GB2536777A

GB2536777A - Fluid device fixing apparatus and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2536777A
Application number: GB1601562.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Delaney Paul
Original assignee: Cassellie Ltd
Current assignee: Cassellie Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2016-01-28
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-28
Also published as: GB201501532D0; GB201601562D0; GB2536777B

Abstract

A fluid device fixing apparatus 2 allows the fixing of a fluid device to a surface and/or fluid conduit. The apparatus 2 includes mounting means 4 comprising at least one aperture 20, 22 for the location of at least one fluid conduit 24, 24. Locking means secures the fluid conduit 24, 24 in position with respect to mounting means 4. The locking means includes a slidable, pivotable or resiliently biased locking element 38. The locking element 38 may be in the form of a clip on a front 8 or rear 6 surface of the mounting means 4 and may engage an external surface of the conduit 24, 24 in a cutting location or groove (48, Fig. 1c). The locking element 38 may have screws 40, 42 to allow a user to move the locking element 38 between a locked and unlocked state. Mounting means 4 may have slots 18 to allow the mounting means 4 to be attached to a wall or surface. The apparatus is particularly suitable for fitting to a shower control valve. A method of using the apparatus is also claimed.

Description

I

Fluid Device Fixing Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof This invention relates to fluid device fixing apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to fluid device fixing apparatus in the form of shower valve fixing apparatus for allowing the fixing of a shower control valve to water pipes in use, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention could be used to fix any fluid using device to one or more fluid pipes or conduits in use, such as a boiler, radiator and/or the like. The fluid used by the device could be liquid, gas and/or the like.

It is common for showers to include a control valve having two inlet fittings for connection to a hot water pipe and to a cold water pipe. The fitting of such control valves is difficult, particularly if the valve is being fitted to a tiled wall, because it is difficult to achieve correct alignment of the water pipes with pipe connections on the control valve fixture. It is also difficult to ensure that the right length of water pipe protrudes from the tiled wall to make connection with the control valve fixture. In an attempt to overcome this problem it is known to provide a mounting plate with integral pipe fittings to ensure correct alignment of the water pipes with the control valve fixture. However, a problem with such mounting plates is that the water pipes are connected to the rear of the mounting plate and therefore the pipes need to be connected to the mounting plate before the mounting plate is secured to the wall. Once the mounting plate has been secured to the wall, the pipe fittings are no longer accessible. It is also difficult to ensure the correct length of pipe fitting is left protruding from the front of the mounting plate for attachment to the shower control valve.

in an attempt to overcome this problem, it is known to provide a mounting plate where the attachment of the water pipes to the mounting plate is on a front face of the mounting plate, thereby allowing the mounting plate to be fitted to the wall prior to connection of the water pipes to the same. An example of such an arrangement is shown in GB2368888. In this arrangement a locking member in the form of a collet is provided on a front surface of the mounting plate and tightening of a locking element in the form of a nut on this locking member prevents axial movement of a water pipe protruding through the mounting plate in use. The fixed water pipe can then be joined to an inlet fitting of the shower control valve. However, since the mounting plate is typically fitted behind a tiled wall, it is still difficult for a fitter to ensure the correct length of pipe is left protruding from the mounting plate to take into account the thickness of the tiles placed on top of the mounting plate. Adjustment of the pipes with respect to the mounting plate is also difficult once the mounting plate has been tiled. Furthermore, rotation of the nut on the collet can be difficult and fiddly.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide fluid device fixing apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using fluid device fixing apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided fluid device fixing apparatus for allowing the fixing of a fluid device to a surface and/or fluid conduit in use, said apparatus including mounting means, said mounting means including at least one aperture, slot and/or channel for the location of at least one fluid conduit means therethrough in use, and locking means for locking said at least one fluid conduit means in position with respect to the moutating means in use, wherein the locking means includes a slidable, pivotable or resiliently biased locking element.

Thus, the present invention provides the fixing apparatus with locking means that allow easy adjustment of the fluid conduit means with respect to the mounting means in use, and which do not rely on a rotatable locking element for locking the fluid conduit means with respect to the mounting means as in the prior art. In particular, the fluid conduit means can be moved in a direction transverse or perpendicular to a wall surface to which the fluid using device is to be fitted to in use or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit means. The locking means can be actuated without having to remove the tiles or wall fixings that may surround the fluid device fixing apparatus in use. In addition, the mounting means ensures the pipes are located a required spaced distance apart and are in alignment with each other.

