GB2440412A

GB2440412A - Valve housing

Info

Publication number: GB2440412A
Application number: GB0710650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Leigh
Original assignee: Steve Leigh & Associates Ltd
Current assignee: Steve Leigh & Associates Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-04
Filing date: 2007-06-04
Publication date: 2008-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-04
Also published as: GB2440412B; GB0710650D0; HK1112048A1

Abstract

A valve housing 7 comprises a main body section 8 having first and second ends 10, 19 and a first channel connecting the first and second ends. A first attachment arrangement 11 is located towards the first end 10 of the main body section 8 and a second attachment arrangement 28 is located towards the second end 19 of the main body section. A valve arrangement 29 is located at least partially within the main body section 8 and has a second channel which is substantially surrounded by the first channel. The first attachment arrangement 11 may be attached to an attachment member that is substantially identical to the second attachment arrangement 28.

Description

Title: A Valve Housing

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a valve housing and a method of fitting a valve housing to a water supply system. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a housing for a non-return valve for use in mains water supply boundary boxes and meter manifolds.

A simplified typical mains water supply network comprises a primary supply pipe which is connected to a water supply and which feeds a number of secondary supply pipes which are each arranged so as to supply water to individual residential or commercial buildings. In some cases the secondary supply pipes provide water to groups of residential or commercial buildings. In other cases, the secondary supply pipes provide water to industrial buildings (ie. buildings in which industrial activities take place).

In order to allow the water supplier to meter the amount of water consumed by each user, and hence charge the user for their water usage, water meters are often installed between the secondary supply pipes and the building being supplied with water. The water meters are attached to water meter manifolds and are usually located either in insulated chambers attached to an external surface of a particular building or are located underground (for example, buried in the pavement outside the building).

A typical water meter manifold 1 (see figure 1) comprises a water input pipe 2 which is connected to the secondary supply pipe of the mains water supply network and water output pipe 3 which is connected to an input supply pipe for the building. Between the input 2 and output 3 pipes of the water meter manifold I is a water meter 40 (which is operable to monitor the flow of water between the input 2 and output 3 of the manifold 1) and a non-return valve 41 (which is designed to prevent water flowing from the output 3 of the manifold 1 to the mains water supply through the input 2 of the manifold 1).

The water meter 40 is attached to the water meter manifold 1 by means of respective cooperating attachment members which may comprise cooperating threaded attachment surfaces on the manifold 1 and the water meter 40. This attachment method allows engineers to access the meter 40 in order to replace or repair meters 40 that are either damaged or have become obsolete. Although the position of the non-return valve 41 in the water meter manifold I is generally inconsequential, in some examples the valve 41 is located in the output of the water meter manifold (in other words the downstream from the water meter itself) -"downstream" and "upstream" are commonly used terms and describe locations with respect to the normal direction of flow of water.

The non-return valve 41 in a water meter manifold I may be a modular component which is located in an integrally formed housing in the manifold 1.

A typical non-return valve (see figure 2) comprises an annular ring 42 suitable to allow the non-return valve 41 to be fixedly secured to the housing of the manifold 1. An external surface 43 of the non-return valve 41 includes a groove 44 in which a first washer 45 is partially located; thus, the first washer ensures a substantially water tight seal with the housing of the valve. An internal surface 46 of the annular ring 42 of the valve 41 includes a groove 47 in which a second washer 48 is partially located. The internal surface 46 of the annular ring 42 defines a void 49 through the ring 42 and the second washer 48 defines a valve seat of the non-return valve 41.

The annular ring 42 of the valve 41 is connected to a cylindrical base portion 50 of the non-return valve 41 by a number of supporting arms 51. The cylindrical base portion 50 includes a central hole 52 which extends to the entire depth of the base portion 50 and is generally aligned with and parallel to the hole 49 of the annular ring 42. A mushroom-shaped valve member 53 is located between the cylindrical base portion 50 and the annular ring 42 of the valve 41. The mushroom-shaped valve member 53 includes a rod 54 which extends through the central hole 52 of the cylindrical base portion 50 of the valve 41 and a head 55 which is resiliently held against the valve seat 47 by a helical spring 56 (which acts against the mushroom-shaped valve member 53 and the cylindrical base portion 50 of the non-return valve 41).

