GB2457292A

GB2457292A - Housing for mounting water pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2457292A
Application number: GB0802420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Norman White Gibbons
Original assignee: Aqualisa Products Ltd
Current assignee: Aqualisa Products Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-08
Filing date: 2008-02-08
Publication date: 2009-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-08
Also published as: GB0802420D0; GB2457292B

Abstract

A water pipe mounting housing 20 is used for installing a water outlet in a wall. The housing has inlet openings for receiving water supply pipes, and pipe mounts are provided adjacent the inlet openings to mount fittings 70 for the respective water supply pipes. The housing 20 allows the supply pipes to be fixed before or after it is attached to the wall, and allows interchangeable cover plates 90, 100, 110 for different taps and mixers.

Description

WATER PIPE MOUNTING HOUSING

The present invention relates to a water pipe mounting housing and a method of installing a water outlet in an architectural structure using such a housing.

It is well known to install one or more water outlets in an architectural structure.

For instance, hot and cold water outlets may be installed in the wall of a bathroom in the vicinity of a bath or shower cubicle for connection to a mixing valve which is mounted on the wall. Often, it is necessary to install water supply pipes in the architectural structure in a manner such that they are structurally supported and have a predetermined spacing. In this way, it is possible to mount the required appliance merely by pushing that appliance directly onto the water supply pipes which extend out of the architectural structure as water outlets.

The present application is at least partially based on a recognition of problems IS facing the installers of water pipes and their related appliances. In particular, it has been necessary previously to install the water pipes in a recess of the architectural structure against a rear wall facing outwardly from the recess. For example, an architectural wall would be cut away to form a recess and the water pipes would be mounted at the back surface of that recess so as to extend out of the recess with a predetennined spacing to form the desired water outlets. This process is awkward and undesirable for installers, particularly when the work has to be carried out in conjunction with decorating the architectural structure, for instance with tiles. Also, increasingly, very thin architectural structures may be provided, such as boarding, where it is not possible to provide the required recess in the boarding.

The present invention is also at least partly based on a recognition that, having installed water outlets and an appliance as described above, it may be desired subsequently to replace the appliance with an alternative appliance. This may be a problem where the recess cut for the first appliance is not appropriate for the alternative appliance. Also, it may be desirable to replace the first appliance (which mixes hot and cold water) with an appliance, such as a shower handset, which receives mixed water from only a single water outlet.

The present invention is intended at least to reduce these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a water pipe mounting housing for use in installing a water outlet in an architectural structure, the housing including: a plurality of walls defining an internal space, an open front face and supply openings for receiving respective water supply pipes therethrough; and pipe mounts located adjacent to respective supply openings for mounting respective water supply pipes thereto; wherein the housing is mountable in an opening of an architectural structure with at least one water supply pipe through a respective one of the supply openings and mounted to a respective one of the pipe mounts and is configured to receive an interchangeable front plate for closing the open front face.

In this way, the housing itself creates a recess formed by the inner space into which the water supply pipes may pass. The water supply pipes may be securely mounted to the housing by means of pipe mounts before or after the housing is secured to the architectural structure. By attaching the water supply pipes to the housing before the housing is attached to the architectural structure, the installer has greater flexibility in terms of adapting and decorating the architectural structure itself without regard to the water supply pipes. The water supply pipes, by means of their mounting to the housing, are provided with the necessary structural support and desired predetermined spacing. The housing can then be attached to the architectural structure in any of a plurality of different ways according to what best suits the nature of the architectural structure itself or the general installation.

By configuring the housing to receive an interchangeable front plate, it is possible easily to change the nature of the installation of water supply pipes, associated outlets and appliances.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of installing a water outlet in an architectural structure by using a water pipe mounting housing. The method includes mounting the housing in an opening in an architectural structure; feeding at least one water supply pipe through a respective one of the supply openings; mounting the at least one water supply pipe to a respective one of the pipe mounts; closing the open front face with one of a plurality of interchangeable front plates having different respective patterns of one or more through holes for the water outlet.

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It will be apparent from the description given above that the step of mounting the housing in the opening of the architectural structure may be carried out before or after feeding the water supply pipes into the housing and mounting them to the housing.

By closing the open front face with one of a plurality of interchangeable front plates, it is possible to change easily the appearance and/or functionality of the part of the architectural structure through which the water outlets extend. The housing provides a common structural component in the architectural structure upon which a variety of different front plates can be mounted for use in conjunction with a variety of different appliances.