Preferably the locking element is arranged so as to be movable between a first locked position, wherein it locks the fluid conduit means to the mounting means in use and/or locks the fluid conduit means in the aperture, slot or channel defined on the mounting means, and a second unlocked position, wherein it allows the fluid conduit means to be moved and/or adjusted relative to the mounting means, to be inserted into and/or removed from the one or more apertures, slots or channels provided on the mounting means and/or the like Preferably in the first locked position, the fluid conduit means is prevented or substantially prevented from moving axially and/or in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit means part passing through the aperture, slot and/or channel on the mounting means.

Preferably in the second unlocked position, the fluid conduit means is movable axially and/or in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit means part passing through the aperture, slot and/or channel of the mounting means.

Preferably the mounting means includes a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface is arranged so as to typically face the control valve which is to be attached to the same in use. The rear surface is arranged so as to typically face the wall, surface or structure to which the mounting means, fluid appliance and/or the like is to be attached to in use.

In one embodiment the locking means and/or locking element are provided on or associated with the front surface of the mounting means in use, and preferably the front surface only.

In one embodiment the locking means and/or locking element are provided on or associated with the rear surface of the mounting means in use, and preferably the rear surface only.

In one embodiment the locking means and/or locking element can be provided on the front and/or rear surface of the mounting means in use.

In one embodiment the locking element is in the form of a clip or clips for locking the fluid conduit means in position with respect to the mounting means in use. Preferably the locking element or clip is arranged to engage against an external surface of the fluid conduit means when in the locked position. Further preferably the locking element or clip is arranged to engage in a cutting location, recess and/or groove defined on the external surface of the fluid conduit means.

In one embodiment an inner surface of the clip that is brought into engagement with the external surface of the fluid conduit means is substantially complementary in shape to the same. For example, the inner surface of the clip could be curved, concave, in the shape of a horse shoe, substantially U-shaped and/or the like.

In one embodiment the clip or locking element is slidably mounted to the mounting means. Preferably one or more channels or guide slots are provided on the mounting means and the clip or locking element is slidably located in or relative to said one or more channels or guide slots to allow engagement of the same with at least part of the fluid conduit means and/or the mounting means in use. Further preferably at least two spaced apart channels or guide slots are provided on the mounting means and the clip is slidably mounted between said at least two spaced apart channels or guide slots.

In one embodiment resilient biasing means are provided on or associated with the clip and/or locking element to bias the locking element and/or clip to the first locked position.

Preferably the resilient biasing means are in the form of at least one spring or sprung member. Preferably the spring or sprung member provides a biasing force to a surface of the clip or locking element, such as for example a top edge thereof, thereby biasing the clip or locking element to the locked position.

In one embodiment the clip and/or locking element is pivotably mounted to the mounting means for pivotal movement between the first locked position and the second unlocked position.

Preferably the clip and/or locking element is pivotal through approximately 45-180 degrees in moving between the locked and unlocked position in use. The clip and/or locking element typically move clockwise and/or anticlockwise through approximately 45-180 degrees to move between the locked and unlocked positions.

The clip and/or locking element can be pivotably mounted via a pivot pin or, in one example, a screw can be used as the pivot pin. The screw can be adjusted as required to obtain the required level of pivoting action.

In one embodiment user actuation means arc provided to allow a user to pivot, slide and/or move the locking element and/or clip between the locked and unlocked positions.

In one example, the locking element is in the form of a pivot pin or screw. Preferably a head portion of the pivot pin or screw has user actuation means in the form of a recess defined therein for location of a tool in use, such as for example a screwdriver therein, to allow pivoting of the pivot pin or screw between the locked and unlocked positions.

Preferably the pivotal clip or locking element is located on a rear surface of the mounting means and the user actuation means are accessible from or located on a front surface of the mounting means.

In one embodiment the locking element is provided on one surface of the mounting means and the user actuation means are accessible or located on an opposite surface of the mounting means to said one surface.

In onc example, the locking clement includes resilient biasing means for biasing the locking element or clip to the locked position and the biased clip or locking element is located on a front and/or rear surface of the mounting means. An aperture can be located in the mounting means to allow a user to gain access to at least part of the biasing clip or locking clement and move the biased clip or locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position from a front and/or rear surface of the mounting means, or from an opposite surface of the mounting means to where the biased clip or locking element is located.

