WATER DAMAGE PREVENTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A water damage prevention system enables the collection of large amounts of water in the case of a leak from a water heater to reduce the change of water damage to a house or other structure in case of a leak. Water is contained by an extending partition attached to the top of the side wall of a container. The system also uses blocks to support the water heater and increase the water storage volume in the container.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water leak containment systems, and more specifically, to a water damage prevention system for containing water leaking from a water heater.

2. Description of Related Art

Water leak containment systems are well known in the art and are effective means to catch and redirect water escaping from a water heater to an area less harmful than where the water heater is positioned. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional drip pan system 101 having basin 103 with a drain 105 attached. During use, a water heater 107 is placed on and in the basin so that water dripping from the heater 107 falls in the basin 103. Water caught by the basin 103 is evacuated through the drain 105.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is its limited efficiency. For example, water heaters 107 are commonly positioned in closets, garages and attics, dust is able to collect along with other debris that blocks the drain 105. With the drain 105 blocked, water cannot flow out of the basin 103 causing it to spill and cause damage.

Additionally, the basin 103 does not accommodate more than a small amount of water increasing the likelihood of a spill.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of drip pan system, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a common drip pan system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional side views of a water damage prevention system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the system of FIGS. 2A and 2B in use; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the system of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the system of FIGS. 2A and 2B; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional filtration systems. Specifically, the system of the present application reduces the opportunity for the basin to collect debris thus preventing the drain from clogging. In addition, the invention of the present application provides for capturing a large amount of water. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a side views of a water damage prevention system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one of more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional drip pan systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes floor 203 having a side wall 205 around the periphery extending upwards from floor 203 to create a compartment 207 configured to hold water. The compartment 207 having blocks 213 that rest on floor 203 that allow a water heater 107 to be placed thereon.

The side wall 205 having a retractable partition 209 attached at the top 211. The partition 209 configured to extend upward as depicted by motion A, increasing the capacity of the system 201 to both prevent the collection of debris and store water. The side wall 205 also having a drain 105 passing there through.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in use, the water heater 107 is placed on blocks 213 and partition 209 is raised. When a leak occurs the water is collected by the partition 209 and compartment 207. The water is redirected by drain 105.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that retractable partition 209 prevents debris from collecting in the compartment 207 and increases the amount of water that the system 201. It will also be appreciated that partition 209 can be lowered to facilitate access for maintenance or work on the water heater 107.

Another unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is that blocks 213 increase the capacity of water in compartment 207 further preventing the escape of water from the system 201. It is contemplated and will be appreciated that blocks 213 could be attached to and extending away from the top surface of the floor 203 so that blocks 213 and compartment 207 are one piece.

It will be understood that various materials such as aluminum and polyvinyl chloride could be used depending on the type of heater 107 in use.

Referring now to FIG. 4 the preferred method of use of the system 201 is depicted. Method 401 including placing the system in the location where the water heater will be located 403, arranged the blocks to support the water heater 405, placing the water heater on the blocks 407, connecting the water and fuel sources 409, raising the extendable partition 411, using the water heater 413 and capturing any water that leaks from the heater 415.

Referring now to FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the system 201 is depicted. Embodiment 501 includes a body 503 having legs 505 extending out and away from the side thereof. The legs 505 being hollow and the end surfaces 507 being open. The body further includes openings 509 in each leg 505 that pass through the body 503 to the interior 515 thereof.

The body 503 is configured to fit in a basin 103 as depicted by motion B and FIG. 6. The body 503 is contemplated to have an overall height 511 that is greater or equal to the height 513 of the basin. It will be appreciated that the body 503 so configured enables a water heater to rest thereon so as to free space or volume in the basin 103 to collect water. It will further be appreciated that having open ends 507 and openings 509 improves the volume of water that can be stored in the basin 103.

While the body 503 is depicted having four legs 505 and number of legs is contemplate and four are provided as an example.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A water damage prevention system comprising:

a compartment formed by a floor with a side wall extending up around the outer periphery;

an extendable partition attached to the top of the side wall; and

a drain passing through the side wall;

wherein the extendable partition is raised to increase the water storage capacity of the compartment and prevent the collection of debris in the compartment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein blocks are placed on the floor in the compartment and support a water heater;

wherein the blocks create volume in the compartment by raising the water heater off of the floor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the blocks are attached to the floor as one piece.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the blocks, compartment or extendable partition are made of aluminum.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the blocks, compartment or extendable partition are made of polyvinyl chloride.

6. A method of containing leaks from a water heater given the system of claim 1, comprising:

placing the system in the location where the water heater will be located;

arranged the blocks to support the water heater;

placing the water heater on the blocks;

connecting the water and fuel sources;

raising the extendable partition;

using the water heater; and

capturing any water that leaks from the heater.

7. A water damage prevention system comprising:

a body having a plurality of legs extending out from each other and being hollow;

wherein the body is configured to be placed in a basin.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the body has openings in the legs thereof to allow access to the interior of body to a fluid.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the end surfaces of the legs are open to allow a fluid to enter the interior thereof.