Apparatus for warning of the failure of a sump pump

Claim 1

Apparatus for warning of the failure of a sump pump for pumping water from a sump, the sump having a discharge pipe extending vertically from the sump, said apparatus comprising: a normally open electric circuit having a storage battery as a source of electricity; an electrical alarm in said electric circuit for emitting a warning signal in response to the closing of said electric circuit; float means positioned in the sump for moving with the level of water in the sump, said float means comprising a support arm pivotally mounted at one end on said discharge pipe, and a float attached to the other end of said support arm for effecting the rotation of said support arm in response to changes in the level of water in the sump; constraining means for constraining the rotation of said support arm, said constraining means being mounted on said discharge pipe; a mercury switch mounted on said support arm for closing said electric circuit in response to movement of said float means above a position coincident with a water level in the sump indicative of sump pump failure, for closing said electric circuit to effect the emission of said warning signal; and a test switch connected in said circuit for selectively closing said electric circuit to determine whether said storage battery is of sufficient strength to activate said electrical alarm.