AU2013101434B4 - Extension piece for connecting a diverter to a breech fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

An extension including a first external thread for screw threaded engagement in an inlet of a diverter and a second external thread for connection in an internal thread of a barrel of a breech fitting.

Description

H:\cab\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5771131_ .DOC-31/10/2013 EXTENSION PIECE FOR CONNECTING A DIVERTER TO A BREECH FITTING FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an extension piece for connecting a diverter to a breech fitting. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A diverter is used to redirect water flow from a traditional in-wall breech fitting to an out-of-wall mixer. [0003] A separate breech fitting is associated with a hot water tap and a cold water tap handle. The breech fittings transfer water from the respective hot and cold water pipes into a cross-breech piece that allows the hot and cold water to be mixed in a single outlet such as a bath faucet or showerhead. [0004] A breech fitting is traditionally formed of a tap seat body fixed to backing structure, with an inlet for coupling to a vertical water pipe and a right-angled outlet for connection to the cross-breech piece. An inlet port opens into a back of an internal seat of the body and the outlet port is formed in a side wall of the body. The tap seat body has a main barrel with an internal thread for connection with a tap spindle component to control water flow through the body. [0005] The tap spindle component includes a collar with an external thread to match the barrel and a spindle coupled to the associated tap handle. The spindle has a seal at one end and can be screwed in and out of the collar, under action of the tap handle, to selectively H:\cab\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5771131_ .DOC-31/10/2013 -2 seal against the seat of the breech fitting, in order to open and close the inlet port and control water flow through the body. [0006] The breech fittings, cross-breech piece and pipe work are traditionally housed in a wall cavity and the tap handles are located outside the wall cavity. [0007] The Applicant has developed a contemporary and stylish system for effectively bringing the water mixing functionality of the cross-breech piece outside the wall. The Applicant's system involves replacing each tap with a diverter that screws into the original breech fitting and establishes a new flow path to the exterior of the wall, to an out-of-wall mixer. [0008] With the Applicant's system, a diverter is fitted into the body of the breech fitting and each diverter is then coupled to an external mixer, that might include a flick mixer control, for example, for delivering water directly to a bath faucet or shower head. [0009] Each diverter includes a crank arm with a right-angled inlet and outlet and an internal passage that connects the inlet to the outlet. The diverter also includes an inner cylinder with a seal at one end. The cylinder has an external thread that matches with an internal thread of the inlet. The crank arm has an access opening on a side opposite the inlet that can be opened to allow a tool to be inserted in the cylinder, in order to advance the cylinder out of the inlet, as required. The cylinder and seal have an open central channel to allow water flow through the cylinder. [0010] To install the diverter, an external thread of the inlet is fitted into the barrel of the original breech fitting and the crank arm is rotated about the inlet, to screw the diverter into the barrel. Once in place, the tool is inserted through the access opening, to advance the cylinder until the seal engages the seat. In that position, the inlet port of the fitting opens directly into the channel of the cylinder and is isolated from the original outlet port. As such, the diverter will re-direct water flow from the in-wall cross-breech piece directly to the external mixer, via the internal passage of the crank arm.