In one embodiment the mounting means includes at least two apertures, slots and/or channels for the location of at least two fluid conduit means therethrough in use. A single fluid conduit means is preferably located through a single aperture, slot or channel.

Preferably the at least two apertures, slots and/or channels are provided a spaced distance apart on the mounting means.

Preferably the mounting means is in the form of a plate like or sheet like member. The plate like member is typically planar, flat, substantially planar and/or substantially flat in form.

In one example the mounting means has a thickness of approximately 2-3mm, and preferably 2.5mm thickness.

Preferably attachment means are provided on or associated with the mounting means for allowing attachment of the mounting means to a wall, surface and/or structure in use.

In one embodiment the attachment means include any or any combination of one or more apertures, slots, channels, fixing screws, nuts and bolts, adhesive, welding, one or more inter-engaging members, clips and/or the like.

In one embodiment the fluid conduit means is, consists of or includes a fluid conduit connection member or means.

In one embodiment the fluid device fixing apparatus includes a fluid conduit connection means or member, fluid conduit means or the fluid conduit means is a fluid conduit connection means or member. The fluid conduit connection means or member is typically for allowing connection between a fluid conduit or pipe and a control valve device in use.

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or the fluid conduit means includes inlet means for connection to a fluid conduit in use, such as a mains water or gas supply, conduit, pipe and/or the like. The fluid conduit connection means or member and/or the fluid conduit means also includes outlet means for connection to a fluid valve control device in use, such as a shower valve control device.

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or fluid conduit means is arranged such that the external dimensions allow the fluid conduit connection member to be located through the at least one fluid aperture, channel and/or slot of the mounting means in use.

In one embodiment the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or fluid conduit means has a channel defined therein or therethrough for allowing the passage of fluid therein or therethrough in use.

Preferably the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member includes a body portion.

Preferably the body portion is elongate or substantially elongate in form. The body portion is typically the part of the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or fluid conduit means that extends through the aperture, slot and/or channel of the mounting means in use. For example, from the front surface to the rear surface of the mounting means.

Preferably the external surface or external cross section of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member is non-circular to prevent or substantially prevent axial rotation of the same when positioned with respect to the mounting means in use.

The external surface or external cross section of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member could be square, oval, rectangular in shape and/or the like.

Preferably the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member is shaped such that one or more of the sides of the external surface has a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface, substantially straight, planar or flat surface and/or the like. This prevents, or at least reduces, the amount of rotation or axial movement of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member in the aperture, slot and/or recess of the mounting means in use.

Preferably at least two sides of the external surface, and preferably two opposing sides of the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member has a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface, substantially straight, planar or flat surface and/or the like.

ln one embodiment at least part of the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member is provided with one or more cutting location means defined thereon. The cutting location means increase the ease of cutting the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member at said point relative to a non defined cutting location. This allows the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member to be cut to any required length by a user, thereby ensuring that the correct length of the same or a pipe is protruding from the mounting means in use.

Preferably a plurality of cutting location means are positioned at spaced apart locations along the length of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member.

Preferably a body portion of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member has a longitudinal axis and the one or more cutting location means are provided transverse, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably the one or more cutting location means are provided circumferentially Of around the perimeter of the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member.

Preferably the one or more cutting location means are arranged such that they provide a planar, substantially planar, flat or substantially flat end or edge to the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member when cut along the same using a suitable cutting device. This allows a flat or substantially flat surface connection with washer means or a further device/component in use.

Preferably the one or more cutting location means include any or any combination of reduced diameter sections (i.e. relative to the diameter of non-cutting locations), one or more grooves, recesses, slots, frangible or weakened means and/or the like defined therein.

In one embodiment at least part of the locking element, locking means and/or clip is arranged to be engageable in a cutting location means when in the locked position in use.

In one embodiment at least part of the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member is threaded to allow connection of the same with a complementary threaded connection means in use. For example, the complementary threaded connection means could be associated with a mains fluid conduit, control valve connection and/or the like.

Preferably the threaded external surface comprises one or more offset, tapered and/or angled threads.

Preferably the threaded external surface is arranged to be offset, tapered and/or angled relative to the cutting location means.

In one embodiment a plurality of parts of the external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member are threaded. Further preferably at least one, and preferably two or more or a plurality of parts in between two or more or a plurality of cutting location means are provided with threaded external surfaces on the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member.

In one embodiment the fluid device fixing apparatus includes a spacer element. The spacer element can be used as a template to define the distance required for the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member to protrude outwardly through the apertures, slots and/or channels from a front surface of the mounting means in use to allow fitting to a fluid device part, such as a showier control valve for example, in use. The spacer element allows a user to defined the line of cut they need to make on the fluid conduit means to cut the same to the required length.

The spacer element is typically of such dimensions to allow the same to be located over the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member in usc.

Preferably the spacer element is in the form of a sleeve member.

In one embodiment the spacer element is removed and discarded once the line of cut has been marked and/or made on the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means or member in use.

In one embodiment the spacer element has engagement means associated with the same to allow the spacer element to be engaged to the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means of member during the measuring/cutting process.

Preferably the engagement means can include any or any combination of screw thread engagement means, one or more clips, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the fluid device which is fitted to the fluid device fixing apparatus is a fluid control valve, and preferably a shower control valve.

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or fluid conduit means are for connection to a fluid conduit, such as a water pipe, gas pipe and/or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using fluid device fixing apparatus for allowing the fixing of a fluid device to a surface and/or fluid conduit in use, said apparatus including mounting means, said method including the steps of locating at least one fluid conduit means through mounting means comprising at least one aperture, slot and/or channel, and locking said at least one fluid conduit means in position with respect to the mounting means in use using locking means, wherein the locking means includes a slidable, pivotable or resiliently biased locking element.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures la-lc show a first perspective view from a front of fluid device fixing apparatus, a second perspective view from a rear of fluid device fixing apparatus and an enlarged rear view of fluid device fixing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention respectively; Figures 2a-2b show a perspective view from the rear of fluid device fixing apparatus, and a perspective view from the front of the apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention respectively; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the front of fluid device fixing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention respectively; Figures 4a-4b show a method of installing fluid device fixing apparatus according to the first embodiment to a stud wall; Figures 5a-5b show a method of installing fluid device fixing apparatus according to the first embodiment to a solid wall installation; and Figure 6 shows an example of a shower control valve which can be connected using the fluid device fixing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to figures la-lc, there is illustrated a first embodiment of fluid device fixing apparatus in the form of shower valve fixing apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 includes mounting means in the form of a mounting plate 4 having a rear surface 6 and a front surface 8. The mounting plate 4 further includes a top edge 10, a base edge 12 and two opposing side edges 14, 16.

In the illustration the mounting plate 4 is rectangular hut it can be any suitable shape as required.

The mounting plate 4 includes attachment means in the form of a plurality of spaced apart attachment slots 18. The attachment slots 18 are typically located adjacent the top edge 10, base edge 12 and side edges 14, 16 of the plate 4. A further attachment slot 18 is also located substantially centrally of mounting plate 4.

Two spaced apart fluid conduit apertures 20, 22 are defined in mounting plate 4 between the front and rear surfaces 8, 6 through which fluid conduit connection pipes 24, 24' are located in use.

Each fluid conduit connection pipe 24, 24' includes an elongate body portion 26 having an inlet 28 provided at a first end 30 of the elongate body portion 26 and an outlet 32 provided at a second end 34 of the elongate body portion. A continuous channel 35 runs through the elongate body portion and has openings in the inlet 28 and outlet 32.

The opening of inlet 28 is provided perpendicular to elongate body portion 26 for connection to a mains water pipe 36. Outlet 32 is provided in line or planar with elongate body portion 26 for connection to the shower control valve or component thereof in use.

Locking means arc provided on a rear surface 6 of the mounting plate 4 for locking the fluid conduit connection pipe 24, 24' in place on the mounting plate 4 when assembled. The locking means includes a locking clement which, in this embodiment, is in the form of a clip 38 pivotably mounted to the rear surface 6 via a pivot pin or screw 40. The clip 38 is pivotably movable between a locked position, wherein the clip 38 engages the external surface of the fluid conduit connection pipe 24, 24' and movement of the pipe relative to the mounting plate in both an axial direction and a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion 26 of the elongate connection pipe 24, 24' is prevented, and an unlocked position, wherein the clip is in a raised and spaced distance apart position from the connection pipe 24, 24' and the aperture 20 of the mounting plate 4 and the connection pipe 24, 24' can be moved into and out of the aperture 20 and/or can be adjusted as required. The inner surface 25 of clip 38 is typically curved and/or is of substantially complementary shape to the external surface of the pipe 24, 24' with which it engages when in the locked position.

