GB2600246A

GB2600246A - Radiator pipe guide assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2600246A
Application number: GB2113464.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Challinor Mike
Original assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2021-09-21
Publication date: 2022-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-21
Also published as: GB202207220D0; GB202015875D0; GB2607447B; GB2600246B; GB2607447A

Abstract

A pipe guide assembly 1 for guiding a utility pipe 14 out of a wall (44, fig 5) comprises a mounting member 10 and a cover plate 12. The mounting member and the cover plate are connectable together, for example with a screw 38 or bolt. The mounting member further comprises a guiding surface (34, fig 3) to guide the pipe along a predetermined path into an oblique angle to the surface. The cover plate is connectable to the mounting member adjustably along an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member. The guiding surface comprises a channel having a first portion open to a rear of the mounting member and a second portion open to the front of the mounting member for hand off of the pipe to the cover plate. There is also claimed a method of manufacturing a pipe guide assembly and a computer readable medium for controlling an additive manufacturing process of manufacture a pipe guide assembly.

Description

Radiator pipe guide assembly

FIELD

The present invention relates to a pipe guide assembly and more particularly a pipe guide assembly for use in guiding one or more pipe through a wall, for example to provide a radiator pipe guide. The pipe guide assembly will typically provide a seal or impermeable barrier for an aperture through which the at least one pipe passes from the fabric of the building to a radiator mounting position in a building. Providing a close fitting barrier, whether sealed, impermeable, or just close fitting, allows better heat leakage protection, or reduced air venting, for the room.

BACKGROUND

For many building projects, it is a requirement, for example under British building regulations, that the wall fittings in the building are largely draught proof. An area where this has been difficult to achieve is where central heating pipes pass through dry lined walls. It such situations, there is often an aperture cut in the dry lining materials, for example plasterboard, to allow the pipes behind the dry lining materials to reach a radiator inside a room through the aperture. The aperture around the pipes usually should be sealed to close off the aperture around the pipes to prevent or minimise any air venting and heat loss through that aperture.

Furthermore, it is useful to guide the path of such pipes to ensure that they are positioned discreetly and securely, and such that they can connect to a radiator without excessively kinking or twisting -thus maintaining low resistance to water flow.

Another important consideration is that the fitting process involves installing the pipes and the radiator at different stages of a build. In the "first fix a plumber positions the pipes throughout the building into initial positions where the walls/radiators will be, or inside and along the walls/studwork when already present. Then, later, the radiators are joined to the pipes once the walls are fully assembled -in the "second fix". In between these stages, wall frames or studwork may be covered with the dry lining materials, for example plasterboard, so the pipes must pass through the plasterboard to reach the radiator.

The nature of the fitting process means that the initial position of the pipes and their required final positions are difficult to manage and are often mismatched. During the second fix, the plumber has no control over heights of holes through which the pipes pass and they are often not centrally fitted (or aligned) to the radiator. To overcome this, during that second fix the pipes may then need to be over-bent, kinked or twisted to reach the connection points on the radiator, which is undesirable, and potentially contrary to building regulations.

It is known that flexible water pipes for domestic radiators are not supposed to be bent through less than a radius equal to 8 times the pipe diameter, For example a 10mm diameter pipe typically used to connect to radiators in a domestic or workplace setting should not be bent fighter/less than a 80mm radius. A larger minimum bend radius would be required if the pipes had a larger diameter.

Another problem is that when the pipes are fed through the apertures in the plasterboard, the space surrounding the pipes is not adequately sealed, leading to a potential for substantial airflow through the wall, and thus substantial heat losses.

Radiator pipe guides for sealing the apertures and guiding the pipes do exist, but these devices commonly have drawbacks. For example, some require multiple fixings or components to be assembled together in the confined space that is provided by the aperture/studwork/plasterboard, and are thus difficult or impractical to use. Others are too large, making them awkward to fit, thus requiring additional materials or tools and additional processing time, which in turn leads to higher costs. Bespoke fittings are also known, but they can be costly. Other radiator pipe guides may have a non-conventional shape, or may have a requirement to be joined to the plaster dry lining rather than the block work or studwork, and thus often pull out of the dry lining during the connection of the radiator, especially when being used by a builder or plumber that is not used to them.

Thus, there is a need for a solution that is inexpensive and easy to fit while still providing a barrier around the pipe(s), for helping to conserve energy and thus reduce fuel costs for the building.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate these problems by providing a pipe guide assembly comprising a mounting member and a cover plate that when assembled provides barrier around the pipes. The assembly can be installed in two stages, providing a "first fix" and a "second fix".

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a pipe guide apparatus for guiding a utility pipe from a sub-surface through a building member, the building member being for positioning over the sub-surface, the pipe guide apparatus comprising a mounting member and a cover plate, wherein the mounting member is attachable to the sub-surface and the cover plate is attachable over an outer surface of the building member; the mounting member and the cover plate being configured with guide members to together guide the utility pipe through both the mounting member and the cover plate, and through the building member, to retain the pipe as it exits the cover plate at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the building member, In one aspect of the present invention the cover plate is connectable adjustably along an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member.

In another aspect of the present invention the guide member of the mounting member comprises a guiding channel for guiding the pipe to curve to an oblique angle relative to the sub-surface, the guiding channel having a first portion open to a rear of the mounting member and a second portion open to the front of the mounting member for hand off of the pipe to the cover plate.

With the present invention, the two parts (the mounting member and the cover plate) have guiding members for the pipe that align with one another to control the passage of the pipe therethrough.

The cover plate may be continuously adjustable relative to the mounting member. The cover plate may be connectable to the mounting member at a plurality of positions on the mounting member, the plurality of positions lying along an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member.

In preferred embodiments, the two parts can easily be connected together with the pipe controlled therebetween. The connection can be via one or more connection member, such as a screw and hole, or a snap connection between two parts. Preferably, the connection is optional as the cover plate might instead be connected to the building member.

In preferred embodiments, multiple different pre-defined connection conditions are defined by the one or more connection member. By providing such a variable connection, it is possible to have predefined limits to the form of, or the relative positions of, the guide members, thus ensuring the positioning of the pipe is correct through the pipe guide apparatus and out the front thereof, even when the two parts are installed at different times and by different people.

Furthermore, the pipe guide assembly guides the pipe at an oblique angle to the wall, rather than perpendicularly out therefrom, to avoid it sticking out predominantly into the room, thus helping to prevent kinks and twists in the pipe when it is redirected to the jointing position (valves) on the radiator. It also maintains a desired minimum curvature for the pipe (for example, equal to or larger than 80mm radius at all times for a 10mm pipe) when the pipe has been connected to a radiator.

In some embodiments, the mounting member and the cover plate comprise complementary guiding portions. Ideally, they interface or align with one another to continue guiding the pipe from one part to the other.

In some embodiments, the guiding portion of the mounting member comprises a guiding channel for guiding the pipe from an entry point through to a predetermined oblique angle relative to the sub-surface upon exiting the channel. The channel readily receives the pipe as it preferably has a surface profile complementary to the pipe's external shape.

In some embodiments, the guiding portion of the cover plate aligns with the guiding portion of the mounting member and together they provide a guiding path for the pipe. With the single path for the pipe to follow, the pipe will not be kinked as it passes through and out of the pipe guide apparatus.

In some embodiments, the mounting member comprises a hole for attachment of the mounting member to the sub-surface with a screw. Instead of the screw, there may be a bolt, or a press-fit connection.

In some embodiments, the cover plate is configured to guide the utility pipe along a predetermined oblique angle relative to the outer surface as it exits therefrom. The angle can be chosen to lie the pipe behind the radiator without kinking against either the wall or the radiator.

In some embodiments, the cover plate is a sealing member, and guides the utility pipe out thereof and into the room via a sealing means -preferably a rubber or elastic grommet extending around a circumference of the pipe -e.g. through which the pipe is threaded during the fitting of the cover plate -provides the sealing (or an air barrier) around the pipe. In other embodiments the mounting member has a sealing means to seal around the pipe -e.g. in the channel. Both may have some form of an air-seal or barrier to resist airflow through the pipe guide apparatus around the pipe 0.e. between the channel/guiding members and the pipe. By sealing against or around the pipe, airflow through the pipe guide apparatus is prevented or restricted, thus preventing or restricting avoidable heat losses through it. It thus acts as a barrier member.

