Timed water shut off system

Claim 1

A water shut off system for preventing a flow of water to a structure after the lapse of a predetermined period of time after a flow of water to the structure commences, said water shut off system having a water supply pipe with a solenoid-closed valve therein for preventing a water flow through the pipe to the structure, said water shut off system comprising a sensing valve in the water supply pipe upstream of the solenoid-closed valve constructed so as to open in response to flow through said pipe; a normally open sensing switch coupled to the sensing valve and constructed so as to close in response to opening of said sensing valve; a source of electrical energy; a timer having means for manually setting it to time out after a set time; a normally open timer switch coupled to said timer and maintained open by said timer in accordance with the setting of said timer and during energization of said timer, said timer switch being closed upon the timing out of said timer and opened manually; a first plurality of electrical conductors electrically connecting the sensing switch, the source of electrical energy and the timer in a first circuit whereby a flow of water in the water supply pipe at the sensing valve opens said sensing valve and closes the sensing switch thereby energizing the timer; and a second plurality of electrical conductors electrically connecting the source of electrical energy, the timer switch and the solenoid-closed valve in a second circuit whereby the sensing valve activates the timer and after the lapse of the period of time for which the timer is set, said timer closes the timer switch thereby energizing the solenoid-closed valve to close said solenoid-closed valve to prevent a flow of water to the structure.