WO2016054674A1

WO2016054674A1 - A valve arrangement for rain gutters

Info

Publication number: WO2016054674A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/000598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul KIRWAN; Andrew Rogers
Original assignee: Kirwan Paul
Priority date: 2014-10-05
Filing date: 2015-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: AU2015330949A1; AU2015330949B2

Abstract

A valve assembly for use at a gutter outlet or in a gutter downpipe. In one form, the valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly further comprising a closure element movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway through the valve body, and wherein in use, the valve assembly is adapted for operation from below using a pole-like member to effect movement of the closure member from its open position to its closed position at least.

Description

A VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR RAIN GUTTERS

PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

10001 ] The present application claims priority from:

[0002] Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2014903968 titled "LOW PRESSURE VALVE DESIGNED TO EASILY SEAL GUTTER DOWNPIPES TO HELP IN FIRE PREVENTION" and filed on 5 OCTOBER 2014; and

[0003 ] Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015902015 titled "A VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR RAIN GUTTERS" and filed on 29 MAY 2015;

100041 The content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

10005] The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to a valve assembly for use at a gutter outlet or in a gutter downpipe, although its application need not be so limited.

BACKGROUND

10006] In the event of a bushfire or wildfire, any dry material which has collected in the rain gutters of a building can be set alight by embers carried on the wind. This may result in the loss of property, and possibly even life.

10007] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present disclosure has been developed.

10008] Certain objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a valve assembly for a gutter outlet or downpipe, the valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly further comprising a closure element movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway through the valve body, and wherein in use, the valve assembly is adapted for operation from below using a pole-like member to effect movement of the closure member from its open position to its closed position at least.

[0010] The pole-like member may be any one of, but need not be limited to, a pole of any material, a stick of any material, a handle for a broom, a handle for a mop, or a handle for a rake.

[001 1 ] In one form, the valve assembly is so adapted by way of comprising a socket for receiving an end of the pole-like member, which is so operatively associated with the closure member as to effect its movement.

[0012 ] In one form, the valve assembly is adapted for operation from below to effect movement of the closure member from its closed position to its open position also.

[0013] In one form, the closure element comprises a shutter.

[0014] In one form, the shutter is movable by way of a translation.

[0015] In one form, the valve body further comprises a shutter guide for guiding the shutter as it moves between its open and closed positions.

[0016] In one form, the shutter guide comprises a track for the shutter.

[0017] In one form, the valve assembly further comprises a shutter housing depending from the valve body, and adapted to house the shutter when this is in its open position with respect to the passageway through the valve body.

[0018] In one form, the shutter comprises a generally planar and elongate body, where the body curves in the direction of its elongation, and comprises a pair of substantially parallel sides extending in the direction of its elongation.

[0019] In one form, the shutter housing comprises a generally planar and elongate housing body which extends outwardly from the valve body, curving downwardly (i.e. in the direction of the outlet) as it extends outwardly from the valve body.

[0020] In one form, the shutter housing comprises a pair of substantially parallel sides extending in the direction of its elongation. [0021 ] In one form, each of the parallel sides of the shutter housing comprises a shutter guide track internally.

[0022] In one form, the curvature of the shutter housing substantially matches the curvature of the shutter.

[0023 ] In one form, in an alternative, the closure element is a ball movable by way of a rotation, and the valve assembly a ball valve assembly.

10024] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for operating a valve assembly for a gutter outlet or downpipe, the valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly further comprising a closure element movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway through the valve body, and a socket for receiving an end of a pole-like member, which is so operatively associated with the closure member as to effect its movement, the method comprising the step of inserting the end of the pole-like member into the socket from below, and pushing in an upward direction at least.

[0025] According to a further aspect, there is provided a heat shield for the valve assembly. In one form, the heat shield comprises at least one shield element, and a securement means for adjustably securing the shield element with respect to the valve assembly. In one form, the heat shield is supported at a distance away from the valve assembly. In one form, the heat shield comprises a second shield element supported at a distance away from the first shield element.

[0026] According to a further aspect, there is provided an assembly comprising the valve assembly, and the heat shield.

