AU2020201719B2

AU2020201719B2 - Plinth for a hot water cylinder

Info

Publication number: AU2020201719B2
Application number: AU2020201719A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jason Wallace Michie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-08-05
Filing date: 2020-03-09
Publication date: 2022-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-09
Also published as: NZ755826A; AU2020201719A1

Abstract

: A flat packed kit of parts for assembly a plinth for supporting a water cylinder above a floor surface comprises four side panels and a top panel, and a cross-support to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth, wherein the cross-support is without a central leg to maintain an open space below the top panel for pipes to be routed to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain. The side panels comprise two opposed side panels, a rear panel and a front panel, and when the plinth is assembled from the kit of parts the top panel is recessed below a top edge of the side panels, rear panel and/or the front panel in the assembled plinth. The plinth is adapted for easily and fast assembly yet is also adapted to support a large weight presented by a full hot water cylinder. 1/5 2 7 FIGURE 1 3 111 5 12 12 16 12,14 FIGURE 2

Description

1/5

2 7

FIGURE 1

3

111

5

12 12

16 12,14

FIGURE 2

PLINTH FOR A HOT WATER CYLINDER

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a plinth or base for supporting a hot water cylinder above a floor surface, and in particular a plinth or base formed from panel/sheet material to be provided as a flat packed kit of parts.

Background to the Invention

Hot water cylinders are well known hot water supplies for use in a building. A hot water cylinder typically has an electrical element to heat water to a set temperature within the cylinder. As hot water is drained from the cylinder when a hot tap within the building is opened, a pressure change within the cylinder causes cold water via a water inlet to replenish the cylinder which is in turn heated within the cylinder for use.

When installing a cylinder within a building, a builder fabricates a frame for supporting for the cylinder above the floor level of the building, to provide space below the cylinder to route pipes and provide valves, such as an inlet pressure valve and isolation valves. The builder typically constructs the frame or base on site from lengths of timber such as 4"x2". The builder lines

the frame with plaster board, and this is subsequently stopped (plastered) and painted, to cover the pipework beneath. Once completed, the frame supports a tray and the cylinder

within the tray. At least a drain is typically routed from the tray and underneath the base.

Building and frame and the plaster and paint finish is time consuming and therefore costly. More than one trades person may be required, for example a builder to construct a frame, and install plasterboard, and a gib stopper/plasterer to finish the surfaces of the base. Also, once completed, access to below the base is restricted, requiring removal and subsequent repair of plaster board from the base.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved raised base for a water cylinder that addresses one or more of the above-mentioned difficulties. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a kit of parts for assembling a plinth or base for supporting a hot water cylinder above a floor surface comprises:

four side panels and a top panel, and

a cross-support to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth, wherein the cross support comprises: a first support member comprising a first vertical leg and a second vertical leg

joined by a horizontal member to support the top panel, the first and second vertical

legs located adjacent respective side panels in the assembled plinth, and

two second support members to be provided either side of the first support member in the assembled plinth, wherein each second support member comprises a third vertical leg to be located adjacent a respective side of the plinth and a horizontal

member extending from the third vertical leg to the horizontal member of the first

support member, and the cross-support is without a central leg to maintain an open space below the

top panel for pipes to be routed to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain, and wherein the first, second and third vertical legs are located to be within a

perimeter of the cylinder to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth;

wherein the side panels comprise two opposed side panels, a rear panel and a front panel, and when the plinth is assembled the top panel is recessed below a top edge of the side

panels, rear panel and/or the front panel in the assembled plinth.

Preferably, the top panel comprises a hole in each corner region for routing pipes to and/or

from the cylinder and/or a drain.

Preferably, each of the side panels and the cross support are cut from a parent panel material.

Preferably, the parent panel material is low pressure laminate board.

Preferably, the parent panel material comprises particle board.

Preferably, the parent panel material is a pre-finished board material.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises camlock fasteners to secure the top panel to the two opposed side panels and/or the rear panel.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises camlock fasteners to secure the top panel to the first

support member.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises camlock fasteners to secure the top panel to each of the second support members.

Preferably, the kit of parts is adapted to support at least 300kg.

Preferably, the side panels do not carry the weight of the cylinder when supported by the assembled plinth.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises a plastic tray to be supported on the top panel to contain

and/or collect drips from the cylinder in use.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises fasteners to be applied from a front surface of the front

panel to removably attach the front panel to the top panel, the two opposed side panels and/or the cross support.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a plinth or base for supporting a hot water cylinder above a floor surface comprises:

four side panels and a top panel, and a cross-support to support the top and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth, wherein the cross support comprises:

a first support member comprising a first vertical leg and a second vertical leg

joined by a horizontal member to support the top panel, the first and second vertical legs located adjacent respective side panels in the assembled plinth, and

two second support members to be provided either side of the first support

member in the assembled plinth, wherein each second support member comprises a third vertical leg to be located adjacent a respective side of the plinth and a horizontal member extending from the third vertical leg to the horizontal member of the first

support member, and

the cross-support is without a central leg to maintain an open space below the

top for pipes to be routed to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain, and wherein the first, second and third vertical legs are located to be within a perimeter of the cylinder to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder

supported on the plinth;

wherein the side panels comprise two opposed side panels, a rear panel and a front panel, and the top panel is recessed below a top edge of the side panels, rear panel and/or the

front panel.

