Abstract:
This system will alert an occupant of a backup in the sewer or septic system and could be used in a residential or commercial structure. The system is affixed to a sewer waste line and includes a float device and a wireless alert device. When a backup occurs, the float will lift and break the magnetic connection between a magnet connected to the float and a sensor on the wireless alert device. This, in turn, will cause a chime or other alarm device to activate inside the structure, alerting the occupant of a backup. The alarm will enable the occupant to turn off or not use any items which use running water until the problem is resolved.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The following disclosure relates generally to the field of waste water alarm systems. 
         [0002]    Significant damage is caused yearly to residences or business structures due to a sewer waste line or septic system becoming clogged or blocked, not allowing the waste water to flow freely into the sewer or septic system, and thereby backing up waste water into the structure. Although most systems have a clean-out plug installed in the main waste line which enables access to the line, this does not prevent a backup and the potential for damage if waste water enters the structure. This would indicate the need for a device/system which would alert an occupant of such a backup and thereby avoid costly damage. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A device is described that will alert the occupant of a residential or business structure when the sewer line or septic system becomes clogged or backs up. The device can be installed into a line which has an existing cleanout or modified to connect to a waste line which does not have an existing cleanout. The device incorporates the use of a wireless transmitter which eliminates the need for any kind of electrical wiring. The wireless transmitter for the alert device may be powered by a 6-volt alkaline battery. 
         [0004]    According to particular embodiments, a system for detecting impaired flow of a fluid through a main pipe includes (1) an overflow sensor assembly that includes a float positioned within a substantially vertical pipe that is in fluid communication with the main pipe, and a magnet connected to the float and mounted to an adaptor plate, the adaptor plate defining at least two guide pins positioned to slidably engage through corresponding holes defined by an intermediate cap positioned within the vertical pipe; (2) a wireless transmitter connected to the intermediate cap and comprising a sensor, wherein the at least two guide pins and the corresponding holes in the intermediate cap facilitate alignment of the magnet with the sensor, and wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to broadcast a signal when the magnet is not substantially aligned with the sensor; and (3) an alarm in communication with the wireless transmitter and configured to receive the signal and in response emit an alarm sound. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side-view illustration of the device, according to various embodiments, where there is an existing cleanout plug on the outside of the structure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side-view illustration of the device, according to various embodiments, where there is no existing cleanout plug on the outside of the structure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a separated and numbered view of parts which make up the device, according to various embodiments, as illustrated in both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view of the items which comprise the wireless transmitter and alert device, according to various embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a plastic adaptor plate and a plastic intermediate test cap with pre-drilled holes, according to various embodiments, prior to assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top-view illustration of a magnet attached to a plastic adaptor plate, and a wireless transmitter attached to a plastic intermediate test cap, according to various embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7-A  is a side-view illustration of a wireless transmitter attached to a plastic intermediate test cap, along with a magnet, a threaded rod, and a float attached to a plastic adaptor plate, according to various embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7-B  is a side-view illustration showing only a magnet, a threaded rod, and a float attached to a plastic adaptor plate, according to various embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an itemized list of parts used which may be used in the construction of this device, according to various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present systems and apparatuses and methods are understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawing, and claims, and their previous and following descriptions. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0016]    The following description is provided as an enabling teaching in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the technology disclosed. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits can be obtained by selecting some of the features while not utilizing others. Accordingly, those with ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations are possible, and may even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the invention described. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the invention and not in limitation thereof. 
         [0017]    As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” component can include two or more such components unless the context indicates otherwise. 
         [0018]    Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. Also, as used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the term “facilitate” means to make easier or less difficult and the terms “inhibit” and “impede” mean to interfere with, hinder, or delay the progress. Also, the words “proximal” and “distal” are used to describe items or portions of items that are situated closer to and away from, respectively, a user or operator. Thus, for example, the near end or other portion of an item may be referred to as the proximal end, whereas the generally opposing portion or far end may be referred to as the distal end. 
         [0020]    Backup Alarm System 
         [0021]    Although the various embodiments are described with reference to a waste water or sewer line, the assemblies, system, and methods may be used to detect or monitor the flow of any fluid through a conduit or other structure. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a system for detecting impaired flow of a fluid through a pipe, according to particular embodiments. As shown, the system includes a plastic intermediate test cap  7  that is positioned within a substantially vertical pipe  2  and that supports a wireless transmitter  4 . The test cap  7  is referred to as intermediate in order to distinguish it from the top cap  1  which may be used on top of the assembly. The vertical pipe  2  may be a PVC pipe that is four inches in diameter. The wireless transmitter  4  may be connected to the intermediate test cap  7  by two bolts  18  secured in place with self-locking nuts  20  (as illustrated in  FIG. 7-A ). 
