AU2019101467A4 - Double water tap fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A double water tap fitting 30 comprising two taps, to enable convenient connection of a watering timer and a bib tap to a water source. The fitting comprises first and second water outlets 34 and 36 individually controllable by first and second valves respectively and a water inlet 38 connectable to a water supply the water inlet being further from the second water outlet than the first water outlet, wherein when the first water outlet is oriented to face vertically downwards the second outlet is oriented to face at least partially downwards and centres of the first and second water outlets are laterally separated by at least 88mm. The first and second valves may be housed in a single cast body 32. 'Y.1

Description

DOUBLE WATER TAP FITTING

FIELD [0001] This invention provides a fitting comprising two taps, to enable convenient connection of a watering timer and a bib tap to a water source.

BACKGROUND [0002] A requirement that arises in domestic and horticulture gardens is provision of two water taps that receive water from a single water supply outlet. In particular, it is often required to connect a watering timer and also to provide an ordinary bib tap for connection of a garden hose, filling of containers and the like.

[0003] Some problems that can arise in meeting such a requirement are as follows:

Although some double-tap devices have been marketed in Australia, no such device that is known to applicant avoids all of the following issues:

1. Inadequate space between, and orientation of, the outlets of the two taps to allow use of the bib tap for tasks such as connecting a hose or filling a bucket, without significant risk of inadvertent damage to, or splashing of water on, a watering timer connected to the other tap.

2. Inadequate water flow from ordinary water supplies to one or both taps.

3. Provision of outlet thread sizes to both taps that comply with Australian practice.

4. Provision of separately controllable valves for independent control of a watering timer and a garden tap (as used for example for a hose).

[0004] It is possible to make up an arrangement that fulfils the requirement including the provision of adequate flow by using a bib tap and a suitable inline valve together with certain brass fittings (as described below), but this solution itself has been found difficult to assemble by amateurs, and time consuming and inconvenient when assembled by plumbers.

[0005] The present invention addresses these problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION’ [0006] The invention provides a double water tap fitting comprising first and second water outlets individually controllable by first and second valves respectively and a water inlet connectable to a water supply conduit the water inlet being further from the second water outlet than the first water outlet, wherein:

2019101467 27 Nov 2019 when the first water outlet is oriented to face vertically downwards the second outlet is oriented to face at least partially downwards and centres of the first and second water outlets are laterally separated by at least 88mm.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first and second water outlets and the water inlet are comprised in a single cast body, for example of DR Brass. However other embodiments are disclosed herein.

[0008] Embodiments where the valves are accommodated in a single cast body will be disclosed first. Preferably the first valve comprises a first valve member with a spherical surface having a hole for water flow therethrough the valve member accommodated sealingly and rotatably in a seat in the body having a spherical surface.

[0009] Preferably, the hole for water flow in the first valve member is of at least 10mm diameter.

[0010] Although a ball-type valve member as mentioned above may be used in the second valve also, preferably the second valve instead comprises a spindle movable linearly to press a washer against a flat seat to stop flow through the second valve. In the intended application, the second valve is likely to be operated more often than the first valve and therefore availability of replacement parts becomes important. Tap washers are largely standardized and very widely available.

[0011] Preferably, the first water outlet is in a first portion of the body having a BSPP thread of either three-quarter-inch (20mm) or one-inch (25mm) nominal size and the second water outlet is in a second portion of the body remote from the first portion of the body.

[0012] The second portion of the body may have a BSPP thread of three-quarterinch (20mm) nominal size. Although adapters are available for screwing on toi such a pipe thread that mate with click-on type hose connectors, alternatively, the second portion of the body may itself be adapted for connection of a hose with a nominal 15mm click-on fitting.

[0013] The water inlet may be comprised in a third portion of the body having a pipe thread oriented at least approximately at a right angle to the pipe thread of the first portion of the body. The fitting is then suitable for connection to (for example) a lugged elbow fitting mounted on a wall or other vertical surface.

[0014] However, in an alternative arrangement, the body has at an end remote from the second water outlet one or more flat surfaces in a plane at least approximately parallel to the pipe thread of the first body portion so that the body can be secured to a vertical surface with the first water outlet facing downward and the one or more flat surfaces abutting the vertical surface. The flat surfaces may be surfaces of lugs provided with holes for fasteners. This can further simplify installation where the fitting is to be mounted to a vertical surface such as a wall, by eliminating the need for a fitting such as a lugged elbow to direct water from a vertical pipe to a horizontal connection to the water inlet. Preferably, the water inlet is oriented to face downward when the body is secured to a vertical surface with the first water outlet facing

2019101467 27 Nov 2019 downward. To further simplify installation, the body may be provided with a sealing element adapted to engage sealingly with a pipe end inserted into the water inlet.

[0015] The second outlet may be so oriented as to face vertically downwards or alternatively to face in a direction downwards and away from the first water outlet at an angle from the vertical of 15 degrees or less, when the first water outlet is oriented to face vertically downwards, [0016] Embodiments where the first and second valves are not accommodated in a single body will now be mentioned.

[0017] In such embodiments, the second water outlet and the second valve may be comprised in a bib tap secured on a body part that comprises the water inlet, the first water outlet and the first valve, the body part being adapted to supply water from the water inlet to the bib tap. The bib tap may be secured on the body part by soldering or brazing. These embodiments are further described in the detailed description below.

[0018] In this specification, including in the attached claims, the word “comprise” and derivatives thereof including “comprised”, “comprising” and the like, when used in relation to elements, integers or steps, is intended to be interpreted as meaning that the elements, integers or steps are present but not to preclude the possibility of other integers, elements or steps being present also.

[0019] Nothing stated in this specification is to be interpreted as an admission as to the state of common general knowledge in Australia.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] Figure 1 is a side elevation of an assembly for provision of two taps drawing water from a single water supply outlet, made using components of known type;

[0021] Figure 2 is a side elevation of an assembly according to the innovation providing two taps drawing water from a single water supply outlet;

[0022] Figure 3 is a side elevation of an alternative assembly according to the innovation;

[0023] Figure 4 is a side elevation of a yet further alternative assembly according to the invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a side elevation of a still further alternative assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0025] Figure 1 shows one assembly 1 by means of which a person could achieve, using brass fittings readily available in and suitable for Australia, a combination of an ordinary garden tap (bib tap) 2 and a second tap or valve 4 for supply of water to a watering timer (not shown), the two taps 2 and 4 taking their water supply from a single lugged elbow 6 mounted to a support 8. As is conventional for domestic applications, the tap 2 has a 15mm (“half inch”) BSP male threaded inlet and a 20mm (“three quarter

2019101467 27 Nov 2019 inch”) BSP male threaded outlet 3. The lugged elbow fitting 6 has a 15mm BSP female threaded outlet. The tap 2 is connected to one end 12 of a 15mm BSP female tee fitting 10, and the lugged elbow 6 is connected at the opposite end 14 of the tee fitting 10 via a 15mm BSP male/male nipple 16.

[0026] Valve 4 is a quarter-turn ball-type in-line valve with 15mm BSP female threads at its inlet end 20 and outlet end 22. A 15mm BSP male/male nipple 24 screws into the side branch 18 of tee fitting 10 and inlet end 20 of valve 4. Where applicable, a male/male union with 15mm and 25mm BSP threads is screwed into outlet end 22 of valve 4 so that a 25mm {“one inch”) BSP male thread 28 is available for connection of the watering timer. (Note that in Australia most or all domestic watering timers have this size inlet.) [0027] It will be seen that the assembly 1 of Figure 1 requires six threaded connections to be made, with sealing (for example by PTFE tape) and proper alignment. This can be difficult and time consuming for an amateur to do successfully, and even for a plumber time consuming and inconvenient.

[0028] Assembly 1 may be varied depending on the availability of fittings (types and sizes) and (particularly) valves suitable as valve 4. However, the fact remains that multiple fittings are required and multiple joints have to be made, sealed and correctly aligned.

[0029] Moreover, in the assembly 1, made using available components, the dimension “X” will be too small to allow a user to install and use an available watering timer to receive water from valve 4 and still have enough clearance under the tap 2 to (for example) fill a bucket without contacting or splashing the watering timer. Note that it is desirable that both the outlets 3 and 28 face directly downward, as shown in Figure

1.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a device 30 according to the present invention that addresses the problems set out above of the assembly 1.

