 which enters an orifice 26 in one end of the base plate, and is equipped at the opposite end with an opening 27 which loosely receives a set screw 28 that is screwed into the adjacent end of the base plate as shown at 29, the arm rocking on its gudgeon and set screw to facilitate the float swinging over the rim of the drip pan upon withdrawal and replacing of the same.

A washer 30 is placed on the set screw next to the end of the base plate and the bared end of the circuit wire 15 is wrapped about the set screw and is held clamped against the washer by the end of the resilient arm 21 whereby a good electrical connection is made, the set screw 28 thus forming means for removably securing the arm 21 in place and being assisted by the resiliency of the latter in performing the function of a binding post for the circuit wire 15.

A frequent annoyance met with in devices of this character is that the floats become fouled from foreign matter in the drip water and from age become water logged, thus impairing the proper action of the device. When it is desired to quickly remove the float for cleansing or renewal, it is simply necessary to remove the single set screw 28 whereupon the arm 21 may be easily withdrawn from the base plate and the cleansing or renewal of the float conveniently accomplished.

In operation, the float is raised upwardly by the water in the drip pan until the water reaches a predetermined height where upon the float stem, which is of metal, contacts with the contact 0f20 and closes the circuit i at this point with a resultant sounding of the alarm to give warning that tllt drippan' is about to overflow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a. float controlled electric alarm decircuit wire clainped by the resiliency of said yoke on said screw.

3. Thecombination with a refrigerator,

a drip pan thereunder, and an electric sig- 3o nal device, of an attaching member on the refrigerator bottom, a stationary. contact 2. In an electric alarm device, a circuit closer comprising an attaching memberya contact earned by said memberyxa resilient yoke, a movable contactzcarried by said yoke engageable with the'first named, contact,-af gudgeon at one end of said yoke a set screw. at the other end of-said'yoke, said gudgeo'n and said set screw coacting in 'removably securlng said yoke to sa1d member. and a carried by said member, a resilient electrical conductor yoke, a buoyant electrical conductor contact slidably carried by said yoke 35 and extending into said pan and adapted to engage said stationary contact, a gudgeon at one end-of said yoke engaging said n-e.'-nber, aset screwat the other end of said yoke engagingi saida'member and enacting 3th 40 said gudgeon in removably bulging aid yokc on said member, a circuit wire clampedv byathe resiliency'of 'said yoke on said screw',: a circuit wireconnected; to said st=.iti'l.mary.

contact, :andga source of electricity connect- 45 ing said wires and said alarm device- In-testimony-whereof,-=I affix my signature, in-thespresence 'of two witnesses.

. THOMAS M. TOLLIV Eli. WVitnessesz i-' 1- FRANCIS .BoYLE,-

Mrs. V. B. TOLLIVER.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained'tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

" ,Washington, D. C.

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