Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature – Mixing valve with temperature motive means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-06-26
Wayner, William (Department: 3744)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature
Mixing valve with temperature motive means
C004S676000, C236S094000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250558
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shower temperature and pressure control system and more particularly pertains to allowing convenient control of a system for automatically regulating both the temperature and pressure of water flow in a shower.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of shower control systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, shower systems heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of controlling the operation of a shower are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,116 to Homan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,177 to Cashmore; U.S. Pat. Des. 295,614 to Touch; U.S. Pat. Des. 341,542 to Wild et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498 to Stayton; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,811 to Tarnay et al. are provided as being of general interest.
In this respect, the shower temperature and pressure control system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing convenient control of a system for automatically regulating both the temperature and pressure of water flow in a shower.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which can be used for allowing convenient control of a system for automatically regulating both the temperature and pressure of water flow in a shower. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shower control systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved shower temperature and pressure control system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a bathtub with an associated shower outlet. The shower outlet is coupled to a wall above the bathtub for dispensing water therefrom. Also included is a mixing valve situated behind the wall and coupled to a hot water source and a cold water source. The mixing valve is adapted to control the amount of hot water and cold water to flow therefrom. Such flow is governed as a function of a temperature control signal. Working in conjunction with the mixing valve is a temperature sensor situated within the shower head. The temperature sensor is adapted to gauge the temperature of the water in the shower head and allow the comparison thereof with a predetermined temperature. The temperature sensor is adapted to subsequently transmit to the mixing valve a temperature control signal so as to maintain a flow of water with a constant temperature corresponding to the predetermined temperature. The temperature sensor also generates an alarm signal upon the detection of water of which the temperature exceeds a predetermined amount. Also included is an alarm connected to the temperature sensor for producing an audible alarm. The alarm also generates a deactivation signal upon the receipt of the alarm signal. For controlling the pressure of water flow, a restrictive valve is situated behind the wall and coupled to the alarm. The restrictive valve is adapted to control the water pressure in a first mode of operation as a function of a pressure control signal. The restrictive valve is further adapted to preclude water flow to the shower outlet in a second mode of operation upon the receipt of a deactivation signal. A pressure sensor is connected to the restrictive valve and showerhead. The pressure sensor is adapted to gauge the pressure of the water in the shower head and allow the comparison thereof with a predetermined pressure. Acting as a feedback mechanism, the pressure sensor subsequently transmits to the restrictive valve a pressure control signal so as to maintain a flow of water with a constant pressure corresponding to the predetermined pressure. Finally, a control unit is situated on the wall above the bathtub. The control unit has a plurality of temperature buttons each adapted to discretely define the predetermined temperature and allow the transmission thereof to the temperature sensor. A plurality of pressure buttons are each adapted to transmit to the pressure sensor a discretely defined predetermined pressure. For convenience, a plurality of memory buttons are included to transmit a corresponding discrete predetermined temperature and discrete predetermined pressure upon the depression thereof. An actuator switch is adapted to transmit a deactivation signal to the mixing valve for precluding water flow at the discretion of the user.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which has all the advantages of the prior art shower control systems and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such shower temperature and pressure control system economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shower temperature and pressure control system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to allow convenient control of a system for automatically regulating both the temperature and pressure of water flow in a shower.
Lastly, it is an object of the pr
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