GB2407138A

GB2407138A - Water supply installations

Info

Publication number: GB2407138A
Application number: GB0322829A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Paul Sansum; Andrew Philip Dawson
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-30
Also published as: GB2407138B; GB0322829D0

Abstract

A connector assembly 5 for connecting a water supply pipe 1 to an ablutionary appliance through an aperture 3 in a panel 2a has a hollow body member 6 with an inlet end 6a for connection to the supply pipe 1 and an outlet end 6b for connection to the appliance. The outlet end 6b is radially offset relative to the inlet end 6a whereby the body member 6 can be rotated to position the outlet end 6b for connection to the appliance. A bracket member 7 is mounted on the inlet end 6a body member 6 and is angularly and/or axially adjustable to position the bracket member 7 for securing to the panel 2a.

Description

2407 1 38

WATER SUPPLY INSTALLATIONS

This invention relates to water supply installations. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to water supply installations for ablutionary appliances such as mixing valves for showers, baths, taps and to parts and fittings for such installations.

It is common practice in the UK to conceal water supply pipes for ablutionary appliances in a cavity wall or behind a closure panel and to connect the appliance to the supply pipe through an opening in the wall or panel that is covered by a trim plate.

A problem with this type of installation is that the supply pipe is not secured within the cavity or other concealed location and can move about.

As a result, connections to an ablutionary appliance are made more difficult because the end of the supply pipe does not provide a secure, stable connection point.

This can be a particular problem for installation of mixing valves having separate inlets for connection to supplies of hot and cold water. The inlets are normally provided with a fixed spacing therebetween, usually 150mm, and the incoming supplies have to be aligned with the inlets for connection in a fluid tight manner. Movement of the supply pipes can make it difficult to achieve a satisfactory connection, especially if, as often occurs, the spacing between the supply pipes is different to the spacing of the inlets.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the foregoing problems.

Thus, the invention seeks to provide a connector assembly for connecting a water supply pipe to an ablutionary appliance.

More especially, the invention seeks to provide a connector assembly for securing to a water supply pipe to provide a secure, stable point of connection for an ablutionary appliance.

These and other objects, benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of exemplary embodiments.

According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a connector assembly for connecting a fluid supply pipe to an ablutionary appliance, the connector assembly comprising a hollow body member providing a passageway for fluid and a bracket member for attaching to a mounting surface, the body member having an inlet end for connection to the fluid supply pipe and an outlet end for connection to the ablutionary appliance, and the bracket member and body member having mating screw threads whereby the bracket member can be adjusted relative to the body member for securing the bracket member to the mounting surface.

By this invention, the fluid supply pipe is secured to provide a stable point of connection for an ablutionary appliance by attaching the body member to the supply pipe and securing the bracket member to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be the outer surface of a cavity wall in which the supply pipe is concealed. Alternatively, the mounting surface may be the outer surface of a closure panel behind which the supply pipe is concealed.

The inlet end of the body member may be provided with an external screw thread co-operable with a union nut to connect the inlet end to the supply pipe.

The bracket member may be mounted on the screw thread so as to be rotatable relative to the body member for adjusting the axial and/or angular position of the bracket member.

In a preferred arrangement, the bracket member comprises a base plate with a tubular boss extending from one side in which the inlet end of the body member is received.

Preferably, the base plate is secured to the mounting surface by fastening means such as a screw inserted through a hole offset from the boss.

The inlet end and the outlet end of the hollow body may be aligned axially. Alternatively, the outlet end may be offset radially relative to the inlet end such that the angular position of the outlet end relative to the connection to the supply pipe can be adjusted.

Preferably a trim plate is provided for concealing the bracket member.

The trim plate may be attached to the body member. For example the outlet end may be provided with an external screw thread for connection to the ablutionary appliance and the trim plate may have a mating screw thread co-operable with the external screw thread on the outlet end.

According to another aspect of the present invention we provide a method of providing a stable connection to a fluid supply pipe comprising providing a hollow body member having an inlet end and an outlet end, connecting the inlet end to a fluid supply pipe, and securing the hollow body member to a mounting surface by means of a bracket member coupled to the body member.

Preferably, the body member and bracket member have mating co- operable screw threads by means of which the bracket member is rotatable relative to the body member for adjusting the position of the bracket member.

According to yet another aspect of the invention we provide an ablutionary installation comprising a mixing valve have inlets for hot and cold water, and a respective connector assembly for connecting each inlet to a water supply pipe, each connector assembly having an inlet end for connection to the fluid supply pipe and an outlet end for connection to the associated inlet of the mixing valve, and a mounting bracket located between the inlet end and the outlet end and connectable to a mounting surface to anchor the connector assembly for connection to the associated inlet of the mixing valve.

