AU2018390981B2 - Pipe support - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe support including a preformed supporting body formed of a strong supporting material and a recess formed within the supporting body. The recess is adapted to receive at least part of the junction of the pipes therewithin and generally corresponds in shape to the received part. The bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and be suitably held and supported in place from below and to at least some extent around the sides, to strongly support the junction of the pipes. The invention also relates to variants thereon and methods of use.

Description

PIPE SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pipe support, and in particular to pipe bend support for use to support the bend or junction of a pipe for a waste trap or similar. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When installing or replacing a drain trap, such as under a shower installation, the bend of the pipe needs to be supported. The rest of the drain arrangement sits on the support for the drain trap and so it is important that the bend is properly and strongly supported, for the overall integrity of the installation. Further, when servicing rods are put down the pipes, the pipes need supporting to allow unblocking, without breakage or damage to the pipe underground.

The conventional method is to mix and apply concrete by hand, under the bend of the pipe to support the bend against these pressures and to keep the pipe in place. This concrete casting is a time consuming and difficult task, as it must be cast to the exact shape required and be positioned in situ. There are the usual discomforts of mixing the concrete and the risk of breathing in the dust during the mixing. It would be preferable that wet concrete is not needed for the pipe support installation.

There are standards in Australia that required the concrete support for drains to be of sufficient thickness around the bend and junction to be properly supported. For example a 100 millimetre concrete pad is regulated to surround the bend of the pipe. Due to these regulations of thickness and strength required for the supporting concrete pad, significant care must be taken to not only support the bend, but to also meet the regulations and be compliant. The need for standards itself, illustrates the importance of the proper support for the bend in plumbing. Insufficient support, not meeting the regulations would risk undue pressure on the bend, which could lead to splits or damage to the installation at the pressure point and ultimately leaking of water. Any water leakage is clearly undesirable. Meeting the requirements and installing the concrete pad to the correct thickness for this already awkward job, just adds to the burden to ensure that the plumbing installation will be installed to standard. Any saving of time and reduction in the inconvenience in installing showers and the like will be very well received by plumbers and their customers. Further, if the installation can be made consistently at a very high standard of strength, and compliance, meeting and exceeding the standard requirement in strength and thickness of concrete, this will improve installations generally.

One issue that is becoming apparent in some eco homes is that use of concrete is undesirable, consumers are choosing other materials where an alternative is available. The inventive product can be cast in suitable concrete, but can be made of other strong materials. For example, any material that can be cast such as hard plastics, and mixes of materials such as engineered materials may be used as suitable to provide the strong shaped support necessary for the invention Consumers, therefore, will have a significantly greater choice of materials for their home.

There has long been a want to make an easier way to support these types of drain and trap bends in an easier method, that will be guaranteed to meet the requirements of the regulations. The inventors have therefore developed the BENDBOSS (Trade Mark) a bend support product that is configured to meet the regulations and provide a strong support to the bend. The inventor does this in a very convenient ready to use piece, which can be taken to where the installation is to be made, clearly saving time, reducing cost, a multitude of beneficial advantages to this new and surprisingly useful invention. The invention is a significant improvement on the art and one likely to be adopted widely in the industry, as soon as it becomes known. Strong commercial success is anticipated in Australia, New Zealand and internationally as the business develops in the future. There will be no need to prepare and cast the concrete suitable for the concrete pad support on site, instead, suitable parts can be taken for ready installation, a significant and useful improvement over the art. The job will be made simpler to perform, and of a higher standard through use of the invention.

The following describes a non-limiting example of the invention being used with reference to the installation of a drain trap of a shower, as a particularly useful example. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited in any way, other than as stated in the claims, to support for a drain trap. The bend support may be used anywhere to support bends in pipes where it may be useful to do so as would be readily understood by the person skilled in the art. For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe support that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is a further and separate object of the present invention to provide a method of use of a pipe support that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pipe support for pipes, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a strong supporting material; and a recess formed within the supporting body adapted to receive at least part of the junction of the pipes therewithin and generally corresponds in shape to the received part, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and be suitably held and supported in place from below and to at least some extent around the sides, to strongly support the junction of the pipes.

The pipe support can be used to support any kind of pipe. However, the invention is particularly applicable to use to support pipes in plumbing, such as waste traps. Preferably, the pipes are the pipes of a waste trap and the junction is the bend of the waste trap. The junction may be a straight pipe. The junction may be a bend of pipes. The junction may be a u-bend. The size of the pipes to be supported may be any suitable size. Different countries may have different sizes and regulations in this regard. The inventive product may be adapted to be configured suitably for those dimensions. The pipes may be made of polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) of a known kind used often in the plumbing industry. The pipes may be any suitable pipe or any suitable materials. The pipes may have an outer diameter of 110 millimetre. The apparatus may be adapted for any size of pipe or any standardised size of pipe. Preferably, a range of pipes may be supplied to suit the available pipe sizes for a particular consumer, application or type of installation.

Preferably, the pipes include an inlet, an outlet and a bend or junction between them. Preferably, these are standard arrangements for water flow in, through and out. The water may be waste water. The water may be waste water such as under a shower. The pipes to be supported may be a waste trap for waste water flow. There may be multiple inlets to the pipe. There may be multiple outlets to pipe.

The pipe bend or junction may take any suitable form. Preferably, the bend is the point or junction between two pipes, an inlet and outlet or the equivalent of a single pipe, with a bend. The pipes and junction may be made integrally. Any suitable pipe arrangement that may require support can be used with the invention. The support is intended in particular for bends, traps and the like, but can also be used for straight sections (refer Figure 8 below for example). The pipe may be a straight pipe, that needs supporting at the junctions. This may be variously referred to as a junction where there is some joining or splitting of the flow due to multiple pipes. A straight pipe without junction could be supported through use of the invention should there be a particular application that required such support not limited to a bend or junction. Similarly, an integral bend or waste trap could also be supported through use of the invention. However, the usual use of the invention will be to support the pipe where there is a bend or junction and this bend of junction may take any suitable form. The bend may be in a single pipe. Preferably, the bend or junction is where two pipes are joined. The bend or junction may be a trap, or any similar pipe arrangement. More than two pipes can join at the bend or junction. Any standard pipe junction may be used with the support. Non-conventional bends could also be used.

Preferably, the support includes support from below the pipe. Preferably, the support is strong support from below. Preferably, a thick support is provided below the pipe. Preferably, the regulatory thickness of material is included below the support. Preferably, the support is provided by at least 50 millimetres of thickness of the support body.

Preferably, the support includes some support about the pipe. Preferably, the support includes support to either side of the pipe. In some forms of the invention the bend or junction of the pipe may be substantially surrounded by the support. In other forms the support may include support from below and support to either side so that the support substantially prevents the pipe from moving from side to side as well as being supported from below. Preferably, the supporting body is adapted to strongly hold and support the pipe in place. Preferably, the supporting body substantially surrounds the bend or junction on three sides. Half the pipe diameter may be surrounded by the support. The pipe may sit in the recess so that the lower portion is surrounded and supported with the upper portion protruding above the upper surface of the support. Preferably, the support is such that the pipes are supported and strongly resist movement down in the vertical direction due to the support from below. Preferably, the support prevents downward movement and movement in the horizontal plane. Preferably, the support supports the sides of the bend or junction. Preferably, the support strongly supports the sides of the bend or junction. Preferably, once installed the support substantially prevents movement of the pipe bend or junction within the support in the horizontal plane. Preferably, the sides of the bend or junction are strongly held to resist movement by the support.

The“preforming” aspect of the invention is important, as the invention is provided ready for use. Clearly, from the drawings it can be seen that there is a readymade block, ready for use. Unlike the prior art, the invention does not need to be made from mixing concrete and then applying that concrete by hand around the base of the junction to support it from below. The preforming can mean precast or moulded as is a preferred form of the invention. However, the preforming does not necessarily mean that the block is provide as a single block. It is feasible that one or more parts may be provided to create block instead, in inferior forms of the invention.

The strong material may be concrete. The strong material may be a moulded or cast material. The strong material may be a plastics material. The strong material may be a recycled plastics material. The material may be an engineered or conglomerate material suitable to support the pipe. The strong material may be a suitable environmentally friendly material. Most preferably, the material of the support is a recycled material. Most preferably, the material of the support is a recycled plastics material. The strong material may be chosen from the group: concrete; engineered concrete; engineered material; eco-friendly building materials; plastics; recycled plastics material; or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the recess may take any suitable shape. The shape of the recess may be chosen from the following group: irregular shaped; lozenge shaped; scoop shaped; semi-cylindrical; or as depicted in any of Figures 2 to 19. Preferably, the recess is configured to be substantially the same size and shape as part of the pipe which is then received and firmly held in the recess. Preferably the recess is adapted to receive the lower part of a waste trap, and is correspondingly shaped. Preferably, the recess is configured to be exactly the same size and shape as part of the pipe which is then received and firmly held in the recess. Preferably, the recess tightly fits the pipe therein so as to hold and support in place. Preferably, the preformed block is configured to exactly receive the part of the junction or bend to be held in the support with a convenient tight fit, to facilitate installation. The recess is made so as to be ready to receive the parts of the pipe, so they sit comfortably therein, held, supported and protected against movement once installed. Preferably, the recess is configured to be a tight fit to substantially prevent movement from side to side. In some forms of the invention the recess may have open ends, in which case the bend of junction may be moved in the direction of the ends but held strongly against side movement.

Preferably, the pipe is lowered from above to be received in the recess. The pipe may be placed in the recess from the front. The pipe may enter the recess in any suitable direction.

Most preferably, a fall is included across the floor of the recess. In some of the shapes of the recess the fall is included through the bend of the pipe, echoed by the shape of the recess. For the horizontal pipe support the fall is included to positively ensure that the water will drain in the desired direction. Preferably, in this form of the invention the fall is introduced through a fall in the floor of the recess. Preferably, there is an indication of the direction of fall, to indicate the flow of the water. The fall may be any suitable fall, to encourage flow. There may be a visual indication of the direction of flow of the water including in the support. There may be arrows or other indication to indicate the flow of water. Where a flow is included preferably the arrows indicate the downward direction of the fall, to indicate the direction of the flow of water.

Preferably, the body surrounds the recess with thick walls to provide strong support for the pipes. Preferably, the base or floor of the recess is thick to provides strong support to the pipes. Preferably, the thick base or floor is at least 25 millimetres thick. There may be at least a thickness of 25 millimetres all around the recess. Preferably the walls are thick walls to support the pipes. Preferably, the walls are at least 25 millimetres thick. The floor and or walls may be of a thickness chosen from the group: 25 millimetres; 50 millimetres; greater than 50 millimetres thick. The floor may be the same thickness as the walls. The floor and walls may have a different thickness one to the other. Any suitable thick floor or wall may be used. In other forms of the invention the wall may be thinner, in which case a very strong material resistant to deformation will need to be used instead.

Preferably, the edges of the body are shaped for convenience of handling. Preferably, the body includes curved sides. The shaping may also assist to maintain the block in position in the installation. In other forms of the invention the block may be substantially square or rectangular.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a variant a pipe support for water waste trap, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a strong supporting material; and a recess formed within the supporting body, corresponding to the lower part of the waste trap junction to substantially surround so as to be protected from below and on both sides, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and be suitably supported to resist movement away from the installed location.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a further variant a pipe support for pipes, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a solid, strong material;

a recess formed within the supporting body adapted to receive the lower part of the junction of the pipe therewithin, and shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of part of the bend or junction, so as to fit with a supporting tight fit, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and is strongly supported from below and is prevented from moving in the horizontal plane due to the tightly supported sides. The invention also provides a method of use of a support for a pipe with a bend or junction, the support including a supporting body and a recess adapted for receipt of at least part of the bend or junction of the pipe, the method including the following steps: a) selecting the appropriate support configured to receive the corresponding pipe bend or junction;

b) positioning the support in place generally below where the pipe bend or junction is to be installed, an installing in place; and

c) install the pipe bend or junction into the pipe support, including lowering into the recess of the support, whereby the bend or junction of the pipe is held and supported in place, from below and resists movement side to side.

The support of the method may be the support of the invention described above, in any of its forms or variants. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The pipe support can be produced industrially and be provided to retailers, wholesalers or to customers directly for installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art installation of support of a drain trap using a concrete pad that is mixed by hand and installed around the bend of the pipe in situ;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a support of a first preferred embodiment of the subject invention, and first pipe bend shown above the support with arrows indicating the direction of installation; Figure 3 is a front side elevation view of the support of Figure 2 with the pipe omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the support of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a long-sectional view of the support of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support of Figures 3 to 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the support of Figures 3 to 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of a support of a second preferred embodiment of the subject invention and second pipe;

Figure 9 is a front side elevation of the support of Figure 8 with the second pipe omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 10 is an end view of the support of Figure 9 illustrating the fall;

Figure 1 1 is a long-sectional view of the support of Figures 9 or 10;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the support of Figures 9 to 11 illustrating the fall; Figure 13 is a plan view from above of the support of Figures 9 to 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view from above of a support of a third preferred embodiment of the subject invention with third pipe;

Figure 15 is a front side view of the support of Figure 14 with the third pipe omitted or ease of illustration; Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the support of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a long-sectional view of the support of Figures 15 to 16;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the support of Figures 15 to 17; Figure 19 is a plan view from above of the support of Figures 14 to 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

Referring to Figure 1 , the prior art arrangement of installing a drain trap, such as under a shower fitting, is illustrated to show in particular how the arrangement is supported now, without use of the invention. In Figure 1 , pipe 1 is shown installed below ground level 2, below shower base 3, supported by concrete pad 4. Pipe 1 is a typical polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) pipe, well known in the industry. PVC pipes are available in a plethora of arrangements, however these are standardised for particular uses, such as for waste traps. Pipe 1 as illustrated has inlet 5 level with shower base 3, and outlet 6 below ground level 2.

As can be seen indicated by the dotted material below bend 7 of pipe 1 , concrete pad 4 is used to support under pipe 1. Use of the concrete to surround and support junction has been used for many years as the way to stop the installed junction from moving from the installed location. The concrete thickness must exceed 100 millimetres and be of a sufficiently strong and supportive concrete mix to meet the Australian regulations in this regard. The importance of the support is reflected in the fact that these enforceable regulations have been introduced to ensure these junctions do not move from the installed location. When making the installation under the current method the concrete must be mixed in situ and applied by hand to fit around the bend of pipe 1. This mixing of the concrete requires the plumber to be exposed to the concrete dust, mix up the mix to the appropriate standard mix and carefully put it under and around the bend of the pipe. The installation process is therefore awkward and this awkwardness and may lead to the thickness and support to be in adequate. It would be easy to fail to meet the strict regulations by making the support of insufficient concrete thickness or to the concrete mix in adequate due to the difficulties of mixing in situ. The regulations are there to ensure that the waste trap is safely and securely installed but despite the plumbers best efforts, due to the difficult of the in situ location the installation may not meet these regulations. Overall the concrete does the job okay, but is a most inconvenient method, and has problems of concrete mix and thickness not being optimal for strength and support. The inventors have considered this problem which has existed for a very long time in the industry without an alternative solution and has developed a clever solution, as described in the foregoing preferred embodiments. The invention will be so much easier to use and install, with a vastly improved result in terms of compliance, safety and tidy appearance that it is likely to be universally adopted once the invention becomes commercially available.

Referring to Figures 2 to 7, a first preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, with pipe 1a, including inlet 5a and outlet 6a, with junction 7a between, as described for the prior art above. Pipe 1a is of a known form of PVC with an outer diameter of 110 millimetres, in the given example. As illustrated the first preferred embodiment support 10 has with body 11 , including shaped recess 12. It is within shaped recess 12 of body 11 that junction 7a will rest and be fitted to be strongly installed, supported from below to stop movement downwards, and both sides to prevent side to side movement. The invention cleverly, provides a support that will automatically meet the regulations, by being of the required mix of concrete as illustrated (other strong materials may be used instead) and the required thickness. Further, the installation is considerably easier as the support is preformed to exactly fit the pipe junction to be installed so it sits in easily, slid in from above, but once fitted in is tightly held, supported from below, and prevented from moving from side to side. The invention is highly useful, as it is easier to use, produces a better result and guarantees that a plumbed job will meet the junction support regulations, which give peace of mind to the plumber and the customer.

As described in Figures 2 to 7, all of body 11 , as illustrated, is formed of precast concrete (32mPa) to be strong and suitable to meet the regulations. Other materials may be used, for example, support 10 may also be made of moulded polymer plastics or injection moulded recycled plastic, for example. Any suitable hard and supportive material could be used to provide a support for the junction of the pipe, provided these are within the professional regulations and guidelines. It is an advantage of the invention that materials other than concrete may be used, as there is a desire to move away from concrete. Engineered materials with similar physical properties could be readily used instead. In either case, whether it be concrete or an engineered or plastics material the precast support 10 is formed as a convenient“block”. The block is generally a rectangular shape, which can be readily picked up and handled safely, stored until needed, even for a significant length of time, and is easy to transport. Many blocks can be stacked and stored easily, or displayed for sale, ready to go. There is no need to get out the concrete to mix it up to create a support by manual application, trying to meet the thickness requirements and not make a messy job. Instead support 10 can be installed like any other part of the installation, quickly, easily and cleanly, a significant improvement.

Body 11 of support 10 has a generally block shape as is convenient to handle with dimensions of 285 millimetres long, by 165 millimetres wide, and 165 millimetres high. Rectangular top 14 is 285 millimetres by 165 millimetres wide in which recess 12 can be seen to be formed open to top 14. Recess 12 is 235 millimetres long and 115 millimetres depth by 115 millimetres wide to comfortably and closely receive and hold pipe 1a that has an outer diameter of 115 millimetres. There is a 25 millimetre thickness of material all the way around to strongly support the pipe once in position in the recess. Clearly, the size of the recess is adapted to suit and fit the pipe, and will be varied and changed with the pipe size, to suitably fit therewith in.

Base 16 lies below and is also rectangular but smaller as ends 18 and 20 are shaped to curve from top 14 to base 16. The base is 250 millimetres long, shorter than the top to allow for the curve between base and top. The dimensions of base 16 are therefore 235 millimetres by 165 millimetres. The curving in of ends 16 and

