GB2536778A

GB2536778A - Fluid device fixing apparatus and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2536778A
Application number: GB1601563.8A
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: GB2536778B; GB201601563D0

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 fluid connection means or integral member 24, 24. A cutting location means 48 is provided on an external surface of the fluid connection means or integral member 24, 24. There may be a plurality of cutting location means 48 spaced apart along a length of the fluid connection means or integral members 24, 24, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid connection means or integral members 24, 24. The cutting locations 48 may be circumferential grooves or slots. A spacer element such as a collar (64, Fig. 2a) may be used to mark the point where the fluid connection means or integral members 24, 24 needs to be cut. The mounting means 4 may comprise a plate having 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

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 obtain 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 arc 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.

Examples of fluid device fixing apparatus are provided in the applicant's co-pending patent application GB1501532.4.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a further embodiment of fluid device fixing apparatus that overcomes the abovernentioned problems It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a further embodiment of 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 having at least one fluid conduit connection means or member integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto or associated therewith in use for allowing connection between a fluid device and/or fluid conduit in use, and wherein at least part of an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member is provided with one or more cutting location means defined thereon.

The one or more cutting location means are provided to increase the ease of cutting the fluid conduit connection means or member at a or one or more required points or locations thereon. The required point or location typically represents a distance from a front surface of the mounting means to a point of protrusion of the fluid conduit connection means or member from the front surface of the mounting means necessary to fit the fluid device and/or the fluid conduit connection means or member in use.

Preferably a plurality of cutting location means are positioned at spaced apart locations along a length of the fluid conduit connection means or member, such as for example along a length of a body portion of the fluid conduit connection means or member. This allows the fluid conduit connection means or member to be cut to any or any one of a plurality of required length(s) by a user, thereby ensuring that the correct length of conduit connection means or member is protruding from the mounting means in use. The user typically selects a suitable cutting location.

Preferably the body portion of the fluid conduit connection means or 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.

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

Preferably the one of more cutting location means are arranged such that they provide a planar, substantially planar, flat or substantially flat end or edge when cut along the same using a suitable cutting device. This allows a flat, planar or substantially flat or planar 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 one or more reduced diameter sections, one or more grooves, recesses, slots, frangible or weakened means and/or the like defined therein.

Preferably spacing means or at least one spacing element is provided for location on or in association with the at least one fluid conduit connection means or member to define a distance required for the fluid conduit connection means or member to protrude outwardly from a front surface of the mounting means to allow fitting to a part of the fluid device in use.

According to a second 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 having at least one fluid conduit connection means or member integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto or associated therewith in use for allowing connection between a fluid device and/or fluid conduit in use, and wherein the apparatus further includes spacing means or at least one spacing element for location on or in association with the at least one fluid conduit connection means or mcmber to define a distance required for the fluid conduit connection means or member to protrude outwardly from a front surface of the mounting means to allow fitting to a part of the fluid device in use.

It will be appreciated that the cutting locations and/or the spacer element or spacing means can be provided separately and independently of each other, or can be provided in combination with each other with the apparatus as required.

Preferably the at least one spacer element or spacing means allows a user to define a line of cut they need to make on the fluid conduit connection means or member to cut the same to the required length to allow the fluid device to be connected to a part of the fluid device in use.

Preferably the at least one spacer element or spacing means has a first end and a second end.

Preferably the first end of the spacer element or spacing means is opposite the second end of the spacer element or spacing means.

Preferably the first end of the spacer element or spacing means is arranged to be brought into engagement or abutment with the front surface of the mounting means.

Preferably the second end of the spacer clement or spacing means marks the point or location on the fluid conduit connection means or member at which a cut needs to be made to make the portion of the fluid conduit connection means or member protruding outwardly of the front surface of the mounting means a required or desired length for connection of the fluid conduit connection member to the fluid device in use.

Preferably the second end of the spacer element or spacing means is a frcc cnd.

Preferably the spacer element or spacing means is of such dimensions to allow the same to be located over or around at least part, and preferably the external surface, of the fluid conduit connection means or member in use.

In one embodiment the spacer element or spacing means is in the form of a collar or sleeve member. The collar or sleeve member is located over or around the external surface of the fluid conduit connection member in use.

In one embodiment the spacer element or spacing means is removable and can be discarded once the line of cut has been marked and/or made on the fluid conduit connection member or means.

In one embodiment the spacer element or spacing means are provided with, includes or has engagement means associated with thc samc to allow the spacer element to be engaged to the fluid conduit connection means or member during the measuring and/or 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.

In one embodiment the mounting means includes at least one aperture, slot and/or channel defined therein or therethrough for the location of at least one fluid conduit connection means or member therethrough in use.

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

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

The fluid conduit connection means or member can be detachably attached in the one or more apertures, slots Or channels.

Preferably the detachable attachment means could include any or any combination of one Or more screws, friction fit, inter-engaging membcrs, clips, nuts and bolts, resilient biasing means and/or the like. Alternatively, the fluid conduit connection means or member can be fixedly attached in the one or more apertures, slots and/or channels using fixing means. The fixing means could include any or any combination of adhesive, solder, one inter-engaging members, clips, resilient biasing means and/or the like.

