AU2007231680B1

AU2007231680B1 - Shower Timer

Info

Publication number: AU2007231680B1
Application number: AU2007231680A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marcus Jobsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-03
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-23

Description

Shower Timer Overview 1. Operation 2. Design 3. Installation 4. Safety 5. Body (shell) of unit 6. Membrane 7. Parts Operation The operation of the unit: 1. The unit has 3 buttons * START / STOP button * Up Button (Increase Time) * DOWN Button (Decrease Time) 2. An LCD digital display and 2 LED displays. 3. The START/STOP button is used to turn the unit ON and OFF. 4. When the START button is pressed, the timer defaults to 4 minutes 5. The UP / DOWN buttons allow the user to increase or decrease the shower time by one minute intervals during the showering process. This gives the user the ability to alternate their shower times based on their showering requirements for the day. 6. At any time during operation, pressing the START / STOP button will turn OFF the unit regardless of the timer conditions. 7. There is a LED light display that indicates a Low Battery which gives adequate time for the user to replace with new batteries before the unit stops functioning. 8. There is a LED light display that plays a duel role of staying constantly lit when the unit is in active mode until the last 30 seconds mode starts. At this stage the LED light changes mode and flashes when there are 30 seconds remaining for the shower to complete. This light will continually flash from the 30 seconds shower remaining time to the end of the shower unless there is a time change made during the last 30 seconds or the shower timer is turned off. 9. There is also a beep noise made in the last 30 seconds of the timed shower. This beep noise happens every 6 seconds counting down to the end of the timed shower unless there is a time change made during the last 30 seconds or the unit is turned off.

action Buttons I ere are 3 x function buttons: (refer appendix - 9) 1. The START / STOP button 2. The ADD time button 3. The SUBTRACT time button Chip * The unit functions are controlled by an 8 bits microprocessor from a Microchip. tteries - The unit is powered by 4 x AA batteries (refer Appendix 10) a Body rhe Shower timer body will be made of PPS or ABS plastic. Fhe shape of the body is rectangular with rounded corners. Fhe dimensions are 145mm wide x 100mm high x 30mm deep. [he internal part of the casing consists of an IC Chip try that sits a top of the )rnal chamber where the batteries that operate the unit reside. ( refer appendix rhe area size of the IC Chip tray is 53mm x 53mm surrounded by 2mm thick [Is on all four sides.(refer appendix 2) here is also an additional wall between the IC Chip area and the area for the enoid valve.(refer appendix 3) [he body connection is made with a male and female connection and rubber art around the border of the shell also the dividing wall and the internal IC ip tray to create an impermeable shell (watertight) tallation [his product has been designed as a DlY product (DO IT YOURSELF) [he user is required to ensure that the taps are turned off. [he user simply takes off the existing shower head and connects the back of unit to the exposed water pipe with a provided connector. Once secure the er then connects the existing shower head on to the front of the Shower Timer d tightens securely. The user can then turn on the water taps and adjust water temperature at will tile using the shower timer. The user is then ready to use the Shower Timer There is no wiring to be done as the unit is powered by 4 x AA batteries. Th. hottarine nn ha r.nIooed lh h liirin ann th. h.ttor, rrnnartrnant tents of the unit Membrane IC Chip (PCB Board) Solenoid Valve . 4 x AA Batteries . 2 x sets of double sided 0 rings 15mm internal diameter. . 1 x LCD Screen (clock) . 2 x Led Light display 3 x Function Buttons IC Chip Tray uct Design brane There is a plastic membrane present on the front face of the shower timer to be used to control the shower timer. (refer appendix 4) noid Valve The solenoid valve is a low power consumption type. Latching solenoid uses very little power to open and close the valve. (refer appendix - 5) ry In order to aid in the conservation of the battery power whilst the unit is not being used, all displays - LED and LCD digital display - are turned off. The microprocessor will enter into a "sleep mode" whilst in "stop mode". gs To aid in making the Shower Timer water tight 15mm inside diameter double sided 0 rings have been used. ( refer appendix - 6) digital screen The LCD screen is a digital clock that counts down from the chosen time of the user. ( refer appendix - 7) lights There are 2 x LED lights. One has a duel function of indicating active mode and also flashing mode at a pre determined time. other is a low battery indicator. (refer appendix - 8) Safety The unit is operated by 4 x AA batteries. Therefore, there is no danger of a potential high leakage of current that may harm or endanger the users,

Claims

1. A shower timer which counts down a predetermined showering period, the shower timer having controls for allowing a user to manually increase or decrease 5 the remaining showering period once the countdown has been initiated.

2. A shower timer according to Claim 1, comprising a body which forms a shell with male and female connections for enabling the body to be connected between and communicate with a shower head or hose for handheld unit and a water pipe. 10

3. A shower timer according to Claim 2, comprising a valve within the shell, the valve being adapted to control the passage of fluid through the shell between the male and female connections. 15

4. A shower timer according to Claim 3, comprising a latching solenoid within the shell, the latching solenoid being adapted to partly or completely close the valve when the predetermined showering period expires.

5. A shower timer according to Claim 4, wherein the shell is adapted to encase a 20 battery or batteries for powering the shower timer.

6. A shower timer according to Claim 5, wherein a low battery prompt is initiated when the battery is running low. 25

7. A shower timer according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, comprising a low battery LED display for indicating when the battery is running low.

8. A shower timer according to any one of Claims 5-7, comprising a microprocessor within the shell, the microprocessor being adapted to control electric current sent 30 from the battery to the solenoid.

9. A shower timer according to any one of Claims 5-8, wherein the battery and

2009-03-16.H:\Snecifications\iobsen claims wnd 4 -5 solenoid are housed in a water tight area in the shell.

10. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controls are present on the outer surface of the body, the controls comprising a 5 start/stop button for turning on/off the shower timer, and an up button for increasing the remaining showering period, and a down button for decreasing the remaining showering period.

11. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 10 remaining showering period may be increased or decreased by one minute increments.

12. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controls allow the user to turn the shower timer on, whereby turning the shower 15 timer on initiates the countdown.

13. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined showering period defaults to four minutes. 20

14. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user may turn the shower timer off at any time during the countdown.

15. A shower timer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a notification prompt is initiated when the countdown reaches a predetermined 25 remaining showering period.

16. A shower timer according to Claim 15, wherein the predetermined remaining showering period is thirty seconds. 30

17. A shower timer according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the notification prompt comprises a beep or flash of light emitted from the shower timer. 2009-03-16,H:\Specifications\iobsen.claims.wd.5 -6

18. A shower timer according to any one of Claims 15-17, comprising an indicator LED display for indicating when the countdown reaches the predetermined remaining showering period. 5

19. A shower timer according to Claim 4 has a manual override function that allows the user to add and subtract function time in increments of one minute whilst the unit is in the operating mode.

20. A shower timer substantially as herein described with reference to the 10 accompanying pictures or drawings. 2009-03-16 HAi-\Snecifications\inhsencaim wnd 6