18 18 assists in the handling of support 10, making it convenient to hold in the hand but also echoes the shape of recess 12. Other shapes and configurations for body 11 can be used as is convenient, to surround recess 12. A rectangular block would work, but the shaping is a further design feature to make the installation easier for the plumber as the curves help hold the block in one hand while working on the installation with the other hand. Ease of handling should hopefully add to the overall advantages of the invention. Further, as the curving of the sides acts against movement of the outside of the block, that is the shaping assist to hold the block itself in place, separate from the junction held within. Recess 12, as illustrated for the first embodiment is shaped to echo the bend in pipe 1 a, so as to receive it and hold it in place. The recess is exactly sized and shaped to fit the junction in to hold it tightly in place once installed. As pipe 1a is lowered down into recess 12 the curves of recess accept the curved bend of the pipe so that it sits and fits in the recess. The depth of recess 12, 115 millimetres, allows a thick 50 millimetre depth of concrete under pipe 1 a, and it surrounded by a thick wall of 32 millimetres to completely surround and support. The thickness and depths of the walls and floor have been chosen carefully, so that the depth of material is sufficient to meet the regulations without further work. The thick walls and floor are very thick and strong, to provide strong support of the pipes even if there is downward pressure from the weight of the water of the pipes, or from the pipe arrangement itself, or due to shifting of the ground. Similarly, the very thick side walls strongly act against movement in the horizontal plane, to prevent side to side movement. Again the pressure of the water, movement in the pipe system or generally shifts in the earth may cause movement and the strong sides firmly holds the junction in places, resisting shifting side to side away from the installed location. The thick walls and thick floor provide excellent guaranteed support of the bend or junction, in an easier to install block.

Once installed in recess 12 bend 7a is supported against side to side movement and from below. The support gives a far superior support to pipe 1a as it is supported against downward pressure by support from below and by support against loss of position side to side. When installing the concrete pad of the prior art illustrated in Figure 1 , the concrete is provided under the bend and to some extent around the bend, where it can be applied manually by hand. However, with use of the invention the provided support is greatly increased to provide strong support around the bend or junction of the pipe and up the sides, not just from below. In this way the inventors have provided not only a very convenient to use product that removes an inconvenient job, it also works in a far superior manner and can be made from a range of materials, a significant improvement over the art. Referring to Figures 8 to 13, a second preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, similar to the first, excepting that it is for use with a different form of pipe junction and so has open ends. As illustrated pipe 1 b, includes inlet 5b and outlet 6b, with junction 7b between being a straight pipe with a further inlet (not labelled). Pipe 1 b is again of a known form of PVC with a diameter of 110 millimetres. The second embodiment is useful for all forms where the junction or pipe to be supported is a straight pipe junction, rather than a bend as such. Only a single form of pipe lying generally horizontally is illustrated but any suitable form, including with a generally vertical connecting inlet pipe or other connection could be used with this form of the invention. As illustrated the second preferred embodiment includes support 1 10, with body 111 , including shaped recess 112 for support of horizontal pipe junction 7b will be supported. The pipe runs through the block in this form of the invention, however, the principle of the support to the junction is the same. The thick floor strong supports the pipe junction from below and the thick walls strongly resist action from side to side. In this form of the invention body 11 1 , is shown as made of an injection moulded recycled plastics material formed into support 110 before use. Any suitable hard and supportive material may be used to provide a support for the junction of the pipe, including any plastics, engineered material or concrete.

Body 111 of support 110 again has a generally block shape, as the first embodiment but is more squared in its shape. It is still convenient to handle, being slightly smaller overall, with dimensions of 205 millimetres long, by 105 millimetres wide, and 100 millimetres high. Rectangular top 114 is 205 millimetres by 105 millimetres wide in which recess 1 12 is formed. Recess 112 in this form of the invention is open to each long side as well as to top 114. Recess 112 has dimensions of 115 millimetres wide and across and a depth of 55 millimetres, half the width of the pipe to comfortably receive and hold pipe 1 b. In this form of the invention pipe 1 b lies on and in recess 1 12 at the correct position and the rest of the installation can continue to left and right. Multiple units of support 110 may be used as required for a particular installation.

Base 116 lies below and is also rectangular matching the dimensions of top 114. Also different to support 10 support 110 includes a fall across floor 117 as can be seen in particular in Figures 10 and 12. As is well known in the art a fall is required to prevent water from sitting in the pipes and will be introduced during installation to cause water in pipe 1 b to flow in the desired direction towards the ultimate drainage of the system. Floor 117 includes a suitable fall whereby the water will flow in the direction of the arrows, as would be understood by a person skilled in art. Below floor 117 can be seen the thick layer of material, in this case the recycled plastics material of 45 millimetres thick. The thick support strongly supports pipe 1 b from below, and the sides of a 45 millimetre thickness each also protection and support pipe 1 b in position.

