AU2008101319A4 - A plumbing coupling and a kit for constructing a plumbing pipeline - Google Patents

Abstract

A waste discharge coupling 1 for use between a waste outlet of a toilet pan and a soil pipe is disclosed. The coupling 1 includes a plurality of contiguous 5 circumferential projections 25 formed on its outer surface. A projection 25 formed adjacent a waste inlet end 19 of the coupling 1 can co-act with a suitable seal to form an integrated joint with the waste outlet 82 of the toilet pan. The coupling 1 is truncatable by sawing or the like so that another one of the circumferential projections 25 can then act to form an integrated joint with the waste outlet 82. A 10 kit for constructing a plumbing pipeline from a waste outlet 82 of a pan to a soil pipe 83 is also disclosed. FIG. 8 FOR PUBLICATION

Description

1 A PLUMBING COUPLING AND A KIT FOR CONSTRUCTING A PLUMBING PIPELINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a coupling for use between a plumbing fitting and a discharge outlet pipe. This invention also relates to kit for constructing a plumbing pipeline. 10 The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with a coupling and a plumbing pipeline for connecting a toilet pan, either directly or indirectly, to a fixed soil pipe which extends substantially vertically through a floor, and will be described primarily in that context. However the invention has wider applications in that the coupling could be used for connecting a toilet pan to a soil pipe 15 extending substantially horizontally through a wall, or for connecting other types of plumbing fittings, either directly or indirectly, to existing effluent pipes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 20 The construction of buildings requiring sanitary conveniences necessitates sanitary and like pipe-work being accurately placed in the framework or concrete slab during the initial phase of construction. This placement precisely sets the location of the toilet or other sanitary fittings in the completed building. Sometimes, however, it is found that the set location does not line up with the 25 desired position of the fitting. This can lead to a great deal of extra work in chipping out the slab concrete, or dismantling and re-arranging the wall framework, in order to relocate the pipe-work. Sometimes this is not convenient or possible, in which case one is left with a fitting in a place where it is not desired to be. 30 2 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a waste discharge coupling which can be used to connect a sanitary fitting to a waste discharge 5 outlet pipe in the precincts of wherever the outlet pipe may be fixedly located in the floor or wall of a building, without the need to relocate the position of the waste outlet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 10 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a waste discharge coupling for use between a waste outlet of a toilet pan and a soil pipe, said coupling having a plurality of contiguous circumferential projections formed on its outer surface, wherein a projection adjacent a waste inlet end of the coupling can 15 co-act with a sealing means to form an integrated joint with the waste outlet of a toilet pan, and wherein the coupling is truncatable so that another one of the said projections can similarly co-act with the sealing means. By providing a coupling which can be truncated in length, yet still be used to make 20 a seal with the toilet pan, the necessity to have an accurate alignment of the waste outlet of the toilet pan with the soil pipe in one dimension, is eliminated. In the majority of installations, a first elbow is connected to an outlet end of the waste discharge coupling. This first elbow may be formed as an integral element 25 of the coupling or as a separate rotatable element to enable the angle and relative orientation of the elbow with respect to the coupling to be adjusted. The main purpose of the first elbow is to enable vertical alignment of the soil pipe with the typically horizontal disposition of a toilet pan waste outlet. 30 The adaptability of the coupling may be suitably enhanced in a further dimension by including a second elbow directly or indirectly connected to an outlet end of the first elbow. Typically, the second elbow is rotatable connected to the first elbow to 3 enable an offset location of the soil pipe to be accommodated. Such rotatable connection can be achieved by having a spigot/socket connection between the elbows or by using a short length of pipe slidably inserted within and between the elbows. In this manner further flexibility is provided in setting the position of the 5 toilet pan with respect to the soil pipe. Still further adaptability of the coupling may be achieved in yet another dimension by including a third elbow either directly or indirectly connected to an inlet end of the second elbow. Once again, rotatable connection can be achieved by a 10 spigot/socket connection between the elbows or by using a short length of pipe which slidably engages within the ends of the two elbows. Such an elbow enables the vertical alignment of the soil pipe with the typically horizontal disposition of the toilet pan waste outlet. 15 The horizontal or vertical distance of the soil pipe from the intended location of the toilet pan can be increased by incorporating one or more longer straight sections of pipe between the elbows in place of the short pipe length(s). The connection of the waste discharge coupling, or when included an outlet end of 20 an elbow or pipe section, with the soil pipe may be effected with an outlet seal in a usual manner known in the art. All connections between the waste discharge coupling, the elbows and the pipe sections are preferably sized and configured similarly so as to be interchangeable. 