GB2486535A

GB2486535A - Fill valve unit

Info

Publication number: GB2486535A
Application number: GB201120759A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Dudley
Original assignee: Thomas Dudley Ltd
Current assignee: Thomas Dudley Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-17
Filing date: 2011-12-02
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-02
Also published as: GB201120759D0; GB2486535B; GB201021402D0

Abstract

A valve unit (1 figure 1) for a sanitary ware item, such as a toilet cistern, that has an inlet tube 2 with an external thread (20 figure 1), a flange (21 figure 1) and an adaptor 3 having an internal thread 30, a flange 31 and a spigot 32. The inlet tube 2 is designed to extend, in use, through a hole in a wall of the sanitary ware item with the adaptor 3 engaged with it such that the wall of the sanity ware item is secured between the flange (21 figure 1) of the inlet tube 2 and the flange 31 of the adaptor 3. The spigot portion 32 extends away from the wall to enable connection of the valve unit (1 figure 1) with a supply pipe. Later embodiments relate to a kit of parts for assembly into said valve unit.

Description

FILL VALVE UNIT

This invention relates generally to fill valve units and particularly to a fill valve unit for sanitary ware item. More specifically, this invention relates to fill valve units for toilet cisterns.

Float operated fill valves for cistern tanks are well known. One type of float operated fill valve includes an inlet tube with an externally threaded end and a flange that cooperates with an associated locking nut with an internal thread. In use, the threaded end of the inlet tube is inserted through a hole in a wall of the cistern tank with the flange located on the inside of the tank and the nut is subsequently threaded onto the inlet tube and tightened to secure the fill valve in place. A supply pipe is then connected, typically using a brass connector, to the portion of the threaded end of the inlet tube that extends outwardly from the wall of the cistern tank. This type of fill valve is generally secured to a base wall of the cistern tank.

Another type of float operated fill valve includes an inlet tube having a flange adjacent but spaced from its free end, which flange includes holes through its thickness for receiving fasteners that secure the inlet tube to a side wall of the cistern tank. In use, the free end of the inlet tube is inserted through a hole in the side wall of the cistern tank and the flange is then secured tot the sidewall using fasteners. A supply pipe is then connected to the free end of the inlet tube that extends outwardly from the wall of the cistern tank using a push fit connector.

One aspect of the invention provides a valve unit, for example a fill valve unit, e.g. for a sanitary ware item such as a toilet cistern, the unit comprising an inlet tube with an externally threaded portion, a flange and an adaptor, the adaptor including an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion, wherein the inlet tube is configured to extend, in use, through a hole in a wall of a sanitary ware item with the adaptor threadedly engaged therewith such that the wall is secured between the flange of the inlet tube and the flange portion of the adaptor with the spigot portion extending away from the wall for connection with a supply pipe.

A second aspect of the invention provides an adaptor, e.g. for use in or with a valve unit according to the first aspect of the invention, the adaptor comprising an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion, wherein the internal thread is configured to cooperate with an external thread of an inlet tube of a valve unit to secure, in use, the valve unit to a wall of a sanitary ware item with the spigot portion extending away from the wall for connection with a supply pipe.

The adaptor may further comprise a body portion, e.g. that extends from the flange portion, which body portion may be hollow and/or may comprise at least part of the internal thread. In some embodiments, the flange portion and/or the body portion comprise the internal thread. The spigot portion preferably extends from the body portion and/or extends beyond the externally threaded portion of the inlet tube. The spigot portion may be hollow and/or may be configured to receive a portion, e.g. an end portion, of the inlet tube, for example wherein the inlet tube includes an extension that may be configured or arranged for a push fit connection with a supply pipe.

The spigot portion may comprise an external thread and/or may comprise similar or the same external dimensions and/or thread dimensions as the end portion or threaded portion of the inlet tube, e.g. thereby providing an extension or threaded extension to the inlet tube. The thread of the spigot portion is preferably configured to cooperate with a corresponding thread, e.g. internal thread, of a connector of the supply pipe.

Additionally or alternatively, the spigot portion may be configured or arranged to cooperate, in use, with a push fit connector of or connected to the supply pipe. For example, the spigot portion may comprise a substantially smooth surface, e.g. outer and/or circumferential surface. The surface may be tapered, for example to progressively increase the interference, in use, between the spigot portion and the push fit connector as the spigot is inserted into the connector or vice versa.

The spigot portion may comprise a sealing means, such as a seal, e.g. that sealingly engages the supply pipe or connector of or connected to the supply pipe. In some embodiments, the spigot portion comprises an 0-ring seal, which may be received in a groove, e.g. on a or the outer and/or circumferential surface of the spigot portion. In other embodiments, the sealing means is incorporated in the connector or supply pipe to which the unit is to be connected. The spigot portion may comprise an engaging feature such as a groove or depression, for example where it is arranged for a push fit connection.

The flange portion and/or the body portion and/or the spigot portion may be formed integrally, for example moulded integrally or machined from a single part. One or more, for example two or more, e.g. all, of the flange portion and/or body portion and/or spigot portion may comprise or be formed of a plastics material or metal, for example brass, copper or stainless steel.

The valve unit may further comprise an actuator, for example an actuation lever, which may be pivotally connected, e.g. at or adjacent a first of its ends, to the valve unit and/or may comprise or be connected to a float, e.g. at or adjacent a second or the other of its ends. The first end of the actuation lever may be configured or arranged to operate the valve unit, e.g. thereby selectively preventing or allowing water to flow into the sanitary ware item or cistern. The float may comprise a hollow body, e.g. with an open bottom, io which may be connected or formed integrally with a shaft having engaging features, e.g. a thread or external thread. The float may be adjustably connected to the actuation lever, for example by the engaging features, e.g. such that the position of the float, e.g. from the base of the sanitary ware item or cistern, may be altered adjustably.

A third aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for assembly into a valve unit, e.g. according to the first embodiment of the invention, the kit comprising a valve unit and an adaptor, the valve unit having an inlet tube with an externally threaded portion and a flange, the adaptor including an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion. The adaptor may comprise a first adaptor and/or the kit may further comprise a second adaptor. The second adaptor may comprise an internal thread, a flange portion and/or a spigot portion. The spigot portion of the first adaptor may comprise an external thread, e.g. as described above. The spigot portion of the second adaptor may be configured or arranged to cooperate, in use, with a push fit connector of or connected to the supply pipe, e.g. as described above. The spigot portion of the first and/or second adaptor may comprise a sealing means, e.g. as described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a valve unit according to a first embodiment of the invention with the adaptor omitted; Figure 2 is a section view of the threaded portion of the inlet tube of the valve unit of Figure 1 with a conventional nut thereon; Figure 3 is a section view similar to that of Figure 2 with the conventional nut replaced with a first adaptor according to the invention; Figure 4 is a section view similar to that of Figures 2 and 3 with a second adaptor according to the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a valve unit according to a second embodiment of the invention with the adaptor omitted; Figure 6 is a section view of the threaded portion of the inlet tube of the valve unit of Figure 5 with a conventional nut thereon; and Figure 7 is a section view similar to that of Figure 6 with the conventional nut replaced with an adaptor according to the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a fill valve unit 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention for use in a toilet cistern (not shown). The unit 1 includes a valve 10, an inlet tube 2 with an externally threaded portion 20, a flange 21, a conventional nut 22 a first adaptor 3 and a second adaptor 4. The first adaptor 3 includes an internal thread 30, a flange portion 31, a spigot portion 32 and a body portion 33 between the flange portion 31 and the spigot portion 32, wherein all portions 30, 31, 32, 33 are moulded integrally of a plastics material. Similarly, the second adaptor 4 includes an internal thread 40, a flange portion 41, a spigot portion 42 and a body portion 43 between the flange portion 41 and the spigot portion 42, wherein all portions 40, 41, 42, 43 are moulded integrally of a plastics material. The valve unit 1 according to the first embodiment may be provided with one or both adaptors 3, 4 and/or in kit form.

The unit 1 includes an actuator 11 in the form of an actuation lever 12 pivotally connected adjacent a first of its ends to the valve 10 and a float 13 at a second of its ends 14. The first end of the actuation lever 12 is configured to operate the valve 10 to selectively prevent or allow water to flow into the cistern (not shown). The float 13 includes a hollow open bottomed body 15 that is formed integrally with a threaded shaft 16 that cooperate with engaging features of the second end 14 of the actuation lever 12 for adjusting the position of the float from the base of the cistern.

The flange portion 31, body portion 33 and a spigot portion 32 of the first adaptor 3 are all hollow with a stepped hole through the length of the first adaptor 3. A first part of the stepped hole extends through the flange portion 31 and the body portion 33 and carries the internal thread 30. A second part 34 of the stepped hole is smaller in diameter than the first, threaded part, extends through the spigot portion 32 and functions as a continuation of the inlet tube 2. The spigot portion 32 of the first adaptor 3 includes an external thread 35 that corresponds substantially in size and external dimensions to the externally threaded portion 20 of the inlet tube 2 and functions as an extension of the externally threaded portion of the inlet tube 2 configured for a threaded connection with a supply pipe (not shown). The body portion 33 includes an externally facing hexagonal formation 36 immediately below the flange portion 31 that is used to tighten the first adaptor 3 with a wrench or like tool (not shown). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this arrangement may be configured such that the threaded spigot portion 32 is positioned at a predetermined distance form the base of the cistern regardless of the thickness of the base wall of the cistern (not shown). This predetermined distance is dependent upon the length of the adaptor and will be beneficial in cases where the connection between the supply pipe and inlet tube is fixed, for example where the supply pipework is rigidly fixed relative to the position of cistern base.

The flange portion 41, body portion 43 and a spigot portion 42 of the second adaptor 4 are also hollow with a stepped hole through the length of the first adaptor 4. A first part of the stepped hole extends through the flange portion 41 and the body portion 43 and carries the internal thread 40. A second part 44 of the stepped hole is smaller in diameter than the first, threaded part, extends through the spigot portion 42 and functions as a continuation of the inlet tube 2. The spigot portion 42 of the second adaptor 4 includes a smooth external circumferential surface 45 that functions as an extension of the inlet tube 2 configured for a push fit connection with a supply pipe (not shown). The body portion 43 also includes an externally facing hexagonal formation 46 immediately below the flange portion 41 that is used to tighten the second adaptor 4 with a wrench or like tool (not shown).

In use, the threaded portion 20 of the inlet tube 2 is inserted through a hole (not shown) in the base wall (not shown) of a cistern (not shown) with the adaptor 3, 4 threadedly engaged therewith such that the wall (not shown) is secured between the flange 21 of the inlet tube 2 and the flange portion 31, 41 of the adaptor 3, 4 with the spigot portion 32, 42 extending away from the wall (not shown) for connection with a supply pipe (not shown).

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, there is shown a fill valve unit 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention for use in a toilet cistern (not shown). The unit 100 is similar to the unit 1 according to the first embodiment, wherein like references depict like features that will not be described in any further detail. The unit 100 according to this embodiment differs from the valve 1 according to the first embodiment in that the end of the inlet tube 102 includes a push fit portion 121 beyond the externally threaded portion 120. Such a unit 100 may be provided where a push fit connection is required in place of a threaded connection. As a result of this difference, the adaptor 103 includes a body portion 133 that is shorter than the body portion 33 of the adaptor 3 according to the first embodiment and a spigot portion 132 that is longer than the spigot portion 32 of the adaptor 3 according to the first embodiment. The spigot portion 132 in this embodiment also receives the push fit portion 121 of the inlet tube 102 and extends beyond the push fit portion 121 and is configured for a threaded connection with a supply pipe (not shown).

The valve unit 100 according to the second embodiment may also be provided in kit form.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sanitary ware item may comprise a bath or other item, i.e. it need not be a cistern. The valve unit 1 may also be configured for connecting to the hole in a side wall (not shown) of the sanitary ware item or cistern (not shown). The first and/or second adaptors 3, 4 may comprise or be formed of or machined from a metal, for example brass, which may be particularly advantageous in the case of the first adaptor 3 where the connector (not shown) for connecting the inlet tube 2 to the supply pipe (not shown) comprises or is formed of a copper or brass material.

Moreover, the outer surface of the spigot portion 42 of the second adaptor according to the first embodiment of the invention may be tapered, for example to progressively increase the interference, in use, between the spigot portion 42 and the push fit connector (not shown) as the spigot portion 42 is inserted into the connector (not shown) or vice versa. The spigot portion 42 may include a sealing means (not shown), such as a seal, e.g. that sealingly engages the supply pipe (not shown) or connector thereof (not shown).

The spigot portion 42 may include an 0-ring seal (not shown), which may be received in a groove (not shown) on the outer circumferential surface 45 of the spigot portion 42.

Additionally or alternatively, the spigot portion 42 may comprise an engaging feature such as a groove or depression (not shown).

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A valve unit for a sanitary ware item, comprising an inlet tube with an externally threaded portion, a flange and an adaptor, the adaptor including an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion, wherein the inlet tube is configured to extend, in use, through a hole in a wall of a sanitary ware item with the adaptor threadedly engaged therewith such that the wall is secured between the flange of the inlet tube and the flange portion of the adaptor with the spigot portion extending away from the wall for connection with a supply pipe.
2. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow body portion that extends from the flange portion and comprises at least part of the internal thread.
3. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange portion comprises at least a portion of the internal thread.
4. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spigot portion extends from the body portion and extends beyond the externally threaded portion of the inlet tube and is configured to receive a portion of the inlet tube.
5. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 4, wherein the spigot portion comprises an external thread that is configured to cooperate with a corresponding thread of a connector for a supply pipe.
6. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 4, wherein the spigot portion is configured to cooperate with a push fit connector for a supply pipe.
7. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claim 6, wherein the surface of the spigot portion is tapered to progressively increase the interference, in use, between the spigot portion and the push fit connector as the spigot is inserted into the connector.
8. An adaptor for a valve unit according to claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the spigot portion comprises a seal for sealingly engaging the connector of a supply pipe.
9. An adaptor for a valve unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the components are formed integrally.
10. A valve unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a fill valve.
11. A valve unit according to claim 10, further comprising an actuator which is used to prevent or allow water to flow into the sanitary ware item.
12. A valve unit according to claim 11, wherein the actuator is pivotally connected at a first of its ends to the valve unit and comprises a float at a second of its ends and io wherein the first end of the actuator is configured to operate the valve unit, thereby selectively preventing or allowing water to flow into the sanitary ware item.
13. A valve unit according to claim 12, wherein the float comprises a hollow body which is connected with a shaft having engaging features and wherein the float is adjustably connected to the actuator such that, in use, the position of the float relative to the base of the sanitary ware item may be altered.
14. An adaptor for a valve unit, comprising an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion, wherein the internal thread is configured to cooperate with an external thread of an inlet tube of the valve unit to secure, in use, the valve unit to a wall of a sanitary ware item with the spigot portion extending away from the wall for connection with a supply pipe.
15. A kit of parts for assembly into a valve unit, comprising a valve unit and an adaptor, the valve unit having an inlet tube with an externally threaded portion and a flange, the adaptor including an internal thread, a flange portion and a spigot portion.
16. A kit of parts according to claim 15, wherein the adaptor comprises a first adaptor and the kit comprises a second adaptor.
17. A valve unit substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 5.
18. An adaptor for a valve unit substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7.
19. A kit of parts for assembly into a valve unit substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.