GB2220717A

GB2220717A - Flexible couplings for radiators

Info

Publication number: GB2220717A
Application number: GB8816584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Arkley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-12
Filing date: 1988-07-12
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Also published as: GB8816584D0

Abstract

Flexible radiator piping as 7 to be manufactured from high performance flexible hose and installed in central heating systems between rigid copper pipework 3 and radiator valves 4. An excess of flexible radiator piping 7 is incorporated in the installation to permit the easy removal of wall mounted radiators without having to wholly or partially drain or interfere with the system in any way. Flexible radiator piping would be manufactured with prefixed end fittings to marry up with existing radiator valves 4 and rigid copper pipe 3 or be formed and tapped or screwed to accept a range of BSP/Copper tube sizes. <IMAGE>

Description

FLEXIBLE RADIATOR PIPING This invention relates to flexible radiator piping.

We are all familiar with wall mounted radiators as installed in our homes, office blocks and hospitals as an integral part of our heating systems. These radiators are normally piped in 8mm o/d, lOmm o/d or 15mm o/d copper tubing and often termed micro bore or mini bore systems.

A typical installation with rigid copper piping to the radiator valves ensures that radiators must remain fixed to a wall until the heating system is drained or a particular radiator is isolated because it is impossible to remove the radiator from its brackets with the piping insitu. It is beyond the scope of the average person to remove a radiator. Even if the requisite skills are possessed it is time consuming, usually inconvenient and damage to floor coverings can occur due to accidental spillage of inert water. This has particular significance during a programme of re-decoration in the home when an indivfflual may be faced with eight or more radiators to remove to give access for wallpapering or emulsion painting.Furthermore, each time a radiator is re-fitted the system must be topped up and vented and we know that the constant reintroduction of fresh water into the system decreases the life span of the system as the fresh water corrodes the metal components of the boiler and radiators.

According to the present invention by the introduction of flexible piping, a means is provided for removing radiators whilst the system remains intact, that is without draining the system or even isolating a particular radiator.

The system could in fact be operational at the time a radiator was removed.

This would be achieved by installing flexible radiator piping between existing copper pipework and radiator valves. Sufficient flexible radiator piping would be installed between the rigid copper pipe and the radiator valves to permit the radiator to be lifted from its brackets and removed from the wall without interfering with the rigid pipework or radiator valves. Decorating could then take place on the exposed wall after which the radiator is simply re-fitted on its wall brackets and the surplus flexible radiator piping stored either below the floor or behind the radiator.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIG.1. shows a radiator 1 mounted on its bracket 2 to a wall 6.

In this example existing copper tubing 3 is piped to the radiator valve 4 from beneath floor boards 5, the skirting board is illustrated at 8.

FIG.2. Illustrates the same installation after the introduction of flexible radiator piping 7 between existing copper tubing 3 and radiator valve 4. An excess of flexible radiator piping 7 is stored beneath floor board 5 and would apply to both flow and return pipework of radiator.

FIG.3. Illustrates the same radiator 1 removed from its brackets 2 and laid on the floor 5. Excess flexible radiator piping has been drawn up through floor boards to allow easy removal of the radiator 1 and giving access to the wall 6 whilst the heating system remains intact.

FIG. 4. Illustrates the flexible radiator piping 7 prior to installation.

The end fitting 10 is of compression nut and olive type which would compliment existing copper tube sizes.

The end fitting 9 is of straight stand pipe design and would again compliment existing size of copper tube.

FIG. 5. Shows a radiator 1 typically mounted on a wall and in this example flexible radiator piping 7 have been installed between existing copper tubing 3 and radiator valves 4. Flexible radiator piping of this type could be installed where existing pipework passes through concrete or composite floorsor where there is a preference forflexibleradiatorpipingtobesited above floor level.

0 The end fittings9 are of 90 standpipe type affixed by compression nut and olive. End fittings 10 are again of compression type. A retaining clip 11 stores excess flexible radiator piping.

Again easy removal of the radiator is facilitated whilst the system remains intact.

FIG. 6. In this example a flexible radiator pipe 7 has been installed to a radiator 1 and partially concealed behind that radiator.

A fixing clip 11 stores the excess flexible radiator piping.

To facilitate concealment of flexible radiator piping 7 the radiator 0 valve 4 has been turned through 180 FIG. 7. Shows the radiator 1 as in fig.6. after having been removed and laid onto the floor. The excess flexible radiator piping 7 again facilitating easy removal of the radiator.

FIG.8. Illustrates flexible radiator piping 7 installed where existing copper tubing 3 has been surface mounted on a wall before being piped to the radiator 1.

REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS FIG.1. - FIG.8. The flexible radiator piping by its very design would readily adapt to any configuration of flow and return pipework 3 facilitating the easy removal of a radiator giving access to the wall for decorating or any other purpose whilst the system remained intact. On completion of work the radiator is simply refitted on its brackets 2.

A range of approved flexible radiator pipings would be manufactured along with a range of end fittings to accommodate any particular installation.

Claims

1. A flexible radiator pipe in this instance means a range of such flexible radiator pipes which would be manufactured for the purpose of installation to central heating radiators in the home, office block or hospital in order to make the said radiators demountable without having to isolate and drain the same.

2. Flexible radiator piping with end fittings of brass or any metal or material suitable for use in heating systems which would compliment existing copper pipe sizes, for example 8, 10 or 15mm o/d. The said 0 0 end fittings to be standpipe straight or 90 or 45 or indeed any suitable angle. The said end fittings may be tapped female or screwed male in a range of B.S.P. threads.

3. Flexible radiator piping whose end fittings would affix to copper pipe by compression fittings or by cappilliary solder type fittings.

4. Flexible radiator piping whose complimentary range of end fittings of B.S.P. screwed design would compliment existing copper pipe as in 2.

5. Flexible radiatorpipingof variable lengths either tapped female or screwed male complimented by a range of end fittings as in 2, 3 and 4 above.

6. Flexible radiatorpipingof varying colours.

7. Flexible radiatorpipirgwhose end fittings may be pre-fixed or pre-formed to accept screwed or tapped end fittings as described in paragraph 2 above.