The method may include removing a previously fitted front plate and closing the open front face with another plate.

In this way, the appearance of the installation can be changed. Also, different front plates can be provided with different water outlet positions, different controls and different mounting points for external appliances.

In one typical arrangement, before closing the open front face with a front plate, two water supply pipes are fed through two respective supply openings and mounted to two pipe mounts. For example, hot and cold water supply pipes may be fitted to the housing in this way. With this arrangement, the front plate may be chosen to provide respective throughholes for water outlets in positions in alignment with the water supply pipes.

The water supply pipes themselves or extensions to those water supply pipes may be arranged and positioned so as to extend out through the througbholes in the front plate, thereby allowing a water mixing appliance easily to be attached to them on the outside of the front plate.

Having removed this front plate, it would be possible subsequently to cap or remove one of the two supply pipes. The remaining supply pipe could for example be used to carry mixed water. The open front face could then be closed with a front plate having only one througbhole for a water outlet taken from the one remaining supply pipe.

In this way, for an installer to change from using a water mixing valve attached to the architectural structure to a water mixing valve located upstream of the supply pipe in the architectural structure, it is only necessary to connect an upstream part of the remaining supply pipe to a mixed water supply and replace the front plate.

Controls for the water supply could be provided in the replacement front plate.

If the unused water supply pipe is not in any way connected to a water supply, it could alternatively be left in place unconnected.

Where the replacement front plate includes electrical controls, connecting wires could be run through the original otherwise unused water supply pipe.

As an alternative to the above, having removed the original front plate, it is also possible to make use of the internal space of the housing to fit therein a mixer valve which connects the two supply pipes and has a single water outlet. The replacement front plate can then include a throughhole for the single water outlet from the mixer valve. The front plate can also include controls for the mixer valve housed in the inner space.

Preferably, the housing further includes a flange part extending outwardly of the housing from the walls defining the one front face so as to form a rearwardly facing surface for mounting on a forward facing front surface of the architectural structure.

The flange part thus extends out beyond the rest of the housing. An opening may be cut in the architectural structure and then the housing inserted into the opening until the flange abuts the forward facing part of the architectural structure around its opening.

In this way, the housing can easily be mounted on the architectural structure, particularly in a manner generally flush with the forward facing surface of the architectural structure.

The flange part may extend outwardly of the housing in at least two opposite directions so as to enable the housing to be supported on two opposite peripheral sides of the open front face.

Thus, in effect, the two oppositely facing flanges can be provided on opposite sides of the housing so as to support the housing against the forward facing surface of the architectural structure.

The flange part may be formed by additional flanges extending in other directions outwardly from the open front face. However, preferably, the flange part extends around the entire periphery of the open front face. This provides improved

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mounting with the architectural structure and also allows for the periphery of the housing to be sealed with the architectural structure.

Preferably, the flange part forms a forward facing peripheral surface against which an interchangeable front plate can seal.

The forward facing peripheral surface can be sealed with respect to the architectural structure, for instance by means of tiles applied after the housing has been attached to the architectural structure and overlapping onto the forward facing peripheral surface. Sealing the interchangeable front plate with the housing then prevents any water travelling behind the architectural structure.

Preferably, an inner region of the forward facing peripheral surface nearer the open front face includes a protruding step providing a guide for the edge of tiles to be adhered to the front surface of the architectural structure in a manner overlapping onto the forward facing peripheral surface adjacent to the step.

This facilitates installation and ensures that any overlapping tiles are not positioned in a manner to interfere with the provision of a front plate.

A peripheral seal may be provided for receiving an interchangeable front plate and configured to seal with the walls defining the open front face so as to prevent ingress of water through the periphery of the open front face into the internal space.

This is particularly advantageous in allowing the front plate to be removed and reattached or replaced.

Preferably the housing further includes at least one clip having a front facing surface for mounting on a rearward facing rear surface of the architectural structure such that the housing is mountable to the architectural structure by sandwiching the architectural structure between the flange part and the at least one clip.

This enables the housing to be mounted to relatively thin architectural structures such as boards. The clip may be positioned directly behind a corresponding flange part.

However, where the flange part is formed from a plurality of discrete flanges, it is possible for some or all of the clips to be located at positions that are not directly behind the flanges.

Preferably, the plurality of walls defining the internal space and the at least one clip include cooperating features configured to mount the at least one clip slidably relative to the plurality of walls.

