GB2174469A

GB2174469A - Swivellable fluid couplings and wall-mounted swivel radiators

Info

Publication number: GB2174469A
Application number: GB08610178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Millar Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-25
Filing date: 1986-04-25
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: GB2174469B; GB8610178D0

Abstract

A wall mounted radiator 10 of a central heating system has a fluid coupling at each lower end and can swivel about the couplings relative to the wall. A spigot pipe 11, 44 extends from each lower end of the radiator into the sleeve 21, 41 of a fluid coupling valve 20, 40 which may be a compression valve Figure 3 or a tapered end valve Figure 6. Washers 22, 23 or 50, 51 are provided in each coupling to form a skid surface seal which allows the spigot to rotate within the sleeve. In one embodiment, the compression coupling includes a pair of abutting washers 22, 23 on the spigot 11 of which washer 22 is copper or bronze and washer 23 is of nylon or like low friction plastics. When a retaining nut 24 is screwed tight the washers are compressed and distorted so that washer 23 forms a skid surface seal on spigot 11. In another embodiment, Figure 6, a pair of low friction plastic washers 50, 51 are located between tapered seat surfaces of the spigot 44 and sleeve 41 and between the spigot end 46 and retaining nut 48 to provide skid surfaces and allow rotation said pairs of surfaces 44, 41 and 46, 48. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Swivellable fluid couplings and wall-mounted swivel radiators This invention relates to swivellable fluid couplings and to wall mounted radiators of a hot water central heating system incorporating such couplings in the form of valves.

A disadvantage that exists with known wall mounted radiators is the inaccessibility of the area of wall behind the radiator. If it is necessary to gain free access to that area the radiator usually must be uncoupled and removed.

It is an object of this invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantage by providing a wall-mounted radiator that can pivot away from the wall.

One such radiator is known from U.K. Patent No.

1 471 887 in which a valve has a positive compression seal normally used as the main seal and a separate secondary seal. However, before being able to pivot the radiators it is necessary to loosen a retaining nut to relieve the pressure on the main seal and rely on the secondary seal to prevent leakage during swivel movement of the radiator.

It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide a valve which will operate without the need to reduce pressure on the seal.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a radiator of a central heating system adapted to be secured to a wall and which at its lower end has horizontal inlet and outlet spigot pipes each of which is coupled to a fluid valve whereby the radiator can be detached from the securing means and swivelled away from the wall about said valves, upstand pipes on which the valves are mounted being capable of or being adapted to support the radiator during its swivel movement, said valves each having washers of low friction material between adjacent rubbing surfaces to provide for relative movement between said surfaces and allow rotation of the inlet/outlet pipes in their respective fluid valves.

One or both valves may be a compression valve having a pair of abutting washers which surround the inlet/outlet spigot pipe located in a sleeve of the valve and a retaining nut on said sleeve to compress the washers between said nut and the end face of the sleeve one of the washers being of a metal softer than that of the valve and the other of which is of low friction plastics material and abuts the sleeve, said washers when compressed being distorted so that the low friction washer forms a seal to provide low friction skid surface contact with the inlet/outlet pipe so that said pipe can rotate to pivot the radiator relative to a wall.

One or both valves may be a tapered seat valve having a sleeve with an inwardly tapered peripheral seat for location against a tapered end face of the radiator inlet/outlet spigot pipe, a retaining nut on the inlet/outlet pipe to engage a threaded outer surface to draw the tapered end against the tapered seat of the sleeve, and including a tapered washer of low friction material between the tapered surfaces and a ring washer of low friction material between the rear face of the tapered end and the retaining nut, each to permit relative skid surface rotation between the sleeve and the inlet/ outlet pipe and retaining nut and inlet/outlet pipe respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid coupling in the form of a tapered seat valve coupling comprising a sleeve, a spigot located within the sleeve and a retaining nut rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve and engageable behind a shoulder of the tapered spigot to draw a tapered end face of the spigot against a tapered radial face of the sleeve, a washer of low friction material located between said tapered surfaces and a washer of low friction material located between the retaining nut and the shoulder of the spigot, said washers providing skid surfaces for rotational movement between said tapered surfaces and between the shoulder of the spigot and retaining nut.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid coupling in the form of a swivellable compression coupling comprising a sleeve, a spigot located within the sleeve and a retaining nut rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve and seal means within the retaining nut to surround the spigot and be compressed between the retaining nut and the end face of the sleeve when said nut is tightened, said seal means comprising a pair of abutting washers of which one is a metal which is softer than that of the valve and the other is a low friction plastics material. When these washers are compressed by the internal surfaces of the retaining nut and end face of the sleeve, the low friction plastics washer provides a skid surface sealing contact with the spigot to allow relative rotation of the spigot within the sleeve.