H:\cab\lntcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\6086791_.doc-I 1/03/2014 -3 [0011] The Applicant's system is ideally suited for renovations and the like, where a modern and contemporary flick mixer may be preferred instead of a traditional dual tap arrangement. The Applicant's system allows a renovator the benefits of a contemporary design, without requiring the in-wall plumbing to be replaced or altered. [0012] However, it has become apparent a single size diverter may not be appropriate in all circumstance. Although breech fittings have conventionally been fitted at fixed distances inside a wall cavity, to building standards, there are situations where subsequent renovations and tiling have effectively increased the distance from the wall surface to the supporting structure to which the breech fittings are mounted. Also, there may some examples where the breech fittings are simply mounted to structure that is further from the wall than permitted under the relevant building standards. [0013] Clearly, a diverter of specific fixed dimensions will only have a limited distance range over which connection to a breech fitting is possible. If the breech fitting is positioned further than the combined reach of the inlet and inner cylinder, then proper connection cannot be made. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0014] The present invention seeks to provide a means to increase the working distance for a fixed dimension diverter. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] In accordance with the invention there is provided an extension for coupling between a diverter and a breech fitting, including a first external thread for screw threaded engagement in an inlet of the diverter and a second external thread for connection in an internal thread of a barrel of the breech fitting, including: a shoulder between the first and second thread that limits a distance the extension is screwed into the inlet of the diverter; an internal third thread; an inner cylinder with an external thread to engage with the third thread and an axial through channel to allow water flow through the extension; an end of H:\cab\IntenvovepNRPortbIDCC\CAB\6086791_.doc-I 1/03/2014 -4 travel stop to limit movement of the cylinder into the extension; a sealing tip at one end of the cylinder, to seal against a seat of the breech fitting, around an inlet port of the fitting, when the cylinder is advanced into engagement with the breech fitting, whereby to establish a flow path for water directly from the inlet port, through the sealing tip and into the channel of the cylinder; and a seal assembly carried by the cylinder, toward an opposite end, to seal against and move along an inner wall of the inlet as the cylinder is advanced into sealing engagement with the seat of the breech fitting. [0016] Preferably, the seal assembly is in the form of a series of O-rings arranged in two adjacent pairs, positioned along the outer surface of the cylinder.. [0017] Preferably, the first thread, the second thread and the third thread are the same handed. [0018] [Deleted] [0019] [Deleted] [0020] [Deleted] [0021] [Deleted] [0022] [Deleted] [0023] [Deleted] [0024] [Deleted] [0025] [Deleted] [0026] [Deleted] H:\eab\lntenvoven\NRPorbl\DCC\CAB\6086791_1.doc- 1/03/2014 -5 [0027] In another aspect, there is provided a diverter with a crank arm, an inlet and an outlet, and the extension as described above, adapted to fit into the inlet. [0028] [Deleted] [0029] In another aspect, there is provided a method of coupling a diverter to a breech fitting using the extension as described above, so that the sealing tip on the end of the cylinder engages with a seat of the breech fitting, including: positioning the extension and cylinder at an inlet of the diverter so that the opposite end of the cylinder is located in the inlet; inserting a tool through an access opening in the diverter, to engage the opposite end of the cylinder; rotating the cylinder in an opposite-handed direction so that the end of travel stop is engaged and the first thread of the extension is rotated into threaded engagement with the inlet until the shoulder abuts the inlet; rotating a crank arm of the diverter in the same handed direction to screw the second thread of the cylinder into the barrel of the breech fitting; and rotating the tool to drive the cylinder in the same-handed direction until the sealing tip engages the seat of the breech fitting. [0030] [Deleted] [0031] [Deleted] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0032] The drawings are described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a diverter; Figure 2 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a the diverter, showing use of a tool; H:\cab\lntcnvovn\NRPorbl\DCC\CAB6086791 .doc-I 1/03/2014 -6 Figure 3 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the diverter, with an inner cylinder in an extended position; Figure 4 illustrates the inner cylinder moved clear of the diverter; Figure 5 illustrates the diverter and an extension with an inner cylinder; Figure 6 is perspective, partial sectional view of the diverter and extension with the cylinder inserted in an inlet of the diverter; Figure 7 is a perspective, partial sectional view of the diverter, showing use of a tool to rotate the extension into the inlet of the diverter; Figure 8 illustrates the extension wound into the inlet of the diverter; H:\cab\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5771131_ .DOC-31/10/2013 -7 Figure 9 illustrates the inlet of the diverter and the extension being introduced to the barrel of a breech fitting; Figure 10 shows the extension positioned in the barrel of the breech fitting; Figure 11 illustrates rotation of a crank arm of the diverter to screw the extension into the breech fitting; Figure 12 illustrates rotation of the tool to drive the inner cylinder into the breech fitting; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cylinder; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the cylinder and a sealing tip; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the cylinder with the sealing tip fitted; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the cylinder and a sealing assembly; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the cylinder with the sealing assembly fitted; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the diverter and extension, with the cylinder wound into the extension; and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder wound out of the extension. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0033] With reference to the following detailed description, the same reference numerals will be used, where appropriate, to denote like parts.