The pivot pin or screw 40 can have user actuation means associated with the same to allow a user to actuate pivotal movement of the clip 38 in use. For example, in the illustration, the pivot screw head has a cross shaped recess 42 to allow a user to insert a screw driver therein for pivoting the clip in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The pivot pin is accessible from the front surface 8 of the mounting means, thereby allowing adjustment of the pipes 24, 24' even once the mounting plate 4 is fitted to a wall surface in use.

The channel 35 of the fluid conduit connection pipe 24, 24' in this example has a circular or substantially circular cross section. However, the interior cross section of the channel can have any suitable shape as required.

The external cross sectional shape of the body portion 26 of the connection pipe 24, 24' is typically non-circular so as to limit or prevent axial movement of the connection pipe in the aperture of the mounting plate in use. For example, in the illustrations, two opposing sides 44 of the body portion 26 of the connection pipe 24, 24' have planar or flat surfaces and two further opposing sides 46 of the connection pipe have curved or hemispherical surfaces. The apertures 20 in the mounting plate 4 arc typically of a complementary shape to the cross sectional shape of the connection pipe 24, 24'. Thus, the apertures 20 each have two straight opposing side edges and two curved opposing side edges.

Cutting location means arc defined on the external surface of body portion 26 of connection pipe 24, 24' in the form of a plurality of spaced apart grooves 48. The grooves are provided around substantially the entire perimeter of the pipe 24, 24'. The grooves 48 are typically defined between planar or substantially planar external groove walls of the body portion and are provided to increase the ease with which the connection pipe 24, 24' can be cut to a desired length in use. The grooves 48 typically reduce the diameter of the pipe which has to be cut in use. The planar nature of the groove walls allows the end of the pipe when cut, typically using a suitable cutting tool in a desired groove, to be planar or substantially planar with a washer or other component of the shower control valve to which it is to be connected to in use.

The external surface of body portion 26 between the spaced apart grooves 48 is typically threaded, and preferably provided with angled or offset threads (with respect to a horizontal axis, the cutting location means, the mounting plate and/or the like), so as to allow threaded or rotatable engagement with a complementary screw thread of a component on the shower control valve in use.

Figures 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of shower valve fixing apparatus 2. The same reference numerals have been used to label the same features as in figures 1 a-1 c. In this embodiment the locking element is in the form of a sprung clip 50 that is provided on a rear surface 6 of the mounting plate 4. The clip 50 is biased by a spring 52 in a direction towards apertures 20, 22 Of to a locked position with the pipes 24, 24'. An aperture 54 is defined in the mounting plate adjacent the fluid pipe apertures 20, 22 so as to allow a user to move the clip 50 from the locked position to an unlocked position. A user can typically access the clip 50 through aperture 54 from a front surface 8 of the mounting plate 4.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of shower valve fixing apparatus 2. In this embodiment the locking clement is in the form of a clip 60 that is slidably mounted to the front surface 8 of mounting plate 4. However, it is noted that the clip could be mounted to the rear of the mounting plate if required. Two channels 62 are defined on opposite sides of the apertures 20, 22. The channels 62 slidably receive clip 60 therein. The inner surface 25 of clip 60 is typically of complementary shape to the external surface of pipes 24, 24' and so in this case is U-shaped.

Figure 3 also shows spacer element 64 which is a sleeve template that fits over the pipes 24, 24' to define the correct distance the pipes 24, 24' should protrude outwardly from the front surface of the mounting plate 4 in order to fit with a shower control valve connection in use. One end 65 of the spacer element 64 abuts with the front surface 8 of the mounting plate 4 and the other end of the spacer element defines the point at which the pipe 24, 24' should be cut to the required length for fitting to the shower control valve in use. Screw threaded connections 67 are provided at the opposite end 69 of the spacer clement for threaded engagement with the complementary screw threads on fluid pipes 24, 24'. Once the spacer element is in place on the pipes 24, 24', a user can cut the pipe at the nearest cutting groove to end 69. Once cut, the spacer element is disengaged from the pipe 24, 24' and discarded.

