AU2011254049B2

AU2011254049B2 - Waste Pipe Extender

Info

Publication number: AU2011254049B2
Application number: AU2011254049A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Charles Charlton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-12
Filing date: 2011-12-15
Publication date: 2017-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-15
Also published as: AU2011254049A1

Abstract

A plumbing fitting comprising a waste pipe extender having a pipe body adapted at a first end for attachment to a waste outlet of a plumbing fixture and adapted at a second end for interference fit to an end of a second plumbing fitting comprising a trap. - 25a 25b

Description

2011254049 15 Dec 201

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 P/00/011 REGULATION 3.2(2)

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICATION NO. LODGED:

INVENTION TITLE: WASTE PIPE EXTENDER THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING IT KNOWN TO: 2 2011254049 15 Dec 2011

WASTE PIPE EXTENDER RELATED APPLICATIONS 5 [0001] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent

Application No. 2011902311 in the name of Peter Charlton, which was filed on 12 June 2011, entitled “Drop Seal” and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

10 FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of plumbing, particularly installation of waste outlets associated with water supply, drainage and sewerage. 15 [0003] In one form, the invention relates to a waste pipe extender and its method of use.

[0004] In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use in the 20 installation or replacement of shower trays and other plumbing fittings having waste pipes that are not readily accessible.

[0005] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to plumbing fixtures such as shower trays, however it should be appreciated that the 25 present invention is not limited to that use only and can be used for a wide range of plumbing applications including domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Furthermore the present invention is not limited to shower trays, but can be used for a wide range of plumbing fixtures.

30 BACKGROUND ART

[0006] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present 3 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain 5 the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. 10 [0007] Plumbers frequently have to install or replace fittings associated with plumbing fixtures. Examples of fixtures include toilets, urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, laundry troughs, kitchen sinks and drinking fountains. Water from the fixture passes through a waste pipe (in the form of a tail pipe), and then into a 15 ‘trap’ in the form of a curved pipe underneath the plumbing fixture. The curved shaped helps to trap noxious sewer gases before they enter the building in which the fixture is located and also tends to catch small items that may inadvertently fall through the tailpipe. The most common traps are P, S, U or J shaped and they are often referred to by their shape. From the trap, water exits to a drainpipe 20 leading to the sewer system. But because the drainpipe exits at a higher level than the curved portion of the pipe, some water is captured and held in the curve of the trap. The trapped water provides a seal, blocking sewer gases from rising up through the sink drain. 25 [0008] The trap is connected at one end to the tailpiece drain of the fixture and at the other end to the drainpipe, by threaded couplings such as slip nuts or jam nuts. A large rubber gasket beneath each coupling provides a watertight seal.

[0009] One of the problems associated with this arrangement is that there is 30 often very limited space, or limited access for the plumber to bring together the tailpiece and the first end of the trap and couple them using the slip nut or jam nut. Particular difficulties arise if the trap for a fixture is boxed in or if the trap projects beneath floor level. 4 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 [0010] Some plumbing fixtures are located at floor level of a building and it is necessary for the trap to project below floor level. This often means that the plumber must have access to the area under floor level in order to line up and 5 connect the trap and the tailpiece of the plumbing fixture. If the fixture is installed on the ground floor the plumber may have to crawl under the building. If the building has no under-floor space because it sits on a solid concrete floor, it may be necessary to cut into the concrete. If the fixture is located on the first floor or higher floors the plumber needs to cut out a section of the floor, or cut out a 10 section of the ceiling below. Once the job is completed the cut sections must be repaired or replaced. This can be very difficult and time consuming, and adds to the cost.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION 15 [0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved means of connecting a plumbing fixture to a trap.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency in 20 terms of time and cost for installation of plumbing fixtures.

[0013] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art system. 25 [0014] In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a waste pipe extender having a pipe body adapted at a first end for attachment to a waste outlet of a plumbing fixture and adapted at a second end for interference fit to an end of a trap. 30 [0015] The first end of the pipe body may be directly attached to a waste outlet or indirectly attached by a pipe connected to the waste outlet. The attachment may be achieved by any convenient means such as by threaded engagement. 5 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 [0016] Typically the second end of the waste pipe extender is adapted for interference fit to a trap. In a particularly preferred embodiment the second end of the pipe body includes at least one flange preferably two or three flanges, 5 projecting from the outer wall.