         [0023]    The magnet  5  may be mounted to a plastic adaptor plate  6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the adaptor plate  6  may include two bolts  19  that are positioned, according to particular embodiments, in holes A 1  and B 1  on  FIG. 5 . The two bolts  19  may be three inches long and may be secured in placed by two self-locking nuts ( 20 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-A  and  7 -B) on the bottom side of the plastic adaptor plate  6 . The two bolts  19  may be positioned on the adaptor plate  6  so that the two bolts  19  slide through two corresponding holes A 2 , B 2  in the intermediate test cap  7 , as shown in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7-A , and  FIG. 7-B . In this aspect, the two bolts  19  are slidably engaged with the two corresponding holes A 1 , B 2 . The two bolts  19  prevent the magnet  5  from shifting, relative to the wireless transmitter  4  which is mounted on the intermediate test cap  7 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-A  and  7 -B, when the float  12  (which may be mounted on a threaded rod  11 ) rises upward through a substantially vertical pipe  9  during a backup. In this aspect, the two bolts  19  act as guide pins that facilitate the alignment of the magnet  5  and the wireless transmitter  4 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 6  and in  FIG. 7-A , the wireless transmitter  4  may include a sensor  40 . As understood by those of skill in the art, the wireless transmitter  4  is configured to broadcast a signal if and when its sensor  40  is not substantially aligned with the magnet  5 . The horizontal alignment of the sensor  40  and the magnet  5  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The vertical alignment of the sensor  40  and the magnet  5  is shown in  FIG. 7-A . 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , a threaded rod  11  may be attached to the plastic adaptor plate  6  through hole C 1  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and secured to the adaptor plate  6  with ¼″ nuts ( 21 , as shown in  FIG. 7-B ) on both sides of adaptor plate  6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the threaded rod  11  may be positioned on the adaptor plate  6  so that the threaded rod slides through a corresponding rod hole C 2  in the intermediate test cap  7 . The float  12  may be attached to the end of the threaded rod  11 . The threaded rod  11  may be one-quarter inch in diameter and can be cut to appropriate length if needed or made longer using a ¼″ threaded coupling  13  and additional length of threaded rod, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    For a main pipe from a structure that includes an existing cleanout, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the plug can be removed and the male adaptor  3  installed into the existing female adaptor  8 . The test cap assembly, including the intermediate test cap  7  and adaptor plate  6  as described above, may be placed down into the male adaptor  3  and seated in place. A length of pipe  2  may be inserted into the male adaptor  3  and secured against the intermediate test cap  7 . The pipe  2  may be PVC, four inches in diameter, and approximately 2⅜ inches in length, according to particular embodiments. Optionally, a small bead of silicon should be run around the top edge of the male adaptor  3  to waterproof. A cap  1 , such as a four-inch PVC Grip Tip cap, may be placed on top to protect the transmitter  4  and magnet  5 . 
         [0026]    For a main pipe from a structure that does not include an existing cleanout (which should be rare), as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sewer line will have to be exposed. The sewer line can be cut to place a tee  10 , such as a 4″×4″×4″ PVC Sanitary Tee, and a length of pipe  9 , such as 4″ PVC pipe, may be attached to the top opening on the tee  10 , such that the pipe  9  is long enough to reach ground level. A female adaptor  8 , such as a 4″ PVC female adaptor, may be attached and glued to the top of the length of pipe  9 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the substantially vertical pipe  9  is in fluid communication with the main line from the structure. The installation of the test cap assembly, including the intermediate test cap  7  and adaptor plate  6 , as described above may then be completed. 
         [0027]    In operation, the system alerts the occupant of a structure of a backup in the sewer waste line or septic system line when the float  12  is pushed up by rising water in the line. According to particular embodiments, when the float  12  rises about one inch or more, the magnetic connection between the sensor  40  on the wireless transmitter  4  and the magnet  5  mounted on the adaptor plate  6  is broken. This separation between the sensor  40  and the magnet  5  causes the wireless transmitter  4  to send a signal to a remote alarm  16 , which should be placed no more than 150 feet from the wireless transmitter  4 . The signal causes the remote alarm  16  to emit an alarm. The alarm sound will alert the occupant of a backup, at which time the occupant may turn off or not use any appliance or fixture which uses water (i.e., commode, dishwasher, washing machine) until the problem is resolved. 
         [0028]    If the main sewer line needs to be accessed, the male adaptor  3  and the test cap assembly, including the intermediate test cap  7  and adaptor plate  6  described above, can be removed.