GB2149886A

GB2149886A - Radiator valve

Info

Publication number: GB2149886A
Application number: GB08428393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Smith
Original assignee: Pegler Ltd
Current assignee: Pegler Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-18
Filing date: 1984-11-09
Publication date: 1985-06-19
Also published as: IE842946L; GB8428393D0; GB8330770D0; IE55889B1; GB2149886B

Abstract

So that a radiator can be drained and removed from the wall against which it is fitted, without completely draining the hot water system, the radiator valve 14 or tail pipe 22 is provided with a spigot portion having a drain passage closeable by a closure member 28 arranged out of the normal path of flow of fluid through the main valve and indicator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Radiator valve The invention relates to a domestic radiator valve, that is to say a valve of the kind for connecting a domestic central heating radiator into a hot water system having a manual or thermostatic radiator valve for regulating or closing on one side of the radiator and a socalled lockshield valve for balancing the system on the other. The valves will be connected to the radiator by respective tailpipes.

It is usual to mount a domestic central heating radiator on a wall by means of hanger brackets, from which the radiator can readily be detached when it is desired to carry out maintenance, either to the heating installation or when the walls are in need of decoration.

To remove the radiator from the system for maintenance, or pivot it away from the wall for decoration it is necessary to detach the same from the hanger brackets. This requires the union between the tailpipe and the body to be broken in order to lift the radiator clear of the brackets. A considerable amount of water can escape on these occasions before the radiator is either removed or pivoted down and retightened. This pivotal movement is only possible if both valves are installed on the lower connections of the radiator, and if achieved it is not altogether satisfactory because access to the lower part of the wall immediately behind the radiator is still obstructed and the radiator itself, lying flat on the floor or temporarily supported at an angle to the wall by some other person, is a nuisance to the person carrying out the maintenance work.The object of the invention is to to provide a radiator valve with a tail pipe which will enable part of a system to be drained in a controlled manner, thus enabling such difficulties to be at least alleviated.

According to the invention there is provided a radiator valve of the kind referred to, or a tail pipe connected thereto, the valve or tail pipe having a spigot portion onto which a length of flexible hose can be secured, the spigot portion projecting from one side of the radiator valve or of the tail pipe, as the case may be, and a closure member for a drain passage through the spigot portion being operable from the other side of said radiator valve or tail pipe, the arrangement being such that, the spigot and closure member being arranged at the side of the tailpipe the headloss through the valve will be a minimum whilst the valve is being used as a radiator control, and, in addition, the arrangement being such that the hose can be attached to the spigot and secured before the closure member is operated to drain the radiator.

Preferably, the closure member will be operable by the key commonly used on the radiator air cock to bleed the system of air.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a view of a conventional domestic central heating radiator mounted on a wall, Figure 2 is a front view, partly in section, of a radiator valve embodying the invention, and Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the conventional domestic central heating radiator 10 there illustrated is mounted on the wall 1 2 in a conventional manner, that is to say by means of hanger brackets (not shown) from which the radiator can readily be detached when it is desired to maintain the heating system or when it is desired to decorate the wall behind the radiator. Also in conventional manner, the radiator is provided at one side with a valve 14 of the kind referred to having a handle 1 6 for regulating or closing the valve. At its other side the radiator is provided with a so-called lockshield for balancing the system.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the radiator valve 14 is provided with a valve body 20 which is connected to a tail pipe 22 by means of a union nut 1 5. The tail pipe is then connected into the radiator 10. A flow passage through the tail pipe communicates with a space within the valve above the valve seat 24 on which a valve closure member 26 is shown in Fig. 2 to be seated. The tail pipe is formed integrally with a spigot portion projecting from one side of the tail pipe (and shown to be downwardly directed in Fig. 2) the spigot portion being ridged as shown so that a flexible hose can be push fitted thereon. As best seen in Fig. 3, a closure member 28 for a drain passage through the spigot portion is operable from a housing axially above the spigot, a squared end 30 thereof being engageable by the extraneous key used to bleed the system of air.A push-fitted closure cap 32 has been removed to obtain engagement with the said key. The screwthreaded part 31 of the closure member engages a screwthreaded part of the formation in line with the drain passage, and an O-ring seal 34 engages a plain bore portion to prevent leakage of water.

The arrangement is such that when the radiator valve has been closed (together with the closure valve 18) and the air vent opened, the closure member 28 can be operated to open the drain passage so that the radiator can be drained of water via a flexible hose (not shown) which will have been pushed fitted on the spigot portion. The radiator can then be disconnected from the hot water system and removed completely from the wall to which it is attached. The arrangement is particularly advantageous because it gives full flow control when draining the radiator. How ever, it will be understood that, if preferred, the spigot portion and the screwthreaded part for receiving the closure member 28 could be formed integrally with the valve body rather than as part of a separate tail pipe. Preferably, the closure member will be operable by the key commonly used on the radiator air cock to bleed the system of air, but other means could be used. For example, it could be operable by a screwdriver.

Claims

1. A radiator valve of the kind referred to, or a tail pipe connected thereto, the valve or tail pipe having a spigot portion onto which a length of flexible hose can be secured, the spigot portion projecting from one side of the radiator valve or of the tail pipe, as the case may be, and a closure member for a drain passage through the spigot portion being operable from the other side of said radiator valve or tail pipe, the arrangement being such that, the spigot and closure member being arranged at the side of the tailpipe the headloss through the valve will be a minimum whilst the valve is being used as a radiator control.

2. A radiator valve according to claim 1, in which the closure member is operable by the key commonly used on the radiator air cock to bleed the system of air.

3. A radiator valve constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.