AU2021101169A4

AU2021101169A4 - Drainage junction fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2021101169A4
Application number: AU2021101169A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Joseph Quinn
Original assignee: Sewer Surgeon Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sewer Surgeon Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-04
Filing date: 2021-03-04
Publication date: 2021-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-04

Abstract

Drainage junction fitting 10 for connecting to an end of a fixed pipe which is surrounded by a puddle flange 14 and cast in concrete. The drainage junction fitting 10 includes a first pipe 16 defining opposed ends 18, 20 and a longitudinal axis between the ends 18, 20. The first pipe 16 has a female fitting 22 which is configured to receive the end of the fixed pipe and arranged at one end 18. The female fitting 22 extends longitudinally and defines a base surface 24. The base surface 24 is configured to, in use, abut against the end of fixed pipe. The drainage junction fitting 10 also includes at least one second pipe 26 extending from the first pipe 16. The, or each, second pipe 26 defines an axis arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is arranged to be spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26 by at least 40 mm. 1/3 18 100 22 10 24 102 102 104 104 26 20 Figure 1

Description

1/3

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100

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Figure 1

"Drainage junction fitting"

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to plumbing fittings and, particularly, to drainage junction fittings.

Background

[0002] When a pipe is required to pass through a concrete structure, such as a wall or floor slab, it is typically cast in place. However, this approach can mean that if the concrete does not bond to the pipe during curing and shrinks, a passage can be formed around the pipe which allows fluid ingress alongside the pipe and through the concrete structure. This can cause, for example, a water leak through a floor slab of a bathroom.

[0003] To address this issue, a puddle flange may be secured about the pipe prior to casting. The flange is arranged to extend radially away from the pipe. This means that the flange becomes embedded in the concrete during casting and remains bonded to the concrete after any shrinkage, consequently preventing fluid ingress alongside the pipe and through the concrete structure. In some jurisdictions, puddle flanges must be installed to comply with building construction regulations.

[0004] When a pipe and associated puddle flange is embedded in cast concrete, the length of the pipe which is protruding from the concrete is fixed. This prevents the pipe from being replaced, for example, to adjust the length of protruding pipework. This can be problematic where a fitting is required at the protruding end of the pipe, as sufficient length of pipe may not be accessible to allow suitable instalment of the fitting. For example, where a drainage junction fitting (sometimes referred to as a four-way riser) is required at the protruding end of a drainage pipe surrounded by a puddle flange and extending through a concrete floor slab, such as is common in a floor of a bathroom, conventional drainage fittings are typically not configured to allow installation which provides adequate drop to cause drainage through additional pipes connected to the junction of the fitting.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0006] According to some disclosed embodiments, there is provided a drainage junction fitting for connecting to an end of a fixed pipe surrounded by a puddle flange and cast in concrete, the drainage junction fitting including: a first pipe defining opposed ends and a longitudinal axis between the ends, the first pipe having a female fitting configured to receive the end of the fixed pipe and arranged at one end of the first pipe, the female fitting extending longitudinally and defining a base surface, the base surface configured to, in use, abut against the end of fixed pipe, and at least one second pipe extending from the first pipe, the, or each, second pipe defining an axis arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, wherein the base surface of the female fitting is arranged to be spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe by at least 40 mm.

[0007] The drainage junction fitting may include a plurality of the second pipes, and at least one of the second pipes may be dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 40 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface of the female fitting may be spaced from the axis of the at least one second pipe by at least 70 mm.

[0008] The drainage junction fitting may include a plurality of the second pipes, and at least one of the second pipes may be dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 50 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface of the female fitting may be spaced from the axis of the at least one second pipe by at least 75 mm.

[0009] The axis of each of the second pipes may be arranged on a common notional plane to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] At least four of the second pipes maybe dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 40 mm diameter pipe and arranged concentrically within at least four respective further second pipes dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 50 mm diameter pipe.

[0011] The base surface maybe defined by a shoulder of the female fitting.

