GB2611054A

GB2611054A - Waste pipe assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2611054A
Application number: GB2113595.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Risbey Toby; Beattie Colin; Connor Hobbs Mitchell
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-23
Filing date: 2021-09-23
Publication date: 2023-03-29
Also published as: GB202113595D0

Abstract

A waste pipe assembly 1 comprising a first part 2 comprising an overflow for fitting to a side of a bath tub or sink, a second part 6 comprising a waste for fitting to a base of the bath tub or sink having an opening and a drain pipe 12 extending therefrom, and a tube 14 connecting the first part to the second part; wherein the tube is flexible and variable in length along at least a portion of the tube. Preferably the tube comprises one or more telescopic or concertinaed portions an dis a bellows thread hose along the majority of its length. The waste may comprise a water supply inlet connectable to a water supply pipe. Further disclosed is an assembly comprising a bath tub or sink and the disclosed waste pipe.

Description

WASTE PIPE ASSEMBLY

The present disclosure relates to a waste pipe assembly for a bath tub or a sink.

Waste pipe assemblies for bath tubs are known. Generally, a waste pipe assembly for a bath tub may comprise: a first part comprising an overflow for fitting to a side of the bath tub; a second part comprising a waste for fitting to a base of the bath tub, the waste having an opening and a drain pipe extending therefrom; and a tube connecting the first part to the second part and providing fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe. Therefore, the waste pipe assembly provides a conduit for used bath water to flow to a drain. Also, the waste pipe assembly provides a conduit for excess bath water to flow to the drain, e.g. if the bath tub is filled up to the height of the overflow, Hence, for example, the bath tub may be prevented from overflowing.

Some examples of known waste pipe assemblies are disclosed in US2008/196161A1, CN110685333A, US2004/034926A1, US2018/305910A1, US2008/155745A1 and US4352213A.

A first aspect provides a waste pipe assembly for a bath tub or a sink comprising: a first part comprising an overflow for fitting to a side of the bath tub or the sink; a second part comprising a waste for fitting to a base of the bath tub or the sink, the waste having an opening and a drain pipe extending therefrom; and a tube connecting the first part to the second part and providing fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe; wherein the tube is flexible along at least a portion of its length and at least a portion of the tube is variable in length.

By virtue of the tube being flexible along at least a portion of its length and at least a portion of the tube being variable in length, the waste pipe assembly may be versatile, since it may be readily installed on bath tubs or sinks of various sizes.

By virtue of the tube being flexible along at least a portion of its length and at least a portion of the tube being variable in length, the waste pipe assembly may be packed relatively compactly. Consequently, transportation and/or storage costs may be reduced.

The first part may be termed an overflow assembly.

The second part may be termed a waste assembly.

The first part may be configured to be received in a first aperture disposed in the side of the bath tub or the sink.

The second part may be configured to be received in a second aperture disposed in the base of the bath tub or the sink.

The tube may be configured such that it can be flexed and/or lengthened and/or shortened manually by a user, e.g. a person fitting the waste pipe assembly to a bath tub or a sink.

In an implementation, the tube may comprise one or more telescopic or concertinaed portions.

In an implementation, the tube may comprise a bellows thread hose. The bellows thread hose may extend along a majority of a length of the tube. For instance, the bellows thread hose may extend along more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70%, more than 80% or more than 90% of the length of the tube The tube may be configured such that in a longest configuration it is at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, at least 400%, at least 500% or at least 1000% longer than in a shortest configuration.

The tube may allow the displacement between the first part and the second part to be adjusted without requiring, for example, the use of separate tubes comprising different length tubes.

As such, the waste pipe assembly may be suitable to be connected to a plurality of different bath tubs or sinks each comprising a different displacement between an aperture for receiving the first part and an aperture for receiving the second part.

The flexibility of the tube may allow for the tube to closely follow the contours of an external surface of the bath tub or the sink. In this way, use of the waste pipe assembly disclosed herein may allow for a shorter length of tube to be used and/or for the bath tub or the sink to be provided with a neater and/or different external appearance, e.g. since the tube may be neatly packaged within an available space envelope when fitted to the bath tub or the sink.

Any water which when instai, will carry or receive water from the public mains water supply in the 11K, must comply with the Water Supply (Water fittings) Reuulatums or Scottish Byclaws These require that a water habit!, should not cause waste, misuse; undue COnSUtifiltiOn or contamination of the.Wak:f supply and must be of an appropriate quality and standard'.

In the United Kingdom, the Water Regulations Approvals Scheme (WRAS) -can provide a WRAS approval to demonstrate that a particular material or water fitting is of a suitable quality and standard.

