GB2229531A

GB2229531A - Liquid level alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2229531A
Application number: GB8906544A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Russell Simpson; Susan Noble
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-21
Filing date: 1989-03-21
Publication date: 1990-09-26
Also published as: GB8906544D0

Abstract

A small, light-weight liquid level alarm that can be easily attached to the internal side of a bath or other liquid tank comprises a tube<T> containing a plastic float<F> carrying a metal contact P, an alarm<A> and a battery<B>. When liquid reaches a predetermined level the contact completes a circuit causing the battery to operate the alarm. The alarm and battery are in a sealed housing closed from the tube by a diaphragm D. <IMAGE>

Description

W A T LEVEL ALARM.

DESCR IPT T I ON This invention relates to a device which will sound an alarm when the level of water, or other liquid, filling into a container reaches a predetermined level.

It is designed primarily for use as a bath water level indicator which will allow the user to go about other business whilst a bath is filling and then signal when the desired water level is reached. It might also be used inside industrial, commercial or residential water and other liquid tanks, on a temporary or permanent basis, to warn when the liquid level exceeds a desired limit.

The invention provides a sealed plastic container of approximate dimensions 10 cms x 5 cms x 2.5 cms housing a simple alarm bell attached to a battery also housed within the container, along with the wiring necessary to complete or break the circuit between battery and alarm which will activate or de-activate the alarm. Attached to the base of the container is a plastic tube of approximate length 5 cms and diameter 2 cms housing a float attached by a rod to the underside of a thin rubber or plastic diaphragm sealed around a hole in the base of the container encompassed by the attached tube. The alarm is activated when a small metal piece fixed to the upper side of the diaphragm (i.e.

within the container > is lifted by the action of the float rising up the tube, and connects with contact points between the battery and the alarm. Fixed to the rear face of the container are two rubber suc-kers each of approximate diameter 3 cms by which the entire device is attached to the interior side oi a bath or other tank above the maximum desired liquid level.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a front cross-section of the invention indicating the positions of component parts.

Figure 2 shows a side view Figure S a view from above Figures 4 & 5 the operation of the diaphragm which activates or de-activates the alarm.

811 figures are shown approxinately full size.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the container case 'u'. This is a plastic container of approximate dimensions 10 x5 x2.5 cms fully sealed once assembled with a hole centrally located in it's base edge over which a flexible rubber or plastic diaphragm 'D' is sealed. It's top edge contains a flush-fitting access hatch for changing the battery.

W Ts L. At I;isl The interior of case 'C' contains a battery-operated alarm 'A' and a suitable battery 'B' connected by a circuit which is broken at a point raised slightly above a small metal piece 'P' attached to the internal side of the diaphragm 'D'.

Attached to the base edge of case 'C' and surrounding the hole covered by diaphragm 'D' is a plastic tube 'T' of approximate length 5 cms and diameter 2 cms perforated along it's length with air holes. The metal piece 'P' extends through the diaphragm 'D' a thin rod connected to a plastic float 'F' which hangs loosely within tube 'T' level with it's lower, open end.

The lower end of tube 'T' carries a small plastic clip 'X' which will secure float 'F' to the tube and prevent the circuit being completed and the alarm triggered when the device is not in use. When the device is to be used clip 'X' is release from float 'F' allowing it to hang loosely and rise up tube 'T' when the water level reaches the float, quickly causing metal piece 'P' to complete the circuit and trigger the alarm.

Centrally located on the rear face of case 'o' are two rubber or plastic suckers 'S' of approximate diameter 3 cms which enable the entire device to be attached to the interior side of a bath or other liquid tank. The lower end of tube 'T' should be positioned approximately i cm below the desired water level.

Figures 4 and 5 show the action of the float 'F', diaphragm 'D' and metal piece 'P' in completing or breaking the circuit between alarm 'A' and battery 'B' when the liquid level cause float 'F' to rise up tube 'T'.

Suckers 'S' could be replaced with bolts to allow the device to be more securely fitted to the interior of a liquid tank on a more permanent basis.

The alarm and battery might also be housed in a seperate container with extension wires still completing the circuit within the container above the diaphragm. This would allow for a more powerful battery and alarm to be used and for the alarm to be located at a more convenient postion, for example in the hall outside the bathroom or in another room.

This device might also be incorporated into the design of a bath or liquid tank as a fixture.

Claims

WATER LEVEL ALARM

CLAIM A 'Water Level Alarm' that can be attached to the internal side of a bath or other liquid tank and which will cause an alarm to sound when water or some other liquid filling into the bath or tank reaches a predetermined level, comprising a battery and battery-operated alarm housed within a sealed plastic case, the alarm to be triggered by the action of an external plastic float loosely housed within a plastic tube raising a metal piece attached to the internal side of a flexible diaphragm and causing this to complete a circuit between battery and alarm inside the casing.