GB2440811A

GB2440811A - Waste outlet for a shower

Info

Publication number: GB2440811A
Application number: GB0714782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Kenneth Mcalpine
Original assignee: McAlpine and Co Ltd
Current assignee: McAlpine and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-28
Filing date: 2007-07-30
Publication date: 2008-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-30
Also published as: US20080022455A1; GB0614987D0; GB2440811B; GB0714782D0

Abstract

A waste outlet for a shower comprises a body 12 adapted to be located in a shower tray outlet. The body 12 defines a throughbore 30, and a trough 32 surrounding a flow opening. In use the flow of water from the trough and into the flow opening facilitates elimination of the air core which occurs in conventional outlets thereby allowing siphonic drainage to occur which permits water to be discharged at a faster rate.

Description

1 2440811

WASTE OUTLET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a waste outlet for a plumbing fixture, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a waste outlet fitting for a shower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent trends in shower design have led to an increasing provision of "power" showers and "hydro-massage" showers. Power showers create a powertul spray of water, generally by utilising a water pump. Hydro-massage showers employ multiple jets to project water towards the user from a number of different locations within the shower cubicle.

Both of these developments give rise to the need for shower outlets capable of handling a greater volume of water than is necessary for a conventional shower.

Conventional shower outlets and waste outlet plumbing may be unable to discharge water as quickly as it is delivered by such showers, with the result that water can build up in the shower tray around a user's feet and potentially overflow out of the shower tray and onto the surrounding area.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a shower outlet which is capable of discharging water at a relatively high rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste outlet for a plumbing fixture, the waste outlet comprising a body adapted to be located in the fixture outlet, the body defining a throughbore, and a portion of the throughbore including a trough surrounding a flow opening.

As water flows through conventional waste outlets, a continuous air core is maintained in the flow, restricting the flow rate through the waste. However, in outlets made in accordance with embodiments of the present invention the presence of the trough facilities creation of a siphonic drainage condition, providing relatively high discharge rates, without increasing the flow area. Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the flow of water from the trough and into the flow opening facilitates elimination of the air core, permitting a siphonic drainage condition to be established.

The trough may be a circumferential trough.

The flow opening may be located centrally of the throughbore.

The trough is U-shaped, but may take another form.

An inner wall of the trough may define at least a part of a sidewall of the opening. The sidewall of the opening may be substantially axially aligned with the main throughbore axis.

The waste outlet may be adapted to be connected to a waste pipe. In one embodiment the waste outlet body is arranged to receive an end of a waste pipe. In this embodiment, the sidewall of the opening may be adapted to be substantially aligned with the internal surface of the pipe to provide a substantially continuous surface. In alternative embodiments, the body is arranged to be received within an end of a waste pipe, or to abut an end of a waste pipe. In these alternative embodiments, the wall of the opening may be substantially aligned with an internal surface of the waste pipe, to form a substantially continuous surface. It is believed that such a substantially continuous surface assists in the establishment of maintenance of a siphonic flow condition.

The body may comprise a polymeric material, such as ABS or PVC.

The body may be a unitary component, and may be adapted to be injection moulded as a unitary component.

In other embodiments, the trough or opening may be defined, at least in part, by a member, such as a spigot, located in the body, and the body may be a multi-part assembly.

The waste outlet fitting may include a grid. A grid is provided to act as a filter, particularly for hair.

The grid may be removable to facilitate cleaning.

The waste outlet fitting includes a cover for location over an inlet to the throughbore. The cover may also act as a filter. In one embodiment, the cover may act as a coarse filter and a grid provided below the cover may act as a fine filter. The cover may have a decorative appearance and provide a support surface for a user. The cover may define openings or perforations or may be in the form of an open grid or mesh. The cover may define a continuous edge portion. An edge portion of the cover may be spaced from the body to permit water to flow between the cover and the body, or the cover and body may be otherwise formed to facilitate flow of water from the fitting through, around or under the cover.

The waste fitting may include a mounting flange transverse to the throughbore. The waste fitting may be securable to a shower outlet by sandwiching a portion of the shower outlet between the underside of the mounting flange and another element of the fitting. The other element may take the form of a removable collar, the collar being releasably attachable to an outer surface of the body.

