AU2002366188B2

AU2002366188B2 - A pipe connector and method of supplying fluid to a fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2002366188B2
Application number: AU2002366188A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kevin Francis Byrne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-20
Filing date: 2002-11-20
Publication date: 2008-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-20
Also published as: AU2002366188A1; NZ515599A; WO2003044419A1

Description

WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 A Pipe Connector and Method of Supplying Fluid to a Fitting Technical Field This invention relates to a pipe connector for a fluid pipe and in particular, but not exclusively to a pipe connector for fixing to a stud and supplying fluid to a fitting.

Throughout this specification, the term "fluid" has been used in its usual sense of referring to a gas or liquid and includes combination gas and liquid fluids.

Background Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, an example of a prior art pipe connector is shown. Pipe connectors of the type shown in Figure 1 are produced by Spartan Engineering Co Limited, of Rangotai, Wellington, New Zealand. When fitted, the prior art pipe connector, which is generally referenced 1, is fixed to a beam or nog through a face plate 2. The beam or nog 10 extends horizontally away from a stud 11. The pipe connector includes a fluid passageway having an inlet 3 and an outlet 4. In use, the outlet 4 is typically connected to a fitting such as a tap (not shown), which provides water to a dwelling and the inlet 3 is connected to a fluid supply tube (also not shown).

Pipe connectors of the type shown in Figure 1 are often time-consuming and awkward to fit, especially when a nog or beam is not available for fixing the pipe connector to.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe connector that is relatively convenient and quick to install or at least to provide the public with a useful alternative.

Further objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description, given by way of example.

WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 2 Summary Of The Invention A pipe connector including a fluid passageway having a bend between a predetermined and fixed inlet and a predetermined and fixed outlet and a faceplate for fixing the fluid passageway to a surface, wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet is substantially parallel to the plane of said faceplate.

Preferably, the outlet may not extend substantially beyond the faceplate.

Preferably, the fluid passageway and mounting plate may be an integrally formed component.

Preferably, the inlet may extend away from the plane of said faceplate substantially transverse to said faceplate.

Preferably, the inlet may extend away from the plane of said faceplate substantially at an angle between 100 and 850.

Preferably, the inlet may extend away from the plane of said faceplate substantially at an angle of 450.

Preferably, the outlet may be adapted to in use engage with a fitting, which preferably is a tap.

Preferably, the outlet may include a thread for engagement with the fitting.

Preferably, the inlet may be adapted to engage with a fluid supply tube by means other than a thread.

Preferably, the inlet may include a spigot to engage with a fluid supply tube.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a fluid supply to a fitting extending from a wall panel, the method including providing a pipe connector including a fluid passageway having a bend between a predetermined and fixed inlet and a predetermined and fixed outlet and a faceplate for fixing the fluid passageway to a surface, wherein the longitudinal axis of the WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 3 outlet is substantially parallel to the plane of said faceplate, fixing the faceplate to a surface extending substantially transverse to the wall panel, and connecting the inlet to a fluid supply and connecting the outlet to a fitting.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a fluid supply to a fitting extending from a wall panel as claimed in claim 12 and substantially as herein described.

Further aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Modes For Carrying Out The Invention The-present invention relates to a pipe connector that may be connected to a stud rather than a nag or a beam. In many applications, a stud is readily available for fixing a pipe connector to, whereas a nog or beam may not be available. Using prior art connectors such as the pipe connector 1 shown in Figures 1A, 1B, if no nog or beam is present, a plumber typically has to provide a nog or beam. This increases the time and effort required to install the pipe connector.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, a pipe connector according to an aspect of the present invention is generally referenced by arrow 100. The pipe connector 100 is secured to a stud 101 by four screws 102 provided in a faceplate 103. Other means to fix the pipe connector 100 to the stud 101 may be used, including for example one or a combination of adhesives, nails and strapping together with or instead of the screws 102.

A fluid passageway 104 includes a predetermined and fixed inlet 105 and outlet 106. The fluid passageway 104 includes a bend, which may be approximately 90 degrees, although other bend angles may be provided if required. The fluid passageway 104 is secured to the faceplate 103 so that the outlet 106 is WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 4 substantially parallel to the faceplate 103. Therefore, when the faceplate 103 is secured to the stud 101, the outlet 106 extends substantially parallel to the surface of the stud 101. The outlet 106 may be confined within the area of the faceplate 103 or extend slightly beyond the faceplate 103 as shown in Figure 2. However the outlet 106 does not extend substantially beyond the faceplate 103, allowing use on studs that are located immediately adjacent to a wall panel W, shown in outline in Figure 2B.