Thus, when water flows towards the valve 41 from a first direction 57 the mushroom-shaped valve member 53 is forced from a position abutting the valve seat 47 towards the cylindrical base portion 50 (compressing the helical spring 56) and allows the water to flow through the valve 41 between the supporting arms 51 which hold the cylindrical base portion 50 to the annular ring 42 of the valve 41. However, if water is to flow towards the valve 41 from the opposing direction 58 then the mushroom-shaped valve member 53 is pressed against the valve seat 47 substantially forming a water tight seal which prevents the water from flowing through the valve 41.

When a non-return valve 41 of the above described type is placed in a housing which is in the output of a water manifold 1 which is connected to a mains water supply network and a building, then water is generally prevented from flowing from the building back into the mains water supply.

Non-return valves 41 of this type are utilised in order to ensure that contaminated water from, for example, within a building is not returned to the mains water supply and supplied to another buildings or users.

It will be understood that non-return valves of the type described above do not prevent all water from flowing from the output of the valve 41 to the input of the valve 41. In other words a comparatively small amount of water will follow either through or around the closed valve 41 as it closes and when it is closed.

Government legislation covers the type and efficiency of the non-return valves used in the mains water supply network. For example, a water meter manifold 1 for an industrial building must include a higher level of non-return protection than would be required for a normal residential building in order to prevent, for example, water contaminated with heavy metals from entering the mains water supply which may also feed residential buildings and used as drinking water for human consumption. Hereinafter the term "non-return protection" will be used to describe the ability of a non-return valve or system to prevent water from flowing from the output side of the valve to the input side of the valve (ie. with the valve closed). A high level of non-return protection indicates that little water flows through the valve 41 in the incorrect direction and a low level of non-return protection indicates that larger amount of water flows through the valve 41 in the incorrect direction during normal operation.

In the UK the level of non-return protection is categorised into five classes. Embodiments of the present invention seek to increase the so-called fluid category from 1 to 3 or 4 (reference is made to the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, Schedule 1).

Water meter manifolds 1 including a single non-return valve 41 are currently sufficient to meet most governmental requirements for non-return protection in the mains water supply for residential purposes. Manifolds I of this type are widely used in mains water supply networks.

If Government legislation changes or the nature of the building or water supply user changes, then it is currently necessary to upgrade the non-return protection provided in the water meter manifold 1. The level of non-return protection offered by a manifold 1 is particular to that manifold 1. Therefore, in order to change the level of non-return protection it is necessary to replace the entire manifold 1.

In the case of a manifold 1 which is located underground (for example, under the pavement outside a building) it is often necessary to dig a hole around the manifold 1 which is large enough to allow access to all of the components of the manifold I (and, in particular, the input and outputs of the manifold so that the manifold 1 can be replaced.

As will be appreciated, the cost of replacing water meter manifolds 1 can be excessive particularly where it is necessary to excavate public pavements or roads. In addition, the length of time required to upgrade the non-return protection is often significant and the level of convenience caused to, for example, passing traffic or pedestrians, is unacceptable.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate the above problems

associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a valve housing comprising: a main body section having first and second ends and a first channel connecting the first and second ends; a first attachment arrangement located towards a first end of the main body section; a second attachment arrangement located towards a second end of the main body section; and a valve arrangement located at least partially within the main body section of the housing and having a second channel which is substantially surrounded by the first channel, wherein the first attachment arrangement is suitable to be attached to an attachment member which is substantially identical to the second attachment arrangement.

Preferably, the valve housing is suitable for use in a water supply network.

Advantageously, the first attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter manifold and the second attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter.

Conveniently, the valve arrangement includes a valve which substantially prevents the flow of a fluid through the second channel from a second end of the housing to a first end of the housing but generally allows the flow of a fluid in the opposing direction.

