GB2241555A

GB2241555A - Pipe connector or blanking cover

Info

Publication number: GB2241555A
Application number: GB9004466A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Harry Hardy
Original assignee: Polypipe PLC
Current assignee: Polypipe PLC
Priority date: 1990-02-28
Filing date: 1990-02-28
Publication date: 1991-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-28
Also published as: GB2241555B; GB9004466D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe connector or end cover 1 for a free end of a tubular member such as a downpipe, comprising a body 3 (annular as shown) adapted to be mounted on and to conceal the free end of the down-pipe from lateral view from the exterior. <IMAGE>

Description

AN EFD CAP The invention relates to an end cap, particularly for a tubular member such as a downpipe.

Such downpipes often form part of the external pipe work of a building and as such can be unsightly if they are not finished by being cut square, that is at right angles to the length of the pipe.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an end cap for a free end of a tubular member, comprising a body adapted to be mounted on and to conceal the free end from lateral view from the exterior.

The body may comprise a skirt adapted for relative sliding engagebrent with the tubular member and stop means adapted for preventing further relative sliding member by engaging in use the end of the tubular member.

The stop means may comprise an inwardly directed flange.

The flange may act as a guide means for a member inserted into the tubular member.

The flange may comprise an intermediate part inclined with respect to the skirt and a part which may be at substantially right angles to the length of the skirt.

The end cap may also include means to support the flange, preferably a plurality of spaced apart webs extending between the flange and the skirt. This provides a simple construction.

The end cap may be made in one piece from plastic material.

According to a second aspect of the inventiont there is provided an assembly of a tubular member and a member mounted thereon at a free end of the tubular member, including an end cap as hereinbefore defined mounted on the free end of the tubular member whereby to conceal the free end from lateral view frcm the exterior.

The flange of the end cap may bear on the external surface of the inserted member.

An end pipe, and an assembly incorporating same, embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an end cap according to the invention; Fig 2 shows a plan view of the end cap of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows a part of Fig 1, shown circled in that Figure, to an enlarged scale; and Fig 4 shows a side elevational view, partly in section, of an assembly including an end cap of Figs 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an end cap 1 for a free end 4 of a tubular member such as a downpipe 2, comprising a body 3 (annular in the #rbodiment) adapted to be mounted on and to conceal the free end 4 from lateral view from the exterior, that is as viewed in the direction of the arrow "A" in Fig 4 for example.

The end cap 1 is suitably made as by injection moulding in one piece from plastic material and the body 3 is a tubular skirt adapted for relative sliding engagement with the external surface of the pipe 2 as by being a push fit therewith. The skirt 3 leads at the upper end (as viewed in the drawings) to a guide means in the form of an inwardly directed flange 5 having an inclined part 6 intermediate the tubular skirt 3 and a substantially flat part 7 extending substantially at right angles to the length of the skirt 3. The free edge 8 of the flat part 7 is inclined inwardly (to the right as viewed in Fig 3) at 150 to provide a guide for an insert 9 inserted into the interior of the pipe (Fig 4).

There is support means in the form of a plurality, in the embodiment four, of equiangularly spaced webs 10 which extend from the skirt 3 to the underside of the flange 6, 7.

The webs 10 also form stop means whereby the end cap 1 is prevented from being pushed too far down the pipe 2.

The end of the skirt 3 opposite the flange 6, 7 has a bell-shaped inner surface 11 to provide for ease of mounting on the free end 4 of the pipe 2.

In use to conceal an ill cut free end 4 of the pipe 2 the bell mouth 11 of the skirt 3 is offered up to that free end and the end cap 1 is pushed down over the pipe 2 until the webs 10 bear on the free end 4. Adhesive between the skirt and pipe may be used to provide a firm fixing.

A fitting 9 can then be inserted into the pipe by inserting it into the open end of the pipe 2 through the flange 6, 7 , the inclined free edge 8 acting as a guide for the fitting 9 as it is inserted, and the free edge 8 and the webs 10 also providing a support and guide once the fitting 9 is in place in a close sliding fit with the interior of the pipe 2. The flange 6, 7 and the webs 10 have a length equivalent to the wall thickness of the pipe 2 and thus do not hinder entry of the fitting 9 (Fig 4). The free end 4 of the pipe 2 is thus concealed from external lateral view (arrow "A") in Fig 4, so that a neat external finish is provided.

In a modification, the webs 10 may be omitted in which case the underside of the flange 6, 7 acts as a stop for preventing passage of the end cap along the pipe 2, beyond the free edge 4.

Claims

CLAIR

1. An end cap for a free end of a tubular member, comprising a body adapted to be mounted on and to conceal the free end from lateral view from the exterior.

2. An end cap according to Claim 1, the body comprising a skirt adapted for relative sliding engagement with the tubular member and stop means adapted for preventing further relative sliding member by engaging in use the end of the tubular member.

3. An end cap according to Claim 2, the stop means comprising an inwardly directed flange.

4. An end cap according to Claim 3, the flange acting as a guide means for a member inserted into the tubular member.

5. An end cap according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, the flange comr prising an intermediate part inclined with respect to the skirt and a a part which is at substantially right angles to the length of the skirt.

6. An end cap according to Claim 5, including means to support the flange.

7. An end cap according to Claim 6, the means comprising a plurality of spaced apart webs extending between the flange and the skirt.

8. An end cap according to any preceding Claim, made in one piece from plastic material.

9. An end cap for a free end of a tubular member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. An assembly of a tubular member and a member mounted thereon at a free end of the tubular member, including an end cap according to any preceding Claim mounted on the free end of the tubular member whereby to conceal the free end from lateral view from the exterior.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10, the flange of the end cap bearing on the external surface of the inserted member.

12. An assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.