GB2351453A

GB2351453A - Urinal game machine

Info

Publication number: GB2351453A
Application number: GB0003983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Rennie Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-26
Filing date: 2000-02-22
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: GB9914889D0; GB0003983D0

Abstract

A urinal game machine comprises an electrically operable flow meter 4 for measuring a flow of urine through a urinal, and a signal means 5 for signalling the flow in response to the flow sensed by the flow meter. The flow meter 4 may be either a flap valve or rotatable paddle wheel.

Description

I 2351 "Urinal Game Machine" This invention relates to a game machine for

use with urinals.

According to the invention there is provided a game machine for use with urinals, the game machine comprising an electrically operable flow meter for connection to a urinal for measuring the flow of urine therethrough and signal means for signalling the flow.

Preferably, the signal means is in the form of an electrically ifluminable visual display which provides selective indicators of urine flow, such as duration and/or volume to visually and/or audibly provide indications thereof in real time or after the cessation of flow to thereby indicate a respective "score", such as by the flashing of messages.

The flow meter may include a rotatable paddle wheel, rotation of which is monitored by an optical system, the output of the optical system being electrically encoded and used to operate the signal means.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a front view of a game machine according to the invention mounted adjacent to a waU-mounted urinal, Figure 2 is a sectional schematic view of a urine flow switch for use in the apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a block diagram of electrical circuitry for use in the game machine apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a schematic view similar to Figure 2 illustrating part of an alternative 2 embodiment.

In Figure 1 there is shown a game machine (1) mounted on a wall above and to one side of a urinal (2) below which is provided a urine waste pipe (3). A urine flow switch (4) is mounted at the waste pipe (3) for measuring the flow of urine and thereafter providing an electrical signal to the game machine (1) in a manner described more particularly with reference to Figure 3.

The game machine (1) is provided with an electrically illuminable display board (5) having discrete "score" windows (6-14) which, in use, are illuminated to indicate the duration of flow through the flow switch (4) to thereby, in turn, indicate to a user of the 10 urinal and any other observers the amount of urine discharged.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a schematic sectional view of the flow switch (4) which, in this embodiment is shown integral with the waste pipe (3). The flow switch (4) comprises a pivotable flap valve (15) having an activating lever (16) which bears up against a slidable actuating rod (17) of a push switch (18). The flap 15 valve (15) can be forced to pivot in the direction arrowed by the flow of urine, shown arrowed, so that the actuating rod 17 is caused to travel vertically upwards to activate the switch (18), which switch provides an electrical current to indicate that the flap valve (15) is open, although it will be appreciated that the push switch (18) may also include means for detecting the amount by which the flap valve (15) is open, thereby indicating 20 the volume of flow.

Turning now to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic block diagram indicating the electrical circuitry by which the game machine of the invention operates in 3 accordance with this embodiment. A mains electricity supply (19) is connected to a power supply circuit (2) which is reduced from the mains voltage to a lower voltage such as 12 volts.

The flow switch (4) provides signals to an analogue to digital converter (21) indicative of flow and/or rates of flow, which signal is then processed via the microprocessor (22) using either of two sub-routines. One is a "wait" sub-routine and the other is a "game" sub-routine, either of which is dictated by the state of which flow switch (4). If the flow switch (4) is open this indicates that the flap valve (15) is closed and during this sub-routine the micro processor (22) can provide electrical signals to output circuitry (23) to illuminate one or several of the windows (6-14), such as by flashing them on or off to entice potential users to initiate the game routine.

The game routine is started by closing the flow switch (4). This occurs when urine passes down the waste pipe (3) to open the flap valve (15) and thereby close the switch (18) whereupon the micro-processor (22) provides an electrical signal to a chosen fight bulb on the display board (5), such as the one to illuminate window number (6), to indicate that a flow of urine has commenced. Timer means (not shown) within the micro-processor (22) then provide successive signals in sequence to, respectively, windows (7-14) for as long as the flap valve (15) remains open so that successive windows are illuminated, each indicating a duration of flow longer than the preceding panel to thereby, in turn, indicate a "score", with the highest corresponding to the illumination of window (14).

At the side of the window (6-14) on the game board (5) there may be additional 4 illuminable panels corresponding to e.g. flashing messages indicating the "performance" of the user of urinal.

The embodiment illustrated, in part, in Figure 4 is similar to that of Figures I to 3 and only the differences between the embodiments will be described herein. In the arrangement of Figure 4 the flap valve (15) is replaced by a rotatable paddle wheel (3 0) conveniently mounted upon suitable bearings (3 1) to allow free rotation thereof. Seals may also be provided to minimise leakage of urine from the system. The paddle wheel (30) is mounted upon a rotatable shaft (32) which, in turn, carries a disc (33) provided with a series of radially extending, equi-angularly spaced slots (not shown). An optical sensor arrangement comprising a light source (34) mounted adjacent one side of the disc (33) and a sensor (35) mounted adjacent the other side of the disc (33) is used to monitor rotation of the disc (33) and the paddle wheel (30). It will be appreciated that as the disc (33) rotates, a series of pulses or flashes of light will be detected by the sensor (3 5), the frequency of the pulses being indicative of the rate of rotation of the disc (33) and paddle wheel (30), and hence indicative of the flow rate. The output of the sensor (3 5) can therefore be used in controlling the operation of the game board (5).

The use of the paddle wheel (30) is advantageous in that it may allow debris, for example cigarette ends, to pass. In the event that a blockage does occur, then it is advantageous for a bypass channel, for example of the form illustrated, in part, in Figure 4 and denoted by numeral (36), to be provided.

Although as described herein the disc (33) is of slotted form, it will be appreciated that it could comprise, for example, a toothed wheel or may be provided with other indicia to permit monitoring thereof Further, techniques other than optical techniques could be used to monitor movement of the disc if desired.

Although the invention described above is designed specifically for use with urinals mounted on walls it will be readily understood that the invention may also be utilised in other Idnds of urinals including those that are floor mounted. In addition, the urinal itself may be incorporated within apparatus which includes a game machine according to the invention without departing from the spirit of scope thereof. The invention may also be used in the form of a number of adjacent urinals which are interlinked to the extent that "scores" may be signalled by the or each game machine to 10 provide a means whereby competition to achieve the highest "score" can be achieved. It is envisaged that the game board (5) or part thereof may be replaced periodically to change the nature of the game being played, If necessary, the microprocessor (22) could also be re-programmed. It is further envisaged to provide the game board (5), or an additional game board, at a remote location.

Claims

6 Claims

1. A games machine for use with urinals, the games machine comprising an electrically operable flow meter for connection to a urinal for measuring the flow of urine therethrough and signal means for signalling the flow.

2. A games machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the flow meter comprises a flap valve and a position sensor arranged to monitor the position of the flap valve.

3. A games machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the flow meter comprises a rotatable paddle wheel and a sensor arranged to output an electrical signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the paddle wheel.

4. A games machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor, and the paddle wheel has associated therewith a rotatable component, the optical sensor monitoring rotation of the rotatable component.

5. A games machine as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the rotatable component comprises a slotted disc.

6. A games machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal means comprises an electrically illuminable visual display arranged to provide indicators of urine flow.

7. A games machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.