Referring to figures 4a and 4b, a method of fitting the device in figures la-1c to a stud wall is now described. The stud wall 100 has a frame 102 comprising a plurality of horizontal and vertical spaced apart frame members forming a support lattice for supporting plasterboard thereon. The mains hot and cold water pipes 36 are typically provided between a rear plasterboard surface 106 of the stud wall and a front plasterboard surface 104 of the stud wall. The fluid conduit connection pipes 24, 24' are attached to the mains hot and cold water pipes 36 via inlet 28 at end 30 thereof, which typically has a screw thread for threaded engagement with complementary threaded means associated with the water pipes. Since end 30 is arranged substantially transverse of body portion 26 of pipes 24, 24', this results in the body portion 26 protruding outwardly from the front surface of the stud wall 100. Apertures are made in the front plasterboard 104 to allow the pipes 24, 24' to protrude outwardly from the same.

The mounting plate 4 is then attached to the front of plasterboard 104 using attachment screws (not shown) located through attachment apertures 18 on the mounting plate. The pipes 24, 24' are arranged so as to protrude outwardly through the apertures 20, 22 in the mounting plate 4. The rear surface 6 is substantially flush with the front surface of the plasterboard 104 and the front surface B faces outwardly of the stud wall 100.

The front plasterboard surface 104 is then tiled with tiles 107 as required and an aperture 108 is left in the tiles around the pipes 24, 24' sufficient to allow access to the user actuation pivot head 40 adjacent the pipe apertures 20, 22 in mounting plate 4. The pipes 24, 24' are adjusted as required so that they protrude from the tile aperture 108. The user actuation pivot head 40 is then pivoted to move the clip 38 from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby securing the pipe 24, 24' in place in apertures 20, 22 on the mounting plate 4.

The spacer element 64 is then located over the protruding end of pipes 24, 24' and one end is brought into abutment with the front of the tiled surface. The other end of the spacer element 64 defines the point where the pipe 24, 24' needs to be cut along the nearest cutting location groove 48.

The shower control valve 110, as shown in figure 6, can then be fitted to outlets 32 of pipes 24, 24'. More particularly, connections 112, 114 on the control valve that protrude perpendicular to the main bar body 116 of the valve have internal screw threads for threaded engagement with the external screw threads on the pipes 24, 24'. The external dimensions of the connections 112, 114 are such that the aperture 108 in the tiles around the pipes 24, 24' is covered. The shower control valve 110 typically has a water flow rotatable knob 118 and a thermostatic control knob 120 located at opposite ends of the main bar body 116. A shower hose (not shown) is typically connectable to a shower hose connector 122 provided on the main bar body 116.

It will be appreciated that the shower control valve 110 can be removed and/or replaced as often as required without having to remove the tiles and replace the fluid device fixing apparatus. The locking element 38 on the apparatus 2 can be moved between the locked and unlocked positions as often as required to allow adjustment of the pipe lengths 24, 24' in the event the wall is retiled using tiles of different thickness to the original tiles.

Referring to figures 5a and 5b, a method of fitting the device in figures la-lc to a solid wall is 11 ow described. In this arrangement the mains hot and cold water pipes 36 are chased into a front surface 124 of a plastered wall 126. The inlets 30 of the fluid connection pipes 24, 24' arc connected to the ends of the mains water pipes 36 as previously described. The mounting plate 4 is mounted to the front surface 124 of the plastered wall 126 using suitable attachment means such that the pipes 24, 24' protrude through the apertures 20, 22 on the mounting plate. The wall 126 is then tiled with tiles 107 and an aperture 108 is left in the tiles around the protruding pipes 24, 24' so that access to the pivotable screw head 40 on the mounting plate 4 can be made.

The pipes 24, 24' are adjusted into the required position and then the locking clip 38 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by pivoting of the pivotable screw head 40. The spacer element 64 is then used as previously described to allow the pipes 24, 24' to be cut to the required length and the shower control valve 110 is fitted as before.