[0027] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0028] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured. [0029 ] For ease of description, a valve assembly embodying the present invention is described below in its usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal etc., may be used with reference to this usual position. However, the valve assembly may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown here. For instance, it may also be used as an in-line shutoff or diversion valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[003 1 ] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a valve assembly;

[0032] Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the valve assembly of Figure 1;

[0033 ] Figure 3 is an outer perspective view of a heat shield for the valve assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 4 is an inner perspective view of the heat shield of Figure 3;

[0035] Figures 5 and 1 1 are perspective views of an assembly comprising the valve assembly of Figure 1 , and the heat shield of Figure 3;

[0036] Figure 6 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 5;

[0037] Figure 7 is a side view (the opposite side to Figure 6) of the assembly of Figure 5; [0038] Figure 8 is an end view (the lower or outlet end) of the assembly of Figure 5; [0039] Figure 9 is a front view of the assembly of Figure 5; and [0040] Figure 10 is a cross-section through the assembly of Figure 5.

[ 0041 ] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a valve assembly 1 for a gutter outlet or downpipe according to an embodiment. [0043] The valve assembly 1 comprises a valve body 2 comprising an inlet 4a, an outlet 4b, a passageway 4 extending between the inlet 4a and the outlet 4b, and a closure element 10 movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway 4 through the valve body 2.

[0044 ] In a typical installation, the inlet 4a of the valve body 2 is connected to an outlet for a gutter, and a downpipe (optional) is connected to the outlet 4b of the valve body 2. In an alternative, the valve assembly may be installed between lengths of downpipe.

[0045] When the closure element 10 is in its open position (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2), water from the gutter may flow through the passageway 4 and into the downpipe. When the closure element 10 is in its closed position (as illustrated in Figure 10) it blocks the passageway 4, preventing flow therethrough, and causing water to be collected in the gutter.

[0046] The closure element 10 comprises a shutter 10 movable by way of a translation. The shutter 10 comprises a generally planar and elongate body 12, where the body 12 curves in the direction of its elongation, and comprises a pair of substantially parallel sides extending in the direction of its elongation.

[0047] The valve assembly 1 further comprises a shutter housing 20 depending from the valve body 2. The shutter housing 20 is adapted to house the shutter 10 when this is in its open position with respect to the passageway 4 through the valve body 2. The shutter housing 20 comprises a generally planar and elongate housing body which extends outwardly from the valve body 2, curving downwardly (i.e. in the direction of the outlet 4b) as it extends outwardly from the valve body 2. In this respect, the curvature of the shutter housing 20 substantially matches the curvature of the shutter 10.

10048] The shutter housing 20 further comprises a pair of substantially parallel sides 22 extending in the direction of its elongation. Each of the parallel sides of the shutter housing 20 comprises a shutter guide track (or slot) internally, for guiding the sides of the shutter 10 as it translates (or slides) between its open and closed positions.

[0049] With reference to Figure 10, it can be seen that where the shutter 10 intersects the passageway 4 of the valve body 2, the valve body 2 seats sealing elements 15 (O-rings in this case) above and below the shutter 10, to prevent water from leaking past the shutter 10 when this is in its closed position.

[0050] An underside (or outlet side) of the shutter housing 20 comprises a slot 24 extending from its outermost end in the direction of its elongation. [0051 ] An underside (or outlet side) of the shutter 10 comprises a rigid tab 14 projecting outwardly therefrom at a position towards its outermost end. When the shutter 10 is assembled in the valve body 2 and shutter housing 20, this rigid tab 14 extends through the slot 24 in the shutter housing 20, and is guided in the slot 24 as the shutter 10 translates (or slides) between its open and closed positions.

[0052 ] The tab 14 is laterally curved so as to define a concavity. Together with the underside of the shutter 10, the concave side of the tab 14 defines a socket 30 which, when the valve assembly 1 is in use, is generally directed in a downward direction (i.e. toward the outlet 4b) for receiving an end of a pole-like member.

[ 00531 In use, when, as is the general case, there is no threat posed by fire, the closure member 10 of the valve assembly 1 will be set in its open position (see Figure 2), so that the gutter can drain normally through the passageway 4 of the valve assembly 1.

