AU2019370620A1

AU2019370620A1 - A plumbing assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2019370620A1
Application number: AU2019370620A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Henri Hoogendoorn; Steven Grant Jackson; Michael Thomas Phelan
Original assignee: Phoenix Industries Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Phoenix Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-30
Publication date: 2021-03-25
Also published as: WO2020087124A1; CN112789384B; CN117758830A; CN112789384A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a breech connectable to a water supply means. The breech comprises a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, and an outlet; one or more channels configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more spigots of a mixer cartridge, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to mix hot and cold water received by the respective hot and cold water inlets; and one or more sealing devices mountable within each of the one or more channels, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the breech to the mixer cartridge when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

Description

A plumbing assembly

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to plumbing assemblies that include a breech connectable to a water supply means and a mixer cartridge for mixing hot and cold water supplied to the breech by the water supply means. Such a plumbing assembly may form part of a shower mixer tap, a wall mixer tap, a basin mixer tap, and the like.

Background of the invention

A breech is typically connected to the water supply means of a dwelling during the “rough-in stage” of construction of the dwelling. By this stage of construction, it is common for the builder to require the owner or dweller to make a selection of the plumbing fixture to be connected to the breech. The plumbing fixture may be, for example, a certain style of a shower mixer tap, a wall mixer tap, or a basin mixer tap.

The breech may be connected to a mixer cartridge configured to mix hot and cold water delivered by a water supply means via the breech, and thereafter deliver the mixed water to, for example, an outlet of shower head or a bath outlet. The mixer cartridge is sealingly connected to breech to ensure that no fluid leaks from the assembly as fluid is delivered from the breech to the mixer cartridge and vice versa. The mixer cartridge is typically sealingly connected to the breech by threadably installing a lock nut about the mixer cartridge (or mixer cartridge housing) and torqueing the lock nut to a specific torque setting that provides a sealed connection between the mixer cartridge and the breech.

The present invention is directed to providing an alternative plumbing assembly that may ameliorate one or more problems of such prior plumbing assemblies.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a breech connectable to a water supply means, the breech comprising: a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, and an outlet; one or more channels configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more spigots of a mixer cartridge, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to mix hot and cold water received by the respective hot and cold water inlets; and one or more sealing devices mountable within each of the one or more channels, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the breech to the mixer cartridge when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a mixer cartridge connectable to a breech, the mixer cartridge configured to mix hot and cold water and comprising: one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more channels of the breech to receive hot and cold water therefrom, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; wherein the one or more spigots are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a mixer cartridge connectable to a breech, the mixer cartridge configured to mix hot and cold water and comprising: one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more channels of the breech to receive hot and cold water therefrom, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; wherein the one or more sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push- fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a plumbing assembly comprising: a breech for receiving hot and cold water from a water supply means, the breech including one or more channels, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; and a mixer cartridge for mixing the hot and cold water, the mixer cartridge including one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels; wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a plumbing assembly comprising: a breech for receiving hot and cold water from a water supply means, the breech including one or more channels; a mixer cartridge for mixing the hot and cold water, the mixer cartridge including one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels, wherein the mixer cartridge includes a housing which forms part of a mixer tap assembly; one or more sealing devices located within each of the one or more channels, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels; and a cap removably connected to the breech; wherein the breech with cap can be connected to the water supply means prior to the mixer cartridge being connected to the breech.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a plumbing assembly, the method comprising: providing a breech, the breech including a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, an outlet, and one or more channels, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; removably connecting a cap to the breech; connecting the breech to a water supply means, the water supply means configured to supply hot and cold water to the breech; testing the breech and water supply for leaks; removing the cap from the breech if no leaks are detected; connecting a mixer cartridge to the breech, the mixer cartridge configured to mix the hot and cold water, wherein the mixer cartridge includes one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels of the breech, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push- fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels; and installing a mixer tap to the mixer cartridge.

In any one or more of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the one or more sealing devices are engaged by the one or more spigots of the mixer cartridge when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels of the breech, to thereby sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech.

In any one or more of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the one or more sealing devices are configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge with respect to the breech prior to the breech receiving water from the water supply means. In other words, when the one or more spigots of the mixer cartridge are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels of the breech and there is an absence of water being supplied to the breech, the one or more sealing devices releasably hold the mixer cartridge with respect to the breech. Advantageously therefore, the mixer cartridge may be releasably held with respect to the breech without the need for a separate fastener or fastening system. The absence of the need for a separate fastener or fastening system allows for relatively rapid installation and connection of the mixer cartridge to the breech.