In an embodiment, the cover plate provides a seal between its perimeter and the wall surface. In an embodiment there is provided a sealing means, for example a rubber or other suitable polymeric material, which extends continuously around the perimeter of the cover plate. Thus, in use, a substantially air-tight seal is formed between the cover plate and the building member, i.e. a wall surface. In some builds it is required that the building remain adequately airtight to be in line with building regulations, and building pressure testing is carried out to verify this. It is desirable that the seal is adequate to restrict or prevent airflow in the required tests that the build would be exposed to when verifying that airtightness. As such, in some embodiments the sealing means provides an air impermeable seal around the utility pipe (e.g. at ambient air pressures). It may be a tight fit or a compression fit (e.g. with an elastic sealing means -such as a grommet).

In some embodiments, the sealing means has a frusto-conical passage configured to assist insertion of the pipe therethrough. With a larger initial opening, the pipe can easily be inserted through the sealing means, even if the exit hole is smaller than the pipe (and elasticated to stretch open as the pipe is pushed through.

In some embodiments there are two pipes, and the mounting member and the cover plate are configured with two guide members to individually guide each utility pipe through both the mounting member and the cover plate, and the building member, to retain the pipes as they exit the cover plate at oblique angles to the outer surface of the building member. A radiator usually has two separate pipes feeding to it: a hot water supply pipe and a hot water venting pipe. By having both pipes handled by the same pipe guide apparatus, a cleaner installation is possible through the building material.

The pipe guide apparatus will usually be arranged such that the two pipes exit the cover plate both down and sidewardly away from each other. This ensures that the installation will be hidden behind the radiator once the radiator is fitted thereover, as the pipe connections on the radiator are usually at the bottom of the radiator, at opposed ends thereof.

In some embodiments, the mounting member comprises a receiving portion for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member with a fastener.

In some embodiments, the receiving portion comprises a boss for providing a plurality of connection positions for the cover plate.

In some embodiments, the boss is a screw boss having a plurality of holes, each one being arranged for receiving the fastener, thereby providing a plurality of potential positions for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member.

In some embodiments, the boss has a forward facing surface in which the plurality of connection positions are defined.

In some embodiments, the forward facing surface is a ramped surface lying in an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member.

In some embodiments, the mounting member comprises a receiving portion suitable for receiving a fastener, such as a screw or bolt, for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member with the fastener.

In some embodiments, the receiving portion comprises a screw boss having a plurality of holes, each one being arranged for receiving the fastener, thereby providing a plurality of potential positions for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member.

In some embodiments, the or each hole in the receiving portion or boss is threaded, either in the material of the receiving portion or boss, or in a threaded insert -e.g. a brass insert therein. The fastener can then be sized or shaped to fit that thread -be it a screw or a bolt. In other embodiments, the holes are not threaded, and the attachment screw is provided to self-tap into the hole. Ideally, then, the fastener will be a screw in the form of a self-tapping screw.

In some embodiments the cover plate is connectable to the mounting member at a variety of positions in a first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to a wall (or sub surface) in use, or the back of the mounting member. In preferred arrangements, this defines different positions that are laterally spaced relative to the first direction. This can be via the different holes above, or by a slideable or variable-position connector, such as a ratchet system or a laterally slidable clip. In a preferred arrangement, the mounting member has a plurality of different discrete positions which lie on an inclined plane that lies parallel to the back of the mounting member. In other embodiments the variety of positions can be achieved by using a fastener that can attach to the receiving portion through a range of positions in the first direction.

In some embodiments, the fastener would include a screw that is between 20mm and 50mm long, and the receiving portion has a through hole so the fastener can be either partially or fully screwed into and through the receiving portion. Alternatively, different length fasteners can be provided to provide adaptability.

In preferred embodiments, there are a plurality of holes, each having an entry point for the fastener at a different position in the first direction, but laterally spaced apart.

In some embodiments, there are a plurality of holes having an entry point for the fastener at a different position in the first direction, the holes' entry points being linearly aligned to define an inclined reference plane relative to the wall, or the front or back of the mounting member.

Preferably, the reference plane is angled at between 20 and 60 degrees to the wall, or the front or back of the mounting member. More preferably, it is at an angle of between 35 and 55 degrees to the wall, or the front or back of the mounting member.

Preferably, there is a single line of holes, and preferably between 3 and 7 holes. However, there may be two or more lines of holes laterally spaced apart, or an array of holes.

In some embodiments, the forward facing surfaces around the holes define a common plane -preferably a ramp, although they may instead define a stepped surface.

The forward facing surfaces may feature rebated or chamfered edges to provide easier alignment of the fasteners into the holes.

In some embodiments, the mounting member has a guide member for the pipe in the form of a channel, the channel having an exit direction from its front at an inclined angle relative to front or back of the mounting member (or the wall), the plurality of holes for the fastener each having an entry point for the fastener, the entry points together defining an inclined reference plane relative to the wall, or the front or back of the mounting member, wherein the angle of the exit direction and the angle of the reference plane are within 100 of each other when measured in parallel planes extending perpendicular to that front or back of the mounting member, or the wall. Preferably, they are within 5° of each other, and more preferably they are within 2° of each other. Most preferably, they are within the angle ranges of 30 to 60° if measured in vertical parallel planes. A preferred angle is about 45° in that vertical plane.

In some embodiments, the mounting member has a stepped outer profile, with a smaller front than back. This allows a novel method of installing the pipe guide apparatus: the building member may have an aperture through which the pipes extend and the front of the mounting member may be sized to extend into the aperture, whereas the back of the mounting member may be sized to be larger than the aperture.

In some embodiments, the profile is generally square when viewed from the front.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stud wall fitted with a pipe guide apparatus as defined above or herein, wherein the mounting member is attached to surface of a beam within the studwork that has a recessed front compared to the main beams of the studwork. This will usually be a nogging.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall fitted with a pipe guide apparatus as defined above or herein, wherein the building member is spaced from the sub-surface by battens.

In some embodiments, the building member is a sheet of plasterboard.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting member of a pipe guide apparatus as defined above or described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealing member of a pipe guide apparatus as defined above or described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising one or more mounting member and one or more sealing member as defined above or described herein.

Typically, the products of the present invention will be made by conventional injection moulding processes. However, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus or device to manufacture a mounting member and/or a sealing member, or the pipe guide apparatus, each as defined above or described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a device via additive manufacturing, the method comprising: obtaining an electronic file representing a configuration of a product including, a surface configuration or a volume configuration of the product, wherein the product is a mounting member and/or a cover plate, or the pipe guide apparatus, each as defined above or described herein; and controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture, over one or more additive manufacturing steps, the product according to the surface configuration specified in the electronic file.

