GB2271183A - Liquid depth indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The free floating liquid depth indicator can be used to audibly warn when a pre-determined depth of water has been reached when filling a domestic bath or any such container holding liquid. The depth of water can be pre-set by adjustment to a extendable leg (F). A battery operated buzzer or bleeper (B) is activated when the device floats freely in a vertical plane and this occurs when the lower end of the leg rises free from the floor of the bath. A switch (C) secured within the device will close contact when the device moves into a vertical plane thus activating the buzzer but this can only occur when the required minimum depth of water has been reached. <IMAGE>

Description

LIQUID DEPTH LEVEL INDICATO This invention relates to a liquid depth level indicator.

The present invention provides the means wherebye an audible warning is given when a required depth of liquid is reached on filling a container. The invention is particulary applicable to the running of water into a bath. The indicator can be pre-set to activate the alarm when a required depth of water has been reached, thus eliminating the need for visible supervision whilst the bath is filling.

According to the present invention, there is provided a body unit together with inner components which has sufficient internal bouyancy and weight distribution to allow the whole unit to float in a vertical or near vertical plane when in sufficient depth of liquid. The inner components consist of an electically activated buzzer, a battery, and a murcury switch (or switch of similar principle). Electric circuitry connects the three components so that when the switch makes contact, the buzzer is activated. To the base of the unit is attached an extendable leg, the length of which can be adjusted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in section the unit, the extendably leg construction, and the electrical components (shown in broken line).

Figure 2 shows the cutline of the unit par-floating in insufficient deth of liquid and showing murcury switch open.

Figure 2a shows open circuitry.

Figure 3 shows the outline of the unit freely floating in sufficient depth of liquid and murcury switch closed.

Figure 3a shows closed circuitry.

The device consists of two plastic mouldings as shown in Figure 1. The upper part A screws onto the lower part E to form a watertight seal.

B, C, and D indicate the buzzer unit, che murcury switch and the battery respectively. The pieces F form the inner and outer parts of the extendable leg The electric components are securely attached within the body unit by any suitable means and where the murcury switch will lie in an horizontal plane when the unit floats in a near vertical plane. The switch is of any type which will close contact when in an horizontal or near horizontal plane.

The bouyancy level and weight distribution of the device is such that when in sufficient depth of water, the device will float in a near vertical plane. With less than the minimum sufficient depth of water the lower end of the extendable leg will be in contact with the base of the bath thus causing the device to list. This in turn will cause the switch to move out of horizontal and thus open the switching contact.

It shows therefore that the buzzer can be activated when a certain level or depth of water has been reached when filling a bath, this level being pre-set, within the limits of the leg extension length, by adjustment to the leg extension.

Claims (1)

1. The device can only float in a vertical or near vertical plane when there if sufficient depth of liquid in the container to allow the end of the extendable leg to become clear of the container floor. Vertical flotation of the device will cause activation of the buzzer alarm. The minimum sufficient depth of liquid to allow the device to float in a vertical or near vertical plain can be pre determined (within limits) by adjustment in length to the extendable leg.

   AMENDMENT TO CLAIMS A liquid depth indicator comprising of two or more piece hollow body, incorporating therewith extendable leg or legs, and containing within the said body electrical circuitry, battery, bleeper and level sensitive switch, the switch being positioned specifically within the body to allow its contacts to close and thus activate the audible alarm when the indicator is in sufficient depth of liquid to float in a vertical or near vertical plane, the depth being pre-set within limits by use of the extendable legs or legs