AU2005203148B2 - A Plumbing Device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A plumbing device 10 has an open upper end 12 and a lower end 13. Lower end 13 is formed integrally with a tapered portion 14 which tapers into a lowermost pipe portion 15 which has a "conventional" diameter to enable a 5 conventional plastic drainage pipe to be fitted to pipe portion 15. The internal diameter of coupling 10 is larger than the diameter of a "conventional" pipe and this provides the adjustability factor in the invention. Typically, coupling 10 is pre positioned in place prior to the concrete pour and the length of the coupling ensures that notwithstanding differences in the final slab heights, the coupling will always 10 project some way above the slab. After the slab has been poured, the projecting excess amount of coupling 10 is trimmed back such that the coupling is substantially flush with the top of slab 11. Lid 16 is pushed into the open top of coupling 10 to sit partially below the top level of slab 11. Once lid 16 has been pushed into the right position, it can be glued into place using the usual solvent glues that are available 15 commercially. A fixture outlet pipe 17 can then be fitted through lid 16. Lid 16 is sufficiently thick to enable pipe 17 to be properly supported. Once pipe 17 is in place, grout or cement 18 can be trowelled on top of lid 16 to hold everything in place and to also provide a surface which is strong and into which fasteners can be drilled in order to fasten a fixture (such as a toilet) to the slab. 15 14 16 0 2 13 10 11 15 11 - 19 11 10 16 17 18

