Abstract:
A valve alarm for use with a valve having an open position, a closed position, and a knob is provided. The valve alarm includes a handle having a knob seat receivable about the knob, and a body defining a volume. The knob seat is carried within the volume and moveable relative the body between an open position and a closed position. A switch is carried by the handle and changed from an Off orientation to an On orientation when the knob seat is moved to the open position, and changed from the On orientation to the Off orientation when the knob seat is moved to the closed position. A timer circuit is coupled to the switch and carried by the handle and includes a time period counted down to zero upon activation by the switch changed to the On orientation. A signaling device is carried by the handle and coupled to the timing circuit for activation upon the timer circuit time period reaching zero.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/050,326, filed 5 May 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to indicator devices. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to devices which time an event and indicate the termination of the time with a signal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of indicator devices, timing an event and indicating an end to the time period is well known. Alarm clocks, egg timers and the like can be set to provide an audible signal at the end of a designated time period. While effective and simple, these devices must be present and an individual must remember to initiate the device for a period of time. 
     When a fluid is delivered for an application, such as water to a pool or landscaping, propane to a stove or barbecue grill, etc. a reservoir is typical provided and controlled through a valve. The valve is opened to provide fluid flow, and closed to stop fluid flow. This is an old and heavily used mechanism. The simplicity of a valve makes it a very efficient and inexpensive device. The problem is in the common everyday use of a valve, such as by turning a handle or knob. It is so common that it is often overlooked. A gas grill is turned on by turning the valve of a propane tank. This is very effective; however, the valve is often left on, forgotten in the confusion of the grilling activities. This can be dangerous and is wasteful. When using a hose coupled to a water valve to fill a pool, water the landscaping or the like, the valve is turned on and often forgotten. The result is a flooded yard and large water bill. Many fluids delivered through a valve are wasted due to simply forgetting to turn off a valve. 
     Sometimes timing devices such as egg timers and the like are used to remind one that a valve is on. While somewhat effective, an individual must have a timer present, and remember to turn it on when turning on the valve. Many times, the timer is not present, or an individual forgets to employ one until it is too late. 
     It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is a valve alarm for use with a valve having an open position, a closed position, and a knob for moving the valve between the open position and the closed position. The valve alarm includes a handle receivable about the knob. A switch is carried by the handle and is changeable between an On orientation and an Off orientation. The switch is changed to the On orientation upon turning the knob of the valve toward the open position and changed to the Off orientation upon turning the knob of the valve toward the closed position. A timer circuit is coupled to the switch and carried by the handle. The timer circuit includes a time period counted down to zero upon activation by the switch changed to the On orientation. A signaling device is carried by the handle and coupled to the timing circuit for activation upon the timer circuit time period reaching zero. A power source is coupled to the timer circuit, switch and signaling device to provide power to the timer circuit with the switch in the On orientation. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a valve alarm for use with a valve having an open position, a closed position, and a knob for moving the valve between the open position and the closed position is provided. The valve alarm includes a handle having a knob seat receivable about the knob, and a body defining a volume. The knob seat is carried within the volume and moveable relative the body between an open position and a closed position. A switch is carried by the handle and changeable between an On orientation and an Off orientation. The switch is changed from the Off orientation to the On orientation when the knob seat is moved to the open position, and changed from the On orientation to the Off orientation when the knob seat is moved to the closed position. A timer circuit is coupled to the switch and carried by the handle, the timer circuit has a time period counted down to zero upon activation by the switch changed to the On orientation. A signaling device is carried by the handle and coupled to the timing circuit for activation upon the timer circuit time period reaching zero. A power source is coupled to the timer circuit, switch and signaling device, and powers the timer circuit with the switch in the On orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a propane tank with valve assembly to which a valve alarm is to be attached; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a propane tank with valve assembly with the valve alarm attached; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the valve alarm according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is top exploded perspective view of the valve alarm according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is bottom exploded perspective view of the valve alarm according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the valve alarm taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of the valve assembly and valve alarm taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a valve alarm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  which illustrate a propane tank generally designated  10 . Propane tank  10  is of conventional design and includes a valve assembly  12  having a knob  14  coupled to a valve  15 . Valve assembly  12  is coupled to a storage tank  16 . Knob  14  is turned in a first direction (typically clockwise) to open valve  15  (open position) and allow propane to flow through valve  15  to a desired application. Knob  14  is turned in an opposing, second direction, (typically counter clockwise) to close valve  14  (closed position) and stop the flow of propane from tank  16 . A valve alarm generally designate  20  is shown prior to engagement with knob  14 . With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , valve alarm  20  is shown received by knob  14 . Valve alarm  20 , when received by knob  14 , is turned, and thereby knob  14  is turned in a convention manner. The operation of valve alarm  20  as it is turned will be described presently. 