25 It can be seen that maximum adaptability is achieved when the soil pipe extends vertically, as, for instance, through a concrete slab of a building and the coupling includes first, second and third elbows, as well as one or more straight pipe sections, thereby permitting the toilet pan to be placed in a multiplicity of locations 30 in the precinct of the soil pipe. The plurality of contiguous circumferential projections formed on the outer surface 4 of the waste discharge coupling may take the form of continuous integral ridges which are evenly spaced from one another. These ridges are specifically dimensioned and spaced from one another so as to enable a resiliently deformable flange to be stretched over a ridge adjacent the waste inlet end of the 5 coupling, to thereby form an integral seal between the waste outlet of the toilet pan and the coupling. A rigid collar may be positioned over the flange to compress the flange against the waste inlet end of the coupling, and thereby from a tight seal with the waste outlet of the toilet pan. 10 A plurality of lugs may be located on the outer surface of the waste discharge coupling. These lugs may extend substantially laterally with respect to each ridge and longitudinally with respect to the axis of the coupling. The lugs are suitably located at spaced apart positions around the circumference of the coupling between the ridges. Their function is to assist in the location of the sealing means 15 on the coupling, and to assist in the retention of the sealing means by resisting circumferential displacement of the sealing means. The bend or curved section of the first elbow may include an attachment formation for engaging and attaching a complementary formation on a support member 20 thereto. The elbow attachment formation may be formed on the outer surface of the first elbow, for example, at the point at which the support takes away from the curved section. The support member may suitably be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the waste discharge coupling so as to assist in the prevention of any lateral movement of the coupling under applied external forces, such as when the waste 25 outlet of the toilet pan is brought into engagement with the waste inlet of the coupling. The support member may be substantially linear in dimension having a screw threaded shank and a releasable fastening on the end which connects with the 30 attachment formation on the first elbow, and including an associated complementary internal screw threaded collar adapted for attachment to an adjacent fixed structure, on the opposite end thereof. Typically, the collar might be 5 positioned to abut against a wall or framework of a building. The invention also extends to a plumbing pipeline assembly extending from a waste outlet of a toilet pan to a discharge pipe, said pipeline including a pan 5 coupling having an elongated pan body having a plurality of longitudinally spaced circumferential projections formed on its outer surface, wherein a projection adjacent a waste inlet end of the coupling co-operates with a complementary sealing means to form a sealing joint with the waste outlet of the toilet pan, and wherein the body is truncatable so as to select another one of the projections that 10 can similarly co-act with the sealing means. The plumbing pipeline assembly may include a first elbow adjacent an outlet end of the coupling. The pipeline assembly may include a second elbow directly or indirectly connected to an outlet end of the first elbow. The pipeline assembly may 15 include a third elbow directly or indirectly connected to the inlet end of the second elbow. The projections on the outer surface of the coupling body may be in the form of continuous integral ridges that are integrally formed with the body and that are 20 equidistantly spaced apart. The coupling may include lugs extending laterally from each ridge, and which are longitudinal and integral with the outer surface of the coupling. The plumbing pipeline assembly may include a first rectilinear-like or straight pipe 25 section and this may be positioned adjacent to the outlet end of the first elbow, e.g. connected to an outlet end of the first elbow. The plumbing pipeline assembly may include a second rectilinear like pipe section and this may be positioned adjacent to an inlet end or an outlet end of the second 30 elbow, e.g. connected to the inlet end or the outlet end of the second elbow. The plumbing pipeline assembly may include a third rectilinear like or straight pipe 6 section and this may be positioned adjacent to the inlet end or the outlet end of the first elbow. The sealing means may comprise a resiliently deformable annular flange having a 5 circumferential extending axially extending flange shoulder which fits over the end of the coupling with the projection adjacent to the waste inlet end of the coupling in abutment with a radially inner surface of the flange shoulder. The plumbing pipeline assembly may further include a support member. 10 The term "elbow" used throughout the specification and claims is intended to mean a ninety degree coupling having a socket/socket inlet/outlet, a socket/spigot inlet/outlet, or a socket/spigot outlet/inlet. 15 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a kit for constructing or assembling a plumbing pipeline from a waste outlet of a pan having a substantially horizontally extending axis to a transversely extending discharge pipe, the kit including: 20 a plurality of pipe sections that can be arranged relative to each other to facilitate the construction of a plumbing pipeline having a flow passage with at least one turn from the waste outlet to the discharge pipe, wherein at least some of the pipe sections can be rotationally adjusted relative to each other when coupled to each other and prior to being set whereby to accommodate some off 25 set in the positions of the pan waste outlet and the discharge pipe. The pipe sections may be connected in a number of different arrangements, e.g. to construct different pipeline configurations, and the sequence of attachment of the different pipe sections may differ in different arrangements. 30 At least one of the pipe sections may be of truncatable length to enable it to be adapted to suit the particular pipe line installation that is being constructed.