The present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a pipe guide assembly according to a first embodiment in a disassembled condition; Fig. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a mounting member of the pipe guide assembly according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the mounting member according to the first embodiment; Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) show a front and rear view of the mounting member; Fig. 5 shows the mounting member mounted to a block wall; Fig. 6 shows the mounting member mounted to nogging in a stud wall; Fig. 7 shows a later stage during the construction showing the first fix installation of the pipe guide assembly (the mounting member and pipes) extending through an aperture in a plasterboard sheet; Fig. 8 shows the pipe guide assembly of Figure 1 with a cover plate or sealing member of the pipe guide assembly fitted over the mounting member; Figs. 9(a) and (b) illustrate a front and rear perspective view of the cover plate or sealing member; Figs. 10(a) and (b) illustrate a front and rear view of the cover plate or sealing member; Figs. 11(a) and (b) show opposing side views of the cover plate; Figs. 11(c) and (d) show opposing top and bottom views of the cover plate; Fig. 12 shows a front view of the pipe guide assembly from Fig. 8; Fig. 13 shows a rear view of the pipe guide assembly from Fig. 8; Fig. 14 shows a side view of the pipe guide assembly from Fig. 8; Fig. 15 shows a rear perspective view of the pipe guide assembly from Fig. 8; Fig. 16(a) shows an opposing side cross-sectional view of the pipe guide assembly from Fig. 14; Fig. 16(b) shows a side cross-sectional view of the pipe guide assembly, similar to Figure 16(a) but with the cover plate or sealing member connected to the mounting member in a different vertical position, and spaced further from the mounting member -for simulating a different plasterboard material thickness, great distance between plaster board and block wall, or a deeper set for the mounting member in the studwork; Fig. 17 shows the assembled pipe guide assembly in situ on a plasterboard; Fig. 18 shows in part exploded form the assembly of a radiator onto a block wall using the pipe guide assembly and a plasterboard sheet having an aperture cut in it; Fig. 19 shows the pipe guide assembly fitted behind the radiator (through a cut-away hole in the radiator); Fig. 20 shows a side cross-sectional view of a pipe guide assembly according to a second embodiment; Fig. 21 shows an exploded front perspective view of the pipe guide assembly of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 shows a side section through the embodiment of Figure 20 being used on either side of a wall, in which the cover plate is screwed to the mounting member on one (left) side and into the wall rather than the mounting member on the other (right) side; Figs. 23 and 24 show rear and front views of a third embodiment of mounting member; Figs. 25,26 and 27 show top, bottom and side views of the third embodiment of mounting member; Fig 28 shows a front perspective of the third embodiment of mounting member; Fig 29 shows the mounting member of Figs 23 to 28 being used with the cover plate of Figs 9 to 11, and a radiator fitted in front thereof; Fig. 30 shows how the pipes may bend differently upon exiting the pipe guide assembly dependent upon how the cover plate (not shown to enable visualisation of the pipes) is attached relative to the mounting member; and Fig. 31 shows the two pipe profiles of Fig. 30, one on either side of a wall, but with the cover plates and mounting members both being shown in section on each side of the wall, Fig. 32 shows an exploded front perspective view of a pipe guide assembly according to an embodiment; Fig. 33 shows the two pipe profiles of Fig. 32, one on either side of a wall, but with the cover plates and mounting members both being shown in section on each side of the wall.

Fig. 34 shows the mounting member and cover plate of Figs 32 and a radiator fitted in front thereof.

Fig. 35A and B show a front and back perspective of a mounting member according to an embodiment.

Fig. 36A-D show the mounting member of Fig. 35 from a top, bottom and side perspective Fig. 37A and B show the mounting member of Figs 35 and 36.

Fig. 38A and B illustrate mounting of the mounting member of Fig 35 in situ.

Fig. 39A and B show the mounting member of Fig 35 in situ.

Fig. 40A and B show the mounting member of Fig 35 in situ.

Fig. 41A and B show a cover plate according to an embodiment.

Fig. 42A and B show a cover plate according to an embodiment.

Fig. 43A and B show a mounting member and cover plate according to an embodiment.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. It is a pipe guide assembly 1 for guiding a pipe out of a wall. The pipe guide assembly 1 comprises a mounting member 10 and a cover plate or sealing member 12. The mounting member 10 and the cover plate or sealing member 12 (hereinafter cover plate) are connectable together, for example with a screw or bolt. The mounting member 10 is mountable to a surface on which or from which utility pipes extend.

The mounting member 10 is configured to receive the utility pipe 14 (herein a pair of such pipes 14) and to securely mount it or them at or to the surface in a fixed position. The mounting member 10 further comprises a guiding surface 34 suitable for guiding the pipe or pipes 14 along a predetermined path into an oblique angle to the surface. In this example, the guiding surface has a smooth curvature, and the oblique angle is approximately 45°.

The cover plate or sealing member 12 (hereinafter cover plate 12 in these embodiments) can be connected to the mounting member 10 at a later stage of the building process than the stage at which the mounting member 10 is mounted to a surface, so in this figure, the pipes do not yet pass through the cover plate.

The cover plate 12 is also configured to guide the utility pipes 14 along a predetermined oblique angle, although relative to the surface on which it is mounted, rather than the surface on which mounting member is mounted.

The cover plate 12 guides the utility pipes 14 via guide ports -herein a pair of sealing portions 16. The sealing portions 16 provide a close fit to the pipes, once the pipes are threaded through them, and when provided to seal against the pipes they can provide an impermeable seal around the utility pipes 14.

In this embodiment, the mounting member 10 comprises a substantially square structure, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4. A square structure is familiar to builders, and easy to provide apertures for.

The mounting member 10 has two parallel substantially square faces, as shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), one being a front, and one being a back. The back, in use, lies on the plane of a surface of a wall 44 or of studwork (e.g. a nogging thereof) of a building. See Figures 5 and 6. The front extends through an aperture 60 in a plasterboard sheet 48 that is applied to that wall or studwork.

The faces are spaced apart in a first direction that extends perpendicular to the wall 44, and in this embodiment, the front is smaller than the back, with a step 62 surrounding the front so that the plasterboard can sit against the step 62, as shown in Fig.2. This helps secure the mounting member behind the plasterboard, strengthening the fitting within the wall.

The mounting member 10 has a central screw hole 24 for attachment thereof directly to a wall 44 or to a beam 46 in a stud wall, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 respectively, using a screw 40, as shown in Fig. 1. The screw hole 24 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 has a boss 24 extending forwards and rearwardly of a central flange 64 to provide accessibility to the screw hole from the front, and full depth support to the back of the mounting member. It is suitable for receiving a fastener such as the screw 40, which can be screwed into the receiving surface of the wall or studwork, thereby affixing the mounting member 14 to the surface. Although this central screw hole 1 and a fastener in the form of a screw are described, it will be understood that other forms of mounting means 24 could be used, such as a glue fixant as often used in the building trade, or through the provision of additional screw holes in the sides (see third embodiment of Figure 23).

In this embodiment, four further screw holes 32 are provided in the corners for alternatively mounting the mounting member using screws in the corners.

The mounting member 10 only needs to be affixed to the receiving surface using one mounting means 24 -potentially just the one central screw. Therefore, the process of mounting is simple. However, as shown the mounting member 10 also comprises a plurality of mounting means, for example the corner holes 32 shown in Fig. 4(a) and (b).

Each of these holes 32 are suitable for receiving a fastener, for example a screw or a bolt, Screw holes can even be provided elsewhere -such as central to the sides, or at angles other than perpendicular to the wall, to fit the mounting member to the receiving surface via the best available option. Thus, the mounting member can be versatile and adaptable by choosing which mounting means 24, 32 to use.

If necessary, more than one mounting means can be used to secure the mounting member 10 to a surface. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment there are four corner holes 32, each positioned at a corner of the mounting member 10, but there may be holes elsewhere instead. Using more than just the central hole can better stabilise the mounting member relative to the receiving surface. This is advantageous in particular when the pipe or pipes are not presented to the mounting member from a vertical direction, whereby the mounting member will be "straightening" or centralising the or each pipe at the point at which it or they enter the guiding surfaces 34 of the mounting member 10, such as at openings 18 at the top of the mounting member.

The mounting member 10 in most embodiments will have one or two openings 18 in an edge or sidewall thereof, suitable for receiving one or more utility pipe 14. In this embodiment there are two U-shaped cut-outs sized to fit two pipes, although in some embodiments the cut-outs may have a frangible cover plate over it for removal if needed, so that the edge can remain intact if the pipe(s) 14 instead comes from the cavity of the wall or studwork, rather than over the surface of the studwork.

In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a pair of utility pipes 14 run vertically down the wall and into the mounting member 10. The embodiment, as shown, thus comprises two openings 18, positioned in a top surface (edge) of the mounting member 10, as depicted in Fig. 3.

The openings 18 each lead to a guiding surface 34 -one for each pipe. The guiding surfaces 34 comprise channels 34 that extend through the mounting member 10 between the top surface and the front of the mounting member 10. In this embodiment, there are two such channels, extending from the top surface to the front. Each channel starts as a U-shaped (sectioned) channel, open to the rear of the mounting member to allow the pipes to enter the channels even if not entering through the top side of the mounting member (e.g. from the cavity of the wall). The channel then transitions across a hole to a forwardly open channel from which the pipes can exit through the front of the mounting member, as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 5.