Preferably, the housing is constructed out of plastic.

Advantageously, the attachment arrangements comprise threaded surfaces.

Conveniently, the valve arrangement comprises a removable valve fitted to a valve supporting element which is supported by the main tubular main body section of the valve housing.

By way of example, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a water meter manifold; Figure 2 shows a non-return valve; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a non-return valve housing; Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a non-return valve housing; and Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention fitted to a water meter manifold.

In a typical water meter manifold 1 water is supplied through a manifold input 2 and fed into a water meter 40 before the water passes through the manifold output 3. In the manifold 1, water is passed into an outer cavity (not shown) of a generally vertical coaxial pipe section 4. The water travels through the outer cavity to a water meter 40 which is located at the top of the generally vertical coaxial pipe section 4. After flowing through the meter 40 the water passes though a central cavity (not shown) of the generally vertical coaxial pipe section 4 towards the output 3 of the manifold I which is located below the water meter 40. Along the central cavity of the coaxial pipe section 4 is a non-return valve (not shown) of the type described above. The non-return valve is designed to prevent water from following from the output 3 of the manifold I back to the input 2 of the manifold I and, hence, potentially contaminating the water supply (which may be a mains water supply).

Thus, it will be appreciated that water is drawn through the water meter manfoId I and through the water meter 40 during normal operation. The water meter 40 includes a flow meter (not shown) which allows the water meter to determine the quantity of water flowing through the manifold 1. The meter may display the quantity of water on a dial or electronic display on an upper surface thereof and/or may transmit the quantity by means of an electromagnetic signal. The operator of the water supply network can, therefore, monitor and record the quantity of water flowing through the manifold I and charge users appropriately for the water.

The generally vertical coaxial pipe section 4 of the manifold I includes a meter attachment arrangement 5 at the upper end thereof which is suitable to mate with a corresponding manifold attachment arrangement at a lower end of the water meter 40. Rubber washers 6 (or washers made out of synthetic substitutes thereof) may be used in the attachment arrangements 5 to minimise the amount of water which may leak through the mated attachment arrangements 5.

Typically the meter attachment arrangement 5 of the manifold 1 comprises a threaded section on an inner surface of the wall of the outer cavity of the coaxial pipe section 4 of the manifold I at the upper end thereof. The manifold attachment arrangement of the meter typically comprises a corresponding threaded section on an outer wall of an outer cavity of a coaxial part of the manifold attachment arrangement of the meter.

The meter 40 and manifold attachment arrangements include respective inner cavity mateable sections (not shown) -in other words, respective male and female mateable sections. Thus, when the meter 40 and the manifold 1 are attached to each other water may pass up through the outer cavity of the coaxial pipe section 4 of the manifold I into an outer cavity of the manifold attachment arrangement of the meter 40, through the meter 40 and, subsequently, through an inner cavity of the manifold attachment arrangement of the meter 40 into the inner cavity of the coaxial pipe section 4 of the manifold 1.

Usually the inner cavity mateable sections (ie. male and female mateable sections) comprise respective surfaces which abut each other.

The coaxial pipe section 4 and the meter 40 and manifold attachment arrangements all have a generally circular cross-section.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a non-return valve housing 7, as shown in figures 3 and 4. The non-return valve housing 7 comprises a generally pipe-like (or tubular) main body section 8 having an outer wall 9, generally circular internal and external cross-sections, and a length (defined along a longitudinal axis of the housing) -preferably about 45.5mm.

A first end 10 of the main body section 8 of the housing 7 comprises a manifold attachment member (or arrangement) 11. The manifold attachment member 11 has a wall with inner and outer surfaces (with respective inner and outer diameters -preferably about 40.8mm for the inner diameter) and an end surface 12. The outer surface of the manifold attachment member 11 may be threaded and the inner surface may be generally smooth. The thread 13 on the outer surface extends along a first portion of the length of the housing 7 which is preferably less than half of the total length of the housing 7 and advantageously about 15.43mm. The end surface 12 of the wall of the manifold attachment member 11 is generally circular in shape and extends between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall of the manifold attachment member 11 at an end thereof.