Preferably, one or both connector assemblies is/are adjustable to change the spacing between the outlet ends to match the spacing between the inlets of the mixing valve.

According to still another aspect of the present invention we provide means for connecting an ablutionary appliance to a fluid supply pipe through an opening in a panel between the ablutionary appliance and the fluid supply pipe, the connector means comprising a hollow body for connection to the fluid supply pipe and a bracket for securing to the panel on the same side as the ablutionary appliance.

Securing the bracket to the panel anchors the body and provides a stable connection between the supply pipe and the ablutionary appliance. The panel may be a wall, for example, the supply pipe may be concealed in a cavity wall.

The bracket and body may be formed in one piece, for example a plastics moulding. More preferably, the bracket and body are formed separately and are connected together. The bracket and body may have co-operating formations that permit the bracket to be adjusted relative to the body.

The formations may provide axial and/or angular adjustment, for example complementary screw threads. Alternatively, the formations may provide angular adjustment, for example an annular groove engaged by an annular rib.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings wherein: Figure I is a side view, partly in section, of a connector assembly according to the present invention shown connected to a supply pipe concealed within a cavity wall; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front of the connector assembly shown in Figure l; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the concealing rose for the connector assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale of the bracket member shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a rear view of the bracket shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a rear view of the connector assembly and rose; and Figure 8 is a rear view, to an enlarged scale, of the bracket and rose showing the adjustment of the bracket relative to centre line of the body member on installation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a supply pipe 1 for hot or cold water is shown in Figure 1 located within a cavity wall 2. An outlet end la of the supply pipe 1 is turned through 90 and is aligned with a hole 3 in the cavity wall 2. The supply pipe I is not secured within the cavity wall 2 and can move, in particular the outlet end la can move towards and away from the hole 3.

The outlet end la is provided with an internally threaded hexagonal nut 4 for connecting the supply pipe 1 to a connector assembly 5. As shown in Figure 2, the connector assembly 5 comprises a hollow body member 6 and a bracket member 7.

In this embodiment the body member 6 and bracket member 7 are made of brass, for example castings, but it will be understood this is not essential and that other materials, metals or non-metals, may be used for one or both members.

The hollow body member 6 has an inlet end 6a with an external screw thread (not shown) engageable with the nut 4 to attach the body member 6 to the supply pipe 1 in a fluid tight manner.

The hollow body member 6 also has an outlet end 6b for connection to an ablutionary fitting. In this embodiment, the outlet end 6b is offset relative to the inlet end 6a such that the body member 6 can be attached with the outlet end 6b arranged at any selected one of the range of angularly adjusted positions.

The bracket member 7 comprises a base plate 8 of generally oval shape provided with two holes 8a,8b of different diameter. The smaller hole 8a is for passage of a fastener such as a screw (not shown) to attach the bracket member 7 to a mounting surface which in this embodiment is the outer face 2a of the cavity wall 2 as described later.

The larger hole 8b communicates with a cylindrical boss 9 formed integrally with the base plate 8 on one side. The boss 9 has an internal shoulder 9a between the ends and is provided with an internal screw thread 9b at the end remote from the hole 8b.

The bracket 7 is connected to the body member 6 by engagement of the external screw thread on the inlet end 6a of the body member 6 with the internal screw thread 9b of the boss 9. As shown in Figure 2, the bracket member 7 is connected to the body member 6 so that the boss 9 extends from base plate 8 on the side remote from the outlet end 6b of the body member 6.

In use, the bracket member 7 is initially wound as far as possible onto the inlet end 6a of the body member 6 so that the base plate 8 sits higher than the last thread on the inlet end 6a.

The inlet end 6a is then presented to outlet end la of the supply pipe I and secured by tightening the nut 4 on the external thread of the inlet end 6a with the outlet end 6b at the desired angular position for connection to an ablutionary fitting (not shown) as described later.

Where required access to the nut 4 can be obtained by pulling the outlet end 1 a of the supply pipe 1 through the hole 3 in the wall 2.

The bracket member 7 is then rotated through less than one complete turn to position the screw hole 8a within + 45 of the centre line 'CL' of the body member 6 as shown in Figure 8 and with the plate 8 extending below the outlet end 6b of the body member 6 as shown in Figures 2 and 7. The bracket member 7 is secured to the outer face of the wall 2 in this position by passing a screw or other suitable fastener through the hole 8a to engage an appropriate fixing in the wall 2.

A rose 10 is then mounted on the outlet end 6b of the body member 6 to overlie and conceal the bracket member 7 and the connection of the inlet end 6a to the supply pipe 1. For example, the outlet end 6b may be provided with an external screw thread co-operable with a mating internal screw thread on the perimeter of a centre hole 11 in the rose 10 until the outer marginal edge Ida of the rose to seats against the outer face of the wall 2. As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, the diameter of the rose 10 required to cover the base plate 8 is reduced by locating the bracket member 7 to extend approximately in line with the outlet end 6b of the body member 6 with the screw hole 8a within 45 of the centre line CL'. In this way, a compact, neat finish is obtained when the rose 10 is secured in place.