In this embodiment, the top surface of the mounting member 10 will be positioned such that it is located furthest from the ground. During mounting, utility pipes 14 are inserted into the openings 18 in the top surface of the mounting member 10 and are then threaded or funnelled through the channels 34 and out through the front of the mounting member 10, as shown in Fig. 1. The utility pipes 14 exit the mounting member 10 at the front of the mounting member 10.

The channels 34 are curved in transverse section to support the typically round sectioned surface of the pipes. They also are curved in their longitudinal section to help to ensure that the pipes extend through the mounting member without a kinked bend to their oblique angle to the surface on which the mounting member 10 is mounted. The channels help to define the curve of the pipe from the flat condition against that surface, to the oblique angle after the mounting member. By mounting the utility pipes 14 in this manner, through the mounting member, their angles and positions as they exit the mounting member are set by the mounting member, and thus during this first fix step.

The channels 34 have a curvature in transverse cross section to support the pip walls.

As the pipes are ideally closely constrained at the entry point, it is preferred that the openings 18 have a size that is perhaps no bigger than 10% larger than the diameter of the pipes. For example, for a 10mm pipe, the openings may be between 10 and 11 mm wide, and preferably about 10.2mm wide. The channels can then taper or flare to be slightly wider again -to perhaps between 10% and 60% wider than the pipe diameter at their exit, to allow some flexibility for the pipe's path through and out from the channels. For example, the channel may have approximately a 15 mm width at its exit from the front of the mounting member.

The tapering or flaring allows the channel to receive a flexible utility pipes 14 of a standard size, and to allow an exit path that can accommodate different radiator widths, and different mounting positions relative to the mounting member 10) (i.e. different spacings from the finished wall surface, or even different finished wall surface positions relative to the receiving surface for the mounting member), as there will be a range of different pipe-to-radiator attachment requirements that will need to be accommodated by the pipe guide assembly.

In some countries, the diameter for the pipes is approximately 10mm.

Although curving singular channels 34 are described for each pipe, the pipe guiding surface 34 of the mounting member 10 could alternatively comprise a series of longitudinal grooves or flanges, or a tubular conduit, each being suitable for receiving and guiding the utility pipes 14 through the mounting member.

The U shaped channels that are open at the rear of the mounting member can cooperate with the central screw hole 24 to form a central reinforcement hub 25, with interconnecting flanges 27. This provides stiffness and strength to the mounting member 10, and a wall bearing surface at the rear of the mounting member 10 that will typically be the bearing surface at the point of attachment to the receiving surface of the wall.

Advantageously, by mounting the pipes in position using the mounting member the plumber has controlled the position of the pipes, and their angle relative to the wall 44, at the "first fix" stage. This makes it less likely that there will be any mismatching of the positions of the pipes between the first fix and second fix stages, which could otherwise result in kinking or twisting of the utility pipes 14 when connecting them to the radiator. It should be noted that it is desirable to avoid bends having a radius smaller than 80mm.

There are two pipes in this embodiment, and the channels gradually diverge from one another from a substantially parallel entry line, to two more widely spreading exit lines at exit. The channels thus send one pipe down towards the left and the other pipe down towards the right. Preferably, the diverging pipes form a fork angle as they exit the channels that is no more than 90 degrees, and more preferably no more than 60 degrees -each being no more than 45 degrees (or more preferably no more than 30 degrees) from vertically down.

As shown, it is preferred that the divergence is gradual, with a curve in each direction. This takes two parallel pipes at entry to the divergent pipes at exit. To achieve that gradual separation, the channels are curved vertically both left to right, and front to back, which is the preferred arrangement as it ensures little to no opportunity for kinking or over-bending of the pipes inside the pipe guide assembly, bearing in mind that pipes should not be bent to a radius less than 8x their diameter.

After the mounting member 10 is in position, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, with the pipes extending through the channels, a subsequent building member can be applied over the wall. In most embodiments, this will be in the form of a dry lining sheet member, such as a plasterboard sheet 48, as shown in Fig. 7. Commonly it is applied using a dot and dab technique onto a block or brick wall behind, and the board is provided to provide a clean wall finish, and as such, it may have a skim coat of plaster over it.

The plasterboard can have a hole or aperture 60 cut into it through which the pipes 14 are fed, which aperture 60 can be sized to fit around, or be larger than, the front square 66 of the mounting member 10. In some instances the aperture 60 will be sized to fit around, or be larger than, the rear square 68 of the mounting member 10, although it is preferred to sit on the shoulder or step 62 as then the plasterboard helps to retain the mounting member behind the plasterboard when a step is provided. In the third embodiment discussed below, for example, no step is provided so the aperture would be sized to surround the entire mounting member.

The plasterboard sheet 48 is typically affixed to the wall 44 using building adhesives (not shown), the above-mentioned dot and dab technique (not shown), or directly to the studwork with screws or nails. There thus will be a space or void behind the plasterboard sheet 48 -between the studwork members 46, or between any battens on the wall 44, or between the adhesive lines or applied dot and dabs.

In the case of using plasterboard over an underlying block or brick wall, the space or void can have a variable depth whereby its spacing from the wall is not predefined. This is because the plasterboard can be used to cover any imperfections in the wall behind it, or to make up or fill gaps relative to the framing around doors and windows, for example. As shown in Fig. 7, however, with the plasterboard 48, the front surface of the finished wall can be flat and smooth.

In this embodiment, if instead using studwork, the mounting member can be put on a recessed nogging 46, as shown in Fig. 6. That nogging 46 is recessed 70 behind the front face of the studwork uprights 72. This then recesses the mounting member 10 slightly behind that front face of the studwork uprights. Preferably, the recess 70 has a length equal to or slightly greater than the height 74 of the step 62 from the back 68 of the mounting member. This then allows the plasterboard to be cut to fit over the step, rather than needing to be cut around the whole size of the mounting member. As shown in Fig. 23 onwards, however, the step is optional, and a larger aperture 60 can be cut in the plasterboard anyway, so this recessing of the nogging is also optional.

Due to the presence of the void, the gap between the plasterboard and the wall, or the gaps between the studs in the stud wall can form a heat-chimney or venting point. For this reason, it is desirable to make sure the aperture 60 is closed by the pipe guide assembly 1. This can be achieved by either the mounting member or the cover plate, or both, and may be by a close fit between the pipe and the channels therefor in the mounting plate, or by the cover plate, and may be needed additionally around the mounting member or cover plate by filling in any over-cuts in the plasterboard, although ideally the aperture 60 in the plasterboard will be smaller than the cover plate, whereby usually the mounting member is overall smaller than the cover plate. As will be explained below, it is particularly preferred that the cover plate is taller than the mounting member -to allow for vertically different fitting positions of the cover plate.

As can be observed in Fig. 2, in this embodiment the mounting member 10 comprises a substantially square projection 17 from the step 62 to the front face 66. This projection 17 has a depth 76, in a first direction (perpendicular to the plasterboard), which is preferred to be equal to or less than the thickness of the plasterboard 48, plus any skim layer. However, this is not essential as the recess of the flogging, or the gap between the plasterboard and the block wall, can recess it adequately to compensate for any additional depth. In this embodiment, however, the depth 76 of the projection 17 is about (or less than) 14.5mm -for a 12.5mm plasterboard and a 2mm skim thickness, whereas the height 74 of the step 62 is about 12mm -allowing for a 10mm pipe and the thickness of the material of the mounting member.

Due to the aperture 60 in the plasterboard, the front 66 of the mounting member 10 remains visible after the plasterboard 48 has been installed, along with the ends of the pipes 14, signifying the position of the mounted pipes 14 for the "second fix" installation once the wall is fully assembled. See Fig. 7.

The square shape of the front 66 of the mounting member 10, and also the projection 17, is a convenient shape for cutting for the aperture 60 in the plasterboard 48, when compared with triangular or circular shapes -the latter two being more difficult to cut correctly in situ for aligning with equivalent shapes if provided on the mounting member instead. Those latter two shapes would thus be more likely to cause gaps, compared to the preferred square shape. Gaps around fittings are undesirable as they allow draughts and heat loss from the building -a particular concern given the void behind the plasterboard 48, as discussed briefly above.

The smaller square for the front 66 (compared to the back 68) also conveniently provides the step 62, against which the plasterboard may rest or sit, which helps to close any gap that might be present between the plasterboard 48 and the mounting member 10, although a gap may still remain if the aperture is inaccurately cut. In some situations a badly cut aperture may need the gap between the aperture and the mounting member 10 to be filled with plaster during the first fix.

Conventionally, without the use of such a mounting member 10, the pipes 14 are just left to hang loosely through the aperture 60 in the plasterboard, resulting in potentially larger gaps/aperture errors, and less specific pipe orientation and placement, and in particular no control of the pipe behind the plasterboard's front surface.

The described pipe guide assembly may only requires a small and easily cut aperture 60 in the plasterboard. In some examples, the front square 66 may have dimensions of approximately 70x7Omm, thus requiring only a similarly sized aperture. Other sizes can also be appropriately provided, including an aperture the size of the overall mounting member, rather than just the front square.

Referring next to Figs. 8 to 19, a second fix process for the pipe guide assembly will be described. In this second fix, a cover plate or sealing member 12 is connected over the mounting member 10, and the utility pipes 14, as shown in Fig. 8, are fed through holes -preferably sealing means such as grommets 16, towards the bottom of the cover plate 12. Of course, if the pipes 14 were oriented out of the wall in a non-downward direction, the cover plate might instead have its sealing means provided elsewhere -i.e. differently oriented (e.g., a different cover plate might be used, or multiple selectable positions for the holes/sealing means may be provided).

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover plate 12 comprises a substantially plate-like frame 22 and a central hub 80. As shown in Fig. 9(a) from the front and Fig. 9(b) from the rear, the frame 22 comprises a flange 22 that extends around the periphery of the hub 80 of the cover plate 12. The flange 22 is substantially planar has an angled lip 78 around its perimeter that is suitable for lying flush against a surface, for example the plasterboard 48 around the aperture 60 therein. The hub 80 of the cover plate 12 provides a recess 23 at a central portion of the back of the cover plate 12.

The cover plate 12 comprises a pair of down-and-outwardly pointing sealing means 16 or grommets that are suitable for guiding the utility pipe 14 down and outwardly from the hub 80. For that purpose, they are positioned on a bottom wall 78 of the hub 80. They provide a close-fit or impermeable seal around the pipe, once threaded through the grommets.

The sealing means 16 are positioned in the recess 23 of the cover plate 12. As shown in Fig. 9(a), in this embodiment the cover plate 12 has a pair of substantially frustoconical, hollow, sealing means 16, each on either side of a V-shaped bottom wall 78. The sealing means 16 of this embodiment comprise a flexible, resiliently deformable, material, such as a silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and have flanges at the inner ends to prevent detachment of the sealing means through the holes therefor in the bottom wall 78 as the pipes 14 are threaded through them -as the sealing means 36 will typically grip the pipes 14.

Each sealing means 16 defines a passage 36 that extends internally along the longitudinal axis of the sealing means 16. The longitudinal axis of the sealing means 16 is shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 9(a). The longitudinal axes of both sealing means 16 are at an oblique angle to the plane of the frame 22 and to each other.

In use, the utility pipes 14 are funnelled into the passages 36 prior to sliding the cover plate 12 along the pipes and into position over the mounting member 10. The passages 36, being at an oblique angle to the flange/frame 22, are configured to direct the pipes 14 both downwardly and away from each other.

The sealing means 16 of this embodiment are elastic and thus deform around the utility pipes 14 to form an impermeable seal around the pipe 14.

The passage 36 can be tapered to aid the funnelling of the pipe 14 therein and therethrough.

The sealing means 16 of the cover plate 12 align with the guiding surfaces or channels 34 of the mounting member 10 and together they provide a guiding path for the pipes, firstly though the mounting member 12 and then out through the cover plate 12. Thus, the pipes are encouraged to take a curved shape to a desired exit angle, while not adopting less than an 80mm radius in that curve, and thus avoiding kinking or excessive twisting of the pipe through the fitting and in the wall. The result is that the pipes are mounted in the correct position on the wall, and in a safe configuration behind the plasterboard, ready for the radiator installation.

In this embodiment, the cover plate 12 is connected to the mounting member 10 once the pipes have been threaded through the sealing means 16. As can be seen in Fig. 10 (a) and (b) the cover plate comprises a central hole 26 through which a fastener, such as a screw 38 (Fig. 1) or a bolt, can be located. The cover plate 12 comprises a countersunk head for the hole 26 suitable for recessed insertion of the threaded screw 38. The hole 26 is sized such that the screw 38 cannot fully pass through the hole 26 and is stopped by the screw head engaging the countersunk head of the hole.

The mounting member 10 comprises a receiving portion 20 suitable for receiving the threaded screw 38, shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The receiving portion 20 comprises a screw boss 20 having a ramped front surface 28 in which are provided a plurality of holes 30, thereby providing a plurality of potential positions for inserting the screw 38. In the embodiment shown, there are five holes 30 in the screw boss 20. Although it will be understood that the number of holes is not limited to five and that more or less are also intended, the 5 provide for a range of possible mounting positions for the cover plate 12.

The mounting member 10 and the cover plate 12 may be connected at any of the plurality of positions, although one or more of them may be more suitable, as discussed below.

In place of the ramped front surface 28, a stepped front surface may be provided.

The holes 30 in the screw boss 20 can be pre-threaded, and may have metal inserts for that purpose. Then, in place of a screw 38, a bolt may be more appropriate. In this embodiment the holed are plain holes, however, with the screw 38 being a self-tapping screw.

The edge of the receiving portion/boss 20 is internally chamfered or bevelled in this embodiment. This provides a leading or guiding feature to aid alignment of the cover plate 12 and the mounting member 10 -e.g. to guide the cover plate 12 into position over the mounting member, and likewise to guide the screw (or bolt) towards one of the holes 30. In another arrangement, each hole may have a chamfered opening to additionally assist with this (or just the holes may have chamfered openings).

For helping the guiding of the cover plate onto the mounting member, the cover plate 12 can have an extension or tube 84 extending rearwardly from the front of the hub, back towards the mounting member, which extension or tube 84 will be guided by the internal chamfer or bevel of the receiving portion or boss 20. The free end of the extension or tube 84 can likewise be chamfered or bevelled, to allow it to sit against a chosen part of the boss 20 so that tightening the screw or bolt 38 does not break the hub.

The hole 26 extends through the extension or tube 84.

The spacing between a front of the inner wall 44 and the front of the plasterboard 48 (or the plasterboard plus any finishing paint or plaster) is not fixed, and depends upon the thickness of the plasterboard, the thickness of any dot and dabs used for affixing the plasterboard to the wall behind it, and the thickness of any surfaces applied to the plasterboard (e.g. plaster). As such, it can vary from fitting to fitting within the same building project. This is commonly the case as the block wall may not be true and square, so the void is adjusted to ensure the dry lining is true and square. In addition, if other utilities run in the void, the void may need to be bigger to accommodate them. Yet further, it may want to be adjusted to achieve correct detail fitting at other building details, such as door or window openings. It is therefore common practice to have different or varying void sizes behind dry lining.

As shown in Fig. 2 the plurality of holes 30 in the ramped surface 28 of the screw boss 20 are positioned at varying depths in the first direction (i.e. perpendicular to the wall, or the back of the mounting member 10). As the ramp extends vertically (i.e. along the line extending between the top and bottom edges of the mounting member 10), this means that the cover plate 12, which can be connected to the mounting member 10 at any of those hole positions, can be vertically displace relative to the mounting member.