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In this way, the clip can be moved towards and away from the flange part and the rearward facing rear surface of the architectural structure. In particular the clip can be moved towards the rearward facing rear surface of the architectural structure so as to clamp the architectural structure between the clip and the flange part.

The features may include a threaded member for slidably moving the at least one clip relative to the plurality of walls.

The threaded member may be operated so as to move the clip towards the rearward facing rear surface of the architectural structure and, hence, clamp the housing in place.

In one preferred embodiment, the threaded member may include a female threaded part for receiving a screw.

Preferably, two clips are mounted respectively on opposite peripheral sides of the open front face so as to enable housing to be supported on those opposite peripheral sides of the open face.

In addition to or as an alternative to the clips, a plurality of throughholes may be provided in the plurality of walls of the housing for receiving fasteners, such as screws, for attaching the housing to the architectural structure.

Throughholes may be provided in a rear wall of the housing facing the open front face so as to attach the housing to a part of the architectural structure behind the housing.

Throughholes may be provided in one or more of side walls extending from the periphery of the open front face to the rear wall so as to attach the housing to parts of the architectural structure to the sides (including top and bottom) of the opening in the architectural structure.

Preferably, the plurality of walls include at least one rear wall facing the open front face and a plurality of side walls extending from the at least one rear wall to the periphery of the open front face. At least one of the plurality of side walls preferably defines the supply openings such that water supply pipes can enter the internal space along respective axes substantially parallel with the open front face.

In this way, the water supply pipes can easily be arranged to extend in a direction parallel to the front face of the architectural structure in a space immediately behind that front face.

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Preferably, the at least one rear wall is a substantially planar wall. Also, the at least one of the plurality of side walls may be a substantially planar wall.

In one preferred embodiment, the housing is constructed with a substantially rectangular rear wall and four substantially planar side walls extending from the four respective edges of the rear wall so as to form a rectangular open front face of substantially the same shape and size as the rear wall.

Each of the pipe mounts can include at least one respective threaded feature provided on the at least one rear wall.

The threaded feature may include one or more female threads for receiving screws for attaching the water supply pipes.

The housing may be provided in combination with an interchangeable front plate defining througitholes for water outlets in positions for alignment with supply pipes mounted to respective pipe mounts.

The housing may additionally or alternatively be provided with an interchangeable front plate defining a throughhole for a water supply pipe in a position for alignment with a water supply pipe mounted to a respective pipe mount. This interchangeable front plate could also be provided with at least one additional aperture for supporting a respective at least one control.

The supply pipes are preferably provided with pipefittings having a first end for attachment to the end of a water hose and a second end forming a pipe attachment for connection to an appliance. The pipefitting is configured for mounting to one of the pipe mounts.

Where an installation is changed and a supply pipe is no longer required, it is possible to remove the pipe fitting from the respective supply pipe whilst leaving the supply pipe behind the architectural structure in a redundant manner. Alternatively, the pipefitting could be cut or moved within the internal space.

The housing could be provided in combination with at least one pipefitting.

Preferably, the at least one pipefitting and its at least corresponding pipe mount have respective complimentary mounting surfaces for engaging with each other so as to provide structural support for the at least one pipe fitting.

In other words, when the pipefitting is mounted to its pipe mount, it is held securely. In particular, it will be held with its second end held securing it in its correct position.

The at least one pipefitting may include at least one throughhole for receiving a fastener for attaching the at least one pipefitting to its corresponding pipe mount.

The pipefitting may thus be attached to the pipe mount merely by locating a fastener, such as a screw, through the throughhole.

Preferably, the first end and the second end of the at least one pipefitting face in substantially orthogonal directions.

The pipefitting in this way forms an L-bend such that the suppiy pipe may extend into the internal space of the housing parallel with the open front face with the second end of the pipe attachment extending outwardly through the open front face in a direction generally perpendicular to that open front face.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically an architectural structure with a water supply pipe; Figure 2 illustrates the provision of water supply pipes behind an opening in an architectural structure; Figure 3 illustrates a mounting housing of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates schematically a mounting housing of the present invention being fitted to an architectural structure; Figure 5 illustrates a mounting housing according to the present invention being fitted to an architectural structure; Figure 6 illustrates a mounting housing according to the present invention in conjunction with alternative front plates; Figure 7 illustrates a first alternative front plate; Figure 8 illustrates a second alternative front plate; and Figures 9(a) and (b) illustrate alternative outlets with the second alternative front plate.

