US3880180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterpipe freeze detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-01-21
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1994-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A water-containing chamber having a closed bottom is exposed to ambient temperatures. A loosely fitted piston at the top of the chamber is raised, as ice crystals form in the chamber. Raising the piston through a snap action device opens a valve which inhibits freezing of adjacent water-containing pipes by permitting water to flow out therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto H Wismer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:30
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03B; E03B7/00; E03B7/09; E03B7/10; E03B7/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1189; Y10T137/1244; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A water-freeze detector comprising: a body; a vessel mounted on said body, said vessel having a closed bottom and an open top for connection to a water supply line for filling with water from the water supply line; a piston movably mounted with respect to said vessel adjacent the open top of said vessel and spaced from the closed bottom of said vessel to define a freeze volume, said piston having port means therein to vent said freeze volume out of the top of said vessel so that water from the water supply line fills said freeze volume and exposure of said vessel to freezing ambient causes the freezing of water within said vessel to raise said piston with respect to said vessel; a bleed passage through said body, a valve in said bleed passage to control the flow of water from the water supply line through said body and a snap action device interconnected between said piston and said valve so that upon raising of said piston within said vessel due to freezing of water in said freeze volume causes snapping open of said valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A water-freeze detector comprising: a body; a vessel mounted on said body, said vessel having a closed bottom and an open top for connection to a water supply line for filling with water from the water supply line; a piston movably mounted with respect to said vessel adjacent the open top of said vessel and spaced from the closed bottom of said vessel to define a freeze volume, said piston having port means therein to vent said freeze volume out of the top of said vessel so that water from the water supply line fills said freeze volume and exposure of said vessel to freezing ambient causes the freezing of water within said vessel to raise said piston with respect to said vessel; a bleed passage through said body, a valve in said bleed passage to control the flow of water from the water supply line through said body and a snap action device interconnected between said piston and said valve so that upon raising of said piston within said vessel due to freezing of water in said freeze volume causes snapping open of said valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The freeze detector of claim 1 wherein said vessel is a substantially upright cylindrical tube and said piston extends partway down into said tube to be guided by said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The freeze detector of claim 2 wherein said piston is tubular and has a closed bottom and a flared top, said port means comprising ports in the sides of said tubular piston adjacent its closed bottom so that said vessel is in communication with the interior of said tubular piston, said flared top of said piston engaging at the open top of said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The freeze detector of claim 1 wherein said body comprises a male pipe-threaded body for threading into a waterline tee, said valve comprising a poppet valve spring-urged to the open position upon piston motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
The freeze detector of claim 1 wherein said snap action interconnection between said piston and said valve comprises a first lever and a second lever, said first lever and said second lever each being pivoted with respect to said body, a spring interconnecting said first lever and second lever so that, when said spring is positioned below said lever pivots, the levers are urged downwardly, said first lever overlying said piston and said second lever being connected to said valve so that when said piston rises due to freezing in said freeze volume, said first lever is raised so that said spring is positioned above said pivots and said spring causes said second lever to rise to open said valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The water freeze detector of claim 5 further including a second spring, said second spring being connected between said body and said first lever to urge said first lever downward so that, upon thawing of ice in said freeze volume, said piston is thrust downward into said vessel and said said first mentioned spring is moved below said lever pivots to snap said valve closed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |