GB2595206A

GB2595206A - A plumbing fitting for a shower tray

Info

Publication number: GB2595206A
Application number: GB2006420.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ledwith Bruce; Bowers Jonathan
Original assignee: KUDOS SHOWER PRODUCTS Ltd; Mwc Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: KUDOS SHOWER PRODUCTS Ltd; Mwc Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-30
Filing date: 2020-04-30
Publication date: 2021-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-30
Also published as: GB202006420D0; GB2595206B

Abstract

The plumbing fitting comprises a first wall 15 opposite to a second wall 16. A pair of surfaces 17, 18, extend between the walls. The surfaces are inclined such that they diverge in a direction from the first to the second wall. A fluid conduit is formed with a inlet and an outlet. The fluid conduit is partially delimited by the second wall, the first surface and the second surface. In one orientation one of the surfaces provides a downward gradient toward the outlet. The fitting may include an open side with the input. Also claimed is a shower drainage assembly including a shower tray and the plumbing fitting.

Description

A PLUMBING FITTING FOR A SHOWER TRAY

[0001] This invention relates to a plumbing fitting for a shower tray. In particular, a plumbing fitting for a shower tray comprising a fluid conduit having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the supply and discharge of fluid into and out of the fluid conduit. Aspects of the invention relate to a plumbing fitting and a shower drainage assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In known drainage arrangements for showers, fluid drains from a shower tray through an outlet in the base of the shower tray. The fluid drains vertically downwards from the outlet into a drainage pipe. Further downstream, the drainage pipe is connected to any further necessary pluming. For example, the drainage pipe may be connected to a trap to ensure that odours do not travel up the drainage pipe into a room. The trap may be formed by a bent pipe which retains fluid.

[0003] The drainage arrangements for known showers require significant vertical space for the necessary pluming to be installed, and this has several drawbacks. Installing a new shower in an existing building can be time consuming and costly if joists within the building or the existing flooring must to be modified to provide sufficient vertical space for the necessary plumbing. In some circumstances, a shower tray may need to be raised above the floor of a room to help provide the space for the necessary plumbing. As such, installing a shower tray flush to the floor or such that the height of the tray above the floor is small may not always be possible.

[0004] It is an object of certain embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plumbing fitting for a shower tray, the fitting comprising' a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall; a first surface and a second surface extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the second surface is opposite and inclined with respect to the first surface such that the first and second surfaces diverge from one another along a direction from the first wall to the second wall; a fluid conduit having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the supply and discharge of fluid into and out of the fluid conduit, respectively, wherein the fluid conduit is at least partially delimited by the second wall, the first surface and the second surface such that in a first orientation of the fitting one of the first surface and the second surface provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and in a second orientation of the fitting the other of the first surface and the second surface provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet.

[0006] In some embodiments, the at least one outlet may comprise an outlet extending from the first surface to the second surface. In some embodiments, the at least one outlet may comprise a first outlet contiguous with the first surface and a second outlet contiguous with the second surface.

[0007] The at least one outlet may comprise one or more apertures in the second wall.

[0008] The at least one inlet may extend from the first surface to the second surface and substantially along the entire length of the first and second surfaces.

[0009] The first and second walls may be substantially parallel to one another.

[0010] The plumbing fitting may comprise a third wall and a fourth wall substantially parallel to the third wall. The third and fourth walls may extend between the first wall and the second wall on either side of the first and second surfaces such that the first and second surfaces are enclosed between the third and fourth walls. The third and fourth walls may be perpendicular to the first and second walls.

[0011] The plumbing fitting may comprise an open side extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the open side comprises the at least one inlet.

[0012] The plumbing fitting may comprise a fifth wall extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the fifth wall may be opposite to the open side.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first surface and the second surface are symmetric about a plane of symmetry equidistant from the first and second surfaces. The third and fourth walls may be parallel to and equidistant from the plane of symmetry. The at least one inlet may be bisected by the plane of symmetry [0014] In the first orientation, the first surface may be above the second surface and in the second orientation the second surface may be above the first surface.

[0015] The second orientation of the pipe fitting may be offset from the first orientation by substantially 1800 about an axis extending in between the first and second surfaces and approximately equidistant from the first and second walls.

[0016] The first and second surfaces may diverge from the first wall to the second wall such that the distance between the surfaces increases by at least 24 mm.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a shower drainage assembly comprising; a plumbing fitting as described above; and a shower tray; the plumbing fitting being connectable to the shower tray in the first orientation or the second orientation such that, in use, fluid drains from the shower tray into the at least one inlet of the fluid conduit and out of the at least one outlet of the fluid conduit.

[0018] The shower drainage assembly may comprise a fascia plate connectable between the plumbing fitting and the shower tray, wherein the fascia plate comprises an aperture such that, in use, fluid drains from the shower tray into the at least one inlet of the fluid conduit through the aperture. The aperture may be smaller than the at least one inlet.

[0019] In some embodiments, the distance of maximum divergence between the first and second surfaces may be less than or equal to the maximum height of the shower tray.

[0020] In some embodiments, the distance between the third and fourth walls may be substantially equal to the maximum height of the shower tray.

[0021] The shower tray may comprise a drainage surface, and the drainage surface may be inclined towards a first edge of the shower tray such that the height of the shower tray at the first edge is at least 12 mm less than the maximum height of the drainage surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show a plumbing fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a shower drainage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a shower drainage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a shower drainage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 shows a shower drainage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 show a plumbing fitting 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The plumbing fitting 10 comprises a fluid conduit 11. The fluid conduit 11 has an inlet 12 for the supply of fluid into the fluid conduit 11 and an outlet 13 for the discharge of fluid out of the fluid conduit 11. The plumbing fitting 10 may be used in a shower drainage assembly 100 to simplify the drainage arrangement of a shower and improve ease of installation of a shower in a building (see Figures 3 to 6). In the shower drainage assembly 100, the plumbing fitting 10 may be connected to a shower tray 30 such that fluid may drain from the shower tray 30 into the fluid conduit 11 through the inlet 12. Additionally, the outlet 13 of the fluid conduit 11 may be connected to drainage pipe 50 such that fluid may drain from the fluid conduit 11 into the drainage pipe 50 through the outlet 13. The fluid conduit 11 may provide a flow path 14 through the plumbing fitting 10 from the shower tray 30 to the drainage pipe 50. The incorporation of the plumbing fitting 10 within the shower drainage assembly 100 will be described below in further detail.

[0024] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the plumbing fitting 10 comprises a first wall 15 and a second wall 16 opposite to the first wall 15. A first surface 17 and a second surface 18 extend between the first 15 and the second wall 16. The second wall 16, the first surface 17 and the second surface 18 are arranged to at least partially delimit the fluid conduit 11. The arrangement of the second wall 16 and the first 17 and second 18 surfaces define the flow path 14 of fluid through the plumbing fitting 10.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second surface 18 is arranged opposite to the first surface 17. The second surface 18 is also inclined with respect to the first surface 17 such that the first 17 and second 18 surfaces diverge from one another along a first direction from the first wall 15 to the second wall 16. In certain embodiments, the first 17 and second 18 surfaces may also diverge from one another along a second direction, wherein the second direction may be a direction from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13, and the inlet 12 and outlet 13 are located between the first 17 and second 18 surfaces.

[0026] The fluid conduit 11 is at least partially delimited by the second wall 16, the first surface 17 and the second surface 18 such that in a first orientation of the plumbing fitting 10 one of the first surface 17 and the second surface 18 provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet 12 and the at least one outlet 13 and in a second orientation of the fitting the other of the first surface 17 and the second surface 18 provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet 12 and the at least one outlet 13. Thus, during use, when the plumbing fitting 10 is arranged in the first orientation, fluid entering the fluid conduit 11 through the inlet 12 flows from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 along the downward gradient provided by one of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces. When the plumbing fitting 10 is arranged in the second configuration, fluid entering the inlet 12 of the fluid conduit 11 flows from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 along by the downward gradient provided by the other of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces. Due to the divergence of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13, the second wall 16 is downstream of the inlet 12 in the flow path 14 when the plumbing fitting 10 is arranged in each of the first and second orientations. Additionally, the inlet 12 and outlet 13 are located between the first 17 and second 18 surfaces.

[0027] The fluid conduit 11 may be further delimited by the first wall 15 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to this arrangement. In certain embodiments, the first surface 17 may extend to the second surface 18 so that the first 17 and second 18 surfaces meet at the first wall 15 or at a position between the first wall 15 and the second wall 16. In such embodiments, the first wall 15 would not delimit the fluid conduit 11. In certain embodiments, the plumbing fitting 10 may comprise additional surfaces that may extend between one or both of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces and the first wall 15. In certain embodiments, the plumbing fitting 10 may comprise additional surfaces that may extend between one or both of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces and the second wall 16. The additional surfaces may further delimit the fluid conduit 11 [0028] The arrangement of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces of the fluid conduit 11 provides an almost horizontal flow path 14 in both the first and second orientations. The downward gradient of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13, provides a vertical drop to ensure fluid flows through the fluid conduit 11. The downward gradient is defined by the divergence of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces. The first 17 and second 18 surfaces may diverge from one another along the direction from the first wall 15 to the second wall 16 such that the distance between the surfaces increases by at least 24 mm. The plumbing fitting therefore enables fluid to be transported away from a shower tray 30 without requiring a drainage pipe 50 to extend vertically downwards from the shower tray 30.

[0029] The first and second orientations of the plumbing fitting 10 enable the fluid conduit 11 to provide two different flow paths 14; thus, the two orientations may be used to direct the fluid in different directions. The first and second orientations of the plumbing fitting 10 are shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. In the first orientation, where the first surface 17 provides a downward gradient between the inlet 12 and to the outlet 13, the second surface 18 is above the first surface 17. In the second orientation, where the second surface 18 provides the downward gradient between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13, the first surface 17 is above the second surface 18. The plumbing fitting 10 may be changed from the first orientation to the second orientation by rotating the plumbing fitting 10 by 180° about an axis extending in between the first 17 and second 18 surfaces and approximately equidistant from the first 15 and second 16 walls.

[0030] To facilitate drainage of fluid from the fluid conduit 11 in both the first and second orientations, the outlet 13 may extend from the first surface 17 to the second surface 18 as shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Fluid may be discharged through the outlet 13 when the downward gradient is provided by the first 17 or the second 18 surfaces. In alternative embodiments, the fluid conduit 11 may comprise a plurality of outlets. In such embodiments, the conduit may comprise a first outlet contiguous with the first surface 17 and a second outlet contiguous with the second surface 18; thus ensuring that fluid drains from the fluid conduit 11 in both the first and second orientations.

[0031] The outlet 13 of the fluid conduit 11 may be positioned where the divergence between the first 17 and second 18 surfaces is greatest to ensure substantially all fluid is discharged from the fluid conduit 11. Since the first 17 and second 18 surfaces diverge from one another along a direction from the first wall 15 to the second wall 16, the outlet 13 may be located in the second wall 16. The outlet 13 or the plurality of outlets may comprise an aperture or apertures in the second wall 16. In certain embodiments, a pipe 19 may extend from the aperture or apertures. The pipe 19 may be connected to the drainage pipe 50 of the shower drainage assembly 100.

[0032] The inlet 12 of the fluid conduit 11 may enable fluid to be supplied into the fluid conduit 11 from a shower tray 20, irrespective of its shape or size. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plumbing fitting 10 comprises an open side 25 extending between the first wall 15 and the second wall 16. The open side 25 comprises the inlet 12. The inlet 12 may extend from the first surface 17 to the second surface 18 and substantially along the entire length of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces. The extent of the inlet 12 between and along the first 17 and second 18 surfaces enables the plumbing fitting 10 to be connectable to different shaped shower trays 30 in the first and second configurations. The coupling of the plumbing fitting 10 to a shower tray 30 will be described in further detail below.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plumbing fitting 10 may be configured to direct fluid received through the inlet 12 through an angle of approximately 90° before discharging the fluid from the outlet 13. As such, the space required to install the plumbing fitting 10 may be reduced. This may be achieved by arranging the outlet 13 substantially perpendicular to the inlet 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first 15 and second 16 walls are parallel to one another and the open side 25, which comprises the inlet 12, is substantially perpendicular to the first 15 and second 16 walls. Thus, fluid entering the fluid conduit 11 through the inlet 12 is directed through an angle of approximately 90° from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 in the second wall 16. In alternative embodiments, the plumbing fitting 10 may be configured to direct fluid received through the inlet 12 through an angle of greater than 90° before discharging the fluid from the outlet 13. The position of the outlet 13 in relation to the inlet 12 and the alignment of the first 15 and second 16 walls may be chosen to provide any

suitable angle.