7 The kit may include a pan end fitting for operatively coupling the pipeline to a waste outlet of a pan. 5 The pan end fitting may include a pan coupling body that includes a plurality of pipe end fitting formations at spaced intervals along its length. The plurality of pipe end fitting formations enables the pan coupling body to be of truncatable length. This enables it to be truncated to a length to suit the particular pipeline installation that is being constructed while still having a pipe end fitting formation 10 adjacent an end thereof for coupling to a waste outlet of a pan. Each pipe end fitting formation may extend circumferentially around the pan coupling body and the pan coupling formation may have at least five, e.g. at least seven pipe end fitting formations. 15 The pan end fitting may be in the form of a waste discharge coupling as defined above in the first aspect of the invention. The waste discharge coupling may include any one or more of the optional features of the coupling defined above in the first aspect of the invention. The pan coupling body may have a length of at 20 least 200mm. The plurality of pipe sections may include at least one elbow for changing the direction of the flow passage in the pipeline to be constructed through at least ninety degrees. 25 The at least one elbow may include a first elbow for positioning adjacent and downstream of the pan coupling body. The first elbow may have an upstream end adjacent to the pan coupling body and 30 a downstream end defining an outlet. The first elbow may reduce the radius and diameter of the flow passage from the pan coupling body to the outlet of the first elbow. The outlet of the first elbow may have a diameter broadly corresponding to 8 the remainder of the pipe sections and the overall diameter of the plumbing pipeline. The at least one elbow may include a second elbow having an upstream end 5 defining an inlet for directly or indirectly coupling to the outlet end of the first elbow in a way that permits some rotation of the second elbow relative to the first elbow, and a downstream end defining an outlet. The at least one elbow may include a third elbow having one end defining an 10 opening for directly or indirectly coupling to the downstream end of the first elbow, or for directly or indirectly coupling to the downstream end of the second elbow, in a way that permits some rotation of the third elbow relative to the second elbow. The kit may include at least one rectilinear pipe section for being coupled in line 15 with the first, second or third elbows in the construction of a particular pipeline installation. Further each rectilinear pipe section may be of truncatable length to enables its length to be adapted to be used for the particular pipeline installation being built by a user. The rectilinear pipe section may have a length of at least 150mm. 20 The rectilinear pipe section may be provided as a one piece combined elbow and pipe section together with one of the first, second or third elbows. In particular the third elbow and the rectilinear pipe section may be provided as a one piece combined elbow and pipe section having two free ends that are open. 25 Both free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section may have the same size and configuration such that the free ends can be coupled interchangeably to an adjacent pipe section thereby enabling the orientation of the combined elbow and pipe section to be reversed. 30 The kit may include a pipe end fitting for coupling the pipeline to a discharge pipe. The pipe end fitting may be sized to be received within an open end of a 9 discharge pipe. The combined elbow and pipe section may have end regions adjacent the free ends thereof and each end region may be sized to form the pipe end fitting that is 5 received within the discharge pipe. The kit may further include a discharge pipe seal that is mountable on one of the end regions of the combined elbow and pipe section whereby to seal the end region to the inner surface of the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe seal may be 10 sized to be capable of being pulled with some resistance over an end region of the combined elbow and pipe section such that it can be mounted on the end region with a frictional grip. The discharge pipe seal may be of rubber and may include a plurality of 15 circumferentially extending radially outward projecting fins spaced apart along the axial length of the seal. The downstream end of the second elbow may define an engaging formation that is sized to couple with the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section. The 20 downstream end of the primary elbow may define an engaging formation that is also sized to couple with the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section. Each of these couplings may permit some rotational adjustment of the combined elbow and pipe section relative to the associated elbow before the couplings are 25 fixed in position relative to each other. The upstream end of the second elbow and the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section may have substantially the same size and configuration such that they can be used interchangeably to couple to the first elbow. 30 The first elbow and pan coupling body may be provided as a one piece elbow and coupling body in which the first elbow and waste discharge coupling do not move 10 relative to each other. In particular the first elbow and pan coupling body may be formed integrally with each other, e.g. by an injection moulding operation. Similarly the second elbow may be integrally formed, e.g. by an injection moulding 5 operation. Further the combined elbow and pipe section may also be integrally formed by an injection moulding operation. 10 The kit may further include a pan seal for mounting over the pan end fitting for facilitating a sealing coupling of the pan end fitting to the pan to which it is attached. The kit may further include a collar for mounting over the pan coupling body to 15 facilitate coupling of the pan seal to the pan coupling body. The kit may further include a support for mounting to the waste discharge coupling in a position in which it is substantially co-axial with the pan coupling body. The support may be able to support load in the direction of the pan coupling body such 20 as occurs when a waste outlet is forced into the pan seal. The first elbow may include an attachment formation, and the support may include a complementary attachment formation for engaging said attachment formation on the first elbow. 25 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 30 Fig. 1 is an exploded front three-dimensional view of waste discharge componentry in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 11 Fig. 2 is a rear three-dimensional view of the waste discharge componentry of Fig. 1; 5 Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the waste discharge componentry of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a part sectional view showing detail of an inlet end of the coupling depicted in Fig.1, including a seal and seal cover fitted thereto; 10 Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of waste discharge componentry in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a part sectional side view of the waste discharge componentry 15 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a three-dimensional view of waste discharge componentry in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; 20 Fig. 8 is a front three-dimensional view of waste discharge componentry in accordance with a forth embodiment of the invention, showing the componentry installed on a floor of a building; Fig. 9 is a schematic three dimensional view of waste discharge 25 componentry in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, showing the coupling being cut to the most appropriate length for that particular installation by a plumber; Fig. 10 is a side view of waste discharge componentry in accordance 30 with a sixth embodiment of the invention, that has been installed on a toilet pan and is operatively mounted to each of a toilet pan and a soil pipe; 12 Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the toilet pan and the waste discharge componentry of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a rear view of the toilet pan and the waste discharge 5 componentry of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a schematic side view of waste discharge componentry in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention, showing operative connection to a soil pipe extending through a concrete slab; and 10 Fig. 14 is a three-dimensional side view of a waste discharge coupling in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention. In all of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts. 15 Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 4, the waste discharge componentry comprises a coupling indicated generally by reference numeral 1, a first or primary elbow 3, a second or secondary elbow 5, a third or tertiary elbow 7, a toilet pan seal 9 with associated collar 11, a support member 13 for supporting the waste discharge 20 coupling 1 and particularly the primary elbow 3 against an applied force in an axial direction, and an outlet seal 61. The coupling 1 comprises a pan coupling body that is a linear pipe section 15 having an inlet end 19 for connecting to a toilet pan, and an outlet section to which 25 the primary elbow 3 is integrally joined. The linear pipe section 15 and the primary elbow 3 both have a circular configuration. The linear pipe section 15 has a plurality of contiguous circumferential projections 25 at substantially equal spaced intervals along the outer surface thereof. Each 30 projection is preferably in the form of a continuous integral ridge 27 and has a plurality of spaced apart lugs 29 extending laterally therefrom. The lugs are also formed integrally with the pipe section and project longitudinally therewith. In the 13 illustrated embodiment there are four lugs 29 associated with each ridge 27 and which are spaced 90 degrees apart from one another around the circumference of the pipe. 5 The purpose of having a plurality of contiguous circumferential projections 25 on the pipe section 15 is to enable the linear pipe section 15 to be cut to an appropriate length and still have a contiguous circumferential projection adjacent the end thereof. The contiguous circumferential projection 25 adjacent the cut end of the linear pipe section 15 becomes the operative and functioning toilet pan 10 seal attachment. The number of circumferential formations 25 extending around the linear pipe section 15 dictates the number of options or choices for the length thereof. The linear pipe section is cut adjacent to the upstream side of the appropriate 15 formation 25 to render it suitable for use. An example of where the linear pipe section 15 is cut to length by a plumber is shown in Figs. 9 and 14. The primary elbow 3 also includes an attachment formation 23 to enable a support member 13 to be releasably attached thereto. The attachment formation is 20 located on an outer surface of the curved region of the primary elbow 3. As shown in the drawings, the attachment formation 23 comprises a plate 24 defining opposing edges for retaining engagement with a complementary formation 69 formed on one end of the support member 13. 25 The support member 13 comprises a substantially linear tubular body 67 having an external screw thread 71 formed on the surface thereof. The support member 13 further includes a flanged collar 75 having a complementary internal screw thread 73 for winding the collar along the tubular body 67. The flanged collar 75 is rotated along the tubular body 67 until it is positioned against a support structure, 30 such as the stud of a wall frame, so that when a force is applied to the waste discharge coupling 1 in an axial direction, the flanged collar 75 transfers this force to the support structure rather than to the soil pipe.