During operation, the tube connecting the first part to the second part and providing fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe will only ever convey waste water. Accordingly, it may not be necessary for the tube to be made from a material that meets regulations or standards for carrying or receiving water from a public mains water supply. For instance, the material or combination of materials used to manufacture the tube connecting the first part to the second part and providing fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe will not have to have a WRAS approval. Consequently, the tube may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, e.g. comprising one or more polymeric materials.

The tube may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. The tube may comprise any suitable polymeric material or any suitable elastomeric material. The tube may comprise a polymer or an elastomcr. Examples of suitable polymeric materials may include but are not limited to polypropylene, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or silicone.

The second part may be disposed downstream of the first part, in use. The tube may be configured to convey, in use, a flow of waste water from the first part towards the second part.

When fitted to a bath tub or a sink, the tube provides fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe.

The tube may be connected to the first part and/or the second part by any suitable attachment means such as any one or more of a frictional connection, clips. clamps or pins, for example.

The first part may comprise at least one water supply inlet configured to be connected to a water supply pipe.

In an example implementation, the first part may comprise only one water supply inlet configured to be connected to a water supply pipe.

In another example implementation, the first part may comprise a first water supply inlet configured to be connected to a first water supply pipe and a second water supply inlet configured to be connected to a second water supply pipe. The first water supply pipe may convey hot water and the second water supply pipe may convey cold water or vice versa.

The first part may define at least partially a water supply waterway. The water supply waterway may be in fluid communication with the water supply inlet(s).

The first part may define at least partially an outlet channel. The outlet channel may be in fluid communication with the water supply waterway. The outlet channel may be arranged to dispense, in use, water into a bath tub or a sink.

The first part may define at least partially an overflow inlet channel. The overflow inlet channel may be arranged such that water from a bath or a sink may flow into the overflow inlet channel if the water level within the bath or the sink reaches or is above the level of an inlet of the overflow channel.

The first part may define at least partially an overflow waterway. The overflow waterway may be separate from the water supply waterway. A first end of the overflow waterway may be in fluid communication with the overflow inlet channel and/or a second end of the overflow waterway may be in fluid communication with the tube connecting the first part to the second part.

The first part may comprise a body and a front cover attachable thereto The front cover may comprise a plurality of cover portions.

Another aspect provides an assembly comprising: a bath tub; and a waste pipe assembly of the first aspect fitted to the bath tub.

Another aspect provides an assembly comprising: a sink; and a waste pipe assembly of the first aspect fitted to the sink.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a perspective view of a waste pipe assembly for a bath tub Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an overflow assembly comprised in the waste pipe assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the overflow assembly of Figure 2 with a front cover removed; Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the overflow assembly of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a waste assembly comprised in the waste pipe assembly of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a tool adapted for use in fitting the waste pipe assembly to, for example, a bath tub; and Figure 7 shows a bath tub with a waste pipe assembly fitted thereto.

Figure I shows a waste pipe assembly I for a bath tub. The waste pipe assembly I comprises a first part in the form of an overflow assembly 2 and a second part in the form of a waste assembly 6. The overflow assembly 2 is shown in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The waste assembly 6 is shown in detail in Figure 5.

The overflow assembly 2 provides an overflow for the bath tub and a filler for delivering water into the bath tub.

The overflow assembly 2 comprises a body 21 including a water supply waterway 22 and an overflow waterway 23.

A first water supply inlet 24 is configured to be connectable to a first water supply pipe (not shown). A second water supply inlet 25 is configured to be connectable to a second water supply pipe (not shown). The first water supply pipe may be a hot water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe may be a cold water supply pipe or vice versa.

The first water supply inlet 24 and the second water supply inlet 25 are disposed on opposite sides of the body 21. The first water supply inlet 24 and the second water supply inlet 25 are disposed towards a rear face of the body 21.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second water supply inlet 25 is blocked with a blanking plug 26 secured therein. The blanking plug 26 may be permanently secured in the second water supply inlet 25. In this implementation, only the first water supply inlet 24 may be connected to a water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may convey a stream of water at a desired temperature to the first water supply inlet 24, in another implementation, the overflow assembly 2 may have only one water supply The first water supply inlet 24 and the second water supply inlet 25 communicate with the water supply waterway 22. In a water supply flow direction, the water supply waterway 22 extends to an outlet in a front face of the body 21. The outlet is located centrally in the front face of the body 21 An overflow body inlet is located below the outlet in the front face of the body 21. The overflow waterway 23 extends through the body 21 to a downwardly facing tubular portion 27 with an outlet 28. The downwardly facing tubular portion 27 is adapted to be connectable, in use, to a first end of a flexible and extendable tube 14.