[0034] To improve the ease of installation of the plumbing fitting 10, the plumbing fitting 10 may further comprise a third wall 20 and a fourth wall 21. The third 20 and fourth 21 walls may extend between the first wall 15 and the second wall 16 on either side of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces such that the first 17 and second 18 surfaces are enclosed between the third 20 and fourth 21 walls. The first 17 and second 18 surfaces may be supported on the third 20 and fourth 21 walls by a plurality of ribs 22 extending from the third 20 and fourth 21 walls. However, in alternative embodiments, the first 17 and second 18 surfaces may be supported on the third 20 and fourth 21 walls by any suitable means. As shown in Figure 1, in the first orientation, the third wall 20 is beneath the first surface 17 and the fourth wall 21 is above the second surface 18. In the second configuration shown in Figure 2, third wall 20 is above the first surface 17 and the fourth wall 21 is beneath the second surface 18. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third wall 20 and the fourth wall 21 are substantially parallel to one another. By enclosing the inclined first 17 and second 18 surfaces within the parallel third 20 and fourth 21 walls, the installation of the plumbing fitting 10 may be simplified.

[0035] To further improve the ease of installation of the plumbing fitting 10, the outer shape of the plumbing fitting 10 may be sustainably cuboid as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The substantially cuboid outer shape improves the ease of aligning the plumbing fitting 10 with, the shower tray 30, a wall of a room and/or the floor of the room during installation. The outer shape of the plumbing fitting 10 is defined by the first 15, second 16, third 20 and fourth 21 walls and a fifth wall (not shown). The fifth wall extends between the first wall 15 and the second wall 16 and between the third 20 and fourth 21 walls and opposite to the open side 25. The fifth wall may further delimit the fluid conduit 11. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first 15 and second 16 walls are parallel to one another a perpendicular to the third 20, fourth 21 and fifth walls.

[0036] The fluid conduit 11 may provide the same drainage performance between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13 when the plumbing fitting 10 is arranged in each of the first and second orientations. To achieve this, the first 17 and second 18 surfaces may be symmetrical about a plane of symmetry (not shown) equidistant from the first 17 and second 18 surfaces. As such, the downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet 12 and the at least one outlet 13 may be the same in the first and the second orientations. Additionally, the outlet 13 or plurality of outlets may be symmetrical about the plane of symmetry. The inlet 12 may be bisected by the plane of symmetry. Furthermore, the third and fourth walls may be parallel to and equidistant from the plane of symmetry.

[0037] The plumbing fitting 10 may be used in a shower drainage assembly 100 as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The shower drainage assembly 100 comprises the shower tray 30 and the plumbing fitting 10. In certain embodiments, the shower tray 30 may comprise a wet room former onto which files or a suitable covering is laid. In alternative embodiments, the shower tray 30 may be installed without requiring an additional covering.

[0038] The plumbing fitting 10 is connectable to the shower tray 30 in the first orientation or the second orientation such that fluid may drain from the shower tray 30 into the inlet 12 of the fluid conduit 11 and out of the outlet 13 of the fluid conduit 11. Figure 3 shows the plumbing fitting 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, connected to the shower tray 30 in the second orientation such that fluid entering the fluid conduit 11 is directed towards a first side 31 of the shower tray 30. If the plumbing fitting 10 is connected to the shower tray 30 in the first orientation, fluid entering the fluid conduit 11 may be directed towards a second side 32 of the shower tray 30.

[0039] The shower drainage assembly 100 may comprise a fascia plate 40 connectable between the plumbing fitting 10 and the shower tray 30. The shower tray 30, fascia plate 40 and plumbing fitting 10 may be welded or otherwise connected together to ensure the shower drainage assembly 100 has water tight seals. The fascia plate 40 may be connected in between the plumbing fitting 10 and a first edge 37 of the shower tray 30. The fascia plate 40 may extend along the length of the first edge 37 of the shower tray 30. The fascia plate 40 may have a height equal to the maximum height of the first edge 37 of the shower tray 30.

[0040] The fascia plate 40 comprises an aperture 41 so that fluid on the shower tray 30 may drain into the inlet 12 of the fluid conduit 11 through the aperture 41. The aperture 41 may comprise an elongate opening in the fascia plate 40 to allow rapid drainage of fluid through the aperture 41. The shape and size of the aperture 41 may be chosen to conform with the shape and size of the shower tray 30. In certain embodiments, the aperture 41 may be smaller than the inlet 12 of the plumbing fitting 10. As shown in Figure 3, the inlet 12 may extend from the first surface 17 to the second surface 18 of the plumbing fitting 10 and substantially along the entire length of the first 17 and second 18 surfaces, but the aperture 41 may have a smaller extent. The combination of a large inlet 12 of the plumbing fitting 10 with a smaller aperture 41 in a fascia plate 40 improves the versatility of the plumbing fitting 10 because the shape and size of the aperture 41 can be chosen to conform with the shower tray whilst the plumbing fitting can be connected to the shower tray 30 irrespective of its shape or size.

[0041] The shower tray 30 may comprise a drainage surface 33. The drainage surface 33 may be inclined towards the first edge 37 of the shower tray 30. The size and location of the aperture 41 of the fascia plate 40 and the configuration of the drainage surface 33 may be chosen so that fluid on the shower tray 30 is guided towards the aperture 41. The lower edge of the aperture 41 may be aligned with a part of the first edge 37 of the shower tray 30 so that substantially all fluid may drain from the shower tray 30. As shown in Figure 3, the drainage surface 33 of the shower may comprise a first outer section 34 and a second outer section 35 and an inner section 36 between the first 34 and second 35 outer sections. The first 34 and second 35 outer sections and the inner section 36 may be inclined relative to one another to direct fluid towards the first edge 37 of the shower tray 30 and through the aperture 41.

[0042] To enable fluid to drain into the aperture 41 from the drainage surface 33, the inclination of the drainage surface 33 is such that the height of the shower tray 30 at the first edge 37 may be at least 12 mm less than the maximum height of the drainage surface 33. In certain embodiments, the height of the first edge 37 may be between 12 mm and 15 mm less than the maximum height of the drainage surface 33. The drainage surface 33, therefore, provides a downwards gradient for fluid to flow off the shower tray 30 through the aperture 41 and into the fluid conduit 11 of the plumbing fitting 10.

[0043] The fluid conduit 11 of the plumbing fitting 10 enables fluid to from the shower tray 30 to be drained in an almost horizontal direction reducing the height required to drain fluid from a shower tray 30. Thus, the vertical space required for the shower drainage assembly 100 to be installed is reduced. As a result, a shower tray 30 may be installed flush to the floor of a room. or it may be installed such that the height of the tray above the floor is small relative to prior art arrangements where plumbing beneath the tray is required. Therefore, the plumbing fitting 10 may be used with a low profile shower tray 30 where the height of the plumbing fitting 10 may be equal to the maximum height of the shower tray 30. In such embodiments, the shower drainage assembly 100 may be configured such that the distance of maximum divergence between the first 17 and second 18 surfaces may be less than or equal to the maximum height of the shower tray 30. Additionally, the distance between the third and fourth wall of the plumbing fitting 10 may be substantially equal to the maximum height of the shower tray 30.

[0044] As described above, the shower drainage assembly 100 may comprise the drainage pipe 50 coupled to the outlet 13 of the fluid conduit 11. The drainage pipe 50 may transport fluid from the plumbing fitting 10 to a location separated from the shower where the vertical height available to install further plumbing components such as a trap. Therefore, simplifying the installation of a shower in a room. The drainage pipe 50 may have a vertical drop of at least 12 mm between the plumbing fitting 10 and any further plumbing components. In certain embodiments, the drainage pipe 50 may have a vertical drop between 12 mm and 15 mm between the plumbing fitting 10 and any further plumbing components [0045] The shower drainage assembly 100 may additionally include a hair trap 60 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The hair trap 60 may catch hair and debris in the fluid passing into the plumbing fitting 10 to reduce the likelihood of the fluid conduit 11 becoming blocked.

