EP0695530A1

EP0695530A1 - Heated towel rail apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0695530A1
Application number: EP95305530A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Muriel Colleen Cozier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-05
Filing date: 1995-08-04
Publication date: 1996-02-07
Also published as: GB9516026D0; GB2292074B; GB2292074A

Abstract

Towel rail apparatus (2) which is constructed for connection to a central heating system (4) such that heated water in a central heating system (4) is able to pass through and heat the towel rail apparatus (2). The towel rail apparatus (2) comprises a towel rail (6) mounting means (8) for mounting the towel rail (6) in a desired position adjacent a radiator (10) in the central heating system (4), a first pipe (12) for connecting the towel rail (6) to the central heating system (4) of an inlet side of the radiator (10), a second pipe (16) for connecting the towel rail (6) to the central heating system (4) on an outlet side of the radiator (10), first connector means (20) for the first pipe (12), and second connector means (22) for the second pipe (16).

Description

This invention relates to heated towel rail apparatus.
Accordingly, the present invention provides towel rail apparatus which is constructed for connection to a central heating system such that heated water in the central heating system is able to pass through and heat the towel rail apparatus, which towel rail apparatus comprises a towel rail, mounting means for mounting the towel rail in a desired position adjacent a radiator in the central heating system, a first pipe for connecting the towel rail to the central heating system on an inlet side of the radiator, a second pipe for connecting the towel rail to the central heating system on an outlet side of the radiator, first connector means which is for connecting the first pipe to the central heating system such that the heated water can pass to the radiator and the towel rail in order to heat the towel rail when the central heating system is operating, and second connector means which is for connecting the second pipe to the central heating system such that the heated water can pass from the radiator and the towel rail when the central heating system is operating.
The towel rail apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it just uses the heated water in the central heating system. Thus the towel rail apparatus can be heated at absolutely minimal cost, whilst providing maximum benefit in being able to dry and/or warm towels and any other desired articles such for examples as articles of clothing. The towel rail apparatus may be connected adjacent any radiator or radiators in the central heating system. Thus, for example, the towel rail apparatus may be connected in a bathroom next to a bathroom radiator and/or it may be connected in a kitchen next to a kitchen radiator. Bathrooms and kitchens are the usual two places where towels and other articles such for example as articles of clothing and tea towels are required to be dried. Houses may thus advantageously have one heated towel rail in the bathroom, and another heated towel rail in the kitchen. Obviously, if desired, towel rails can be provided in other rooms as well.
The towel rail apparatus may be connected to the central heating system at the base of the radiator. In this case, the first connector means may comprise a body, a threaded portion on the body for connection to a tapping of the radiator, a plain portion on the body for connection to an inlet valve for the radiator, a threaded connection on the body, and a threaded nut for connecting to the first end of the first pipe and for screwing to the threaded connection on the body. The threaded connection may be a threaded female aperture for receiving a male threaded nut, or the threaded connection may alternatively be a male threaded projection for receiving a female threaded nut and a compression ring or olive. The first connector means is advantageous in that it can easily and simply be connected between the inlet valve to the radiator and the radiator, in place of the normal connection that is usually used. Cutting into pipework is completely avoided and it is only necessary to turn off the inlet valve and drain the radiator in order to insert the first connector means.
The first connector means will usually include a compression ring or olive for the plain portion at the other end of the body, and a compression ring or olive for the first end of the first pipe. The compression rings or olives help to ensure good water-tight connections.
When the towel rail apparatus is connected to the central heating system at the base of the radiator, the second connector means may also comprise a body, a threaded portion on the body for connection to a tapping of the radiator, a plain portion on the body for connection to an outlet valve for the radiator, a threaded connection on the body, and a threaded nut for connecting to a first end of the second pipe and for screwing to the threaded connection on the body. The threaded connection may be a threaded female aperture for receiving a male threaded nut, or the threaded connection may alternatively be a male threaded projection for receiving a female threaded nut and a compression ring or olive. The second connector means can easily be inserted into the central heating system in the same manner as the first connector means, but this time between the outlet valve for the radiator and the radiator in place of the normal connection that is usually employed at this position.