14 The secondary elbow 5 is a standard 90mm 90degree elbow having a secondary inlet spigot 35 on one end which is sized to be received snugly within a primary socket outlet 21 of the primary elbow 3, and a secondary socket outlet 37 on the 5 other end having the same dimensions as the primary socket outlet 21. The tertiary elbow 7 consists of an upstream linear pipe section 41 integrally formed on a standard 90mm 90degree elbow. The linear pipe section 41 has a tertiary inlet spigot 45 for slidable connection to the secondary socket outlet 37. 10 The tertiary inlet spigot 45 is also dimensioned to be slidably connected to the primary socket outlet 21 of the primary elbow 3 should this be required in any given situation. The linear pipe section 41 has a circular cross-sectional configuration and size 15 that is the same as that of the tertiary inlet spigot 45 along its full length. This has the effect that the linear pipe section 41 can be cut transversely at any place along its length and the cut end will define a said spigot that is suitable for slidable engagement with the secondary socket outlet 37 of the secondary elbow 5. 20 An outlet end 43 of the tertiary elbow 7 includes a short linear outlet section 49 which is dimensioned to be received within an open upper end of a soil pipe to operatively couple it to the soil pipe in a sealing fashion. The outlet section 49 is also dimensioned to be receivable within the secondary socket outlet 37 should it be desired to switch the tertiary elbow 7 around. 25 A toilet pan seal 9 is mounted over the waste inlet end 19 of the coupling 1. The seal 9 comprises a resiliently deformable flange 53 that fits tightly over a ridge 27 adjacent the inlet end 19 of the coupling. The flange 53 has a section 55 which extends radially inwardly into the flow passageway defined by the waste inlet end 30 19 of the coupling. In use, the flange section 55 seals against the outer wall of the waste outlet of the toilet pan when the waste inlet end 19 of the coupling is pushed over the waste outlet of the toilet pan.