     It will be understood that while a propane tank is illustrated and described in connection with the present invention, other valve operated systems or devices can benefit from the present invention as will be described presently. Thus, the present invention can be used on any valve which supplies a resource such as a fuel like, propane, butane, acetylene, white gas and the like, other gaseous resources such as oxygen, nitrogen and the like, or fluid resources such as water. In each of these cases, the valve is turned on to supply a resource to some application. For example, propane is supplied to a gas grill, acetylene to a torch, water to a watering system. Often, the valve supplying the resource is unintentionally left on potentially causing a safety hazard, wasting resources and, for example in the case of water, flooding the area. Wasting resources is not only ecologically unsound, it can be expensive. Thus, in each of these instances, valve alarm  20  of the present invention can reduce waste and expense while increasing safety. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , valve alarm  20  is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, valve alarm  20  includes a handle  21  including a knob seat  22  and a body  24 . Valve alarm  20  further includes a controller board  25  and a cover  26 . Knob seat  22  includes a base  27  having a top surface  28 , a bottom surface  29  and sidewalls  30  depending substantially perpendicularly from a periphery thereof. Bottom surface  29  and sidewalls  30  define a volume  32  configured to be received about knob  14  of valve assembly  12 . In this preferred embodiment the shape of volume  32  is such as to closely receive knob  14  therein. It is contemplated that the volume can be initially formed of varying shapes to accommodate differing knobs or handles. Volume  32  can also be formed with a generic shape and include a pliable material which is shaped when pressed over a knob. The pliable material is then set or allowed to harden to transform volume  32  into a shape which will then conform to a specific knob or handle. It should also be understood that a shape of volume  32  can be provided which would accommodate and function with multiple knobs. The purpose of volume  32  is to receive a knob of a valve assembly so that the knob is turned to the open position and the closed position when knob seat  22  is correspondingly turned. Knob seat  22  further includes pairs of indents  34  and  35  formed on top surface  28 , an aperture  37  formed centrally through base  27 , for purposes which will be described presently. Knob seat  22 , in this specific embodiment, includes guide channels  38  formed in base  27  and sidewalls  30  at the periphery of knob seat  22 . 
     Body  24  includes a base  40  having a top surface  42 , a bottom surface  43  and sidewalls  44  depending substantially perpendicularly from a periphery thereof. Bottom surface  43  and sidewalls  44  define a volume  45  configured to received knob seat  22 . Flexible fingers  47  and  48  are formed generally centrally in base  40  with buttons  49  formed thereon. Buttons  49  of flexible fingers extend through aperture  37  of knob seat  22  when knob seat  22  is positioned in body  24 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . Stops  50  are formed on sidewalls  44  and extend into volume  45 . Stops  50 , in this embodiment are generally molded with sidewalls  44  and extend generally from top to bottom. When positioned over knob seat  22 , stops  50  are positioned within guide channels  38 . Body  24  will turn a few degrees (the preferred amount is 15 degrees, but is not intended to be limited thereto) in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction with respect to knob seat  22 , as knob  14  is turned to the open position and the closed position. When valve alarm  20  is turned in a clockwise direction, to turn knob  14  in a clockwise direction and open valve assembly  12 , the resistance in opening the valve first results in body  24  turning clockwise a few degrees (15 degrees in this embodiment) relative knob seat  22 . Stops  50  then contact an edge of guide channels  38  preventing further relative movement between knob seat  22  and body  24 . At this point, continued turning of valve alarm  20  results in turning knob  14  clockwise and valve assembly  22  to the open position. Conversely, turning valve alarm  20  in the counterclockwise direction has little resistance, and knob seat  22  and body  24  will not move relative each other, but will turn counterclockwise together along with knob  14 . When valve assembly  12  reaches the closed position, knob  14  will stop turning and stop knob seat  22  from turning. Body  24  will continue the few degrees until stops  50  contact an opposing edge of guide channels  38 , preventing further rotation. 
