GB2329449A - Radiator and/or appliance connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is primarily designed as a Radiator Connector but can be used on any appliance or vessel containing fluids which requires the unit being separated from the supply for access or servicing. The device operates by means of a ball valve contained within the connector body and the open or closed position of the valve in selected by rotating a plot 26 with a screwdriver to the required position. The device is threaded at one end 11 and at the other end there is a flange and nut 15 that marries up with a shut off valve. The device is designed to eliminate the need of drain down procedures by isolating and containing the contents within the appliance.

Description

RADIATOR CONNECTOR The present invention relates to radiator connectors; that is to connectors used primarily for connecting central heating panel radiators to the associated control valves (although their use is not necessarily confined to that application).

A common form of domestic central heating is by hot water which is circulated through wall-mounted panel radiators. Each radiator is connected to two feed pipes, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and each connection normally includes a control valve. One of these valves has a control knob so that the user can turn the radiator on and off by hand, and the other is normally adjustable only by a tool such as a spanner or screwdriver and is normally preset to balance the maximum flow through the radiator relative to that through the other radiators in the system.

In more detail, the radiator is normally connected to the valves through short connectors.

Each connecter has an external thread on one end which fits with an internally threaded hole on the radiator, and a rounded abutment or rim and captive nut at the other end, the nut engaging with a thread on the radiator valve and the rim mating with a corresponding abutment on the valve. (Both junctions are nonnally sealed by a suitable sealant).

The fact that the radiator is mounted on a wall causes inconvenience if the wall is to be redecorated since it is impracticable to reach the part of the wall behind the radiator. It is therefore desirable to remove the radiator and replace it after redecoration. This is generally not too difficult mechanically, since the radiator valves can be disconnected from the radiator connectors, so releasing the radiator from the pipework; the radiator can then usually be simply lifted off its supporting brackets. It can be replaced by the reverse process.

It is obviously essential to disconnect the water supply as well. This can be done by draining the entire central heating system, but this is usually inconvenient. (It will normally also involve the loss of any preservative chernicals in the system). But since the radiator is connected through a valve at each end, the radiator can usually be removed without having to drain the entire system if these two valves are turned off firmly.

However, this still involves a significant degree of inconvenience, because the water in the radiator itself spills out as the radiator is removed. A considerable quantity of water has to be collected from around the connector as it is disconnected from the adjacent valve. If the connector is only partially disconnected during radiator draining, this may take a considerable time, and the water may tend to run round the outside of the valve and down the outside of the feed pipe. If the connector is fully released, a sudden gush may occur. The water is often very dirty, and although the adjacent wall is about to be redecorated, this may cause staining of carpets if any water escapes the collecting vessel.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a means of alleviating this inconvenience.

Accordingly the present invention provides a radiator connector adapted to form a connection between a radiator and a radiator control valve, and including a ball valve. Preferably the ball valve has a slotted shaft for screwdriver operation.

A radiator connector in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the connector; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section through the valve portion of the connector.

The connector consists of a generally tubular metal body 10. At one end, the body has an external thread 11, so that it can be screwed into an internally threaded hole in a radiator. The body 10 is provided with internal ribs 13 at its other end for engagement with an Allen key, and/or with flats 13 for engagement with a spanner, so that it can be screwed into the radiator hole. At the other end, the body has a convex end rim 14, which has a maximum radius greater than the main part of the body, so forming an external flange. A nut 15 has an internal radius generally greater than the maximum radius of the rim 14, and has an inwards flange at its left-hand end so that it is held captive on the body 10. (The nut may be held on the body 10 against escape off its other end by the flats 13 and/or the shaft 24 to be described later). The nut 15 is internally threaded so that it can be screwed onto a thread on a radiator control valve, so bringing the rim 14 into engagement with a mating rim on the control valve.

The connector also includes a ball valve in its body. As shown in Fig. 2, there is a ball 20 of plastics material held in the bore of the body 10 between a flange 22 and a ring 23. Flange 22 is formed integrally with the body 10, while ring 23 is pressed into position along the bore. The ball 20 has a bore 21 formed through it, and a blind hole 25 at right angles to the bore 21. A stub metal shaft 24 is a press fit through a hole in the body 10 into the blind hole 25. The outer end of the shaft 24 has a slot 26; its inner end may be polygonal, with the blind hole 25 being correspondingly polygonal. The shaft 24 preferably fits into the ball 20 so that the slot 26 is parallel to the bore 21.

It is clear that the ball 20 forms a valve which can be turned between the on and off positions by means of a screwdriver engaging in the slot 26. The valve is sealed by the contacts between the ball 20 and the flange 22 on one side, and the ball 20 and the ring 23 on the other.

If necessary, suitable washers may be provided on the engaging faces of the flange 22 and ring 23. Suitable sealing means may also be provided to seal the contact between the ring 23 and the bore ofthe body 10. A suitable seal may also be provided between the shaft 24 and the body 10, though this is not essential.

Two such connectors will be used to connect a radiator to its two control valves. The ball valves of the connectors will normally be turned to the on position, so that the radiator is controlled by the control valves. However, if the radiator has to be temporarily removed to allow redocration of the wall on which it is mounted, the two control valves will be turned firmly off, and the two ball valves in the connectors will also be turned off. The connectors can then be disconnected from the control valves. The water in the radiator will be retained by the ball valves, so the only water which can escape will be that between the ball valves, so the only water which can escape will be that between the ball valves and the control valves. These quantities are small, and can easily be absorbed by suitable pieces of rag. When the radiator is replaced, the connectors are reattached to the control valves, and the ball valves and control valves are reopened. It will not normally be necessary to bleed the radiator, because the quantity of air introduced during this process will be only the small amount trapped between each ball valve and the adjacent control valve.

The position of the ball valve (open or closed) is indicated directly by the orientation of the slot 26 in the shaft 25. If the slot lies parallel to the body of the connector, the valve is open; if it lies perpendicular to the body, the valve is closed. It is impossible for the valve can only be operated accidentally, since it is impossible to turn the shaft 26 except by means of a screwdriver.

Since the valve is rarely operated, it is highly unlikely to become worn.

The present connector need to be only slightly longer than standard connectors. Although it has to acconrrnodate the ball valve, this valve takes up little room. Thus while its primary use is expected to be as an original fitting, it will usually be possible to use it to replace normal connectors in existing installations. Further, there is no appreciable sign of the presence of the ball valve; when the present connector is in use, one would have to inspect the radiator connections closely to realize that the connectors were the present connectors rather than normal connectors.

Claims (7)

CLAIM.

1 The device is primarily designed as a Radiator connector on central heating systems but can be applied to any appliance or vessel containing fluids that may require separation from the supply for access or servicing reasons.

The device contains a ball valve within the connecting body that only requires a 45 degree turn with a screwdriver to open or close it, which, when in the closed position, contains the contents within the unit, thereby allows the appliance which it applied to, to be separated from the supply without the need of any full or part drain off procedures.

2 Once isolated, the appliance can be removed or replaced according to the requirements with ease and within a greatly reduced time factor for the operation.

3 The ease of operation enables the procedure to be carried out with minimal or no technical knowledge and within the range of virtually anyone single handily.

4 The device on containing and/or isolating the contents, reduces the risk of spillage and any dangers therein.

5 In the application of a radiator, the device, by eliminating the need to drain down, results in the saving of water and chemical additives making it ecological and cost saving.

6 The very act of not draining down, eliminates and/or reduces any risk of pollution to the water table.

7 Re-installation does not require any refilling, thereby, giving further savings on time and material costs.