GB2505921A

GB2505921A - A device for use with a hose arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2505921A
Application number: GB201216461A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Scrafton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2014-03-19
Also published as: GB201216461D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose (20), the device (1) comprising an inner portion (2) fittable around the hose (20), wherein the inner portion (2) is securable to the hose (20) by at least one fastening means (21).

Description

Device This invention relates to fittings for hoses.

In the design of domestic bathrooms space is often at a premium and so compact bathroom design that makes economical use of the available floor space is increasing popular and necessary. In such compact bathroom designs, shower attachments, in particular those fitted to bath taps, are often placed close to a WC, thereby enabling the shower head to be placed below the rim of the WC pan. This introduces the risk that backtlow through the shower head could allow contaminated water from the WC to enter the plumbing system, and hence enter the water supply, in particular that used for cooking and drinking. This risk is highlighted in the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) -Prevention of the Risk of Backflow in the Design of Domestic Bathrooms.

It is possible to prevent the above situation by considering this problem at the design stage.

However, redesign of an existing bathroom to overcome this risk is usually not possible.

One option to overcome this risk is to fix a restraining device, for example a retaining ring, to a bathroom wall such that the shower hose passes through the device, hence limiting the reach of the shower hose. However, this approach requires the restraining device to be permanently fixed to a wall which, in bathrooms, often involves drilling holes through tiles.

This is both inconvenient and damaging to the existing bathroom furnishings.

Another alternative is to modify the shower hose itself by introducing an additional hose portion adapted to restrict the movement of the hose. However, this option requires permanent alteration of the existing shower hose to allow an additional hose portion to be inserted. This approach typically results in the movement of the shower hose being greatly limited, often more than is necessary to overcome the risk of back flow, as well as being inconvenient to fit and requiring irreversible damage to be made to the existing shower hose.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems associated with prior art devices.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose, the device comprising an inner portion fittable around the hose, wherein the inner portion is securable to the hose by at least one fastening means.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of fitting a device to a hose of a hose arrangement, the method comprising the steps of: a. placing the inner portion around a hose, b. securing the device to the hose by at least one fastening means.

Preferably the inner portion is formed of a flexible material. Preferably the material is sufficiently flexible such that the fastening means may compress the inner portion of the device towards the hose. Preferably when secured to the hose, the inner portion presses against the wall of the hose.

Preferably, when secured to the hose, movement of the device along the hose is prevented or substantially reduced. This may preferably be achieved by tightly securing the inner portion to the hose by tightening the fastening means. Where the device is tightly secured to the hose, ingress of moisture and dirt between the device and the hose is prevented or substantially reduced. This arrangement also inhibits removal of the device by a user.

Advantageously, fine adjustment of the position of the device may be made when securing the device to the hose. When fitted to a shower hose, this provides the maximum freedom of movement of the hose whilst ensuring the shower head cannot come into contact with contaminated water.

Alternatively the device may be loosely secured to the hose such that movement of the device along the hose is not prevented or reduced.

Preferably the fastening means is an adjustable fastening means. Optionally the fastening means is a jubilee clip, which is commonly available. Preferably a single fastening means is required to secure the device to the hose.

Preferably the inner portion further comprises a waist portion such that the at least one fastening means may occupy the waist portion.

The device has the advantage of being simple to fit to a hose.

Typically, a hose, in particular a shower hose, comprises at least one enlarged portion.

Preferably the or each enlarged portion is formed at the end of the hose. Preferably the hose comprises an enlarged portion at each end. More preferably the enlarged portion is shaped as a truncated cone.

The inner portion preferably comprises a bore such that the hose may pass through the bore. When not secured to the hose, the bore is preferably sufficiently large such that it may pass over the enlarged portion of the hose. When secured to the hose, the bore is preferably insufficiently large to enable the device to pass over the enlarged portion of the hose. Therefore, once secured to the hose, the device may not be removed by sliding the device over the end of the hose. This arrangement also enables the device to be retrofitted to an existing hose arrangement, for example, a shower hose of a fitted shower unit.

Preferably the device further comprises an outer portion.

In the case where the hose arrangement, for example a shower unit, further comprises a retaining portion, preferably a retaining ring, the outer portion is preferably sufficiently large to prevent the device passing through the retaining portion.

In the case where the device is tightly secured to the hose such that movement of the device along the hose is prevented or substantially reduced, the device being unable to pass through the retaining portion reduces the range to which the hose may extend. When the device is positioned appropriately, this prevents the movement of the hose beyond a desired range, thus, in the case of a shower hose, ensuring the shower head does not come into contact with contaminated water.

In the case where the device is either tightly or loosely secured to the hose, the device is prevented from passing through the retaining ring and also prevented from passing over the enlarged portion of the hose, therefore the hose cannot be unthreaded from the retaining ring, and so the range of the hose cannot be extended by the user.