The mixer cartridge is preferably releasably secured to the breech by a mixer cartridge housing. The mixer cartridge housing is preferably removably receivable at least partially over the mixer cartridge, and is configured to at least partially engage the mixer cartridge. The mixer cartridge housing is preferably connectable to the breech to secure the mixer cartridge in position with respect to the breech. In one embodiment, the mixer cartridge housing is threadably connectable to the breech to secure the mixer cartridge in position with respect to the breech. Preferably, the mixer cartridge housing includes a thread that is threadably connectable to a thread on the breech by rotating the mixer cartridge housing with respect to the breech.

Advantageously, due to the one or more sealing devices being engaged by the one or more spigots when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels, the mixer cartridge housing is not required to be torqued to a predetermined minimum torque value to thereby sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech.

In any one or more of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the mixer cartridge is advantageously configured to be connected to the breech and releasably held thereto in a single generally continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the one or more spigots within a respective one or more of the channels. The mixer cartridge may then be sealingly connected and secured to the breech by connecting the mixer cartridge housing to the breech about the mixer cartridge. Preferably, the mixer cartridge housing is threadably connectable to the breech by rotating the mixer cartridge housing with respect to the breech.

In any one or more of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the breech preferably comprises three channels, and the mixer cartridge preferably comprises three spigots, each of which is preferably fluidly connected to a respective one of the three channels.

The breech preferably includes a hot water channel, a cold water channel, and an outlet channel. The mixer cartridge preferably includes a hot water spigot, a cold water spigot, and an outlet spigot. The hot water spigot, the cold water spigot, and the outlet spigot are preferably respectively push-fittingly received within the hot water channel, the cold water channel, and the outlet channel when the mixer cartridge is sealingly connected to the breech.

The hot and cold water channels of the breech are configured to respectively deliver hot and cold water received via the respective hot and cold water inlets to the hot and cold water spigots of the mixer cartridge for mixing. The mixed water is then delivered via the outlet spigot of the mixer cartridge to the outlet channel of the breech. The outlet channel of the breech then delivers the mixed water to the outlet, which is preferably fluidly coupled to an outlet of a mixer tap.

Each of the one or more sealing devices is preferably an O-ring. Each channel preferably exhibits a circular cross-section, and includes an internal circumferential recess dimensioned to receive an O-ring. In a preferred embodiment, each channel includes two internal circumferential recesses configured to receive a respective O-ring. The two circumferential recesses are preferably spaced apart along a length of the channel. Each of the spigots also preferably exhibits a circular cross-section at least along a portion of its length, which circular cross-section is complementary to the cross-section of the channel such that the spigots are cable of being push-fittingly receivable within the channels in a snug fit. Advantageously, the O-rings are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the spigots are push-fittingly received within the channels. Furthermore, the O-rings are configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge to the breech when the spigots are push- fittingly received within the channels, prior to the breech receiving water from the water supply means. Advantageously therefore, the mixer cartridge may be releasably held with respect to the breech by the O-rings without the need for a separate fastener or fastening system. Additionally, the mixer cartridge is advantageously connected to the breech and releasably held thereto in a single continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the spigots within the channels of the breech.

As used herein, the term“sealingly connect” and similar phrases refers to the mixer cartridge being connectable to the breech in a manner such that no fluid, or substantially no fluid, leaks or is lost in delivery from the breech to the mixer cartridge and vice-versa.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded view of various components of a plumbing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a breech of the plumbing assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of an alternative breech according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4A is a front side perspective view of a mixer cartridge of the plumbing assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4B is a rear side perspective view of the mixer cartridge of Figure

4A;

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the plumbing assembly of Figure 1 installed within a wall of a dwelling; and Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but shows a cross-sectional view of the plumbing assembly from a perspective view.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a plumbing assembly 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plumbing assembly 10 includes a breech 12 which is connectable to a water supply means (not shown) in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The breech 12 is configured to deliver hot and cold water provided by the water supply means to a mixer cartridge 14. The mixer cartridge 14 is configured to mix the hot and cold water and thereafter deliver the mixed water to an outlet of a plumbing fixture, for example, a shower mixer tap, a wall mixer tap, a basin mixer tap, and the like.

