GB2296300A

GB2296300A - Pipe or plug in socket connection assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2296300A
Application number: GB9525491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Davidson
Original assignee: WESTCO BUILDING COMPONENTS Ltd
Current assignee: WESTCO BUILDING COMPONENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-14
Filing date: 1995-12-14
Publication date: 1996-06-26
Also published as: GB2296300A8; GB9525491D0

Abstract

The assembly comprises a stepped socket 2 adapted to receive the end of a pipe or plug 4, the pipe or plug 4 having a circumferential rib 36, and a locator 20 being provided about the pipe or plug 4 which is insertable into the socket 2 to engage the circumferential rib 36 and thereby prevent removal of the pipe or plug 4 from the socket 2. The locator 20 has a radial rib 26 which either springs into an annular socket groove 20 to prevent removal or is pressed outwardly into the groove by a separate retainer sleeve 24 to enable subsequent disconnection. The socket 2 can be in a central heating radiator, T-piece or elbow, and the pipe 4 can be a valve connection piece. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION PIPE CONNECTION SYSTEMS The present invention relates to pipe connection systems, and in particular, but not exclusively, to pipe connections systems for plumbing installations.

In a plumbing installation such as the connection of a control valve to a radiator several expensive compounds and tools are required to connect the tail piece of a valve to the radiator, for example tailpieces, boss white and hemp also various tile piece spanners of varying designs and sizes. This can be a time consuming process, especially in an area of restricted space.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe connection system which overcomes or alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe connection system comprising a stepped socket to receive the end of a pipe, a radially projecting component on and adjacent the end of the pipe, a locator around the pipe insertable into the socket to engage the radially projecting component and means to secure the locator in position.

This has the advantage that the pipe connection system is a snap-fit connection which can be assembled quickly without the need of tools or expensive components such as screwed threads.

Preferably, the radially projecting component comprises a circumferential ridge on the pipe. This has the advantage that the ridge provides a simple means to prevent removal of the pipe from the socket once the locator is in place.

Preferably an O-ring is located about the periphery of the pipe, the O-ring provides an additional seal to the system.

The securing means may provide for a permanent connection and comprise an inwardly deformable rib on the locator adapted to engage in a circumferential groove in the socket.

The securing means may provide for a demountable connect ion and comprise a rib on the locator adapted to engage in a circumferential groove in the socket when flexed outwardly by insertion of an annular retainer between the outer end of the locator and the pipe.

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a snapfit pipe connection system in which a permanent connection of a pipe in the socket is provided and which is constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a pipe connection system in which a demountable connection of the pipe in a socket is provided and which is constructed in accordance with second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a partial schematic view of the locator used for the demountable connection illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partial schematic view of the retainer used in conjunction with the locator of Fig.

3; Fig. 5 is an exploded view with the retainer, locator and socket shown in cross-section of the use of the pipe connection system of Figs 1 and 2 as a quickdress air vent for a radiator; Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 illustrating the use of the pipe connection system in a plug arrangement; Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 illustrating the use of the pipe connection system in a valve and radiator connection; Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 illustrating the use of the pipe connection system in a plastic 'T'; and Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 illustrating use in a plastic elbow.

In each of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 to 2 the pipe connection system comprises a socket 2 and a pipe 4. The socket 2 is internally stepped to have a portion of enlarged bore 6 and a portion of reduced bore 8. The end of the pipe 4 is adapted to locate in the portion of reduced bore 8 of the socket 2.

In the first embodiment, as illustrated in Fig.

1, the pipe 4 has a circumferential rib 36 adjacent its end. An 0-ring 12 is provided about the pipe 4 adjacent the rib 36. An annular locator 14 surrounding the pipe 4 can be pushed into the portion of enlarged bore 6 of the socket 2 to retain the pipe 34 in the socket 2 by acting on the rib 36. The 0ring 12 forms a seal. The locator 14 is secured in position by a circumferential rib 16 which locates in a circumferential groove 18 in the periphery of the enlarged bore portion 6 of the socket 2.

The arrangement of Fig. 1 provides for a permanent connection of the pipe 4 in the socket 2 since the circumferential rib 16 deforms inwardly as the locator 14 is inserted and then springs outwardly into the groove 18.

In the second embodiment of the pipe fitting illustrated in Fig. 2, like components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the locator 20 is internally stepped to have a portion of enlarged bore 22. An annular retainer 24 is inserted about the pipe 4 into the portion of enlarged bore 22 thereby flexing the locator 20 outwardly to engage the circumferential rib 26 of the locator 20 with the groove 28 of the socket 2.

The locator 20, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, is provided with a peripheral shoulder 30 having a retainer release groove 32 in its surface. The annular retainer 24, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, is also provided with a peripheral shoulder 34 which in use at least partially overlaps the shoulder 30. In order to remove the retainer 24 from its position in the locator 20 a screwdriver or bladed implement can be inserted into the release groove 32 to lift the retainer 24 from the portion of enlarged bore 22 of the locator 20 thereby releasing the rib 26 out of the groove 28 and thereby providing a demountable connection of the pipe 4 and socket 2.

Figs. 5 to 9 illustrate various examples of use of the pipe connection system. In Figs. 5 to 7 the socket forms a radiator connection collar. In Fig. 5 the pipe is an air vent 36. In Fig. 6 the pipe is a plug 38. In Fig. 7 the pipe has connection means 40 for connection to a radiator valve 42. In Fig. 8 the socket is part of a plastic 'T' 44. In Fig. 9 the socket is part of a plastic elbow 46.

Although Figs 5 to 7 illustrate the use of the demountable pipe connection system of Fig. 2 the pipe connection system of Fig. 1 could be used.

The locator could be made of plastics. This would allow the required flexibility when snap-fitting the system together. The retainer could be made of steel.

The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and uses. Further numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pipe connection system comprising a stepped socket to receive the end of a pipe, a radially projecting component on and adjacent said end of the pipe, a locator around the pipe insertable into the socket to engage the radially projecting component and means to secure the locator in position.

2. A pipe connection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially projecting component comprises a circumferential ridge on the pipe.

3. A pipe connection system as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein an O-ring is located about the periphery of the pipe.

4. A pipe connection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means comprises a rib and a circumferential groove, the rib being adapted to engage in the groove.

5. A pipe connection system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rib is a deformable rib.

6. A pipe connection system as claimed in claim 4 or in claim 5, wherein the rib is provided on the locator and the groove is provided in the socket.

7. A pipe connection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means comprises an annular retainer which is insertable between the locator and the pipe.

8. A pipe connection system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retainer has means for removing the retainer from between the locator and the pipe.

9. A pipe connection system as claimed in any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the retainer is made of steel.

10. A pipe connection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator is made of plastics.

11. A pipe connection system constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.