Preferably, the plastics material in compression expands into a tooth of the retaining nut.

The metal washer is preferably initially of square section which after compression becomes substantially lozenge shaped section so that there is a substantially reduced area of metal washer engaging the spigot, thus reducing frictional resistance to rotation of the spigot in the sleeve.

Preferably also, the upstand pipe comprises a rigid tubular post which includes a radial flange for abutting a floor surface and below which flange is tubular portion for location through a wooden floor and threaded to receive a securing nut thereunder or for location in a recess in a concrete floor. Preferably also the lower tubular portion is threaded to provide a key for retaining the post in concrete filler.

The post may be open at its lower end for connection to underfloor tubing of the heating system or have a sleeve above the level of the flange for connection to tubing located above floor level.

Preferably also, the radiator is secured to a wall by a latch assembly which engages a retainer bar on the rear of the radiator.

Preferably also, a safety chain is removably connected to the radiator and to the wall to permit only a small amount of pivotal movement of the radiator away from the wall.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a radiator mounted on a wall in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the radiator swivelled away from the wall; Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a compression valve swivel coupling; Figure 4 is a detail showing the valve before compression; Figure 5 shows a pair of compressed washers in section and in an enlarged scale; Figure 6 is a partial view in section of a tapered seal fluid valve according to the invention; Figures 7 and 8 are elevations of support posts to carry the fluid valves; and Figures 9 and 10 are a side view or front view respectively of a latch assembly.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a hot water radiator 10 of a central heating system has horizontal inlet and outlet spigot pipes 11, (Figure 4) at its lower ends (only one of which is shown) and lugs 12 on the rear face; there are two pairs of lugs longitudinally spaced and the lugs of each pair are transversely spaced.

The radiator is mounted on a wall 14 by means of two brackets 13 to align with the pairs of lugs 12. Each bracket has two recesses 15 into which the lugs 12 locate when the radiator is upright (Figure 1). Each recess 15 has a small upstanding lower lip 25 over which a lug 12 can locate by a slight lifting of the radiator which is possible because a limited vertical movement of the upstand inlet and outlet pipes 55 of the radiator system.

The inlet and outlet pipes 11 of the radiator are connected to fluid couplings which in this embodiment are compression couplings in the form of radiator valves 20, only one of which is shown, namely a control valve, such as the Pegler Terier range of valve; a lock shield valve is provided at the other end of the radiator. Normally, the pipes 11 of the radiator locate in the horizontal limb or sleeve 21 of the valves 20 and are retained in watertight but non-rotatable engagement by a compression washer and retaining nut.However, in the present invention, the pipes 11, i.e. the spigots of the coupling are swivellably mounted in the sleeves 21 by the provision of a pair of abutting washers, 22, 23; washer 22 is of nylon (polyamide) or like low-friction material and is located between the end face of the sleeve 21 of the valve 20 and the other washer 23 which is of copper or brass i.e.

a metal which is softer than that of the valve. Both washers are a tight fit against the radiator pipe 11.

A retaining nut 24 mounted on the outer face of sleeve 21 has a smooth inner face which engages the washers 22, 23 and a threaded portion to engage the sleeve 21 to draw the washers into a water-tight compression fitment against the end face of the sleeve 21, capable of withstanding a water pressure of at least 3600 psi.

The washers 22, 23 are initially square section rings (Figure 4) but when the nut 24 is tightened the rings 22, 23 are deformed to the contours of the inner face of the nut 24 and the end face of the sleeve 21. The metal washer 23 is deformed to a lozenge shaped section such that the external and internal faces 25, 26 become substantially pointed, see Figure 5, while a portion 27 of the nylon washer 22 beds into the metal washer to provide an inner skid surface 28 firmly engaging the outer surface of the spigot pipe 11; in addition its external face 29 is deformed by the end of the sleeve 21, and a portion 30 of the rim of the nylon washer expands into a thread of the nut 24. Thus, the two abutting washers form a water seal which in tests has withstood pressures of up to 3600 psi, that being as high as the test equipment could go.

The deformation of the metal washer to a substantial point contact reduces friction between the washer and the inlet/outlet pipe 11 and thus only the surface 28 of nylon washer is in tight rubbing contact with the spigot pipe 11, so that even at high pressures the pipe 11 can rotate within the vale coupling without the need to relieve the pressure on the washeres 20, 22, 23.

In the preferred embodiment, the nylon washer is sold under the Brand name ERTACON 66 S.A.

The pipe 11 is 15mm external diameter and the washers 22, 23 are 2mm square section.

The radiator may be connected to fluid couplings other than compression couplings, for example to tapered seat valves, one of which is illustrated in Figure 6, or it may be connected to one of each type of coupling.

