IE68515B1

IE68515B1 - Shower control apparatus

Info

Publication number: IE68515B1
Application number: IE930070A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Robert Meadows
Original assignee: Caradon Mira Ltd
Priority date: 1992-02-08
Filing date: 1993-02-01
Publication date: 1996-06-26
Also published as: IE930070A1; GB9202699D0; GB2263957A; GB2263957B

Abstract

A pipe connector 6 for a shower control unit 1 has a leg 7 for connection to a water supply pipe 5 by a compression joint 9 and a leg 8 extending normal thereto for connection to the control unit 1 by a swivel coupling 20 such that the connector 6 can be adapted for different incoming directions of the supply pipe 5 by rotating the connector 6 to align the leg 7 with the supply pipe 5. An internal filter element 36 is secured by a detachable screw cap 34 allowing the filter element 36 to be removed without disconnecting the compression joint 9 or swivel coupling 10.

Description

This invention relates to shower control apparatus having a water inlet and a pipe connector device which facilitates connection of a water supply pipe to the inlet and in particular, though not exclusively, for a connecting a water supply pipe to the inlet of a control unit for an 5 instantaneous electric shower. instantaneous electric showers commonly comprise a control unit having a heat exchanger and a flow regulator housed in a casing having user controls on the outside for selecting the power input and/or flow rate to vary the water temperature delivered to a spray head.

The control unit is normally wall mounted at a convenient height for the user and installation is completed by making appropriate connections to the water and power supplies.

Particular problems arise for the installer where the control unit is assembled with a water inlet connector having a specific orientation to receive the water supply pipe from a particular direction, for example the top, bottom or rear of the casing, and, due to constraints on the position of the control unit, entry of the supply pipe to the casing from the appropriate direction is precluded. In these circumstances, installation is complicated and it may be necessary to disconnect and re-assemble the inlet connector and/or fit a different inlet connector or special adaptor in order to match the inlet connector to the entry direction of the supply pipe.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide shower control apparatus having a water inlet with a pipe connector device which can receive a pipe from different directions without the use of adaptors and/or without having to disconnect and re-assembie the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide shower control apparatus in which the pipe connector device is of simple construction which facilitates connection to a supply pipe without specialist skills and which is reliable in use.

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide shower control apparatus in which the pipe connector device facilitates electrical earth bonding of the pipework in a simple, reliable manner.

It is yet another preferred object of the invention to provide shower control apparatus in which the pipe connector device incorporates a filter -26851 5 element to trap dirt or detritus in the water supply and which can be removed without disconnecting the device for cleaning and/or replacement.

According to the present invention we provide shower control apparatus having a water inlet and a pipe connector device for connecting the inlet to a water pipe, the device comprising a hollow body having a first leg for connection to the water pipe and a second leg for connection to the water inlet, the second leg extending at an angle to the first leg and being connected to the water inlet by a swivel coupling such that the device is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the second leg to align the first leg with the water pipe.

Preferably, the second leg extends substantially normal to the first leg. In this way, the device can be rotated to align the first leg for approach of the water pipe from the top, bottom or rear of the apparatus as well as any intermediate directions.

Advantageously, the second leg is sealed relative to the water inlet by an annular seal member such as an O-ring positioned between opposed relatively rotatable surfaces of the second leg and the water inlet. As a result, sealing engagement is maintained for rotation of the device about the longitudinal axis of the second leg.

Conveniently, the second leg extends with radial clearance into the water inlet and is centred by a pair of axially spaced shoulders or like formations with the seal member located on the second leg between the shoulders.

Preferably, the second leg is axially retained by an annular band or collar of channel-section embracing external flanges or like formations on the second leg and water inlet, in this way, engagement of the seat member between the second leg and water inlet is maintained for rotation of the device about the longitudinal axis of the second leg.

Conveniently, the band is radially split into at least two parts releasably connected together, for example by screws or like releasable fastenings. In this way, assembly of the band around the flanges is facilitated.

In a preferred arrangement, the band is radially split into two halves of which one half is fixed and the other half is releasably secured thereto.

Advantageously, a filter element is positioned within the hollow body of the pipe connector device to remove dirt or detritus from the water. -3Preferably, the filter element is releasably secured to a detachable retainer such as a screw cap. In this way, the filter element can be removed for cleaning or replacement without disconnecting the device from the water inlet and/or water supply pipe.

Advantageously, the filter element comprises a cylindrical element positioned in a chamber connecting the first and second legs.

In a preferred arrangement, the filter element is aligned with the first leg and one end abuts an internal shoulder at the inner end of the first leg and the other end seats against the retainer. In this way, the first leg opens into the interior of the filter element and the second leg opens into the chamber extending exteriorly of the filter element.

Advantageously, for applications where the apparatus is connected to an electrical supply, for example a control unit of an instantaneous electric shower, the device has means for earthing the pipe connector device to earth bond the pipework. Conveniently, the earthing means comprises an earth wire connected to the pipe connector device, for example by a screw or like fastener.

In a preferred arrangement, the earth wire is connected to the retainer and to a terminal block for the electrical supply so that the minimum electrical connections are required for installation and earth bonding is effected automatically on connecting the electrical supply. This is an important safety feature for installation of instantaneous electric showers by DIY enthusiasts or other non-specialist installers.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:FIGURE 1 is a sectional view showing part of apparatus embodying the invention comprising a control unit for an instantaneous electric shower connected to a water supply pipe by a connector device ; and FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, to an enlarged scale, of the connector device shown in Figure 1.

The control unit 1 for an instantaneous electric shower has a heat exchanger (not shown) for heating water and a flow regulator (not shown) for controlling the flow rate.

The heat exchanger and flow regulator are housed in a casing 2 35 having a back plate 3 for mounting on a wall and a removable front cover -4(not shown) on which user controls for the heat exchanger and flow regulator are positioned.

The control unit 1 has a water inlet 4 connected to a water supply pipe 5, usually mains cold water, by a connector device 6 and a water outlet (not shown) connected to a spray head (not shown).

In use, cold water flowing through the unit is electrically heated by one or more heating elements within the head exchanger and delivered to the spray head at a temperature selected by the user through appropriate control of the power input to the heat exchanger and/or the water flow rate.

The connector device 6 comprises a hollow brass body having first and second legs 7 and 8 respectively extending at substantially 90° to each other. The first leg 7 is connected to the water supply pipe by a conventional compression joint 9 and the second leg 8 is connected to the water inlet 4 by a swivel coupling 10.

The swivel coupling 10 permits rotation of the connector 6 through 360° about the longitudinal axis A of the second leg 8 to present the first leg 7 at any desired angle for connection to the water supply pipe 5.

In this embodiment, the connector device 8 is shown arranged for rear entry of the supply pipe 5 through an aperture 11 in the back plate 3 but it will be understood that the control unit 1 could be adapted for bottom or top entry of the water supply pipe 5 by rotation of the connector 6 to align the first leg 7 with the supply pipe 5.

The first leg 7 has a cylindrical bore 12 complementary to the external diameter of the supply pipe 5, typically 15mm for a cold water supply, so that the pipe 5 is a close sliding fit in the bore 12.

The inner end of the bore 12 is formed with an internal annular shoulder 13 defining a stop face 14 for the free end of the supply pipe 5 and a central orifice 15 of reduced diameter opening to a filter chamber 16 connecting the first and second legs 7,8.

The compression joint 9 comprises an internally threaded nut 17 engageable with an externally threaded portion 18 of the first leg 7 to urge a pipe olive 19 encircling the supply pipe 5 both axially against a taper face 20 at the end of the first leg 7 and radially onto the supply pipe 5 to secure and seal with supply pipe 5 relative to the connector 6. -5The second teg 8 is formed with an external annular flange 21 spaced from the free end with an annular shoulder 22 of reduced diameter on the side of the flange 21 nearer to the free end.

The cylindrical end portion 23 of the second leg 8 between the 5 shoulder 22 and the free end carries an O-ring seal 24 of rubber, neoprene or similar resilient material.

The water inlet 4 has an enlarged annular boss 25 formed with a cylindrical bore 28 for the end portion 23 of the second leg 8.

The bore 26 is oversize relative to the end portion 23 and terminates 10 in an annular shoulder 27 with a coaxial counterbore 28 of reduced diameter defining a stop face 29 for the free end of the second leg 8.

The cylindrical end portion 23 of the second leg 8 is received with radial clearance in the bore 26 and is sealed relative to the bore 26 by the O-ring seal 24 acting between the opposed cylindrical surfaces of the second leg 8 and the boss 25.

The second leg 8 is centred on the bore 26 by the axially spaced shoulders 22,27 arranged on opposite sides of the O-ring seal 24 and defining with the opposed cylindrical surfaces of the second leg 8 and boss 25, a cavity 30 for the O-ring seal 24.

An annular collar 31 of channel-section embraces the flange 21 and boss 25 to axially clamp the pipe connector device 6 to the water inlet 4 whilst permitting relative rotation therebetween about the longitudinal axis A of the second leg 8.