[0046] Figure 6 shows the shower drainage assembly 100 installed within a room. The shower tray 30 may be mounted directly onto the structural substrate or floor 70. The plumbing fitting 10 and drainage pipe 50 may be located in a recess 91 within a composite wall 90 of the room. A finished wall covering 80 may extend in front of the composite wall 90 such that the fascia plate is flush with the finished wall covering 80. Figure 6 shows the finished wall covering 80 partially extending over the composite wall 90. The plumbing fitting 10 simplifies the installation of a shower drainage assembly 100 in a room in that the floor 70 of the room does not require modification and the shower tray 30 does not need to be elevated to provide additional height for plumbing [0047] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0048] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one. or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0049] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A plumbing fitting for a shower tray, the fitting comprising: a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall; a first surface and a second surface extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the second surface is opposite and inclined with respect to the first surface such that the first and second surfaces diverge from one another along a direction from the first wall to the second wall; a fluid conduit having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the supply and discharge of fluid into and out of the fluid conduit, respectively, wherein the fluid conduit is at least partially delimited by the second wall, the first surface and the second surface such that in a first orientation of the fitting one of the first surface and the second surface provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and in a second orientation of the fitting the other of the first surface and the second surface provides a downward gradient that extends between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet.
2. A plumbing fitting according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet comprises an outlet extending from the first surface to the second surface.
3. A plumbing fitting according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet comprises a first outlet contiguous with the first surface and a second outlet contiguous with the second surface.
4. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet comprises one or more apertures in the second wall.
A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inlet extends from the first surface to the second surface and substantially along the entire length of the first and second surfaces.
6. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel to one another.
7. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a third wall and a fourth wall substantially parallel to the third wall; the third and fourth walls extend between the first wall and the second wall on either side of the first and second surfaces such that the first and second surfaces are enclosed between the third and fourth walls.
8. A plumbing fitting according to claim 7, wherein the third and fourth walls are perpendicular to the first and second walls.
9 A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an open side extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the open side comprises the at least one inlet.
10. A plumbing fitting according to claim 9, comprising a fifth wall extending between the first wall and the second wall wherein the fifth wall is opposite to the open side.
11. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface and the second surface are symmetric about a plane of symmetry equidistant from the first and second surfaces.
12. A plumbing fitting according to claim 11, when dependent on claims 7 or 8, wherein the third and fourth wall are parallel to and equidistant from the plane of symmetry.
13. A plumbing fitting according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one inlet is bisected by the plane of symmetry
14. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the first orientation the first surface is above the second surface and in the second orientation the second surface is above this first surface.
15. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second orientation of the pipe fitting is offset from the first orientation by substantially 1800 about an axis extending in between the first and second surfaces and approximately equidistant from the first and second walls.
16. A plumbing fitting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second surfaces diverge from one another along the direction the first wall to the second wall such that the distance between the surfaces increases by at least 24 mm.
17 A shower drainage assembly comprising; a plumbing fitting of any of the preceding claims; and a shower tray; the plumbing fitting being connectable to the shower tray in the first orientation or the second orientation such that, in use, fluid drains from the shower tray into the at least one inlet of the fluid conduit and out of the at least one outlet of the fluid conduit.
18. A shower drainage assembly according to claim 17, comprising a fascia plate connectable between the plumbing fitting and the shower tray, wherein the fascia plate comprises an aperture such that, in use, fluid drains from the shower tray into the at least one inlet of the fluid conduit through the aperture.
19. A shower drainage assembly according to claim 18, wherein the aperture is smaller than the at least one inlet.
20. A shower drainage assembly according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the distance of maximum divergence between the first and second surfaces is less than or equal to the maximum height of the shower tray.
21. A shower drainage assembly according to any of claims 17 to 20, comprising the plumbing fitting of claim 7, wherein the distance between the third and fourth wall is substantially equal to the maximum height of the shower tray.
22. A shower drainage assembly according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the shower tray comprises a drainage surface, and the drainage surface is inclined towards a first edge of the shower tray such that the height of the shower tray at the first edge is at least 12 mm less than the maximum height of the drainage surface.