GB2545470A

GB2545470A - Plumbing fixtures

Info

Publication number: GB2545470A
Application number: GB1522320.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jones Oliver; Bumpsteed Austin; Fearnley Karl; Risbey Toby; Lea Ben
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-17
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-17
Also published as: WO2017103566A1; GB2545470B; GB201522320D0; EP3390732A1

Abstract

A mixer valve 1 has a first pair of inlets 8 and a second couple of inlets 10. The spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than the distance between the second pair. One of the first pair of inlets and one of the second pair may be connected to the water supply while the remaining inlets may be provided with blanking plugs 14. The first and/or the second couple of inlets may be adjustable, such that a linear or angular spacing between the first and/or second pair is variable. The inlets may be provided in an adjustable sleeve 16. The valve may include an inlet connector comprising a nipple 20 secured to either pair of inlets. A method of fitting said mixer valve to a pair of water supply pipes is also disclosed. Moreover, a faucet connector for connecting a faucet to a fluid supply is claimed.

Description

PLUMBING FIXTURES

This invention relates to plumbing fixtures and particularly to faucets. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to mixer valves for shower systems.

Typically a shower mixer valve has separate inlets for connection to supplies of hot and cold water and an outlet for connection to a shower head such as a handset or a spray head.

When a shower mixer valve is fitted in a new installation, the location and spacing of the hot and cold water supply pipes can be adjusted and arranged to be suitably spaced for connection to the hot and cold inlets of the mixer valve. However, when replacing a shower mixer valve in an existing installation, problems can arise if the spacing between the hot and cold water supply pipes is not the same as the spacing between the hot and cold inlets of the new valve.

Traditionally, this problem has been addressed by supplying the mixer valve with inlets that can be screwed into bosses on a body of the valve wherein the screw threaded engagement between the inlets and the bosses allows the spacing between the inlets to be adjusted. However, this solution compromises the aesthetic quality of the mixer valve as large bosses need to be added to the body to provide room for threads sufficient to attach and adjust the position of the inlets to the body.

An alternative solution has been to provide inlets that are telescopic to allow the spacing between the inlets to be adjusted. Although the aesthetic appearance is improved the adjustment that can be provided is limited as the sliding portion must seal at both ends.

Another problem that can arise when replacing a shower mixer valve in an existing installation is that the projection of the water supply pipes from the mounting surface may not be suitable for connection to the inlets of the new mixer valve. It may be that the distance the pipes project from the mounting surface is too great or too small to mount the new mixer valve without altering the length of the supply pipes. Such changes to the supply pipes may be difficult, especially when connecting the new mixer valve to existing compression fittings.

An object of the invention is to overcome or at least mitigate the aforementioned problems and disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided mixer valve having a first pair of inlets and a second pair of inlets, wherein the spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than the spacing between the second pair of inlets.

By this invention the water supply pipes may be connected to either the first pair of inlets or the second pair of inlets. In this way the mixer valve can be connected to water supply pipes having different spacing. The mixer valve may be a shower mixer valve or a tap mixer valve. The mixer valve may be connectable to supplies of hot and cold water.

It may be that the pair of inlets that is not connected to the water supply pipes is provided with a pair of blanking plugs to close the inlets and prevent water egress.

It may be that the first and/or the second pair of inlets is adjustable. An embodiment may provide for a linear spacing between the first and/or second pair of inlets to be adjustable. This may allow relative movement between a pair of inlets in a substantially horizontal direction when the mixer valve is mounted on a vertical support surface such as the wall of a shower enclosure. An embodiment may provide for an angular spacing between the first and/or second pair of inlets to be adjustable. This may allow relative movement between a pair of inlets in a substantially vertical direction when the mixer valve is mounted on a vertical support surface such as the wall of a shower enclosure.

It may be that one of the first pair of inlets and one of the second pair of inlets are provided in a sleeve wherein a position of the sleeve can be adjusted for adjusting a position of the pairs of inlets. It may be that the other of the first pair of inlets and the other of the second pair of inlets are provided in a further sleeve wherein a position of the further sleeve can be adjusted for adjusting a position of the pairs of inlets. An embodiment may provide for the position of one or both sleeves to be adjustable by a pre-set distance from a centre position. Advantageously the pre-set distance is adjustable.

It may be that a pair of inlet connectors are provided for connecting either the first pair of inlets or the second pair of inlets to the water supply pipes. The inlet connectors may include a nipple secured to the first pair of inlets or the second pair of inlets. The water supply pipes may be secured to the nipples. It may be that the nipples can be secured to the first pair of inlets in a set position and to the second pair of inlets in a set position. The set position in the first pair of inlets may be the same as or different to the set position in the second pair of inlets. It may be that the set position in one or both pairs of inlets can be adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fitting a mixer valve to a pair of water supply pipes comprising providing a mixer valve having a first pair of inlets and a second pair of inlets, wherein the spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than the spacing between the second pair of inlets, selecting one of the first pair of inlets and the second pair of inlets for connection to the water supply pipes, closing the other of the first pair of inlets and the second pair of inlets with blanking plugs, and connecting the selected one of the first pair of inlets and second pair of inlets to the water supply pipes.

It may be that a position of the selected pair of inlets connected to the water supply pipes is adjustable. An embodiment may provide for linear adjustment of the selected pair of inlets. An embodiment may provide for angular adjustment of the selected pair of inlets.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a faucet connector for connecting a faucet to a fluid supply, the connector comprising a body having an outlet connectable to a faucet and having a first inlet and a second inlet, the second inlet being spaced further from the outlet than the first inlet, and a removable blanking plug, wherein, in use, one of the first inlet and the second inlet is connectable to a fluid supply and the blanking plug is connectable to the other of the first inlet and the second inlet.

It may be that the body has a first end and a second end and the outlet is located at the first end. It may be that the first inlet is closer to the first end than the second inlet. It may be that the first inlet and the second inlet are provided in a sleeve positioned with the body. It may be that the sleeve can be adjusted towards or away from the outlet port to adjust the spacing of the inlets from the outlet.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is faucet having a faucet connector according to the preceding aspect of the invention.

The faucet may comprise a mixer valve. The mixer valve may be a shower mixer valve or a tap mixer valve.

In use the faucet connector may be connectable to a supply of a first fluid and the faucet has further faucet connector connectable to a supply of a second fluid.

The further faucet connector may comprise a body having an outlet connectable to a faucet and having a first inlet and a second inlet, the second inlet being spaced further from the outlet than the first inlet, and a removable blanking plug, wherein, in use, one of the first inlet and the second inlet is connectable to the supply of the second fluid and the blanking plug is connectable to the other of the first inlet and the second inlet.

The first inlet of the fluid connector and the first inlet of the further fluid connector may provide a first pair of inlets and the second inlet of the fluid connector and the second inlet of the further fluid connector may provide a second pair of inlets wherein a spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than a spacing between the second pair of inlets.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a schematic view, partly in section, of a mixer valve embodying the invention configured for connecting water supply pipes to a first pair of inlets; and

Figure 2 is a schematic view, partly in section, of the mixer valve of Figure 1 configured for connecting water supply pipes to a second pair of inlets.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a shower mixer valve 1 embodying the invention. The mixer valve 1 has a pair of elbows 2 extending from a body 4 on opposite sides of the body 4 for connecting the mixer valve 1 to a pair of water supply pipes (not shown). The elbows 2 and body 4 may be formed in one piece. Alternatively the elbows 2 and body 4 may be formed separately and the elbows 2 secured to the body 4. Where the elbows 2 are secured to the body 4 the elbows 2 may be detachable from the body 4. Typically one of the water supply pipes will provide hot water and the other water supply pipe will provide cold water, and the body 4 has an outlet (not shown) for supplying outlet water to a shower head. The body 4 houses a valve mechanism (not shown) for controlling the temperature of the outlet water according to user selection. The valve mechanism may be thermostatic or non-thermostatic. Such valve mechanisms are well known and understood by those skilled in the art and are not described further herein.

Each elbow 2 is similar and has a port 6 connected to the body 4 and two inlets 8 and 10. The inlets 8 and 10 are arranged such that the spacing “a” between a first pair of inlets 8 is less than the spacing “b” between a second part of inlets 10. In use, a pair of water supply pipes (not shown) can be connected to either the first pair of inlets 8 or the second 10 pair of inlets. In use, the mixer valve 1 may be mounted on a vertical surface, for example a wall of a shower enclosure such that elbows 2 are horizontal. Figures 1 and 2 show the elbows 2 arranged with the inlets 8, 10 configured to face in a rearward direction towards the mounting surface for connection to water supply pipes projecting from the mounting surface. In other embodiments (not shown), the elbows 2 may be arranged with the inlets 8, 10 configured to face in an upward or downward direction for connection to water supply pipes extending in a vertical direction.

Figure 1 shows the mixer valve 1 configured for connecting the water supply pipes to the first pair of inlets 8 and the second pair of inlets 10 closed by blanking plugs 14. Figure 2 shows the mixer valve 1 configured for connecting the water supply pipes to the second pair of inlets 10 and the first pair of inlets 8 closed by blanking plugs 14. In this way, the mixer valve 1 can be connected to the water supply pipes using the appropriate pair of inlets 8 or 10 and closing the other pair of inlets 8 or 10.

Each elbow 2 is preferably provided with a sleeve 16 in which the inlets 8, 10 are provided. The sleeve 16 is preferably movable within a body 18 of the elbow 2 towards or away from the body 4 of the mixer valve 1 to provide a small amount of linear adjustment to the position of the inlets 8, 10. The linear position of the inlets 8, 10 may be adjustable by a pre-set distance to either side of pre-determined centre positions. In this way, when the water supply pipes are connected to the elbows 2, small non-alignment in a horizontal direction due to the spacing of the water supply pipes can be accommodated by linear adjustment of the sleeves 16 in one or both of the elbows 2.

In other embodiments (not shown), the sleeve 16 may also be movable relative to the body 18 of the elbow 2 to provide a small amount of angular adjustment to the position of the inlets 8, 10. The angular position of the inlets 8, 10 may be adjustable by a pre-set distance above and below pre-determined centre positions. In this way, when the water supply pipes are connected to the elbows 2, small non-alignment in a vertical direction due to the spacing of the water supply pipes can be accommodated by adjustment of the sleeves 16 to move the inlets up or down in one or both of the elbows 2. In this way the mixer valve 1 may be fitted with the elbows 2 arranged horizontally even if the water supply pipes are offset vertically.

Each elbow 2 is provided with an inlet connector for connecting the water supply pipe to the selected inlet 8 or 10. The inlet connector includes a nipple 20 that can be secured in the inlet 8 (Figure 1) or the inlet 10 (Figure 2). For example, the nipple 20 may be a screw fit. The water supply pipe can be secured in the nipple 20. For example, a nut 22 may be a screw fit on the nipple 20 to compress an olive (not shown) to connect the water supply pipe in fluid tight manner. The opening in the mounting surface through which the water supply pipe extends may be concealed by a cover 24. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the nipple 20 may be configured to connect the water supply pipe in a different manner, for example by push fitting.

The inlets 8, 10 are arranged so that the nipple 20 can be secured in a pre-determined position for connecting the water supply pipe. In this embodiment, the inlet 8 and inlet 10 are offset in a radial direction of the sleeve 16 so that, when the nipple 20 is secured to the inlet 10, the nipple 20 extends further from the body 18 of the elbow 2 compared to when the nipple 20 is secured to the inlet 8.

Figure 1 shows the nipple 20 secured in the inlet 8 and extending a distance “c” from the body 18 of the elbow 2 and Figure 2 shows the nipple 20 secured in the inlet 10 and extending a distance “d” from the body 18 of the elbow 2. The distance “d” is greater than the distance “c”. As a result the distance the nipple 20 projects from the body 18 of the elbow when secured in the inlet 10 is further than when secured in the inlet 8. In this way, the length of water supply pipe or “pipe height” projecting from the mounting surface may be shorter when connecting the pipe to the inlet 10 compared to connecting the pipe to the inlet 8. In alternative embodiments (not shown), each inlet 8, 10 may be configured to allow a small amount of linear adjustment in the distance the nipple 20 projects from the body 18 of the elbow when secured in each inlet 8, 10.

In other embodiments (not shown) when the nipple 20 is secured to the inlet 8, the nipple 20 extends from the body 18 of the elbow 2 compared to when the nipple 20 is secured to the inlet 10. In other embodiments (not shown), the inlet 8 and inlet 10 may be aligned in the radial direction of the sleeve 16 so that the nipple 20 extends the same distance from the body when secured in either the inlet 8 or the inlet 10.

In other embodiments (not shown), the sleeve 16 may be omitted and the nipple 20 may be attached to the body 18 of the elbow 2.

The mixer valve of the invention can be installed both as original equipment in a new installation or as a replacement for a mixer valve in an existing installation.

When installing as original equipment, a fitter selects the inlet nipples 20 to the pair of inlets 8 or 10 closest to the spacing of the water supply pipes and connects the blanking plugs 14 to the other pair of inlets. If the valve is to be secured by compression joints, the appropriate nipples 20 are connected to the selected pair of inlets and the compression nuts and olives are positioned on the water supply pipes so that the nipples 20 can be fitted to the water supply pipes and secured by attaching the compression nuts to the nipples 20 to compress the olives therebetween. If the valve is to be secured by a push fit, the appropriate nipples 20 are connected to the selected pair of inlets and secured to the water supply pipes by push fit. Whichever method is employed, when the inlet nipples 20 are presented to the water supply pipes a small amount of linear adjustment to the position of one or both nipples 20 can be made by sliding the associated sleeve 16 within the body 18 of the elbow 2 to adjust the horizontal spacing and align the nipples 20 with the water supply pipes. If required a small amount of angular adjustment of the position of one or both nipples 20 may be made by rotating the associated sleeve 16 within the body 18 of the elbow to adjust the vertical position and align the nipples 20 with the water supply pipes.

When installing as a replacement for a mixer valve in an existing installation, the user disconnects the existing valve and selects the inlet nipples 20 to the pair of inlets 8 or 10 closest to the spacing of the water supply pipes and connects the blanking plugs 14 to the other pair of inlets. If the existing valve was secured by compression joints, the appropriate nipples 20 are connected to the selected pair of inlets and where possible secured to the existing compression nuts and olives already positioned on the water supply pipes. If the existing valve was secured by a push fit, the appropriate nipples 20 are connected to the selected pair of inlets and secured to the water supply pipes by push fit. Whichever method is employed, when the inlet nipples 20 are presented to the water supply pipes a small amount of linear adjustment to the position of one or both nipples 20 can be made by moving the associated sleeve 16 within the body 18 of the elbow 2 to adjust the horizontal spacing and align the nipples 20 with the water supply pipes. When replacing an existing mixer valve, the mixer valve can be provided with nipples suitable for any type of connection system used to connect the existing mixer valve to the pipework.

As will be appreciated, the fitter can secure the nipples 20 to either pair of inlets 8 or 10 and close the other pair of inlets with the blanking plugs 14 to suit the installation requirements. The valve may be supplied with different types of nipples for selection and fitment of the appropriate nipple type for connection to the water supply pipe, for example compression fit and push fit nipples. Nipples of a given type may be provided in different lengths for selection and fitment of the appropriate length of the nipples for connection to the water supply pipe.

Although in the embodiment described two pairs of inlets are provided with different spacing, it will be understood that more than two pairs of inlets with different spacing may be provided.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention facilitates installation of a mixer valve both as original equipment and/or as a replacement for an existing mixer valve. In particular, when replacing an existing valve extensive alteration to the existing water supply pipes may be avoided by adapting the mixer valve to different spacing of the water supply pipes. In addition to adjusting to different spacing, the invention can also allow the mixer valve to be connected to water supply pipes that are positioned at different distances from a mounting surface. Inaccuracies in horizontal spacing of the water supply pipes may also be accommodated through linear adjustment of one or both sleeves. In some embodiments inaccuracies in vertical spacing of the water supply pipes may also be accommodated through angular adjustment of one or both sleeves.

Other modifications that can be made with the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while the invention has been described with particular reference to a shower mixer valve, it will be understood the invention is not limited to such application and may be applied to tap mixer valves and other types of faucets for washing, bathing and showering and the like.

Claims

1. A mixer valve having a first pair of inlets and a second pair of inlets, wherein the spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than the spacing between the second pair of inlets.

2. The mixer valve of claim 1 wherein, in use, one the first pair of inlets and the second pair of inlets is connectable to water supply pipes and the other pair of inlets that is not connected to the water supply pipes is provided with a pair of blanking plugs to close the inlets.

3. The mixer valve of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and/or the second pair of inlets is adjustable.

4. The mixer valve of claim 3 wherein a linear spacing between the first and/or second pair of inlets is adjustable.

5. The mixer valve of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein an angular spacing between the first and/or second pair of inlets is adjustable.

6. The mixer valve of any preceding claim wherein one of the first pair of inlets and one of the second pair of inlets are provided in a sleeve wherein a position of the sleeve can be adjusted for adjusting a position of the pairs of inlets.

7. The mixer valve of claim 6 wherein the other of the first pair of inlets and the other of the second pair of inlets are provided in a further sleeve wherein a position of the further sleeve can be adjusted for adjusting a position of the pairs of inlets.

8. The mixer valve of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the position of one or both sleeves is adjustable by a pre-set distance from a centre position.

9. The mixer valve of any preceding claim wherein a pair of inlet connectors are provided for connecting either the first pair of inlets or the second pair of inlets to the water supply pipes.

10. The mixer valve of claim 9 wherein the inlet connectors include a nipple secured, in use, to either the first pair of inlets or the second pair of inlets.

11. The mixer valve of claim 10 wherein the nipples are secured to either the first pair of inlets or to the second pair of inlets in a set position.

12. The mixer valve of claim 11 wherein the set position in the first pair of inlets is the same as or different to the set position in the second pair of inlets.

13. The mixer valve of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the set position in one or both pairs of inlets can be adjusted.

14. A method of fitting a mixer valve to a pair of water supply pipes comprising providing a mixer valve having a first pair of inlets and a second pair of inlets, wherein the spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than the spacing between the second pair of inlets, selecting one of the first pair of inlets and the second pair of inlets for connection to the water supply pipes, closing the other of the first pair of inlets and the second pair of inlets with blanking plugs, and connecting the selected one of the first pair of inlets and second pair of inlets to the water supply pipes.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein a position of the selected pair of inlets connected to the water supply pipes is adjustable.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein linear adjustment of the selected pair of inlets is provided.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein angular adjustment of the selected pair of inlets is provided.

18. A faucet connector for connecting a faucet to a fluid supply, the connector comprising a body having an outlet connectable to a faucet and having a first inlet and a second inlet, the second inlet being spaced further from the outlet than the first inlet, and a removable blanking plug, wherein, in use, one of the first inlet and the second inlet is connectable to a fluid supply and the blanking plug is connectable to the other of the first inlet and the second inlet.

19. The faucet connector of claim 18 wherein the body has a first end and a second end and the outlet is located at the first end.

20. The faucet connector claim 19 wherein the first inlet is closer to the first end than the second inlet.

21. The faucet connector of claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are provided in a sleeve positioned with the body.

22. The faucet connector of claim 21 wherein the sleeve can be adjusted towards or away from the outlet to adjust the spacing of the inlets from the outlet.

23. A faucet having a faucet connector according to any of claims 18 to 22.

24. The faucet of claim 23 comprising a mixer valve.

25. The faucet of claim 24 wherein in use the faucet connector is connectable to a supply of a first fluid and the faucet has further faucet connector connectable to a supply of a second fluid.

26. The faucet of claim 25 wherein the further faucet connector comprises a body having an outlet connectable to a faucet and having a first inlet and a second inlet, the second inlet being spaced further from the outlet than the first inlet, and a removable blanking plug, wherein, in use, one of the first inlet and the second inlet is connectable to the supply of the second fluid and the blanking plug is connectable to the other of the first inlet and the second inlet.

27. The faucet of claim 24 wherein the first inlet of the fluid connector and the first inlet of the further fluid connector provide a first pair of inlets and the second inlet of the fluid connector and the second inlet of the further fluid connector provide a second pair of inlets wherein a spacing between the first pair of inlets is greater than a spacing between the second pair of inlets.