GB2349685A

GB2349685A - Radiator valve with rotational seal that enables rotation of radiator away from wall

Info

Publication number: GB2349685A
Application number: GB0009564A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Hickey
Original assignee: H P ROTA VALVE SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: H P ROTA VALVE SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-21
Filing date: 2000-04-19
Publication date: 2000-11-08
Also published as: GB0009564D0

Abstract

A radiator valve (10) connects to a heating system at threads (13) and to a radiator (2, Fig. 1) at threads (17). The valve (10) includes a rotational seal formed from a tubular plug with termination (19) and resilient sealing 'O'-rings (20). The plug is inserted in socket (14) and is secured by nut (23). The radiator (2, Fig. 1) may be rotated away from the wall while maintaining the integrity of the seal.

Description

"A radiator valve" The invention relates to a radiator valve, and more generally, to a connector for connecting a radiator to a heating system.

At present, one of the major problems faced by decorators is that of decorating behind radiators.

One approach is to just do one's best to paint or paper as far as possible behind the side edges of the radiator. This is awkward, and the results are unsatisfactory.

Another approach is to engage the services of a plumber and have the system drained before disconnecting radiators from the system pipework. This allows full access to the wall, but is very expensive and time-consuming.

A still further approach is the use a jet of gas at a very low temperature to freeze the water in the system feed and return pipes close to the radiator. The radiator may then be removed for a short time duration while taldng care to ensure water in the radiator does not leak out. This approach is again expensive and time-consuming.

There is therefor a need for a radiator connector which allows a radiator to be moved for decoration of the wall in a simple, quick and inexpensive manner.

According to the invention, there is provided a radiator connector comprising means for connection to a radiator and means for connection to a heating system, wherein the connector comprises a rotational seal to allow rotation of a radiator while maintaining seal integrity.

In one embodiment, the rotational seal comprises a tubular plug inserted in a socket and a resilient sealing ring in contact with an external surface of the plug and with an internal surface of the socket.

In one embodiment, the sealing ring has a substantially O-shaped cross-sectional shape.

In another embodiment, the rotational seal comprises a plurality of sealing rings.

In one embodiment, the rotational seal further comprises a fastening nut retained on the plug and engaging router threads on the socket.

In another embodiment, the fastening nut is held on the plug by a retaining ring.

A further embodiment, the rotational seal is located between the radiator connection means and the heating system connection means.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a valve assembly between the socket and the heating system connection means.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a radiator assembly comprising a radiator connector as defined above, and a teleasable radiator support bracket comprising means for releasably supporting a radiator in an upright position alongside a wall.

In one embodiment, the support bracket comprise a downwardly-depending hook and means for sliding between a lower position engaging a radiator and an upper position at which the radiator is free to rotate away fxom a wall.

In one embodiment, the radiator assembly further comprises a connector support bracket comprising means for fastening to a wall or floor and means for supporting the radiator connector.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a radiator connector coupler comprising :- means for connection to a radiator, and a rotational seal plug comprising a tube termination, a resilient sealing ring fitting tightly around the tube, and a nut held on the tube termination and having internal threads.

In one embodiment, the plug comprises a plurality of resilient sealing rings.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 is perspective view from above showing a radiator supported by a radiator support assembly at a position away from a wall to allow painting of the wall ; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the radiator at an outermost position lying on a floor ; Fig. 3 is a front view of a radiator valve and support bracket of the assembly; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic end view showing rotation of a radiator; Figs. 5 and 6 are front views showing the radiator valve before and after insertion of a rotational seal plug into a socket ; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a coupler of the valve.

Referring to the drawings, a radiator support assembly 1 supports a radiator 2. The assembly 1 comprises two sliding brackets 3 having downwardly-depending hooks for engaging fixed brackets 5 welded to the radiator 2. The sliding brackets 3 comprise vertical slots 7 which allow them to slide down for engagement with the e radiator and to slide up to release it.

The assembly 1 also comprises a pair of support brackets 6, each secured to the wall by screws and having a seat to support a radiator valve 10, in turn supporting the radiator 2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valves 10 are each connected on one side to a heating system and on the other to the radiator 2, and allow the radiator 2 to rotate away from the wall when released by the sliding brackets 3. No adjustment of the valves is required and integrity of the seals is maintained. Thus, the wall area behind the radiator 2 may be very easily accessed for purposes such as cleaning, painting, or plastering.