A front cover 29 is connected to the body 21 The front cover 29 comprises a first cover part 30 and a second cover part 31 The first cover part 30 comprises a central portion 32 and a stepped flange 33 extending around the central portion 32. The first cover part 30 is connected to the front face of the body 21 by three screws 34. Each screw 34 passes through an aperture in the central portion 32 and is received in one of three threaded holes in the body 21. The central portion 32 abuts the front face of the body 21. There is a gap 35 between the front face of the body 21 and the stepped flange 33. When the overflow assembly 2 is installed in a bath tub, a portion of the side of the bath tub 5 (Figure I) is disposed within the gap 33. A sealing ring may also be placed in the gap 33. Connecting the first cover part 30 to the front face of the body 21 may act to locate the portion of the side of the bath tub and, if present, the sealing ring in the gap 33, e.g. between the body 21 and the stepped flange 33. The threaded holes have a length such that the screws 34 can be received within the threaded holes to a range of depths.

Accordingly, the size of the gap 33 may be varied, in order to accommodate bath tubs with sides having different thicknesses.

The second cover part 31 is configured to be attachable to the first cover part 30. The second cover part 31 may be clipped to the first cover part 30 through engagement with the stepped flange 33. In another implementation, the second cover part 31 and the first cover part 30 may be connectable via a bayonet-type interengagement. Connecting the second cover part 31 to the first cover part 30 may act to clamp the portion of the side of the bath tub and, if present, the scaling ring in the gap 33, thereby securing the overflow assembly 2 in place.

The second cover part 31 comprises a spigot 36 configured to be received in the water supply waterway 22. A first o-ring seal 37 and a second o-ring seal 38 disposed on the spigot 36 seal the spigot 36 within the water supply waterway 22 A filler waterway 39 extends through the front cover 29. In the water supply flow direction, the filler waterway 39 passes along the spigot 36 and out of the overflow assembly 2 via a downwardly extending outlet channel 40 defined within the second cover part 31.

Inboard of the outlet channel 40, an overflow inlet channel 41 is disposed between the first cover part 30 and the second cover part 31. The front cover 29 is arranged such that when the front cover 29 is in place, the overflow inlet channel 41 communicates with the overflow waterway 23.

The flexible and extendable tube 14 comprises a bellows thread hose. A first end portion 141 of the flexible and extendable tube 14 is connected to the downwardly facing tubular portion 27 of the body 21. A clip 142 secures the first end portion of the flexible and extendable tube 14 to an outer surface of the downwardly facing tubular portion 27 of the body 21.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the waste assembly 6 comprises a waste body 50. The waste body 50 has an upper open end 51 and a lower open end 52. The waste body 50 defines a drain pipe 12 extending from the upper open end 51 to the lower open end 52.

The upper open end 51 of the waste body 50 has a threaded inner surface 53. A strainer 8 is threadedly connected to the threaded inner surface 53. The strainer 8 is arranged partially within the drain pipe 12 and protrudes from the upper open end 51. The strainer 8 has a flange 54. The flange 54 is spaced from an upper surface of the waste body 50, thereby defining a gap 55. When the waste assembly 6 is installed in a bath tub, a portion of the base of the bath tub 7 (Figure 1) is disposed within the gap 55. A sealing ring 56 may also be placed in the gap. Connecting the strainer 8 to the waste body 50 may act to clamp the portion of the base of the bath tub and, if present, the sealing ring 56 in the gap 55, thereby securing the waste assembly 6 in place.

A stopper 58 is connected to the strainer 8 via a clicker mechanism 57. The clicker mechanism 57 is operable to allow a user to move the stopper 58 between, and to hold the stopper 58 in, a first position and a second position. In the first position, with the waste assembly 6 installed in a bath tub, water can flow past the stopper 58 and into the drain pipe 12. In the second position, with the waste assembly 6 installed in a bath tub, the stopper 58 blocks the upper open end 51, thereby preventing, in use, water from flowing into the drain pipe 12.

The lower open end 52 has a threaded outer surface 59 for connection to a pipe (not shown) for conveying waste water away from the waste assembly 6. The lower open end 51 may be adapted in any suitable way to be connected to a pipe for conveying waste water away from the waste assembly 6.

The waste body 50 includes a branch pipe 9 that communicates with the drain pipe 12.

A second end portion 143 of the flexible and extendable tube 14 is connected to the branch pipe 9. A clip 144 secures the second end portion 143 of the flexible and extendable tube 14 to an outer surface of the branch pipe 9 of the waste body 50.

Figure 6 shows a tool 60 adapted for use in fitting a waste assembly of a waste pipe assembly according to the present disclosure to, for example, a bath tub or a sink. The tool 60 has a tubular portion 61 with a first end 62 and a second end 63. At the first end 62, an end wall 64 of the tubular portion 61 is castellated with four regularly-spaced notches 65. At the second end 63, a flange 66 extends outwardly from the tubular portion 61 to a castellated perimeter wall 67 extending around a circumference of the flange 66. The castellated perimeter wall 67 includes four regularly-spaced higher portions 68 interspersed with four regularly-spaced lower portions 69. The castellated perimeter wall 67 comprises a plurality of depressions 600 on an outer surface thereof. The depressions 600 are intended to facilitate a user in gripping the tool 60. There is a depression 600 on the outer surface of each higher portion 68 of the castellated perimeter wall 67 The four regularly-spaced notches 65 are configured to engage with a crossbar portion of the strainer 8 when fitting the strainer 8 within the drain pipe 12 of the waste body 50. Gripping the depressions 600 on the outer surface of the castellated perimeter wall 67, the user can then apply torque using the tool 60 to connect the strainer 8 to the threaded portion 53 of the inner wall of the drain pipe 12.

In other implementations, the tool 60 may be adapted in any suitable way to facilitate a user in gripping the tool 60 in a manner that enables the user to apply torque when using the tool 60 to connect the strainer 8 within the drain pipe 12 of the waste body 50.

The tool 60 may be provided as part of a kit with the waste pipe assembly 1. The tool may be useful if it is ever necessary to disconnect the waste assembly 6 from the bath tub or the sink to which it is connected Figure 7 shows schematically a bath tub 70 with the waste pipe assembly 1 fitted thereto. The bath tub 70 comprises a base 71 and a side 72. The overflow assembly 2 is fitted to the side 72 of the bath tub 70. The waste assembly 6 is fitted to the base 71 of the bath tub 70. The first end of the flexible and extendable tube 14 is connected to the overflow assembly 2. The second end of the flexible and extendable tube 14 is connected to the waste assembly 6. The flexible and extendable tube 14 provides fluid communication between the overflow waterway 23 and the drain pipe 12.

The first water supply inlet 24 is connected to a first water supply pipe (not shown). The second water supply inlet 25 is connected to a second water supply pipe (not shown). One of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe may be connected to a hot water supply and the other of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe may be connected to a cold water supply.

In use, water can be dispensed into the bath tub 70 from the outlet channel 40 defined within the second cover part 31.

If the water level in the bath tub 70 gets too high, then water can enter the overflow inlet channel 41, flow along the overflow waterway 23 and onwards along the extendable and flexible tube 14 to the drain pipe 12. L1.

In order to drain the bath tub 70 after use, a user can move the stopper 58 into the first position. The water then flows past the stopper 58 and down the drain pipe 12.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

While the waste pipe assembly has been described in relation to a bath tub, it will be appreciated that it could also be fitted to a sink.

It will be imderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A waste pipe assembly for a bath tub or a sink comprising: a first part comprising an overflow for fitting to a side of the bath tub or the sink; a second part comprising a waste for fitting to a base of the bath tub or the sink, the waste having an opening and a drain pipe extending therefrom; and a tube connecting the first part to the second part and providing fluid communication between the overflow and the drain pipe; wherein the tube is flexible along at least a portion of its length and at least a portion of the tube is variable in length 2 A waste pipe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tube is configured such that it can be flexed and/or lengthened and/or shortened manually by a user.3. A waste pipe assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tube comprises one or more telescopic or concertinacd portions.4. A waste pipe assembly according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the tube comprises a bellows thread hose.A waste pipe assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bellows thread hose extends along a majority of a length of the tube.6 A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube is configured such that in a longest configuration it is at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, at least 400%, at least 500% or at least 1000% longer than in a shortest configuration.7. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube comprises a polymeric material.8. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube is connected to the first part and/or the second part by any suitable attachment means such as any one or more of a frictional connection, clips, clamps or pins, for example.9 A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thc first part comprises at least one water supply inlet configured to be connected to a water supply pipe.10. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part defines at least partially a water supply waterway.11. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first part defines at least partially an outlet channel.12. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part defines at least partially an overflow inlet channel.13. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part defines at least partially an overflow waterway.14. A waste pipe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part comprises a body and a front cover attachable thereto.15. An assembly comprising: a bath tub; and a waste pipe assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 fitted to the bath tub.16. An assembly comprising: a sink; and a waste pipe assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 fitted to thc sink.