U.S. patent application number 09/751735 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for faucet thermal monitoring system.
Invention is credited to Osborne-Kirby, Richard C..
Application Number | 20020083520 09/751735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25023255 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020083520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osborne-Kirby, Richard C. |
July 4, 2002 |
FAUCET THERMAL MONITORING SYSTEM
Abstract
A faucet thermal monitoring system for verifying the temperature
of water being delivered through a faucet. The faucet thermal
monitoring system includes a housing which is couplable to a spout
of a faucet and thermally conductive such that heat is conducted
between water flowing through the spout and the housing and a
liquid crystal temperature panel coupled to the housing providing a
visual indication of the temperature of the water flowing through
the tap.
Inventors: |
Osborne-Kirby, Richard C.;
(Hertfordshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kaardal & Associates, PC
Attn: Ivar M. Kaardal
Suite 250
3500 South First Ave. Circle
Sioux Falls
SD
57105-5802
US
|
Family ID: |
25023255 |
Appl. No.: |
09/751735 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/678 ; 137/551;
374/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 2001/0418 20130101;
E03C 1/0404 20130101; Y10T 137/8158 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/678 ; 137/551;
374/147 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A faucet thermal monitoring system comprising: a housing
couplable to a spout of a faucet, said housing being thermally
conductive such that heat is conducted between water flowing
through the spout and said housing; a liquid crystal temperature
panel coupled to said housing, said liquid crystal temperature
panel providing a visual indication of the temperature of the water
flowing through the tap.
2. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said
housing being an integral portion of the spout.
3. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said
liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a plurality of
indicator bands, each one of said plurality of indicator bands
becoming visible when heat transferred between the water and said
housing exceeds a predetermined limit.
4. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 3, wherein each
one of said plurality of indicator bands having a unique color
designation corresponding to said predetermined limit.
5. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said
liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a plurality of
numeric indicia, each one of said plurality of numeric indicia
corresponding to said predetermined limit.
6. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said
housing further comprises: a top wall, said liquid crystal
temperature strip being positioned substantially on an exterior
surface of said top wall; a perimeter side wall extending
downwardly from said top wall; a conical threaded portion extending
downwardly and inwardly from a bottom edge of said perimeter wall,
said conical threaded portion being substantially self-tapping,
said conical threaded portion being adapted for penetrating the
spout of a faucet, such that an interior of said housing is in
environmental communication with an interior of the spout; and a
washer member adapted for providing an environmental seal between
the interior of the spout and an external surface of said perimeter
side wall.
7. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 6, wherein said
housing further comprises: a temperature sensing tip adapted for
conducting heat from the water flowing through the spout to a said
top wall.
8. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said
liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a plurality of
indicator bands, each one of said plurality of indicator bands
becoming visible when heat transferred between the water and said
housing exceeds a predetermined limit.
9. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 7, wherein each
one of said plurality of indicator bands having a unique color
designation corresponding to said predetermined limit.
10. The faucet thermal monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said
liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a plurality of
numeric indicia, each one of said plurality of numeric indicia
corresponding to said predetermined limit.
11. A faucet thermal monitoring system comprising: a housing
couplable to a spout of a faucet, said housing being thermally
conductive such that heat is conducted between water flowing
through the spout and said housing; a liquid crystal temperature
panel coupled to said housing, said liquid crystal temperature
panel providing a visual indication of the temperature of the water
flowing through the tap; wherein said housing being an integral
portion of the spout; wherein said liquid crystal temperature panel
further comprises: a plurality of indicator bands, each one of said
plurality of indicator bands becoming visible when heat transferred
between the water and said housing exceeds a predetermined limit;
wherein each one of said plurality of indicator bands having a
unique color designation corresponding to said predetermined limit;
and wherein said liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises
a plurality of numeric indicia, each one of said plurality of
numeric indicia corresponding to said predetermined limit.
12. A faucet thermal monitoring system comprising: a housing
couplable to a spout of a faucet, said housing being thermally
conductive such that heat is conducted between water flowing
through the spout and said housing; a liquid crystal temperature
panel coupled to said housing, said liquid crystal temperature
panel providing a visual indication of the temperature of the water
flowing through the tap; wherein said housing further comprises: a
top wall, said liquid crystal temperature strip being positioned
substantially on an exterior surface of said top wall; a perimeter
side wall extending downwardly from said top wall; a conical
threaded portion extending downwardly and inwardly from a bottom
edge of said perimeter wall, said conical threaded portion being
substantially self-tapping, said conical threaded portion being
adapted for penetrating the spout of a faucet, such that an
interior of said housing is in environmental communication with an
interior of the spout; and a washer member adapted for providing an
environmental seal between the interior of the spout and an
external surface of said perimeter side wall; wherein said housing
further comprises a temperature sensing tip adapted for conducting
heat from the water flowing through the spout to a said top wall;
wherein said liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a
plurality of indicator bands, each one of said plurality of
indicator bands becoming visible when heat transferred between the
water and said housing exceeds a predetermined limit; wherein each
one of said plurality of indicator bands having a unique color
designation corresponding to said predetermined limit; and wherein
said liquid crystal temperature panel further comprises: a
plurality of numeric indicia, each one of said plurality of numeric
indicia corresponding to said predetermined limit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to thermometers and more
particularly pertains to a new faucet thermal monitoring system for
verifying the temperature of water being delivered through a
faucet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The use of thermometers is known in the prior art. More
specifically, thermometers heretofore devised and utilized 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.