[ 00541 In use, in the event that a fire does threaten the building, a user can quickly and easily move the shutter 10 of the valve assembly 1 from its open position (see Figure 2) to its closed position (see Figure 5) with respect to the passageway 4, by inserting an end of a pole-like member (such as a broom handle) into the socket 30, and pushing in an upwardly direction at least, causing movement of the shutter 10 up and out of its shutter housing 20 and into its closed position in the valve body 2, in which position the shutter 10 substantially obstructs the passageway 4. The gutter can then be filled with water using a hose or sprinkler, reducing the risk that material caught in the gutter can be set alight by embers.

[0055J This upwards pushing action is significantly easier to effect from below, and/or using a pole-like member, than is a sideways pushing action. Moreover, the ability to effect closure of the valve assembly 1 from below, and without need for a ladder, makes operation of the valve assembly 1 quicker, easier and safer than the operation of other valves.

[0056] When the threat of fire has passed, a user can move the shutter 10 of the valve assembly 1 from its closed position to its open position with respect to the passageway 4, by pulling downward on the tab 14. For convenience, a wire or string can be secured to the tab 14 via a hole therethrough, and the shutter 10 opened by pulling downward on the wire or string.

[0057] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the valve body 2 and shutter 10 are moulded from a PVC-U (although its material need not be so limited), and the shutter housing is integrally moulded with the valve body 2. [0058] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, where there is illustrated a heat shield assembly 50 for protecting the plastic valve assembly 1 from the radiant heat of an approaching bushfire threat, without interfering with its function.

[0059 ] The heat shield assembly 50 comprises a pair of attachment clamps 52, an outer heat shield element 54, and an inner heat shield element 56, both of zinc plated powder coated steel, and supported by spacers 58 depending from the attachment clamps 52 (optionally clips could be used). The inner and outer heat shield elements 56 and 54 are spaced apart from each other, and the attachment clamps 52 (and thus the valve assembly 1 in turn), by the spacers 58.

[0060] With reference to Figures 5 through 1 1 , it can be seen how in use, the heat shield assembly 50 can be positioned as required, and secured with respect to the valve assembly 1 using the attachment clamps 52, which clamp around the valve body 2.

[0061 1 In use, in the event that a fire does threaten the building, the outer shield element 54 shields the valve assembly 1 from direct radiant heat, while the inner shield element 56 helps reduce a temperature at the valve assembly 1 by way of a flue effect. In an alternative design, only one shield element may be employed.

[0062] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0063] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0064] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for a gutter outlet or downpipe, the valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly further comprising a closure element movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway through the valve body, and wherein in use, the valve assembly is adapted for operation from below using a pole-like member to effect movement of the closure member from its open position to its closed position at least.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is so adapted by way of comprising a socket for receiving an end of the pole-like member, which is operatively associated with the closure member.

3. The valve assembly as in either of the preceding claims, wherein this is further adapted for operation from below to effect movement of the closure member from its closed position to its open position also.

4. The valve assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element comprises a shutter.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the shutter is movable by way of a translation.

6. The valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the valve body further comprises a shutter guide for guiding the shutter as it moves between its open and closed positions.

7. The valve assembly as in any one of the claims 4 through 6, wherein this further comprises a shutter housing depending from the valve body, and adapted to house the shutter when this is in its open position with respect to the passageway through the valve body.

8. The valve assembly as in any one of the claims 4 through 7, wherein the shutter comprises a generally planar and elongate body, where the body curves in the direction of its elongation, and comprises a pair of substantially parallel sides extending in the direction of its elongation.

9. The valve assembly as in either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the shutter housing comprises a generally planar and elongate housing body which extends outwardly from the valve body, curving downwardly (i.e. in the direction of the outlet) as it extends outwardly from the valve body.

10. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the shutter housing comprises a pair of substantially parall el sides extending in the direction of its elongation, where each of the parallel sides comprises a shutter guide track internally.

1 1. The valve assembly as in any one of the claims 7 through 10, wherein the curvature of the shutter housing substantially matches the curvature of the shutter.

12. A method for operating a valve assembly for a gutter outlet or downpipe, the valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly further comprising a closure element movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the passageway through the valve body, and a socket for receiving an end of a pole-like member, which is so operatively associated with the closure member as to effect its movement, the method comprising the step of inserting the end of the pole-like member into the socket from below, and pushing in an upward direction at least.