Patent ID: 6337632
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: G01F,G01N

Abstract:
A self-contained apparatus for detecting the presence of moisture effectively at floor level or below floor level, and for issuing an alarm signal when moisture is detected, comprising:a base portion, a sensor arm, and a mast portion; wherein each of said base portion, said sensor arm, and said mast portion, has a first end and a second end; wherein said base portion has an upper surface, and a lower planar surface which is adapted for placement on a floor; wherein said sensor arm is hingedly connected to said base portion at a respective first end of each, and has a pair of moisture sensing electrodes located at its second end; wherein said sensor arm has first and second planar surfaces, and is adapted to underlie said base portion with said first planar surface recessed into a recess formed in said lower planar surface of said base portion, and wherein said sensor arm is further adapted to extend downwardly from said hinged first end; wherein, when said sensor arm underlies said base portion, said second planar surface of said sensor arm is in contact with a floor; and when said sensor arm extends downwardly from said base portion, and said lower planar surface of said base portion is in contact with a floor, said moisture sensing electrodes are located at a distance below the floor; wherein said mast portion is hingedly connected at said first end thereof to said second end of said base portion, and is adapted to be upstanding therefrom when in an erected condition; wherein said mast portion has operating and alarm circuits, an alarm signal output means, and a battery, located at the second end thereof so as to be elevated from said base portion when said mast portion is in its erected condition; and wherein said pair of moisture sensing electrodes is electrically connected to said operating and alarm circuits.