AU2394199A - Install from top tap assembly - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT INSTALL FROM TOP TAP ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- This invention relates to an improved tap assembly and breach tube for use primarily in domestic plumbing. This invention also relates to a method of installing the same tap assembly and breach tube.

Conventionally tap systems require access to the top and underneath of the surfaces they are installed on in order to connect the supply lines and breach tubes. In many situations access to the underneath of surfaces is through cupboards and the like where conditions are dark and cramped making installation difficult and time consuming.

The present inventors have found that by forming the breach tube to a predetermined substantially rigid shape the breach tube can be connected to the tap valve and/or the tap outlet from above the surface. When combined with a tap valve and a tap outlet that can be secured to the surface from above, an entire "install from top" system can be achieved.

Accordingly the present invention resides in an apparatus including a valve and an outlet each securable on a surface having first and second apertures therethrough, and a breach tube having a first end and a second end and being substantially rigid such that said first end of said breach tube may be inserted through said first aperture and *..."caused to protrude from said second aperture by manipulation of said second end so that said first and second ends of said breach tube project from a first side of said surface, means for securing the first end of said breach tube to one of said valve and said outlet, means for securing the second end of said breach tube to the other of said valve and said outlet, means for securing said outlet in one of said first and second apertures in said surface, and means for securing said valve in the other of said first and second apertures in said surface.

The invention further resides in a method of installing a tap valve, a tap outlet and a breach tube, to a surface having first and second apertures therethrough, said breach tube having first and second ends and being substantially rigid, said method including the steps of: inserting a first end of said breach tube through a first aperture in said surface manipulating said second end of said breach tube to cause said first end to protrude from said second aperture such that said first and second ends of said breach tube project from a first side of said surface securing said tap valve to one of said first and second ends of said breach tube securing said tap outlet to the other of said first and second ends of said breach tube, securing said tap valve to said surface and securing said tap outlet to said surface.

The invention will be described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the tap valve, outlet and breach tube of the present invention shown installed on a surface.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the outlet assembly in figure 1 showing the clamping mechanism.

S" 25 Figure 3 shows the method of installing the breach tube, tap valve and outlet assemblies according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows the tap valve, tap outlet and breach tube generally at 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The components are shown installed on a surface 8 having apertures 6,7 therein. Both the valve and outlet have a body 4, 5 respectively, disposed in respective apertures 6, 7. The valve bodies are such that they can be secured to the surface by accessing only the portions of the body above the surface. For installations requiring both hot and cold water supplies the outlet body 5 is adapted to receive two breach tubes as shown in the figures. The breach tube is of a plastic material and preformed into a C-shape. The breach tube is connected to the valve and outlet bodies in a manner well known in the art.

A preferred method for securing the valve and outlet bodies to the surface is by clamping members 9, 10 that can pass through the apertures in the surface and then change configuration to engage an underside of the surface 8. The clamping members are most preferably cams rotatably mounted on the valve and outlet body (figure 2) that fold against the body to allow it to pass through the aperture and then rotate outwards to engage the underneath of the surface. The valve or outlet body can then be secured to the surface by clamping the surface between the clamping members 9, and a flange 14 provided on the valve or outlet body 11 above the surface.

In the figures two clamping members are shown though only one is required.

Alternatively a plurality of clamping members can be disposed around the valve or outlet body. Tightening of the clamp occurs by means of clamping screws 12 that pass through the flange 11 and engage a thread within the clamping members 9, The clamping screws 12 have a head 13 that receive a conventional tool such as a ring-spanner or allen key. A primary turn of the screw 12 causes the clamping member to rotate away from the valve body until the outer edge of the cam engages the valve body and further rotation is prevented. Subsequent turns of the screw 12 result in the clamping members 9, 10 being driven into contact with the bottom of the surface 8 and increased pressure being applied to the top and bottom of the surface by 25 the flange 14 and clamping members respectively. In this way the valve and outlet bodies can be secured to the surface without requiring direct access to the underside of °the surface. Further details of the clamping mechanism are the subject of our copending application titled "Clamping Mechanism for a Plumbing Feature" the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

To install the breach tube and valve assemblies (figure 3) one end 15 of the breach tube is inserted into a first aperture 6 in the surface. By manipulation of the free end 4 16 the inserted end 15 is caused to protrude from a second aperture 7. The breach tube is fitted onto both the tap valve and outlet bodies in a known manner (figure 3b).

The valve and outlet bodies are then secured to the surface using the clamping members described above (figure3c).

Tap handles and spouts can then be connected to the valves and outlet body respectively. The valve body can be connected to the inlet line 20 at any stage but is preferably connected before inserting the valve body through the aperture. Preferably the flange on the valve body has a groove 17 adapted to receive a pin or bayonet of a tap flange 18 to allow the tap flange to be press fitted onto the valve body.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

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Claims (7)

1. A method of installing a tap valve, a tap outlet and a breach tube, to a surface having first and second apertures therethrough, said breach tube having first and second ends and being substantially rigid, said method including the steps of: inserting a first end of said breach tube through a first aperture in said surface manipulating said second end of said breach tube to cause said first end to protrude from said second aperture such that said first and second ends of said breach tube project from a first side of said surface securing said tap valve to one of said first and second ends of said breach tube securing said tap outlet to the other of said first and second ends of said breach tube, securing said tap valve to said surface and securing said tap outlet to said surface.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of steps and is performed by accessing only said first side of said surface.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein steps and are performed prior to the second performed of steps and S"4. A method according to any preceding claim further including the step: connecting an inlet tube to said tap valve, wherein step is performed prior to step Apparatus including a valve and an outlet each securable on a surface having first and second apertures therethrough, and a breach tube having a first end and a S °second end and being substantially rigid such that said first end of said breach tube may be inserted through said first aperture and caused to protrude from said second 30 aperture by manipulation of said second end so that said first and second ends of said S"breach tube project from a first side of said surface, means for securing the first end of said breach tube to one of said valve and said outlet, means for securing the second end of said breach tube to the other of said valve and said outlet, means for securing said outlet in one of said first and second apertures in said surface, and means for securing said valve in the other of said first and second apertures in said surface.

6. A plumbing feature according to claim 5 wherein at least one of said valve and said outlet can be secured to said surface by accessing only said first side of said surface.

7. A plumbing feature according to claims 5 or 6 wherein said breach tube is substantially C-shaped.

8. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

9. A plumbing feature substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Dated this 22nd day of April 1999. DORF CLARK MANUFACTURING PTY LTD *9 9 By their Patent Attorneys Halford Co. 9*