# US 10,869,579 B2 · Shower belt drowning prevention device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,869,579 B2
- Document ID: US10869579B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/932,515
- Filed: 2018-03-12
- Published: 2019-09-12
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-12
- Applicants: Richard John Smith
- Inventors: Richard John Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869579B2

## CPC

- A47K 3/001: {Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation}
- A47K 3/281: {Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers (A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence)}
- A62B 35/00: Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion (buckles A44B11/00; accessories for children's furniture A47D15/00; children's seats B60N2/24; safety belts or body harnesses for land vehicles B60R22/00; harnesses for parachutes B64D17/30; harnessing in aircraft B64D25/06; releasable fastenings F16B)
- A62B 35/0043: {Lifelines, lanyards, and anchors therefore (attachments A62B35/0037)}
- F16K 31/465: {by flexible transmission means, e.g. cable, chain, bowden wire}
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00)
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a drowning prevention device for use in the shower employing an autonomous, gravity-based mechanism. In one example, the drowning prevention device comprises a harness comprising a belt and a lanyard. In a fall situation, the body weight of a user wearing the belt of the drowning prevention device directs the force to the lanyard which pulls an attached cable connected to the shower's valve arm, closing the valve arm and stopping water flow.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A safety device for prevention of drowning, comprising:
a harness, the harness comprising a belt configured to be worn by a user and a lanyard having first and second ends, a hoop at the first end connecting the lanyard to the belt, the lanyard further comprising a quick release clasp, and a nipple at the second end;
a tube containing a rod, the rod freely slidable within the tube;
a cable having first and second ends, the cable contained and freely movable within a cable housing;
a guide configured to attach to a surface adjacent a shower, the guide receiving the cable housing therein;
a water valve having a valve arm and a perch attached to the water valve;
wherein the tube has a first open end and a second end attached to the cable housing;
wherein the nipple is attached to the rod;
wherein the cable is attached on the first end to the valve arm and on the second end to the rod;
wherein, in response to a pulling force on the lanyard, the rod slides in the tube thereby pulling the cable and closing the water valve, the lanyard released from the rod when the rod slides out of the first open end of the tube.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The safety device of claim 1, wherein the nipple is received in a seat of the rod.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The safety device of claim 1, wherein the perch guides the cable to the valve arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The safety device of claim 1, wherein the belt is a nylon belt.