GB2332923A

GB2332923A - Method of and means for collecting leaks

Info

Publication number: GB2332923A
Application number: GB9900094A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Cox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-05
Filing date: 1999-01-06
Publication date: 1999-07-07
Also published as: GB9900094D0

Abstract

A method of collecting water leaking from, for example, a radiator, comprises locating the leak, providing a lead-in device (4) by means of which the leaking water is fed into a container (1), and discharging the collected water from the container (1) by means of a hosepipe (3). Also disclosed is a method of collecting a leak in or adjacent a generally vertical pipe, which method comprises:- a) locating the leak, b) winding a spiral around the pipe beneath the leak so that water dripping down the pipe is collected by the spiral, and c) arranging for the water collected by the spiral to be discharged via a hosepipe, or via a container, or via a container and a hosepipe.

Description

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR COLLECTING LEAKS Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods of and means for collecting leaks, particularly leaks which occur in mains water pipes in domestic dwellings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of collecting leaks, i.e. water which has leaked from water pipes. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved means for collecting water leaks.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of collecting a leak, said method including providing a container from which collected water can be discharged via a hosepipe, locating the leak, providing a lead-in device by which water is fed from the leak location into the container, and discharging the collected water from the container via the hosepipe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of collecting a leak in or adjacent a generally vertical pipe, which method comprises: a) locating the leak, b) winding a spiral around the pipe beneath the leak so that water dripping down the pipe is collected by the spiral, and c) arranging for the water collected by the spiral to be discharged via a hosepipe, or via a container, or via a container and a hosepipe.

The spiral is preferably produced as a channel-section moulding, which is wound under tension around the pipe beneath a compression joint.

If the leak is in other than a generally vertically extending run of pipe, the lead-in device is preferably in the form of a flexible or other sheet of plastic material which is positioned adjacent the leak so as to direct the water from the leak into the container.

The sheet of plastic material may be provided with releasable fasteners so that it can be attached releasably to a side of the container. The sheet of plastic material can thus be located securely in a position in which it serves effectively to direct drips or leaks into the container.

The container may be provided with supporting legs so that if, for example, there is a leak in a water pipe above a ceiling and water is dripping through the ceiling, the container can be located reasonably close to the ceiling. The supporting legs may be telescopic.

Brief DescriDtion of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of the present invention to a leaking radiator, Figure 2 shows the use of the invention in relation to a leaking "T" joint, Figure 3 shows the use of the invention in relation to a leaking joint in a vertical pipe, Figure 4 is a detail view showing the connection of a hosepipe to a container, Figure 5 shows the use of a spiral leak collector, Figure 6 is a detail view of part of the collector shown in Figure 5, Figure 7 shows a leak collector for collecting water leaking through a roof or ceiling, and Figures 8 and 9 are detail views of parts of the leak collector shown in Figure 7.

DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiments Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the use of a container 1 in collecting a leak. The container 1 is a generally conventional domestic plastic container except that it is formed in one side with a circular opening which receives a connector 2 to enable a hosepipe 3 to be connected to the container 1 so that any water collected in the container 1 can be discharged through the hosepipe 3.

The container 1 is used in conjunction with a flexible sheet 4 of plastic material which, for storage purposes, can be rolled up but, in use, is opened out as shown in the drawings to direct water dripping from a leak in, for example, a central heating radiator, into the container 1. The container 1 and the sheet 4 can be provided with "pop" or other releasable fasteners so that, if desired, the sheet 4 can be attached to a side of the container 1.

Figure 1 shows the container 1 and sheet 3 being used to collect water from a dripping radiator. Figure 2 shows the collection of water dripping from a UT" joint and Figure 3 shows the collection of water dripping from a pipe containing a shut-off valve.

In some situations, it will be desired to collect water dripping from a larger area than indicated in Figures 1 to 3. In such cases, more than one sheet 4 of plastic material may be used to direct the dripping water into the container 1.

In some situations, for example, when there is a leak in a ceiling, it may be desired to position the container 1 close to the leak and spaced from the floor. A stand may accordingly be provided for supporting the container 1 and this stand may be provided with telescopic legs.

Turning next to Figures 5 and 6, these show the use of a spiral leak collector 20 for collecting water dripping from a leak in a pipe 10, or from a compression joint immediately above the length of pipe shown in Figure 5.

The spiral 20 is formed as a plastic moulding and is wound tightly on to the pipe 10. It is of channel-section, as shown in Figure 6, and may be provided at its lower end with a fitting on to which a hosepipe 3 can be connected. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that water drips from the spiral 20 into a container 1 from which it is discharged by a hosepipe 3.

As will be seen, the examples shown in the drawings are effective means for collecting water dripping from leaking water pipes. They are, however, only examples of specific means for putting the present invention into effect.

If the leak is in a roof or ceiling, the arrangement shown in Figures 7 to 9 may be employed. This includes a water collecting device 30 comprising a rectangular horizontal frame connected to four vertical cylindrical sleeves 31. The sleeves 31 are mounted on vertical uprights 32 having castor wheels 33 at their lower ends.

The sleeves 31 are fixed to the uprights 32 by means of clamps 34 so that vertical adjustment of the height of the water collecting device 30 can be effected.

The water collecting device 30 is formed from plastic sheeting and is shaped to provide a chamber 35 having sloping slides leading to a central discharge outlet to which a hosepipe 36 is connected, the hosepipe 36 leading to a reservoir (not shown) in which the collected water is stored, or to a drain. The plastic sheeting from which the device 30 is formed includes extension flaps 37 which are folded over the sides of the horizontal frame and fixed in position by means of "pop" or like releasable fasteners.

When there is a leak in a roof or ceiling, the structure shown in Figure 7 will be wheeled into the required position, and the height of the collecting device 35 will be adjusted as appropriate, to collect the leak

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of collecting a leak, said method including providing a container from which collected water can be discharged via a hosepipe, providing a lead-in device by which water is fed from the leak location into the container, and discharging the collected water from the container via the hosepipe.

2. A method of collecting a leak in or adjacent a generally vertical pipe, which method comprises: a) locating the leak, b) winding a spiral around the pipe beneath the leak so that water dripping down the pipe is collected by the spiral, and c) arranging for the water collected by the spiral to be discharged via a hosepipe, or via a container, or via a container and a hosepipe.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the spiral is a channel-section plastic moulding.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the spiral is wound under tension around the pipe beneath a compression joint.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the lead-in device is in the form of a flexible or other sheet of plastic material which is positioned adjacent the leak so as to direct the water from the leak into the container.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, in which the sheet of plastic material is provided with releasable fasteners so that it can be attached releasably to a side of the container.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the container is provided with supporting legs.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the legs are telescopic.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the lead-in device comprises a generally horizontal framework on which plastic sheeting is mounted.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9, in which the plastic sheeting is so shaped as to define a chamber having sloping sides leading to a central discharge outlet connected by a pipe to the container.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 9, in which the horizontal framework is connected at its four corners to vertical cylindrical support elements.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11, in which the vertical cylindrical support elements are mounted on vertical uprights which serve as support elements for the framework.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, in which the vertical uprights are provided at their lower ends with castor wheels.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which the vertical uprights are telescopic.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 14, in which the cylindrical support elements are adjustably mounted on the uprights.

16. A method of collecting a leak substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Means for collecting a leak substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.