H:\cab\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\57711311 .DOC-31/10/2013 [0034] Referring firstly to Figure 1, a prior art diverter 1 and inner cylinder 2 are shown. The diverter 1 includes a crank arm 3 with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5, arranged a right angles to a main body 6 of the arm 3. An internal passage 7 passes through the inlet 4, outlet 5 and main body 6. An access opening 8 is provided in the main body 6, opposite the inlet 4. The access opening 8 may be sealed by a closure (not shown) that is fixed in the opening 8 by screw thread. [0035] The inner cylinder 2 had a sealing tip 9 at one end 10 and a pair of O-ring seals 11 to seal against an inner wall 12 of the inlet 4 toward an opposite end 13 of the cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 also has an outer thread 14 that engages with a corresponding thread (not shown for clarity) on the inner wall 12 of the inlet 4. An internal channel 15 is provided to allow water to flow through the cylinder 2 from the sealing tip 9 to the opposite end 13. [0036] Referring to Figure 2, a tool 16 in the form of an Allen key 17 is illustrated being inserted in the opposite end 13 of the cylinder 2. By rotating the tool 16 in an clockwise direction, as viewed, the cylinder 2 can be driven out of the inlet 4 to an extended position, as shown in Figure 3. [0037] Further rotation of the tool 16 will cause the cylinder 2 to rotate free of the inlet 4, as illustrated in Figure 4. As may be appreciated, the diverter 1 and cylinder 2 have limited reach, confined to the maximum workable distance the cylinder 2 can be extended out of the inlet 4. [0038] Referring now to Figure 5, an extension 20 is shown as including a narrow neck 21 with a first thread 22 arranged for threaded engagement in the inlet 4. The extension 20 has an enlarged body 23 that is also provided with a second thread 24, which is a same handed thread as the first thread 22. The enlarged body 23 and the neck 21 are joined by an annular shoulder 25. [0039] The extension 20 is provided with an inner cylinder 30 that includes a sealing tip 31 at one end 32 and a seal assembly 33 toward an opposite end 34. An internal channel 35 H:\cab\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5771131_ .DOC-31/10/2013 -9 extends axially of the cylinder 30. [0040] An arrow 36 indicates a direction of insertion, for introducing the extension 20 into the diverter 1. [0041] Figure 6 shows the end 34 of the cylinder 30 fitted into the inlet 4. In that position, the sealing assembly 33 engages with the inner wall 12 of the inlet 4 to provide a sealing fit between the wall 12 and an external wall 37 of the cylinder 30. [0042] An arrow 38 indicates the direction in which the extension 20 needs to be moved for full engagement with the diverter 1. [0043] Referring to Figure 7, the tool 16 has been inserted in a corresponding profiled end 39 of the channel 35. Rotation of the tool 16 in an anti-clockwise direction, as represented by arrow 40, causes the first thread 22 to engage with a matching thread (not shown for clarity) in the inlet 4. [0044] With regard to Figure 8, rotation of the tool 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow 40, is continued until the shoulder 25 abuts the inlet 4, which provides an end of travel stop for the extension 20. [0045] In Figure 9, the diverter 1 and the extension 20 are moved into engagement with a breech fitting 50, in a direction indicated by arrow 51. [0046] In Figure 10, the second thread 24 of the extension 20 is shown in threaded engagement with an internal thread 52 on a barrel 53 of the breech fitting 50. [0047] In order to screw the extension 20 into the fitting 50, the crank arm 3 of the diverter 1 is rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow 54 in Figure 11, until the extension 20 is wound into the breech fitting 50 a required distance.

H:\cab\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5771131_ .DOC-31/10/2013 - 10 [0048] With regard to Figure 12, once the extension 20 is in place, the tool 16 is again inserted in the end 34 of the cylinder 30 and rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 55, to drive the cylinder 30 down into the barrel 53 until the sealing tip 31 engages a seat 56 of the breech fitting 50. [0049] Referring now to Figure 13 to 17, the structure of the cylinder 30 is described in more detail. [0050] The cylinder 30 is shown in Figure 13 as including a first section 60, toward the end 32 of the cylinder 30, with a thread 61 and a second section 62 with a series of grooves 63 toward the opposite end 34. The first section 60 is of larger dimension and is separated from the second section 62 by a step 64. The thread 61 is of the same-hand as the first and second threads 22, 24 of the extension 20, described above. [0051] The sealing tip 31 is formed of an annular rubber grommet 65 that fits into the end 32 of the cylinder 30, as shown in Figure 14 and 15. [0052] In Figure 16, the sealing assembly 33 is shown disassembled from the cylinder 30. The sealing assembly 33 is in the form of four rubber O-rings 66 that are loaded into the grooves 63 in a direction indicated by arrows 67. [0053] In Figure 17, the sealing assembly 33 is shown fitted to the cylinder 30. The sealing assembly 33 includes two sets of O-rings, spaced along the extent of the cylinder 30. [0054] With regard to Figure 18, the diverter 1 is shown threaded into the breech fitting 50. The thread 61 on the cylinder 30 is shown wound into the extension 20 to a position where the step 64 has provided an end of position stop internally of the extension 20. This has previously allowed the anti-clockwise rotation of the cylinder 30 to be used to rotate the second thread 24 of the extension 20 into the inlet 4 until the engagement of the shoulder 25 and the inlet 4.