[0017] Typically the flange(s) encircles the second end of the waste pipe extender. The diameter of the flange or flanges typically matches the inner diameter of an end of the trap, so that manual force can be used to overcome 10 friction and push the flanges into the end of the trap, thus achieving a snug, watertight fit. In order to avoid the need for excessive force, the pipe body and/or flanges may be constructed of flexible material which can deform slightly under pressure. 15 [0018] The flanges may be of any convenient shape such as square or triangular cross section. The flanges may be in the form of fins, angled forward, backward or orthogonal relative to the pipe body.

[0019] Traps typically range in diameter between about 30 and 50 mm -20 usually 32mm, 40 mm or 50 mm diameter. One of the advantages of the present invention is that a single waste pipe extender can be suitable for two or more diameters of trap. This reduces the inventory of fittings needed for plumbing work. In a particularly preferred embodiment the waste pipe extender of the present invention includes at least one flange suitable for interference fit with a 25 32mm or 40mm trap and at least one flange suitable for interference fit with a 40mm or 50mm trap.

[0020] The waste pipe extender according to the present invention is kept in connection with the trap by virtue of the interference fit, downward pressure (if 30 any) imparted by the weight of the plumbing fixture and its rigid positioning. Optimally the interference fit is overcome if the plumbing fixture is ever removed (for example, for repair or replacement), again without the need for the plumber to access the space under the fixture. 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 6 [0021] In a second aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a plumbing fitting having a pipe body comprising a first end and a second end wherein an external surface of the second end includes one or more flanges for 5 interference fit by insertion into a second plumbing fitting.

[0022] In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a waste drainage system comprising: 10 · a waste outlet of a plumbing fixture, • a waste pipe extender according to the present invention; and • a trap plumbed to a drainage pipe, 15 wherein the waste pipe extender is located intermediate the tail piece and the trap and retained in connection with the trap by interference fit.

[0023] In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is 20 provided a method for installing the waste pipe extender of the present invention comprising the steps of: a) attaching the first end of the waste pipe extender to the waste outlet of a plumbing fitting, 25 b) aligning the opening of the trap with the second end of the waste pipe extender, and c) inserting the second end of the waste pipe extender into the 30 opening of the trap simultaneous with the plumbing fitting being set in a desired location. 7 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 [0024] Using this method of installation there is no need for a plumber to have to access the space under the plumbing fitting or the trap in order to make a connection between the waste pipe extender and the trap, as per threaded fittings of the prior art. 5 [0025] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that 10 by utilising a new manner of connection, a trap can be fitted to a plumbing fixture without the need to access the space underneath the fixture.

[0026] Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following: 15 · no need to physically access the space underneath the plumbing fixture when attaching it to a trap; reduces the time and cost associated with installing plumbing fixtures, particularly those located at or near floor level; can be adapted for use with traps of different diameters, thus reducing fitting inventory; and • does not require any tools for connection to a trap. 25 [0027] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration 30 only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 8 2011254049 15 Dec 2011

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and 5 other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: [0029] Figure 1 illustrates an existing system of the prior art; 10 [0030] Figure 2 illustrated a preferred embodiment of the waste pipe extender of the present invention; and [0031] Figure 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the waste drainage 15 system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates an existing drainage system of the prior art. It 20 depicts in cross section, a plumbing fixture comprising a shower base 1. The drain hole at the centre of the shower base 1 receives a flange 3 which is held in place by silicon sealant. One end of a waste outlet in the form of a wastepipe 5 is in threaded engagement with the flange 3. A gasket 7 is located between a jamb nut 9 and the shower base 1 to ensure there is no leakage of water from the join. 25 One end of the trap 13 is held in threaded engagement with the tailpipe 5 of the shower base 1 by a coupling nut 11. The other end of the trap 13 is held in threaded engagement with the drainpipe 17, by another coupling nut 15. In this system the trap 13 is U shaped. Typically, the shower base 1 would be located at floor level, while the tailpipe, trap 13 and drain pipe 17 are located beneath floor 30 level.

