GB2256797A

GB2256797A - Sealing device

Info

Publication number: GB2256797A
Application number: GB9217446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Swindells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-25
Filing date: 1992-08-17
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-17
Also published as: GB2256797B; GB2224930B; GB8923946D0; GB8824954D0; GB2224930A; GB9217446D0

Description

1 - Sealing Device The present invention relates to devices for use in

sealing, and in particular to a device for use in sealing around the threaded waste fitting of a washbasin.

A common construction for providing waste drainage from a sink consists of a short length of threaded pipe which is located in a drainage hole in the sink. The pipe is known as a waste fitting or, more commonly, a waste. The top end of the pipe carries a peripheral flange and the lower end is threaded so that a nut can be tightened on to the pipe to grip the body of the sink between the nut and the flange. Further drainage pipes can then be connected to the lower end of the pipe. Problems arise in ensuring that an adequate seal is provided between the waste pipe and the sink, to ensure that water drains properly, rather than leaking out around the waste. Traditional techniques for providing a seal have relied on the use of putty or similar filling materials to close any gaps. These may be supplemented by lead or plastic washers. However, it is a timeconsuming job to achieve a seal, and the degree of skill required is sufficient to prevent many amateurs successfully tackling the tasks.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention 2 - to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in sealing around the waste of a basin, the device having a passage which, in use, is located over a threaded section of the waste, a sealing surface which, in use, bears on thebasin around its outlet, and a second surface which, in use, bears against a nut threaded on the waste, the device being sufficiently resilient to cause the sealing surface to provide a seal against the basin when the threaded nut is tightened against the second surface.

Preferably the sealing surface is substantially frusto-conical. The second surface is preferably substantially annular. The passage is preferably sufficiently large to accommodate a 114 12 (3cm) pipe.

The device is preferably moulded from resilient material, such as a rubber.

Preferably the passage walls which are adjacent to the thread of the waste., in use, carry a fin formed therein, the fin being sufficiently large and sufficiently resilient to conform to the thread, in use, thereby preventing leakage of fluid along the channels formed by the thread. Preferably there are a plurality of fins as aforesaid located at 3 respective circumferential positions. There may be at least three fins as aforesaid. The, or at least one of the fins preferably extends along the whole length of the passage. The fins preferably run longitudinally. The passage walls preferably bear, in use, against the crests of the thread.

The invention also provides a sealing device comprising a block having a passage therethrough for receipt, in use, of a threaded member, the passage walls carrying fins which are sufficiently large resilient to conform to the thread, in use, and thereby prevent leakage of fluid along the channels formed by the thread.

and sufficient1v Preferably there are a plurality of fins as aforesaid located at respective circumferential positions. There may be at least three fins as aforesaid. Preferably the or at least one of the fins extends along the whole length of the passage. The fins preferably run longitudinally. The passage walls preferably bear, in use, against the crests of the thread.

One embodiment of a device according to the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- 4 Fig. 1 is a side view of a device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of a device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a waste prior to installation in a basin; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the waste partially installed by using the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The device 10 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is for use in sealing around the waste of a basin. The device 10 has a passage 12 which, in use, is located over a threaded section of the waste. A sealing surface 14 bears, in use, on the basin around its outlet. A second, lower surface 16 bears, in use, against a nut threaded on the waste pipe. The device 10 is sufficiently resilient to cause the sealing surface 14 to provide a seal against the basin when the threaded nut is tightened against the lower surface 16.

The device 10 is 2 one-piece moulding of a resilient compound such as a rubber. The passage 12 passes through the device 10 coaxially with the sealing surface 14, which is frusto-conical. The lower surface 16 is a relatively - 5 large annular surface transverse to the axis of the passage. A further, relatively small annular surface 18 exists between the sealing surface 14 and the walls of the passage 12.

Three fins 20 are provided on the walls of the passage 12. Each fin 20 runs longitudinally the whole length of the passage 12. The fins 20 are equally spaced around the circumference of the passage 12. The fins 20 are generally triangular in cross section and project sufficiently into the passage 12 to provide a secondary sealing effect to be described below.

The dimensions of the device 10 can be altered according to the proposed use, but a typical use will be for sealing around a pipe of 1.11' (3cm) diameter.

