GB2568614B

GB2568614B - A pipe retention device for a liquid based heating or cooling assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2568614B
Application number: GB1901561.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Harmer Paul
Original assignee: Epic Insulation Ltd; Inventive Concept Ltd
Current assignee: Epic Insulation Ltd; Inventive Concept Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-10
Filing date: 2019-02-05
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-10
Also published as: GB201901561D0; GB201910488D0; GB2574337A; GB2574337B; GB2568614A

Description

A PIPE RETENTION DEVICE FOR A LIQUID BASED HEATING OR COOLING ASSEMBLY

The invention relates to a pipe retention device for a liquid-based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly. A "liquid-based" heating or cooling assembly is a heating or cooling assembly that ducts a liquid through a circuit of pipe, and the temperature of the liquid, compared to the ambient temperature of the region through which the circuit of pipe passes, for example a floor, wall, or ceiling, governs whether or not the assembly heats or cools the region.

In a liquid based floor heating assembly, it is typical for an array of pipe to be laid out across the floor in a manner where after a first straight section, the pipe curves back on itself, so that a second straight section is approximately parallel to the first straight section (a form of meandering), and after the second straight section, the pipe curves back on itself, so that a third straight section is approximately parallel to the second straight section, and so on. Certain pipes also have to pass across the floor in a straight manner, where for example the pipe is not part of the floor heating assembly of the particular room it is passing through but merely a supply or return pipe for or from another room.

Another commonly employed pipe configuration is known as a snail-like configuration. The snail-like configuration typically allows pipes to be laid at smaller intervals, thereby improving the heating or cooling output, and the snail like configuration typically means less bends in the pipe, therefore less of a burden on the pump that circulates the liquid through the pipe. However a drawback of the snail-like configuration is that it is more complicated to lay down as it requires more forethought.

On an insulated and screeded floor, it is common for installers to use a clip rail to provisionally fasten pipe to the insulation on a floor in the desired shape. This method requires some skill, especially where the snail-like pipe configuration is employed.

Due to the resilience of plastic pipe, pipe can be pushed into grooves along an upper surface of calcium sulphate or Gypsum boards which is designed to then retain the pipe in said grooves. However, calcium sulphate or Gypsum boards tend to be sold with only parallel grooves, meaning other means have to be employed to fix the bends in the pipe.

Both of the above mentioned systems limit the pipe installer in how they can put down the pipe work. By way of example if a square room has four sides, the first and third sides being opposite, and the clip rails or grooves of the calcium sulphate or Gypsum board run from the first to the third side, generally if a meandering form of pipe like that referenced above is required, the pipe will have to be laid from the second to the fourth side of the room.

Again, on an insulated and screeded floor, it is common for installers to use a staple gun to provisionally fasten pipe to the insulation on a floor in the desired shape. This method requires some skill, especially where the snail-like pipe configuration is employed, and can be a cumbersome job for one person to do.

Pipes have a specific bending radius which depends on the material and geometry of the pipe amongst other factors. It is highly undesirable to expose a pipe to an unsafe bending radius or damage may result leading to leakage from pipes in a heating or cooling assembly, which can be especially difficult to deal with when the pipe work is buried under floor in a dry mix of sand/cement known as screed, or the like. Pipe "kinking" is also a problem, which can negatively affect the flow characteristics of liquid passing through the pipe, typically putting more demands on a pump used to pump liquid through the pipe. GB Patent No. 2388181, in the name of Polypipe Building Products Limited, discloses, with reference to Figures 8, 10, and 11a to 1 Id in particular, a heating system comprising an edge element 23 with curved grooves 4, 24 that extend from a side of the element 23 through a semi circle back to the same side of the element. The edge element 23 is used in conjunction with a support element 3 which has parallel grooves 4 in the upper surface thereof. One problem with the edge element 23 of GB Patent No. 2388181 is the lack of versatility in terms of the way that pipe can be installed. Once the edge element 23 and support element 3 have been positioned on a floor in a particular configuration, and installer of pipe work is somewhat restricted by the position of the edge element 23 and support element 3 in how the pipe can be laid across the floor. Connecting pipes are unsatisfactorily bundled together under cover 28. Also, the shape of formations across the surface of the edge element 23 and support element 3 lack uniformity, and the strength across the surface of the edge element 23 and support element 3 lack uniformity.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a more versatile liquid based pipe retention device for a floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly. A different aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, liquid based pipe retention device for a floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pipe retention device as recited by Claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a heating or cooling assembly comprising a pipe retention device according to the first aspect and a heat distribution device, which is supported by the pipe retention device, the heat distribution device comprising a thermally conductive sheet.

Other optional and preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Various pipe retention devices for a liquid based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure lisa schematic perspective view of a pipe retention device for a liquid based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an underside view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an underside perspective view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1, substantially in its entirety, with the pipe retention device rotated 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the pipe retention device compared to Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a close up view, taken in the same direction as Figure 2, showing part of the pipe retention device,

Figure 6 is a close up view, taken in roughly the same direction as Figure 1, showing part of the pipe retention device,

Figure 7 is an underside perspective view of part of the pipe retention device of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is another underside perspective view of part of the pipe retention device of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a side view of the pipe retention device of Figure 2, taken in the direction of Arrow C in Figure 2, the view in the direction of Arrow A in Figure 2 simply being a mirror image of Figure 9 in the vertical plane,

Figure 10 is a close up view, taken in the same direction as Figure 9, showing part of the pipe retention device,

Figure 11 is a side view of the pipe retention device of Figure 2, taken in the direction of Arrow D in Figure 2,

Figure 12 is a close up view, taken in the same direction as Figure 11, showing part of the pipe retention device,

Figure 13 is a side view of the pipe retention device of Figure 2, taken in the direction of Arrow B in Figure 2,

Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view, showing two pipe retention devices in accordance with Figure 1 being positioned together prior to being connected,

Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view, showing two pipe retention devices in accordance with Figure 1 in an intermediate stage of being connected,

Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view, showing two pipe retention devices in accordance with Figure 1 in a final stage being connected,

Figure 17 is a plan view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1, showing two examples of curved pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 18 is a plan view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1, showing two examples of straight pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 19 is a plan view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1, showing a first example of point of inflexion pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 20 is a plan view of the pipe retention device of Figure 1, showing a second example of point of inflexion pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 21 is a plan view of four pipe retention devices of Figure 1, arranged in an approximately square array, showing an example of meandering pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 22 is a plan view of four pipe retention devices of Figure 1, arranged in approximately square array, showing an example of snail-like pipe ducting through the pipe retention device,

Figure 23 is a schematic perspective view, partially in cut away, of a "part floor solution" liquid-based floor heating or cooling assembly,

Figure 24 is a schematic perspective view, partially in cut away, of a "whole floor solution" liquid-based floor heating or cooling assembly,

Figure 25 is a schematic perspective view of a heat distribution device,

Figure 26 is a plan view of the heat distribution device of Figure 25,

Figure 27 is a first side view of the heat distribution device of Figure 25, taken in the direction of Arrow F in Figure 25,

Figure 28 is a second side view of the heat distribution device of Figure 25, taken in the direction of Arrow G in Figure 25,

Figure 29 is a schematic perspective view, showing an assembly of the heat distribution device of Figure 25 arranged on the pipe retention device of Figure 1,

Figure 30 is a close up view, taken in the same direction as Figure 29, showing part of the heat distribution device arranged on the pipe retention device,

Figure 31 is a close up view, taken in the direction of Arrow H in Figure 29,

Figure 32 is a schematic perspective view, partially in cut away, of a further liquid-based floor heating or cooling assembly,

Figure 33 is a schematic perspective view, partially in cut away, of a still further liquid-based floor heating or cooling assembly, and

Figure 34 is a schematic perspective view of a further, simpler, pipe retention device.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11 and 13, for example, show a pipe retention device 10 for a liquid based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly.

Referring to Figures 1,9, 11 and 13, for example, the pipe retention device 10 has a shape similar to a panel, or sheet, or a tile.

More specifically, the pipe retention device 10 comprises a first, upper, surface 12 (shown in Figures 1 and 2 for example), a second, lower, surface 14 (shown in Figure 3 for example).

The pipe retention device 10 also comprises a first edge 16, a second edge 18, a third edge 20, and a fourth edge 22 (all of which are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 for example).

The first edge 16, second edge 18, third edge 20, and fourth edge 22 are labelled consecutively. In other words, the first edge 16 is opposite to the third edge 20, and the second edge 18 is opposite to the fourth edge 22.

It will be appreciated by the reader that the pipe retention device 10 has an approximately square shape in plan, but other approximately rectangular shapes, can be envisaged, these shapes being particularly easy to lay.

Conveniently, the pipe retention device 10 can be made in dimensions of about 600 mm length, by about 600 mm width, by about 15 mm depth.

The pipe retention device 10 is injection moulded from plastics material using an injection moulding machine. The injection moulding process will be described in more detail hereunder.

Referring to Figure 5, and in particular Figure 6, the pipe retention device 10 comprises an array of protrusions 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 protruding from a flat base 40 of the tile, this part being considered a cell.

The protrusion 30 is each eye shaped (or almond shaped), in other words formed from two arcuate sides, arranged in ellipsoidal manner, with pointed ends.

Each of smaller protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38 has a side A, side B, and side C. As such, each of the smaller protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38 roughly resembles a triangular prism in shape. Side A of each of the smaller protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38 is arcuate. Side B of each of the smaller protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38 is straight. Side C of each of the smaller protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38 is adjacent protrusion 30, and arcuate, following a contour, which at any point along the length thereof, a point on side C lies approximately parallel to the corresponding point on the facing side of the eye shaped protrusion 30. In other words the contour of Side C of each of the smaller protrusions follows, or corresponds to, the contour of the facing side of the eye shaped protrusion.

Arrays of protrusions are repeated over the base 40, forming a plurality of cells as illustrated by protrusions 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 in Figure 6. The pipe retention device 10 is 8 cells wide between sides A and C, and 4 cells wide between sides B and D (the 4 cells including two half cells at each side).

Referring initially to Figures 5 and 6, the protrusions 30, 32, 34, 36, 38; 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 define a plurality of straight channels 50, 52, 54 and 56, between the first edge 16 and the third edge 20, as shown in Figure 2. The straight channels between the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 are spaced at intervals of about 75 mm. The protrusions 30, 32, 34, 36, 38; 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 also define a plurality of straight channels 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 between the second edge 18 and the fourth edge 20. The straight channels between the second edge 18 and the fourth edge 20 are spaced at intervals of about 150 mm. The straight channels 50, 52, 54 and 56 run perpendicular to straight channel60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72.

Referring still to Figures 5 and 6, the protrusions 30, 32, 34, 36, 38; 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 on two adjacent cells (in the direction of the first edge 16 to the third edge 20, or arrows A and C) together define a circular channel 80, only part of which is shown for conciseness.

Side A of the minor protrusions 36, 134,132, and 38 help to define an inner side of the circular channel 80. Side C of the minor protrusions 32, 34, 136, 138 help to define an outer side of the circular channel 80.

Moreover, four straight channels are each arranged at a tangent to the circular channel 80, spaced at approximately ninety degrees circumferential spacing about the circumference of the circular channel 80. These straight channels communicate seamlessly with the circular channel 80.

The protrusions 30, 36, 38; 130, 136, 138 of adjacent cells define a straight channel which bisects the circular channel 80.

Side B of the minor protrusions 36, 134; 132, 38 of adjacent cells help to define one of the straight channels mentioned hereinabove.

The two eye shaped protrusions 30, 130 of adjacent cells are spaced apart, and the arcuate sides of the eye shaped protrusions 30, 130 remote from one another form part of a circle, which defines the part of the aforesaid circular channel 80.

The protrusions, 30, 38; 130, 134 of adjoining cells define a first channel comprising a point of inflexion. The protrusions, 30, 36; 130, 132 of adjoining cells define a second channel comprising a point of inflexion. In that way, a pipe can change direction. The two channels comprising points of inflexion pass through the centre of the circular channel 80.

Referring to Figure 6, each eye shaped protrusion 30, 130 comprises a series of dimples 90, in the embodiment shown about 32 dimples, protruding from a flat outer surface 92. Upper surfaces 94 of the dimples 90 are substantially flat, and aligned with each other, to act as a level guide for screed applied thereon. However, the sides 95 of the dimples 90 taper outwards from the flat outer surface 92 towards the upper surfaces 94 of the dimples 90. The injection moulding tool is equipped with a plurality of rods or snatch pins, and during the injection moulding process the rods or snatch pins are inserted into the open underside of the reversed tapered dimples 90, to help facilitate removal of the pipe retention device from the injection moulding tool without damage to the dimples 90 or other features of the pipe retention device. Whilst rods or snatch pins might be inserted into the rear of every reversed tapered dimple 90 the applicant has found it is sufficient for rods or snatch pins to be inserted into the rear of every other reversed tapered dimple 90.

Referring to Figures 3 to 7, each eye shaped protrusion 30, 130 comprises a tubular wall 96, which resembles the shape of an iris of an eye in the plan view of Figure 5. One function of the tubular wall 96 is to assist in fixing the position of adhesive or screed placed on to the pipe retention device 10. A more important function of the tubular wall 96 is to contribute sufficient rigidity and structural strength to the pipe retention device 10 as described hereinbelow.

At the centre of the base of the tubular wall 96 is an aperture 97, which resembles the shape of a pupil of an eye in the plan view of Figure 5. The aperture 97 is designed for a screw fasteners or a nail, so that the pipe retention device 10 can be fixed to the material below it. This can be particularly useful when the pipe retention device 10 is to be used on a wall or ceiling.

The pipe retention device 10 has sufficiently rigidity of shape, and structural strength in the direction between the first upper surface 12 and the second lower surface 14, in other words an ability to bear a certain shear and/or axial load. The structural strength is derived primarily from the arcuate sides of the eye shaped protrusions 30, 130, the tubular wall 96 of the eye shaped protrusions 30, 130, and the minor protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38. Advantages of rigidity and structural strength will be described hereunder.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8, the pipe retention device 10 has lines of weakness 100, which coincide with all of the straight channels. These lines of weakness 100 allow the pipe retention device 10 to be broken into individual cells. To maintain clarity in the drawings, only some of the lines of weakness 100 are labelled.

Referring to Figure 8, the free ends of each line of weakness 100 comprises a (triangular) notch 102, which can act as a guide for a cutting implement to simplify cutting along the lines of weakness 100.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, the pipe retention device 10 comprises resilient pipe retention means 110, 120, which retain pipe on the pipe retention device, particularly within the plane of the pipe retention device. The resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 are designed to retain pipe 150 on the pipe retention device, regardless of the route pipe takes across the confines of the pipe retention device 10 defined by sides A, B, C and D.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, the first resilient pipe retention means 110, defined between the eye shaped protrusions 30, 130 allow pipe 150 to be retained in the straight channels 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 that run from the second edge 18 to the fourth edge 22 of the pipe retention device 10.

Turning to Figure 12, the first resilient pipe retention means 110 comprises a pair of resilient arms 112, 114. Figures 6 and 9 show one of the arms 112 of the first resilient pipe retention means 110 located at the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10.

Referring to Figures 5, 9, and 10, the second resilient pipe retention means 120 comprises a first part 120a and a second part 120b. The first part 120a of the second resilient pipe retention means 120 is defined between the smaller protrusion 36 of one cell and the smaller protrusions 38 of an adjacent cell. The second part 120b of the second resilient pipe retention means 120 is defined between the smaller protrusion 134 of one cell and the smaller protrusions 132 of an adjacent cell. The second resilient pipe retention means 120 allow pipe 150 to be retained in the straight channels 50, 52, 54 and 56, that run from the first edge 16 to the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10.

The resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 are substantially identical in cross section.

Each of the resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 is designed to receive a pipe of a diameter which slightly exceeds the distance between the opposing arms of the resilient pipe retention means.

Referring to Figure 2, successive resilient pipe retention means 110 along a straight channel are spaced at distances approximately equal to the diameter of the circular channel 80. The same applies to successive resilient pipe retention means 120 along a straight channel. In the straight channels 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 between the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10, the second resilient pipe retention means 120 is therefore arranged at intervals of two cells. The second resilient pipe retention means 120 is not arranged on every repeating group of minor protrusions 32, 34, 36, 38.

Referring to Figures 14 to 16, resilient snap fitting fasteners 160 allow a first pipe retention device 10 to be connected to a second pipe retention device 10.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, and 11 to 14, each resilient snap fitting fastener 160 comprises a pair of parts, i.e. a male member 162 and a female member 164. The male members 162 extend from the second edge 18 of the pipe retention device 10, as can be seen in Figure 2, 4 and 7 for example, whereas the female members 160 recess into the fourth edge 22 of the pipe retention device 10, as can be seen in Figures 8, 11 and 12. Referring to Figure 14, the male member 162 comprises bifurcated arms, with tapered free ends, and an abutment surfaces following the tapered free ends. Referring to Figure 8, the female members 160 comprise inwardly tapered surfaces, followed by abutment surfaces. The abutment surfaces are parallel to the edges of the pipe retention device 10. It is envisaged that further resilient snap fitting fasteners could be positioned on the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10. This could be achieved by making the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10 coincide with lines passing through the longitudinal axis of successive eye shaped protrusions 30, 130, and arranging further resilient snap fitting fasteners within mating halves of the part tubular walls of eye shaped protrusions of adjacent pipe retention devices, in a similar way to the resilient snap fitting fasteners 160, however the further resilient snap fitting fasteners would be oriented transversely with respect to the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10.

It is also envisaged that the male members 162 of the resilient snap fitting fasteners 160 can be designed to be easily removed, to allow the second edge 18 and the fourth edge 22 of a pipe retention device to come into abutment with each other, thereby increasing the options to an installer in terms of arranging pipe retention devices 10, or parts thereof, adjacent each other.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, 14 to 16, the tapered free ends of the bifurcated arms of the male member 162 flex inwardly to pass beyond the tapered inner surfaces of the female member 160, to engage when the abutment surfaces of the male member 162 come into contact with the abutment surfaces of the female member 160. Although it is known to 15 interconnect adjacent panels of the prior art to one another, the resilient snap fitting fastener 160 allows about 5 mm of movement between adjacent pipe retention devices 10, as shown in Figure 14.

As mentioned above, the pipe retention device 10 is injection moulded from plastics material.

The moulding process comprises some unique steps.

An injection moulding tool in accordance with the invention comprises multiple injection points, for example four injection points, for injecting the material for a single pipe retention device 10. Each injection point is positioned towards a corner of the pipe retention device 10 lies, and specifically is positioned approximately the diameter of the circular channel 80 from the two adjacent edges of the pipe retention device 10.

The channels are not designed to be wholly continuously close fitting against pipe 150 intended to pass through said channels, as such a design is incompatible with the extensive range of possibilities in terms of different paths, formed by channels, across the confines, defined by sides A, B, C and D, of the pipe retention device 10, but it should be acknowledged that the applicant has provided a reasonable amount of continuously close fitting sections of the channels for pipe in the circumstances.

The pattern of the channels on a pipe retention device 10 allows significant flexibility to route pipes in various formations or scenarios.

Figure 17 shows two curved pipes 150 ducting through the pipe retention device 10. Each curved pipe 150 comprises a first straight section 152, a second straight section 154, parallel to the first straight section 152, and the straight section 152 is joined to the second straight section 154 by a semi circular section 156. These are, of course, merely examples, and similarly configured pipes 150 can be ducted through the pipe retention device 10 in many different ways.

It will be noted that each side 16, 18, 20, 22 of the pipe retention device 10 comprises more than two entrance and/or exit points for a pipe 150. In the embodiment shown, sides 16 and 20 each have four entrance and/or exit points for a pipe 150, and sides 18 and 22 each have seven (complete) entrance and/or exit points for a pipe.

Figure 18 shows two examples of straight pipe 150 ducting through the pipe retention device 10.

Figure 19 shows a first example of point of inflexion pipe 150 ducting through the pipe 5 retention device 10. The pipe 150 runs sinusoidally.

Figure 20 shows a second example of point of inflexion pipe 150 ducting through the pipe retention device 10. Although the path is not symmetrical enough to be termed sinusoidal, the "amplitude" ofthe curves in the pipe 150 are less than the aforementioned example.

Figure 21 is a plan view of four pipe retention devices 10 (any plurality of pipe retention devices 10 is possible), arranged in an approximately square array. From left to right n Figure 21, pipe retention devices 10 are joined. Adjacent pipe retention devices 10, from top to bottom in Figure 21, are simply abutted against each other. An example of meandering pipe 150 ducting through the pipe retention device is shown.

Figure 22 is a plan view of four pipe retention devices 10, arranged in an approximately square array, showing an example of snail-like pipe ducting through the pipe retention devices.

In all of the previously shown pipe configurations, and any other configurations, the resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 allow pipe 150 to be easily and securely clipping into the pipe retention devices 10, so as to fix the position of the pipe 150, to enable the easy laying of subsequent length of pipe, to enable speed of installation, by one man if necessary.

Due to the sufficient rigidity, and strength of, the pipe retention device 10, it can be laid on a floor for example, and during, and after pipe 150 is put into position, i.e. through channels, on the pipe retention device, the pipe retention device stays in position, without buckling or bowing.

Because of the intervals of about 75 mm of the straight channels between sides A and C, these channels are ideal for running connecting pipes, which can be more densely packed.

The pipe retention device 10 can be manufactured for all common pipe sizes, including but not limited to 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, and 22 mm. A single pipe retention device 10 is sized and designed to have a degree of tolerance which allows the use of at least two different sizes (diameter) of pipe 150 to be ducted through it.

For example, the pipe retention device 10 can have a depth of 14 or 15mm for 10 mm and 12 mm pipe 150, 18 or 19 mm depth for 15 mm and 16 mm pipe 150, 22 or 23 mm depth for 18 mm and 20 mm pipe.

The pipe retention device 10 can have a depth of 24 mm for 22 mm pipe 150. The pipe retention device 10 can have a depth of 27 or 28 mm for 25 mm pipe 150.

The pipe retention device 10 can be used for example to form a liquid-based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly, and use ofthe pipe retention device 10 in a liquid-based floor heating or cooling assembly 300 will now be described.

Figure 23 shows a so called "part floor" solution in that the pipe retention device 10 cover only part of the floor area to be covered.

First, referring to Figure 23, the pipe retention device 10 can be divided into two parts 310 along the central line of weakness 100 shown in Figure 3, and then the parts 310 of the pipe retention device 10 can be laid out at the edge of a room floor area to be covered, and used as end pieces that the end of each meander of the pipe turns through. Line E denotes a wall at substantially the edge of the floor area to be covered.

Adjacent pipe retention devices 10 interconnect via resilient snap fitting fasteners 160.

It will be appreciated that due to the lines of weakness, a single pipe retention device 10 can be easily subdivided into multiple usable end pieces. At least 16 usable end pieces can be derived from a single pipe retention device 10, by cutting across all of the straight channels 15 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 and across for example straight channel 52 or 54.

The pipe retention device 10 can be easily prepared into suitably sized parts in a similar manner by breaking at different lines of weakness, for other edges of the floor area to be covered, and laid accordingly.

Referring to Figure 23, a calcium sulphate or gypsum board 320, of conveniently 15 mm depth, is laid on the central part of the floor area to be covered.

The pipe retention devices 10 can be snapped together or released with the integral resilient snap fitting fasteners 160. Importantly, the resilient snap fitting fasteners 160 allow for a 5mm adjustment to enable an installer to manually adjust the position of a pipe retention device 10 to better match the position of channels in the calcium sulphate or gypsum board with channels in the pipe retention device when using the pipe retention device as an end return in this way.

Then, tile adhesive 330, and tiles 340, are then arranged over the parts 310 of the pipe retention devices 10 and the calcium sulphate or gypsum board 320. The tile adhesive fills the voids below the underside of the tiles. The reverse tapered angles on the dimples 90 enable a key for the tile adhesive to bond securely to.

In an alternative to Figure 23, Figure 24 shows a so called "whole floor" solution named that because the pipe retention devices 10 cover substantially the entirety of the floor area to be covered.

Referring to Figure 24, pipe retention devices 10, and parts thereof, can cover the entire floor area to be covered, before (wet or more typically dry) screed 350 is applied on top of the pipe retention devices 10, and parts thereof. The screed 350 fills the voids in the upper side of the pipe retention devices 10, leaving the screed flush with the upper surfaces of the protrusions and dimples referred to hereinabove. A self levelling wet screed 350 is then applied. Tile adhesive 360, and tiles 370, are then arranged over the screed 350. The self levelling wet screed 350 can be avoided by simply continuing screed 350 to a desirable height above the pipe retention devices 10, typically a further 35 mm or thereabouts.

Due to the sufficient rigidity and structural strength of the pipe retention device 10 in the direction between the first upper surface 12 and the second lower surface 14, a pipe retention device 10, or plurality of pipe retention devices 10, can, a) withstand an installer walking on top of it during installation, and/or b) resist movement such as bowing and buckling when the pipe is passed therethrough, and/or c) support a typical floor covering that is applied on top of it, such as screed, screed and tiles, boards, or other typical floor covering whilst resisting movement.

Because of the repeating nature of the cells of the pipe retention devices 10, the shape of formations across the surface of pipe retention device 10 has a degree of uniformity, and the strength across the surface of the pipe retention device 10 has a degree of uniformity.

It will be understood that the temperature of the liquid compared to the ambient temperature of the floor on which the pipe retention devices 10 are laid govern whether or not the assembly in Figure 23 or 24 heats or cools the floor, but these matters do not affect the scope of the invention, and need not be discussed in more detail herein.

In another embodiment of the invention, referring initially to Figure 29, a pipe retention and heat distribution assembly 400 comprises a pipe retention device 10 in combination with a heat distribution device 410.

Referring now to Figures 25 to 28, the heat distribution device 410 is made of a thermally conductive material. It is typically made of Aluminium due to its thermal conductivity, density, and softness, for its cost per tonne, compared to other materials such as Copper.

The heat distribution device 410 comprises a plate or sheet like part 412, and a plurality of channels 414 recessed with respect to the main plane of the plate. Indeed, referring particularly to Figure 27, the channels are partly tubular so as to increase contact area between the channels 414 and a pipe 150 that can be arranged in the channels. These maximise contact with the pipes so as to direct heat from the liquid to the flat part of the plate, and subsequently to direct heat into the room.

Referring to Figures 25 and 26, the channels comprise cut outs 416. The cut outs can be punched. The distance between cut outs 416 matches the distance between resilient pipe retention means 110, 120.

Referring to Figure 31, the tubular channels 414 of heat distribution device 410 (resiliently optionally) engage with the straight channels 52, 54 and 56, between the first edge 16 and the third edge 20 of the pipe retention device 10, or the straight channels 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 between the second edge 18 and the fourth edge 22 of the pipe retention device.

In other words, the heat distribution device 410 can engage the pipe retention device 10 with either the heat distribution device 410 in a first configuration shown in Figure 25, or the heat distribution device 410 in a second configuration rotated 90 degrees in the plane of the drawing.

Once the heat distribution device 410 is arranged on the pipe retention device the clipping features 110 or 120 are revealed. The pipe work 150 can then securely clip into place in the channels of the pipe retention device ensuring maximum contact between the pipe 150 and the heat distribution device 410.

The tubular parts of the heat distribution device 410 and the resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 of the pipe retention device 10 help to fix the position of the spreader plate relative to the tile in the plane of the pipe retention device 10 and the heat distribution device 410.

Once the pipe retention and heat distribution assembly 400 is formed, in use, pipe 150 is pushed beyond the resilient pipe retention means 110, 120 of the pipe retention device 10 and sits in the tubular parts of the heat distribution device 410. The pipe can optionally resiliently engage with the tubular parts of the heat distribution device 410.

Whereas a pipe retention device 10 can be arranged in an array of pipe retention devices, the heat distribution device 410 can be arranged in an array of heat distribution devices.

The pipe retention device 10 and the heat distribution device 410 can be used for example to form a liquid-based floor, wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly, and use of the pipe retention device 10 the heat distribution device 410 in liquid-based floor heating or cooling assemblies 600 and 650 are shown in, respectively, Figures 32 and 33.

Figure 32 shows an engineered wood floor 610 directly on the heat distribution device 410.

Figure 33 again shows tiles 652 on top of a tile adhesive 654, which in turn sits on a calcium sulphate or gypsum board 656 or the like.

It should be appreciated that adhesive or grout is not placed directly onto the heat distribution device 410.

In another embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 34, a further pipe retention device 700 comprises a plurality of ring shaped protrusions 710. The ring shaped protrusions 710 can be arranged in perpendicular rows represented by arrows F and G. Resilient pipe retention means 720, which function like resilient pipe retention means 110, 120, are provided. The resilient pipe retention means 720 are spaced at 90 degree intervals about the circumference of a ring shaped protrusion 710. In use, pipe 150 is simply positioned between resilient pipe retention means 720. The further pipe retention device 700 comprises multiple straight channels, curved channels, including circular channels, and channels comprising a point of inflexion. The principle of the further pipe retention device 700 can be applied to allow size of pipe to be fitted thereto.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown for conciseness), a further pipe retention device comprises polystyrene or the like insulation material bonded to its second lower surface 14.

Although the pipe retention device 10 is not a "tile", "panel" or "sheet", the term "tile", "panel", or "sheet" can be used interchangeably to describe the general shape of the pipe retention device 10.

The term "partly curved channel" means either curved along part of the length of the channel, or curved along the entire length of the channel.

An advantage of the pipe retention device in accordance with the invention is that, even after the tiles have been laid on the floor, there is greater versatility to route pipes in different orientations across the pipe retention device. It is not important which way the tiles are laid on the floor, the pipe installer, who may be a different person to the person that puts down the pipe retention device on the floor, can still take the pipe up and down the room from first edge of the room to the third edge of the room, and back, etc. or up and down the room from second edge of the room to the fourth edge of the room, and back, etc.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in, for example, Figures 23, 24, 32, and 33, ofthe drawings, the pipe retention device 10 is shown in a liquid based floor heating or cooling assembly. It will be understood that the pipe retention device 10 can be employed in a liquid based wall, or ceiling heating or cooling assembly. It will be appreciated the pipe retention device 10 is placed under different loads when it is used on a wall or ceiling as opposed to on a floor.

The descriptions of the Figures should not be understood as limiting the orientations of the pipe retention device 10. For example, whilst Figure 2 is said to show a plan view of the pipe retention device 10, and Figure 3 is said to show an underside view of the pipe retention device, it will be understood by the reader that when the pipe retention device is used in a different orientation such as oriented on a vertical plan on a wall or oriented upside down on a ceiling, the descriptions of the views will be understood accordingly.

The pipe retention device 10 can be cut and snapped into any shape to enable whole floors to be covered quickly and accurately.

The applicant also envisages a wall or ceiling cooling or heating system preferably with the aluminium plates.

Claims

1. A pipe retention device for a liquid based heating or cooling assembly, the pipe retention device being formed from plastic material, the pipe retention device comprising, in use in a liquid based floor heating or cooling assembly, a top and a bottom, the pipe retention device comprising an array of protrusions, which project from a base, which has four straight edges, wherein a lower surface of the base defines the bottom, and wherein a plurality of the protrusions each comprise sides, which extend substantially perpendicular to the base, a tubular wall, which extends substantially perpendicular to the base and comprises a tubular wall base having a substantially planar lower surface which is substantially co-planar with the bottom, and an outer surface, which extends substantially parallel to the base, surrounds the tubular wall and extends between the sides and the tubular wall, wherein a hollow cavity that surrounds the tubular wall and is open at its bottom from the sides to the tubular wall is defined beneath the outer surface.

2. A pipe retention device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each protrusion further comprises resilient pipe retention means.

3. A pipe retention device according to Claim 2, wherein the resilient pipe retention means comprise resilient arms.

4. A pipe retention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of protrusions define at least one at least partly curved channel which comprises a point of inflexion.

5. A pipe retention device according to any preceding claim, wherein the array of protrusions defines a circular channel, and four straight channels, each at a tangent to the circular channel, at substantially 90 degrees circumferential spacing about the circumference of the circular channel.

6. A pipe retention device according to any preceding claim, wherein the array of protrusions comprises a plurality of eye shaped protrusions and a plurality of smaller protrusions, and an arcuate surface on a side of each of the smaller protrusions follows, or corresponds to, an arcuate surface on the facing side of a corresponding one of the eye shaped protrusions.

7. A pipe retention device according to any preceding claim, wherein the top of the pipe retention device comprises a plurality of dimples or protrusions.

8. A pipe retention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the tubular wall bases comprises an aperture at its centre for receiving a screw fastener or a nail for fixing the pipe retention device to a surface.

9. A method of covering a floor with a heating or cooling assembly, comprising arranging a plurality of pipe retention devices in accordance with any preceding claim side by side each other.

10. A heating or cooling assembly comprising a plurality of pipe retention devices in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 8 arranged side by side each other.

11. A heating or cooling assembly comprising a pipe retention device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 and a heat distribution device, which is supported by the pipe retention device, the heat distribution device comprising a thermally conductive sheet.

12. A heating or cooling assembly as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the heat distribution device is aluminium.

13. A heating or cooling assembly as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, wherein the heat distribution device comprises a plurality of channels that are recessed with respect to a main plane of the sheet.

14. A heating or cooling assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the channels are partly tubular.

15. A heating or cooling assembly as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the channels comprise cut outs, the distance between the cut outs matching the distance between the resilient pipe retention means, and the resilient pipe retention means being received by the cut outs.