Breeches are typically connected to the water supply means of a dwelling during the“rough-in stage” of construction of the dwelling. During this stage of construction, it is common for the builder to also require the owner or dweller to make a selection of the plumbing fixture to be connected to the breech. Once the selection is made, the plumbing fixture is delivered to the dwelling and certain components of the plumbing fixture are then installed by a skilled installer during the rough-in stage. Specifically, a mixer cartridge of the plumbing fixture is sealingly connected to the breech. The mixer cartridge is typically housed in a chrome-plated mixer cartridge housing which may be damaged if mishandled. The mixer cartridge is connected to the breech by torqueing a lock nut about the mixer cartridge (or mixer cartridge housing) to a specific torque setting to ensure a sealed connection between the mixer cartridge and the breech. As will be explained below, one of the advantages of the present invention is that the selection and installation of certain components of the plumbing fixture can be delayed or changed until after the rough-in stage of construction has completed.

Referring to Figure 2, the breech 12 of the present invention comprises a brass housing 16 which, when in situ, appears generally as an inverted“T” when viewed front-on. The housing 16 includes a first conduit 18 of a generally circular cross-section, which conduit 18 includes a first inlet 20 at a first end of the conduit 18. The inlet 20 is configured to receive hot water from the water supply means when the breech 12 is connected thereto. The conduit 18 also includes a second inlet 22 at a second end of the conduit 18, which second end is opposite to the first end of the conduit 18. The second inlet 22 is configured to receive cold water from the water supply means when the breech 12 is connected thereto. The housing 16 further includes a second conduit 24 of a generally circular cross-section. The second conduit 24 extends generally perpendicular to the first conduit 18 from a longitudinal midpoint of the first conduit 18. The second conduit 24 includes an outlet 26 which, in the manner described below, is configured to deliver mixed water provided by the mixer cartridge 14 to an outlet a shower mixer tap (not shown). In this context,“mixed water” refers to hot and cold water received via the respective hot and cold water inlets 20, 22 and which is mixed by the mixer cartridge 14.

The breech 12 also includes a generally circular face 30 disposed in a direction transverse to both the hot and cold water inlets 20, 22 and the outlet 26. The face 30 is recessed with respect to a front circular rim 32 of the housing 16 and defines three separate fluid channels 34, 36, 38, each having a generally circular cross-section and being fluidly connected to a respective one of the hot water inlet 20, the cold water inlet 22, and the outlet 26. Specifically, a first, hot, water channel 34 is fluidly connected to the hot water inlet 20, and is configured to deliver hot water received via the hot water inlet 20 to the mixer cartridge 14 in the manner detailed below. The housing 16 also includes a second, cold, water channel 36 that is fluidly connected to the cold water inlet 22, and is configured to deliver cold water received via the cold water inlet 22 to the mixer cartridge 14. The housing 16 further includes a third, outlet, channel 38 that is fluidly connected to the mixed water outlet 26, and which is configured to deliver mixed water from the mixer cartridge 14 to an outlet of a shower head (not shown) via the mixed water outlet 26. The front circular rim 32 of the housing 16 defines a threaded external surface 33.

Whilst the breech 12 is configured to deliver mixed water to an outlet of a shower head, it will be appreciated that a breech of an alternative form may be utilised to deliver mixed water to, for example, a wall mixer tap or a basin mixer tap. For example, Figure 3 shows a breech 12' according to a second embodiment of the invention. The breech 12' includes a housing 16' that is generally elongate in overall form. The housing 16' comprises a conduit 18' of a generally circular cross- section, and includes, similar to the breech 12 illustrated in Figure 2, a hot water inlet 20', a cold water inlet 22', and a mixed water outlet 26' that is fluidly connected to an outlet of the wall mixer or basin mixer (not shown). The housing 16' further includes a hot water channel 34', a cold water channel 36', and an outlet channel 38'. The hot and cold water channels 34’, 36' are configured to deliver hot and cold water received from the respective hot and cold water inlets 20', 22' to a mixer cartridge, and the outlet channel 38’ is configured to deliver the mixed water received from the mixer cartridge to the outlet of the wall bath mixer or wall basin mixer via the mixed water outlet 26'.