Usually, the second connector means will include a compression ring or olive for the plain portion at the other end of the body, and a compression ring or olive for the first end of the second pipe. The compression rings or olives help to ensure that good water-tight connections are made.
If desired, the towel rail apparatus may be connected to the central heating system at top tappings of the radiator. Such an arrangement may utilise shorter first and second pipes than when the towel rail apparatus is connected to the central heating system at the bottom of the radiator. When the towel rail apparatus is connected to the central heating system at the top tappings of the radiator, then the first connector means may comprise a body portion, a threaded portion on the body portion for connection to a tapping in the radiator that houses a bleed valve, and a threaded portion on the body for connection to the first pipe. The bleed valve is used to release any trapped air. Advantageously, the body portion of the first connector means may include an on/off valve. The second connector means may also comprise a body portion, a threaded portion on the body portion for connection to a tapping of the radiator, and a threaded portion on the body for connection to the second pipe.
The towel rail may comprise a plurality of spaced apart horizontally extending bars over which one or more towels or other articles may be draped. Generally, the towel rail may be of any suitable and appropriate size, shape and design. Advantageously, the bars may have connection means at their ends. The connection means enable the towel rail apparatus to be sold in kit form with bars suitable for different lengths of radiators. The bars can be cut to a length appropriate for a radiator to be provided with the towel rail apparatus, and then the bars can be connected in position using the connection means. Presently preferred connection means are screw threaded connection means.
The mounting means preferably comprises a pair of mounting brackets which are adapted to be secured to a wall. Any suitable and appropriate type of mounting means may be employed. The mounting means may be adjustable to allow for different distances of radiators from walls on which the radiators are mounted.
The mounting means will usually be employed to fit the towel rail above the radiator. If desired however the towel rail may be fitted to one or other of the sides of the radiator.
If desired, the first and the second pipes may be bent and they may be made of soft copper so that the bends can be pulled out if necessary in order to increase the length of the first and the second pipes in order to enable the towel rail to be mounted farther away from the radiator.
The towel rail may include an air bleed valve. Any suitable and appropriate known type of air bleed valve as used in radiators may be employed.
The towel rail may include flow promoting means which is positioned inside the towel rail and which is for promoting a flow of hot water around the towel rail. The flow promoting means may be at least one pipe. The flow promoting means may alternatively be at least one flow restrictor device.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of first towel rail apparatus which is connected to a bottom part of a radiator and which is mounted above the radiator;
Figure 2 is a side view of the towel rail apparatus and the radiator shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of first connector means employed for connecting the towel rail apparatus in a central heating system containing the radiator shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates in more detail the operation of part of the first connector means shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a front view of a bracket fixed to the towel rail;
Figure 6 is a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side view of mounting means for mounting the towel rail on a wall;
Figure 8 is a front view of the mounting means shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an exploded view of a bleed valve used in the towel rail shown in Figure 1;
Figure 10 shows alternative first and second pipes for connecting the towel rail to the radiator in Figure 1;
Figure 11 shows part of a towel rail forming part of second towel rail apparatus which is connected in a similar manner to the first towel rail apparatus;
Figure 12 is an exploded view of an alternative type of first connector means to that shown in Figure 3;
Figure 13 shows third towel rail apparatus which is connected to a top part of a radiator and which is mounted above the radiator;
Figure 14 shows fourth towel rail apparatus which is like the third towel rail apparatus but which has different second connector means;
Figure 15 shows fifth towel rail apparatus which is like the third towel rail apparatus shown in Figure 13;
Figure 16 shows sixth towel rail apparatus which is for connection to top tappings of a radiator;
Figure 17 shows seventh towel rail apparatus which is for connection to top tappings of a radiator;
Figure 18 shows in more detail a pipe connection as used in Figure 17; and
Figures 19 and 20 are two different views of mounting means used for mounting the towel rail apparatus on a wall.

Referring to Figures 1 to 9, there is shown towel rail apparatus 2 which is constructed for connection to a central heating system 4 such that heated water in the central heating system 4 is able to pass through and heat the apparatus 2.