4 Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the use of the device 10 for providing a seal between a waste 22 and the body of a basin 24. The waste 22 is to be mounted in a drainage opening 26 in the basin 24 so that its upper surface 28 lies substantially flush with the inner surface 30 of the basin. The waste 22 has a peripheral flange 32 around its top edge, to rest in the mouth of the opening 26.

The waste 22 has a short, upper unthreaded section 34 6 which locates in the opening 26, and a relatively long lower threaded section 36 which projects down below the basin 24 when the waste 22 is in position. The waste 22 is installed by passing the threaded section 36 down through the opening 26 until the flange 32 rests on the surface 30.

The device 10 is then pushed on to the threaded section 36 from below. and moved up against the outer surface 38 of the basin, to the position shown in Fig. 5. Some degree of force is required to move the device 10 up the threaded section 36 because the dimensions of the passage 12 are preferably such that the passage walls are a tight fit on the crests of the thread carried by the waste 22. Furthermore, the fins 20 project in from the passage walls and are therefore deformed as they move over the thread.

Installation is completed by threading a nut 40 on to the threaded section 36 and tightening this until the sealing surface 14 is pressed tightly against the outer surface 38 around the opening 26. In order to achieve this pressure, the nut 40 is tightened sufficiently to place the device 10 in compression, although it is envisaged that with an appropriate choice of material, adequate pressure may be provided by hand- tightening.

When installed, the pressure between the sealing surface 14 and the outer surface 38 provides a good fluidtight seal around the opening 26 to prevent leakage from the basin around the waste 22. The resilience of the device 10 accommodates any imperfections or distortions of the nominally circular opening 26.

A supplementary seal is provided by the passage walls and the fins 20. Any fluid which does leak between the waste 22 and the opening 26 will be forced to run along the channels formed by the thread on the waste 22, because the walls of the passage 12 are tight against the peaks of the thread. However, the threads will cut in to the fins 20, and these are sufficiently resilient to conform to the shape of the thread so that the channels are blocked by the fins and the seal is thereby completed.

It can be understood from the above that the installation of a waste and the creation of an effective seal is a relatively simple task when the device 10 is used. Many variations and modifications to the device could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although the device shown is circular, it could have other outline according to the outline of a drainage opening with which it is intended for use. The number of fins could be varied, as could the precise form of the sealing surface 14 and the lower surface 16.

- 8 The above Specification refers only to basins, but it will be apparent from the foregoing that the device can also be used to provide a seal around the waste of sinks or other receptacles from which drainage is required. The term "basin" is used herein to encompass such alternatives.

9 -

Claims

1. A sealing device comprising a block having a passage therethrough for receipt, in use, of a threaded member, the passage walls carrying a fin which is sufficiently large and sufficiently resilient to conform to the thread, in use and thereby prevent leakage of fluid along the channels formed by the thread.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a plurality of fins.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the fins are located at respective circumferential positions.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein there are @I least three fins as aforesaid.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or at least one of the fins extends along the whole length of the passage.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or at least one of the fins run longitudinally.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein passage walls bear, in use, against the crests of the thread.

8. A device for use in sealing around the waste of a basin, the device having a passage which, in use, is located over a threaded section of the waste, a sealing surface which, in use, bears on the basin around its outlet, a second surface which, in use, bears against a nut threaded on the waste, the device being sufficiently resilient to cause the sealing surface to provide a seal against the basin when the threaded nut is tightened against the second surface.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the sealing surface is substantially frusto-conical.

10. A device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second surface is substantially annular.

11. A device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the passage is sufficiently large to accommodate a 11" (3 cm) 4 pipe.

12. A device according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the device is moulded from resilient material.

11

13.

rubber.

A device according to claim 12, moulded from

14. A device according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the passage walls which are adjacent, in use, to the thread of the waste carry a fin formed therein, the fin being sufficiently large and sufficiently resilient to conform to the thread, in use, thereby preventing leakage of fluid along the channels formed by the thread.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein there are a plurality of fins as aforesaid located at respective circumferential positions.

16. A device according to claim three fins as aforesaid.

15, comprising at least

17. A device according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the, or at least one of the fins extends along the whole length of the passage.

18. A device according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the or at least one of the fins runs longitudinally.

19. A device according to any of claims 14 to 18, 12 - wherein the passage walls bear, in use, against th crests of the thread.

20. A device substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

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