When at rest, in other words when not subjected to any external forces, the outer portion is preferably substantially spherical in shape.

Preferably the outer portion is hollow.

Preferably, the outer portion comprises at least two apertures. More preferably the outer portion comprises two apertures. Most preferably the apertures are positioned substantially diametrically opposite one another. Optionally one aperture is larger than the other aperture.

Preferably the device is configurable in more than one arrangement. More preferably the device is configurable in two arrangements.

Preferably the device is configurable in an open arrangement such that at least part of the inner portion is exposed by the outer portion. In such an arrangement, the outer portion is preferably spherical in shape. Preferably the length of the inner portion is less than the diameter of the spherical outer portion.

Preferably the device is configurable in a closed arrangement such that the outer portion encloses at least part of the inner portion. In such an arrangement, the outer portion is preferably deformed to assume a part-torus shape, more preferably, the part-torus shape is formed about the inner portion.

Preferably when in a closed arrangement, the fastening means is enclosed by the outer portion. This has the advantage of ensuring that no sharp edges are exposed. This is particularly important for safety in a bathroom environment.

More preferably the outer portion is resiliently biased in one of the open or closed arrangements.

Preferably the device further comprises at least one lip such that the outer portion abuts the at least one lip when in the closed arrangement. More preferably the at least one lip forms part of the inner portion.

Optionally the device comprises one lip. Alternatively the device comprises two lips. The device may comprise more than two lips, for example, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

In the preferred embodiment in which the outer portion comprises two apertures, preferably the device comprises two lips. Preferably one lip is correspondingly larger than the other lip, for instance in the preferred embodiment in which one aperture is larger than the other aperture, Preferably the outer portion is sealed to the or each lip, optionally by means of a silicon sealant. Sealing between the outer portion and the lip makes removal of device difficult and therefore, in particular in the case of fitting the device to a shower hose, ensures water safety regulations are complied with. The sealing also prevents or substantially reduces ingress of moisture and dirt into the device. This is particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of rusting of the fastening means where a metal fastening means is used.

Optionally, the device is formed of a one piece extrusion. Alternatively the device is formed of a two part construction, preferably a two piece extrusion. Therefore the device can be manufactured simply and easily at low cost. Alternatively, the device may be formed of more than two parts, for example, 3, 4, 5 016 parts.

In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises indicia and/or surface features such that, when fitted to the hose, misalignment of the hose, for example twisting, may be readily identified. The twisting of shower hoses is a common cause of shower faults, in particular in relation to electric showers, accordingly identification of an misalignment of the hose is important in preventing damage to the shower. This is particularly advantageous in the case where more than one device is secured to the hose, for example two devices, such that the indicia and/or surface features of the devices may be lined-up, thereby enabling misalignment of the hose to be readily identified.

S

Preferably such indicia and/or surface features are formed on the outer portion of the device.

Optionally, such indicia or surface features may be ink markings, stickers, indents, projections, or other means of identifying a portion of the device, and hence its orientation.

Preferably the inner and outer portions are formed of a rubber material. More preferably a silicon based rubber.

Optionally the device is further provided with bristles lining all or part of the bore of the inner portion. Where movement of the device is possible along the hose these bristles perform a cleaning function thereby preventing the build-up of dirt on the outer surface of the hose.

Optionally, in use more than one device may be used, preferably two devices. Optionally more than two devices are used, for example, 3, 4, 5 or 6 devices may be used. This enables further limitation of the movement of the shower hose. Where the device is fitted to a shower hose this ensures the shower head cannot come into contact with contaminated water. This has the advantage of ensuring compliance with WRAS regulations.

Optionally the device may be retrofitted to the hose of an existing hose arrangement, for example a fitted shower unit. Alternatively the device may be fitted to a hose during the installation of a hose arrangement, for example, a shower unit.

Optionally the device may be manufactured in a mid to dark grey or mid blue colour. This has the advantage of making the device more visible to partially sighted or visually impaired users. Shower heads and hoses are often mostly white or chrome in colouring which can be very difficult for visually impaired users to identify. Accordingly, when fitted to a shower hose, the device can provide the user with a focal point positioned just below the shower head grip. This is particularly beneficial where the shower unit is mounted on a white or light

coloured background.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a device for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose and a retaining portion comprising an aperture, the device comprising: * an inner portion tillable around the hose, wherein the inner portion is securable to the hose by at least one fastening means, and * an outer portion arranged such that the outer portion is sufficiently large to prevent the device passing through the aperture of the retaining portion.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a device for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose, the hose comprising at least one enlarged portion, the device comprising an inner portion fittable around the hose, wherein the inner portion is securable to the hose by at least one fastening means such that, when secured to the hose, the device cannot move along the hose beyond the position of the at least one enlarged portion.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a device for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose, the hose arrangement fitted to a wall via a rail, the device comprising: * an inner portion fittable around the hose, wherein the inner portion is securable to the hose by at least one fastening means! and * an outer portion arranged such that the outer portion is sufficiently large to prevent the device passing between the rail and the wall.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a device for use with a hose arrangement comprising a hose, the device comprising a substantially C-shaped portion comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are provided with at least one fastening means and/or at least one receiving means such that a pair of devices may be fitted around the hose and secured by engagement of the at least one fastening means with the at least one receiving means.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood! a preferred embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows side view of a device according to the invention in a closed orientation; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig.1; Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in an open arrangement; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 being fitted to a shower hose; and Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 when fitted to a shower hose.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 there is shown a device 1 comprising an inner portion 2 and an outer portion 3.

The inner portion 2 is shaped as a spool comprising a central body 9, a first lip 8 and a second lip 7. The first lip 8 projects from the first end 5 of the central body 9 and the second lip 7 projects from the second end 4 of the central body 9. A bore 6 extends through the length of the central body 9 from the first end 5 to the second end 4.

When the open orientation, as shown in Fig. 4, the outer portion 3 is in its rest position and is substantially spherical in shape. The outer portion 3 is hollow and comprises a first aperture and a second aperture 11, such that the first and second apertures are positioned at substantially opposite poles of the sphere. The first and second apertures 10 and 11 are substantially circular in shape and slightly larger in size than the outer circumference of the central body 9.

The outer portion 3 is coupled to the inner portion at the first end 5 of the central body 9. In a preferred embodiment, the inner 2 and outer 3 portions are cast as a one piece extrusion coupled together at the first end 5 of the central body.

The outer portion 3 is arranged such that the first aperture 10 is positioned around the central body 9. The first lip 8 protrudes into the hollow region of the outer portion 3. The first 8 and second lip 7 retain the outer portion 3 in position around the central body 9.

When the device 1 is in the closed orientation, as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3, the outer portion 3 is arranged such that the central body 9 of the inner portion 2 is enclosed within the volume of the outer portion 3. The length of the inner portion 2 from the first end 5 to the second end 4 is less that the diameter of the spherical outer portion 3 when at lest, accordingly, the outer portion 3 is deformed to form a pad-torus shape about the inner portion 2 when the device 1 is in the closed orientation.

The outer portion 3 is arranged such that the first aperture 10 and the second aperture 11 are positioned around the central body 9 of the inner portion 2. The outer portion 3 is resiliently biased to remain in a spherical shape at rest, accordingly the region of the outer portion 3 adjacent the first aperture 10 abuts the first lip 8 of the central body 9, similarly the region of the outer portion 3 adjacent the second aperture 11 abuts the second lip 7 of the central body 9, thereby retaining the outer portion 3 in place about the inner portion 2.

This arrangement creates a seal at the points where the inner 2 and outer 3 portions meet.

Therefore, the entry of moisture and/or dirt into the inner volume 12 of the device 1, formed between the inner 2 and outer 3 portions, is prevented or substantially reduced.

In use the device 1 is secured to a shower hose 20 of a shower unit as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The shower unit comprises a shower hose 20, a riser rail 23 and a retaining ring or riser ring 22. The shower hose 20 comprises a cone 24 at each end of the hose 20, the first of which is shown in Fig. 5. The first cone 24 secures the shower hose 20 to a shower head (not shown). The second cone (not shown) secures the shower hose 20 to the shower wall fitment (not shown).

The cone 24 is passed through the bore 6 of the inner portion 2. A portion of the shower hose 20 is also passed through the bore 6. The diameter of the bore 6 is larger than the largest diameter of the cone 24 therefore allowing the cone 24 to pass through the bore 6.

The cone 24 and shower hose 20 may be passed through the bore 6 when the device 1 is in either the open or closed orientations. Preferably the device 1 is in a closed orientation for this step.

Assuming the device is in a closed orientation, once positioned around the shower hose 20, the device 1 is moved from its closed orientation to its open orientation. The outer portion 3 is rolled along the shower hose 20 such that the outer portion 3 is inverted. As shown in Fig. 5, to achieve this, the second aperture 11 is stretched to allow it to pass over the first lip 8 and the outer portion 3. Once inverted, the outer portion 3 is at rest and therefore reverts to a spherical shape.

In the open orientation, the central body 9 of the majority of the inner portion 2 is exposed and is secured in place on the shower hose 20 by means of a clip 21 fastened around the central body 9. Preferably the clip 21 is an adjustable clip such as a jubilee clip. The clip 21 is secured tightly such that movement of the device 1 along the hose 20 is prevented or at least substantially reduced. However, the clip 21 is not secured so tightly as to cause damage to the shower hose 20.

The device 1 is secured in a desired position along the shower hose 20, in particular, at a position which prevents the shower hose 20 reaching to areas containing contaminated water, while at the same time allowing the greatest freedom of movement.

Once secured in position, the device 1 is moved from its open orientation to its closed orientation by rolling the outer portion 3 back along the shower hose and reversing the process described above.

In the closed orientation the region of the outer portion 3 adjacent the second aperture 11 abuts the second lip 7 of the central body 9. At this join, the inner portion 2 and the outer portion 3 may be sealed, for example, by means of a silicon sealant. This would further prevent ingress of moisture and/or dirt into the inner volume 12 of the device 1. This has the advantage of reducing the risk of damage to the clip 21, for example, rusting. Sealing the device 1 also results in the device 1 being more difficult to remove from the hose 20.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the diameter of the device 1 when in the closed orientation is sufficiently large to prevent the device 1 passing through the retaining ring 22 of the shower unit. This ensures that the device 1 cannot be unthreaded through the retaining ring 22 and also reduces the range of movement of the shower hose 20. Either or both of these features reduces the range of movement of the shower hose 20 and serves to ensure the shower head does not come into contact with contaminated water.

In an alternative method of use, the device 1 is fastened to the hose 20 sufficiently tightly to prevent the device 1 passing back over the cone 24, but not so tightly to prevent movement of the device 1 along the hose 20. This use ensures that the device 1 cannot be unthreaded through the retaining ring 22 which, in certain bathroom designs, will be sufficient to prevent the shower head coming into contact with contaminated water, whilst still permitting the maximum freedom of movement of the hose 20.

Optionally, more than one device 1 may be fitted to a shower hose 20. This may be beneficial in further refining the permitted movement of the shower hose 20. For example, two devices 1 may be secured to the shower hose 20, one secured in a position above the retaining ring 22 and one secured in a position below the retaining ring 22.

The outer surface of the outer portion 3 is provided with an indent 30. Where more than one device 1 is employed, the indents 30 of each device are positioned in an identifiable arrangement, for example, a straight line, such that the alignment of the shower hose 20 is marked. Accordingly, it is easily visible to the user if and when the shower hose 20 becomes twisted. The hose 20 may then be untwisted by the user, thereby preventing damage to the hose 20.

In a further alternative use, in particular in the case where the shower unit does not comprise a retaining ring, the hose is passed between the riser rail 23 and the bathroom wall. The device 1 is then positioned between the shower wall fitment and the riser rail 23. thereby restricting the range of the hose 20. The device 1 may be secured tightly to the hose 20, or loosely, dependent on the bathroom design and the restriction of the hose 20 required to prevent the shower head coming into contact with contaminated water. The device 1 is however secured sufficiently tightly to prevent the device being passed over the first or second cone at the end of the hose 20.

Although described with reference to a shower unit, use of the device with other hose systems is also envisaged.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for use with hose arrangement comprising a hose, the device comprising an inner portion fittable around the hose, wherein the inner portion is securable to the hose by at least one fastening means.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the inner portion is formed of a flexible material.
3. A device according to claim 1 012, wherein the inner portion is compressible by the at least one fastening means.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner portion comprises a bore.
5. A device according to any claim 4, wherein the width of the bore is reduced by compression of the inner portion.
6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inner portion is provided with bristles lining all or part of the bore.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each fastening means is an adjustable fastening means, piefeiably a jubilee clip.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is usable with a single fastening means.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises at least one lip.
10. A device according to claim 19, wherein the at least one lip forms part of the inner portion.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises an outer portion.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the outer portion is substantially spherical in shape when at rest.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the length of the inner portion is less than the diameter of the outer portion when at rest.
14. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the outer portion is substantially hollow.
15. A device according to any of claims 11 to 14. wherein the outer portion is coupled to the inner portion.
16. A device according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the hose arrangement further comprises a retaining portion and wherein the outer portion is sufficiently large to prevent the device passing through the retaining portion.
17. A device according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the device is configurable in a closed arrangement such that the outer portion encloses at least part of the inner portion.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one fastening means is enclosed by the outer portion when in the closed arrangement.
19. A device according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the device is configurable an open arrangement such that at least part of the inner portion is exposed by the outer portion.
20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the outer portion is resiliently biased towards the open and closed arrangements.
21. A device according to any of claims 11 to 20, wherein the outer portion comprises at least two apertures.
22. A device according to claim 21. wherein the at least two apertures are positioned substantially diametrically opposite one another.
23. A device according to any of claims 11 to 22, wherein the outer portion abuts the at least one lip when in a closed arrangement.
24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the outer portion is sealed to the or each lip.preferably by means of a silicon sealant.
25. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is of one piece construction.
26. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises indicia and/or surface features.
27. A device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of fitting a device according to any preceding claim to a hose of a hose arrangement, the method comprising the steps of: a. placing the inner portion around a hose, b. securing the inner portion to the hose by a fastening means.
29. A method of fitting a device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.