[0012] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0013] It will be appreciated embodiments may comprise steps, features and/or integers disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of two or more of said steps or features.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] Embodiments will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drainage junction fitting;

[0016] Figure 2 is a side view of the fitting shown in Fig. 1; and

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fitting shown in the previous figures during use, installed to a pipe surrounded by a puddle flange and embedded in a concrete floor slab.

Description of Embodiments

[0018] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a drainage junction fitting 10. The fitting 10 is suitable for connecting to an end of a fixed pipe which is surrounded by a puddle flange 14 (Fig. 3) and cast in concrete. The drainage junction fitting 10 includes a first pipe 16 defining opposed ends 18, 20 and a longitudinal axis between the ends 18, 20. The first pipe 16 has a female fitting 22 which is configured to receive the end of the fixed pipe and arranged at one end 18 of the first pipe 16. The female fitting 22 extends longitudinally and defines a base surface 24. The base surface 24 is configured to, in use, abut against the end of fixed pipe. The drainage junction fitting 10 also includes at least one second pipe 26 extending from the first pipe 16. The, or each, second pipe 26 defines an axis arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is arranged to be spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26 by at least 40 mm. In some embodiments, the base surface 24 is spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe by 125 mm.

[0019] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment 100 of the drainage junction fitting 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the female fitting 22 is arranged at an operatively top end 18 of the first pipe 16 and dimensioned to receive, and fit to, an end of a 100 mm diameter waste water pipe, such as is typical for conveying water away from bathroom drains. The female fitting 22 is configured as a socket defining the base surface 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the female fitting 22 is a continuous cupped portion and the base surface 24 is defined by an internal shoulder at an operatively bottom end of the fitting 22. In other embodiments (not illustrated), the base surface 24 is defined by an internally extending, annular flange spaced along the female fitting 22 such that, in use, the end of the fixed pipe is spaced from the operatively bottom end of the fitting 22. In yet other embodiments (not illustrated), the base surface 24 is defined by each of a plurality of discrete bosses or ribs, such as extending from an internal sidewall of the female fitting 22, or from the top end 18 of the pipe 16.

[0020] The female fitting 22 is typically dimensioned to form a frictional engagement with the waste water pipe and/or be adhered to the pipe, such as with a conventional plumbing adhesive, for example, PVC solvent cement. The operatively bottom end 20 of the first pipe 16 is dimensioned to define a 100 mm diameter to allow connecting to other conventional plumbing fittings. It will be appreciated that the longitudinal axis defined by the first pipe 16 is a notional axis extending lengthwise, between the ends 18, 20.

[0021] In other embodiments (not illustrated), the structure of the ends 18, 20 is reversed so that the operatively top end 18 is dimensioned to define a 100 mm diameter to allow connecting to other conventional plumbing fittings, and the operatively bottom end 20 defines the female fitting 22. In such embodiments, the top end 18 is dimensioned to extend at least a defined distance away from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26. For example, the top end 18 may be configured as a male fitting which extends at least 95 mm away from the, or each, second pipe 26 axis.

[0022] The fitting embodiment 100 includes four outer second pipes 102 and four, respective, inner second pipes 104. The second pipes 102, 104 are arranged in concentric pairs in an annular array to extend radially away from the longitudinal axis of the first pipe 16. The outer pipes 102 are dimensioned to receive, and fit to, an end of a 50 mm diameter pipe. The inner pipes 104 are dimensioned to receive, and fit to, an end of a 40 mm diameter pipe. It will be appreciated that the fitting 10 may include more, or less, second pipes 26 which may define different dimensions to allow connecting to other pipes. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), the fitting includes a pair of second pipes 26 arranged on opposite sides of the first pipe 16 and configured to fit to a 50 mm diameter pipe, and another pair of second pipes 26 arranged on opposite sides of the first pipe 16 and configured to fit to a 40 mm diameter pipe.

[0023] Each second pipe 102, 104 defines a central axis arranged to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The axes of the second pipes 102, 104 are arranged to be co-planar on a common notional plane. In other embodiments (not illustrated), the fitting 10 includes a plurality of the second pipes 26 spaced axially along the first pipe 16. Also, in yet other embodiments (not shown), the fitting 10 includes at least one second pipe 26 defining an axis extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe 16, allowing forming an angled junction.

