Abstract:
The present invention is a system for alerting a user to a possible liquid overflow including a base, balance beam arm, pivotally attached to the base, a float ball, a beam-to-ball connector, an alarm actuator, and an alarm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    It is often desirable to monitor liquid levels in particular containers. With the monitoring of liquid levels comes the problem of alerting persons to possible liquid overflow. While many systems have been developed to alert of overflow once overflow has begun, there seems to be a short of systems that alert when an overflow is about to occur. The present invention addresses this difficulty. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In one embodiment, the high water alarm of the present invention would monitor the rise of water in a tub or sink while the occupant of the residence continue or is distracted by other task in the same residence. The alarm would prevent flooding a tub, a sink, or any kind of container to be filled by fluid. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment, the float ball is configured to change color based on temperature. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the present invention includes, a system for alerting a user to a possible liquid overflow, said system comprising: a base; a balance beam arm, whereby said balance beam arm is pivotally attached to said base; a float ball; a beam-to-ball connector; an alarm actuator; and an alarm. The float ball is placed on the upper liquid surface of a container. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the ball to beam connector is adjustable. This allows a user to measure and determine a critical height or critical position. The configuration of critical position is that height at which, when the liquid rises, float ball, is elevated vertically, the balance beam arm pivots and the movement into the critical position actuates the actuator. 
         [0006]    The system alarm is visual, audio, a wirelessly transmitted alert, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the system is configured with electronic communications configured to send an SMS, MMS, e-mail, or other alert to a mobile computing device such as a cell phone, smart phone, tablet computer and the like, alerting a person receiving the transmission that the critical position has been reached and warning of a possible overflow. In one embodiment, the system includes an adjustable bean to ball connector. 
         [0007]    It is contemplated that the present invention provides green advantages that can help the end user. For example, when the invention is set at a desired level, it would eliminate the use of excessive water usage. This would be highly advantageous to end consumers in drought sensitive areas, or individuals trying to conserve finance&#39;s on their utility bills. 
         [0008]    Also contemplated in the present invention is a method for alerting an elevated liquid level, said method comprising the steps of:
       providing a system according to the invention described herein;   placing said system in a position such that said float ball is positioned on a liquid surface in a container;   measuring a critical height relative to the upper edge of said container;   configuring a distance of said beam to ball connector in which said float ball at said critical height, actuates the actuator;   placing the float ball on the liquid surface.       
 
         [0014]    The figures provided are demonstrative of embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a general isometric view of the components of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention in the low-level alert position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention in the high-level alert position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is one embodiment of a ballast used according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is one embodiment of a ballast used according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is one embodiment of a ballast used according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  is one embodiment of a ballast used according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side partial cross-section view of positioning of the ball according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    As generally understood, the present invention relates to a mechanism for alerting to elevated water levels. System  10  includes a balance beam arm  12  that supports a beam-to-ball connector  16 . In one embodiment, beam-to-ball connector  16  is positioned with a positioning adjusting ball  35 . Beam-to-ball connector  16  attaches to float ball  14 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, float ball  14  has a customizable ballast  40  inside float ball  14 . In one embodiment, float ball  14  is transparent, translucent, or combinations thereof. 
         [0025]    Beam  12  connects to mechanism body  18  at beam pivot pin  26 . Apparatus  10  further includes an anti-skid plate  31  on the underside of apparatus  10 , whereby anti-skid plate  31  allows apparatus  10  to rest on mounting surface  30 . Apparatus  10  is placed next to a liquid container  38 . In one embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 2 , a liquid  32  has an upper surface or level  34 . Upper level surface  34  is at or below float ball  14 . 
         [0026]    Distance  39  represents the resting distance of system  10  with an overflow level of liquid container  38 . When liquid level  36  approaches an overflow level at the top of container  38 , as demonstrated in  FIG. 3 , balance arm  12  is pivoted upward. Balance spring  24  urges the proximal end of balance arm  12  downward in response to a change in force no longer imparted by float ball  14 . When balance beam  12  reaches its preset limit, electrodes  22  contact each other. Electrodes  22  are connected with wires  28  to alarm mechanism  20 . Alarm mechanism  20  is actuated and an alert is started. The alert can be any of a visual, audio, electrical, or combinations thereof alert that is configured to allow a user to know the water level  36  is reaching an overflow point. 
         [0027]    In use, the present invention is positioned next to a liquid container that has a desired liquid height. Containers include, but are not limited to, bathtub, sink, pool, or any other liquid container with a liquid height that is desired to stay within the periphery of the container. When water level  36  rises, float ball  14  rises with the level of water level height  36 . As float ball  14  rises, there is no longer a downward pressure imparted on balance beam arm  12 . Without the downward pressure exerted on the distal end of balance beam arm  12 , spring  24  urges balance beam arm  12  downward such that an angular offset angle  44  is imparted by pivotal rotation of balance beam arm  12  about pivot pin  26 . 
         [0028]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.