Referring now to Figure 6, a tapered seat fluid valve coupling, e.g. a Danfoss thermostatic radiator valve coupling, comprises a valve body 40 having a vertical sleeve 41 for connection to tubing of a central heating system, a thermostatic control knob 42 and a horizontal sleeve 43 for coupling to a horizontal inlet/outlet pipe (spigot) 44 extending from the lower end of the radiator (not shown).

The sleeve 43 terminates in a tapered radial surface 45 and the spigot 44 has an enlarged shoulder 46 terminating in a tapered radial surface 47.

A retaining nut 48 loosely located around the spigot 44 engages a threaded outer surface 49 of the sleeve 43 to draw the tapered surfaces 45, 47 together, normally into tight frictional abutment.

The retaining nut 48 is normally also drawn into close frictional abutment with the shoulder 46 of the spigot 44.

The present invention however, provides two washers 50, 51 of low friction material to permit relative rotation between these previously abutting surfaces. Washer 50 has a tapered ring which locates between surfaces 45, 47 and washer 51 is located against the shoulder 46.

When the retaining nut 48 is tightened, it is possible to rotate the spigot 44 relative to the valve body 40 due to the skid surfaces provided by the washers 50 and 51.

Thus, a central heating radiator may have a compression valve as described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 at one side and a tapered seal valve (thermostatic radiator valve) as described with reference to Figure 6 at the other, or both valves may be of the tapered seal type, one being, e.g. a thermostatic valve.

The provision of the washers 50 and 51 is applicable to other tapered seal fluid valves.

The fluid coupling 20 illustrated in Figure 3 is connected to 15mm upstand tubing 55, but can also be connected to micro-bore tubing; in each case however, a support such as a tube 56 is provided to shroud the vertical tubing and engage both the floor 57 and a retaining nut 58 on the lower end of the valve 20, so that the weight of the radiator as it is swivelled will not damage the upstand tubing. In an alternative arrangement, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, tubular upstanding support posts 60 are provided to carry the fluid couplings 20 or 40. The tubular support posts 60 have a flange 61 which separates the post into an upper portion 62 and a lower portion 63 which is preferably externally threaded.

The post 60 can be located in a floorboard 64 in which case the flange 61 abuts the floor and a nut 65 on the threaded portion 63 firmly secures the post in position. (Figure 7).

The post 60 alternatively, may be located in a recess 66 in a concrete floor 67 (Figure 8), the threaded portion if provided forming a key for concrete filler 68.

The flange 61 may be provided with holes 69 for screws, especially if the lower portion 63 is not threaded, as in Figure 8.

The post 60 may be open at its lower end, as in Figure 7 to receive underfloor tubing, or it may have a sleeve 70 for connection to tubing above floor level.

Use of posts 60 as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 do not permit a slight vertical movement of the radiator to allow it to disengage from the wall bracket as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, wherein the valves are connected to tubular upstands 55 of the central heating system which allowed a small amount of vertical movement.

Thus, in the present embodiment, a latch assembly (Figures 9 and 10) is provided comprising a right-angled plate 80 one limb 81 of which can be secured to a wall. The other limb 82 carries a latch 83 which includes a tooth 84 to engage one of the flat retaining bars (not shown) normally provided on the rear of a radiator. The latch 83 is spring urged into engagement with the radiator bar and is released by, e.g. finger pressure on an upstanding trigger 85.

A safety chain (not shown) is preferably secured to the radiator, e.g. to another retaining bar and to the wall so that if the radiator pivots away from the wall accidentally or out of control, the chain will allow only a small amount of movement. The chain can be detached to allow full pivotal movement of the radiator through approximately 100 The rear face of the radiator may be covered by a heat reflecting material (not shown) to encourage heat to rise from the corrugated openings in a radiator, known as funnels. This feature may be particularly useful if the radiator is pivoted only a short distance from the wall, e.g. by the amount allowable by the chain, and this may be desirable when for example a curtain is drawn across a window to be behind the tilted radiator.In such an instance the rear covering will encourage heat to travel up the funnels and emerge into a room at the top of the heater rather than to emit from the rear surface of the radiator.

In a modification, not shown, the post 60 may be made of a decorative plastics material strengthened by an internal metal tube. The tube may be open ended with an internally threaded lower end to locate a plug in the arrangement where the fluid enters or exits above floor level, as in Figure 3.

In a modification of the compression coupling a spring washer (not shown) is provided to further increase the pressure which the seal can withstand. Said spring washer is preferably seated in a groove formed in the inlet/outlet pipe 11 and its outer annular rim preferably abuts the metal washer 23 of the pair of washers 22, 23.

