Apparatus for displaying shower or bath water parameters

• US 9,254,499 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rein Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US11/877,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20090106891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,030 Days
• Field of Search: 461/5, 459/7
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/008 integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/075 using electrically-operated integrating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

The present invention is a display apparatus for affixation to a shower or bath water supply piping or incorporated within a shower, or bath or faucet head, in an aesthetically pleasing format and comprised of fabrication materials e.g., a polymeric or metallic bases with chrome, brass white or colored finishes or combination of these finishes and materials of construction. The display apparatus includes a power generation, CPU or microprocessor, temperature sensor and/or water flow sensors, timing circuits and a display means. The display means can be an analog or digital display or combination of display means. Ergonomically placed buttons can be incorporated into the display means to change parameter units (e.g. metric to US), set alarm conditions (e.g. temperature over set point, time past a set point, flow rate set points). The display means must be able to provide sufficient lighting in shower conditions. In addition, the display means must be able to sustain capability in moist wet conditions. In the embodiment defined by the attached shower display apparatus, know piping joint technology will be used for installation into both new and presently installed shower systems. In the embodiment defined by the display means incorporate into the shower head the shower head/display assembly can also be installed in both new and presently installed shower systems.

Claims

1. A time based water parameter display and control apparatus for attaching to a water supply, comprising:

a union mechanism for connecting a housing to a water supply, said water supply delivering a mixture of hot and cold water to said display and control apparatus, said housing including an electrical circuitry, a programmable microprocessor and a power source;

a temperature sensor that is in close proximity or in communication to said water supply, and said temperature sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a water flow rate sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply said water flow rate sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

the electronic display affixed to a physical object in close proximity to said water supply and in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry said having a programmable microprocessor that is designed to simultaneously show temperature, timing and water flow rate parameters on a said electronic display;

a water control means in close proximity to said union mechanism, said water control means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing circuit in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said timing circuit have the capability to display one or more timing parameters, wherein one timing parameter displays the cumulative time taken from the time water flow initiates;

one or more activators that electronically communicate with said programmable microprocessor to allow the modification of certain software instructions;

said software having programming instructions for modifying the defined time period and/or for performing an on-off sequence during the defined time period; and

said water control means programmed by said microprocessor instructions to turn off the water supply after said defined time period.

2. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electronic display is affixed to said housing, the water supply, or a shower head.

3. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electronic display apparatus is located remotely from said electrical circuitry and communications with said electrical circuitry by wireless technology.

4. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electronic display apparatus exhibits at least one water flow rate or time parameter in a digital or analog format.

5. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more selection buttons placed on said housing or on an enclosure for said electronic display mechanism, said buttons function to set a temperature setting or alarm, a timing setting or alarm, a flow rate setting or alarm, and/or a total volume setting or alarm.

6. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 5 wherein said alarm is projected as a visual alarm on said electronic display apparatus, or as a auditory alarm means, or as both a visual alarm and an auditory alarm means.

7. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, whereby said shut off means is activated upon a parameter setting or alarm.

8. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first background light or parameter color is substantially a green hue.

9. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein a third background light or parameter color is substantially a red hue.

10. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water parameter display and control apparatus has a plurality of buttons that communicate with said microprocessor, and whereby the control means in an off configuration can be turned on by touching one of said buttons.

11. The water parameter display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said timing, temperature and flow parameters are displayed in a sequential format on the display.

12. A time based water parameter display and control apparatus for attaching to a water supply, comprising:

a union mechanism for connecting a housing to a water supply, said water supply delivering a mixture of hot and cold water to said display and control apparatus, said housing including an electrical circuitry, a programmable microprocessor and a power source;

a temperature sensor that is in close proximity or in communication to said water supply, and said temperature sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a water flow rate sensor that is in close proximity or in communication with said water supply said water flow rate sensor in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

the electronic display in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry said having a programmable microprocessor that is designed to simultaneously show temperature, timing and water flow rate parameters on a said electronic display;

a water control means in close proximity to said union mechanism, said water control means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

a timing circuit in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry, said timing circuit have the capability to display one or more timing parameters, wherein one timing parameter displays the cumulative time taken from the time water flow initiates;

one or more activators that electronically communicate with said programmable microprocessor to allow the modification of certain software instructions;

said software having programming instructions for modifying the defined time period and/or for performing an on-off sequence during the defined time period, wherein during said time periods said display exhibit a background light or parameter color that is substantially a red, green or other color hue; and

said water control means programmed by said microprocessor instructions to turn off the water supply after said defined time period.

13. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 12, wherein said electronic display apparatus is located remotely from said electrical circuitry enclosed in a housing and in electrical communications with said electrical circuitry by wireless technology.

14. The water parameter display and control apparatus of claim 12, wherein said electronic display is affixed to a housing containing the electrical circuitry, the water supply, or a shower head.