At the end of the manifold attachment member 11 which opposes the end surface 12 thereof across the first portion of the length of the housing 7 is a stop section 14 of the outer wall 9 of the housing 7 which preferably has a larger external diameter than the outer diameter of the manifold attachment member 11 -preferably about 51.6mm -(an inner diameter of this section 14 is the same as that of the manifold attachment member 11). This section 14 of the housing 7 extends along a second portion of the length of the housing 7 (which is preferably less than the first portion of the length of the housing 7 and advantageously about 2.57mm) and defines a stop surface 15 for the manifold attachment arrangement 11 of the housing 7 which is generally parallel to the end surface 12 of the manifold attachment arrangement 11.

Thus, the stop section 14 of the housing 7 comprises a ridge around the circumference of the main body section 8.

An abutment section 16 of the outer wall 9 of the housing 7 extends through a third portion of the length thereof from the stop section 14 away from the first end 10 of the main body section 8 of the housing 7. The abutment section 16 has an external diameter which is larger than that of the external diameter of the stop section 14 -preferably about 58.7mm (an inner diameter is the same as that of the manifold attachment member 11 and stop section 14). The third portion of the housing length is preferably less than the first or second portions of the housing lengths and advantageously about 0.5mm.

The abutment section 16 defines an abutment surface 17 for the manifold attachment arrangement 11 which is generally parallel to the stop surface 15.

A first guard section 18 extends over a fourth portion of the length of the housing 7 from the abutment section 16 away from the first end 10 of the main body section 8 housing 7 towards a second end 19 of the main body section 8.

The first guard section 18 has an external diameter which is larger than that of the abutment section 16 -preferably about 68mm -(an inner diameter which is the same as that of the manifold attachment member 11, stop section 14 and abutment section 16). The fourth portion of the housing length is preferably less than the first potion of the length but greater than the third portion of the length of the housing 7.

A ribbed gripping section 20 extends though a fifth portion of the length from the first guard section 18 to a second guard section 21. The ribbed gripping section 20 includes one or more vertical ribs 60 -preferably six ribs -which may be evenly distributed around the housing 7 and extend through substantially the entire fifth portion of the length of the housing 7. The external diameter of the ribbed gripping section 20, between the ribs 60, is less than the external diameter of the first guard section 18. The external diameter of the ribbed gripping section 20 at the ribs 60 (assuming two ribs 60 oppose each other across the diameter of the housing 7) is larger than that between the ribs 60 and may be less than, substantially equal to, or greater than the external diameter of the first guard section 18. Each rib preferably has rounded edges.

The second guard section 21 comprises a lip 22, and a main portion 23 of which extends away from the housing 7 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 7. The lip 22 includes a meter abutment section 24 (or secondary portion) which extends from the main portion 21 away from the first end 10 of the housing 7 (preferably for about 3.07mm) and is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing 7. The meter abutment section 24 includes a meter abutment surface 25 which is a generally flat circular surface in parallel with the end surface 12 of the manifold attachment arrangement 11 (and preferably has an inner diameter of about 60.99mm and an outer diameter of about 68mm). The second guard section 21 extends through a sixth portion of the length of the housing 7. Cumulatively the first to six portions of the length of the housing 7 are equal to the distance between the end surface 12 of the manifold attachment arrangement 11 and the meter abutment surface 24 (ie. the sum of the first to sixth lengths is equal to the length of the housing 7).

A meter stop section 26 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 7, from an inner surface 27 of the meter abutment section 24 to a meter attachment arrangement 28.