[0033] One of the problems associated with this arrangement is that there is often very limited space, or limited access for the plumber to bring together the 9 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 tailpiece 5 and the first end of the trap 13 and connect them using the coupling nut 11.

[0034] Figure 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of the waste pipe extender 22 5 of the present invention, suitable for attachment to a waste outlet tail pipe 18 from a plumbing fixture (not shown). In this illustration, the tail pipe 18 has a gasket 19 at one end where it connects with the plumbing fixture, and a screw thread at its external surface 21. The waste pipe extender 22 comprises a pipe body 24 of cylindrical cross section adapted at a first end 23 with an internal screw thread for 10 attachment to the tail pipe 18. The first end 23 of the waste pipe extender can be screwed onto the waste outlet tail pipe 18 by rotation in the direction of the arrow. The second end of the pipe body 24 is adapted to be inserted into an end of a trap and held by interference fit with one or more of the three flanges 25a, 25b, 25c. In this embodiment the diameter of the first flange 25c is slightly greater 15 than 32mm, and is suitable for being retained in a trap having an internal diameter of 32mm. The diameter of the second flange 25b is slightly greater than 40mm, and is suitable for being retained in a trap having an internal diameter of 40mm. The diameter of the third flange 25a is slightly greater than 50mm, and is suitable for being retained in a trap having an internal diameter of 50mm. In each 20 case manual force can be used to overcome friction between the edge of the flange and the inner wall of the trap to push the second end of the waste pipe extender into the trap and achieve [0035] In this embodiment the pipe body and flanges are constructed of 25 flexible material which can deform slightly under pressure, while the threaded first end is made of non-deformable material.

[0036] Figure 3 illustrates a drainage system including a waste pipe extender of the present invention and a method of assembling the system. In this drawing 30 can be seen the waste outlet 18 of the plumbing system, in threaded connection with the waste pipe extender 22 of Figure 2. As mentioned previously with reference to Figure 2, to assemble the system, the first end 23 of the waste pipe extender 22 is screwed to the waste outlet 18 until it fits tight to the underside of 10 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 the plumbing fixture. The second end of the waste pipe extender 22 is aligned with the opening in a first end 27 of the trap 25 and inserted in the direction of the arrow. This occurs simultaneously with the plumbing fixture being set in a desired location. As a preliminary step, part of the top of the trap may need to be cut off 5 to alter the length of the trap if the plumbing fixture is to be set flush with the floor. The flanges will remain pressed against the inside surface of the trap 25 to form a strong, watertight join. The second end 31 of the trap 25 is in threaded attachment to a drainage pipe 29 which connects with the sewerage system. The waste pipe extender 22 is thus located intermediate the waste outlet 18 and the 10 trap 25.

[0037] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or 15 adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth. 20 [0038] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 25 The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0039] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. 30 Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures 2011254049 15 Dec 2011 11 as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

[0040] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this 5 specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be 10 construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. A plumbing fitting comprising a waste pipe extender having a pipe body adapted at a first end for attachment to a waste outlet of a plumbing fixture and adapted at a second end for interference fit to an end of a second plumbing fitting comprising a trap wherein the pipe body comprises at least one flange for interference fit with the interior wall of the end of the second plumbing fitting.

2. A plumbing fitting according to claim 1 wherein the plumbing fixture is chosen from the group comprising shower trays, toilets, urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, troughs, sinks and drinking fountains.

3. A plumbing fitting according to claim 2 wherein the pipe body is encircled by at least one flange having a first diameter, and at least one flange having a second diameter, the first and second diameters being different.

4. A plumbing fitting according to claim 3 wherein the first diameter is 32 mm, or 40 mm and the second diameter is 40 mm or 50 mm.

5. A waste drainage system comprising: • a waste outlet of a plumbing fixture, • a waste pipe extender according to any one of the preceding claims, and • a trap plumbed to a drainage pipe, wherein the waste pipe extender is located intermediate the tail piece and the trap and retained in connection with the trap by interference fit.

6. A method for installing the waste pipe extender of any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising the steps of: a) attaching the first end of the waste pipe extender to the waste outlet of a plumbing fitting, b) aligning the opening of the trap with the second end of the waste pipe extender, and c) inserting the second end of the waste pipe extender into the opening of the trap simultaneous with the plumbing fitting being set in a desired location.