Architectural structures are commonly found which have the form of a generally planer member, such as a panel or plasterboard, which is relatively shallow or thin. As

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illustrated schematically in Figure 1, it may be desirable to mount a water appliance (2), such as a domestic shower appliance, onto a forward facing front surface (4) of an architectural structure (6). One or more water supply pipes (8) can be located behind the rearward facing rear surface (10) of the architectural structure (6).

There is now described a preferred embodiment of the present application which allows convenient mounting of water supply pipes (8) to the architectural structure (6) and provision of one or more water outlets protruding forwardly from the forward facing front surface (4) of the architectural structure (6). As illustrated schematically in Figure 2, an installer is merely required to provide an appropriately positioned and dimensioned opening (12) in the architectural structure (6) such that the ends of any water supply pipes (8) can be positioned behind that opening (12).

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a water pipe mounting housing according to the present invention in conjunction with one of a possible plurality of interchangeable front plates.

As illustrated, the mounting housing (20) includes a plurality of walls defining an internal space (22). As illustrated, the plurality of walls include a rear wall (24), left and right side walls (26a, 26b) and top and bottom side walls (28a, 28b). The plurality of walls, in particular the side walls (26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) define an open front face (30).

The plurality of walls also define inlet openings (32) for respective water supply pipes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet openings (32) are defined principally in one of the side walls (the bottom side wall (28b) as illustrated) so as to enable corresponding water supply pipes to extend into the internal space (22) within the mounting housing (20) in a direction generally parallel to the open front face (30) and any architectural structure to which the mounting housing is mounted.

In use, the mounting housing (20) is mounted in an opening, such as opening (12) illustrated in Figure 2. The mounting housing (20) is provided with pipe mounts (34) adjacent to respective inlet openings (32) and enabling mounting of respective water supply pipes thereto.

In this way, a secure mounting is provided between the water supply pipes (8) and the architectural structure. Furthermore, as will be described below, the mounting housing (20) may provide a base upon which a variety of interchangeable front plates and/or associated water appliances may be mounted. Interchange of the front plates and/or appliances may be achieved without interfering with the architectural structure or the water supply pipes such that interchange is facilitated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting housing (20) includes a flange part (36) which extends outwardly of the housing from around the open front face (30). The flange part (36) effectively provides a lip for mounting against the forward facing front surface (4) of the architectural structure (6) around the opening (12). In particular, as illustrated schematically in Figure 4, a rearwardly facing surface (38) of the flange part (36) is able to mount against the forward facing front surface (4) of the architectural structure (6) so as to support the mounting housing (20).

It is possible for the flange part to take the form of a plurality of individual discrete flanges extending outwardly of the mounting housing around the open front face (30). In this case, it is preferred that the discrete flanges extend at least in opposite directions so as to provide good support for the mounting housing (20) against the architectural structure (6). However, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a single flange part is provided which extends outwardly around the entire periphery of the open front face (30). This, of course, provides optimum mounting strength with the architectural structure (6). However, furthermore, a forward facing peripheral surface (40) may be provided on the flange part (36), thereby facilitating sealing with an interchangeable front plate to be mounted on the mounting housing (20).

In the illustrated embodiment, an inner region of the forward facing peripheral surface (40), namely a region close to the open front face (30), includes a protruding step (42) which protrudes forwardly with respect to the general surface of the forward facing peripheral surface (40). With the mounting housing (20) mounted in the opening (12) of an architectural structure (6), the protruding step (42) provides a guide against which tiles can be abutted. In particular, the guide provided by the protruding step (42) prevents an installer from mounting tiles over the forward facing peripheral surface (40) to an extent that they protrude into the open front face (30). It should be noted that the thickness of the flange part (36) can be made less than that of any adhesive used to mount tiles to the surrounding forward facing front surface (4).

It will be appreciated that the protruding step (42) need not be a continuous feature around the periphery of the open front face (30), but could take the form of a plurality of appropriately spaced and dimensioned discrete steps.

In the illustrated embodiment, clips (50) are provided for mounting against the rearward facing rear surface (10) of the architectural structure (6). In particular, each clip (50) includes a front facing surface (52) for mounting against the rearward facing rear surface (10) of the architectural structure (6). The mounting housing (20) can be securely mounted to the architectural structure (6) by sandwiching the architectural structure (6) between the flange part (36) and the clips (50).

