Water saver shower

• US 6,016,836 A
• Filed: 08/11/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald D. Brunkhardt
• Original Assignee: Donald D. Brunkhardt
• Inventors: Brunkhardt, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US09/132,853
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/624.13, 137/624.15, 137/552.7, 251/30.02, 239/69
• US Class Current: 137/624.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/08 Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/402 acting on a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A preprogramable shower flow control device that utilizes timers to control an amount of time water flows unrestricted through a shower, an amount of time water flows through the shower in a restricted fashion by use of a solenoid operated valve, and an amount of time before the device resets for full water flow after the water is turned off. A security code is required to preset the timing intervals. A low voltage battery controls the timing operation and the device can be overridden where needed. The device is connected to a water service feed from a shower wall.

Claims

1. A timed water control valve device which comprises:

a) a housing;

b) a connection for the inlet of water from a water source;

c) a water channel that contains a switch that activates when water enters the channel;

d) a channel divider that divides the flow of water between an inlet chamber and a bypass channel;

e) a diaphragm which houses a positioning member with a diaphragm spring;

f) an orifice located in a diaphragm housing that allows for communication between the inlet chamber and a main valve chamber;

g) a main valve chamber contains a spring cavity which houses one end of the diaphragm spring, the other end of the diaphragm spring engages an upper protrusion of the diaphragm positioning member, and a bleed drain screw;

h) a connecting channel that leads from the main valve chamber to a lower solenoid chamber;

above the lower solenoid chamber is a solenoid which contains a magnetic core;

a cylinder inside the solenoid contains a plunger with a water seal membrane on one end, and a plunger spring on the other end;

the cylinder is longer than the plunger;

the plunger when in an upper part of the cylinder voids the lower solenoid chamber and when positioned in a lower part of the cylinder voids the upper solenoid chamber;

i) directly below the water seal membrane end of the plunger is a plunger port that leads to a plunger channel;

the plunger channel leads to an outlet channel;

when the water seal membrane of the plunger comes in contact with the plunger port, a watertight seal is formed;

j) a CPU is housed within the housing and contains logic circuits, timers, a readout display, and control mechanisms;

the readout display and control mechanisms are visible on the outside of the housing;

k) an alarm is located on an external housing;

l) a battery power compartment is accessible from the external housing; and

m) an outlet channel and an outlet connection.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a first timer means activates signal producing means a predetermined time before closing of a valve.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the bypass channel is of such a size to substantially restrict the flow of water through the device when said valve device is closed.

4. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein a timer prevents said valve from reopening before a predetermined time interval has expired.

5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein an interval of time said valve remains open is predetermined.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein a notification time interval, by the alarm sounding, that said valve will close is predetermined.

7. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the solenoid is latching and not requiring constant electrical charge to remain open.

8. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said intervals are determined only after entering a lengthy access code into the CPU by utilizing the readout display and control mechanisms.

9. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a full or unrestricted flow of water can be accomplished through the opening of the bleed screw.

10. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said valve device can be powered by a portable, low voltage power source.