15 A rigid collar 11 fits over the toilet pan seal 9 and firmly clamps the flange 53 to the ridge 27 and the adjacent lugs 29 on the inlet end of the coupling. As can be seen particularly clearly in Fig. 4, the rigid collar 11 has an internal projection 59 that sits 5 behind the lug 29 on the coupling, as shown, and co-operates with the lug 29 to retain the resiliently deformable flange 53 securely in position on the waste discharge coupling 1. An outlet seal 61 of resiliently deformable material is mounted over the outside of 10 the short linear outlet section 49 of the tertiary elbow 7 prior to being inserted into the open upper end of the soil pipe. The outlet seal 61 assists in sealing the tertiary elbow 7, adjacent its outlet 47, to the soil pipe. Such an outlet seal is of standard design and will consequently be known to the skilled addressee. 15 The waste discharge coupling 1 may be formed as an integral article with the primary elbow 3, by injection moulding. Also, the attachment formation 23 for engaging the support member 13 may be integrally formed therewith. The plastics material is selected so that it is capable of being manually cut by a plumber on site, for example, using a handsaw, knife, or the like. 20 Similarly, the secondary and tertiary elbows 5 and 7, may be formed from plastics material by injection moulding, as is the linear pipe section 4 and the outlet section 49. 25 In use, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the coupling combination is used to operatively connect the waste outlet 82 of a toilet pan to a soil pipe 83 leading to a sewage mains or septic tank. In many building constructions, the soil pipe 83 extends through a concrete slab structure 85 in a substantially vertical direction. 30 The toilet pan coupling 1 is typically supplied with the separate complementary components referred to above, in a kit form contained within a single package. For extra convenience however, the coupling 1 may comprise an integral unit with 16 the primary elbow 3, as this combination is the one which is most frequently used with toilet pan installations. The first step in the installation process is for the plumber to work out how the 5 primary, secondary and tertiary elbows 3, 5, 7, can be arranged to provide a continuous plumbing pipeline with a flow path from the waste outlet 82 of the toilet pan to the soil pipe 83. In doing this the tertiary elbow 7 can be arranged with the linear pipe section 41 adjacent the secondary socket outlet 37, or the short linear outlet section 49 adjacent the secondary socket outlet 37. Two example 10 installations are shown in Figs. 8 and 10 to 12. Once the plumber has devised a plan for the assembly of the pipeline by connecting the primary, secondary and tertiary elbows, 3, 5, 7, from the waste outlet 82 of the toilet pan to the soil pipe 83, then the waste discharge coupling 1 15 and the linear pipe section 41 are cut to the appropriate lengths. Firstly this involves cutting the waste discharge coupling 1 to the most suitable length in the manner shown in Fig. 9. As previously described, the coupling is cut using a saw or the like on a line just forward of a continuous integral ridge 27. 20 After this, the linear pipe section 41 of the tertiary elbow 7 is also cut to the correct length in a similar manner to that shown for the coupling 1 in Fig. 9. As this pipe section 41 does not have ridges on its outer surface, the plumber has complete freedom to choose the exact point along the length at which to cut. The position will be chosen so that the outlet 47 of the tertiary elbow 7 lines up with the soil 25 pipe 83. Thereafter, the outlet seal 61 is mounted over the outlet section 49, if this has not already been done. 30 The toilet pan flange 53 is also fitted on the waste inlet end of the coupling 1 and a rigid collar 11 is then clamped over the flange.