[0031] Assembly 30 comprises firstly a single body 32, formed as a casting in DR Brass (or other suitable material) that is an alternative to assembly 1. Assembly 30 has a first water outlet 34, a second water outlet 36 both with male BSPP threads, and a water inlet 38 with a male BSPT thread by which the assembly 30 is secured to the lugged elbow 46. Lugged elbow 46 is secured to a support 48 and delivers water to assembly 30. Body 32 has an internal flow passage (not shown) connecting water inlet 38 and water outlets 34 and 36. Flow of water to first water outlet 34 is controllable by first valve (not shown, but located at the position marked 56) ) in branch 40 of body 32, which is a ball valve, controllable by a handle 42 which can rotate through a quarter turn from a fully off position. When thread axis 44 of water inlet 38 is horizontal (as shown) body 32 can be installed so that water from water outlet 34 is directed downward (i.e. at a right angle to axis 44). The ball member of the ball valve, which seals against a spherically surfaced seat, has a hole through which water can flow in a range of positions of handle 42 but when handle 42 is rotated to an “off” position is closed by the seat of the ball valve. For adequate flow of water in Australian water supply practice, this hole is preferably of at least about 10mm diameter.

2019101467 27 Nov 2019 [0032] A watering timer (not shown) can be connected to water outlet 34 and to this end thread 34 may be of either a nominal three-quarter-inch (20mm) BSP size or nominal one-inch (25mm) BSP size as desired.

[0033] The second water outlet 36 is oriented parallel to water outlet 34 so that both water outlets 34 and 36 can with suitable orientation of axis 44 direct water downwards. Water outlet has a BSPP thread of nominal size three-quarter-inch (20mm) for connection to garden hose end fittings of screw type or for connection of an adapter (not shown) for a “click on” hose end fitting as known in the art in Australia. (Other thread sizes may be used if required.) [0034] To the left (as drawn) of station 50, assembly 30 including the internal flow passage and the second valve (not shown) is (save for a threaded water inlet) essentially the same as a common garden bib tap, in which a sealing element (tap washer) is movable linearly towards or away from a seat to control flow, these components constituting the second valve and located in body 32 at the position marked 54. This is achieved in known manner by rotation of a handle 52.

[0035] In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the second valve may itself be of ball valve type as used for the first valve. From a manufacturing point of view, the use of two ball-type valves may be desirable, but replacement tap washers for ordinary bib taps are very widely available and the second valve is likely to be used more often and therefore to wear more.

[0036] Although shown in Figure 2 as directing water vertically downwards, it is possible in an alternative arrangement to orient water outlet 36 so as to direct water slightly outward (i.e. away from inlet 38) as well as downward. (This option is shown by axis 58, where the angle between vertical and axis 58 is preferably 15 degrees or less) [0037] To provide good clearance between second water outlet 36 and a watering timer secured on first water outlet 34, body 32 is so proportioned that the dimension Ύ” is not less than about 88mm, preferably about 90mm. (Dimension Ύ” is measured in a direction parallel to axis 44 from the centre of outlet 34 (at the discharge end of its thread to the centre of outlet 36 (at the discharge end of its thread).) [0038] It will be seen that assembly 30 requires only that water inlet 38 be connected sealingly to elbow 46 in the orientation shown in Figure 2, to be ready for use, which is easier and quicker to do than to assemble and install the assembly 1 of Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 3 shows an alternative to assembly 30. Assembly 60 is in its essential features identical to assembly 30 except in one respect. That is, instead of body 32 being formed in a single piece by casting (before machining of seats and threads) a body 61 is provided that has only a first water outlet 64 equivalent to first water outlet 34 and a first valve at the location marked 66 equivalent to the first valve at location 56, but ends at a location 70 that is adapted to receive sealingly the inlet boss 72 of a conventional garden bib tap 62. As taps such as tap 62 are available widely and cheaply, manufacturing costs may be less. Tap 62 can be secured to body 61 in any suitable way - for example by body 61 having a thread for conventional screwed connection thereto of tap 62 (with or without a sealant) by the manufacturer of

2019101467 27 Nov 2019 assembly 60 or by a user or purchaser. Although that requires the user or purchaser to make the joint between body 61 and tap 62, it is still easier than assembling assembly 1 or the like.

[0040] Body 61 is so proportioned that dimension “Z”, equivalent to dimension Ύ” in Figure 2 can be of the size mentioned above in relation to dimension Ύ”.

[0041] In this case body 61 including the first valve constitutes an innovative assembly as well as the completed assembly 60.

[0042] Other ways of making the connection between body 61 and tap 62 will readily suggest themselves. For example, tap 62 could be permanently soldered or brazed in place on body 61. Or, tap 62 could be made omitting the conventional threaded inlet boss 72 and instead simply made with an unthreaded boss able to be entered into a mating sleeve (not shown) at location 70 in a body (not shown) otherwise the same as body 61 and soldered in place in the correct orientation.