The resilient biasing means in one example can include a spring or sprung clip.

In one embodiment the one or more fluid conduit connection means or members are integrally formed with the mounting means.

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

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member allows connection between a fluid conduit or pipe and a fluid control valve device, such as for example a shower control valve device in use.

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member includes inlet means or an inlet opening for connection to a fluid conduit in use, such as a mains water or gas supply, conduit, pipe and/or the like.

Preferably the fluid conduit connection means or member also includes outlet means or an outlet opening for connection to a fluid valve control device in usc, such as a shower valve control device in one example.

Preferably the inlet means or opening is located at or adjacent a rear surface of the mounting means and the outlet means or opening is located at or adjacent a front surface of the mounting means.

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

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

Preferably the fluid conduit connection member includes a body portion and at least the body portion is elongate or substantially elongate in form. The body portion is typically the part of the fluid conduit connection member that extends through the aperture, slot and/or channel of the mounting means in use or protruding outwardly froth at least a front surface of the mounting means in use.

Preferably the body portion of the fluid conduit connection means or member is arranged such that a portion with the outlet means protrudes outwardly from a front surface of the mounting means and a portion with thc inlct means protrudes outwardly from a rear surface of the mounting means in use.

In one embodiment the external surface or external cross section of the fluid conduit connection means or member is circular or substantially circular in shape.

In one embodiment the external surface of external cross section of the fluid conduit connection means or member is non-circular or substantially non-circular. This helps to prevent axial rotation of the same when positioned with respect to the mounting means in some embodiments.

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

In one embodiment the external surface of the 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 planar surface, substantially flat surface, substantially straight edge and/or the like. This prevents, or at least reduces, the amount of rotation or axial movement of the fluid conduit connection means or member in the aperture, slot 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 connection means or member have a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface or substantially planar, flat or straight surface and/or the like.

In one embodiment at least part of the external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member is threaded to allow connection of the same with complementary threaded means or connection that might be associated with a mains fluid conduit, control valve, the mounting means, spacing clement or spacer means and/or the like.

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

Preferably the one or more threads offset, tapered or angled relative to one or more cutting location, a horizontal axis, a front surface of the mounting means and/or the like.

Preferably at least one cutting location means is provided between two or more threaded external surface parts of the fluid connection means or member.

In one embodiment a plurality of parts of the external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member are threaded. Further preferably a plurality of parts in between a plurality of cutting location means arc provided with threaded external surfaces on the fluid conduit connection member 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 are for connection to a fluid conduit, such as a water pipe, gas pipe and/or the like.

According to one 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 mounting means having at least one fluid conduit connection means or member integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto or associated therewith in use, said method including the steps of cutting an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member along one or more cutting location means defined thereon at a required length suitable for fitting the fluid conduit connection means or member to a fluid device, connecting one end of the fluid conduit connection means or member to the fluid device and connecting another end of the fluid conduit connection member to a fluid conduit.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a method of using fluid device fixing apparatus including spacing means or at least one spacer element; a method of using fluid device fixing apparatus comprising one or more cutting location means and spacing means or at least one spacer element.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures la-lb show a perspective view from a front of fluid device fixing apparatus and a second perspective view from a rear of the fluid device fixing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention respectively; Figures 2a-2b show the fluid device fixing apparatus in figures la and lb with a spacer element fitted on one of the fluid device connection members and partially fitted on the other of the fluid device connection members; and Figure 3 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-lb, 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 but 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. Further attachment slots 18 are also lociated substantially centrally of mounting plate 4.

Two spaced apart fluid conduit apertures 20, 22 arc defined in mounting plate 4 between the front and rear surfaces 8, 6 through which fluid conduit connection members or pipes 24, 24' are located in use. It will be readily appreciated that the invention of the present application will work in a similar manner if the fluid conduit connection members or pipes 24, 24' are integrally formed with, fixedly attached to or detachably attached to mounting plate 4.

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 orientation of opening of inlet 28 is provided perpendicular to the major part of elongate body portion 26 for connection to a mains water pipe (not shown) in use. Outlet 32 is provided in line or planar with elongate body portion 26 for connection to a shower control valve or component thereof in use in use, as shown in figure 3.

The first end 30 of elongate body portion 26 protrudes outwardly from rear surface 6 and the second end 32 of elongate body portion 26 protrudes outwardly from front surface 8 of mounting plate 4.

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' in the illustrated embodiment is also circular or substantially circular. However, it will be appreciated that the external cross sectional shape could be non-circular so as to limit or prevent axial movement of the connection pipe in the aperture of the mounting plate in use. The apertures 20 in the mounting plate 4 are typically of a complementary shape to the cross sectional shape of the connection pipe 24, 24'.

Cutting location means are 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 the entire perimeter of the pipe 24, 24'. The grooves 48 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, 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 the shower valve fixing apparatus 2 of figures la and lb but with a spacer element 64. The spacer element typically takes the form of a hollow 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 8 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 (not shown) can be provided at the opposite end 69 of the spacer element 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.

