GB2294754A

GB2294754A - Radiator coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2294754A
Application number: GB9422011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Balvinderjit Singh Nagi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-01
Filing date: 1994-11-01
Publication date: 1996-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-01
Also published as: GB9422011D0; GB2294754B

Abstract

A coupling 11 for a panel radiator is designed to fit onto a fluid coupling spigot 10 of the radiator. In the case of a threaded spigot a nut 11A having a flange 11B is tightened onto the spigot and clamps a flange 11D on the end of a tubular portion 11c of the coupling. In this way the coupling can be rotated about the axis of the spigot to any desired position before locking in position by tightening the nut. Alternatively a tubular portion integral with the tubular portion 11C may replace the nut. In this instance a grub screw is used to clamp the coupling on to the spigot and an O-ring for sealing may be provided between the spigot and connector. A single connector may include two tubular portions 11C and corresponding nuts or integral tubular portions. Such a coupling is used to connect together two single radiator panels to make a double radiator and this connector may also be oriented as required before locking with the grub screws or nuts (see figure 3). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN RADIATORS This invention relates to radiators and more particularly, but not solely, to hotwater radiators for central heating systems.

Many standard radiators comprise a hollow rectangular ribbed panel with connecting bores extending through each corner of the panel with the axes of the bores extending parallel to the bottom and top longitudinal edges of the panel and in the plane of the panel. In a double-panel radiator the bores extend in the plane midway between the two panels which are welded together by tie bars. The bores are plugged if they are not to be used or provided with suitable threaded connectors if they are to be connected to pipes or valves. Painting between the panels of a double-panel radiator is inconvenient and/or very difficult.

The present invention aims to provide an improvement whereby the disadvantages of existing radiators can be avoided or largely overcome.

According to the invention, there is provided a radiator comprising a panel with a plurality of connecting bores wherein the axes of said bores extend sideways in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panel, one or more of the bores being provided with rotatable pipe-connecting means.

Preferably, the pipe-connecting means is rotatable through 360" before being locked in a position for a pipe to be connected thereto.

Constructional embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a single-panel radiator according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B are enlarged views of pipe-connecting means of the radiator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end elevation of a double-panel radiator according to the present invention; Figure 4 is an edge view of a radiator support bracket; Figure 5 is an end elevation of the double-panel radiator shown in Figure 3 but showing additional linkages.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the radiator shown in Figure 5; and Figures 7A to 7E show pipe connections possible with a radiator according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, a radiator comprises a panel 8 with convector fins 9 and connecting bores 10. The panel is substantially rectangular and has a bore at each of its corners with the axis of each bore extending perpendicularly from the plane of the panel.

As shown in Figure 2A, the bore 10 is externally screw-threaded and onto the bore there is screwed an internally screw-threaded pipe connecting means 11.

The pipe connecting means comprises a cylindrical portion 11A with the internal screw threading and an annular end plate 11B. The connecting means further comprises a tube 11C having an annular end plate 11D within the cylindrical portion 11A, the tube extending from the annular end plate 11B to a tapping which may, for example, be one half inch (12mm) or three-quarters of an inch (2cm) for pipes of a corresponding size to be connected thereto by usual plumbing methods such as compression fit.The cylindrical portion 11A is screwed onto the bore and the plate 11D of the tube llC rotated relative to the plate 11B of the cylindrical portion 11A until the tapping is in the required orientation depending upon the direction a pipe 12 is to extend when connected thereto. The cylindrical portion 11A is then tightened onto the bore so that the end plates are locked together. Suitable washers, plumbers white or seals may be used to prevent leakage.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2B, the tube is integral with the cylindrical portion 11A which is provided with a grub screw 11E. The cylindrical portion 11A is a push fit onto the bore 10 and rotatable thereon to the desired orientation whereupon the grub screw is tightened to lock the cylindrical portion 11A in position. An O-ring (not shown) is inserted between the bore and cylindrical portion 1 1A to provide a watertight fit.

As shown in Figure 3, a double-panel radiator can be formed from two identical radiator panels 8 and 18 in back-to-back relationship. The panels are connected together by means of connecting means 21 each having two cylindrical portions 11A for connection to both panels. The connecting means may be of the type shown in Figure 2A or the type shown in Figure 2B.

Figure 4 shows a wall-mounting bracket 19 for supporting one of the panels and thus the whole radiator.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, additional linkages 13 may be provided for connecting together the two panels 8 and 18 of the double-panel radiator.

By means of the present invention it is possible to manufacture a single type of radiator panel which may be used as a single-panel or double-panel radiator. The arrangement enables pipes to be connected to the radiators in many directions as shown by Figures 7A to 7F. Bores which are not used for pipes are plugged or provided with vents.

Double-panel radiators according to the invention can readily be taken apart for cleaning, maintenance and/or painting. Further, if in the case of a double-panel radiator, one of the panels should leak, it is only necessary to replace one of the panels and not the whole radiator.

Moreover, the pipe connecting means may be connected to the radiator panels by any suitable means and the invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Claims

1. Improvements in radiators Claimed by way of connecting means which allows construction of double radiators from single radiators with 360 degree rotatable connection for pipe work.

2. Improvements in radiators as claimed in Claim 1 where a double radiator can be formed from two identical radiator panels in back-to-back- relationship by using any suitable type of connecting means,as shown in Figure 3

3. Improvements in radiators as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 where the pipe -connecting means is rotatable through 360 degrees before being locked in a position for a pipe to be connected thereto (as shown in Fig 2A /2B & Fig 3) for a single or double panel radiators.