The meter attachment arrangement 28 comprises a threaded wall which extends through a length of the inner surface of the outer wall 9 of main body section 8 of the housing 7 generally from the second end 19 of the housing 7 towards a first end 10 of the housing 7. The threaded surface is such that the inner surface of the outer wall of the housing 7 of the ribbed gripping section and the second guard section 21 are substantially threaded. The internal diameter of the housing 7 in this threaded section is greater than that of at the manifold attachment arrangement 11 An inner valve supporting section (or element) 29 of the housing 7 comprises a tubular main body 30 with a length -preferably about 33.08mm -which is less than the total housing length. The tubular main body 30 has a series of three decreasing internal diameters (which decrease in steps 31,32,33) with the largest diameter at a first end 34 of the inner valve supporting section 29 -preferably the diameters are about 25.6mm, 19.8mm and 16.8mm. An external surface 35 of the tubular main body 30 has a large diameter at the first end 34 of the supporting section 29 -preferably about 28.8mm -and a stepped smaller diameter towards a second end 36 of the supporting section 29-preferably about 19.6mm -(the location of the step 37 corresponding with the step 33 between the smallest internal diameter and the next largest internal diameter).

Two securing arms 38,39 extend from opposing positions around the external surface 35 of the tubular main body 30 of the inner valve supporting section 29 and are integrally connected to the internal surface of the manifold attachment arrangement 11 away from the first end 10 of the main body section 8 of the housing 7. The arms 38,39 are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body 8 of the housing 7 such that a longitudinal axis of the inner valve supporting section 29 and the longitudinal axis of the main body 8 of the housing 7 are generally aligned with and parallel with each other. The first end 10 of the main body section 8 of the housing 7 is adjacent the first end 34 of the valve supporting section 29.

A non-return valve (not shown) of the type described above may be fitted into the inner valve supporting section 29 with the cylindrical base portion of the valve closest to the first end 34 of the main body section 8 of the housing 7. The valve may have a friction fitting with the inner valve supporting section 29.

The manifold attachment arrangement 11 is of a type such that it is suitable for attachment to a water meter manifold I (preferably of standard construction as described above). The housing 7 should be attached to the manifold I in a location such that water flowing through the manifold I passes through the non-return valve held in the housing 7. Preferably, the housing 7 attaches to the water meter manifold I at an attachment arrangement 5 of the manifold 1 to which a water meter 40 would normally be attached. Thus, it will be appreciated that the manifold attachment arrangement 11 of the housing 7 substantially mirrors an attachment arrangement (not shown) of a water meter 40.

Similarly, the water meter attachment arrangement 28 of the housing 7 is of a type such that it is suitable for attachment to a water meter 40.

Preferably, the housing 7 attaches to the water meter 40 at an attachment arrangement of the meter to which a water meter manifold 1 would normally be attached. Thus, it will be appreciated that the meter attachment arrangement 28 of the housing 7 substantially mirrors an attachment arrangement 5 of the water meter manifold 1.

Consequently, as will be understood, the housing of an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to a water meter manifold 1 and a water meter 40 may be attached to the housing 7. Thus, the housing 7 (and the non-return valve which it houses) is located between the water meter 40 and the water meter manifold 1 such that water flowing through the manifold 1 will pass through the housing 7.

Specifically, water which is drawn through the external cavity of a coaxial pipe section 4 of a water meter manifold 1, will flow through the housing 7 between the inner surface of the wall 9 of the housing 7 and the inner valve supporting section 29. Water which has passed through the water meter 40 and, consequently, is flowing through an internal cavity of a coaxial pipe section of the water meter 40 will flow through the valve located in the inner valve supporting section 19 of the housing 7 and into the internal cavity of the coaxial pipe 4 of the water meter manifold 1.

Rubber (or a synthetic equivalent) seals 6 in the form of washers (or o-rings) may be used with the housing to ensure that excessive amounts of water do not leak from around the attachment arrangements 5,28. An ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber may be used for the seals. The seals may be made to BS831. The seals may have an internal diameter of 50.8mm or 24.5mm and may have respective cross-sectional thicknesses of 3.53mm or 5.15mm.

