US4408193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wave responsive swimming pool alarm
Assignee: Georgian Manufacturing Ltd
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Filing: 1981-06-08
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2001-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A wave detector for use in a swimming pool includes an electrical circuit provided with an alert member and a power source for operating the alert member. The circuit is normally open between two spaced apart electrodes which substantially eliminates all power drain from the source. When the electrodes are closed by the waves in the pool, the alert member is activated with the circuit further being provided with a normally conductive control member which changes to a nonconductive state for opening the circuit to deactivate the alert member which automatically returns to the conductive state to reset the circuit for further activation of the alert member.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore I. Millen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:30
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/08; G08B21/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for sensing waves of predetermined magnitude in a swimming pool and the like, said device comprising a body portion and an electrical circuit provided with alert means and power source for said alert means carried by said body portion, said circuit including first electrode which, when said device is in use, is in electrical contact with the water, and a second ring electrode mounted to and extending around said body portion and positioned normally out of the water above said first electrode for closure therewith by the waves of predetermined magnitude regardless of the direction of approach of the waves, said body portion comprising an upper body section on which said ring electrode is monted and a lower buoyant body section for floating of said device, said upper body section being adjustable relative to said lower body section to adjust height setting of said ring electrode relative to the water level and sensitivity of said device, said electrical circuit normally being open to substantially eliminate all power drain from said source when said circuit is open and being provided with conductive means in said circuit which is in a conductive state to enable operation of said alert means and which is changeable to a nonconductive state for opening the circuit to deactivate said alert means and which is automatically returned to the conductive state such that said circuit is automatically reset for further activation of said alert means and including timing means for changing said conductive means to the nonconductive state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for sensing waves of predetermined magnitude in a swimming pool and the like, said device comprising a body portion and an electrical circuit provided with alert means and power source for said alert means carried by said body portion, said circuit including first electrode which, when said device is in use, is in electrical contact with the water, and a second ring electrode mounted to and extending around said body portion and positioned normally out of the water above said first electrode for closure therewith by the waves of predetermined magnitude regardless of the direction of approach of the waves, said body portion comprising an upper body section on which said ring electrode is monted and a lower buoyant body section for floating of said device, said upper body section being adjustable relative to said lower body section to adjust height setting of said ring electrode relative to the water level and sensitivity of said device, said electrical circuit normally being open to substantially eliminate all power drain from said source when said circuit is open and being provided with conductive means in said circuit which is in a conductive state to enable operation of said alert means and which is changeable to a nonconductive state for opening the circuit to deactivate said alert means and which is automatically returned to the conductive state such that said circuit is automatically reset for further activation of said alert means and including timing means for changing said conductive means to the nonconductive state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body sections are threadably secured to one another for ease of adjustment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first electrode includes a threaded connector between said body sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 including a handle for carrying said device, said handle comprising a manual circuit control spring member biased to close said electrical circuit and manually moveable to break said electrical circuit, the spring bias on said handle being less than the weight of the device such that said electrical circuit is automatically broken by lifting said device by said handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first electrode comprises a threaded connector and nut combination between said body sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 or 5 wherein said threaded connector is frictionally engaged in said body portion to resist inadvertant threading between said body sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said ring extends at an essentially constant level such that adjustment of said upper body section uniformly adjusts the height of said ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 including a spring-loaded manual circuit control member normally biased to close said circuit and manually moveable to break said circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said manual circuit control member comprises a handle for carrying said device, the spring bias on said handle being less than the weight of said device such that said circuit is automatically broken by lifting the device by said handle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said handle is located centrally of said device for balancing thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 or 9 wherein said power source comprises a portable battery, said alert means comprises an oscillating audible alert member which alternately draws large current and then minimal current, said electrical circuit including a branch control circuit including a condensor, a transistor for amplifying chargeup current of said condensor, a first resistor in advance of said condensor and a second resistor between the base and the emitter of said transistor and an SCR for triggering said electrical circuit; said oscillating audible alert member being activated whenever said first and second electrodes are in electrical contact with one another and said oscillating audible alert member being automatically deactivated after a period timed by said branch control circuit and reset for further activation after said electrical circuit is broken at said electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuit comprises said power source which is direct current, said alert means alternately drawing large current and then minimal current therethrough, a timerr which draws current for a specified period, and a trigger circuit for activating said alert means, the arrangement being such that said alert means is activated whenever said first and second electrodes are in electrical contact with one another and said alert means is automatically deactivated by said timing means and reset for further activation after the circuit is broken at said first and second electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said trigger circuit comprises a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said alert member comprises an oscillating audible alert member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said timer comprises a branch control circuit including a condensor, a transistor for amplifying charge up of said condensor, a first resistor in advance of said condensor and a second resistor between the base and the emitter of said transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 including a switch comprising a spring loaded handle normally biased to close said circuit and manually moveable to break said circuit, the spring load on said handle moving the handle back to close the circuit when released.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the spring load on the handle is less than the weight of the device such that the circuit is broken by lifting the device by said handle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |