GB2451339A

GB2451339A - A services conduit passage

Info

Publication number: GB2451339A
Application number: GB0813428A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Mccall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-24
Filing date: 2008-07-23
Publication date: 2009-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-23
Also published as: IE20080610A1; GB0813428D0; GB0714359D0; GB2451339B

Abstract

A device allowing a services conduit 150, such as a pipe or cable, to pass through a double skin wall comprising a first member (fig 1, 12) associated with the first skin and a second member (fig 1, 14) associated with the second skin and the two members being movable relative to each other. The first (fig 1, 12) and second (fig 1, 14) members are fixed relative to the first and second skins respectively. The members engage and form a seal with the first (fig 1, 12) and second (fig 1, 14) members in a sliding relationship which may be vertical. The motion is unidirectional and the members fixed to only allow unidirectional motion. The first member (fig 1, 12) can comprise a passage 118 for a services conduit 150 which is adapted to pass through the first skin. The passage may be cylindrical or rectangular and may be adjustable in length. The passage 118 is adapted to attach to the external surface of the first skin. The passage 118 can define a shroud 186 which is fixed with respect to the passage 118 and grips the services conduit 150 adapted to pass through the shroud 186. The second member (fig 1, 14) is shaped to permit movement relative to the services conduit 150 and may be a slot (fig 1, 24). The second member (fig 1, 14) may comprise a curtain which may be fixed or slidable relative to the second member (fig 1, 14) and comprises two portions which separate and are biased to the closed position. The curtain defines and aperture for the services conduit 150 to pass through it, the services conduit 150 can be adapted to pass through the curtain.

Description

Improved Building Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention related to a device used in the construction of buildings, particularly buildings comprising a double skin wall.

Background to the Invention

Modern buildings are often constructed with a double skin wall, particularly buildings constructed using a timber frame kit. In a timber frame kit construction, there is an inner leaf made from sheeted timber and a brick outer leaf. The cavity between the leaves provides insulation for the building.

Over time buildings are known to settle. If the leaves of the double skin wall are of different materials, as is the case in a timber frame kit wall, one of the leaves can settle more than the other leaf. Differing settlement of the leaves of the construction can cause problems if, for example, a conduit carrying a service such as gas or water passes through the wall. If the settlement is severe it has been known for services conduits to be fractured during the settlement.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall comprising; a first member adapted to be associated with a first skin of a double skin wall, the first member defining a first aperture for receiving a services conduit; a second member adapted to be associated with a second skin of a double skin wall, the second skin defining a second aperture for receiving the services conduit, the first and second members being movable with respect to each other.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a device which permits a services conduit, such as a gas or water pipe, to pass through a double skin wall and relative movement between the skins or leaves can be accommodated by the device without damaging the services conduit.

Preferably, the first member is adapted to be fixed relative to the first skin.

Preferably, the second member is adapted to be fixed relative to the second skin.

Preferably, the first member is engaged with the second member.

Preferably, the first member is sealingly engaged with the second member. Having a seal between the first and second members prevents any leakage of fluid from the conduit entering the cavity between the leaves.

Preferably, the first member and the second member are in a sliding relationship.

Preferably, the first member is adapted to slide uni-directionally with respect to the second member. Generally, when in use, the first member will slide in a vertical direction with respect to the second member.

Preferably, the first member and the second member are engaged such that only uni-directional movement is permitted.

Preferably, the first member comprises a passage for receiving a services conduit.

Preferably, the first member passage is adapted to pass through the first skin of the double skin wall.

Preferably, the passage is cylindrical.

Alternatively, the passage is rectangular.

In one embodiment, the passage is adjustable in length. If the passage is adjustable in length it can be adapted to fit different depths of, for example, stud walls.

Preferably, the passage is adapted to be attached to an external surface of the first skin of the double skin wall.

Preferably, the passage defines a shroud.

Preferably, in use, the services conduit is adapted to pass through the shroud.

In one embodiment the shroud is fixed relative to the passage.

Preferably, the shroud, in use, grips the services conduit.

Preferably, the second member aperture is shaped to permit movement, in use, of the second member relative to the services conduit.

Preferably, the second member aperture is a slot.

Preferably, the second member aperture comprises a curtain.

Preferably, in use, the services conduit is adapted to pass through the curtain.

In one embodiment the curtain is fixed relative to the second member.

In this embodiment the curtain may comprise two curtain portions which separate as the services conduit moves.

Preferably, the curtain portions are biased to a closed position in which the second member aperture is covered.

In an alternative embodiment the curtain is slidably movable with respect to the second member.

In this embodiment the curtain defines a curtain aperture to permit, in use, the services conduit to pass therethrough.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a device for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top, exploded view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top section view of the device of Figure 1 shown in use; Figure 4 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 3 with the inner leaf of the outer skin wall removed; Figure 5 is a top view of a device for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is an end view of part of the device of Figure 5.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference is firstly made to Figure 1, a perspective, exploded view of a device, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2, a top, exploded view of the device 10.

The device 10 comprises a first member 12 adapted to be associated with a first skin of a double skin wall and a second member 14 adapted to be associated with the second skin of a double skin wall.

The first member 12 defines a first aperture 16 which is in communication with a cylindrical passage 18 which extends from a rear surface 20 of the first member. The passage 18 and the aperture 16 are adapted to receive a services conduit (not shown) and allow passage of the services conduit through the first member 12.

The first member also includes a rubber strip seal 22 which surrounds the aperture 16.

The second member 14 defines a slot shaped aperture 24 also adapted to permit the passage of a services conduit therethrough. The second member 14 also defines a pair of backwardly depending wings 26,28 into which the first member 12 can be slid, the wings 26,28 restraining the first member 12 such that the first member 12 is only permitted to slide unidirectionally with respect to the second member 14 in the direction of arrows "A" (see Figure 1).

The second member 14 further comprises fixing holes 30 to permit the device 10 to be attached to the second skin of a double skin wall.

The arrangement of the device 10 in use will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Referring firstly to Figure 3, it can be seen that the first member passage 18 passes through the outer skin 40 of a double skin waD 42. The second member 14 is attached by means of fixings 32 to the inner skin 44 of the double skin wall 42. The fixings 32 engage and attach to the second member apertures 30.

The first member 12 is restrained against the rear surface 34 of the second member 14 by the wings 26,28 which are biased to press against the first member rear surface 20. The pressing action of the wings 26,28 engages the strip seal 22 (not visible in Figure 3) with the second member rear surface 34 forming a seal between, the first and second members 12,14.

Once the device 10 is located as shown in Figure 3, a services conduit 50, in this example a gas pipe, can be passed through the device 10 and the wall 42 from the exterior 60 to the interior 62 of the waIl 42. As the external diameter of the gas pipe 50 is only slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular passage 18 (the gas pipe 50 is shown in broken outline passing through the passage 18) the gas pipe 50 is effectively fixed relative to the first member 12 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of both the gas pipe 50 and the passage 18. In particular in the permitted direction of movement of the first member 12 with respect to the second member 14 (that is in the direction of arrows "A" on Figure 1) Referring particularly to Figure 4, a front view of the device 10 shown located in a wall 42, with the inner leaf 44 removed, as the wall 42 settles, relative movement of the outer leaf 40 with respect to the inner leaf 44 can be accommodated without stress being applied to the gas pipe 50. As the leaves 40,44 settle, the first member 12 and the services conduit 50 will move relative to the second member 14, within the oval slot 24 defined by the second member 14, in the directions of arrows "A".

The seal formed between the first and second members 12,14 by the strip seal 22 (shown in broken outline on Figure 4) prevents any leakage of gas from the pipe 50 entering the cavity 64 (Figure 3) between the inner and outer leaves 40,44. This prevents any build up of gas in the cavity 64.

Reference is now made to Figure 5, a top view of a device 110 for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The device 110 is similar in many respects to the device 10 of the first embodiment with the exception that first member passage 118 is adjustable in length. The passage 118 comprises a first portion 190 and a second portion 192 arranged in a telescopic relationship. The telescopic adjustment facilitates the device 110 accommodating skins 180 of different thicknesses. The passage 118 is cylindrical in section and includes an external flange 182. The flange 182 facilitates attachment of device 110, and particularly the passage second portion 192 to the wall skin 180.

The passage 118 also includes a shroud 186 through which the services conduit 150 passes. Best seen in Figure 6, the shroud 186 is rubber and defines a slot 188 to allow passage of the services conduit 150. The shroud 186 grips the conduit 150 ensuring a neat appearance and providing a barrier to prevent the ingress of dirt or animals into the wall cavity 164.

Various modifications and improvements made be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a curtain could be provided across the second member aperture to improve the appearance of the device.

Claims

Claims I A device for facilitating the passage of a services conduit through a double skin wall comprising; a first member adapted to be associated with a first skin of a double skin wall, the first member defining a first aperture for receiving a services conduit; and a second member adapted to be associated with a second skin of a double skin wall, the second skin defining a second aperture for receiving the services conduit, the first and second members being movable with respect to each other.
2 The device of claim 1, wherein the first member is adapted to be fixed relative to the first skin.
3 The device of either of claims I or 2, wherein the second member is adapted to be fixed relative to the second skin.
4 The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member is engaged with the second member.
The device of claim 4, wherein the first member is sealingly engaged with the second member.
6 The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member and the second member are in a sliding relationship.
7 The device of claim 6, wherein the first member is adapted to slide uni-directionally with respect to the second member.
8 The device of either of claims 6 or 7, wherein when in use, the first member will slide in a vertical direction with respect to the second member.
9 The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member and the second member are engaged such that only uni-directional movement is permitted.
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member comprises a passage for receiving a services conduit.
11 The device of claim 10, wherein the first member passage is adapted to pass through the first skin of the double skin wall.
12 The device of either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the passage is cylindrical.
13 The device of either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the passage is rectangular.
14 The device of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the passage is adjustable in length.
The device of any of claims lOto 14, wherein the passage is adapted to be attached to an external surface of the first skin of the double skin wall.
16 The device of any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the passage defines a shroud.
17 The device of claim 16, wherein in use, the services conduit is adapted to pass through the shroud.
18 The device of either of claims 16 or 17, wherein the shroud is fixed relative to the passage.
19 The device of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the shroud, in use, grips the services conduit.
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the second member aperture is shaped to permit movement, in use, of the second member relative to the services conduit.
21 The device of any preceding claim, wherein the second member aperture is a slot.
22 The device of any preceding claim, wherein the second member aperture comprises a curtain.
23 The device of claim 22, wherein in use, the services conduit is adapted to pass through the curtain.
24 The device of either of claims 22 or 23, wherein the curtain is fixed relative to the second member.
25 The device of any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the curtain may comprise two curtain portions which separate as the services conduit moves.
26 The device of claim 25, wherein the curtain portions are biased to a closed position in which the second member aperture is covered.
27 The device of any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the curtain is slidably movable with respect to the second member.
28 The device of any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the curtain defines a curtain aperture to permit, in use, the services conduit to pass therethrough.