[0005] Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,449; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,199,790; U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,305; U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,442;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,003; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 251,547.
[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular
objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not
disclose a new faucet thermal monitoring system. The inventive
device includes
[0007] a housing which is couplable to a spout of a faucet and
thermally conductive such that heat is conducted between water
flowing through the spout and the housing and a liquid crystal
temperature panel coupled to the housing providing a visual
indication of the temperature of the water flowing through the
tap.
[0008] In these respects, the faucet thermal monitoring 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
verifying the temperature of water being delivered through a
faucet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of thermometers now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new faucet thermal monitoring system
construction wherein the same can be utilized for verifying the
temperature of water being delivered through a faucet.
[0010] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
faucet thermal monitoring system apparatus and method which has
many of the advantages of the thermometers mentioned heretofore and
many novel features that result in a new faucet thermal monitoring
system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or
even implied by any of the prior art thermometers, either alone or
in any combination thereof.
[0011] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a
housing which is couplable to a spout of a faucet and thermally
conductive such that heat is conducted between water flowing
through the spout and the housing and a liquid crystal temperature
panel coupled to the housing providing a visual indication of the
temperature of the water flowing through the tap.
[0012] 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 additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new faucet thermal monitoring system apparatus and method
which has many of the advantages of the thermometers mentioned
heretofore and many novel features that result in a new faucet
thermal monitoring system which is not anticipated, rendered
obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art
thermometers, either alone or in any combination thereof.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new faucet thermal monitoring system which may be easily and
efficiently manufactured and marketed.
[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
new faucet thermal monitoring system which is of a durable and
reliable construction.
[0019] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a new faucet thermal monitoring 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 faucet thermal
monitoring system economically available to the buying public.
[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new faucet thermal monitoring 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.
[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a new faucet thermal monitoring system for verifying the
temperature of water being delivered through a faucet.
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new faucet thermal monitoring system which includes a housing which
is couplable to a spout of a faucet and thermally conductive such
that heat is conducted between water flowing through the spout and
the housing and a liquid crystal temperature panel coupled to the
housing providing a visual indication of the temperature of the
water flowing through the tap.
[0023] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new faucet thermal monitoring system that reduces the
chances of being scalded by hot water flowing from a faucet.
[0024] Even still another object of the present invention is to
provide a new faucet thermal monitoring system that is
environmentally friendly be allowing the user to reduce the
unnecessary use of hotter than desired water usage.
[0025] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The invention will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new faucet
thermal monitoring system according to the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the housing of an
embodiment of the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
3.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hosing of
an embodiment of the present invention taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new faucet thermal monitoring system
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be
described.
[0033] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the faucet thermal
monitoring system 10 generally comprises an housing 20 and a liquid
crystal temperature strip 30.
[0034] The housing 20 can be coupled to a spout of a faucet. The
housing 20 is thermally conductive such that heat is conducted
between water flowing through the spout and the housing 20.
[0035] The liquid crystal temperature panel 30 is coupled to the
housing 30. The liquid crystal temperature panel 30 provides a
visual indication of the temperature of the water flowing through
the tap.
[0036] In an embodiment the housing 20 is an integral portion of
the spout.
[0037] In a further embodiment the liquid crystal temperature panel
30 further comprises a plurality of indicator bands 34. Each one of
the plurality of indicator bands 34 becomes visible when heat
transferred between the water and the housing 20 exceeds a
predetermined limit.
[0038] In yet a further embodiment each one of the plurality of
indicator bands 34 has a unique color designation corresponding to
the predetermined limit.
[0039] In still a further embodiment the liquid crystal temperature
panel 30 further comprises a plurality of numeric indicia 32. Each
one of the plurality of numeric indicia 32 corresponds to the
predetermined limit.
[0040] In an embodiment the housing 20 further comprises a top wall
22, a perimeter side wall 24, a conically threaded portion 26 and a
washer member 28. The liquid crystal temperature strip 30 is
positioned substantially on an exterior surface of the top wall 22.
The perimeter side wall 24 extends downwardly from the top wall 22.
The conical threaded portion 26 extends downwardly and inwardly
from a bottom edge of the perimeter wall 24. The conical threaded
portion 26 is substantially self-tapping. The conical threaded
portion 26 is designed for penetrating the spout of a faucet, such
that an interior of the housing 20 is in environmental
communication with an interior of the spout. The washer member 28
is designed for providing an environmental seal between the
interior of the spout and an external surface of the perimeter side
wall 24.
[0041] In a further embodiment the housing 20 further comprises a
temperature sensing tip 40 designed for conducting heat from the
water flowing through the spout to a the top wall 22.
[0042] In use, the faucet thermal monitoring system is coupled to
the spout of a faucet. The faucet can then be used in the
conventional manner with the added benefit of a visible indication
of the temperature of the water flowing through the spout.
[0043] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0044] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0045] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *