GB2559061A

GB2559061A - Manifold and water distribution system

Info

Publication number: GB2559061A
Application number: GB1805060.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Beever Andrew; Raynor Raymond
Original assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-30
Filing date: 2013-07-30
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-30
Also published as: GB201313600D0; GB2517413A; GB2517413B; GB201805060D0; GB2559061B

Abstract

A manifold (10 figure 1) for water distribution comprises a first inlet port (12 figure 1), at least one first outlet port (16 figure 1) and a first distribution line (20 figure 1) therebetween. The manifold also comprises a second inlet port (14 figure 1), at least one second outlet port (18 figure 1) and a second distribution line (22 figure 1) therebetween. A hinge 34 is provided such that the manifold is pivotable from an operational position to an installation/servicing position. The first and second outlet ports may have shut off valves (24 figure 1) to stop the flow of water. The manifold is intended for use within piping systems and permits access to the manifold during construction or maintenance.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Polypipe Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom) Broomhouse Lane, DONCASTER, Yorkshire, DN12 1ES, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

GB 1201449 A DE 004307072 A1

FR 002426202 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E03C, F16L Other: EPODOC, WPI, TXTA.

(72) Inventor(s):

Andrew Robert Beever Raymond Raynor (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Marks & Clerk LLP

Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway, BIRMINGHAM, B1 1TT, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Manifold and water distribution system Abstract Title: Hinged water manifold (57) A manifold (10 figure 1) for water distribution comprises a first inlet port (12 figure 1), at least one first outlet port (16 figure 1) and a first distribution line (20 figure 1) therebetween. The manifold also comprises a second inlet port (14 figure 1), at least one second outlet port (18 figure 1) and a second distribution line (22 figure 1) therebetween. A hinge 34 is provided such that the manifold is pivotable from an operational position to an installation/servicing position. The first and second outlet ports may have shut off valves (24 figure 1) to stop the flow of water. The manifold is intended for use within piping systems and permits access to the manifold during construction or maintenance.

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MANIFOLD AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a manifold. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an in-wall manifold, especially for water distribution.

Background to the Invention

Traditionally, plumbing for domestic water and heating systems have been installed with joints connecting a main ring pipe to pipes branching off to the points of water use, e.g. sink, or toilet. Recently with the increased use of plastic piping which is flexible, there has been a move towards manifold plumbing or point-to-point plumbing systems. Point-to-point plumbing systems utilise a manifold as a central point to distribute water to points of water use. The hot water pipe and cold water pipe to, for example, a sink are both individually and directly connected to the relevant manifold outlet port. There can be one manifold per area of use, such as in a bathroom or in a kitchen. They can also be used as a heating supply manifold either with radiators or with under-floor heating. The manifold is fed by a single cold and/or hot water pipe which is/are connected to the corresponding inlet(s) of the manifold which then distributes water to the outlets of the manifold. The manifold outlets can be individually isolated if the supply to the points of use needs to be cut off without interrupting supply to other outlet ports.

Benefits of a manifold system are that it removes the need for joints in inaccessible places and it makes it possible to have no joints in the pipe runs. Joints are needed only at the manifold and at the point of use, which are both easy to access and visible. The occurrence of installation error is reduced and the need for remedial work to correct and make good consequential damage caused by those errors is also reduced. There is also a reduction in potential leaks and maintenance costs. No additional isolators are needed directly below each point of use and central or individual control, rather than the whole system, is enabled where required. This minimises drain down time and system recovering issues in re-commissioning.

However, with this arrangement there may not be a location within the area e.g.

bathroom or kitchen to house the manifold or an additional cabinet or large space in the wall would need to be created in order to install the system. Also in order to fit the manifolds into a space between the walls a reduced number of outlet ports would have to be used. The manifolds in current use have all the hot or all the cold outlets located together which makes it less clear which combinations of pipes go to the same points of use.

The present invention has therefore been devised with the foregoing in mind. The invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a water distribution system comprising a manifold, said manifold comprising a first inlet port, at least one first outlet port and a first distribution line therebetween, a second inlet port, at least one second outlet port and a second distribution line therebetween, wherein the first and second distribution lines define separate flowpaths through the manifold, and wherein a hinge is provided for the manifold such that the manifold is pivotable from an operational position to an installation/servicing position.

The at least one first outlet port may be provided with a shut off valve to stop the flow of water through the first outlet port.

The at least one second outlet port may be provided with a shut off valve to stop the flow of water through the second outlet port.

The distribution lines may be orientated substantially parallel to each other.

The outlet ports may be orientated substantially perpendicularly to the distribution lines.

The manifold may comprise a plurality of first and second outlet ports connected to the respective first and second distribution lines.

Each first outlet port may be positioned between a pair of second outlet ports. Thus it will be understood that the first and second outlet ports alternate along the length of the manifold.

The manifold may comprise one more first outlet port than the number of second outlet ports. This may be useful where, for example, an additional cold water feed is required for a toilet etc.

The manifold may be of unitary construction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a water distribution system comprising a manifold according to the first aspect of the invention, a first elbow connector having a first end connected to the first inlet port and a second free end for receiving a water supply.

The water distribution system may further comprise a second elbow connector having a first end connected to the second inlet port and a second free end for a receiving a water supply.

The first elbow connector and second elbow connector when present may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the distribution line to which it is connected.

The water distribution system may further comprise a fixing bracket on which the elbow connectors are releasably mounted.

The fixing bracket may be provided with the hinge.

The water distribution system may further comprise a mounting box to house the manifold.

The manifold may be provided with at least one mounting tab to fix the manifold to the mounting box.

Generally, the fixing bracket is secured to the mounting box.

The distribution lines of the manifold may be connected to the elbow connectors by push-fit connections.

Brief Description of the invention

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of a manifold in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front elevation view of a water distribution system with the manifold of Figure 1, elbow connectors, a mounting box and a fixing bracket; and

Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the elbow connectors and hinge is shown in Figure 2.

Description of the embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figure 1, there is provided a manifold 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The manifold 10 comprises a first inlet port 12 representing an upstream end of the manifold, a first outlet port 16 and a first distribution line 20 therebetween. The manifold 10 also comprises a second inlet port 14, a second outlet port 18 and a second distribution line 22 therebetween. The first distribution line 20 and second distribution line 22 define separate flowpaths through the manifold 10. The first and second distribution lines 20, 22 are not fluidly connected together.

The manifold 10 additionally comprises a plurality of first and second outlet ports 16, 18 (in this case three) connected to the corresponding distribution lines 20, 22. In the present embodiment, the manifold 10 further comprises an additional first outlet port 17 connected to the first distribution line 20.

The distribution lines 20, 22 are linear and are orientated substantially parallel to each other. The distribution lines 20, 22 extend in a first direction and lie in a first plane while the inlet ports 12, 14 are orientated parallel to each other and lie in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. A section of the distribution lines 20, 22 extends between the inlet ports 12, 14 and the section of the distribution lines 20, 22 which are orientated in the first direction. The outlet ports 16, 18 are orientated substantially perpendicularly to the distribution lines 20, 22. The second distribution line 22 lies between all of the outlet ports 16, 18 and the first distribution line 20. The first outlet ports 16 extend from the first distribution line 20 over the second distribution line 22 and are materially, though not fluidly, connected to the outside of the second distribution line 22. Each of the plurality of first outlet ports 16 is positioned between one second outlet port 18 and another second outlet port 18. The outlet ports 16, 18 extend to the same distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to the distribution lines 20, 22 and the last sections of the outlet ports 16, 18, closest to the exit point, all lie in the first plane.

In the present embodiment, both the first and second outlet ports 16 are provided with shut off valves 24 to stop the flow of water through the respective first outlet ports 16,

18. The distribution lines 20, 22 are capped at their ends remote from the upstream end of the manifold to stop the flow of water. There are two mutually spaced cross pieces 38 which are located between the distribution lines 20, 22, extend between the distribution lines 20, 22 and which are materially, though not fluidly, connected to the outside of the distribution lines 20, 22. Each cross piece 38 is drilled through and in use serves as a mounting point for the manifold.

The manifold 10 of this embodiment is conveniently formed from a one piece brass casting. In other embodiments the manifold may be copper, stainless steel, carbon steel or plastics. Depending on the material the manifold may be cast, hot stamped or injection moulded.

With reference to Figure 2, there is provided a water distribution system 1 comprising the manifold 10 discussed with reference to Figure 1, a first elbow connector 28, a second elbow connector 30, a mounting box 36, a fixing bracket 32 and a hinge 34. The elbow connectors 28, 30 are received on the fixing bracket 32. The first elbow connector 28 has a first end connected to the first inlet port 12 and a second free end for receiving a water supply (not shown). The second elbow connector 30 has a first end connected to the second inlet port 14 and a second free end for receiving a water supply. Each second free end is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the distribution line 20, 22 to which it is connected. The elbow connectors 28, 30 are connected to the inlet ports 12, 14 by push-fit connections. In other embodiments compression or pressfit connections may be used.

The mounting box 36 is provided to house the manifold 10. The mounting box 36 is generally cuboid with the two largest rectangular faces (rear and front faces) open. A brace 36a is situated centrally between the two side faces at the rear of the mounting box 36 and extends between the top and bottom faces. A mounting bar 36b extends horizontally from the side face of the mounting box 36 that is remote from the hinge 34 parallel to the distribution lines to a distance that enables it to line up with the cross pieces 38 which are cast I moulded into the manifold 10. The mounting bar 36b is fixed to the brace 36a. The manifold 10 is screwed to the mounting bar 36b through the cross pieces 38. It will be understood that alternative methods of securing the manifold may be employed (not shown). For example, the manifold may be provided with lugs or may simply be clipped into place. The top and bottom faces of the mounting box 36 also have circular holes which are sized to correspond to the relevant sizes of supply pipes and consumer pipes (not shown in drawings). These are located according to the specific locations of the outlet ports 16, 18 and the orientation of the second ends of the elbow connectors 28, 30.

The mounting box 36, in use, is fixed between the studs 37 in a stud partition wall and the two opposing side faces of the mounting box 36 lie flush against the studs 37 and are fixed to the studs 37. The mounting box 36 is formed from wood/plywood. In alternative embodiments the mounting box may be formed from galvanised pressed steel, moulded in thin wall plastics or formed from another suitable material, as would be understood by the skilled person. The manifold 10 and elbow connectors 28, 30 are sized to fit within the mounting box 36 which is itself sized to correspond to the linear spacing and thickness of a standard UK stud partition wall. It will of course be understood that the dimensions of the mounting box can be varied to suit any specific application.

With reference to figure 3, the fixing bracket 32, a hinge 34 and elbow connectors are shown absent the manifold for clarity. The hinge arrangement allows the manifold 10 to be pivoted from an operational position to an installation/servicing position. The hinge connects to the side wall of the mounting box 36. The fixing bracket 32 is constructed of a substantially flat rectangular section 40 which has two circular holes for receiving the first end of the elbow connectors 28, 30. A cross member 42 extends between the flat section and a second substantially flat rectangular section 44 by a distance large enough to house the elbow connectors 28, 30 and/or allow the elbow connectors 28, 30 to be fitted. The second flat section 44 is fixed to the hinge 34. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a second hinge is provided between the first flat section 40 and the cross member 42 to provide additional flexibility in mounting the manifold.

The installation and use of the manifold 10 and the water distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The mounting box 36 is fitted in the recess of a stud partition wall and between the studs 37 as mentioned above. The hinge 34 is fitted to the inside of a side wall of the mounting box 36 and the fixing bracket 32 is then fitted to the hinge 34 via the second flat section 44. The elbow connectors 28, 30 are inserted into the holes of the first flat section 40. While the hinge 34 is in position such that the first ends of the elbow connectors 28, 30 protrude from the recess of the wall, the first inlet port 12 is connected to the first end of the first elbow connector 28 and the second inlet port 14 is connected to the first end of the second elbow connector 30. This is accomplished by the use of push fit connections. The manifold is then in its installation/servicing position. The assembly of the manifold 10, the fixing bracket 32 and the elbow connectors 28, 30 is then moved fully into the recess by closing the hinge 34 and the manifold 10 is then in its operational position. The hinged mounting of the manifold 10 and the elbow connectors 28, 30 reduces the width required within the mounting box 36 because the distance needed to make the connection between the elbow connectors 28, 30 and the manifold 10 within the mounting box 36 is not required. The manifold 10 is then fixed to the mounting box 36 by fixing the mounting tabs 38 to the additional section of the mounting box 36.

To use the water distribution system 1 and the manifold 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the manifold 10 is in its operational position and is fixed to the mounting box 36. Supply pipes (not shown), one supplying hot water and one supplying cold water, are inserted through the relevant holes in the mounting box 36 and connected to the second ends of the elbow connectors 28, 30. Conventionally, the cold supply pipe is connected to the first elbow connector 28 and the hot supply pipe is connected to the second elbow connector 30. The system can then be pressure tested to ensure the supply has been correctly installed. Conveniently, the elbow connectors 28, 30 can be rotated so the second ends of the elbow connectors 28, 30 either face the inside of the top face or the inside of the bottom face of the mounting box 36 depending on whether the supply pipe needs to enter the mounting box from the outside of the top or the outside of the bottom face of the mounting box 36.

A plurality of consumer pipes (not shown) are then connected to the relevant outlet ports 16, 18. The consumer pipes that are connected to the consumers, such as a sink or toilet, which require cold water are connected to the first outlet ports 16 and the consumers which require hot water are connected to the second outlet ports 18. Each outlet port 16, 18 can be individually isolated from the hot or cold water supply by closing the shut off valve 24 provided for each outlet port 16, 18. This in turn isolates the consumer from the water supply but does not affect the supply to the other consumers and the main supply feeding the manifold 10 does not need to be turned off. This also means that each outlet port 16, 18 does not always need to be connected to a consumer pipe.

The manifold 10 can be mounted upside down (i.e. with the outlet ports 16, 18 facing the inside of the top face of the mounting box 36) if the consumer pipes must exit the mounting box 36 through the top face of the mounting box 36. The consumer pipes supplying the same consumer (e.g. the hot and cold water supplies for a sink) are connected to the corresponding outlet ports 16, 18 directly adjacent to each other so that connecting the pipes is intuitive. The additional first outlet port 17 may be used for supplying a consumer that does not require a hot water supply, such as a toilet. In this embodiment the additional outlet port 17 does not have a shut off valve. In alternative embodiments it may be provided with a shut off valve.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, whilst the above discussion has been concerned with domestic water systems supplied to e.g. sinks and toilets, the invention is equally applicable to heating systems supplying e.g. radiators I underfloor heating or indeed to supply fluid to a number of different consumers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A water distribution system comprising a manifold, said manifold comprising:

a first inlet port, at least one first outlet port and a first distribution line therebetween, a second inlet port, at least one second outlet port and a second distribution line therebetween, wherein the first and second distribution lines define separate flowpaths through the manifold, and wherein a hinge is provided such that the manifold is pivotable from an operational position to an installation/servicing position.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first outlet port is provided with a shut off valve to stop the flow of water through the first outlet port.

3. The manifold according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one second outlet port is provided with a shut off valve to stop the flow of water through the second outlet port.

4. The manifold according to any preceding claim, wherein the distribution lines are orientated substantially parallel to each other.

5. The manifold according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet ports are orientated substantially perpendicularly to the distribution lines.

6. The manifold according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of first and second outlet ports are connected to the respective first and second distribution lines.

7. The manifold according to claim 6, wherein each first outlet port is positioned between a pair of second outlet ports.

8. The manifold according to any preceding claim, wherein one more first outlet port is provided than the number of second outlet ports.

9. The manifold according to any preceding claim which is of unitary construction.

10. A water distribution system comprising:

a manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a first elbow connector having a first end connected to the first inlet port and a second free end for receiving a water supply.

11. The water distribution system according to claim 10 additionally comprising a second elbow connector having a first end connected to the second inlet port and a second free end for a receiving a water supply.

12. The water distribution system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first and/or second elbow connector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the distribution line to which it is connected.

13. The water distribution system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a fixing bracket on which the elbow connectors are releasably mounted.

14. The water distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the fixing bracket is provided with said hinge.

15. The water distribution system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a mounting box to house the manifold.

16. The water distribution system according to claim 15, wherein the manifold is provided with at least one mounting tab to fix the manifold to the mounting box.

17. The water distribution system of according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the distribution lines of the manifold are connected to the elbow connectors by push-fit connections.