Patent ID: 7857234

Claim:
A shower actuator for a shower having a shower head in a water line that is downstream of hot and cold water mixing for the shower, the shower actuator comprising: A) a battery powered wireless actuated blocking valve configured to be placed in the water line down stream of the mixing of hot and cold water for the shower, the blocking valve moveable between at least i) a closed position in which the mixed hot and cold water stream is prevented from exiting the shower head, and ii) an open position in which the mixed hot and cold water stream is substantially unimpeded by the blocking valve from flowing to the shower head; B) a digital temperature sensor mechanism positioned within the water line down stream of the mixing of hot and cold water for the shower and configured to measure the temperature of water flowing in the water line; C) a temperature indicating mechanism communicating with the digital temperature sensor mechanism and indicating to the user at least one measured temperature of the water when the blocking valve is not in the closed position, the temperature indicating mechanism comprising an audible indicator on at least one wireless controller that are adapted to convey when the measured temperature of the water reaches an acceptable steady state temperature at least when the valve is in the open position; and D) at least one wireless controller communicating with the blocking valve and configured to send signals to the blocking valve to move the valve at least between the open and the closed positions, wherein the valve is further moveable to a trickle flow position in which the mixed hot and cold water stream is substantially, but not completely, impeded by the blocking valve from flowing to the shower head wherein water continues to flow in an amount sufficient for the digital temperature sensor mechanism to obtain an accurate temperature reading of the flowing water, and the digital temperature sensor mechanism will send a signal to the blocking valve to move the valve to the trickle flow position in response to a measured temperature of the water above a preset maximum temperature value at least when the valve is in the open position.