17 Thereafter the waste discharge coupling 1 is inserted into the open upper end of the soil pipe 83. This is done manually by pushing down on the coupling 1 to overcome the frictional resistance of the toilet pan flange 53 engaging the inside of the soil pipe 83. 5 The support member 13 is then mounted on the primary elbow 3 by engaging the elbow attachment formation 23 with the complementary formation 26 on the support member. The flanged collar 75 is then rotated on the tubular body 67 to displace it rearward until it engages with an external support surface, such as the 10 wall of a building, for example a plasterboard wall as shown in Fig. 8. A stud in a wall framework forms the preferred base for engagement as this enables the coupling 1 to withstand significant forces in an axial direction when the spigot 82 of the toilet pan waste outlet is forced into the inlet and toilet pan seal of the coupling. 15 The toilet pan is mounted a small distance in front of its final installation position. This places the waste outlet 82 of the toilet pan slightly forward of the opening defined by the toilet pan flange 53. The plumber then makes a final adjustment of the elbows if necessary to align the waste outlet 82 with the inlet end 19 of the 20 coupling 1. This may be effected by rotating each of the elbows 3, 5, 7 relative to one another. The toilet pan is then pushed rearward so that the waste outlet 82 is forced into the pan flange 82 and into the waste inlet end 19. Permanent attachment of the 25 elbows in situ may be effected by solvent or ultrasonic welding by a standard procedure, to complete the installation. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the coupling componentry has a shorter upstream pipe section 41 on the tertiary elbow 7, than the coupling componentry in Figs. 1 to 3. 30 The pipe section has been cut back extensively in order to position the curved section 43 of the tertiary elbow 7 in the correct axial position on the floor to enable the outlet 47 thereof to be received within the soil pipe 83. Thus the difference is 18 due entirely to a different relative positioning of the waste outlet 82 of the toilet pan and the location of the soil pipe 83 on the floor on which they are mounted. Referring to Fig. 7, the coupling componentry has the tertiary elbow 7 with 5 attached pipe section 41 inverted when compared with the embodiments illustrated in the previous Figs. That is, the outlet 47 previously described now constitutes the inlet 45 of the tertiary elbow 7, and the inlet 45 becomes the outlet 47. 10 Specifically, the short outlet section of pipe 49 is now coupled to the outlet of the tertiary elbow 7 and the pipe section 41 is inserted into the soil pipe 83. This is possible because the outlet pipe section 49 and the pipe section 41 have the same configuration and dimensions. The outlet seal 61 is then fitted over the end portion of the pipe section 41. 15 In Figs. 1, 5 and 7, the different embodiments of the invention all show a waste discharge coupling which has not been truncated. However this option is available to adjust the length of the coupling to suit any given application. 20 Referring to Fig. 8, the coupling componentry have been selected, cut, orientated and combined in the manner previously described, to connect a waste outlet 82 of a toilet pan which is offset from from a soil pipe 83 extending through a concrete slab 85 of a building. Specifically, the pipe section 41 has been cut to the required length. The secondary elbow 5 has been rotated relative to the primary elbow 3 25 such that the pipe section 41 of the tertiary elbow 7 extends transversely with respect to the waste discharge coupling 1 to bring the outlet of the tertiary elbow into alignment with the soil pipe. Fig. 10 shows how the waste discharge coupling 1 and the pipe section 41 have 30 been cut to suitable lengths to align the waste inlet end 19 of the coupling 1 with the waste outlet 82 of a toilet pan 81, and the outlet 47 of the tertiary elbow 7 with a soil pipe 83. The waste discharge coupling 1 is somewhat shorter than that 19 shown in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. Further, the linear pipe section 41 has been quite extensively cut to align the outlet 47 of the tertiary elbow 7 with the soil pipe 83. 5 Figs. 11 and 12 show how the elbows, in particular the secondary elbow 5, can be rotated to adjust for lateral offset from the waste outlet of the toilet pan to the soil pipe 83. 10 Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the soil pipe 83 is spaced a considerable distance from the waste outlet of the toilet pan, and there is no lateral offset. Here, the primary elbow 3, which is integrally formed on the end of the waste discharge coupling 1, is connected to a straight length of pipe 91 which extends vertically downward directly into the soil pipe 83. An outlet seal 61 is 15 mounted over the pipe 91 adjacent its outlet to complete the connection. Fig. 14 is a close-up view of a section of a waste discharge coupling according to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the detail of its construction. The inlet end 19 of the coupling includes a circumferential ridge 27 formed 20 continuously and integrally therewith for the purpose of providing an attachment means for a resiliently deformable sealing member to be fitted thereover and be retained thereon. Four equally spaced lugs 29 are circumferentially located around each repeating section of the coupling. The lugs 29 further extend partway along the coupling surface parallel with the axis of the coupling and are 25 provided to ensure the integrity of the sealing member with the coupling. An inwardly tapered region 95 in each repeating coupling section is provided as a guide and a reduced wall thickness to facilitate truncating the length of the coupling, such as by sawing or cutting. The outlet end 96 of the coupling if formed with a spigot 97 to enable sliding engagement with the primary elbow 3 as 30 depicted in previous Figs. In most practical situations, the primary elbow 3 and the waste discharge coupling will be formed as an integral unit.

