Remote control water valving system for shower or sink

• US 8,132,778 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul E. Connors
• Original Assignee: Paul E. Connors
• Inventors: Connors, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr, John K
• Application Number:
  US12/398,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20090261282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.01, 251/129.04, 459/7, 460/5, 462/3
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 51/00 Other details not peculiar to particular types of valves or cut-off apparatus

Abstract

A remote controlled valve for cessation of water flow from an outflow component such as a showerhead or faucet during periods where water flow is not required by the user to provide for water conservation. The device features a remote control having a large contact area for contact with the user'"'"'s arm or leg or hip to allow for activation without the use of their hands and fingers. The large size also renders the remote control unit easily located by sense of touch and without the user'"'"'s eyesight to encourage use by users who might otherwise be concerned about reinitiating water flow during shampooing or while using the device on a sink with their hands wet or occupied.

Claims

1. A water flow control apparatus comprising:

an electric valve, said electric valve engageable between a pressurized water supply and an outflow component from a group of outflow components including a showerhead and faucet;

means to electrically power said electric valve;

said electric valve actuate the upon a signal, between two positions, a first of said positions being an open position allowing a flow of said water to said outflow component and a second of said positions being a closed position preventing said flow of water to said outflow component;

a control, said control having an exterior contact surface adapted for a contact with a portion of the body of a user;

said control having means to wirelessly communicate a said signal to said electric valve upon a said contact by said user with said contact surface;

said means to wirelessly communicate having;

an electrical power supply operatively connected to said control;

a light transmission component configured to illuminate and transmit light exterior to said control as said signal, during a said contact with said contact surface; and

a receiver for said light operatively engaged to said electric valve to thereby move said valve between said two positions each time a said signal is received;

said control surface having a size sufficiently large to provide means for tactile locating of said control, without said user viewing said control; and

whereby a said contact by said user with said contact surface will cause said electric valve if in said open position to move to said closed position and if in said closed position to move to said open position providing said user with closed eyes a means to locate and subsequently contact said contact surface with a body part such as a leg, hip or arm, to cease said water supply when not needed to save water.

2. The water flow control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contact surface is one of an electric switch which is depressible by a said contact or an electronic switch which senses a said contact when touched by said user.

3. The water flow control apparatus of claim 2 wherein said contact surface is of a size between two square inches and thirty six square inches.

4. The water flow control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contact surface is of a size between two square inches and thirty six square inches.

5. A water flow control apparatus comprising:

an electric valve, said electric valve engageable between a pressurized water supply and an outflow component from a group of outflow components including a showerhead and faucet;

means to electrically power said electric valve;

said electric valve actuate the upon a signal, between two positions, a first of said positions being an open position allowing a flow of said water to said outflow component and a second of said positions being a closed position preventing said flow of water to said outflow component;

a control, said control having an exterior contact surface adapted for a contact with a portion of the body of a user;

said control having means to wirelessly communicate a said signal to said electric valve upon a said contact by said user with said contact surface;

said means to wirelessly communicate having;

a pump operatively engaged with said contact surface;

a conduit running between said pump, and a pneumatic receiver operatively engaged with said electric control valve;

said pump communicating air pressure through said conduit as said signal during a said contact with said contact surface; and

said pneumatic receiver operatively communicating said signal to said electric control valve whereby said electric valve moves to the opposite position of said two positions each time a said signal is received;

said control surface having a size sufficiently large to provide means for tactile locating of said control, without said user viewing said control; and

whereby a said contact by said user with said contact surface will cause said electric valve if in said open position to move to said closed position and if in said closed position to move to said open position providing said user with closed eyes a means to locate and subsequently contact said contact surface with a body part such as a leg, hip or arm, to cease said water supply when not needed to save water.

6. The water flow control apparatus of claim 5 wherein said contact surface is one of an electric switch which is depressible by a said contact or an electronic switch which senses a said contact when touched by said user.

7. The water flow control apparatus of claim 6 wherein said contact surface is of a size between two square inches and thirty six square inches.

8. The water flow control apparatus of claim 5 wherein said contact surface is of a size between two square inches and thirty six square inches.