Claims

Claims 1. Fluid device fixing apparatus for allowing the fixing of a fluid device to a surface and/or fluid conduit in use, said apparatus including mounting means, said mounting means including at least one aperture, slot and/or channel for the location of at least one fluid conduit means therethrough in use, and locking means for locking said at least one fluid conduit means in position with respect to the mounting means in use, wherein the locking means includes a slidable, pivotable or resiliently biased locking element.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking element is arranged so as to be movable between a first locked position, wherein it locks the fluid conduit means to the mounting means in use and/or locks the fluid conduit means in the at least one aperture, slot or channel defined on the mounting means, and second unlocked position, wherein it allows the fluid conduit means to be movable and/or adjustable relative to the mounting means, to be insertable into and/or removable from the one or more apertures, slots or channel provided on the mounting means.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking means and/or locking element are provided on a front surface and/or rear surface of the mounting means in use.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking element is in the form of a clip or clips.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking element is arranged to engage against an external surface of the fluid conduit means, in a cutting location, recess and/or groove of the fluid conduit means.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more channels or guide slots are provided on the mounting means and the locking clement is slidably mounted in or relative to said channels or guide slots.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resiliently biased locking element includes resilient biasing means in the form of at least one spring or sprung member.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking element is pivotal through approximately 45-180 degrees in moving between locked and unlocked positions.
9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein user actuation means are provided to allow a user to pivot, slide and/or move the locking element between locked and unlocked positions.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thc locking element is in the form of a pivot or screw, a head portion of the pivot pin or screw has user actuation means in the form of a recess defined therein for location of a tool in use, to allow pivoting of the pivot pin or screw between locked and unlocked positions.
11. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 9, wherein the locking element is provided on a first surface of the mounting means and the user actuation means are provided on a second surface of the mounting means, the second surface opposite to said first surface.
12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking element includes resilient biasing means for biasing the locking element to the locked position, the biased locking element provided on a first surface of the mounting means, an aperture is defined in the mounting means to allow a user to gain access to the biased locking element on the first surface from a second opposite surface in use.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes at least two apertures, slots or channels for the location of at least two fluid conduit means therethrough in use.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means is in the form of a plate like or sheet like member, is planar, flat and/or substantially planar or substantially flat.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the mounting means for allowing attachment of the mounting means to a wall, surface and/or structure in use.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more apertures, slots, channels, fixing screws, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members, clips adhesive or welding.
17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes fluid conduit means and/or a fluid conduit connection member for location through the at least one aperture, slot or channel of the mounting means, said fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection member having inlet means for connection to a fluid conduit or pipe in use, and outlet means for connection to a fluid valve control device in use.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection member has an external surface that is non-circular in cross section to prevent Or substantially prevent axial rotation of the same when positioned with respect to the mounting means in use.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection member is shaped such that one or more sides of an external surface of the same has a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface, substantially straight edge, substantially planar surface or substantially flat surface.
20. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein an external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection member is provided with one or more cutting location means defined thereon.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein a plurality of cutting location means are positioned at spaced apart locations along a length of the fluid conduit connection means or member and/or fluid conduit means.
22. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein a body portion of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection member has a longitudinal axis and the one or more cutting location means are provided transverse, perpendicular or substantially transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
23. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the one or more cutting location means include any or any combination of one or more reduced diameter sections, one or more grooves, recesses, slots or frangible or weakened means.
24. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 20 wherein at least part of the locking means is arranged to be engageable in a cutting location means when in a locked position in use.
25. Apparatus according to claim 17 whcrein at least part of an external surface of the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means is threaded to allow connection of the same with complementary threaded connection means in use.
26. Apparatus according to claims 25 and 20 wherein the threaded external surface comprises one or more offset, tapered or angled threads relative to the one or more cutting location means.
27. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a spacer element is provided that is arranged to act as a template to define a distance required for fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means to protrude outwardly from a front surface of the mounting means in use.
28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein engagement means are provided on the spacer element to allow the spacer element to engage with the fluid conduit means and/or fluid conduit connection means in use.
29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the engagement means include any or any combination of screw threaded engagement means, one or more clips or inter-engaging members.
30. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid device fitted to the fluid device fixing apparatus is a fluid control valve or a shower control valve.
31. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit means and/of fluid conduit connection member locatable with the apparatus is a water pipe or gas pipe.
32. A method of using fluid device fixing apparatus for allowing the fixing of a fluid device to a surface and/or fluid conduit in use, said apparatus including mounting means, said method including the steps of locating at least one fluid conduit means through mounting means comprising at least one aperture, slot and/or channel, and locking said at least one fluid conduit means in position with respect to the mounting means in use using locking means, wherein the locking means includes a slidable, pivotable or resiliently biased locking element.