The above embodiments illustrate one use of the fluid couplings according to the invention, namely as radiator valves. However, the pairs of washers 22, 23 or 50, 51 can be located in any other known fluid coupling used for the passage of fluids, i.e. in plumbing, gas-fitting, spraying or oil equipment. In each instance, the coupling has a sleeve into which a spigot is fitted, and a retaining nut mounted in the sleeve with the washers 22, 23 or 50, 51 inside the nut to form skid surfaces which allow rotation of the spigot relative to the sleeve.

Such a coupling is advantageous over known couplings in that the provision of the washers 22, 23 or 50, 51 allows the spigot to rotate in the sleeve; thus even where the parts being coupled do not require to rotate it may be easier during coupling in awkward locations to rotate the parts, complete the coupling then return the parts to their final disposition.

Claims

1. A radiator of a central heating system adapted to be secured to a wall and which at its lower end has horizontal inlet and outlet spigot pipes each of which is coupled to a fluid valve whereby the radiator can be detached from the securing means and swivelled away from the wall about said valves, upstand pipes on which the valves are mounted being capable of or being adapted to support the radiator during its swivel movement, said valves each having washers of low friction material between adjacent rubbing surfaces to provide for relative movement between said surfaces and allow rotation of the inlet/outlet pipes in their respective fluid valves.

2. A radiator as claimed in Claim 1, in which one or both valves is a compression valve having a pair of abutting washers which surround the inlet/ outlet spigot pipe located in a sleeve of the valve and a retaining nut on said sleeve to compress the washers between said nut and the end face of the sleeve one of the washers being of a metal softer than that of the valve and the other of which is of low friction plastics material and abuts the sleeve, said washers when compressed being distorted so that the low friction washer forms a seal to provide low friction skid surface contact with the inlet/outlet pipe so that said pipe can rotate to pivot the radiator relative to a wall.

3. A radiator as claimed in Claim 1, in which one or both valves is a tapered seat valve having a sleeve with an inwardly tapered peripheral seat for location against a tapered end face of the radiator inlet/outlet spigot pipe, a retaining nut on the inlet/ outlet pipe to engage a threaded outer surface to draw the tapered end against the tapered seat of the sleeve, and including a tapered washer of low friction material between the tapered surfaces and a ring washer of low friction material between the rear face of the tapered end and the retaining nut, each to permit relative skid surface rotation between the sleeve and the inlet/outlet pipe and retaining nut and inlet/outlet pipe respectively.

4. A fluid coupling in the form of a tapered seat valve coupling comprising a sleeve, a spigot located within the sleeve and a retaining nut rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve and engageable behind a shoulder of the patered spigot to draw a tapered end face of the spigot against a tapered radial face of the sleeve, a washer of low friction material located between said tapered surfaces and a washer of low friction material located between the retaining nut and the shoulder of the spigot, said washers providing skid surfaces for rotational movement between said tapered surfaces and between the shoulder of the spigot and retaining nut.

5. A fluid coupling in the form of a swivellable compression coupling comprising a sleeve, a spigot located within the sleeve and a retaining nut rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve and seal means within the retaining nut to surround the spigot and be compressed between the retaining nut and the end face of the sleeve when said nut is tightened, said seal means comprising a pair of abutting washers of which one is a metal which is softer than that of the valve and the other is a low friction plastics material. When these washers are compressed by the internal surfaces of the retaining nut and end face of the sleeve, the low friction plastics washer provides a skid surface sealing contact with the spigot to allow relative rotation of the spigot within the sleeve.

6. A fluid coupling as claimed in Claim 5 in which the plastics material in compression expands into a tooth of the retaining nut.

7. A fluid coupling as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, in which the metal washer is initially of square section which after compression becomes substantially lozenge shaped section so that there is a substantially reduced area of metal washer engaging the spigot, thus reducing frictional resistance to rotation of the spigot in the sleeve.

8. A radiator as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the upstand pipe comprises a rigid tubular post which includes a radial flange for abutting a floor surface and below which flange is tubular portion for location through a wooden floor and threaded to receive a securing nut thereunder or for location in a recess in a concrete floor.

9. A radiator as claimed in Claim 8 in which the lower tubular portion is threaded to provide a key for retaining the post in concrete filler.

10. A radiator as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the post is open at its lower end for connection to underfloor tubing of the heating system or has a sleeve above the level of the glange for connection to tubing located above floor level.

11. A radiator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 and 8 to 10 which is secured to a wall by a latch assembly which engages a retainer bar on the rear of the radiator.

12. A radiator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 and 8 to 11, in which a safety chain is removably connected to the radiator and to the wall to permit only a small amount of pivotal movement of the radiator away from the wall.

13. A radiator of a central heating system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A fluid coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3.

15. A fluid coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6.