Backflow preventor

Abstract

A backflow prevention device for use with a conventional washing machine system that is uniquely designed to automatically disrupt the power to the washing machine should the drain line leading from the washing machine become clogged. The backflow prevention device includes an internally mounted micro switch that is operably interconnected with a portable ground fault circuit interrupter plug that is connected to a duplex outlet. The washing machine is connected to the ground fault circuit interrupter plug so that, upon being actuated, the micro switch will cause a low voltage default to be sent to the ground fault circuit interrupter which triggers it in a manner to automatically cause an interruption of power to the washing machine.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In combination, a washing machine powered from an electrical outlet by current flowing to the washing machine through an electric circuit, the washing machine receiving water from a water supply and conveying wastewater to a household drainage system via a drain hose connected to the washing machine, and a backflow prevention system comprising: 
 (a) circuit interrupting means disposed between the electrical outlet and the washing machine for interrupting current flowing to the washing machine through the electric circuit;    (b) a standpipe interposed between the washing machine and the household drainage system for conveying the wastewater there through;    (c) a hollow housing defining a flow passageway having an inlet interconnected with the drain hose and an outlet interconnected with said standpipe;    (d) switch means carried by said housing and operably associated with said circuit interrupting means for causing a low voltage default to be sent to said circuit interrupting means; and    (e) operating means carried by said housing and operably associated with said switch means for causing said switch means to send a low voltage default to said circuit interrupting means in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet.    
     
     
         2 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  further including a valve mounted within said flow passageway intermediate said inlet and said outlet, said valve being movable from a first closed position to a second open position in response to water flowing into said inlet and being movable from said second open position to said first closed position in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet;  
     
     
         3 . The combination as defined in  claim 2  further including valve biasing means connected to said hollow housing for yieldably urging said valve toward said first closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The combination as defined in  claim 2  in which said hollow housing includes a first chamber in communication with said flow passageway and in which said operating means comprises a plunger reciprocally movable within said first chamber from a first position to a second position in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet.  
     
     
         5 . The combination as defined in  claim 2  in which said circuit-interrupting means comprises a portable ground fault circuit interrupter plug connected to the electrical outlet.  
     
     
         6 . The combination as defined in  claim 2  further including a connector member disposed between said hollow housing and said standpipe, said hollow housing being sealably received within said connector member.  
     
     
         7 . In combination, a washing machine powered from an electrical outlet by current flowing to the washing machine through an electric circuit, said washing machine receiving water from a water supply and conveying the water to a household drainage system via a drain hose connected to the washing machine, and a backflow prevention system comprising: 
 (a) circuit interrupting means disposed between the electrical outlet and the washing machine for interrupting current flowing through the electric circuit toward the washing machine;    (b) a standpipe interposed between the washing machine and the household drainage system for conveying the wastewater there through;    (c) a hollow housing defining a flow passageway having an inlet interconnected with the drain hose and an outlet interconnected with said standpipe, said hollow housing and having first and second side chambers;    (d) a valve mounted within said flow passageway intermediate said inlet and said outlet, said valve being movable from a first closed position to a second open position in response to water flowing into said inlet and being movable from said second open position to said first closed position in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet;    (e) switch means carried by said housing and operably associated with said circuit interrupting means for causing a low voltage default to be sent to said circuit interrupting means upon actuation of said switch means; and    (f) operating means carried by said housing and operably associated with said switch means for actuating said switch means to cause said switch means to send a low voltage default to said circuit interrupting means in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet.    
     
     
         8 . The combination as defined in  claim 7 , further including switch biasing means connected to said hollow housing for yieldably urging said valve toward said first closed position.  
     
     
         9 . The combination as defined in  claim 7  in which said circuit-interrupting means comprises a portable ground fault circuit interrupter plug connected to the electrical outlet.  
     
     
         10 . The combination as defined in  claim 7  in which said operating means comprises a plunger reciprocally movable within said first side chamber, said plunger having an operating stem extending there from.  
     
     
         11 . The combination as defined in  claim 7 , further including a closure cap closing said first chamber, said closure cap having an aperture therein for receiving said stem of said plunger.  
     
     
         12 . The combination as defined in  claim 11 , further including a hollow switch housing connected to said closure cap, said switch means being disposed within said switch housing.  
     
     
         13 . The combination as defined in  claim 12  in which said switch means comprises a micro switch.  
     
     
         14 . The combination as defined in  claim 13  in which said micro switch includes a downwardly depending operating arm engageable by said stem of said plunger to actuate said micro switch.  
     
     
         15 . A backflow prevention system operably associated with a washing machine powered from an electrical outlet via current flowing through an electric circuit, said washing machine receiving water from a water supply at predetermined intervals in a washing cycle and removing the water at predetermined intervals in the washing cycle through a drain hose connected to a household drainage system, said backflow prevention system comprising: 
 (a) circuit interrupting means disposed between the electrical outlet and the washing machine for interrupting current flowing through the electric circuit toward the washing machine, said circuit interrupting means comprising a portable ground fault circuit interrupter plug connected to the electrical outlet;    (b) a standpipe interposed between the washing machine and the drainage system for conveying the wastewater there through, said standpipe having an open upper end;    (c) a connector member connected to the open end of said standpipe;    (d) a hollow housing connected to said connector member, said hollow housing defining a flow passageway having an inlet interconnected with the drain hose and an outlet interconnected with said connector member, said hollow housing having first and second side chambers;    (e) a valve mounted within said flow passageway intermediate said inlet and said outlet, said valve being movable from a first closed position to a second open position in response to water flowing into said inlet and being movable from said second open position to said first closed position in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet;    (f) a micro switch carried by said housing and operably associated with said circuit interrupting means for causing a low voltage default to be sent to said circuit-interrupting means upon actuation of said micro switch;    (g) operating means carried by said housing and operably associated with said switch means for actuating said switch means in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet, said operating means comprising a plunger reciprocally movable within said the first side chamber from a first position to a second position in response to water flowing from said outlet toward said inlet, said plunger having an operating stem extending there from; and    (h) water supply connector means connected to said housing proximate said second chamber, said water supply connector means comprising a hollow member made up of a plurality of interconnected, generally cylindrically shaped segments of different outside diameters.    
     
     
         16 . The combination as defined in  claim 15 , further including plunger-biasing means carried within said first side chamber for yieldably resisting movement of said plunger toward said second position.  
     
     
         17 . The combination as defined in  claim 15 , further including an elastomeric O-ring disposed between said connector member and said hollow housing.  
     
     
         18 . The combination as defined in  claim 15 , further including a closure cap closing said first chamber, said closure cap having an aperture therein for receiving said stem of said plunger.  
     
     
         19 . The combination as defined in  claim 18 , further including a hollow switch housing connected to said closure cap, said micro switch being disposed within said switch housing.  
     
     
         20 . The combination as defined in  claim 19  in which said micro switch includes a downwardly depending operating arm engageable by said stem of said plunger to actuate said micro switch.