Returning to the first embodiment of the breech 12 illustrated in Figure 2, it can be seen that each of the fluid channels 34, 36, 38 include internal circumferential recesses, each of which is configured to receive a respective sealing device. The sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the breech 12 to the mixer cartridge 14 in the manner described below. Additionally, the sealing devices are configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge 14 with respect to the breech 12 when there is an absence of water being supplied to the breech 12 by the water supply means (such as during installation of the plumbing assembly 10 during the“rough-in stage”).

In the illustrated embodiment, the hot water channel 34 includes first and second internal circumferential recesses 34a, 34b that are configured to respectively receive sealing devices in the form of O-rings 40a, 40b (Figure 1 ). Similarly, the cold water channel 36 includes first and second internal circumferential recesses 36a, 36b configured to respectively receive O-rings 42a, 42b Figure 1 ), and the mixed water channel 38 includes first and second internal circumferential recesses 38a, 38b configured to respectively receive O-rings 44a, 44b. The recesses located in each of the fluid channels 34, 36, 38 are spaced apart from one another and dimensioned to push-fittingly receive the respective O- rings. It was found that using two O-rings in each fluid channel 34, 36, 38 provides enhanced sealing between the mixer cartridge 14 and the breech 12.

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, there is shown the mixer cartridge 14. As is described above, the mixer cartridge 14 is configured to mix the hot and cold water received via the respective hot and cold water inlets 20, 22 of the breech 12 and thereafter deliver the mixed water to the outlet of the shower head (not shown) via the mixed water outlet 26. The manner in which the mixer cartridge 14 mixes the hot and cold water will be known to those skilled in the art. In brief, the mixer cartridge 14 includes a series of internal moveable ceramic discs, each of which has an opening configured to direct hot or cold water into a mixing chamber. The ceramic discs are selectively moveable via a control element 46 that is operably connected to a lever handle of the shower mixer tap, described later. By selectively moving the lever handle, the proportions of hot and cold water directed into the mixer chamber can be selectively adjusted via the control element 46. Specifically, the control element 46 causes the ceramic discs to move relative to one another to adjust the size of the openings into the mixing chamber, and thereby the proportion of hot and cold water delivered to the mixing chamber for mixing.

The mixer cartridge 14 according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a generally cylindrical housing 48 with an internal mixing chamber. Disposed at an outer end of the housing 48 and extending generally along a central longitudinal axis of the housing 48 is the control element 46. The control element 46 is in the form of a generally elongate member with a uniform square-cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the member. The control element 46 is receivable within a complementary recess in a lever handle of the shower mixer tap and is selectively rotatable, in a typical manner, to the left and right from a central, off, position (shown in Figures 4A and 4B) to control water temperature and about a transverse axis to control rate of flow of the water.

The mixer cartridge 14 further includes, at an inner end of the housing 48, three spigots 50, 52, 54 that are dimensioned to be push-fittingly received with a respective one of the fluid channels 34, 36, 38 of the breech 12. The spigots 50, 52, 54 exhibit a generally uniform circular cross-section and include inwardly converging end portions 50a, 52a, and 54a respectively. The mixer cartridge 14 includes a first, hot water, spigot 50 which is configured to be fluidly connected to hot water channel 34 when the spigot 50 is push-fittingly received therein, and which is configured to receive hot water from the hot water inlet 20 via the hot water channel 34. The mixer cartridge 14 further includes a second, cold water, spigot 52 which is configured to be fluidly connected to the cold water channel 36 when the spigot 52 is push-fittingly received therein, and which is configured to receive cold water from the cold water inlet 22 via the cold water channel 36. The received hot and cold water is mixed in the mixer chamber according to the position of the control element 46 and is thereafter delivered to a third, outlet, spigot 54. The outlet spigot 54 is configured to deliver the mixed water to the outlet 26 of the breech 12 (and ultimately the outlet of the shower head) via the outlet channel 38.

Advantageously, the mixer cartridge 14 is fluidly and sealingly connected to the breech 12 when the spigots 50, 52, and 54 are push-fittingly received with the respective fluid channels 34, 36, and 38 containing the respective O-rings 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, and 44a, 44b. As used herein,“sealingly connected” refers to the mixer cartridge 14 being connected to the breech 12 such that no fluid, or substantially no fluid, leaks or is lost in delivery from the breech 12 to the mixer cartridge 14 and vice versa.