[0043] Further embodiments are possible that provide additional simplification and convenience for installers, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0044] Figure 4 shows an assembly 80 that is the same as assembly 50 with one exception. Body 82 is the same as body 32 to the left (as drawn) of station 84, but to the right of station 84 has an integrally formed portion 86 having the same functionality as lugged elbow 46, thus eliminating the need for connection to a separate lugged elbow. Formation 86 has one or more flat-surfaced flanges 88 securable by fasteners 90 to a structure 92. Water is supplied to an internal passage (not shown) in body 82 leading to valves (not shown) at locations 93 and 95 and outlets 96 and 98 (equivalent to outlets 34 and 36 of assembly 30) at an inlet 100 from a pipe 102. Inlet 100 can be of any known type but is shown (by way of example) as being of the type known in the art that requires only that a squared end of a pipe such as pipe 102 be pushed into place for sealing by an internal O-ring (not shown). Fittings of this type are sold in Australia under the proprietary name “Sharkbite”. When this type of fitting is used, installation of the assembly 80 is simple indeed, requiring only securing to structure 92 and insertion of water supply pipe 102 at inlet 100.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a still further assembly 110 that has a body 112 functionally the same as body 61 of assembly 60 but, in the same way as body 82 of assembly 80, adapted to be connected to a water supply pipe 114 and secured directly to a structure 116, so eliminating the need for a separate lugged elbow. Body 112 is adapted to be fitted with an ordinary garden bib tap 118 in the same way as body 61 of assembly 60.

Claims (15)

1. A double water tap fitting comprising first and second water outlets individually controllable by first and second valves respectively and a water inlet connectable to a water supply conduit the water inlet being further from the second water outlet than the first water outlet, wherein:

when the first water outlet is oriented to face vertically downwards the second outlet is oriented to face at least partially downwards and centres of the first and second water outlets are laterally separated by at least 88mm.

2. A double water tap fitting according to claim 1 wherein the first and second water outlets and the water inlet are comprised in a single cast body.

3. A double water tap fitting according to claim 2 wherein the first valve comprises a first valve member with a spherical surface having a hole for water flow therethrough the valve member accommodated sealingly and rotatably in a seat in the body having a spherical surface.

4. A double water tap fitting according to claim 3 wherein the hole for water flow in the first valve member is of at least 10mm diameter.

5. A double water tap fitting according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the second valve comprises a spindle movable linearly to press a washer against a flat seat to stop flow through the second valve.

6. A double water tap fitting according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the first water outlet is in a first portion of the body having a BSPP thread of either three-quarter-inch (20mm) or one-inch (25mm) nominal size and the second water outlet is in a second portion of the body remote from the first portion of the body.

7. A double water tap fitting according to claim 6 wherein the second portion of the body has a BSPP thread of three-quarter-inch (20mm) nominal size.

8. A double water tap fitting according to claim 6 wherein the second portion of the body is adapted for connection of a hose with a nominal 15mm click-on fitting.

2019101467 27 Nov 2019

9. A double water tap fitting according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the water inlet is in a third portion of the body having a pipe thread oriented at least approximately at a right angle to the pipe thread of the first portion of the body.

10. A double water tap fitting according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the body has at an end remote from the second water outlet one or more flat surfaces in a plane at least approximately parallel to the pipe thread of the first body portion so that the body can be secured to a vertical surface with the first water outlet facing downward and the one or more flat surfaces abutting the vertical surface.

11. A double water tap fitting according to claim 10 wherein the water inlet is oriented to face downward when the body is secured to a vertical surface with the first water outlet facing downward.

12. A double water tap fitting according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the body is provided with a sealing element adapted to engage sealingly with a pipe end inserted into the water inlet.

13. A double water tap fitting according to any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein when the first water outlet is oriented to face vertically downwards the second outlet is oriented to face in a direction downwards and away from the first water outlet at an angle from the vertical of 15 degrees or less.

14. A double water tap fitting according to claim 1 wherein the second water outlet and the second valve are comprised in a bib tap secured on a body part that comprises the water inlet, the first water outlet and the first valve, the body part being adapted to supply water from the water inlet to the bib tap.

15. A double water tap fitting according to claim 14 wherein the bib tap is secured on the body part by soldering or brazing.