The clips (50) attach to the mounting housing (20) so as to secure the architectural structure (6) in that sandwiched state. However, preferably, and as illustrated, the clips are mounted so as to be moveable relative to the rest of the mounting housing (20). In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of walls, in particular the left and right side walls (26a, 26b), include features which cooperate with features of a corresponding clip to allow that clip to move slidably towards and away from the rearwardly facing surface (38) of the flange part (36).

In the illustrated embodiment, each side wall which is adapted to receive a corresponding clip is formed as a central wall (54) with substantially parallel elongate through holes (56) extending away from the open front face (30) on either side of the central wall (54). The clip (50) includes an elongate passage way (58) with a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of the central wall (54). The clip (50) is mounted to the rest of the mounting housing (20) with the central wall (54) positioned within the passageway (58) of the clip (50). The clip (50) is thus able to slide forward and rearward along the central wall (54).

Threaded engagement may be provided between the clips (50) and the walls of the mounting housing (20) so as to allow the clips (50) to be moved forward and rearward and to tighten upon the architectural structure (6). As illustrated, the clips (50) include apertures (60) for receiving threaded members such as screws. The apertures (60) may be formed in a threaded insert or could be formed from driving in a self-tapping screw.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of through holes (62) are also provided in the walls of the mounting housing (20). These through holes (62) provide additional means by which the mounting housing (20) could be attached to an architectural structure (6). As illustrated schematically in Figure 5, the architectural structure (6) includes batons (6a, 6b) on either side of the opening (12). Instead of using clips (50) to secure the mounting housing (20) to the architectural structure (6), fasteners (F) can be inserted through the through hole (62) into the batons (6a, 6b) so as to secure the mounting housing.

It is also possible to provide through holes in the rear wall (24) of the mounting housing (20) enabling the mounting housing to be secured by means of its rear wall (24).

It is possible to mount water supply pipes directly to the pipe mounts (34) of the mounting housing (20). For instance, a collar could be provided to grip the end of a water supply pipe (8) and then mount to a pipe mount (34). However, the embodiment of Figure 3 is illustrated in conjunction with pipe fitting (70) for respective water supply pipes (8). Each pipe fitting (70) includes a first end (72) configured in any known manner for attachment to the end of a water hose, for instance a water hose forming a water supply pipe (8). In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe fitting (70) includes, at a second end (74), an extended section for forming a pipe attachment for connection to an external water appliance. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the pipe attachment (74) of the pipe fitting (70) is intended to extend out from beyond the open front face (30) of the mounting housing and beyond the forward facing front surface (4) of the architectural structure (6) for attachment to an external water appliance. The pipe attachment may be configured with any known fitting for connection to such a water appliance.

Each pipe fitting is also provided with a mounting surface (76) which is arranged to be complementary with a mounting surface of a pipe mount (34) such that the pipe fitting (70) is configured for mounting to a pipe mount (34). As illustrated, the pipe fitting (70) includes through holes (78) with which the pipe fitting (70) can be attached to a pipe mount (34) using appropriate fasteners.

As illustrated, in the preferred embodiment, the pipe fittings have first and second ends which face in substantially orthogonal directions. In this way, the flow from a water supply pipe (8) extending parallel to the surfaces of the architectural structure (6) can be turned to flow out from the architectural structure (6) in a perpendicular direction, for instance for supply to an external appliance.

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As illustrated in Figure 3, the mounting housing can also be provided with a peripheral seal (80) for receiving an interchangeable front plate (90).

The interchangeable front plate (90) is provided to close the open front face (30) of the mounting housing (20). It has an extent greater than that of the open front face (4) of the mounting housing and, as illustrated, includes through holes (92) forming water outlets through which, in the illustrated embodiment, the pipe attachments (74) extend.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate (90) includes openings (94) through which fasteners may extend so as to attach the front plate (90) to the mounting housing (20). The fasteners may extend into the mounting housing itself or, for instance, the clips (50). It is also possible for the front plate to attached to the mounting housing in other ways, for instance using resilient clips.

Thus, for the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, a front plate (90) is provided having through holes (92) in appropriate positions and with appropriate dimensions to receive the pipe attachments (74) on the ends of the water supply pipes (8). The through holes (92) are therefore positioned in alignment with respective pipe mounts (34) for the water supply pipes (8).