In addition to sealingly connecting the mixer cartridge 14 to the breech 12 during use, the O-rings 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, and 44b releasably hold the mixer cartridge 14 with respect to the breech 12 during installation of the plumbing assembly 10 (i.e. when there is an absence of water being delivered to the breech 12 by the water supply means). Advantageously therefore, the mixer cartridge 14 may be releasably held with respect to the breech 12 during installation of the plumbing assembly 10 without the need for a separate fastener or fastening system. In other words, the mixer cartridge 14 is releasably held with respect to the breech 12 by simply push-fitting the spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14 within the respective fluid channels 34, 36, 38 of the breech 12, whereupon the O-rings 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, and 44b engage the respective spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14.

After push-fittingly connecting the spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14 with the respective fluid channels 34, 36, 38 of the breech 12, the mixer cartridge 14 may then be releasably secured to the breech 12 by threadably connecting a mixer cartridge housing 78 (Figure 1 ) to the breech 12 about the mixer cartridge 14. As is described in greater detail below, the mixer cartridge housing 78 is removably receivable at least partially over the mixer cartridge 14, and is configured to engage the mixer cartridge 14. The mixer cartridge housing 78 includes a thread that is threadably connectable to a thread 33 on the breech 12 to thereby releasably secure the mixer cartridge 14 to the breech 12. Advantageously, the mixer cartridge housing 78 is threadably connectable to the breech 12 by rotating the mixer cartridge housing 78 with respect to the breech 12.

The disclosed breech 12 and mixer cartridge 14 combination are an advance over the prior art, which would typically require a skilled installer to install a lock nut about the mixer cartridge (or mixer cartridge housing) and torque the lock nut to a specific torque value or setting to releasably secure and sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech. In practice, due to the general lack of appropriate high-precision hand tools, skilled installers find it difficult to reproducibly torque the lock nut to the required torque setting to ensure a fluid seal between the mixer cartridge and breech. Advantageously, as is described above, the mixer cartridge 14 of the present invention needs only to be push-fittingly connected to the breech 12 via the spigots 50, 52, and 54 to connect and releasably hold the mixer cartridge 14 to the breech 12. Furthermore, the mixer cartridge 14 may then be secured in position with respect to the breech 12 by threadably connecting the mixer cartridge housing 78 to the breech 12 about the mixer cartridge 14. Advantageously, due to the O-rings 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, and 44b engaging the respective spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14, the mixer cartridge housing 78 is not required to be torqued to a predetermined minimum torque value to thereby sealingly connect the mixer cartridge 14 to the breech 12.

Still furthermore, push-fitting the spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14 within the respective fluid channels 34, 36, 38 of the breech 12 is a relatively simpler and quicker method of installation between the mixer cartridge 14 and breech 12. Moreover, the disclosed breech 12 and mixer cartridge 14 combination are an advance over the prior art as the mixer cartridge 14 is advantageously connected to the breech 12 and releasably held thereto in a single continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the spigots 50, 52, and 54 within the respective fluid channels 34, 36, and 38. The manner in which a skilled installer can install the plumbing assembly 10 of the present invention within a dwelling will now be described by way of reference to Figures 1 , 5, and 6. As is explained above, the breech 12 is usually connected to the water supply means (not shown) of the dwelling during the rough-in stage of construction. As is shown in Figure 6, the breech 12 is installed within a cavity 60 defined between a wall stud 62 and a front plasterboard wall 64 of the dwelling, and is connected to the water supply means such that hot and cold water is deliverable as desired to the respective hot and cold water inlets 20, 22 of the breech 12. The breech 12 is secured to the nogging 62 by two pairs of fasteners (not shown) that are received in respective pairs of apertures 17 (Figure 2) located in a pair of flanged extensions 19 of the housing 16. As is shown in Figure 2, each of the flanged extensions 19 extend generally in the direction of the second fluid conduit 24 and are located at a rear side of the first fluid conduit 18 adjacent the ends of the conduit 18. Returning to Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the front wall 64 includes an appropriately sized cavity 66 therein such that the front face 30 of the breech 12 is accessible by the installer through a front face 68 of the front wall 64.