The apparatus 2 comprises a towel rail 6, mounting means 8 for mounting the towel rail 6 in a desired position adjacent a radiator 10 in the central heating system 4, a first pipe 12 for connecting the towel rail 6 to the central heating system 4 on an inlet side 14 of the radiator 10, and a second pipe 16 for connecting the towel rail 6 to the central heating system 4 on an outlet side 18 of the radiator 10. The apparatus 2 still further comprises first connector means 20 which is for connecting the first pipe 12 to the inlet side 14 of the central heating system 4 such that the heated water can pass to the radiator 10 and the towel rail 6 in order to heat the towel rail 6 when the central heating system 4 is on. The apparatus 2 still further comprises second connector means 22 which is for connecting the second pipe 16 to the outlet side 18 of the central heating system 4 such that the heated water can pass from the radiator 10 and the towel rail 6 when the central heating system 4 is operating.
The first connector means 20 is best seen in Figure 3. The first connector means 20 comprises a body 24, a threaded portion 26 at one end of the body 24 for connection to an inlet 28 to the radiator 10, and a plain portion 30 at the other end of the body 24 for connection to an inlet valve 32 for the radiator 10. The connection of the plain portion 30 to the inlet valve 32 is effected using a nut 34 and a compression ring or olive 36. As thus far described, the first connector means 20 is a standard known connector means. The standard known connector means is however modified in that the body 24 is provided with a threaded aperture 38 at a central portion of the body 24 as shown in Figure 3. A threaded nut 40 having a threaded portion 42 connects to a first end 44 of the first pipe 12. The threaded portion 42 screws into the threaded aperture 38 and, with the help of a compression ring or olive 46, a water-tight connection is made of the first end 44 of the pipe 12 to the body 24 of the first connector means 20. The new connector means 20 can be inserted in place of a known connector means in a simple and quick manner which only requires the inlet valve 32 to be turned off and the radiator 10 to be drained. Cutting into pipework is not required.
Figure 4 shows how the threaded aperture 38 may be formed in a separate body 48 which can then be inserted into a drilled hole in the body 24.
Figures 5 and 6 show how a bracket 50 having a rear wall 52 and side walls 54 can be connected to the back of the towel rail 6. As shown in Figure 1, there are four of the brackets 50, with two of the brackets 50 being connected to each side 56 of the towel rail 6. The brackets 50 define a space between themselves and the radiator 10 and each one of these spaces receives an upstanding member 58 forming part of the mounting means 8. As can best be seen from Figures 7 and 8, the mounting means 8 has a rear wall 60 having a pair of apertures 62 for receiving fixing screws (not shown) for fixing the mounting means 8 to a wall so that the towel rail 6 can be positioned above the radiator 10 as shown in Figure 1.
The second connector means 22 shown in Figure 1 is constructed similarly to the first connector means 20 shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Figure 9 shows how the towel rail 6 is provided with an air bleed valve 64 for venting any trapped air in the towel rail 6. The air bleed valve 64 comprises a bleed screw 66 which screws into a threaded aperture 68 in a valve body 70. As can be seen from Figure 1, the radiator 10 also has an air bleed valve 72.
Figure 10 shows a modification to the first pipe 12. In Figure 1 the first pipe 12 is shown as being straight. If it were desired to place the towel rail 6 higher than shown in Figure 1, longer first and second pipes 12, 16 would be required. In order that the first and second pipes 12, 16 can be made as standard pipes for sale in plumber's merchants and other shops selling plumbing equipment, then first and the second pipes 12 16 can be made with the illustrated zig-zag portion 74. This portion 74 can thus be pulled straighter as may be required in order to lengthen the pipes 12,16 and allow the towel rail 6 to be positioned further away from the top of the radiator 10 than is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 11 shows part of an alternative design for a towel rail 6. Generally, the towel rail 6 can be of any design and it can have any number of horizontal bars 76 for hanging towels and other articles.
Referring to Figure 12, similar parts as in Figure 3 have been given some reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 12, the threaded female aperture 38 of Figure 3 has been provided with a male threaded projection 78 for receiving a nut 81 and a compression ring or olive 83.
