GB2239068A

GB2239068A - Multiple pipe elbow connector device

Info

Publication number: GB2239068A
Application number: GB8927532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Mcmaster-Christie
Original assignee: POWERED SHOWERS PLC
Current assignee: POWERED SHOWERS PLC
Priority date: 1989-12-06
Filing date: 1989-12-06
Publication date: 1991-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2009-12-06
Also published as: GB2239068B; GB8927532D0

Abstract

A pipe connector device, eg for supply of hot and cold water to a shower control unit, is of unitary construction with first and second elbow connectors 10 and 12 joined by a flange 38 so that all the centre lines of the connections 14, 20, 28 and 34 are co-planar. <IMAGE>

Description

PIPE CONNECTOR DEVICE This invention relates to a pipe connector device and is more particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with a pipe connector device which facilitates correct connection of hot and cold water supply pipes to a shower control unit which is preferably one of the type where the hot and cold water supplies are pumped to a shower head.

The hot and cold water control unit for a shower is mounted on a wall of the shower enclosure at a suitable location to be operated by the shower user. The hot and cold water supplies to the unit are usually arranged to be from the ceiling above or from the floor below and it is essential to ensure that the correct connections are made to the control unit in either circumstance.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the correct connection of hot and cold water pipes to the control unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a connector device comprising first and second elbow connectors, and means retaining said connectors in spaced apart relationship so that all the centre-lines of the connections at the ends of the first and second elbow connectors are substantially co-planar.

The elbow connectors are preferably right-angle elbows which may be curved. In such case, one of the elbow connectors is shorter and more sharply curved than the other. Alternatively, each elbow connector may have a pair of legs which extend mutually perpendicularly with respect to each other and which are joined at a position intermediate the ends of the elbow connector. It is preferred for the connection of each elbow connector which is to be joined to a respective supply pipe to terminate in the same common plane which lies perpendicular to the first-mentioned plane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each connection which is to be joined to a supply pipe has associated therewith an indication of the type of fluid to be passed through that elbow connector in use, and for the indication to be different for the same connection on opposite sides of said first-mentioned plane. Thus, the correct indication for the type of fluid to be supplied to each elbow is given irrespective of the way in which the connector device is orientated relative to the control unit in use.

Most preferably, the means retaining said connectors together takes the form of a flange provided with means to enable the flange to be fixed in position.

In a particularly convenient embodiment, the elbow connectors and the retaining means are of unitary construction, preferably of a suitable plastics material.

Also according to the present invention, there is provided a shower control unit comprising a body having a hot water connection inlet and a cold water connection inlet which are spaced apart, in combination with a connector device according to the present invention, wherein said inlets are adapted to be connected to respective connections at adjacent ends of the first and second elbow connectors.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of one surface of a connector device according to one example of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the opposite surface of the connector device of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the connector device illustrated therein comprises first and second elbow connectors 10 and 12. The first elbow connector 10 has a connection socket 14 integrally formed at the free end of a limb 16 which is integrally joined to, and extends at right angles from, a limb 18 having a connection socket 20 at its free end. When orientated in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, the connection socket 14 is intended to receive a cold water inlet spigot 22 of a shower control unit, the spigot 22 having an O-ring seal 24 therein. The connection 20 incorporates a pushfit, releasable pipe connection of the type sold by John Guest Limited of West Drayton and is intended to receive, hold and seal a pipe 26 when orientated in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

In an analogous manner, the second elbow connector 12 has a socket connection 28 which, in the orientation illustrated in Fig. 1, is intended to receive a hot water inlet spigot 30 of the shower control unit, the spigot 30 having an O-ring seal 32 thereon. At the opposite end of the second elbow connector 12 to the connection socket 28, there is provided a connection socket 34 similarly fitted with a releasable pipe connection of the type manufactured by John Guest Limited of West Drayton. Such a pipe connection is arranged to receive, hold and seal a hot water supply pipe 36 when the device is in the orientation illustrated in Fig. 1. As indicated in Fig.

1, the connection sockets 20 and 34 have the respective letters "C" and "H" on the side thereof, whilst the arrangement of such lettering is reversed on the opposite side thereof (see Fig. 2).

The elbow connectors 10 and 12 are integrally moulded together with an interconnecting flange 38. The flange 38 holds the elbow connectors 10 and 12 in the required spaced-apart relationship with the centre lines of all of the connection sockets 14, 20, 28 and 34 in a common plane. The flange 38 is provided with a locating lug 40 thereon and a fixing hole 32 therethrough.

In use, the shower control unit (which conveniently is a pumped shower unit) is mounted at the desired position on a wall of a shower enclosure at a location which is convenient to a user of the shower.

When mounted in position, the cold and hot inlet spigots 22 and 30 extend with their centre lines horizontal and also aligned vertically. It will usually be the case that all the pipe work is to be concealed and so the inlet spigots 22 and 30, the connector device and the pipes 26 and 30 will be mounted in the wall of the shower enclosure rather than surface mounted. With the inlet spigots 22 and 30 thus mounted, the connector device is manoeuvred into position so that the inlet spigots 22 and 30 enter the respective connection sockets. In the case where the supply pipes 26 and 36 are to extend downwardly from the ceiling (see Fig.1), then the outlet socket 14 is engaged with the spigot 22, whilst the outlet socket 28 is engaged with the spigot 30.When in the correct position, the lug 30 on the flange 38 engages with a suitably shaped recess in a flange of the shower control unit and the fixing hole 42 is aligned with an internally screw-threaded bore in the flange of the control unit.

The connector device is then secured in position by means of a fixing screw which is passed through the fixing hole 42 and into the internally screw-threaded bore of the flange on the shower control unit. The cold and hot water pipes 26 and 36 are then push-fitted into the respective connection sockets 20 and 34, the "C" and "H" which can be seen by the installer on the connection sockets 20 and 34 in this orientation of the device indicates the correct pipe connections to be made.

In installations where the cold water and hot water pipes 26 and 36 extend upwardly from the floor, the connector device is orientated in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 and connections are made in a corresponding manner to that previously described to ensure that the correct hot and cold water supplies are made to the shower control unit.

It will be appreciated that the above-described connector device is simple to use and minimises the risk of the wrong connections being made. The device is also relatively thin so that it can be installed in a relatively thin wall.

Claims

1. A connector device comprising first and second elbow connectors, and means retaining said connectors in spaced apart relationship so that all the centre-lines of the connections at the ends of the first and second elbow connectors are substantially co-planar.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elbow connectors are right-angle elbows.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the elbow connectors are curved and one of the elbow connectors is shorter and more sharply curved than the other.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each elbow connector has a pair of legs which extend mutually perpendicularly with respect to each other and which are joined at a position intermediate the ends of the elbow connector.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection of each elbow connector which is to be joined to a respective supply pipe terminates in the same common plane which lies perpendicular to the first-mentioned plane.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each connection which is to be joined to a supply pipe has associated therewith an indication of the type of fluid to be passed through that elbow connector in use, and wherein the indication is different for the same connection on opposite sides of said first-mentioned plane.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means retaining said connectors together takes the form of a flange provided with means to enable the flange to be fixed in position.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherin the elbow connectors and the retaining means are of unitary construction.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the elbow connectors and the retaining means are of a suitable plastics material.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompaying drawings.

11. A shower control unit comprising a body having a hot water connection inlet and a cold water connection inlet which are spaced apart, in combination with a connector device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said inlets are adapted to be connected to respective connections at adjacent ends of the first and second elbow connectors.