Description

1 A PLUMBING DEVICE Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a plumbing device and is particularly directed to a drainage device that can be used for toilets, showers, laundry, other types 5 of sewerage waste, and other types of waste liquids, and which finds particular use in association with concrete slabs. Background Art When a concrete slab is poured, it is typical for plumbing fixtures to extend through the concrete slab. Rather than drilling a hole in the concrete slab, 10 these plumbing fixtures are pre-positioned and the slab is then poured around the plumbing fixtures. The plumbing fixtures typically extend some distance above the poured slab and are capped or taped off until ready for use. The fixtures are then trimmed to slab level. Therefore, great care must be taken to make sure that the plumbing 15 fixtures are accurately positioned. Most of these plumbing fixtures comprise drainage pipes that will typically be plastic pipes having an internal diameter of between 70 150 millimetres. These pipes are used to connect to the outlets of toilets, showers, the laundry floor, sinks and the like. If the plumbing fixture is not in alignment, difficulties arise as it is 20 generally not possible to adjust the position of e.g. toilets to accommodate the plumbing fixture extending through the slab. Some devices are known that allow for a degree of misalignment. One known device comprises a pipe that extends through the slab and where the end of the pipe has an enlarged diameter. For instance, the pipe may have a 25 diameter of approximately 100 millimetres but the enlarged end may have a diameter of about 300 millimetres. The enlarged end has a peripheral lip and must be exactly positioned such that the top of the slab is almost flush with the lip. An advantage of this known device is that the outlet pipe (e.g. from the toilet) can be placed anywhere within the 300 millimetre enlarged end of the pipe (it being appreciated that the outlet 30 pipe from the toilet will be approximately 100 millimetres). There are however some disadvantages with this arrangement. One disadvantage is that the height of the slab can vary somewhat and this known product cannot adjust accordingly. Thus, should the top surface of the slab be higher or lower than originally envisaged, the peripheral 2 lip will extend proud of the slab or be recessed into the slab, both positions of which are not recommended. Another disadvantage with this device is that the large diameter of the end of the pipe (e.g. 300 millimetres) makes it difficult for the fixture (e.g. toilet) to be properly screwed into the concrete slab as screws will probably 5 penetrate into the pipe. To accommodate this, it is known to provide the pipe with a lid, into which the screws can pass, but the lid is not strong enough to hold the toilet in position. Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a plumbing device or coupling that can extend through a concrete slab and which can 10 provide adjustability to the position of the fixture (e.g. a toilet, laundry tub etc), and which can also accommodate variations in the height of the slab. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 15 Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a plumbing device that may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice. In one form, the invention resides in a plumbing device or coupling, the 20 coupling comprising an open upper end and a lower end and being substantially hollow, the coupling having an internal diameter or cross-section of between 100-400 millimetres, the coupling adapted to extend through a concrete slab and having a length of between 200-800 millimetres, means to connect the coupling to an outlet pipe of smaller diameter (typically between 70-150 millimetres), and a lid or platform, 25 the lid or platform being dimensioned to pass through the open upper end and at least partially into the coupling and able to be glued or otherwise attached to the inside wall of the coupling at a position flush with or below the open upper end thereby enabling a settable material (such as grout or concrete) to be placed on top of the lid. With this arrangement, the coupling is wide enough to provide 30 adjustability of a toilet outlet pipe etc, is long enough to accommodate variations in the concrete slab thicknesses, and has a lid that can be pushed into the coupling to form a support on which concrete or grout can be laid. Thus, the toilet can now be placed on top of the coupling and screws can pass into concrete or grout as opposed to 3 a plastic lid. In an alternative, the lid can be seen as a "plug" or an intermediate support platform onto which grout or concrete can be placed. Thus, various designs and configurations of this particular item are envisaged and no particular limitation is 5 to be placed on the invention by the term "lid" as long as the lid can provide a platform somewhere below the open top of the coupling to enable a bed of grout or concrete to be placed on the lid. For instance, the lid may comprise a generally U shaped cross-section where the bottom of the U-shape provides a platform and the side walls of the U-shape engage against or are adjacent the inside wall of the 10 coupling. Again, other configurations and shape of the lid are envisaged. However, it seems that a simple and relatively successful design will be a lid that can be simply pushed into the open top of the coupling and then glued in position or otherwise held in position. An outlet pipe (for instance from a toilet or laundry tub, and typically 15 having a diameter of between 75-110 millimetres) can then be made to pass through the lid typically by turning a hole through the lid and passing the outlet pipe through the hole. By providing a larger than usual diameter of between 100-400 millimetres to the coupling, there is a good degree of adjustability as to where the outlet pipe can be positioned. 20 It is preferred that the outlet pipe is glued or otherwise firmly attached to the lid and to assist in this, it is preferred that the lid has a degree of thickness to provide a support for the pipe as the pipe passes through the lid. Thus, the lid may have a thickness of between 20-100 millimetres. Of course, other variations can be used to support the pipe such as a collar, or other type of coupling that can be attached 25 to the pipe and the lid to hold the pipe firmly in place. It is however considered useful to simply have a thick lid as this can provide sufficient support for the pipe and also provide sufficient strength to withstand the weight of the concrete/grout that can be placed on top of the lid. The coupling can be made of any suitable material and will typically 30 comprise plastic such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. However, no limitation is to be placed on the invention merely by the choice of material from which the coupling is made. If the coupling is made from conventional plastics, the wall thickness will typically be between 2-10 millimetres although no particular limitation 4 is meant thereby. The coupling will typically have an internal diameter of between 100 400 millimetres and will typically have an internal diameter or cross-section of between 250-350 millimetres and will preferably have a diameter or cross-section of 5 about 300 millimetres. The coupling is designed to be embedded in a concrete slab and will typically therefore be pre-positioned prior to a concrete pour. The coupling should therefore be robust enough to withstand a concrete pour. It is considered that a skilled person will understand the type of coupling that will be required to be suitable for a 10 concrete pour. The coupling has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is typically entirely open and can accommodate the lid. The lower end will preferably be associated with some sort of means to enable a smaller diameter pipe or conduit to be attached to the coupling. In one simple form, this can be achieved by providing a 15 tapered portion on the lower end which tapers to a "conventional" pipe diameter to enable a drainage pipe of conventional diameter to be attached to the tapered portion in the usual manner. Suitably, the distance between the upper end and the lower end will be between 200-800 millimetres and preferably between 300-600 millimetres and 20 typically between 300-500 millimetres. This length enables the coupling to project above a concrete slab even taking into account variations in the height of the concrete slab. Any excess length can then be trimmed off back to the level of the slab. This can be done with a sharp knife or any other suitable tool. If a tapered portion is provided, it is preferred that the tapered portion 25 has a length of about 100-200 millimetres and tapers from the diameter of the coupling (e.g. typically between 100-400 and preferably about 300 millimetres) to a restricted diameter of between 75-150 millimetres and typically about 110 millimetres. This can then allow a conventional drainage pipe to be attached to the tapered portion below the concrete slab (more correctly, the conventional drainage 3 0 pipe is pre-attached prior to the concrete pour). In another form, the invention resides in a method of providing adjustability in connecting a fixture to a drainage pipe below a concrete slab, the method comprising providing a sub slab drainage pipe, attaching the drainage pipe to 5 a plumbing device or coupling of the type described above, pouring the concrete slab, trimming any excess coupling to about the level of the slab, inserting a lid or platform into the coupling such that the lid or platform sits below the level of the slab, passing a fixture outlet pipe through the lid or platform, and adding a settable material such as 5 concrete or grout on top of the lid or platform and approximately up to the level of the slab. In some cases, the method can do away with the settable material especially if the lid or platform is thick enough to properly support the fixture outlet pipe and any screws or fasteners that may be required to fasten the fixture (e.g. a 10 toilet) to the slab. In some cases, fasteners may not be required (e.g. a laundry tub) and in these circumstances, the fixture outlet pipe can extend through the lid which may be below the level of the slab or flush with the level of the slab. Thus, another form of the invention resides in a method of providing adjustability in connecting a fixture to a drainage pipe below a concrete slab, the 15 method comprising providing a sub slab drainage pipe, attaching the drainage pipe to a plumbing coupling of the type described above, pouring the concrete slab, trimming any excess coupling to about the level of the slab, inserting a lid or platform into the coupling and passing a fixture outlet pipe through the lid or platform. Brief Description of the Drawings 20 An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following illustrations in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plumbing device or coupling with a lid. Figure 2 illustrates the coupling extending through a concrete slab and above a concrete slab. 25 Figure 3 illustrates the coupling of figure 2 where the excess amount has been trimmed off back to slab level. Figure 4 illustrates the lid being pushed into the open top of the coupling to sit below the level of the slab. Figure 5 illustrates a fixture outlet pipe inserted through a cut opening in the lid. 30 Figure 6 illustrates grout/cement trowelled over the top of the lid and up to the concrete level. Figure 7 illustrates the adjustability which is possible using the coupling.