In the preferred and anticipated use of the present invention, a tap or similar fitting (not shown) is fitted to the outlet 106. The tap may protrude through a wall panel W to provide water services to a dwelling. An internal thread 107 and suitable leak prevention measures such as a tape over the thread 107 may be provided on the outlet 106 to enable a tap with a complementary external thread to engage with the pipe connector 100. Alternatively, the outlet 106 may have an external thread, to engage with a fitting having a complementary internal thread. As will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, other methods of engagement between the pipe connector 100 and a fitting may be used if required.

In this anticipated use, a fluid supply tube (not shown) is connected to the inlet 105. The inlet 105 may include a spigot 108 (see Figure 2B), about which the fluid supply tube may be clamped. Other methods of engagement between the pipe connector 100 and a fluid supply tube may be used. The pipe connector of the present invention has different methods of engagement for the inlet and the outlet.

When the pipe connector 100 is fitted to the stud 101, the inlet 105 and outlet 106 are still accessible and in substantially the same position as the inlet 3 and outlet 4 of the prior art faceplate 1 secured to the nog 10. However, using the pipe connector 100 of the present invention the presence of a nog 10 or a beam is not required.

Referring to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of a pipe connector, generally referenced 110 is shown. In this embodiment, a fluid passageway 114 having an inlet 115 and outlet 116 is secured to the faceplate 113. The fluid passageway 114 is engaged with a stud 120 by screws 112 so that the inlet extends away from the plane P of the faceplate 113 at an angle E, less than 90 degrees.

The angle 8 may suitably be approximately 450, but any angle between WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 approximately 100 and 850 may be used. In addition, the inlet may instead extend downwards within the same angle range relative to the plane P. The outlet 116 remains substantially parallel to the faceplate 113.

The inlets 105, 115 and outlets 106, 116 are fixed and predetermined in the pipe connectors 100 and 110 of the present invention. The inlets 105, 115 are unsuitable as outlets and similarly the outlets 106, 116 are unsuitable as an inlet, for example due to particular and different threads applied to each to enable the inlets 105, 115 to engage with a fluid supply tube and the outlets 106, 116 to engage with a fitting.

The pipe connector 100, 110 may be constructed from brass, suitable plastics material, stainless steel or other suitable material. The material may vary depending on the fluid to be communicated through the pipe connector. The pipe connector 100, 110 may be constructed from an integrally moulded component.

With particular reference to the pipe connector 100, to install the pipe connector 100, the faceplate 103 is fixed to a stud with the outlet 106 directed towards an aperture A in a wall panel W. A fitting (not shown) is then screwed into the outlet 106 so as to extend from the wall panel W and a fluid supply tube is clamped onto the spigot 108. If a nog or beam is present, the pipe connector 100 may optionally be secured to the upper or lower surface of the nog or beam, with the inlet 105 extending vertically instead of horizontally. If a substantially horizontally extending inlet is required, the pipe connector 110 may be used with a small E.

Therefore, the pipe connectors 100, 110 may be fitted on nogs or beams that are directly adjacent to a wall panel W, in contrast to the prior art pipe connector 1, which must be fitted to beam or nog 10 that is spaced apart from the wall panel W.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although the above description has been given by way of example with reference to possible embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipe connector including: a fluid passageway having a bend between a predetermined and fixed inlet and a predetermined and fixed outlet; and a faceplate for fixing the fluid passageway to a surface, wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet is substantially parallel to the plane of said faceplate.

2. The pipe connector of any claim 1 wherein the outlet does not extend substantially beyond the faceplate.

The pipe connector of any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid passageway and mounting plate are an integrally formed component.

4. The pipe connector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet extends away from the plane of said faceplate substantially transverse to said faceplate.

The pipe connector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet extends away from the plane of said faceplate substantially at an angle between 100 and 850.

6. The pipe connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein inlet extends away from the plane of said faceplate substantially at an angle of 450.

7. The pipe connectoi of claim 1, wherein the outlet is adapted to in use engage with a fitting.

8. The pipe connector of claim 7, wherein the outlet includes a thread for engagement with the fitting.

9. The pipe connector of claim 8, wherein the inlet is adapted to engage with a fluid supply tube by means other than a thread.

WO 03/044419 PCT/NZ02/00257 7 The pipe connector of claim 8, wherein the inlet includes a spigot to engage with a fluid supply tube.

11. The pipe connector of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the fitting is a tap.

12. A method of providing a fluid supply to a fitting extending from a wall panel, the method including: providing a pipe connector including a fluid passageway having a bend between a predetermined and fixed inlet and a predetermined and fixed outlet and a faceplate for fixing the fluid passageway to a surface, wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet is substantially parallel to the plane of said faceplate; fixing the faceplate to a surface extending substantially transverse to the wall panel; and connecting the inlet to a fluid supply and connecting the outlet to a fitting.

13. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of providing a fluid supply to a fitting extending from a wall panel as claimed in claim 12 and substantially as herein described.