Patent Abstract:
A water level and temperature indicating device useful for signaling preset desired water levels in a bath tub and indicating air and bathwater temperature. The device has suction cup means for removably securing the device to the tub ledge. A depending float chamber and temperature probe for projecting into the bathtub, a battery operated audible alarm system and a battery operated digital thermometer device. An interchangeable weighted float of various lengths is housed within a float chamber. The float chamber has a removable screen unit to facilitate float changes which determine desired preset water level. A modified push on switch within the float chamber will complete an electrical circuit and sound an alarm when a desired preset water level is achieved. The thermometer device will indicate air temperature until it makes contact with the water. While in contact with water the thermometer device indicates water temperature.

Full Description:
[0001]    I claim benefit of provisional application 61/055,825 filed on May 23, 2008 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Referring now to the views of the drawing, it will be noted that the water level and temperature indicating device  1  comprises a hood unit  3  carrying a laterally extended cylindrical tube member  2  at one end. Both units are primarily made of a suitable metal or plastic material and are connected together by suitable fasteners  4  or a spot weld  4 . 
         [0003]    Member  2  is hollow and is open at the bottom end with the exception of a removable screen unit  5  which is press fitted into the member  2 . The screen unit is comprised of a screen of suitable material imbedded in a flexible plastic or rubber casting. A rubber bumper  6  is fixed to the lower side of member  2  with double sided tape or other suitable adhesive. Member  2  contains a cylindrically shaped float unit  7  which is primarily made from Styrofoam or cork. This float contains a small weight  8  made of stainless steel or suitable material. Member  2  also contains a modified, push on switch  9 . This switch  9  is mounted inside the upper portion of member  2  using a press fitted rubber seal  10 . The modification of the switch  9  includes the removal of the push button release spring of a push on switch. This modification allows the switch button  11  to be depressed with very little pressure, thus allowing a much smaller than usually required float unit  7  to fully depress the switch. The switch button  11  returns to its open position by the force of gravity and the weight of the switch button  11  itself, when pressure from the float unit  7  is released. The switch  9  is connected by insulated wires to an electrical circuit  FIG. 4  comprised of a detachable battery  12 , push on/off switch  13 , audible alarm device  14 , modified push on switch  9  and suitable gauge of insulated wire  27 . 
         [0004]    At the end of the hood unit  3 , opposite member  2  is a push on/off switch  13  mounted through a hole of desired proportion. This switch  13  is to open or close the audible alarm device  14  electrical circuit  FIG. 4  and will as a result enable or disable the water level indication portion of this invention. 
         [0005]    The open bottom side of the hood unit  3  is fitted with a plastic cover plate  15 . This cover plate  15  is inserted into the bottom of the hood unit  3  by a press fit. Attached to the cover plate is a suction cup  16  and the audible alarm device  14 . The suction cup  16  is attached to the cover plate  15  by press fit into a hole in the plate  15  of desired proportion. The audible alarm device  14  is mounted through a hole in the plate  15  of desired proportion and is secured by a suitable fastener. 
         [0006]    A stainless steel temperature probe  17  runs parallel to member  2  and is fixed to member  2  with a suitable fastener. The probe  17  is covered in rubber heat shrink tubing  18  with the exception of the bottom end which is exposed for quick accurate response to temperature variation. The probe  17  is connected by two wires to a battery  19  operated digital thermometer device  20  that is mounted inside the hood unit  3  at an opening at the top of the hood unit  3 . This digital thermometer device  20  is secured to the hood  3  by epoxy, silicone or hot glue. The said thermometer device  20  has a LCD readout  21  that indicates temperature values in Celsius or Fahrenheit degrees. On/off  22  and Fahrenheit/Celsius  23  selection buttons on this thermometer device  20  have control of the thermometer device  20  only. 