In order to fit the device shown in figures la-2b, the fluid conduit connection pipes 24, 24' are attached to mains hot and cold water pipes 36 via inlets 28 at ends 30 thereof, which typically have a screw thread for threaded engagement with complementary threaded means associated with the water pipes. Since ends 30 are arranged substantially transverse of body portions 26 of pipes 24, 24', this results in the body portions 26 protruding outwardly from a front surface of a wall on which the shower control valve is to be fitted to in use. Apertures or grooves are made in the front surface of the wall to allow the pipes 24, 24' to protrude outwardly from the same.

The mounting plate 4 is then attached to the wall 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 wall and the front surface 8 faces outwardly of the wall.

The front wall is then tiled as required and an aperture is left in the tiles around the pipes 24, 24' sufficient to allow the spacer elements 64 to be located on the pipes 24, 24' adjacent the pipe apertures 20, 22 in mounting plate 4.

The spacer elements 64 are located over the protruding end of pipes 24, 24' and one end is brought into abutment with the front of the tiled wall of the mounting plate. The other end of the spacer elements 64 define the point where the pipe 24, 24' need to be cut along the nearest cutting location groove 48.

The shower control valve 110, as shown in figure 3, 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 apertures 108 in the tiles around the pipes 24, 24' are 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.

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 haying at least one fluid conduit connection means or member integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto or associated therewith in use for allowing connection between a fluid device and/or a fluid conduit in use, and wherein at least part of an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member is provided with one or more cutting location means defined thereon.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of cutting location means are positioned at spaced apart locations along a length of the fluid conduit connection means or member.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit connection means or member has a longitudinal axis and the one or more cutting location means are provided transverse, perpendicular or substantially transverse or perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
4. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the one or more cutting location means are provided circumferentially or around the perimeter of an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more cutting location means include any or any combination of one or more reduced diameter sections, grooves, recesses, slots and/or frangible or weakened means.
6. Apparatus according to claim wherein the apparatus includes spacing means or at least one spacer element for location on or in association with the at least one fluid conduit connection means or member in use.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the spacing means or at least one spacer element has as first end and a second end, the first end is arranged to be brought into abutment with a front surface of the mounting means in use and the second end marks the point or location on the fluid conduit connection means or member at which the fluid conduit connection means or member needs to be cut in order to fit to a fluid device in use.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the spacing means or at least one spacer element is in the form of a collar or sleeve for location around an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member.
9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein engagement means are provided on, included and/or associated with the spacing means or at least one spacer element to allow the spacer element to be engaged with the fluid conduit connection means or member in use.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the engagement means include any or any combination of one of more screw thread engagement means, clips and/or inter-engaging members.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes at least one aperture, slot and/or channel defined therein or therethrough for the location of the at least one fluid conduit connection means or member therethrough in use.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the mounting means includes at least two apertures, slots and/or channels provided a spaced distance apart.
13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fluid conduit connection means or member is detachably attached in the at least one aperture, slot and/or channel using any or any combination of friction fit, one or more screws, inter-engaging members, clips, nuts and bolts and/or resilient biasing means.
14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fluid conduit connection means or member is fixedly attached in the one or more apertures, slots and/or channels via any or any combination of adhesive, solder, one or more inter-engaging members, clips and/or resilient biasing means.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means is in the form of a plate, plate like, sheet or sheet like member.
16. 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.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the attachment means include any or any combination of adhesive, welding, one or more apertures, slots, channels, fixing screws, inter-engaging members, clips and/or nuts and bolts.
18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thc fluid conduit connection means or member has inlet means or an inlet opening for connection to a fluid conduit in use, and outlet means or an outlet opening for connection to a fluid valve control device in use.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the inlet means or inlet opening is arranged to protrude outwardly from a tear surface of the mounting means and the outlet means or outlet opening is arranged to protrude outwardly from a front surface of the mounting means.
20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit connection means or member has a channel defined therein for allowing the passage of fluid therethrough in use.
21. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an external surface or external cross section of the fluid connection means or member is circular or substantially circular in shape.
22. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an external surface or external cross section of the fluid connection means Or member is non-circular or substantially non-circulate in shape.
23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more sides of the external surface of the fluid connection means or member has a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface, or substantially straight, planar or flat surface.
24. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein two sides or two opposite sides of the external surface of the fluid connection means or member have a straight edge, planar surface, flat surface or substantially straight, planar or flat surface.
25. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the external surface of the fluid connection means or member is threaded to allow connection of the same with complementary threaded means or connection associated with a mains fluid conduit, a control valve, the mounting means and/or spacer element or spacing means.
26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the threaded external surface comprises one or more offset, tapered or angled threads.
27. Apparatus according to any previous claim wherein at least one cutting location means is provided between two or more threaded external surface parts of the fluid connection means Or member.
28. 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 mounting means having at least one fluid conduit connection means or member integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto or associated therewith in use, said method including the steps of cutting an external surface of the fluid conduit connection means or member along one or more cutting location means defined thereon at a required length suitable for fitting the fluid conduit connection means or member to a fluid device, connecting one end of the fluid conduit connection means or member to the fluid device and connecting another end of the fluid conduit connection member to a fluid conduit.