The second preferred embodiment is highly beneficial and gives further advantages over the art in ease of use and installation with strong support to the pipe running through the support, once installed. Referring to Figures 14 to 19, a third preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, with pipe 1c, including inlet 5c and outlet 6c, with bend 7c, a similar arrangement to the pipe 1a, again useful for waste installations. PVC pipe is of the usual diameter of 1 10 millimetres. The third embodiment is similar to the first but has an open front form and may be more versatile and useful for some plumbing applications.

Support 210, of the third embodiment has body 211 , including shaped recess 212 for receiving and supporting of bend 7c of pipe 1c, from the front. Body 21 1 , is shown, in this form of the invention made of an injection moulded recycled plastics material, as useful for applications where it is preferred not to use concrete. Concrete or other strong, hard materials can be used instead.

Body 211 of support 210 also has a generally squared block shape, as the second embodiment with dimensions of 165 millimetres long, by 165 millimetres wide, and 165 millimetres high. Square top 214 is therefore 165 millimetres by 165 millimetres wide in which recess 212 is formed open to the front. A 30 millimetre thickness of material surrounds recess 212 to the sides and below to strongly support pipe 7c once installed. Recess 212 in this form of the invention has dimensions of 140 millimetres length and across and a depth of 140 millimetres, so that an extended part of bend of pipe 7c can sit comfortably in recess 212 and be supported and held therewithin.

Base 216 lies below and is also square matching the dimensions of top 214. The sloping floor (not labelled) matches the angle of bend 7c and so liquid will flow there within. The third preferred embodiment is also highly beneficial allowing easy installation from the front of bend 7c of pipe 1 c which will be very useful in particular situations. The installation may be made from above, or the front or both and slots comfortably into the recess for a supported fit. The arrows indicate the direction of flow of the water, assisted by the curve and fall of the pipe, echoed in the shape of the recess. The block is convenient to hand, store or transport and very easy to install to strongly support the bend from below and against movement side to side.

Overall the invention in all its forms and variants provides a simple solution to a difficult problem, through carefully designed forms of support from below and on the sides. The invention will save time and money in the installation of wastes and will provide a vastly improved and secure result, to support the junction in place.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects. REFERENCE SIGNS LIST:

Claims (49)

THE CLAIMS:

1. A pipe support for pipes, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a strong supporting material; and a recess formed within the supporting body adapted to receive at least part of the junction of the pipes therewithin and generally corresponds in shape to the received part, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and be suitably held and supported in place from below and to at least some extent around the sides, to strongly support the junction of the pipes.

2. The pipe support of claim 1 , wherein the junction is a substantially straight pipe.

3. The pipe support of claim 1 , wherein the junction is a bend of pipes.

4. The pipe support of claim 3, wherein the pipes are of a waste trap and the junction is the bend of the waste trap, such as used for a shower.

5. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support includes support from below the pipe.

6. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support is strong support from below.

7. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the regulatory thickness of material is included below the support.

8. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support is provided by at least 25 millimetres of thickness of the support body.

9. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support includes some support about the pipe and to either side of the pipe.

10. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bend or junction of the pipe is substantially surrounded by the support.

11. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support from below and support to either side substantially prevents the pipes from moving from side to side as well as being supported from below.

12. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the support body substantially surrounds the bend or junction on three sides.

13. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein half the pipe diameter is surrounded by the support.

14. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pipe may sit in the recess so that the lower portion is surrounded and supported with the upper portion protruding above the upper surface of the support.

15. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support is such that the pipes are supported and strongly resist movement down in the vertical direction due to the support from below.

16. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the support prevents downward movement and movement in the horizontal plane.

17. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the support strongly supports the sides of the bend or junction.

18. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein once installed the support substantially prevents movement of the pipe bend or junction within the support in the horizontal plane.

19. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the sides of the bend or junction are strongly held to resist movement by the support.

20. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the strong material is chosen from the group: concrete; engineered concrete; engineered material; eco-friendly building materials; recycled plastics material; or a combination thereof.

21. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the strong material is preformed or precast concrete.

22. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the strong material is a recycled plastics material.

23. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the shape of the recess is chosen from the following group: irregular shaped; lozenge shaped; scoop shaped; or semi-cylindrical.

24. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the recess is configured to be substantially the same size and shape as the part of the pipe which is then received and firmly held in the recess.

25. The pipe support according to claim 4, wherein the recess is adapted to receive the lower part of a waste trap, and is correspondingly shaped.

26. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the recess is configured to be exactly the same size and shape as part of the pipe which is then received and firmly held in the recess.

27. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the recess tightly fits the pipe therein so as to hold and support in place.

28. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein preformed block is configured to exactly receive the part of the junction or bend to be held in the support with a convenient tight fit, to facilitate installation.

29. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the recess is made so as to be ready to receive the parts of the pipe, so they sit comfortably therein, held, supported and protected against movement once installed.

30. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the recess is configured to be a tight fit to substantially prevent movement from side to side.

31. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the pipe is lowered from above to be received in the recess.

32. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 31 , wherein the pipe may be placed in the recess from the front.

33. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein a fall is included across the floor of the recess.

34. The pipe support of claim 33, wherein the direction of the fall is indicated, to indicate the direction of the flow of the water.

35. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein there is a visual indication of the direction of flow of the water including in the support.

36. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein arrows are included to indicate the direction of water flow.

37. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the body surrounds the recess with thick walls to provide strong support for the pipes.

38. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the base or floor of the recess is thick to provides strong support to the pipes.

39. The pipe support according of claim 38, wherein the thick base or floor is at least 25 millimetres thick.

40. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein there is a at least a thickness of 25 millimetres all around the recess.

41. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the walls are thick walls to support the pipes.

42. The pipe support of claim 41 , wherein the walls are at least 25 millimetres thick.

43. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein the floor and or walls are of a thickness chosen from the group: 25 millimetres; 50 millimetres; greater than 50 millimetres thick.

44. The pipe support according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein the edges of the body are shaped for convenience of handling and may also assist to maintain the block in position in the installation.

45. The pipe support of claim 44, wherein the body includes curved sides.

46. A pipe support for water waste trap, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a strong supporting material; and a recess formed within the supporting body, corresponding to the lower part of the waste trap junction to substantially surround so as to be protected from below and on both sides, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and be suitably supported to resist movement away from the installed location.

47. A pipe support for pipes, the pipes including an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe with a bend or junction between them requiring support, the pipe support including: a preformed supporting body formed of a solid, strong material;

a recess formed within the supporting body adapted to receive the lower part of the junction of the pipe therewithin, and shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of part of the bend or junction, so as to fit with a supporting tight fit, wherein the bend or junction between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe can be installed in the recess and is strongly supported from below and is prevented from moving in the horizontal plane due to the tightly supported sides.

48. A method of use of a support for a pipe with a bend or junction, the support including a supporting body and a recess adapted for receipt of at least part of the bend or junction of the pipe, the method including the following steps: a) selecting the appropriate support configured to receive the corresponding pipe bend or junction;

b) positioning the support in place generally below where the pipe bend or junction is to be installed, an installing in place; and

c) install the pipe bend or junction into the pipe support, including lowering into the recess of the support, whereby the bend or junction of the pipe is held and supported in place, from below and resists movement side to side.

49. The pipe support of any one of claims 1 to 47 when used with the method of claim 48.