         [0007]    In operation the device  1  as shown in  FIG. 3  is removably attached to the top ledge  25  of a bathtub by the included suction cup  16  with member  2  and the thermometer probe  17  depending into the tub. A rubber bumper  6  located on the bottom side of member  2  bears member  2  against the tub wall  26 . As the tub is filled, the water level rises and enters the bottom end of member  2  through the screen  5 . As the water rises it raises the float  7  and displaces air in member  2 . The displaced air simultaneously escapes through the orifice  24  of member  2 . Continued filling of the tub will cause the float  7  to rise in member  2  ultimately reaching switch  9  level. As the float  7  applies pressure to the switch button  11 , it raises up the switch button  11  which closes the electrical circuit  FIG. 4  of the water level indicating portion of the invention and sounds an alarm  14 . This indicates that the preset desired water level is achieved. The alarm  14  will sound until either the on/off switch  13  is depressed, disabling the alarm circuit  FIG. 4  or the water level is lowered causing the float  7  level to drop thus relieving switch button  11  pressure and opening the alarm circuit  FIG. 4 . The float  7  is weighted with a stainless steel weight  8  in order to assist it&#39;s descent to the bottom of member  2  when water level in member  2  recedes. The weighting of the float  7  also allows closer float  7  clearances in member  2  which minimizes the necessary member  2  inside diameter. The weighted float  7  also assists the descent of the float when member  2  is not completely vertical. Using different lengths of floats  7  will dictate the water level necessary to sound the alarm thus the float  7  is interchangeable to incorporate a variety of float  7  lengths. Removal of the screen  5  of member  2  allows necessary float  7  changes to achieve the desired preset water level. The thermometer probe  17  indicates air temperature while not in contact with the water and provides water temperature when it contacts the water. 
         [0008]    While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions shown herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It should be understood that indicator  1  may be used in other places, such as a kitchen sink, laundry sink, hot tub, pool, or pond. Indicator  1  may be used in completely diverse areas such as a sump pit, reservoir or even the bilge of a boat and be used for liquids other than water. Indicator  1  may also include the use of a transmitter in the alarm electrical circuit to send a signal to a receiver which will energize a servo to close a water supply valve for the bathtub. This transmitter may also activate a mobile audible alarm device such as a pager. It is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be determined as illustrative only. It is to be understood that features of the digital thermometer  20  are limited to the brand or model of thermometer device used in the construction of the embodiments of my invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    This invention relates to a signal alarm for use to audibly indicate desired preset water level when filling a bathtub with water and monitoring water or air temperature. The device is removably attached to the bathtub ledge with a suction cup. When filling a tub with water one will some times be distracted and forget about the water flowing. This can be disastrous especially when the bathtub is on an upper floor in the building. Most bathtubs have overflows but in most cases the overflows have limited capabilities. Usually these overflows can&#39;t disperse the amount of water supplied by the faucet quick enough to prevent overflow. It is also wasteful to have the water flowing longer than needed not only for the waste of water but also for the wasted energy to heat the water. 
         [0010]    It is, therefore, an object of this invention to sound an alarm when the water in a bathtub being filled, has reached it&#39;s desired preset level thus preventing overflow and waste. Another object of this invention is to sound an alarm in the case of a tub filling with sewage due to sewer backup. 
         [0011]    The probe type digital thermometer portion of this invention is a great aid in safety and health. Many medical circumstances call for specific water temperature when bathing. Infants, small children and pets should not exceed specific water temperatures while bathing. 
         [0012]    It is, therefore, an objective of this invention to provide accurate indication of liquid and air temperature for reasons of health and safety of both people and animals. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    This water level and temperature indicating device is much more desirable both aesthetically and functionally than any previous invention of similar scope. With it&#39;s bathtub ledge mounting and it&#39;s slender float chamber, this device is much less invasive to the bathtub than other previous devices. A smaller diameter float chamber than normally required is achieved by incorporating a weighted float. A weighted float is used to aid float descent within the float chamber and it also facilitates much closer float to inner float chamber clearances. The use of a modified push on switch in the float chamber requires very little float pressure to close the alarm electrical circuit thus allowing the use of a smaller than normally required float. Using floats of different lengths will determine the water level necessary to raise the float within the float chamber to sound the alarm. A long float will require a lower water level to sound the alarm than a short float. The use of a removable screen unit at the bottom of the float chamber allows quick and easy float change. Removal of the screen unit also facilitates the cleaning of the inner float chamber. The inclusion of a probe type digital thermometer device dramatically broadens the scope of this invention in comparison with previous inventions of similar scope and provides significant health and safety advantages. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of my water level and temperature indicator which shows the float, switch, battery, suction cup, audible alarm device, bottom cover plate and the electrical wires in phantom lines. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of my water level and temperature indicator. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a plain elevation side view taken from the side of the preferred embodiment mounted on a bathtub ledge. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of the electrical circuit related to the water level indicator portion of the invention

Technology Classification (CPC): 6