At this stage, the breech 12 and water supply may be tested for leaks. To this end, two generally circular plugs 70 (Figure 1 ) of similar dimension to the spigots of the mixer cartridge 14 are utilised to plug the hot and cold water channels 34, 36 of the breech 12. Each of the plugs 70 are push-fittingly received within a respective one of the fluid channels 34, 36 which contain the respective pairs of O-rings 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b. A generally circular cap 72 (Figure 1 ) is then threadably connected about the threaded external surface 33 of the rim 32 of the housing 16 of the breech 12. A sleeve 74 (Figure 1 ) of a generally circular cross-section is then inserted into the cavity 66 such that a front face of the sleeve 74 abuts the housing 16 of the breech 12, as is shown in Figure 5. The sleeve 74 is configured to act as a waterproof barrier between the plumbing assembly 10 and the dwelling, and is specifically configured to prevent water damage to the front wall 64 due to water leaks from the breech 12. The breech 12 and water supply are then tested for leaks by the installer in a manner known to those skilled in the art. At this stage, the water supply may also be flushed and cleared of debris. After testing of the breech 12 and the water supply for leaks, the circular cap 72 may remain threadably connected to the housing 16 of the breech 12 until the rough-in stage of construction has been completed. This is an advantageous development over the prior art method of installing such a plumbing assembly. As is explained above, in the prior art method, the mixer cartridge and its typically delicate chrome-plated housing would be sealingly connected to the breech during the rough-in stage of construction. This provided an opportunity for the chrome- plated housing to become damaged by, for example, tradesmen working to complete the construction of the dwelling.

At the fit-off stage of construction of the dwelling, i.e. when the fixtures and fittings are installed in the dwelling, the skilled installer can simply remove the circular cap 72 and plugs 70 and complete the installation of the plumbing assembly 10 as described. Once the cap 72 is removed, the mixer cartridge 14 is fluidly and sealingly connected to the breech 12 and releasably held thereto by push-fitting the spigots 50, 52, 54 of the mixer cartridge 14 within the respective fluid channels 34, 36, 38 of the breech 12. An O-ring 76 (Figure 1 ) is then inserted into the cavity 66 such that it abuts a front surface of the front circular rim 32 of the breech 12, as is shown in Figure 5. The mixer cartridge housing 78 (Figure 1 ) is then threadably connected about the threaded external surface 33 of the breech 12 to thereby secure the mixer cartridge 14 to the breech 12. As is shown in Figures 5 and 6, the mixer cartridge housing 78 is sleeve-like in form and is configured to house the mixer cartridge 14 therein. As is described above, the mixer cartridge housing 78 has a chrome-plated exterior surface and includes an opening at its outer end through which the control element 46 of the mixer cartridge 14 extends. Any remaining components of the shower mixer tap are now installed. For example, the control element 46 of the mixer cartridge 14 is inserted into a complementary recess in a lever handle 80 (Figures 5 and 6) of the shower mixer tap, such that selective movement of the lever handle causes likewise movement of the control element 46 to control the water temperature and the rate of water flow. A face plate 82 (Figures 5 and 6) is also mounted about the mixer cartridge housing 78 such that it abuts the front face 68 of the front wall 64 and conceals the cavity 66 and sleeve 74 from view. As is described herein, the present invention provides a plumbing assembly that includes a combination of a breech 12 and mixer cartridge 14, wherein the breech 12 and mixer cartridge 14 are advantageously fluidly and sealingly connected to one another by a simple push-fitting arrangement. The simple push- fitting arrangement furthermore ensures that the mixer cartridge is releasably held with respect to the breech without the need for a separate fastener or fastening system. Ultimately therefore, the present invention provides a relatively simpler and quicker method of installation of a plumbing assembly.

Additionally, as is explained above, at the fit-off stage of construction, the cap 72 and plugs 70 can be simply removed from the breech 12, and the remaining components of the plumbing fixture can then be installed. Advantageously therefore, the risk of damage to the delicate chrome-plated exterior of the mixture cartridge housing 78 is substantially reduced, as the chrome-plated exterior is not exposed from the rough-in stage of the construction to the fit-off stage of construction. Additionally, due to this new method of installation, the selection of the type of plumbing fixture to connect to the breech 12 can be delayed until the fit-off stage of construction. Practically, this means that delivery of the plumbing fixture to the dwelling can be delayed until this stage of construction, which substantially reduces the risk of theft of the plumbing fixture. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1 . A breech connectable to a water supply means, the breech comprising: a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, and an outlet; one or more channels configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more spigots of a mixer cartridge, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to mix hot and cold water received by the respective hot and cold water inlets; and one or more sealing devices mountable within each of the one or more channels, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the breech to the mixer cartridge when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

2. The breech of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sealing devices are also configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge with respect to the breech.

