Devices and methods for a mechanical automatic shut-off to fluid reservoirs

An automatic fluid shut off device, comprising:

• a float disposed in a fluid catch basin attached to a first end of a flexible cable movable in an opposite direction of rising fluid in the catch basin;
• a second end of the movable flexible cable extending into a bore of a spider assembly having a fluid supply and a shut-off valve;
• the second flexible cable end connected to a first end of a restrained lever arm end of the spider assembly;
• the lever arm configured to be pivotably displaceable at a second lever arm end upon a force by the second flexible cable end in response to a rising fluid in the catch basin;
• the lever arm pivoted against a rim of a rachet gear of the spider assembly by a spring, the rachet gear having a pawl to engage and be restrained by a matching indention on the lever arm and the rachet gear turnable on an axis to cause the shut-off valve to rotate to an open and closed position;
• the shut off valve retained in an open position while the rachet gear is restrained, and the rachet gear under a rotational force to close the shut-off valve upon a release of the rachet gear pawl from the lever arm in response to the force by the second flexible cable end.

A method to shut off a water supply, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first force in response to unanticipated presence of a fluid;
• displacing a restrained rachet gear in a spider assembly connected to a shut-off valve from a first position past a stop to a second position in response to the first force;
• rotating the shut-off valve connected to a fluid supply by a second force in response to a rachet gear displacement from the first position to the second position beyond a release point of the rachet gear;
• and
• closing the shut-off valve by the second force by overcoming the first position of the restrained rachet gear of the valve to the second released position by a rotational force of a clock spring;
• wherein the restrained rachet gear is restrained by a third force holding a lever arm against the rachet gear, which engages a pawl on the rachet gear;
• and
• wherein the catch basin is disposed under a water heater and is configured to displace the latch arm to a point of release in response of 25 to 50 mm of water in the catch basin.