Refening to Figs. 3 and 4, each valve 10 comprises a valve assembly having an adjustment knob 11, and a main body 12 housing a valve member (not shown).

The main body 12 comprises threads 13 for connection to the heating system, and an externally-threaded socket 14 for connection to a coupler 15. The coupler 15 in tum connects to the radiator 2. The latter connection is by way of external threads 17 which engage with corresponding internal threads of the radiator 2. A fixed hexagonal head 18 is provided for this purpose.

On the opposite side, the coupler 15 comprises a plug for connection to the socket 14. The plug comprises a tube termination 19 around which are two tight fitting rubber 0-rings. The plug also comprises a stainless steel retainer ring 21 of circular cross-section retained within a corresponding grove 22 in the tube termination 19.

The ring 22 in turn retains a nut 23 around the tube termination 19.

In use, the sliding brackets 3 and the fixed brackets 6 are secured to a wall. The valves 10 are connecte to the heating system at the threads 13, and to the radiator 2 at the threads 17. These connections are made with the coupler 15 separated from the socket 14. The coupler 15 is then pushed into the socket 14 so that the two 0rings 20 form a tight seal between the tube termination 19 and the socket 14, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. The nut 23 is then rotated to engage the external threads of the socket 14 to secure a rotational seal.

At some subsequent time when it is desired to access the wall surface behind the radiator 2, the sliding brackets 3 are lifted, and the radiator 2 is simply rotated away from the wall while integrity of the rotational seal is maintained. It may be held by an arm as shown in Fig. 1 or it may be fully rotated away from the wall to lie on the floor as shown in Fig. 2. When access to the wall is no longer required, the radiator 2 is rotated back into position and the sliding brackets 3 are re-engaged and the nuts 23 are tightened.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention avoids the need for draining the heating system or using specialised equipment for freezing the water in the system. The radiator may be moved away from the wall without any particular skill or equipment being required. This has been achieved without a need for complex fittings or any additional difficulty during installation. This is very advantageous.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments descnbed but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the claims. For example, the invention comprises any radiator connector which connects with a radiator and a heating system and provides a rotational seal, with or without a valve assembly. Also, the radiator connector may comprise only a coupler comprising a plug for insertion in a sleeve of a conventional valve assembly to complete the rotational seal. Also, the rotational seal need not necessarily be located between the ends of the radiator connector and may instead be incorporated in the means for connection to the heating system or the means for connection to the radiator.

Claims

GlaiBBs 1. A radiator connector comprising means for connection to a radiator and means for connection to a heating system, wherein the connector comprises a rotational seal to allow rotation of a radiator while maintaining seal integrity.
2. A radiator connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotational seal comprises a tubular plug inserted in a socket and a resilient sealing ring in contact with an external surface of the plug and with an internal surface of the socket.
3. A radiator connector as claimed in daim 2, wherein the sealing ring has a substantially -shaped cross-sectional shape.
4. A radiator connector as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the rotational seal comprises a plurality of sealing rings.
5. A radiator connector as claimed in any of daims 2 to 4, wherein the rotational seal further comprises a fastening nut retained on the plug and engaging router threads on the socket.
6. A radiator connector as daimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening nut is held on the plug by a retaining ring.
7. A radiator connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rotational seal is located between the radiator connection means and the heating system connection means.
8. A radiator connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connector further comprises a valve assembly between the socket and the heating system connection means.
9. A radiator connector substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
10. A radiator support assembly comprising a radiator connector as claimed in any preceding daim, and a releasable radiator support bracket comprising means for releasably supporting a radiator in an upright position alongside a wall.
11. A radiator support assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support bracket comprise a downwardly-depending hook and means for sliding between a lower position engaging a radiator and an upper position at which the radiator is free to rotate away from a wall.
12. A radiator support assembly as claimed in claims 10 or 11, further comprising a connector support bracket comprising means for fastening to a wall or floor and means fbr supporting the radiator connector.
13. A radiator support assembly substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
14. A radiator connector coupler comprising : means for connection to a radiator, and a rotational seal plug comprising a tube termination, a resilient sealing ring fitting tightly around the tube, and a nut held on the tube termination and having intemal threads.
15. A radiator connector coupler as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plug comprises a plurality of resilient sealing rings.