Referring to Figure 13, similar parts as in Figures 1 - 12 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.
In Figure 13, the towel rail 6 is shown of generally elliptical configuration such that it has two horizontal bars 76 and two sides 56. The towel rail 6 is such that a pipe 80 extends from the first pipe 12 along the right hand side 56 of the towel rail 6 and on to the top bar 76 as shown. Another pipe 82 extends as shown from the second pipe 16 along the bottom bar 76.
The pipe 82 operates such that heated water passing along the first pipe 12 passes along the pipe 80 and then into the top bar 76. Thus the flow of heated water in the towel rail 6 is anti-clockwise. The hot water from the pipe 80 causes both sides 56 and the top bar 76 of the towel rail to become heated. In order for the heated water in the towel rail 6 to leave the towel rail 6 via the second pipe 16, the water has to pass over the pipe 82 until it reaches an end 84 of the pipe 82. The water can then pass through the pipe 82 and then through the second pipe 16. The pipe 82 causes the water to circulate through the lower bar 76 of the towel rail 6. Thus the pipes 80, 82 ensure that there is a flow of hot water around the entire towel rail 6 for ensuring that the entire towel rail 6 stays hot even when it is connected to the top of the radiator 10 as shown in Figure 13. The pipes 80, 82 cause the water in the towel rail 6 to flow better than if the pipes 80, 82 are not present.
The first and the second connector means 20, 22 shown in Figure 13 comprise a right angled body 86 from which extend threaded stub pipes 88, 90 as shown. These threaded stub pipes 88, 90 connect to nuts 92, 94 respectively. The right angled body 86 forming part of the first connector means 20 has a ball valve 96 which can be turned to 90° to turn off the flow of water through the body 86. The ball valve 96 may be advantageous in cutting off the flow of hot water to the towel rail 6 when it is desired to have the towel rail 6 cold and the radiator 10 hot.
The first and second connector means 20, 22 are such that they give sufficient tolerance when needed to enable easy connection of the towel rail 6 to the top of the radiator 10 as shown. Connection of the towel rail 6 to the top of the radiator 10 as shown in Figure 13 is particularly easy since existing standard connecting apertures at the top of the radiator 10 are employed. The right hand connecting aperture at the top of the radiator 10 is the standard aperture that contains a bleed valve. Total draining down of the radiator 10 can be avoided, thus facilitating even further the easy fixing of the towel rail 6 in position.
Referring now to Figure 14, similar parts as in Figure 13 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 13, the second connector means 22 is such that the nut 44 is on a pipe 98 on the radiator 10. In Figure 14, the reverse arrangement is employed in which the nut 94 is on the stub pipe 90 of the right angled body 86.
Referring now to Figure 15 there is shown towel rail apparatus which is similar to the towel rail apparatus shown in Figure 13. In Figure 15, the pipe 80 employed in Figure 13 has been omitted.
Figure 16 shows towel rail apparatus in which the first pipe 12 has two connections 12A and 12B to the towel rail 6. Similarly, the second pipe 16 has two connections 16A, 16B connecting to the towel rail 6. Flow control restrictors 100, 102 are employed as shown to ensure a good circulation of water around the towel rail 6 when the central heating system is working.
Figure 16 also uses first and second connector means 20, 22 which have elbow connectors 104 as shown.
Figure 17 shows towel rail apparatus 2 fitted to the top of a radiator 10 and mounted above the radiator 10. The towel rail 6 has two horizontal bars 76 which are each provided with connection means at their ends, the connection means being in the form of screw connection means 106. The use of the screw connection means 106 enables the entire towel rail apparatus 2 to be sold in a dismantled kit form. The horizontal bars 76 can be of a length suitable for fitting to a number of radiators 10 of different lengths. This avoids shops having to stock lots of different sizes of the towel rail apparatus. Assembly is simply done by connecting the first and the second pipes 12, 16 to the radiator 10 using the first and second connector means 20, 22. The distance between the first and the second pipes 12, 16 can then be measured and the horizontal bars can then be cut to size. The horizontal bars are preferably cut 20mm longer than the distance between the first and the second pipes 12, 16. This allows 10mm at each end of the horizontal bars 76 for insertion into screw threaded connector means 106.
