Abstract:
The present invention provides an alarm for detecting and alerting of a water spill, having an audible transducer angled for optimally transmitting an alarm sound into a space adjacent to the alarm.

Description:
[0001]    Devices for the detection of fluids that spilled, leaked or otherwise deposited on a floor are common place. The disadvantages of these devices are physical size, single plane detection means and alert transducer orientation. These disadvantages make it less likely that an audible alarm sounding from the device will be heard. 
         [0002]    The present invention solves the design shortcomings of other water alarms in a compact, efficient manner by orienting an audible transducer at an angle to the device body to maximize the volume of alarm sounds that are transmitted into a space adjacent to the device, such as into the room and not toward a wall, floor, cabinets or other equipment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a top view a water alarm device of the invention with reference to the following features: 
           [0004]      10 —Upper Enclosure; 
           [0005]      12 —Lower Enclosure 
           [0006]      14 —First Sensing Element 
           [0007]      16 —Second Sensing Element 
           [0008]      18 —Audible Transducer 
           [0009]      20 —Electronic Circuit 
           [0010]      22 —Battery 
           [0011]      24 —Angled Transducer Surface 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a bottom view of a water alarm device of the invention with reference to the following features: 
           [0013]      10 —Upper Enclosure; 
           [0014]      12 —Lower Enclosure 
           [0015]      14 —First Sensing Element 
           [0016]      16 —Second Sensing Element 
           [0017]      18 —Audible Transducer 
           [0018]      20 —Electronic Circuit 
           [0019]      22 —Battery 
           [0020]      24 —Angled Transducer Surface 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The water alarm according to the present invention, comprises a generally hollow, rectangular body comprising an upper enclosure member  10  and a lower enclosure member  12 , which may be made of any non-corrosive, water resistant material, such as plastic. In certain embodiments, a battery access panel or port  26  is disposed on either of the upper enclosure  10  and a lower enclosure  12 . Enclosed within the body  10  is an electronic circuit board  20  or other means for receiving input from a first water sensing element  14  and/or a second, optional water sensing element  16 , where the first and second water sensing elements are in electronic communication with the electronic circuit board. The first and second water sensing elements  14  and  16  are generally disposed on an exterior surface of the lower enclosure member  12  such that when water is present, the water will contact at least one of the water sensing elements, and thereby transmit a signal to the electronic circuit board  20  or other means for receiving water sensing input. The electronic circuit board  20  or other means for receiving input is in turn, in communication (e.g., electronic communication) with an audible transducer  18  capable of generating an audible sound or alarm in response to the presence of water. In certain embodiments, the audible transducer  18  is a speaker. 
         [0022]    The audible transducer  18  is positioned at an angle relative to the to the lower enclosure member, such that the audible sound or alarm produced by the audible transducer  18  is directed away from the water. For example, the lower enclosure member  12  of the water alarm according to the present invention may be placed on a floor or other surface that may be accidentally flooded or for which the presence of water is to be detected. The audible transducer  18  according to such embodiments, will be directed generally upwardly to maximize the alarm sound that is audible to an operator. In other embodiments, the audible transducer  18  will be directed generally both upwardly and outwardly. Such embodiments are useful where the alarm will be located in a corner or under an appliance (e.g. a washing machine) or other obstruction. In certain aspects, the placement of the audible transducer  18  will direct the alarm at an angle between 15 and 90 degrees, typically 20 to 60 degrees and often 30 to 45 degrees relative to the source of water. In yet further embodiments, the audible transducer may be directed by the operator in at least one orientation relative to the source of the water. By way of example only, audible transducer  18  may disposed in a pivotable and/or rotateable manner within the body of the alarm, such that the alarm sound produced thereby in a given location of the water alarm can be adjusted for maximal detection by a remotely located operator. 
         [0023]    In certain embodiments a combination of water sensing elements allow fluid detection with the device placed in multiple positions to accommodate small or low spaces. In certain embodiments an audible transducer is mounted at an angle that complements the allowable detection positions to allow enhanced transmission of the alert tone to surrounding spaces.