GB2312838A

GB2312838A - Overflow arrangement for a water cistern, tank, bath, sink etc.

Info

Publication number: GB2312838A
Application number: GB9609908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Davidson
Original assignee: Artform International Ltd
Current assignee: Artform International Ltd
Priority date: 1996-05-11
Filing date: 1996-05-11
Publication date: 1997-11-12
Also published as: GB9609908D0

Abstract

An overflow arrangement for preventing an excess of liquid being delivered to a vessel 10 comprising a container 14, means 15 for delivering excess liquid from the vessel to the container and valve means 12 associated with the supply of liquid to the vessel. The container is mounted for movement under gravity so that when excess water enters the container it will cause the valve means to prevent supply of liquid to the container.

Description

OVERFLOW ARRANGEMENT This invention concerns an overflow arrangement and, in particular, an arrangement for preventing overflow of a liquid from a vessel such as a water system, tank, bath or sink.

Conventional overflow arrangements provide a warning that the ball-cock valve or the like of a cistern or tank is malfunctioning, and provide an escape for excess water to the outside of the building so that intemal decorations and furnishings are not spoiled.

Also, baths, sinks or similar can overflow if their taps are left unattended.

It is estimated that at any one time in the UK alone there are some 10,000 malfunctioning ball-cock or like valves, each of which loses, on average, a minimum of 10 gallons of water before it is repaired.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid overflow arrangement for preventing an excess of liquid being delivered to a vessel, the arrangement comprising a container, means for delivering excess liquid from the vessel to said container, and valve means associated with the supply of the liquid to the vessel, said container being mounted for movement under gravity between a first position in which the amount of liquid in the container is relatively low and a second position in which the amount of liquid in the container is relatively high, said container being operatively connected to said valve means such that. when the container is in said first position, the valve means allows a supply of liquid to the vessel and when the container is in the second position, the valve means prevents supply of liquid to the container.

The arrangement also negates the need for an overflow pipe leading to the exterior of the building, thus avoiding the need to make a bore through the building wall.

The vessel may be a cistern, tank, bath, sink or similar.

The arrangement may comprise a vessel having a overflow leading to the container which coact with a lever or levers which extends from the valve or valves.

The container may be attached to the lever or levers.

Upon malfunctioning of the ball-cock or like valve in the cistern or neglect of running taps excess water flows through an overflow pipe and into the container. The increased weight of the container causes it to drop operating the lever or levers to close the valve or valves.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, one form of overflow arrangement embodying same.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the cistern 10 with a ball-cock valve or other float valve (not shown) has a water inlet pipe 11 with a stop valve 12. A lever 13 extends from the stop valve 12 and has attached to it a container 14 such that upon malfunction of the ball-cock or like valve, excess water from the cistern 10 flows down an overflow pipe 15 and is collected in the container 14. The increased weight of the container 14 will cause it to drop, rotating the lever 13 and closing the stop valve 12, preventing further water inflow to the cistern 10.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations. such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art. being possible.

without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus for example, the container 10 can be pivotally mounted on the lever 11 such that upon its filling with water it may rotate. releasing a catch mechanism. preventing erroneous operation.

Claims

1. A liquid overflow arrangement for preventing an excess of liquid being delivered to a vessel, the arrangement comprising a container, means for delivering excess liquid from the vessel to said container, and valve means associated with the supply of the liquid to the vessel, said container being mounted for movement under gravity between a first position in which the amount of liquid in the container is relatively low and a second position in which the amount of liquid in the container is relatively high, said container being operatively connected to said valve means such that, when the container is in said first position, the valve means allows a supply of liquid to the vessel and, when the container is in the second position, the valve means prevents supply of liquid to the container.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the vessel is a cistern, tank, bath or sink.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said delivery means is an overflow pipe.

4. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said container is operatively connected to said valve means by a lever or levers.

5. A container according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which said movement is substantially vertical.

6. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which said movement is substantially rotational.