In addition, as it is desired to have a positive engagement between the cover plate 12 and the mounting member 10, it is possible for the cover plate 12 to have its extension engage with the ramp around the holes for multiple different void spacings (i.e. for compensating when the void space is wider or less wide). This is achieved by selecting the appropriate hole on the ramped surface for the given void size -as the ramp 28 will only allow the cover plate's extension 84 to fit with some of the holes 30 if the void space is narrow, and there will be a best-fit hole for a given wall spacing -the lowest one that can be chosen in the current embodiment as the ramp gets higher the lower down it goes. Thus, where the plasterboard 48 is installed closer to the wall 44 behind it, the chosen hole 30 for the screw 38 will be one which is projected less distally from the wall, i.e. the highest one as shown in Fig. 16(a). In other situations, for example to accommodate wider void spacing, or thicker plasterboard, the distance from the front of the plasterboard 48 and wall 44 may be larger so a hole 30 which starts further from the wall 44 can be used, as shown in Fig. 16(b).

This use of a screw 38 and a variable screw boss 20 allows the cover plate 12 to be attached to the mounting member 10 in the optimum way. It also allows it to be removed from the mounting member 10, to allow for decorating of the wall and resetting.

In this embodiment the angle of the ramp is preferred to generally match the angle of the exiting pipe from the channels of the mounting member 10-at least when measured in a common plane therebetween -particularly a plane lying across the two pipes and the ramped surface 28. In some embodiments, this plane will be angled at about 45° to the wall (or back of the mounting member 10). It might be angled between 30 and 60 degrees, however.

A vertically arranged ramped surface for the variable screw boss 20 is described. However, it will be understood that other arrangements for providing a plurality of connection positions are possible, including additional holes to the sides of the vertical line of holes, or elongated slots, or a moveable clip feature, or a differently oriented ramp.

The ramp may be in reference to the surface itself that has the apertures, or it may relate to the upper profiles of the holed area, e.g. if the ramped surface 28 is actually a series of steps, each step having a hole 30.

In this embodiment, the ramp is a straight ramp. It may be profiled or curved, however, to match an ongoing curve in the pipes through the cover plate.

Figs. 17-19 show the pipe guide assembly 1 in an assembled condition in a wall with the position of the pipes 14 directed downwardly and away from each other by the mounting member 10 of the pipe guide assembly. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig.6, a pair of utility pipes 14 run vertically down the wall 44 behind the plasterboard 48, although, it will of course be understood that the pipes could instead run horizontally along a wall 44, or upward, or at an angle, or they may extend from within a cavity of the wall (in the case of a cavity wall or a stud wall). It will be appreciated that differently oriented channels may be required in the mounting member for such arrangements, or the mounting member and cover plate may be suitably rotated, with the pipes emerging from the pipe guide assembly in a correspondingly rotated manner.

Fig. 18 shows a radiator 50 and cover plate 12, and the plasterboard sheet 48, ready to be connected over and to the pipes 14.

In some embodiments, holes may be provided in the cover plate 12 to allow the cover plate 12 to be attached directly to the plasterboard sheet 48, e.g. in the corners thereof. In other embodiments, pins may be provided for selectively extending from the rear of the cover plate 12, for driving into the plasterboard 48. These pins may be foldable tabs, and they may be driven into the plasterboard by hammering them through the frame of the cover plate.

In some instances, an electrical back box is used as an initial fix for mounting the pipes in position -this can then allow installation of the plasterboard in theory before the installation of the mounting member of the present invention. However, this requires an additional component, and can add to the complexity of the installation, especially if the pipes needed routing through the back box as well. After all, the back box would need to be removed and replaced by the mounting member 10. The assembly of the present invention, therefore, preferably just has the two parts, with the first part -the mounting member -being fitted as the first fix, and thus just two "fixes" during the installation process, which ensures the correct position of the utility pipes both behind the dry lining and positionally on (or in) the aperture 60 of the dry lining, in addition to guiding the pipes correctly while still having the ability to accommodate various wall (e.g. void-behind-plasterboard) thicknesses.

Referring next to Figures 20, 21 and 22, an alternative embodiment is shown. Although largely similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment the cover plate 112 and the mounting member 110 comprise just a single connection location. As can be seen in Fig. 20 the cover plate 112 comprises a recessed screw boss 126 through which a fastener, such as a screw 38, can be located. The aperture of the screw boss 126 is again sized such that the screw 38 cannot fully past through the aperture and is stopped by the screw head. As also shown, there is then a single screw-receiving hole in an extended portion 120. It is suitable for receiving the threaded screw 38, and the extended portion provides a screw boss 120 having just a single hole 30.

As the cover plate 112 comprises a singular threaded screw boss 126 suitable for receiving the screw 38, and the mounting member 110 only has the one screw hole for receiving that screw, the connection between the components by the insertion of the screw 38 through the cover plate 112 and the mounting member 110 secures them together in a distally fixed and aligned position, whereby wall thickness variations are instead accommodated by the length of the screw, rather than the hole used for the screw. As shown in Figure 22, however, it is also possible to directly screw the cover plate to the plasterboard, thus allowing a vertical displacement of the cover plate 112 relative to the mounting member 110. This mimics the benefit achieved by the ramp 28 of the previous embodiment in controlling the radius of curvature of the pipe through the pipe guide assembly. As can be seen in the comparison between the left and right sides of Figure 22, the pipe bends are drawn the same in the left and right sides, and likewise the void thickness 97 is the same on both sides, but the cover plates are in vertically different positions. This results in the pipe 14 being allowed to flex differently out of the bottom of the hubs of the cover plates 112 via the grommets 16. In the left hand side, where the cover plate 112 is stacked directly above and centrally over the mounting member 110, the pipe 14 exits the grommet at the straightest possible orientation downwardly, meaning that it is straining to maintain that shape against the grommet 16, and it thus tends to want instead to bend the pipe into a fighter bend. In the right hand side arrangement, however, the grommet 16 is instead being strained against the outermost edges, it thus tending to straighten the pipes into a lesser bend, which is preferred.

Being able to have the cover plate attach relative to the mounting member in an optimum position for pipe control is thus a desirable benefit of the present invention -particularly of the ramped surface with multiple mounting positions, as found in the first embodiment.

Referring next to Fig. 23 to Fig. 31, a third embodiment of mounting member 210 for the present invention is shown. This embodiment has many similarities to the first embodiment in that it again has the rearward and then frontwardly open channels 34 for the pipes, a screw boss 20 with a ramped front surface 28 in which there are provided a plurality of holes 30 (this time six thereof) for a screw 38, and a central screw hole 24 for fixing the mounting member 210 to a receiving surface of a wall or studwork. However, there are various differences.

Instead of the openings 18 in the top wall being flush with the top wall, the openings 218 are defined by a pair of U-shaped flanges 220 -joined together into a W shape -extending above the top wall, as best shown in Fig. 28. Referring also to Fig. 25 and Fig. 23, it can also be seen that the two channels start at an already angled orientation with respect to one another, rather than with a parallel entrance for the pipes.

Further, the stepped dual-square profile of the main body is replaced with a singular square shape, albeit still with the screw boss 20 extending out the front thereof.

Yet further, angular or sideward fixation holes 222 are provided in the various sidewalls thereof to allow a wider range of fixing directions to be useable in attaching the mounting member to the wall or studwork, e.g. with two away-facing screws (or away-angled screws) to securely fix (or dove-tail) the mounting member 210 to the wall. In this embodiment, these sideward fixation holes are provided in recessed grooves 224 in the sidewalls.

As also shown in Fig. 26, the angular or sideward fixation holes 222 are also provided in the bottom wall, again with associated grooves 224.

In Figure 28, the chamfered openings to each hole can also be seen.

With this embodiment, the aperture 60 cut in the dry lining will fit over the whole of the square body, and potentially also the flanges 220 sticking out of the top thereof, although it might sit in front of those flanges 220.

A further difference is that in place of the holes 32 in the four corners, just two corners have the holes 32 -the top two corners, whereas a third hole 234 is centrally positioned in the bottom side.

The back design is also different with the open channels 34 at the back together forming an embossment around the screw hole 24, as shown in Fig. 23.

Referring next to Fig. 29, there is shown the mounting member 210 fixed to a block wall 44 with a vertically descending pair of pipes 14, which pipes pass through the channels 34 in the mounting member 210, through the dry wall or plasterboard 48 and through the cover plate 12, which is the same as in the first embodiment, and thus has the same reference signs. The pipes 14 pass through the cover plate 12 via the grommets 16 and extend to valves 49 on a radiator 50, as they would in the other embodiments.

Referring next to Fig. 30, two of many possible lines of passage 14', 14" for the pipes 14 as they exit the channels 34 of the mounting member 210 are shown. Which line of passage will be followed will in practice be dictated by the position of the radiator and the position of the cover plate, the latter in turn being dictated by the size of the void behind the plasterboard 48, the thickness of the plasterboard or the choice of hole 30 used in the screw boss 20 for connecting the cover plate thereto.

When considering this figure in conjunction with Fig. 31, it can be seen how the different relative positions of the various components (radiator, cover plate, plasterboard) can govern the path taken by the pipe 14, and with the present invention, this all occurs while maintaining at least the minimum bend radius permitted for the pipe 14.

Referring, therefore, to Fig. 31, there can be seen a block wall 44 having on either side thereof a plasterboard (dry wall layer) 48. On the left hand side, the void behind the plasterboard 48 is wider than the corresponding void on the right hand side. See the two heights 97 marked thereon. This difference could be due to block irregularities or other causes, such as other hidden utilities behind the plasterboard on the left hand side, or for fitting to doorways or window frames, but in this instance it serves to demonstrate two potentially desirable lines of passage 14', 14" for the pipe 14, each of which arise due to the choice of position of the cover plate 12 on the mounting member 210.

As can be seen on the left hand side, to allow for additional length of pipe 14 extending through the pipe guide apparatus (i.e. the mounting member 210 and the cover plate 12) due to the wider void, it is desired to displace the cover plate 12 downwardly somewhat compared to the centrally aligned position of the right hand side arrangement by using the lowest hole 30 in the screw boss 20, rather than the highest one in the right hand side arrangement. That in turn moves the grommets 16 downward (as they are fixed to the cover plate) so that they align with the natural line of the pipe 14 from the channels 34 in the mounting plate 210. This then allows the pipe 14 to pass through the pipe guide apparatus with a controlled and supported curvature, preventing undesirable kinking, and whereas for the narrower gap 97 a short bend may be provided, as there is less space to achieve the bend, it is not an excessively tight bend, whereas with the longer bend to the right hand side, the pipe still follows a suitable path, albeit with a longer wavelength and amplitude.

For a void width 97 between these two, one of the other holes 30 in the screw boss 20 could instead be used.

As these drawings are schematic, the grommets 16 are not shown to be flexing with the pipe, but in practice the pipe would extend through the grommets, and as such the grommets 16 would flex with the pipes 14.

Referring next to Figs. 32, 33 and 34, an alternative embodiment is shown. Although largely similar to the first and second embodiments, in this embodiment the cover plate 212 and the mounting member 310 comprise a single connection, which provides adjustable connection along an inclined plane. As can be seen in Fig. 32 the cover plate 212 comprises a recessed screw boss 226 through which a fastener, such as a screw 38, can be located. The aperture of the screw boss 226 is again sized such that the screw 38 cannot fully past through the aperture and is stopped by the screw head. As shown, there is then a single screw-receiving hole in an extended portion 220 on the mounting member. It is suitable for receiving the threaded screw 38, and the extended portion provides a screw boss 220 having just a single hole 30.

The central axis of the screw boss 220 is inclined at an oblique angle relative to a back of the mounting member 310. The central axis of threaded screw boss 226 is inclined at the same angle as the screw boss 220 of the mounting member 310. As shown in Fig. 33, screw 38 can be inserted through threaded screw boss 226 of the cover plate 212 and into the receiving portion 220 of the mounting plate 310 to secure the cover plate 212 and mounting member 310 together. This allows the adjustable connection between the cover plate 212 and the mounting member 310 depending on the depth the screw 38 is inserted into the mounting member, thus wall thickness variations are accommodated by the length of the screw 38. In an embodiment the screw boss 220 is inclined at 45° to a back 68 of the mounting member 310 and the central axis of the threaded screw boss 226 is oriented at 45° to a back 68 of the mounting member 310.

As can be seen in the comparison between the left and right sides of Fig. 33, to accommodate different the void thicknesses 97 the cover plates 212 are in vertically different positions relative to the mounting member 310. This results in the pipe 14 being allowed to flex differently out of the bottom of the hubs of the cover plates 212 via the grommets 16, as shown in Fig. 34 for two positions. Thus, the pipe 14 can pass through the pipe guide apparatus with a controlled and supported curvature, preventing undesirable kinking.

Fig. 35 depicts a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the mounting member 410 comprises a pair of flanges 620. The flanges comprise mounting means 322 which are provided along each side of the mounting member 410. As shown the mounting means 322 comprise screw holes 322 for alternatively mounting the mounting member using a fastener. Each of these holes 322 are suitable for receiving a fastener, for example a screw or a bolt. Side views and a top and underside view of the mounting member 410 are shown in Fig. 36. As before the mounting member 410 has two parallel substantially square faces, as shown in Figs. 37A and B, one being a front, and one being a back. The back, in use, lies on the plane of a surface of a wall 44 or of studwork (e.g. a nogging thereof) of a building. The front extends through an aperture 60 in a plasterboard sheet 48 that is applied to that wall or studwork.

The faces of the mounting member 410 are spaced apart in a first direction that extends perpendicular to the wall 44, and in this embodiment, the flange 622 surrounds the step 62, running parallel or in the plane of the plasterboard, so that the plasterboard can sit against the flange 622, as shown in Fig. 39B. This helps secure the mounting member 410 behind the plasterboard, strengthening the fitting within the wall.

As discussed, the mounting member 410 has screw holes 322 for attachment thereof directly to a wall 44 or to a beam 46 in a stud wall, as shown in Fig. 40A and B, using a screw. Alternatively the mounting member 410 is attached directly to the plasterboard using the screw holes 322.

As with previous embodiments, the mounting member 410 can be affixed to the receiving surface using one mounting means 24, making the process of mounting simple.

However, as shown, since plurality of mounting means -the holes 322 shown in Fig.35 and Fig. 37 are provided, the mounting member 410 can be versatile and adaptable by choosing which screw holes 322 to use depending on the size and shape of the hole.

Thus, if necessary, more than one mounting means can be used to secure the mounting member 410 to a surface. The option of use of more mounting means 322 also provides a more robust fitting. As shown in Fig. 38, in this embodiment due to the position of the screw holes 322 the mounting member can also be positioned in a round hole in the receiving surface and any or a plurality of the holes 322 can be used, i.e. the opening does not require straight sides. Using more than just the central hole can better stabilise the mounting member relative to the receiving surface. This is advantageous in particular when the pipe or pipes are not presented to the mounting member from a vertical direction, whereby the mounting member will be "straightening" or centralising the or each pipe at the point at which it or they enter the guiding surfaces 34 of the mounting member 10, such as at openings 18 at the top of the mounting member. It is also advantageous as building equipment is generally more suited to creating round (for example 70/75mm round holes) or non-square holes in the plasterboard, thus this embodiment provides the required versatility.

Furthermore, Fig. 41 to 43 show an embodiment of the cover plate 412. The cover plate 412 and the mounting member 410 comprise a single connection as before, which provides adjustable connection along an inclined plane of screw boss 20. In the embodiment shown the cover plate 412 further comprises gull winged ribs 52 which interact with corresponding ribs and the screw boss 20 on the mounting member 410 to provide alignment during fitting. The gull winged ribs 52 align the connection point between the cover plate 412 and the mounting member 410 and allow the cover plate 412 to dock into the correct position for connection, as shown in Fig. 43A. Thus the process of connecting the cover plate 412 and mounting member 410 is simplified and misalignment is prevented.

The various components described herein can be formed of any suitable material. The mounting member and the cover plate can be produced for example by injection moulding. The relative cost of production can be minimised by automation of the process.

The assembly is versatile and can be used in stud walls as well as affixed directly onto brick walls.

In some situations, the pipe guide assembly will need to be fitted to a stud wall. Conventional devices are difficult to fit to stud walls, as there is limited wall surface available for positioning the pipes against. The initial securement of the pipes with the mounting member, however, makes the present invention particularly useful for stud walls because it can align and secure the pipes at a single point to a beam or nogging within the stud wall. After all, the assembly can be affixed to a side of a stud wall into either a vertical stud beam or a horizontal nogging.