The peripheral seal (80) provides a seal with the mounting housing, for instance sealing against the forward facing peripheral surface (36) and possibly the protruding step (42). Seals (96) may be provided for sealing between the inner peripheries of the through holes (92) in the front plate (90) and the outer surfaces of the pipe attachments (74) extending through them. In this way, any water on the forward side of the architectural structure (6) is prevented from travelling to the rearward side.

With the use of a mounting housing (20) such as described above, it is envisaged that changes to the configuration of water outlets can be made easily.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically three interchangeable arrangements using the same mounting housing (20) mounted in the opening (12) of an architectural structure (6).

On the left, there is illustrated the front plate (90) described above in relation to Figure 3, together with corresponding pipe fittings (70) with pipe attachments (74) to extend through the through holes (92) of the front plate (90).

A first alternative interchangeable front plate (100) is illustrated in the centre and a second alternative front plate (110) is illustrated on the right.

The first alternative front plate (100) allows a mixing valve arrangement (102) to be provided within the internal space (22) of the mounting housing (20). Through holes (104) are provided for a mixed water temperature control (106a) and a flow rate control (106b). A single water outlet (108) is provided adjacent to the flow control (1 06b).

By virtue of the present invention and the use of the mounting housing, it is possible merely to remove the original front plate (90), install the mixing arrangement (102) and fit the new mounting plate (100). In this way, it becomes very easy to change the nature of the water outlet and any appliance attached to it without the need for changing the manner in which the water supply pipes are installed in the architectural structure (6).

Figure 7 illustrates in greater detail the first alternative front plate (100), but in conjunction with a symmetrically opposite mixing arrangement. A first water inlet (150) connects with one of the water supply pipes (8) and a second water inlet (152) connects with the other of the water supply pipes (8). The first inlet (150) is provided as part of a mixer element (154) having an inlet (156) and an outlet (158). The inlet (156) is connected to an end (160) opposite to connection of the water inlet (152) to the water supply pipe (8). The mixing element (154) can be controlled by means of the temperature controller (106a) to vary the mixed outlet water temperature flowing from the outlet (158). For example, the mixing element (154) may include a known wax stat.

The outlet (158) of the mixing element (154) connects to an inlet (162) of a flow control device (164) which is controlled by means of the flow controller (106b). The flow control device (164) extends through the front plate (100) and includes a water outlet (166).

Returning to Figure 6, the second alternative front plate (110) is intended for remote, possibly electrical, control of a mixing valve upstream of the mounting housing.

The front plate (110) includes only one through hole (11.2) for a water outlet, but includes a plurality of other apertures (114) allowing control features (116) to control operation of the remote mixing valve.

For installation, a user removes the initial front plate (90). One of the two existing water supply pipes (8) can be used for carrying mixed water. Hence, the other of the water supply pipes can be capped, removed, or merely disconnected. In one embodiment, it would be possible to use the existing outlet (74) provided by the pipe attachment (74). However, as illustrated in Figure 6, a replacement part (12) including a water outlet (122) and additional support (124) for the front plate (110) is inserted in the space (22) of the mounting housing (20). Connections for the controls (116) can be provided behind the architectural structure (6) in any desired manner. It would be possible to run suitable electrical connections along the otherwise unused water supply pipe.

Figure 8 illustrates the second alternative front plate (110), together with the mounting housing (20) but in conjunction with one of the pipe fittings (70). An appropriate electrical control section (130) is also illustrated schematically in conjunction with a back plate (132) for isolating the circuit (130) from water.

As illustrated in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), different water outlets can be provided with the second alternative front plate (110) such as a bath fill outlet (140) and a shower hose attachment (142).