20 An advantage of the kit described above with reference to the drawings is that it provides a series of components that can be arranged and truncated as appropriate to form a plumbing pipeline from a waste outlet of a pan to a drain pipe projecting up out of a support surface on which the pan is mounted. It 5 conveniently provides all the components that will be required in one package that can be taken by a plumber onto the site. The plumber will then also have an easy way of making sure that they have all the components required to effectively perform the job on a site provided that they have the package. This kit assists a plumber to perform the task efficaciously and also with time efficiency. 10 Further in addition to enabling the plumber to construct a plumbing pipeline it conveniently also provides support for the pipeline when a pan is forced into the pan seal. This helps to ensure that the pipes are not placed under undue load when the pan is installed. 15 It should be emphasized that the above description has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims (46)

1. A waste discharge coupling for use between a waste outlet of a toilet pan and a soil pipe, said coupling having a plurality of contiguous circumferential 5 projections formed on its outer surface, wherein a projection adjacent a waste inlet end of the coupling can co-act with a sealing means to form an integrated joint with the waste outlet of the toilet pan, and wherein the coupling is truncatable so that another one of the said projections can similarly co-act with the sealing means. 10

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 and including a first elbow connected to an outlet end of the coupling.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 and including a second elbow directly or 15 indirectly connected to an outlet end of the first elbow.

4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 and including a third elbow directly or indirectly connected to an inlet end of the second elbow. 20

5. A coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections on the outer surface of the coupling are in the form of continuous integral ridges which are evenly spaced from one another.

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 and including lugs extending laterally from 25 each ridge, and which are longitudinal and integral with the outer surface of the coupling.

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 and including a first straight pipe section connected to an outlet end of the first elbow. 30

8. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 and including a second straight pipe section connected to an inlet or outlet end of the second elbow. 22

9. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 and including a third straight pipe section connected to an inlet or outlet end of the third elbow. 5

10. A coupling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including the sealing means which comprises a resiliently deformable flange which is retained by the projection adjacent the waste inlet end of the coupling.

11. A coupling as claimed in claim 10 and including a collar for compressably 10 retaining the deformable flange in situ.

12. A coupling as claimed in claim 2, or any claim dependent upon claim 2, wherein the first elbow includes an attachment formation for engaging and attaching a complementary formation on a support member thereto. 15

13. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 and including the support member.

14. A coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support member comprises a screw-threaded shank with a complementary internal screw-threaded collar 20 adapted for attachment to a fixed support structure.

15. A kit for constructing a plumbing pipeline from a waste outlet of a pan having a substantially horizontally extending axis to a transversely extending discharge pipe, the kit including: 25 a plurality of pipe sections that can be arranged relative to each other to facilitate the construction of a plumbing pipeline having a flow passage with at least one turn from the waste outlet to the discharge pipe, wherein at least some of the pipe sections can be rotationally adjusted relative to each other when 30 coupled to each other and prior to being set whereby to accommodate some off set in the positions of the pan waste outlet and the discharge pipe. 23

16. A kit according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the pipe sections is of truncatable length to enable it to be adapted to suit the particular pipe line installation that is being constructed. 5

17. A kit according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the kit includes a pan end fitting for operatively coupling the pipeline to a waste outlet of a pan.

18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein the pan end fitting includes a pan coupling body that includes a plurality of pipe end fitting formations at spaced 10 intervals along its length, whereby the pan coupling body is of truncatable length to enable it to be truncated to a length to suit the particular pipeline installation that is being constructed while still having a pipe end fitting formation adjacent an end thereof for coupling to a waste outlet of a pan. 15

19. A kit according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the plurality of pipe sections includes at least one elbow for changing the direction of the flow passage in the pipeline to be constructed through at least ninety degrees.