The second aspect may comprise any one or more of the features described with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

Throughout this specification and claims, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element,

integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a base or plinth for supporting a hot water cylinder above a floor surface;

Figure 2 shows the plinth of Figure 1 but with a front panel removed;

Figure 3 shows a disassembled cross support for supporting a top of the plinth; Figure 4 shows the cross support of Figure 3 assembled and a top of the plinth disassembled from the cross-support;

Figure 5 shows the cross-support and top assembled together;

Figure 6 shows sides of the plinth of Figure 1 prior to assembly with the legs and top

shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the plinth of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a top view of the plinth of Figure 1; and

Figures 9A to 9B show a range of different sized plinths, and corresponding trays to be

received on the plinths.

Best Modes for carrying out the invention

The invention relates to a base or plinth (herein a plinth) for supporting a hot water cylinder providing a hot water supply to a building (such as a residential home). The plinth is adapted to

be provided as a flat packed kit of parts to be quickly assembled on site, for example by a tradesman.

With reference to Figures 1 to 8, the assembled plinth 1 has a top panel 2 and four side panels, ie a rear panel 3, two opposed side panels 4, 5, and a front panel 6. In the illustrated

embodiment the top 2 is recessed within the sides, the rear and the front panel, to be located lower than a top edge of the sides, rear and front panel. Preferably the top is recessed below at least the top edge of the front panel.

The plinth 1 has a cross support 10 below the top 2 to support the weight of the cylinder supported on the plinth 1. The cross support is without a central leg to maintain an open space

below the top for plumbing pipes to extend to and from the cylinder and/or drain.

Preferably a plastic tray 20 (refer Figures 9A to 9C) is provided to the top 2 of the plinth 1 to

catch drips from the cylinder or pipe work to/from the cylinder in the event of a leak. The

plastic tray sits on the top 2 of the plinth 1, and the cylinder sits in the tray supported on the top of the plinth 1.

The cylinder sits in the tray, and pipework to and from the cylinder may pass through a fitting

or fittings (not shown) applied through the tray, and/or a drain may be provided to the base of the tray. The top 2 of the plinth 1 is provided with four holes 7, each hole 7 at a corners of the

top. The holes provide a choice in routing pipework and/or a drain from the base of the tray to underneath the plinth top. The holes 7 are located outside of a perimeter of the cylinder.

The plinth 1 provides a space 16 (refer Figure 2) below the cylinder and above a floor surface, for piping and valves to be located. Preferably the plinth 1 comprises a cross-support 10 with

legs 12 located towards/adjacent sides of the plinth so that the plinth is without a centrally located leg, to present a largely unobstructed space below the top of the plinth.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cross support 10 comprises a first support member 11

with two spaced apart vertically extending legs 12 to be located adjacent respective sides of the plinth and a horizontal cross member 13 connecting the two vertical legs. The top 2 rests on

the horizontally extending cross member 13 and legs 12. A second support member 14 is

provided either side of the first support member. Each second support member 14 comprises a vertically extending leg 12 to be located adjacent a respective side of the plinth and a horizontal

member 15 extending from the vertical member 12 to a centre of the cross member 13 of the first support member 11. Thus, the first support member 10 and the two second support members 14 join together to form a cross supporting the top 2 of the plinth, as best shown in the bottom view of Figure 7.

The various parts of the kit of parts (the sides, top and cross supports) are panels cut from a

parent panel material. A preferred panel material is low pressure laminate board. A panel

material that is resistant to absorbing moisture is desirable for use in a plinth for supporting a water cylinder. Such low pressure laminate panel material is used in the construction of

kitchen cabinetry. The low pressure panel material is also known as pre-finished board or

Melamine, and comprises a melamine paper bonded to a substrate such as craft wood/MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) or particle board. Pre-finished particle board is preferred to pre finished MDF as particle board is less susceptible to absorbing moisture and swelling. Suitable

panel thickness is 16mm to 18mm however thicknesses outside this range may also be suitable,

at least for some parts, for example the top and or sides may be made from a thinner panel material, whereas the supports may be constructed from a thicker panel material. Other panel

material is possible, such as high density laminate board. Another possible panel material is Acrylic/plastic composite panel.

In preferred embodiments, the parts are fixed together by camlock fasteners 17 (Figure 6 and 7) typically used in the construction of furniture including flat-packed furniture to be assembled

by an end user or customer. In a preferred embodiment, the top 2 is secured to the sides 4, 5 and back panels 3 by camlock fasteners 17. However, the front panel is secured to the

assembled plinth via fasteners such as screws 18 (Figure 1) applied through the front panel 6 from the front surface of the front panel, so that the front panel can easily be removed from

the assembled plinth 1to provide access to the space 16 below the top 2 of the plinth, to for example access valves located within the space provided by the plinth. In the illustrated

embodiment, five fasteners 18 are provided through the front panel 6 to secure the front panel

to the sides 4, 5, the top 2 and cross support 10. The fasteners may be camlock fasteners accessible from the front of the front panel.