As will now be appreciated, the connector assembly 5 fixes the position of the supply pipe 1 and anchors the outlet end 6b of the hollow body member 6 to provide a stable, secure 'pipe end' for connection to an ablutionary fitting. Moreover, it will be understood that the connector assembly 5 may be employed both for new installations and existing installations. For example, the connector assembly may be retro-fitted to connect concealed pipework to an ablutionary fitting.

Alternatively or additionally, where a connector is employed having an external screw thread at the inlet end for connection to a union nut on the pipe end, the bracket may be provided for mounting on the screw thread to allow the connector to be secured as described above.

The connector assembly 5 above described has particular application for connecting a mixing valve (not shown) to supplies of hot and cold water.

Typically, such valves have inlets for hot and cold water with a fixed spacing therebetween, usually 150mm. By employing two connector assemblies 5 as above described, one for the hot water supply and the other for the cold water supply, the position of the outlet end 6b of each connector assembly 5 can be adjusted to obtain the required spacing for connection to the inlets of the mixing valve thereby simplifying installation by compensating for any variation in the spacing of the supplies from that required.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example, while the method of securing the supply pipe has been described with a connector assembly in which the inlet and outlet ends of the body member are offset for the reasons above explained, it will be understood that the invention has application to a connector assembly in which the inlet and outlet ends are aligned.

It will also be understood that the method of securing the supply pipe has application to installations in which an ablutionary fitting is connected to one or more supply pipes. For example, the supply pipe could deliver mixed water from a mixing valve to a shower head with the connector assembly providing a stable, secure 'pipe end' for connection to the shower head. Other applications and uses of the connector assembly will be apparent to these skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for connecting a fluid supply pipe to an ablutionary appliance, the connector assembly comprising a hollow body member providing a passageway for fluid and a bracket member for attaching to a mounting surface, the body member having an inlet end for connection to the fluid supply pipe and an outlet end for connection to the ablutionary appliance, and the bracket member and body member having co-operating formations whereby the bracket member can be adjusted relative to the body member for securing the bracket member to the mounting surface.

2. A connector assembly according to claim I wherein the co- operating formations comprise mating screw threads for adjusting the axial and/or angular position of the bracket member relative to the body member.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 2 wherein the bracket member is mounted on the inlet end of the body member.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 3 wherein the inlet end of the body member is provided with an external screw thread co-operable with an internal screw thread of the bracket member.

5. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bracket member comprises a base plate with a tubular boss extending from one side in which the inlet end of the body member is received.

6. A connector assembly according to claim 5 wherein the base plate is secured to the mounting surface by fastening means inserted through a hole offset from the boss.

7. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet end and the outlet end of the body member are aligned axi ally.

8. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the outlet end of the body member is offset radially relative to the inlet end.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein the bracket member extends radially from the inlet end on the same side as the outlet end.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the bracket member is rotatable relative to the inlet end to adjust the angular position of the bracket member relative to a centre-line through the inlet end and outlet end of the body member.

11. A connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the bracket member is adjustable through an angle of 45 to either side of the centre line.

12. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a trim plate is provided for concealing the bracket member.

13. A connector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the trim plate is attached to the body member.

14. A connector assembly according to claim 13 wherein the outlet end of the body member is provided with an external screw thread co-operable with an internal screw thread of the trim plate.

15. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of providing a stable connection to a fluid supply pipe comprising providing a hollow body member having an inlet end and an outlet end, connecting the inlet end to a fluid supply pipe, and securing the body member to a mounting surface by means of a bracket member coupled to the body member, wherein the bracket member is adjustable relative to the body member.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the bracket member is rotatable relative to the body member for adjusting the position of the bracket member.

18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the outlet end is radially offset relative to the inlet end and the body member is rotatable relative to the fluid supply pipe to position the outlet end for connection to an ablutionary appliance.

19. A method of providing a stable connection to a fluid supply pipe substantially as hereinbefore describecl with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. An ablutionary installation comprising a mixing valve have inlets for hot and cold water, and a respective connector assembly for connecting each inlet to a water supply pipe, each connector assembly having an inlet end for connection to the fluid supply pipe and an outlet end for connection to the associated inlet of the mixing valve, and a mounting bracket located between the inlet end and the outlet end and connectable to a mounting surface to anchor the connector assembly for connection to the associated inlet of the mixing valve, wherein one or both connector assemblies is/are adjustable to change the spacing between the outlet ends to match the spacing between the inlets of the mixing valve.