Claims

SCLAIMS1. A water pipe mounting housing for use in installing a water outlet in an architectural structure, the housing including: a plurality of walls defining an internal space, an open front face and supply openings for receiving respective water supply pipes therethrough; and pipe mounts located adjacent to respective supply openings for mounting respective water supply pipes thereto; wherein the housing is mountable in an opening of an architectural structure with at least one water supply pipe through a respective one of the supply openings and mounted to a respective one of the pipe mounts and is configured to receive an interchangeable front plate for closing the open front face.
2. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim I further including: a flange part extending outwardly of the housing from the walls defining the one front face so as to form a rearwardly facing surface for mounting on a forward facing front surface of the architectural structure.
3. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 2 wherein the flange part extends outwardly of the housing in at least two opposite directions so as to enable the housing to be supported on two opposite peripheral sides of the open front face.
4. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 3 wherein the flange part extends outwardly around the entire periphery of the open front face and forms a forward facing peripheral surface against which an interchangeable front plate can seal.
5. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 4 wherein an inner region of the forward facing peripheral surface nearer the open front face includes a protruding step providing a guide for the edge of tiles to be adhered to the front surface of the architectural structure in a manner overlapping onto the forward facing peripheral surface adjacent to the step.
6. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 4 or 5 further including: a peripheral seal for receiving an interchangeable front plate and configured to seal with the walls defining the open front face so as to prevent ingress of water through the periphery of the open front face into the internal space.
7. A water pipe mounting housing according to any one of claims 2 to 6 further including: at least one clip having a front facing surface for mounting on a rearward facing rear surface of the architectural structure such that the housing is mountable to the architectural structure by sandwiching the architectural structure between the flange part and the at least one clip.
8. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of walls defining the internal space and the at least one clip include cooperating features configured to mount the at least one clip slidably relative to the plurality of walls.
9. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 8 wherein the features include a threaded member for slidably moving the at least one clip relative to the plurality of walls.
10. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 7, 8 or 9 including two of said at least one clip mounted respectively on opposite peripheral sides of the open front face so as to enable the housing to be supported on those opposite peripheral sides of the open front face.
11. A water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim wherein the plurality of walls include a plurality of throughholes for receiving fasteners for attaching the housing to the architectural structure.
12. A water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim wherein the plurality of walls include at least one rear wall facing the open front face and a plurality of side walls extending from the at least one rear wall to the periphery of the open front face, at least one of the plurality of side walls defining the supply openings such that water supply pipes can enter the internal space along respective axis substantially parallel with the open front face.
13. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 12 wherein said at least one rear wall is a substantially planar wall.
14. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said at least one of the plurality of side walls is a substantially planar wall.
15. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein each of said pipe mounts includes at least one respective threaded feature provided on said at least rear wall.
16. A water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim in combination with at least one pipe fitting having a first end for attachment to the end of a water hose and a second end forming a pipe attachment for connection to an appliance, the at least one pipe fitting being configured for mounting to one of the pipe mounts.
17. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 16 wherein the at least one pipe fitting and said one of the pipe mounts have respective complimentary mounting surfaces for engaging with each other so as to provide structural support for the at least one pipe fitting.
18. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the at least one pipe fitting includes at least one throughhole for receiving a fastener for attaching the at least one pipe fitting to said one of the pipe mounts.
19. A water pipe mounting housing according to claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein said first end and said second end of the at least one pipe fitting face in substantially orthogonal directions.
20. A water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim in combination with an interchangeable front plate for closing the open front face, the interchangeable front plate having an extent greater than that of the open front face and defining throughholes for water outlets in positions for alignment with water supply pipes mounted to respective pipe mounts.
21. A water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim in combination with an interchangeable front plate for closing the open front face, having an extent greater than that of the open front face and defining a throughhole for a water outlet in a position for alignment with a water supply pipe mounted to a respective pipe mount, together with at least one additional aperture for supporting a respective at least one control.
22. A method of installing a water outlet in an architectural structure using a water pipe mounting housing according to any preceding claim, the method including: mounting the housing in an opening in an architectural structure; feeding at least one water supply pipe through a respective one of the supply openings; mounting the at least one water supply pipe to a respective one of the pipe mounts; closing the open front face with one of a plurality of interchangeable front plates having different respective patterns of one or more throughholes for the water outlet.
23. A method according to claim 22 further including removing said one of the plurality of interchangeable front plates and closing the open front face with another of the plurality of interchangeable front plates.S
24, A method according to claim 23 where, before closing the open front face with said one of the plurality of interchangeable front plates, two water supply pipes are fed through two respective supply openings and mounted to two pipe mounts, said one of the plurality of interchangeable front plates providing respective throughholes for water outlets in positions in alignment with the water supply pipes.
25. A method according to claim 24 further including, before closing the open front face with said another of the plurality of interchangeable front plates, capping or removing one of the water supply pipes, said another of the plurality of interchangeable front plates providing a throughhole for a water outlet in a position in alignment with the uncapped or remaining one of the water supply pipes.
26. A method according to claim 24 further including, before closing the open front face with said another of the plurality of interchangeable front plates, installing a mixer valve connecting the two water supply pipes, said another of the plurality of interchangeable front plates providing a throughhole for a water outlet from the mixer valve.
27. A water pipe mounting housing constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of installing a water outlet in an architectural structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.