Washers 6 may be located at the abutment surface 17 for the manifold attachment arrangement 11 of the housing 7 and at the first end 34 of the inner valve supporting section 29 (see figure 3).

When a housing 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a water meter manifold 1, then the stop surface 15, and abutment surface 17 of the manifold attachment arrangement 11 of the housing 7 abut corresponding surfaces of the manifold. Similarly, the meter abutment surface 25, and the inner surface of the meter abutment section 22 abut corresponding surfaces of the water meter 40. Washers (or a-rings) maybe placed between the abutting surfaces. Other surfaces of the housing 7 may abut the meter or the manifold 1 -as will be appreciated.

Surfaces of the inner valve supporting section 29 may abut corresponding surfaces of the meter and manifold 1 in order to provide a continuous substantially sealed inner cavity running from the meter into the manifold. Of course, washers (or 0-rings) may be utilised to improve or achieve the required seals.

The meter 28 and manifold 11 attachment arrangements are preferably threaded surfaces (as discussed above) but other attachment arrangements may also be used.

The inner valve supporting section 29 of the housing 7 is arranged such that a non-return valve supported by the housing 7 will allow water to flow from the second end 19 of the housing 7 to the first end 34 through the valve but will substantially prevent water from flowing through the valve in the opposite direction.

Thus, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a pipe section 8 with an attachment arrangement 11,28 at either end (one for attachment to a water meter 40 and one for attachment to a water meter manifold 1). The pipe section 8 is coaxial with an inner valve arrangement 29 and has an outer cavity -or channel -which is substantially free from obstruction (with the exception of the arms which support the inner valve arrangement 29) and an inner cavity (of the valve arrangement 29) -or channel -which contains a valve which is designed to allow water to flow through the inner cavity in one direction but substantially not in the opposing direction.

As has been discussed above, a traditional water meter manifold 1 includes a non-return valve. However, a single non-return valve provides insufficient non-return protection in some instances. Furthermore, recent legislation has moved towards greater levels of non-return protection which, consequently, requires water meter manifolds 1 to be upgraded. The present invention provides a simple mechanism by which the non-return protection level can be increased without the need to replace the entire water meter manifold 1. In particular, a water meter 40 can be removed from a manifold 1, an embodiment of the housing 7 of the present invention (containing a non-return valve) can be attached to the manifold I and the meter attached to the housing 7. The advantages of the present invention become even more apparent when

buried water meter manifolds 1 are considered. For example, many water meters 40 and their manifolds 1 are buried in pavements outside of houses. A small access hole is provided to allow an engineer to examine and, if necessary, replace the water meter 40. If, however, the manifold 1 needs to be replaced then the pavement must be excavated to gain sufficient access.

By using embodiments of the present invention the non-return protection level of a water meter manifold 1 can be increased simply by removing the water meter 40 through the access hole, attaching the housing 7, and replacing the water meter 40. There is no need to excavate the pavement. Thus, the present invention offers a cost and time effective method of upgrading the non-return protection level of water meter manifolds 1.

In some instances water meter manifolds 1 are located in boundary boxes which are attached to a wall of building. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention also offer the advantages of considerable time and cost savings when applied to these manifolds 1.

It will also be understood that the production of housings according to embodiments of the present invention may be cheaper and faster than the production of entire manifolds. Thus, the use of embodiments of the present invention to upgrade existing manifolds 1 can constitute a significant saving of resources and can reduce pollution to the environment (as the production of housings 7 in accordance with aspects of the present invention consumes less energy and lower quantities of materials, and there is no need to dispose of the existing manifolds 1 which are simply upgraded instead).