Figure 17 also illustrates how the air bleed valve 64 may be positioned differently than in previous Figures.
Figure 17 also illustrates how the mounting means 8 may be adjustable. The adjustable mounting means 8 are also shown in Figures 19 and 20 and it will be seen that each mounting means 8 comprises two parts 108, 110 which are slidably connected together by a screw 112 sliding in a slot 114 in the part 110.
Figure 18 illustrates how one of the horizontal bars 76 is provided with a screw threaded portion 116 for screwing into a threaded recess 118 formed in the second pipe 16. The top end of the second pipe 16 is capped as shown in order to cause a desired flow of water through the towel rail 6.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been giving by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the towel rail 6 may be mounted to the left side or right side of the radiator 10 as shown in Figure 1. Also, other types of first and second connector means 20, 22 may be employed.
Generally, the towel rails can be produced to look neat and aesthetically acceptable in various desired rooms such for example as bathrooms and kitchens. The towel rails obviate the previous tendency of people to drape towels and other articles over radiators, which thus looks unsightly and also stops the radiator giving out the intended amount of heat for the room in which the radiator is in, thereby often leading to the room becoming colder than it should be. Still further, the towel rail 6 is heated with the hot water from the central heating system so that the towel rail is heated at virtually no cost. The central heating system can be a gas fired central heating system or an oil fired central heating system. It does not matter how the water is heated as long as there is heated water available for passing through the towel rail. The towel rail 6 may have any appropriate number of horizontal bars 76 and it may be of any suitable and appropriate design. If desired, the towel rail 6 may have only one horizontal bar.

Claims

Towel rail apparatus which is constructed for connection to a central heating system such that heated water in the central heating system is able to pass through and heat the towel rail apparatus, which towel rail apparatus comprises a towel rail, mounting means for mounting the towel rail in a desired position adjacent a radiator, in the central heating system, a first pipe for connecting the towel rail to the central heating system on an inlet side of the radiator, a second pipe for connecting the towel rail to the central heating system on an outlet side of the radiator, first connector means which is for connecting the first pipe to the central heating system such that the heated water can pass to the radiator and the towel rail in order to heat the towel rail when the central heating system is operating, and second connector means which is for connecting the second pipe to the central heating system such that the heated water can pass from the radiator and the towel rail when the central heating system is operating.
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first connector means comprises a body, a threaded portion on the body for connection to a tapping to the radiator, a plain portion on the body for connection to an inlet valve for the radiator, a threaded connection on the body, and a threaded nut for connecting to the first end of the first pipe and for screwing to the threaded connection on the body, and in which the second connector means comprises a body, a threaded portion on the body for connection to a tapping of the radiator, a plain portion on the body for connection to an outlet valve for the radiator, a threaded connection on the body, and a threaded nut for screwing to a first end of the second pipe and for screwing to the threaded connection on the body.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first and the second connector means are for connecting the first and the second pipes respectively to the radiator at top tappings of the radiator.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 3 in which the first connector means comprises a body portion, a threaded portion on the body portion for connection to a tapping of the radiator that houses a bleed valve, and a threaded portion on the body for connection to the first pipe, and in which the second connector means comprises a body portion, a threaded portion on the body portion for connection to a tapping of the radiator, and a threaded portion on the body for connection to the second pipe.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 4 in which the body portion of the first connector means includes an on/off valve.
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the towel rail comprises a plurality of spaced apart horizontally extending bars over which articles may be draped.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 6 in which the bars have connection means at their ends.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 7 in which the connection means are screw threaded connection means.
Towel rail apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting means is an adjustable mounting means for allowing for different distances of radiators from walls on which the radiators are mounted.
Towel rail apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the towel rail includes an air bleed valve.
Towel rail apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including flow promoting means which is positioned inside the towel rail and which is for promoting a flow of hot water around the towel rail.
Towel rail apparatus according to claim 11 in which the flow promoting means is at least one pipe or at least one flow restrictor device.