The other element may be releasably attachable to the outer surface of the element of the body which defines the flange by a threaded connection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste outlet for a plumbing fixture, the waste outlet comprising: a body adapted to be located in the fixture outlet, the body defining a throughbore; and means for facilitating creation of siphonic flow in water passing through the throughbore.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste outlet for a plumbing fixture for directing waste water from the plumbing fixture to a waste pipe, the waste outlet comprising: a body adapted to be located in the fixture outlet, the body defining a bore through which waste water flows in use; and means for directing part of the flow of waste water radially inwardly to eliminate an air core in the waste water flow.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided waste fitting for a shower outlet, the waste fitting comprising: -a body adapted to be secured in the shower outlet, the body defining a throughbore; and a filter releasably mounted within the throughbore.

The filter may take the form of a grid.

The filter may comprise an annular body surrounding and supporting a filter member.

The filter may be removable via a body inlet, and thus be readily accessible to a user.

The filter is preferably located below a removable cover. The cover may serve as a coarse filter and may serve to conceal the filter, such that material caught by the filter is not normally visible to a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded view a waste outlet fitting according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the waste outlet fitting of Figure 1 in an assembled configuration; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3 -3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a waste outlet fitting according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of the waste outlet fitting of Figure 4 in an assembled configuration; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 6 -6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of the waste outlet fitting according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the waste outlet fitting of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown an exploded view of a waste fitting, generally indicating by reference numeral 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The waste fitting 10 comprises a body 12 adapted to be secured in a shower outlet 50 (Figure 3). The outlet 50 may be provided in the base of a shower tray, a bath or a wet room floor. The waste fitting 10 includes a removable grid 14, which acts as a filter, and a removable decorative apertured stainless steel cover 16.

Referring also to Figure 2 and Figure 3, there is shown a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the waste fitting 10 of Figure 1 in an assembled configuration.

The waste fitting body 12 defines a throughbore 30 and a trough member 32 that extends from a body inner surface 34 into the throughbore 30. The body 12 and the member 32 are injection moulded from ABS of PVC as a unitary component. The member 32 and the inner surface 34 collectively define a trough 36 around the internal circumference of a portion of the throughbore 30, the purpose of which is described below.

The waste fitting outlet 40 is adapted to receive an end of a waste pipe 28. As can be seen from Figure 3, an inner face 44 of the member 32 is substantially axially aligned with an internal surface 46 of the waste pipe 28, to form a substantially continuous surface.

The body inner surface 34 also defines a lip 48 for supporting the filter grid 14.

The fitting 10 is secured within a shower outlet by sandwiching a portion of the shower outlet 50 between a mounting flange 20 radially extending from an upper part of the body and a removable collar 22. The removable collar 22 defines an internal thread, which engages a corresponding external thread on the body 12.

In use, water draining from the shower tray will pass into the throughbore 30. Some of the water will pass straight through the fitting 10 into the waste pipe 28, however some will be caught by the trough 36. Once the trough 36 has filled, the water will overflow into the narrowed section of the throughbore 30 surrounded by the trough 36.

Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the action of the water cascading out of the trough 36 and flowing radially inwardly into the opening surrounded by the trough facilitates the elimination of the air core from the water passing through the bore 30, permitting a siphonic drainage condition to be established.

Once the siphonic condition has been established, greater discharge rates through the shower outlet are achievable compared to a conventional waste outlet of similar cross-sectional area.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to this embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the trough member is shown formed integrally to the waste fitting. It will be understood the member could be manufactured separately and secured within the waste fitting in a separate operation, or retrofitted to an existing waste.

Reference is now made to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, which illustrate a waste outlet fitting 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The fitting 60 comprises a multi- part body and is adapted for location below a shower tray (not shown) and extending through the shower tray drain opening. A stainless steel waste body 62 is adapted to extend down through drain opening, the body including a flange 64 for engaging the upper edge of the drain opening and defining an external thread 66 for adjustably engaging the parts of the body which are adapted to be located on the underside of the shower tray.

The body 62 also accommodates a removable internal strainer 68 comprising a cylindrical wall and a relatively fine grid. The strainer sits on a shoulder formed on the inner wall of the body 62.

A decorative apertured stainless steel cover 70 is removably attached to the upper end of the body 62, the cover concealing the flange 64 and strainer 68. In the illustrated embodiment the edge of the cover lies on the flange 64, but in other embodiments such as described in Figures 7 and 8, the cover 70 may be spaced from the flange 64 such that water may flow into the fitting between the cover edge and the flange.

The elements of the fitting body adapted for location below the shower tray include a well portion 72 having two primary components, a generally circular cover 74 and a dished base 76. The cover 74 includes an internal threaded downwardly extending spigot 78 adapted to cooperate with the external thread 66 formed on the waste body 62, and capable of accommodating shower bases of different thickness.

The base 76 includes a flange 80 including threaded blind bore 82 which allow the cover 74 to be secured to the base 76 using four screws 84. The base 76 defines a central flow opening 86 which accommodates an upwardly extending spigot 88. Thus, a trough 90 surrounds the opening 86.

In use, water will flow through the waste body 62 and the shower tray outlet and into the well portion, the well portion being capable of accommodating a significant volume of water (in the illustrated embodiment the dished base has an internal depth in the region of approximately 75mm and an internal diameter of approximately 280mm) Water will flow directly into the flow opening 86 but will also flow into the trough 90. Once the trough 90 has filled the water will flow over the upper end of the spigot and into the opening 86. As with the first embodiment, it is believed that this flow pattern assists in eliminating the central air core normally present in plumbing fitting wastes, and encourages the creation of a siphon effect, which provides for a significantly greater flow rate of waste water away from the shower tray. In any event, testing has demonstrated that the illustrated outlet configuration provided significantly greater flow rates than conventional outlets.

The illustrated embodiments are suitable for use in applications where a seal or trap may be provided remote from the fitting outlet. In other embodiments, a one-way valve may be incorporated in the fitting.

The present invention is not restricted to a waste outlet featuring a trough, and encompasses other outlets configured to facilitate creation of siphoriic flow conditions. For example, in certain outlets provision of a venturi or other flow area restriction may provide the desired effect. Other arrangements for directing waste water radially inwards in a waste outlet throughbore, and thus eliminating the air core from the flow in the outlet, are also within the scope of the invention.

Those of skill in the art will also recognise that the above described embodiment of the invention provides a waste fitting which has an improved water discharge capability.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A waste outlet for a plumbing fixture, the waste outlet comprising a body adapted to be located in the fixture outlet, the body defining a throughbore, and a portion of the throughbore including a trough surrounding a flow opening.

2. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trough is a circumferential trough.

3. A waste outlet as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the flow opening is axially aligned with the throughbore.

4. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the trough is U-shaped.

5. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a wall of the trough defines at least a part of a wall of the opening.

6. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 5, wherein a sidewall of the opening is substantially axially aligned with the main throughbore axis.

7. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the waste outlet is adapted to be connected to a waste pipe.

8. A waste outlet as claimed in preceding claim 7, wherein a sidewall of the flow opening is adapted to be substantially aligned with an internal surface of the waste pipe.

9. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the trough and opening is defined, at least in part, by a member located in the body.

10. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body throughbore accommodates an internal strainer.

11. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 10, wherein the strainer is adapted to be removable from the throughbore.

12. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, including a cover for location over an inlet to the throughbore, the cover being adapted to permit water to flow into the throughbore.

13. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover is adapted to provide a filter.

14. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cover acts as a coarse filter and a strainer provided below the cover acts as a fine filter.

15. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein an edge portion of the cover may be spaced from the body to permit water to flow between the cover and the body.

16. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an element of the body includes a mounting flange extending transverse to the throughbore.

17. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 16, wherein the waste outlet is securable to a shower outlet by sandwiching a portion of the shower base between the underside of the mounting flange and another element of the outlet for location below the base.

18. A waste outlet as claimed in claim 17, wherein the body elements define corresponding screw threads.

19. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a non-return valve.

20. A waste outlet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body defines a water-receiving volume extending transversely of the throughbore.

21. A waste outlet for a plumbing fixture for directing waste water from the plumbing fixture to a waste pipe, the waste outlet comprising: a body adapted to be located in the fixture outlet, the body defining a bore through which waste water flows in use and having a wall portion configured to direct at least part of the flow of waste water radially inwardly to eliminate an air core in the waste water flow.

22. A waste fitting for a shower outlet, the waste fitting comprising: a body adapted to be secured in the shower outlet, the body defining a throughbore; and a filter releasably mounted within the throughbore.

23. A waste fitting as claimed in claim 22, wherein the filter comprises a grid.

24. A waste fitting as claimed in claim 23, wherein the filter comprises an annular body surrounding and supporting a filter member.

25. A waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the filter is removable via a body inlet.

26. A waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the filter is located below a removable cover.

27. A waste fitting as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cover serves as a coarse filter and serves to conceal the filter, such that material caught by the filter is not normally visible to a user.

28. A waste fitting as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein an edge portion of the cover may be spaced from the body to permit water to flow between the cover and the body.

2g. A waste outlet substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

30. A waste fitting substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.