     To insure that knob seat  22  and body  24  turn together in the counter clockwise direction until valve assembly reaches the closed position, a flexible finger detent  52  is formed in base  40  of body  24 . In the valve open position, finger detent  52  is received in indent  34  of knob seat  22 . This prevents separate turning of knob seat  22  and body  24  until the valve moved to the closed position and the resistance of the closed valve allows the detent/indent interaction to be overcome. When the valve is closed and body  24  moves the few degrees relative knob seat  22 , finger detent  52  is received in indent  35 . One or more detent and indent elements can be used, and in the present embodiment three pairs are employed. Thus, when opening and closing a valve, knob seat  22  and body  24  turn a few degrees relative each other at the start of opening the valve and at the end of closing the valve. 
     In this embodiment, controller board  25  is carried on the top surface  42  of base  40  and sealed from the weather or other detrimental factors by a cover  26 . Cover  26  can be attached to body  24  in many different ways such as adhesives, clips welding depending on the materials used, snap fit or, as in this embodiment the use of fasteners such as screws  54 . Screws  54  also extend through apertures formed in controller board  25  and secure it in position. Controller board  25  carries well known timer circuits  60  (not accurately portrayed), a battery and battery receptacle  62 , an alarm buzzer  63 , time setting switch/switches  65  and a power and timer on reed switch  67 . It will be understood that the timer circuitry can have a fixed time period such that no time setting switches are required, or, as in the present embodiment, two switches are employed allowing the timer to be set in minute and hour increments. Other time increments can be used if desired. When properly assembled, buttons  49  extend through aperture  37 . A contact surface on the side of flexible fingers  47  and  48  opposite buttons  49  (top surface  42 ), reside against switches  65 . To set a desired time period in the timing circuit, buttons  49  are pressed prior to installing valve alarm  20  on knob  14 . Pressing buttons  49  deflects flexible fingers  47  and  48  against and triggers switches  65 . 
     Additionally, while alarm buzzer  63  is the preferred signal, other or multiple signals, audible or visual can be employed, such as lights, bells, beepers, or vibrators such as found in cell phones, can be employed. Currently, a remote RF clip could be worn by an individual and receive a signal from the signal device in indicating the valve is on. Also, while a battery is employed as a power source in the present invention, other power sources such as solar power and the like can be employed. 
     Power and timer on reed switch  67  operates to begin the timing sequence which terminates in a signal, absent turning off the timing device. A magnet  70  is carried by knob seat  22 . In the closed position of knob seat  22  relative body  24 , magnet  70  is positioned on knob seat  22  sufficiently distant from reed switch  67  so as to maintain reed switch  67  in an open configuration (Off orientation) and the timer circuit off. When a valve is opened by turning valve alarm  20 , knob seat  22  is moved to the open position relative body  24 . Magnet  70  is positioned on knob seat  22  is correspondingly moved to a position sufficiently close to reed switch  67  so as to maintain reed switch  67  in a closed configuration (On orientation) and the timer circuit on. Once the time period of the timer runs down to zero a signal is given to notify that the valve is open and should be closed. If the signal is activated, turning off the valve stops the signal. 
     While a reed switch is employed in the present invention, it is contemplated that the valve alarm can be turned on with a flow switch carried in the flow path of the fluid being delivered. Thus when a knob is turned to initiate flow of the fluid, the timer circuit is initiated and a signal will be displayed at the exhaustion of the timer unless the fluid flow is stopped by turning off the valve. If the signal is activated, turning off the valve stops the signal. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , timer circuit  60  includes a display  75  for displaying the timer period. This display can be any display with low power consumption such as an led or as in this preferred embodiment, a LCD display. 
     Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.