Bathtub/shower water control system

• US 6,925,661 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Al T. Anger
• Original Assignee: Al T. Anger
• Inventors: Anger, Al T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Khoa D.
• Application Number:
  US10/448,375
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 45411-5416, 454/5, 460/1, 460/2, 460/3, 455/9, 458/4
• US Class Current: 4/559
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/001 Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00 bath lifting devices for sick persons and invalids A61G7/10; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0058 controlled by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0095 Arrangements for varying the temperature of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/601 Inlet to the bath
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6068 Outlet from the bath
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A water control system includes a control panel connected to a power source and is mountable adjacent to a bathtub. The system further includes a plurality of sensors connected to the control panel for determining water temperature and water flow rate wherein the plurality of sensors are selectively connected to a plurality of water supply lines. The water control system further includes a plurality of valves connected to the control panel for regulating water flow wherein the plurality of valves are selectively connected to a plurality of water supply lines. The water control system further includes at least one heating device fluidly connected to a water source for regulating water temperature. The control panel may be programmable for selectively operating the plurality of valves and the at least one heating device.

Claims

1. A water control system for use with a bathtub including a plurality of water dispensers and a plurality of water supply lines, said water control system comprising:

a control panel connected to a power source and being mountable adjacent to the bathtub;

a plurality of sensors connected to said control panel for determining water temperature and water pressure, said plurality of sensors being selectively connected to the plurality of water supply lines, wherein one of said plurality of sensors is located upstream of a water tank, said one sensor providing an input signal to said control panel for indicating water temperature and water pressure, wherein the water tank includes a hot water supply line, a cold water supply line in fluid communication with the bathtub, each of the hot and cold water supply lines having a corresponding one of said plurality of valves connected thereto, and wherein another of said plurality of sensor is connected to the hot water supply line, said another sensor being located downstream of the hot water supply line valve;

a plurality of valves connected to said control panel for regulating water flow, said plurality of valves being selectively connected to the plurality of water supply lines; and

a plurality of heating devices fluidly connected to a water source for regulating water temperature, said plurality of heating devices receiving water having a first temperature and delivering water having a second temperature to the bathtub, wherein said plurality of heating devices oppositely located on opposite sides of the bathtub and disposed within circulating pipes for receiving and discharging recycled water in the bathtub so that less energy is consumed to heat the bathtub water;

said control panel being programmable for selectively operating said plurality of valves and said plurality of heating devices; and

a central valve located downstream of the water tank and connected to the water supply lines upstream of a shower head, a bath faucet and water jets, said central valve directs water flow to the either the shower head, the bath faucet or water jets and selectively operated by said control panel, a first sensor is positioned between the central valve and the shower head, a second sensor is positioned between the central valve and the bath faucet, and a third sensor is positioned between the central valve and the water jets, wherein said first, second and third sensors provide signals to said control panel for indicating the properties of the water supplied to the shower head, the bath faucet and the water jets, respectively.

2. The water control system of claim 1, further including an automatic drain plug connected to said control panel, said control panel including a keypad for selectively operating said drain plug.

3. The water control system of claim 1, wherein said control panel includes a keypad for selectively controlling water temperature and water pressure being supplied to the bathtub.

4. The water control system of claim 1, wherein said control panel includes a display screen.

5. The water control system of claim 1, wherein said control panel further includes means for selectively programming water temperature and water pressure to a desired level.

6. The water control system of claim 1, wherein said control panel further includes means for automatically regulating water temperature and water pressure.

7. A water control system for use with a bathtub including a plurality of water dispensers and a plurality of water supply lines, said water control system comprising:

a control panel connected to a power source and being mountable adjacent to the bathtub, said control panel including a keypad for receiving a user input;

a plurality of sensors connected to said control panel for determining water temperature and water pressure, said plurality of sensors being selectively connected to the plurality of water supply lines, wherein one of said plurality of sensors is located upstream of a water tank, said one sensor providing an input signal to said control panel for indicating water temperature and water pressure, wherein the water tank includes a hot water supply line, a cold water supply line in fluid communication with the bathtub, each of the hot and cold water supply lines having a corresponding one of said plurality of valves connected thereto, and wherein another of said plurality of sensor is connected to the hot water supply line, said another sensor being located downstream of the hot water supply line valve;

a plurality of valves connected to said control panel for regulating water flow, said plurality of valves being selectively connected to the plurality of water supply lines;

a plurality of heating devices fluidly connected to a water source for regulating water temperature, said plurality of heating devices receiving water having a first temperature and delivering water having a second temperature to the bathtub, wherein said plurality of heating devices oppositely located on opposite sides of the bathtub and disposed within circulating pipes for receiving and discharging recycled water in the bathtub so that less energy is consumed to heat the bathtub water;

said control panel being programmable for selectively operating said plurality of valves and said plurality of heating devices based upon the user inputs; and

a central valve located downstream of the water tank and connected to the water supply lines upstream of a shower head, a bath faucet and water jets, said central valve directs water flow to the either the shower head, the bath faucet or water jets and selectively operated by said control panel, a first sensor positioning between the central valve and the shower head, a second sensor positioning between the central valve and the bath faucet, and a third sensor positioning between the central valve and the water jets, wherein said first, second and third sensors provide signals to said control panel for indicating the properties of the water supplied to the shower head, the bath faucet and the water jets, respectively.

8. The water control system of claim 7, further including an automatic drain plug connected to said control panel.

9. The water control system of claim 7, wherein said control panel includes a keypad for selectively controlling water temperature and water pressure being supplied to a bathtub.