AU2003100067B4 - A Flexible Plumbing Fitting - Google Patents

Description

A FLEXIBLE PLUMBING FITTING TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to conduits for plumbing fittings and has particular relevance to conduits for dispensing wastewater from baths, spa baths and the like.

At present in Australia, there are a number of products for connecting baths and the like to waste pipes.

One such product is known as PLUMDINGER T M the subject of Australian patent application no. 58772/80 which provides a kit including elbow fittings and a connector pipe which can be cut to the length required.

The PLUMDINGER T M device also provides for height and radial adjustment and subsequently spacings between the inlet and outlet thereof.

This facility is important because waste pipes are commonly set in concrete slabs and not always accurately positioned.

The PLUMDINGER T M product requires relatively time consuming installation and presents access problems particularly for attachment beneath a bath waste in sometimes confined spaces.

Australian patent application no. 12576/01 (Leonardi) discloses a waste connector with a flexible conduit which is designed to simplify installation procedures.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a conduit fitting for a bath and the like which is adapted for connection in in-slab piping situations and for general usage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a conduit connector which can be installed quickly and efficiently regardless of access limitations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a conduit for plumbing fittings comprising a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, a first rigid elbow coupling having a first end and a second end, the first end attachable to the first end of the flexible section, and a second rigid elbow coupling having a first end and a second end, the first end attachable to the second end of the flexible section, said first ends of the first rigid and second rigid elbow couplings each having an insert portion for receiving and encapsulating the ends of the flexible tube, the arrangement and construction being such that wherein one elbow coupling is adapted for connection to a first plumbing fitting and the other coupling is adapted for connection to a second plumbing fitting to facilitate the conveyance of a fluid from the first plumbing fitting to the second plumbing fitting.

The second end of the first rigid coupling can be provided with an internally threaded portion adapted to receive a complementary externally threaded plug grate.

The insert portion of the rigid elbows can extend continuously about the periphery thereof.

The insert portion can be integrally formed and sized to engage the end of the flexible section in an interference fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the preset invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fiqure 1 is an exploded side view of the aforementioned prior art PLUMDINGER T M device showing its method of connection a slab-onground situation, and Figqure 2 is a sketch of a conduit for plumbing fittings according to the present invention.

With respect to Figure 1 of the drawings, the prior art

PLUMDINGER

T M waste kit illustrated comprises a grate 1, a seal 2, two elbows 3 and 4, and a section of pipe The pipe 5 is measured and cut to size.

The grate 1 secured to the elbow 4 and the elbow 3 is inserted in a waste pipe 6.

As can be seen, there are a number of connections to be made to install the waste kit with installation requiring the access of tools to the underside of the bath waste as well as the top side in a multi-step operation.

With respect to Figure 2 of the drawings and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conduit for plumbing fittings comprising a flexible tube generally indicated by arrow 7, first and second rigid elbow couplings 8 and 9 respectively wherein first ends of the first and second rigid elbow couplings are provided with an insert portion 10 for receiving and encapsulating the ends of the flexible tube.

The insert portion 10 is in the form of a continuous peripheral channel which is size matched with the flexible tube to provide an interference fit between the tube and the insert. Sealants may be applied between the elbow and the tube.

The first elbow coupling 8 is adapted for connection to a first plumbing fitting such as a waste grate 11 and the second elbow coupling 9 is adapted for insertion into a waste outlet (not shown).

One end of the first elbow coupling 8 is provided with an internal thread 12 and a peripheral flange 13 which can include a groove 14.

The grate 11 for connection with the thread 12 is provided with an external thread 15 and a rubber seal 16 can be interposed between a flange 11 a of the grate 11 and the flange 13 of the elbow 8 when the conduit is connected to the waste opening of a bath, sink or the like (not shown).

The grate 11 may be a standard fitting or a combined grate and plug where the plug is permanently attached to the grate and can be opened or closed by pushing down on the plug. Grate and plug combinations of this type have the advantage of denying access to the base of the grate to the fingers or toes of young children.

The free end of the elbow 9 can be provided with an external groove 17 for seating an O-ring seal (not shown) It is intended that the elements of the conduit will be presented for sale in an assembled condition and installation is merely a matter of installing the grate to the elbow 11 as previously described and inserting the free end of the elbow 9 into a waste outlet pipe in a one step process.

The present invention has the major advantages of being able to be fitted to a bath in a matter of seconds. The flexible tubing which is preferably ribbed for strength is used to adjust the installation.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of lo example only and it would be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto can be made without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A conduit for plumbing fittings comprising a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, a first rigid elbow coupling having a first end and a second end, the first end attachable to the first end of the flexible section, and a second rigid elbow coupling having a first end and a second end, the first end attachable to the second end of the flexible section, and the second end of the first rigid coupling having an internally threaded portion adapted to receive a complementary externally threaded plug grate said first ends of the first rigid and second rigid elbow couplings each having an insert portion for receiving and encapsulating the ends of the flexible tube, the arrangement and construction being such that wherein one elbow coupling is adapted for connection to a first plumbing fitting and the other coupling is adapted for connection to a second plumbing fitting to facilitate the conveyance of a fluid from the first plumbing fitting to the second plumbing fitting.

2. A conduit according to claim 1 wherein the insert portions of the rigid elbows extend continuously about the periphery thereof.

3. A conduit according to claim 1 wherein the insert portion is integrally formed and sized to engage the end of the flexible section in an interference fit.

4. A conduit for plumbing fittings substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 3 rd day of December 2003 John Brem By his patent attorneys Cullen Co.