Patent US4258444A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4258444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bath water level control system
Assignee: Grohe Water Technology AG and Co KG
•
Filing: 1979-05-09
•
Granted: 1981-03-31
•
Expires: 1999-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A water level control system for use with bath tubs includes a capacitive proximity switch disposed external to one wall of the bath tub. The vertical position of the switch is adjustable. The switch generates a signal when the water level is approximately that of the switch. The signal is used to control a water supply solenoid and/or an alarm indication.
Inventors
- 👤 Willy Orszullok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:25
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/12; E03C1/24; E03C1/242; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/265; G05; G05D; G05D9/00; G05D9/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A water level control system for a bath tub comprising: vertically adjustable detecting means disposed exterior to one wall of said tub for generating a signal when the water in said tub reaches a level at approximately the level of said detecting means; means for vertically positioning said detecting means, said positioning means including means for holding said detecting means and for translating movement of said level selecting means into a corresponding vertical movement of said detecting means, said holding means comprising a threaded spindle rotatably mounted adjacent said one wall of said tub and a nut supported on said spindle, said nut being nonrotatably connected to said detecting means; said bathtub including an overflow aperture and a cover rosette; said system further comprising: level selecting means comprising a knob movable on said rosette, gearing means coupling said knob to said spindle, means for mounting said spindle to permit rotational movement thereof; and means responsive to said generated signal for shutting off the inflowing water supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A water level control system for a bath tub comprising: vertically adjustable detecting means disposed exterior to one wall of said tub for generating a signal when the water in said tub reaches a level at approximately the level of said detecting means; means for vertically positioning said detecting means, said positioning means including means for holding said detecting means and for translating movement of said level selecting means into a corresponding vertical movement of said detecting means, said holding means comprising a threaded spindle rotatably mounted adjacent said one wall of said tub and a nut supported on said spindle, said nut being nonrotatably connected to said detecting means; said bathtub including an overflow aperture and a cover rosette; said system further comprising: level selecting means comprising a knob movable on said rosette, gearing means coupling said knob to said spindle, means for mounting said spindle to permit rotational movement thereof; and means responsive to said generated signal for shutting off the inflowing water supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A water level control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means responsive to said generated signal includes means for producing an alarm indication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A water level control system for a bath tub comprising: vertically adjustable detecting means disposed exterior to one wall of said tub for generating a signal when the water in said tub reaches a level at approximately the level of said detecting means; means for vertically positioning said detecting means, said positioning means including means for holding said detecting means and for translating movement of said level selecting means into a corresponding vertical movement of said detecting means, said holding means comprising a threaded spindle rotatably mounted adjacent said one wall of said tub and a nut supported on said spindle, said nut being nonrotatably connected to said detecting means; said bathtub including an overflow aperture and a cover rosette; said system further comprising: level selecting means comprising a knob movable on said rosette, gearing means coupling said knob to said spindle, means for mounting said spindle to permit rotational movement thereof; and means responsive to said generated signal for producing an alarm indication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
A water level control system for a bath tub comprising: vertically adjustable detecting means disposed exterior to one wall of said tub for generating a signal when the water in said tub reaches a level at approximately the level of said detecting means; means for vertically positioning said detecting means, said positioning means including means for holding said detecting means and for translating movement of said level selecting means into a corresponding vertical movement of said detecting means, said holding means comprising a threaded spindle rotatably mounted adjacent said one wall of said tub and a nut supported on said spindle, said nut being nonrotatably connected to said detecting means; said bathtub including an overflow aperture and a cover rosette; said system further comprising: level selecting means comprising a knob movable on said rosette, gearing means coupling said knob to said spindle, means for mounting said spindle to permit rotational movement thereof; and means responsive to said generated signal for producing an alarm indication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A water level control system in accordance with claim 1 or 3, wherein at least said one wall comprises a portion of non-conductive material; said detecting means comprises a capacitive proximity switch; and said responsive means comprises a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE304412C
Cited
US267156A
Cited
US1692512A
Cited
GB320752A
Cited
US1956086A
Cited
US2268819A
Cited
US2537028A
Cited
US2907994A
Cited
US3019650A
Cited
DE1609195A1
Cited
US3916926A
Cited
US4042984A
Cited
US4041557A
Cited
US4173755A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |