GB2586357A

GB2586357A - Plumbing fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2586357A
Application number: GB2014159.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Howe Derek; Andrew Simmen Jonathan
Original assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-24
Also published as: GB2586357B; GB202014159D0

Abstract

A plumbing fitting comprising a pipe socket 14 and an insert 16 supported within the socket 14 to form a spigot therein, around which the bore of a pipe can be arranged. The insert comprises a leading end 16a configured for insertion into the socket 14, and a trailing end 16b, and defines a flow path between the leading and trailing ends for allowing fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis of the insert. The insert 16 is deformable, such that the insert is secured within the socket. In an embodiment, the insert 16 has a skirt or flange made up of sections (30, figure 3) which are elastically deformed when inserted into the socket 14, thereby gripping the same. In an embodiment the fitting further comprises an olive 18 located between the insert and the socket. In an embodiment the fitting further comprises a nut 22 configured to be connected to an external thread of the socket.

Description

Plumbing fitting

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plumbing fitting, and to an insert for a plumbing fitting. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide a plumbing fitting having a pipe socket, e.g. to enable a push joint to be formed with a pipe. A seal must be formed between the socket and the pipe in order to prevent leakage. If the pipe is not correctly located in the socket (e.g. if the longitudinal axes of the pipe and the socket are not properly aligned), the integrity of a seal can become compromised and leakage can occur.

It is known to provide a pipe socket with an integral guide or spigot over which the end of a pipe can be fitted. Such a spigot directs the pipe to ensure that the pipe is co-axial with the socket, and that the integrity of the seal is thus not compromised.

There are problems with this type of spigot. For example, it is complex to manufacture a pipe socket with an integrally moulded spigot. Furthermore, it may be necessary to adapt or deform the end of a pipe in order to fit it over the spigot, e.g. by heating. The spigot may also interrupt flow of a fluid through the fitting, and/or trap detritus, causing a blockage to form.

The present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, one or more problems of

the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a plumbing fitting comprising a pipe socket and an insert supported within the socket to form a spigot therein, around which the bore of a pipe can be arranged. The insert comprises a leading end configured for insertion into the socket, and a trailing end, and defines a flow path between the leading and trailing ends for allowing fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis of the insert. The insert is deformable, such that the insert is secured within the socket.

The deformable nature of the insert allows it easily to be inserted into the socket, and allows the insert to be retrofitted to sockets of varying tolerance, as the insert will compress as it is fitted. Advantageously, there is no need to heat or otherwise deform the socket to allow fitting of the insert.

The insert may be co-axial with the socket, such that the bore of a pipe arranged around the insert may be co-axial with the socket.

The co-axial arrangement of the pipe and the socket inhibits compromising of the integrity of the seal.

The leading end may be deformable, such that the insert may be secured within the socket.

The leading end being deformable allows the leading end easily to be inserted into the socket.

The insert may be resiliently deformable. The leading end may be resiliently deformable.

The resilience of the insert, and/or of the leading end of the insert, improves securing of the insert within the socket.

The leading end may define an external skirt. The skirt may be resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert.

The use of the resiliently biased skirt to secure the insert within the socket allows the insert quickly and easily to be retrofitted into an existing pipe socket.

The skirt may comprise a series of tabs resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert. The skirt may comprise between three and fifteen tabs. The skirt may comprise between five and ten tabs.

The resiliently biased tabs provide a compressible skirt, as the tabs can be compressed towards one another as the insert enters the pipe socket.

A free end of the skirt may define an external lip. The friction provided by the lip acts to retain the insert within the socket.

The socket may comprise a wall defining a bore; and the skirt may engage the wall so as to radially locate the insert within the socket.

The leading end may define a leading face configured to abut an internal feature of the socket, so as to axially locate the insert within the socket. The leading face may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insert.

The leading face provides a location point for the insert, so that an indication is given when the insert has been properly fitted within the socket.

An internal edge of the leading end may be chamfered, or may be rounded.

The internal edge of the leading end being chamfered or rounded, i.e. having a radius, improves flow through the insert, and decreases the likelihood of detritus catching in the insert.

A body of the insert may comprise a cylindrical wall, and a leading portion of the cylindrical wall may be tapered towards the trailing end. The exterior angle of the taper may be between 1° and 100, and/or may between 3° and 8°, and/or may be approximately 6°.

Advantageously, the external taper of the insert allows pipes of varying tolerance to be fitted over the insert.

An external edge of the trailing end may be chamfered, or may be rounded.

The external edge of the trailing end having a chamfer, or being rounded, improves ease of fitting a pipe over the insert.

The fitting may further comprise an olive located between the insert and the socket. The olive may have a leading end, and the olive may be tapered towards the leading end. The olive may have an inside face, and the inside face of the olive may define at least one circumferential ridge.

The olive provides a seal between the pipe and the socket. The circumferential ridge or ridges provide grip, securing the olive against the pipe.

The fitting may further comprise a nut configured to be connected to an external thread of the socket, and may comprise a washer located between the nut and the socket.

There is further provided an insert for a pipe socket, the insert being configured to provide a spigot around which the bore of a pipe can be arranged. The insert comprises a leading end configured for insertion into a socket, and a trailing end, and defining a flow path between the leading and trailing ends for allowing fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis of the insert. The insert may be deformable, so as to be securable within a pipe socket.

The deformable nature of the insert allows it easily to be inserted into a socket, and allows the insert to be retrofitted to sockets of varying tolerance, as the insert will compress as it is fitted. Advantageously, there is no need to heat or otherwise deform the socket to allow fitting of the insert.

The insert may be co-axial with a socket, such that the bore of a pipe arranged around the insert may be co-axial with said socket.

The co-axial arrangement of the pipe and a socket inhibits compromising of the integrity of the seal.

The leading end may be deformable, such that the insert is configured to be secured within a socket.

The leading end being deformable allows the leading end easily to be inserted into a socket.

The resilience of the insert, and/or of the leading end of the insert, improves securing of the insert within a socket.

The leading end may define an external skirt. The skirt may be resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert, so as to radially locate the insert within a socket.

The use of the resiliently biased skirt to secure the insert within a socket allows the insert quickly and easily to be retrofitted into an existing pipe socket.

The skirt may comprise a series of tabs resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert. The skirt may comprise between three and fifteen tabs, and/or may comprise between five and ten tabs.

The resiliently biased tabs provide a compressible skirt, as the tabs can be compressed towards one another as the insert enters a pipe socket.

A free end of the skirt may define an external lip. The friction provided by the lip acts to retain the insert within a socket.

The skirt may be configured to engage a wall of a socket so as to radially locate the insert within a socket.

The leading end may define a leading face configured to abut an internal feature of a socket, so as to axially locate the insert within a socket. The leading face may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insert.

The leading face provides a location point for the insert, so that an indication is given when the insert has been properly fitted within a socket.

An internal edge of the leading end may be chamfered, or may be rounded.

An external edge of the trailing end may be chamfered, or may be rounded.

The external edge of the trailing end having a chamfer or being rounded improves ease of fitting a pipe over the insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded cross sectional view of a pipe socket according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the pipe socket of Figure 1 in an assembled state; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an insert of the socket of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an alternative perspective view of the insert of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross sectional through the insert of Figures 3 and 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) Figures 1 and 2 show a plumbing fitting indicated generally at 10. The fitting 10 includes a body 12 defining a pipe socket 14, and an insert 16 inserted into the socket 14. The insert 16 forms a spigot within the body 12. The bore of a pipe (not shown) fitted into the socket 14 can be arranged around the insert 16. The insert 16 is deformable, as described in further detail below, so that it is secured within the socket 14.

The insert 16 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis x of the socket 14. That is, the insert 16 and the socket 14 are co-axial. The pipe arranged around the insert 16 is therefore also co-axial with the socket 14.

An olive 18 encircles the insert, and is dimensioned to leave a gap between the olive 18 and the insert 16 that is configured to receive the pipe to be connected to the fitting 10.

When the pipe is inserted, a seal is formed between the socket 14 and the pipe. As the insert 16 ensures that the pipe is co-axial with the socket 14, the integrity of the seal is not compromised.

The olive 18 is tapered, with a narrower leading end 18a i.e. the end 18a towards the body 12. The taper of the olive 18 improves ease of insertion of the olive 18 into the socket 14.

An inside face 19 of the olive 18 defines a series of circumferential ridges 21. The ridges 21 are configured to grip the free end of the pipe to improve the seal. In an alternative embodiment, the inside face of the olive is flat, with no ridges. In this embodiment, the olive 18 is of synthetic rubber material. In alternative embodiments, some other suitable material is used.

A nut 22 is screwed to an external thread 24 of the socket 14, and secures the parts of the fitting 10 together. A flat washer 20, in this embodiment of plastics material, acts to prevent the nut 22 and the olive 18 binding as the nut 22 is tightened.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the insert 16 has a leading end 16a and a trailing end 16b. A flow path is defined between the leading 16a and trailing 16b ends, and allows fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis x of the insert 16. The leading end 16a is configured for insertion into the socket 14. The trailing end 16b is configured for connection with a free end of the pipe. The free end of the pipe is fitted over a substantially cylindrical body 26 of the insert 16 to form a joint.

In this embodiment, the leading end 16a of the insert is deformable. In this embodiment, the insert 16 is resiliently deformable. That is, in this embodiment, the leading end 16a of the insert is resiliently deformable. The resilient nature of the insert 16 improves securing of the insert 16 within the socket 14.

The insert 16 has an external skirt 28 (shown in Figures 3 and 4). The skirt 28 extends from the leading end 16a towards the trailing end 16b, at an angle to the longitudinal axis x. The skirt 28 extends partway of the length of the insert 16. In this embodiment, the skirt 28 is approximately 8mm in length. In alternative embodiments, the skirt is of some other suitable length.

The skirt 28 is resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis x.

The socket 14 has a bore defined by a wall of the body 12. When the leading end 16a is inserted into the socket 14, the skirt 28 engages the wall. The skirt 28 thus radially locates the insert 16 within the socket.

The skirt 28 extends radially beyond the body 26 to create a gap 29 into which the free end of the pipe can be fitted, as shown in Figure 2. The underside 31 of the skirt thus provides a stop for the end of the pipe, allowing a fitter to identify when the pipe has been correctly inserted into the socket 14 and over the insert 16.

The skirt 28 has a series of tabs 30 separated from one another. In this embodiment, there are six tabs 30. In alternative embodiments, the skirt has some other suitable number of tabs 30. For example, the skirt may have between three and fifteen tabs, or between five and ten tabs.

The individual tabs 30 allow the skirt 28 to be compressed on insertion into the socket 14. The compressible nature of the skirt 28 advantageously allows the insert 16 to be used in sockets of varying tolerance. In this embodiment, the insert 16 is dimensioned for use with a socket 14 of approximately 32mm in diameter. In a further embodiment, the insert is dimensioned for use with a socket of approximately 40mm in diameter. In further embodiments, the insert is dimensioned for use with pipes of other sizes.

The skirt 28 has a free end 44, i.e. the end proximal the trailing end 16b. As shown in Figure 5, each tab 30 defines at the free end 44 an external lip 46, protruding outwardly from the tabs 30, e.g. extending substantially perpendicular to the skirt 28. The lip 46 is resiliently biased against the bore of the socket 14 by the remainder of the skirt 28. The lip 46 thus acts to axially locate the insert 16 within the socket 14.

The leading end 16a of the insert 16 defines a leading face 32 configured to abut an internal feature of the socket 14. In this embodiment, the face 32 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x. The face 32 is configured to abut a corresponding internal chamfer 34 of the socket 14 (see Figure 2). On fitting of the insert 16, the insert 16 is pushed into the socket 14 until the face 32 meets the chamfer 34, axially locating the insert 16 and indicating to the fitter that the insert 16 is properly fitted. The socket 14 may in alternative embodiments define some other feature than a chamfer against which a face 32 is configured to abut. In an alternative embodiment, the face is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis x.

An internal edge 36 of the leading end 16a, i.e. an internal edge of the face 32, is chamfered. The angle provided by the chamfer impedes flow less than a perpendicular corner, so that the chamfer 36 improves flow through the insert 16. In addition, the chamfer 36 decreases the likelihood of detritus being caught in the insert 16, e.g. a hair that could decrease flow rate and potentially lead to the accumulation of further detritus, forming a blockage. In an alternative embodiment, the internal edge of the leading end is rounded, i.e. the leading edge has a radius, to similar advantage.

The cylindrical body 26 of the insert is formed by a substantially cylindrical wall 38, as shown in Figure 5. A leading portion 40 of the wall 38 is tapered towards the trailing end 16b, i.e. the outer diameter of the wall 38 decreases through the leading portion 40 from the leading end 16a towards the trailing end 16b. In this embodiment, the leading portion 40 has a taper of approximately 6°. In alternative embodiments, the taper of the leading portion is between 1° and 10°. The remainder of the cylindrical wall 38 is substantially parallel in cross section. The tapered leading portion 40 allows the pipe to be eased over the insert 16 during fitting. In addition, the tapered portion 40 allows pipes of varying tolerance to be used with one size of insert 16, reducing the need for adaptation by e.g. heating of the pipe end.

As shown in Figure 5, an external edge 42 at the trailing end 16b is chamfered. The chamfer 42 further improves ease of fitting, and serves to guide the free end of the pipe over the insert 16. If a fitter is attempting to fit a pipe over the insert 16 at an angle, i.e. so the longitudinal axis of the pipe is not lined with the longitudinal axis x of the insert, the chamfer 42 will assist in correcting the misalignment. In an alternative embodiment, the external edge of the trailing end is rounded, i.e. having a radius, to similar advantage.

The deformable nature of the insert allows it easily to be retro-fitted to a socket. The insert provides an effective means of ensuring that a pipe is substantially co-axial with a socket, thus improving seal integrity. Should the insert need to be replaced, the insert can be removed, with no need to risk damage to the socket by cutting the insert out.

Replacement time of the insert is thus advantageously low.

A pipe can be centred on its outside diameter by the inside diameter of the skirt 28, or on its inside diameter by the tapered portion 40. The insert 16 can itself be fitted to sockets of varying tolerance.

Claims

Claims 1. A plumbing fitting comprising: a pipe socket; and an insert supported within the socket to form a spigot therein, around which the bore of a pipe can be arranged; the insert comprising a leading end configured for insertion into the socket, and a trailing end, and defining a flow path between the leading and trailing ends for allowing fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis of the insert; wherein the insert is deformable, such that the insert is secured within the socket; the plumbing fitting further comprising an olive located between the insert and the socket.
2. A fitting according to claim 1 wherein the insert is co-axial with the socket, such that the bore of a pipe arranged around the insert is co-axial with the socket.
3. A fitting according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the leading end is deformable, such that the insert is secured within the socket.
4. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the insert is resiliently deformable.
S. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the leading end defines an external skirt.
6. A fitting according to claim 5 wherein the skirt is resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert.
7. A fitting according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the skirt comprises a series of tabs resiliently biased in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the insert.
8. A fitting according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the skirt comprises between three and fifteen tabs.
9. A fitting according to claim 8 wherein the skirt comprises between five and ten tabs.
10. A fitting according to any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein a free end of the skirt defines an external lip.
11. A fitting according to any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the socket comprises a wall defining a bore; and wherein the skirt engages the wall so as to radially locate the insert within the socket.
12. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the leading end defines a leading face configured to abut an internal feature of the socket, so as to axially locate the insert within the socket.
13. A fitting according to claim 12 wherein the leading face is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insert.
14. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein an internal edge of the leading end is chamfered.
15. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein an internal edge of the leading end is rounded.
16. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein a body of the insert comprises a cylindrical wall, and wherein a leading portion of the cylindrical wall is tapered towards the trailing end.
17. A fitting according to claim 16 wherein the exterior angle of the taper is between 1° and 10°.
18. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein an external edge of the trailing end is chamfered.
19. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein an external edge of the trailing end is rounded.
20. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the olive has a leading end, and wherein the olive is tapered towards the leading end.
21. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the olive has an inside face, and wherein the inside face of the olive defines at least one circumferential ridge.
22. A fitting according to any preceding claim further comprising a nut configured to be connected to an external thread of the socket.
23. A fitting according to claim 21 further comprising a washer located between the nut and the socket.
24. A plumbing fitting comprising: a pipe socket; and an insert supported within the socket to form a spigot therein, around which the bore of a pipe can be arranged; the insert comprising a leading end configured for insertion into the socket, and a trailing end, and defining a flow path between the leading and trailing ends for allowing fluid to flow along a longitudinal axis of the insert; wherein the insert is deformable, such that the insert is secured within the socket; the plumbing fitting further comprising a nut configured to be connected to an external thread of the socket.