Furthermore, it will be appreciated the housings 7 according to embodiments of the present invention may be attached to each other in series to provide a higher level of non-return protection. Indeed, each housing 7 in a series of housings may contain a different type of valve.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention allow different types of non-return valve to be fitted to a water meter manifold 1. In such instances the inner valve supporting section 29 is designed to house the particular type of valve in the same manner as discussed above. Alternatively, a number of valves may be designed to fit the same inner valve supporting section of an embodiment of the present invention (or, similarly, the inner valve supporting section 29 may be designed to house a number of different valves). Thus, a single housing 7 need only be supplied for a variety of different applications.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a water meter manifold is shown in cross-section in figure 5.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a water meter manifold 1, it will be appreciated that embodiments may be used in other applications where non-return valve protection is required. It is simply necessary to ensure that the attachment arrangements 11,28 of the housing 7are suited to corresponding attachment arrangements normally used in that particular application.

The one or more ribs 60 of the housing 7 allow the housing to be gripped without axial slippage. The guard sections 18,21 are designed to help prevent objects (such as someone's fingers) from being caught in the attachment arrangements 18,21 of the housing 7.

In embodiments of the present invention, the meter attachment arrangement 18 and the manifold attachment arrangement 11 include abutment surfaces on the inner valve supporting member 29 which abut corresponding surfaces in the meter and manifold 1. Thus, two separated coaxial channels are formed between the manifold 1 and the meter.

It will be appreciated that the present invention allows a traditional water meter manifold I (containing a single non-return valve) to be upgraded to include a further non-return valve 41 generally in series with the non-return valve in the manifold 1. Thus, a double check valve assembly to be formed at the water meter manifold 1.

The plastic material which may be used to construct at least part of embodiments of the present invention may be a material which is approved by the UK and European water industries. The plastic material which may be used may be an acetal based plastic.

The attachment arrangements 28,11 of the present invention may be of a type which is compliant with UK and European water industry standards.

The non-return valve which may be housed in embodiments of the present invention may be a type 10 020 valve and may be a 10 020 DN 20 valve. The valve may be a snap-in check valve.

Embodiments of the present invention may be suitable for fitting to concentric water meters and their manifolds. Examples of such devices can be found in the Water Regulations Advisory Service, Water Fittings Directory, in sections 1505, 1510, 1520 & 1525.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A valve housing comprising: a main body section having first

and second ends and a first channel connecting the first and second ends; a first attachment arrangement located towards a first end of the main body section; a second attachment arrangement located towards a second end of the main body section; and a valve arrangement located at least partially within the main body section of the housing and having a second channel which is substantially surrounded by the first channel, wherein the first attachment arrangement is suitable to be attached to an attachment member which is substantially identical to the second attachment arrangement.

2. A valve housing according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing is suitable for use in a water supply network.

3. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the first attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter manifold and the second attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter.

4. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve arrangement includes a valve which substantially prevents the flow of a fluid through the second channel from a second end of the housing to a first end of the housing but generally allows the flow of a fluid in the opposing direction.

5. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is constructed out of plastic.

6. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment arrangements comprise threaded surfaces.

8. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve arrangement comprises a removable valve fitted to a valve supporting element which is supported by the main tubular main body section of the valve housing.

9. A valve housing as herein described with reference to figure 3.

10. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein. 22..

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A valve housing comprising: a main body section having first and second ends and a first channel connecting the first and second ends; a first attachment arrangement located towards a first end of the main body section; a second attachment arrangement located towards a second end of the main body section; and a valve arrangement located at least partially within the main body section of the housing and having a second channel which is substantially surrounded by the first channel, wherein the first attachment arrangement is suitable to be attached to an attachment member which is substantially identical to the second attachment arrangement.

2. A valve housing according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing is suitable for use in a water supply network.

3. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the first attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter manifold and the second attachment arrangement is suitable for connection to a water meter.

4. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve arrangement includes a valve which substantially prevents the flow of a fluid through the second channel from a second end of the housing to a first end of the housing but generally allows the flow of a fluid in the opposing direction.

5. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is constructed out of plastic.

6. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment arrangements comprise threaded surfaces.

8. A valve housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve arrangement comprises a removable valve fitted to a valve supporting element which is supported by the main tubular main body section of the valve housing.

9. A valve housing as herein described with reference to figure 3. * *.* *..* * * e.. * * * * S * S.

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