[0024] Each pipe 102, 104 defines a conduit which terminates at an outer wall of the first pipe 16. This configuration allows a user to drill into each required second pipe 102, 104 to fluidly connect its conduit to the conduit defined by the first pipe 16. In other embodiments (not illustrated), the fitting 10 includes at least one second pipe 26 which defines a conduit which is fluidly connected with the conduit defined by the first pipe 16.

[0025] The base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is arranged to be spaced a defined distance from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26, typically being at least 40 mm. This means that the base surface 24 is spaced at least 20 mm from the external sidewall of the, or each, second pipe 26. In the illustrated embodiment 100, best shown in Fig. 2, the base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is spaced at least 75 mm from the axes of the second pipes 102, 104. This means that the first pipe 16 extends at least 50 mm between the female fitting 22 and the sidewalls of the outer second pipes 102. The spacing of the female fitting 22 and second pipes 102, 104 in this way means that when the fitting 100 is installed to a protruding end of a fixed drainage pipe, the second pipes 102, 104 are arranged to allow sufficient drop to cause drainage through these pipes 102, 104.

[0026] In some embodiments (not illustrated), the, or each second pipe 26 is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 40 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26 by at least 70 mm. In other embodiments (not illustrated), the, or each second pipe 26 is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 50 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 is spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe 26 by at least 75 mm. It will be appreciated that the spacing of the female fitting 22 and the second pipe(s) 26 is exemplary and that this spacing may be greater or less than the dimensions described above.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment 100 of the fitting 10 installed to a protruding end of a fixed pipe (not visible) to allow receiving waste water into the first pipe 16. The fixed pipe is surrounded by, and connected to, a puddle flange 14 which is embedded in a cast concrete slab 110. A trap fitting 112 is mounted to the bottom end 20 of the first pipe 16 to allow conveying the waste water away from the bottom end 20 of the first pipe 16. A 50 mm diameter pipe 114 is fitted to one of the outer second pipes 102, and a pair of 40 mm diameter pipes 116 are fitted to opposed inner second pipes 104. The pipes 114, 116 allow conveying waste water away from the second pipes 102, 103 which has been conveyed in these pipes 102, 103 from the first pipe 16. The spacing between the base surface 24 of the female fitting 22 and the second pipes 102, 103 provides the required fall to allow fitting the pipes 114, 116 to the fitting 100, and cause drainage through the pipes 114, 116.

[0028] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A drainage junction fitting for connecting to an end of a fixed pipe surrounded by a puddle flange and cast in concrete, the drainage junction fitting including: a first pipe defining opposed ends and a longitudinal axis between the ends, the first pipe having a female fitting configured to receive the end of the fixed pipe and arranged at one end of the first pipe, the female fitting extending longitudinally and defining a base surface, the base surface configured to, in use, abut against the end of fixed pipe, and at least one second pipe extending from the first pipe, the, or each, second pipe defining an axis arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, wherein the base surface of the female fitting is arranged to be spaced from the axis of the, or each, second pipe by at least 40 mm.

2. The drainage junction fitting of claim 1 including a plurality of the second pipes, and wherein at least one of the second pipes is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 40 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface of the female fitting is spaced from the axis of the at least one second pipe by at least 70 mm.

3. The drainage junction fitting of claim 1 or 2 including a plurality of the second pipes, and wherein at least one of the second pipes is dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 50 mm diameter pipe, and the base surface of the female fitting is spaced from the axis of the at least one second pipe by at least 75 mm.

4. The drainage junction fitting of claim 2 or 3, wherein the axis of each of the second pipes is arranged on a common notional plane arranged to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

5. The drainage junction fitting of claim 4 including at least four second pipes dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 40 mm diameter pipe and arranged concentrically within at least four respective further second pipes dimensioned to receive an end portion of a 50 mm diameter pipe.

6. The drainage junction fitting of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface is defined by a shoulder of the female fitting.