Liquid level alarm system

• US 5,610,591 A
• Filed: 12/26/1995
• Issued: 03/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel J. Gallagher
• Original Assignee: Daniel J. Gallagher
• Inventors: Gallagher, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/579,589
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 340/618, 340/623, 340/625, 73/308, 73/319, 116/110, 116/228, 200/84 R, 200/84 B, 200/84 C, 137/409, 137/398
• US Class Current: 340/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/44 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7323 By float

Abstract

A liquid level alarm system which activates an alarm when liquid in a container falls below a predetermined level. The system contains an alarm which is located outside of the container. The alarm is electrically connected to an activation device which is contained within a housing. A single-pull switch arm is connected to the activation device and protrudes from the housing. One end of a line is attached to the distal end of the arm. The other end of the line is wound about a spring reel mounted on an axle connected to a float. When the surface of the liquid is between a predetermined upper and lower level, the spring reel maintains the line taut directly below the switch arm. The line is of such length that should the liquid in the container drop below a predetermined level, the float will no longer be supported by the liquid, and the weight of the float will pull the arm down to activate the alarm.

Claims

1. An alarm system for use in containers having a top having inner and outer surfaces, a bottom having inner and outer surfaces, and at least one wall having an inner and outer surface, which container contains a liquid having a surface level which fluctuates between a predetermined high point and a predetermined low point;

said system comprising;

an alarm means to be positioned outside of the container;

means for positioning a housing on a surface of the container above the predetermined high point of the surface level of the liquid;

a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side surface;

a single-pull switch arm having a distal end and a proximal end and which protrudes through a side surface of the housing, which single-pull switch arm has a raised position and a lowered position;

an activation mechanism contained within said housing, which activation mechanism is in contact with the proximal end of the single-pull switch arm, which activation mechanism contains an open electrical circuit which becomes closed when the single-pull switch arm is pulled down to its lowered position, and when said circuit is closed, said activation mechanism activates said alarm means;

a float suitable for floating on the surface level of the liquid, said float having an inner surface and an outer surface, said float having an axle attached thereto, said axle having a spring reel rotatably mounted thereon, and a line wrapped around the reel, said float being of such weight as to be capable of pulling the single-pull switch arm from the raised position to the lowered position;

an insulated electrical connector between said alarm means and said activation mechanism;

said line being attached to the distal end of the single-pull switch arm.

2. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the alarm means is part of a unified security system.

3. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises an audible indicator.

4. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises a visible indicator.

5. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the container is a commode reservoir, the alarm system is attached to the commode, and the electrical connector between the alarm means and the activation means passes from outside the reservoir to inside the reservoir between the top and a side of the reservoir.

6. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein a guide rod extends downwardly from a position on or near the housing, a bow hook encircles the guide rod, and the bow hook is connected to the float.

7. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the float is spherical in shape, the reel is inside the float, and the float contains an opening for the passage of the line.

8. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the float is a hexahedron, the reel is within the float, and the float contains an opening for the passage of the line.

9. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the reel is mounted on an axle mounted on the outer surface of the float.