It is also to be appreciated that the present invention may be partially or fully produced using other manufacturing techniques, for example by using additive manufacturing processes. Accordingly, the present invention not only includes products or components as described herein, but also methods of manufacturing such products or components, such as via injection moulding or additive manufacturing techniques, along with the computer software, firmware or hardware for controlling the manufacture of such products via injection moulding or additive manufacturing techniques.

The structure of one or more parts of the product may be represented digitally in the form of a design file. A design file, for example a computer aided design (CAD) file, is a configuration file that encodes one or more of the surface or volumetric configuration of the shape of the product. That is, a design file represents the geometrical arrangement or shape of the product. Once obtained, a design file may be converted into a set of computer executable instructions that, once executed by a processer, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to produce a product according to the geometrical arrangement specified in the design file. The conversion may convert the design file into slices or layers that are to be formed sequentially by the additive manufacturing apparatus. The instructions (otherwise known as geometric code or "G-code") may be calibrated to the specific additive manufacturing apparatus and may specify the precise location and amount of material that is to be formed at each stage in the manufacturing process. The formation may be through deposition, through sintering, or through any other form of additive manufacturing method.

Design files or computer executable instructions may be stored in a (transitory or non-transitory) computer readable storage medium (e.g., memory, storage system, etc.) storing code, or computer readable instructions, representative of the product to be produced. As noted, the code or computer readable instructions defining the product that can be used to physically generate the object, upon execution of the code or instructions by an additive manufacturing system. For example, the instructions may include a precisely defined 3D model of the product and can be generated from any of a large variety of well-known computer aided design (CAD) software systems such as AutoCADO, TurboCADO, DesignCAD 3D Max, etc. Alternatively, a model or prototype of the component may be scanned to determine the three-dimensional information of the component.

Accordingly, by controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus according to the computer executable instructions, the additive manufacturing apparatus can be instructed to print out one or more parts of the product. These can be printed either in assembled or unassembled form. For instance, different sections of the product may be printed separately (as a kit of unassembled parts) and then subsequently assembled.

Alternatively, the different parts may be printed in assembled form.

In light of the above, embodiments include methods of manufacture via additive manufacturing. This includes the steps of obtaining a design file representing the product and instructing an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product in assembled or unassembled form according to the design file. The additive manufacturing apparatus may include a processor that is configured to automatically convert the design file into computer executable instructions for controlling the manufacture of the product. In these embodiments, the design file itself can automatically cause the production of the product once input into the additive manufacturing device. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the design file itself may be considered computer executable instructions that cause the additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product. Alternatively, the design file may be converted into instructions by an external computing system, with the resulting computer executable instructions being provided to the additive manufacturing device.

Although additive manufacturing technology is described herein as enabling fabrication of complex objects by building objects point-by-point, layer-by-layer, typically in a vertical direction, other methods of fabrication are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, although the discussion herein refers to the addition of material to form successive layers, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and structures disclosed herein may be practiced with any additive manufacturing technique or other manufacturing technology.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims as appended hereto. Furthermore, it will be understood that the invention is in no way to be limited to the combination of features shown in the examples described herein.

Features disclosed in relation to one example can be combined with features disclosed in relation to a further example.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A pipe guide apparatus for guiding a utility pipe from a sub-surface through a building member, the building member being for positioning over the sub-surface, the pipe guide apparatus comprising; a mounting member and a cover plate, wherein the mounting member is attachable to the sub-surface and the cover plate is attachable to the mounting member over an outer surface of the building member; the mounting member and the cover plate being configured with guide members to together guide the utility pipe through both the mounting member and the cover plate, and through the building member, to retain the utility pipe, as it exits the cover plate, at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the building member; and wherein the cover plate is connectable to the mounting member adjustably along an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member.
2. A pipe guide apparatus for guiding a utility pipe from a sub-surface through a building member, the building member being for positioning over the sub-surface, the pipe guide apparatus comprising; a mounting member and a cover plate, wherein the mounting member is attachable to the sub-surface and the cover plate is attachable over an outer surface of the building member; the mounting member and the cover plate being configured with guide members to together guide the utility pipe through both the mounting member and the cover plate, and through the building member, to retain the utility pipe, as it exits the cover plate, at an oblique angle to the outer surface of the building member; and wherein the guide member of the mounting member comprises a guiding channel for guiding the pipe to curve to an oblique angle relative to the sub-surface, the guiding channel having a first portion open to a rear of the mounting member and a second portion open to the front of the mounting member for hand off of the pipe to the cover plate.
The pipe guide apparatus of claim 2, being also in accordance with claim 1.
4. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cover plate is continuously adjustable relative to the mounting member.
5. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the cover plate is connectable to the mounting member at a variety of positions in a first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to a back of the mounting member, and wherein the different positions are laterally spaced relative to the first direction.
6. The pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting member and the cover plate comprise complementary guiding portions.
7. The pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding portion of the mounting member comprises a guiding channel for guiding the pipe along a predetermined oblique angle relative to the sub-surface.
8. The pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding portion of the cover plate aligns with the guiding portion of the mounting member and together they provide a guiding path for the pipe.
9. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the mounting member comprises a hole for attachment of the mounting member to the sub-surface with a screw.
10. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the cover plate is configured to guide the utility pipe along a predetermined oblique angle relative to the outer surface.
11. The pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover plate is a sealing member, and guides the utility pipe via a sealing means.
12. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing means provides an air impermeable seal around the utility pipe.
13. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the sealing means has a frusto-conical passage configured to assist insertion of the pipe therethrough.
14. The pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are two pipes, and the mounting member and the cover plate are configured with two guide members to individually guide each utility pipe through both the mounting member and the cover plate, and the building member, to retain the pipes as they exit the cover plate at oblique angles to the outer surface of the building member.
15. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 14, wherein the two pipes exit the cover plate both down and sidewardly away from each other.
16. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the mounting member comprises a receiving portion for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member with a fastener.
17. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiving portion comprises a boss for providing a plurality of connection positions for the cover plate.
18. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 17, wherein the boss is a screw boss having a plurality of holes, each one being arranged for receiving the fastener, thereby providing a plurality of potential positions for connecting the cover plate to the mounting member.
19. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the boss has a forward facing surface in which the plurality of connection positions are defined.
20. The pipe guide apparatus of claim 19, wherein the forward facing surface is a ramped surface lying in an inclined plane relative to a back of the mounting member.
21. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the cover plate is connectable to the mounting member at a variety of positions in a first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the sub surface.
22. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the mounting member has a stepped edge profile, with a smaller front than back.
23. The pipe guide apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the mounting member further comprises a flange at at least one of its edges, wherein the flange comprises a mounting means and wherein, in use, the flange is arranged parallel to the plane of the building member.
24. A method of installing the pipe guide apparatus of claim 22 or 23, the building member having an aperture through which the pipes extend and the front of the mounting member being sized to extend into the aperture, whereas the back of the mounting member is sized to be larger than the aperture.
25. A stud wall fitted with a pipe guide apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the mounting member is attached to surface of a beam within the studwork that has a recessed front compared to the main beams of the studwork.
26. A wall fitted with a pipe guide apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the building member is spaced from the sub-surface.
27. The wall of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the building member is a sheet of plasterboard.
28. A mounting member of a pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims.
29. A cover plate of a pipe guide apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, when dependent upon claim 11.
30. A kit of parts comprising one or more mounting member of claim 28 and one or more cover plate of claim 29
31. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus or device to manufacture a mounting member of claim 27 and/or a cover plate of claim 29 and/or a pipe guide apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23.
32. A method of manufacturing a device via additive manufacturing, the method comprising: obtaining an electronic file representing a configuration of a product including, a surface configuration or a volume configuration of the product, wherein the product is a mounting member of claim 28, and/or a cover plate of claim 29 and/or a pipe guide apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23; and controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture, over one or more additive manufacturing steps, the product according to the surface configuration specified in the electronic file.