Hot water cylinders are available in a range of sizes, for example 135L, 180L, 250L and 300 litres. Thus, the plinth must be capable of supporting a weight of at least 300kg plus the weight

of the cylinder and associated fittings. Preferably the plinth can support a weight of at least 300kg.

The weight that the plinth is required to support is unusually large for a flat-packed furniture

item constructed from panel material, and in particular furniture or cabinetry constructed from low pressure laminate board. This board material is not used to construct structural items to

support heavy objects.

To adapt a flat-packed kit of parts formed from panel materials to support such a weight, the vertical legs 12 of the cross-support 10 are located to be within a perimeter of the cylinder, as

shown in Figure 7 where the perimeter of the cylinder is represented by the dashed circle.

Thus, the legs 12 extend between a floor surface of the building and the top 2 of the plinth to take the weight of the cylinder located directly above the legs 12. The side panels 3, 4, 5, 6 do

not take any weight of the cylinder; thus no weight is transferred through the fasteners (e.g. camlock fasteners 17) between the top 2 and the sides 3, 4, 5 of the plinth. Preferably, the

sides 3, 4, 5, 6 do not carry any weight of the cylinder. All or substantially all of the weight is

taken by the cross support 10 which is constructed from panel material arranged in a vertical plane directly under the cylinder. Such an arrangement allows for a flat-packed furniture type

assembly comprising panel components and camlock fasteners 17 to be employed, providing the benefits of simple assembly, while also fulfilling the function of a structural assembly

suitable for carrying hundreds of kilograms.

While a flat packed kit of parts may be assembled by a tradesman, the assembly is easily put together by anyone capable of assembling a simple flat-pack furniture item.

The present invention presents a significant saving in time and therefore cost by avoiding the requirement for a custom-built base when installing a cylinder. A plinth according to the

present invention can be assembled within 5-minutes or so. The sides of the plinth hide the pipework below the tray and presents an attractive finish without requiring finishing such as plastering and painting. The front panel is removably fastened to other components of the plinth and is therefore removeable to provide access to the pipes below if required. A range of sizes may be provided, as shown in Figures 9A to 9C to match a corresponding range of cylinder sizes. The plinth may be used in outer applications, for example to support a shower tray above a floor surface.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred

to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all

combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having

known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be

appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A flat packed kit of parts for assembling a plinth for supporting a water cylinder above a floor surface comprising: four side panels and a top panel, and a cross-support to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth, wherein the cross support comprises: a first support member comprising a first vertical leg and a second vertical leg joined by a horizontal member to support the top panel, the first and second vertical legs located adjacent respective side panels in the assembled plinth, and two second support members to be provided either side of the first support member in the assembled plinth, wherein each second support member comprises a third vertical leg to be located adjacent a respective side of the plinth and a horizontal member extending from the third vertical leg to the horizontal member of the first support member, and the cross-support is without a central leg to maintain an open space below the top panel for pipes to be routed to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain, and wherein the first, second and third vertical legs are located to be within a perimeter of the cylinder to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth; wherein the side panels comprise two opposed side panels, a rear panel and a front panel, and when the plinth is assembled from the kit of parts the top panel is recessed below a top edge of the side panels, rear panel and/or the front panel in the assembled plinth.

2. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top panel comprises a hole in each corner region for routing pipes to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain.

3. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the side panels and the cross support are cut from a parent panel material.

4. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parent panel material is low pressure laminate board.

5. A kit of parts as claimed in 3 or 4 wherein the parent panel material comprises particle board.

6. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the parent panel material is a pre-finished board material.

7. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising camlock fasteners to secure the top panel to the two opposed side panels and/or the rear panel.

8. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising camlock

fasteners to secure the top panel to the first support member.

9. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising camlock fasteners to secure the top panel to each of the second support members.

10. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plinth is adapted to support at least 300kg.

11. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side panels do

not carry the weight of the cylinder when supported by the assembled plinth.

12. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plastic tray to be supported on the top panel to contain and/or collect drips from the cylinder in use.

13. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the kit of parts comprises fasteners to be applied from a front surface of the front panel to removably attach

the front panel to the top panel, the two opposed side panels and/or the cross support.

14. A plinth for supporting a hot water cylinder above a floor surface, the plinth comprising:

four side panels and a top panel, and a cross-support to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder supported on the plinth, wherein the cross support comprises:

two second support members to be provided either side of the first support

support member, and

the cross-support is without a central leg to maintain an open space below the top panel for pipes to be routed to and/or from the cylinder and/or a drain, and

wherein the first, second and third vertical legs are located to be within a perimeter of the cylinder to support the top panel and the weight of a cylinder

supported on the plinth;

front panel.

15. The plinth as claimed in claim 14, wherein the side panels do not carry the weight of the cylinder when supported by the plinth.

16. The plinth as claimed in claim 14 or 15, comprising a plastic tray supported on the top

panel to contain and/or collect drips from the cylinder in use.