H:\cab\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\57711311 .DOC-31/10/2013 - 11 [0055] In the position shown, the crank arm 3 of the diverter 1 has already been rotated in a clockwise direction to screw the second thread 24 of the extension 20 into the barrel 53 of the breech fitting 50. [0056] As such, the diverter 1 is now ready for the final stage of installation, where the cylinder 30 is driven out of the extension 20 by threaded engagement between the thread 61 and an internal third thread 68 of the extension 20. The third thread 68 has the same handedness as the first and second threads 22, 24, which means every threading operation is in the same direction, except for the initial action of threading the extension 20 into the inlet 4 of the diverter 1. This provides simplifies manufacture and installation. [0057] Turning now to Figure 19, the cylinder 30 has been driven out of the extension 20 to a position where the sealing tip 31 seals against the seat 56 of the breech fitting 50, to thereby establish a flow path directly from an inlet port 69 of the fitting 50, through the channel 35 in the cylinder 30 and the passage 7 defined in the diverter 1. The diverter 1 is illustrated with a cover 70 fitted to the access opening 8 to prevent water exiting through that opening 8 after installation. [0058] The threads 61 and 68 are of a predetermined length that effectively defines the reach or range of motion of the cylinder 30. The cylinder 30 is also of a predetermined length so that the sealing assembly 33 is always in sealing engagement with the inner wall 12 of the inlet 4, throughout the range of movement of the cylinder 30. In that regard, it can be seen from Figures 18 and 19 that the seal assembly 33 engages the inner wall 12 of the inlet 4 at a location downstream of a join 71 between the extension 20 and the inlet 4, regardless of whether the cylinder is fully extended or fully retracted. [0059] As may be readily appreciated from the above, the extension 20 and cylinder 30 provide increased range for the diverter 1, in excess of that available using the cylinder 2, described with reference to Figure 1, without requiring any modification to the diverter.

Claims (5)

1. An extension for coupling between a diverter and a breech fitting, including a first external thread for screw threaded engagement in an inlet of the diverter and a second external thread for connection in an internal thread of a barrel of the breech fitting, including: a shoulder between the first and second thread that limits a distance the extension is screwed into the inlet of the diverter; an internal third thread; an inner cylinder with an external thread to engage with the third thread and an axial through channel to allow water flow through the extension; an end of travel stop to limit movement of the cylinder into the extension; a sealing tip at one end of the cylinder, to seal against a seat of the breech fitting, around an inlet port of the fitting, when the cylinder is advanced into engagement with the breech fitting, whereby to establish a flow path for water directly from the inlet port, through the sealing tip and into the channel of the cylinder; and a seal assembly carried by the cylinder, toward an opposite end, to seal against and move along an inner wall of the inlet as the cylinder is advanced into sealing engagement with the seat of the breech fitting.

2. The extension of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is in the form of a series of 0 rings arranged in two adjacent pairs, positioned along the outer surface of the cylinder.

3. The extension of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first thread, the second thread and the third thread are the same handed.

4. A diverter with a crank arm, an inlet and an outlet, and the extension of any one of claims 1 to 3, adapted to fit into the inlet. H:\cab\lnienvoven\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\6086791_.doc-I /0312014 - 13

5. A method of coupling a diverter to a breech fitting using the extension of any one of claims 1 to 3, so that the sealing tip on the end of the cylinder engages.with a seat of the breech fitting, including: positioning the extension and cylinder at an inlet of the diverter so that the opposite end of the cylinder is located in the inlet; inserting a tool through an access opening in the diverter, to engage the opposite end of the cylinder; rotating the cylinder in an opposite-handed direction so that the end of travel stop is engaged and the first thread of the extension is rotated into threaded engagement with the inlet until the shoulder abuts the inlet; rotating a crank arm of the diverter in the same handed direction to screw the second thread of the cylinder into the barrel of the breech fitting; and rotating the tool to drive the cylinder in the same-handed direction until the sealing tip engages the seat of the breech fitting.