GB2448558A

GB2448558A - Leak collector for floor or roof space

Info

Publication number: GB2448558A
Application number: GB0715175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzanne Bokacz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-03
Filing date: 2007-08-06
Publication date: 2008-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-06
Also published as: GB0706466D0; GB2448558A8; GB0715175D0; GB2448558B

Abstract

A leak collector, suitable for use between the joists in a floor or roof space, comprises a container having a channel cross-section and two end caps, wherein at least one end cap is provided with an outlet pipe. The container may suitably be provided with means for securing it to an adjacent joist or joists.

Description

* 2448558

Description

Fluid Leakage Containment and Redirection System rief Descri t,on of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross sectional view and a side view showing the invention in place between floor or ceiling joists using secure fixings to hold it in position.

Figure 2 shows the use of the invention in relation to vertical and horizontal pipe work under a bath and floorboards.

Figure 3 shows the sealed end cap in relation to the invention.

Figure 4 shows the end cap with the integral outlet pipe in relation to the invention.

Figure 5 shows the interconnecting pipe and a cross sectional view of the interconnecting pipe in place between joists, linking containment troughs to each other.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention is a concealed, fitted containment system for fluids (e.g. water, sewerage waste etc) that may leak or escape from pipes and/or tanks within a building or structure (e.g. domestic or commercial premises) The invention may be housed between floor and/or ceiling joists or other cavities and spaces within a building or structure with the only visible part being the external outlet pipe, which may transect an external wall or walls.

Figure 1 shows the invention in place between floor and/or ceiling joists. The trough or container is positioned or fitted underneath pipe work housed between floor and ceiling joists or under bathroom fittings, with the sides of the trough or container fitting over the top edges of the joists, where they will be secured at intervals by means of screws, nails or rivets.

Figure 2 shows the horizontal trough or container in position under the floorboards beneath a bath. Figure 2 also shows a vertical trough or container containing vertical pipes. The invention can be used to contain pipe work on 3 or 4 sides depending upon the angle of the pipes (e.g. vertical, horizontal or varying angles between these ranges) The containment system part of the invention (or trough/container) can be cut to length to provide a bespoke fit for varying lengths of pipe work, it will also be of made in different widths and depths to fit varying joist, cavity and pipe sizes.

Figure 3 & 4 shows the invention has two endcaps -one provides a watertight end to the trough or container (3) and the other has an integral outlet pipe at the base of the endcap to redirect the fluid away from the building or structure and the source of the leak, to prevent and/or alleviate damage to structure and contents of building (4) The ends of the trough or container can be slotted into the endcap's slot and then sealed with a silicone type sealant. P. (

Description -continued

Ruid Leakage Containment and Redirection System Figure 5 shows an interconnecting pipe used to link a trough or froughs/containers to each other, where the installation of an endcap with the integral pipe is unsuitable, or tanking' of a particular area is required. The pipe will overhang into and from each trough. A similar method can be adopted using the interconnecting pipe to shroud' any pipe that transects a joist or joists, by cutting the interconnecting pipe lengthways and fitting it around the pipe with the cut side uppermost.

The interconnecting pipe will be fitted at the side of the trough towards the end (where the endcap with the integral pipe would have been fitted) close to the base of the trough to ensure that fluids drain effectively into another trough or troughs.

Circular holes will be cut into the side of the trough or troughs/containers to allow the interconnecting pipe to be fitted snugly and the circumference/s then sealed with a silicone type sealant to make impermeable.

Claims

Claims Fluid LeakaQe Containment and Redirection System 1. A means of

collecting, containing and redirecting a fluid leak in a concealed fitted trough, troughs or container/s and redirecting the fluid away from the building or structure via an outlet pipe (similar to an external cistern overflow pipe) to prevent or minimise damage to the buildings structure and/or its contents.
2 A means of collecting and containing a fluid leak in or adjacent a generally vertical pipe which means compnses: a) Containing the leak by means of a 4 sided vertical trough or container, consisting of a 3 sided trough and a 1 sided lid, with one end of the trough fitting inside of a b) 3 sided horizontal trough or container that has been securely fixed or installed between floor or ceiling joists which enables the C) Redirecting of the fluid leak, via an endcap with an integral outlet pipe, away from the building or structure and the source of the leakage.
3. A means as claimed in Claim I in which the trough, troughs or container may be securely fixed in place between floor and ceiling joists by means of screws, nails or rivets.
4. A means as claimed in Claim 1, in which redirected fluid escaping from the outlet pipe may serve as a visual alarm that there is a leak present within a particular joist, cavity or space within the building or structure.
5. A means as claimed in Claim 1 in which the invention may be housed between floor and/or ceiling joists or other cavities and other spaces within a building or structure, with the only visible part being the external outlet pipe, which may transect an external wall or walls.

6. A means as claimed in Claim 1, in which the trough may be of different widths and lengths to accommodate varying joist or cavity sizes or piping.

7. A means as claimed in Claim 1, in which an interconnecting pipe or pipes may be used to link a trough or troughs to each other where the installation of an integral endcap and outlet pipe is unsuitable or where tanking' of an area is required.
6. A leak collector as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A means as claimed in Claim 2, in which the 4 sided vertical trough or container may be linked to the 3 sided horizontal trough or container by placing the vertical end inside of the horizontal trough or container.

9. A means as claimed in Claim 6, in which an interconnecting pipe or pipes may be used to link a trough or troughs to each other so as to allow the fluid leak to flow between each trough or container to the integral endcap with the outlet pipe.

Claims -continued fluid Leakage Containment and Redirection System 10. A means as claimed in Claim 6, in which an interconnecting pipe or pipes may be used to shroud' a pipe that transects a joist or joists as to allow the fluid leak to flow between each trough or container to the integral endcap with the outlet pipe.

11. A means as claimed in Claim 6, in which the sealed end caps may be used at both ends of the trough or troughs where tanking' of an area is required.

12. A means as claimed in Claim 6, in which the linked troughs may be connected one or more integral endcap/s with the outlet pipe.

13. A means as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in WhiCh the endcaps may be fitted to the end of the trough or troughs and made watertight by means of a silicone type sealant.

14. Means for collecting, containing and redirecting a fluid leak substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Fluid Leakage Containment and Redirection System 1. A leak collector when used between the joists in a floor or roof space, the collector comprising a container having a channel cross-section and two end caps, wherein at least one end cap is provided with an outlet pipe.

2. A leak collector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a 3-sided trough and a suitable lid.

3. A leak collector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container is provided with means for securing it to an adjacent joist or joists.

4. A leak collector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more pipes are provided for interconnecting two or more containers.

5. A leak collector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet pipe is associated with a visual alarm.