3. The breech of claim 2, wherein the breech is configured to be connected to the mixer cartridge and releasably held thereto in a single generally continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the one or more spigots within a respective one or more of the channels.

4. The breech of any one of the preceding claims, comprising three channels, each of which is configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one of three spigots of the mixer cartridge.

5. The breech of claim 4, comprising a hot water channel, a cold water channel, and an outlet channel.

6. The breech of claim 5, wherein the hot water channel, the cold water channel, and the outlet channel are configured to respectively push-fittingly receive a hot water spigot, a cold water spigot, and an outlet spigot of the mixer cartridge.

7. The breech of claim 5 or 6, wherein the hot and cold water channels are configured to respectively deliver hot and cold water received via the respective hot and cold water inlets to the hot and cold water spigots of the mixer cartridge for mixing, and wherein the mixed water is then delivered via the outlet spigot of the mixer cartridge to the outlet channel of the breech.

8. The breech of claim 7, wherein the outlet channel is configured to deliver the mixed water to the outlet.

9. The breech of claim 8, wherein the outlet is configured to be fluidly connected to an outlet of a mixer tap.

10. The breech of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more sealing devices is an O-ring.

1 1. The beech of claim 10, wherein each channel exhibits a generally circular cross-section and includes an internal circumferential recess dimensioned to receive an O-ring.

12. The breech of claim 11 , wherein each channel includes two internal circumferential recesses spaced apart along a length of the channel, each of which is dimensioned to receive an O-ring.

13. The breech of claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the generally circular cross-section of the one or more channels is complementary to a generally circular cross-section of the one or more spigots of the mixer cartridge, such that the one or more spigots may be respectively push-fittingly received in the one or more channels, and whereby the one or more sealing devices sealing connects the breech to the mixer cartridge.

14. A mixer cartridge connectable to a breech, the mixer cartridge configured to mix hot and cold water and comprising: one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more channels of the breech to receive hot and cold water therefrom, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; wherein the one or more sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push- fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

15. The mixer cartridge of claim 14, wherein the one or more sealing devices are also configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge to the breech.

16. The mixer cartridge of claim 15, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to be connected to the breech and releasably held thereto in a single generally continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the one or more spigots within a respective one or more of the channels.

17. A plumbing assembly comprising: a breech for receiving hot and cold water from a water supply means, the breech including one or more channels, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; and a mixer cartridge for mixing the hot and cold water, the mixer cartridge including one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels; wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels.

18. The plumbing assembly of claim 17, wherein the one or more sealing devices are also configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge to the breech.

19. The plumbing assembly of claim 18, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to be connected to the breech and releasably held thereto in a single generally continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the one or more spigots within a respective one or more of the channels.

20. A plumbing assembly comprising: a breech for receiving hot and cold water from a water supply means, the breech including one or more channels; a mixer cartridge for mixing the hot and cold water, the mixer cartridge including one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels, wherein the mixer cartridge includes a housing which forms part of a mixer tap assembly; one or more sealing devices located within each of the one or more channels, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push-fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels; and a cap removably connected to the breech; wherein the breech with cap can be connected to the water supply means prior to the mixer cartridge being connected to the breech.

21. A method of installing a plumbing assembly, the method comprising: providing a breech, the breech including a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, an outlet, and one or more channels, each of the one or more channels including one or more sealing devices located therein; removably connecting a cap to the breech; connecting the breech to a water supply means, the water supply means configured to supply hot and cold water to the breech; testing the breech and water supply for leaks; removing the cap from the breech if no leaks are detected; connecting a mixer cartridge to the breech, the mixer cartridge configured to mix the hot and cold water, wherein the mixer cartridge includes one or more spigots configured to be fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the channels of the breech, wherein the sealing devices are configured to sealingly connect the mixer cartridge to the breech when the one or more spigots are push- fittingly received within a respective one or more of the channels; and installing a mixer tap to the mixer cartridge.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sealing devices are also configured to releasably hold the mixer cartridge to the breech.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the mixer cartridge is configured to be connected to the breech and releasably held thereto in a single generally continuous movement that comprises push-fittingly connecting the one or more spigots within a respective one or more of the channels.