The collar 31 is split into two opposed halves 312,31b. One half 31a is formed by an upstand 32 integral with the back plate 3 and the other half 31 & is releasably secured thereto by screws (not shown) for assembly of the collar 31 around the flange 21 and boss 25.

The body of the connector 6 is formed with an access opening 33 to the filter chamber 16 opposite the orifice 15 at the inner end of the first leg 7. The access opening 33 is closed by a detachable screw cap 34 and sealed by an annular seal member 35.

The inner end Of the cap 34 provides a seating for one end of the cylindrical gauze screen filter element 36 housed in the filter chamber 16.

The other end of the filter element 36 seats against a stop face 37 provided by the annular shoulder 13 at the inner end of the first leg 7. -6The first leg 7 communicates with the interior of the filter element 36 through the orifice 15 and the second leg opens to the filter chamber 16 exteriorly of the filter element 36. As a result, dirt, detritus etc. in the water supply is trapped and retained within the filter element 36 thereby preventing fouling of the control unit 1.

The filter element 36 is removable for cleaning or replacement without disconnecting the compression joint 9 or swivel coupling 10 by detaching the screw cap 34 thereby simplifying repair and/or maintenance.

One end of an earth wire 38 is attached to the screw cap 34 by a headed fastener 39 engaging a tapped bore 40 in the screw cap 34. The other end of the earth wire 38 is connected to a terminal block (not shown). Within the casing 2 for the incoming electrical supply thereby ensuring the pipework is properly earth bonded when the electrical supply is connected.

The water inlet 4 is assembled with the connector device 6 and the earth wire connection to the terminal block made during manufacture of the control unit 1. As a result, the installer only has to rotate the connector 6 to align the first leg 7 with the supply pipe 5 and tighten the compression joint 9 to connect the water supply, and make the appropriate electrical connections to the terminal block.

As will now be understood, the inlet connector facilitates connection of the water inlet to incoming pipes from different directions without disconnecting the connector and without the use of special adaptors. The swivel coupling provides a non-threaded connection between the connector and the water inlet allowing rotation of the connector for aligning the first leg with the incoming pipe whilst maintaining sealing engagement with the water inlet.

The connector is of simple construction and is reliable in use. The internal filter can be accessed without disconnecting the pipe or inlet from the connector and earth bonding is assured by the earth connection to the connector.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described which may be changed or modified without departing from the principle of the invention as described herein. In particular, the first and second legs of the connector may extend at angles other than 90°. -7The connector may also be used in other applications where it is desired to connect a pipe to shower control apparatus in which the pipe may enter the apparatus from different directions.

Claims

Claims:

1. Shower control apparatus having a water inlet and a pipe connector device for connecting the inlet to a water pipe, the device comprising a hollow body having a first leg for connection to the water pipe and a second leg for connection to the water inlet, the second leg extending at an angle to the first leg and being connected to the water inlet by a swivel coupling such that the device is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the second leg to align the first leg with the water pipe.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the second leg extends substantially normal to the first leg.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the second leg has an annular seal member such as an O-ring for sealing between opposed relatively rotatable surfaces of the second teg and the water inlet.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the second leg extends with radial clearance into the water inlet and the seal member is located between axially spaced formations for centering the second leg in the water inlet.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims including means for axially retaining the second leg relative to the water inlet.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the retainer means comprises an annular band or collar of channel-section adapted to embrace external flanges or like formations on the second leg and the water inlet.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the band is radially split into at least two parts releasabiy connected together.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the band is split into two halves of which one half is fixed and the other half is releasabiy secured thereto.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims including a filter element positioned within the hollow body of the pipe connector device for removing dirt or detritus from the water.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the filter element comprises a cylindrical element positioned in a chamber connecting the first and second legs.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the first leg opens into the interior of the filter element and the second leg opens into the chamber extending exteriorly of the filter element. -912. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the filter element is releasably secured by a detachable retainer such as a screw cap.

12. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the first leg opens into the filter element at one end and the other end seats against the retainer. 5

13. 14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims including means for earthing the pipe connector device.

14. 15. Apparatus according to Claim 14 as dependent on Claim 12 wherein the earthing means is connected to the retainer for the filter element.

15. 16. Apparatus according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the earthing 10 means comprises an earth wire connected to the retainer by a screw or like fastener.

16. 17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the first leg is adapted for connection to the water supply by a compression fitting. 15

17. 18. Shower control apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. 19. An instantaneous electric shower comprising shower control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims for connecting a water supply

19. 20 pipe to the water inlet of a control unit. F.R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.