20. A kit according to claim 19, wherein the at least one elbow includes a first 20 elbow for positioning adjacent and downstream of the pan coupling body.

21. A kit according to claim 20, wherein the first elbow has an upstream end adjacent to the pan coupling body and a downstream end defining an outlet, and the first elbow reduces the radius of the flow passage from the pan coupling body 25 to the outlet of the first elbow.

22. A kit according to claim 21, wherein the at least one elbow includes a second elbow having an upstream end defining an inlet for directly or indirectly coupling to the outlet end of the first elbow in a way that permits some rotation of 30 the second elbow relative to the first elbow ,and a downstream end defining an outlet. 24

23. A kit according to claim 22, wherein the at least one elbow includes a third elbow having one end defining an opening for directly or indirectly coupling to the downstream end of the first elbow or for directly or indirectly coupling to the downstream end of the second elbow in a way that permits some rotation of the 5 third elbow relative to the second elbow.

24. A kit according to claim 23, including at least one rectilinear pipe section for being coupled in line with the first, second or third elbows in the construction of a particular pipeline installation, and wherein each rectilinear pipe section has a 10 truncatable length to enables its length to be adapted to be used for the particular pipeline installation being built by a user.

25. A kit according to claim 24, wherein the rectilinear pipe section is provided as a one piece combined elbow and pipe section together with one of the first, 15 second or third elbows.

26. A kit according to claim 25, wherein the third elbow and the rectilinear pipe section are provided as a one piece combined elbow and pipe section having two free ends that are open. 20

27. A kit according to claim 26, wherein the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section have the same size and configuration such that the free ends can be coupled interchangeably to an adjacent pipe section thereby enabling the orientation of the combined elbow and pipe section to be reversed. 25

28. A kit according to claim 27, wherein the kit includes a pipe end fitting for coupling the pipeline to a discharge pipe.

29. A kit according to claim 28, wherein the pipe end fitting is sized to be 30 received within an open end of a discharge pipe.

30. A kit according to claim 29, wherein the combined elbow and pipe section 25 has end regions adjacent the free ends thereof and each end region is sized to form the pipe end fitting that is received within the discharge pipe.

31. A kit according to claim 30, wherein the kit further includes a discharge pipe 5 seal that is mountable on one of the end regions of the combined elbow and pipe section whereby to seal the end region to the inner surface of the discharge pipe.

32. A kit according to claim 31, wherein the discharge pipe seal is sized to be capable of being pulled with some resistance over an end region of the combined 10 elbow and pipe section such that it can be mounted on the end region with a frictional grip.

33. A kit according to claim 32, wherein the downstream end of the second elbow defines an engaging formation that is sized to couple with the free ends of 15 the combined elbow and pipe section, and wherein the downstream end of the first elbow defines an engaging formation that is also sized to couple with the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section.

34. A kit according to claim 33, wherein each of these couplings permits some 20 rotational adjustment of the combined elbow and pipe section relative to the associated elbow before the couplings are fixed in posit6ion relative to each other.

35. A kit according to claim 33, wherein the upstream end of the second elbow and the free ends of the combined elbow and pipe section and the third elbow 25 have substantially the same size and configuration such that they can be used interchangeably to couple to the primary elbow.

36. A kit according to any one of claims 15 to 35, wherein the first elbow and pan coupling body is provided as a one piece combined elbow and body section in 30 which the primary elbow and waste discharge coupling do not move relative to each other. 26

37. A kit according to any one of claims 15 to 36, wherein the kit further includes a pan seal for mounting over the pan end fitting for facilitating a sealing coupling of the pan end fitting to the pan to which it is attached. 5

38. A kit according to claim 37, wherein the kit further includes a collar for mounting over the pan coupling body to facilitate coupling of the pan seal to the pan coupling body.

39. A kit according to claim 18, further including a support for mounting to the 10 waste discharge coupling in a position in which it is substantially co-axial with the pan coupling body and is able to support load in the direction of the pan coupling body such as occurs when a waste outlet is forced into the pan seal.

40. A kit according to claim 39, wherein the first elbow includes an attachment 15 formation, and the support includes a complementary attachment formation for engaging said attachment formation on the first elbow.

41. Coupling componentry substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying drawings. 20

42. Coupling componentry substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

43. Coupling componentry substantially as herein described with reference to 25 Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.

44. Coupling componentry substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings. 30

45. Coupling componentry substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 13 of the accompanying drawings. 27

46. A coupling substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 14 of the accompanying drawings.