6 Detailed Description Referring to figures 1-7 and initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a plumbing coupling 10 which is made of plastic and which is adapted to extend through a concrete slab 11. Coupling 10 has an open upper end 12 and a lower end 5 13. In the particular embodiment, lower end 13 is formed integrally with a tapered portion 14 which tapers into a lowermost pipe portion 15 which has a "conventional" diameter (typically between 75-150 millimetres) to enable a conventional plastic drainage pipe to be fitted to pipe portion 15. Therefore, the term "lower end 13" is meant to refer to reference 13 in'figure 1. The distance between upper end 12 and 10 lower end 13 in the particular embodiment is typically between 300-600 millimetres. The length of tapered portion 14 is typically between 100-200 millimetres, and the length of the lowermost pipe portion 15 can be anywhere between 50-200 millimetres. In the particular embodiment, coupling 10 is hollow and cylindrical and has an internal diameter of about 300 millimetres although this can vary to suit. Thus, 15 the internal diameter of coupling 10 is about three times that of the diameter of a "conventional" pipe and this provides the adjustability factor in the invention. Figure 2 illustrates coupling 10 projecting through slab 11. Typically, coupling 10 is pre-positioned in place prior to the concrete pour as this is quite conventional. The length of the coupling ensures that notwithstanding differences in 2 0 the final slab heights, the coupling will always project some way above the slab. Figure 3 illustrates that after the slab has been poured, the projecting excess amount of coupling 10 is trimmed back such that the coupling is substantially flush with the top of slab 11. Figure 4 is the same as figure 3 except that lid 16 (see also figure 1) has 25 been pushed into the open top of coupling 10 to sit partially below the top level of slab 11. The distance by which lid 16 is pushed into the open top of coupling 10 can be between 50-200 millimetres but should be sufficient to allow a reasonably thick layer of grout to be trowelled over the top of lid 16. Lid 16 in the particular embodiment comprises a circular plate which can be made of plastic and which is a 30 tight but sliding fit into coupling 10. Once the lid has been pushed into the right position, it can be glued into place using the usual solvent glues that are available commercially. A fixture outlet pipe 17 can then be fitted through lid 16 which is 7 typically achieved by cutting a hole in lid 16 using a hole saw and then pushing fixture outlet pipe 17 through the hole. Lid 16 is sufficiently thick to enable pipe 17 to be properly supported and therefore lid 16 has a thickness of about 50 millimetres. Of course, it is also possible to initially fit pipe 17 to the lid and then push the lid with the 5 pipe into coupling 10. Once pipe 17 is in place (figure 5), grout or cement 18 (see figure 6) can be trowelled on top of lid 16 to hold everything in place and to also provide a surface which is strong and into which fasteners can be drilled in order to fasten a fixture (such as a toilet) to the slab. The outlet pipe can be sealed in place using any 10 suitable type of ceiling means and this may include a sealing ring, sealant and the like. Figure 7 illustrates a floor slab 17 containing coupling 10 and a vertical wall 19 and this is typical for fixing a toilet. As the distance between the toilet (not illustrated) and vertical wall 19 can vary depending on the type of toilet, it can be seen that the coupling 10 according to the invention is ideal to accommodate this variation. 15 The plumbing coupling is relatively inexpensive, simple to use, and provides an "adjustment" area of typically about 300 millimetres (the diameter of coupling 10). The coupling has sufficient length to always project above the concrete slab irrespective of variations in the heights of the concrete slab, but can be easily trimmed back to the level of the concrete slab (figure 3). Lid 16 is easy to push into 20 coupling 10 and is sufficiently thick to securely hold fixture outlet pipe 17 and is also sufficiently strong to hold the weight of the grout 18. Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group 25 of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms. It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications 30 can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A plumbing device, tpe device comprising an open upper end and a lower end and being substantially hollow, th& device having an internal diameter or cross-section of between 100-400 millimetres, the device adapted to extend through a concrete slab and 5 having a length of between 200-800 millimetres, means to connect the device to a drainage pipe of smaller diameter, and a lid or platform, the lid or platform being dimensioned to pass through the open upper end and at least partially into the device and able to be glued or otherwise attached to the inside wall of the device at a position below the open upper end thereby enabling a settable material to be placed on top of the lid. 10

2. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper end initially extends at least partially above the concrete slab.

3. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper end is later trimmed so that the upper end is substantially flush with the concrete slab.

4. A plumbing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 15 lid or platform comprises a plug.

5. A plumbing device a4 claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid or platform has a generally U-shped cross-section.

6. A plumbing device aq claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid or platform has an aperture there. 20

7. A plumbing device #s claimed in claim 6, wherein a fixture outlet pipe is positioned at least partially within tl aperture.

8. A plumbing device ag claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid or platform provides support for the fixture outlet pipe.

9. A plumbing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 25 drainage pipe is connected by way of a tapered portion.

10. A plumbing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drainage pipe is of conventional diameter and the tapered portion tapers to the conventional diameter thereby enabling the drainage pipe to connect to the tapered portion.

11. A plumbing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 30 coupling is robust enough to withstand a concrete pour.

12. A method of providing adjustability in connecting a fixture to a drainage pipe below a concrete slab, the method comprising providing a sub slab drainage pipe, attaching the drainage pipe to the plumbing device claimed in any one of the preceding claims, pouring 9 the concrete slab, trimming any excess device to about the level of the slab, inserting a lid or platform into the device and passing a fixture outlet pipe through the lid or platform.

13. A method as claime in claim 12, the method comprising the further step of adding a settable material on top bf the lid or platform such that the top of the settable 5 material extends approximately up tp the level of the slab.

14. A plumbing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of providing adjustability in connecting a fixture to a drainage pipe below a concrete slab substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings.