Leak detection apparatus

• US 7,362,230 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dan Fish
• Original Assignee: Dan Fish
• Inventors: Fish, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US11/777,517
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/04 by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point

Abstract

Leak detection apparatuses located, at least in part, in the deadspace below a floor in an abode wherein the leak detection apparatus captures, detects and signals the presence of leaking water and other aqueous solutions.

Claims

1. A leak detection apparatus comprising:

an abode having a floor, the floor having a top and an underside and a deadspace below the floor underside;

an aqueous waste generating unit which is located on or above the floor top;

a waste pipe having a first end associated with the aqueous waste generating unit wherein at least a portion of the waste pipe is located in the deadspace;

a container including an opening positioned below a portion of the waste pipe located in the deadspace wherein the container includes one side having a cut-out and wherein a portion of the waste pipe in the deadspace is located in the container such that a horizontal portion the waste pipe passes through the cut-out; and

a detector associated with the container, the detector capable of detecting the presence of water wherein the deadspace is not a crawlspace.

2. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aqueous waste generating apparatus is selected from the group consisting of sinks, washing machines, bath tubs, showers, toilets, humidifiers, and furnaces.

3. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aqueous waste generating apparatus is a toilet.

4. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container has a bottom, side walls and an open top.

5. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container is a plastic bag having an open top.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deadspace is the space defined by a floor underside and a ceiling of a room on the next lower floor of the abode.

6. A leak detection apparatus comprising

an abode having a floor, the floor having a top and an underside and a deadspace below the floor underside;

an aqueous waste generating unit which is located on or above the floor top;

a waste pipe having a first end associated with the aqueous waste generating unit wherein at least a portion of the waste pipe is located in the deadspace;

a container including an opening positioned below a portion of the waste pipe located in the deadspace wherein the container includes one side having a cut-out and wherein a portion of the waste pipe in the deadspace is located in the container such that a horizontal portion the waste pipe passes through the cut-out; and

a detector associated with the container, the detector capable of detecting the presence of water wherein the container has a low point and a conduit having a first end and a second end, the conduit first end associated with the container low point and wherein the detector is attached to the conduit second end.

7. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the conduit second end is located below the conduit first end.

8. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detector provides a visible indication of the presence of water.

9. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detector provides an electronic indication of the presence of water.

10. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detector provides an audible indication of the presence of water.

11. The leak detection apparatus of claim 7 wherein the detector is transparent bottle located at the second end of the conduit.

12. The leak detection apparatus of claim 11 wherein the transparent bottle contains an aqueous activated dye.

13. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the container rests on a platform in the deadspace.

14. The leak detection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the container is attached to the underside of the floor.

15. A leak detection apparatus comprising:

an abode having a floor, the floor having a top and an underside and a deadspace below the floor underside;

a toilet located on the floor top;

a waste pipe having a first end attached to the toilet, the waste pipe having a length sufficient to direct aqueous toilet waste to a location outside the abode, wherein the waste pipe travels into the deadspace;

a container having a bottom, sides and an open top wherein the container open top is located below the waste pipe in the deadspace, the container further including a low point;

a conduit having a first end attached to the container low point and a second end located below the conduit first end; and

a detector attached to the conduit second end wherein the conduit second end is located in a vanity that lies in a space below the floor and deadspace.

16. The leak detection apparatus of claim 15 wherein the detector is selected from the group consisting of a detector that provides a visible indication of the presence of water, a detector that provides an audible indication of the presence of water and a detector the provides an electronic indication of the presence of water.

17. The leak detection apparatus of claim 15 wherein the water detector is a transparent bottle.

18. The leak detection apparatus of claim 17 wherein the transparent bottle contains water activated dye.