GB2142732A - Low water warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for drinking water (e.g. for use in a touring caravan) is mounted on a platform 2 which is pivoted at 3 and supported by a spring 4. When less than approximately five litres of water remains in the container, movement of the platform operates a switch 5 to provide a visual or audible warning. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Low water level warning The invention relates to drinking water in containers used for leisure activities mainly touring caravans.

The problem is of knowing when the drinking water is getting low, as it is usually situated outside the caravan and in a non transparent plastic container to prevent alga forming.

If the water runs out, on most systems the pump can be damaged or the system may have to be re-primed. It can also be very inconvenient.

According to the invention an audible alarm operates when the electric water pump is used and there is approximately five litres of water left for emergency use in the container.

For systems without electric water pumps, a warning light can be used in place of the audible alarm.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying schematic drawing and is now described with reference to Fig. 1.

Showing system with electric water pump.

Figure 2 showing system without electric water pump.

The invention consists of a rectangular flat box 1 with lid 2 of a suitable size to stand a water container on. The lid is hinged or pivoted 3 one end and spring loaded 4 open the other end. The spring loading being just able to support approximately five litres of water plus the average weight of a typical water container. A micro switch 5 is fixed at the same end as the springs and set to operate when the springs overcome the weight of approximately five litres of water plus container. Using the caravan power supply as in Fig. 1 powers the audible alarm 7 or as in Fig. 2 powers a warning light 8.

The box 1 when not in use may provide storage space for water container to caravan connection hose and interconnecting cable and plug 6.

1. A warning device which indicates when approximately five litres of drinking water is left for emergency use in most types of portable water containers, used mainly with touring caravans. Comprising of a flat box type platform. The lid being spring loaded to raise in opposition to the weight when the container being placed on the lid has approximately five litres of water left in it. The movement of the lid is used to operate a switch which in turn operates an indicator.

2. A warning device as claimed in Claim 1 where the power for the indicator is switched in parallel with the water pump in the caravan.

3. A warning device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which the indicator is of the audible type.

4. A warning device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the indicator is of the visual type.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Low water level warning The invention relates to drinking water in containers used for leisure activities mainly touring caravans. The problem is of knowing when the drinking water is getting low, as it is usually situated outside the caravan and in a non transparent plastic container to prevent alga forming. If the water runs out, on most systems the pump can be damaged or the system may have to be re-primed. It can also be very inconvenient. According to the invention an audible alarm operates when the electric water pump is used and there is approximately five litres of water left for emergency use in the container. For systems without electric water pumps, a warning light can be used in place of the audible alarm. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying schematic drawing and is now described with reference to Fig. 1. Showing system with electric water pump. Figure 2 showing system without electric water pump. The invention consists of a rectangular flat box 1 with lid 2 of a suitable size to stand a water container on. The lid is hinged or pivoted 3 one end and spring loaded 4 open the other end. The spring loading being just able to support approximately five litres of water plus the average weight of a typical water container. A micro switch 5 is fixed at the same end as the springs and set to operate when the springs overcome the weight of approximately five litres of water plus container. Using the caravan power supply as in Fig. 1 powers the audible alarm 7 or as in Fig. 2 powers a warning light 8. The box 1 when not in use may provide storage space for water container to caravan connection hose and interconnecting cable and plug 6. CLAIMS

1. A warning device which indicates when approximately five litres of drinking water is left for emergency use in most types of portable water containers, used mainly with touring caravans. Comprising of a flat box type platform. The lid being spring loaded to raise in opposition to the weight when the container being placed on the lid has approximately five litres of water left in it. The movement of the lid is used to operate a switch which in turn operates an indicator.

2. A warning device as claimed in Claim 1 where the power for the indicator is switched in parallel with the water pump in the caravan.

3. A warning device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which the indicator is of the audible type.

4. A warning device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the indicator is of the visual type.