IE85658B1 - A connector for a fluid flow control device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A connector ( 10) for a fluid flow control device, the connector (10) having a body (1 1) in which is disposed a passage to convey fluid from a supply tube to the control device, a collect (18) with a gripping element (22) which, by axial movement away from the body (11), can be urged inwardly so as to grip an exterior surface of the supply tube, and an adjustable secuiin g element (15) to urge the collect (18) away from the body (1 1) to maintain the grip on the supply tube.

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates, in broad terms, to the field of fluid flow control devices such as shower valves, temperature regulators and the like and relates in particular. although by no means exclusively, to connectors which enable such devices to be connected to fluid .supplies_ in a bathroom or shower environment.

Background to the Invention and Overview of the Prior Art In recent years, shower design has evolved in many areas. both technical and aesthetic, with advances having been made in mixer. pumped and general electric shower technologies.. Whilst not being limited to this particular domain,‘ the present invention is concerned largely with the area of mixer showers, in which separate hot and cold water supplies are mixed in a valve arrangement prior to being dispatched to a shower head, for example. A variety of mixer shower arrangements are of course known, with a recent trend having been towards the use of “bar mixers" which comprise a generally unitary bar-shaped mixing device to which the hot and cold water supplies are fed.

When installing showers having bar mixers of this type, a common approach has been to conceal the hot and cold water supply pipes behind a stud partition or wall, with connectors being used to provide both a rnounting platform for the bar mixer and a fluid flow passage from the water supply pipes to the mixer assembly. Depending upon the orientation of the supply pipes, straight inlet connectors or elbow (i.e. L-shaped) connectors can be used , with the outlet parts of these connectors having a suitably-configured (e.g. threaded) configuration for engagement with a corresponding part of an inlet to the mixer valve assembly.

Concealing the supply pipes in this way, whilst giving rise to an aesthetically- pleasing and "clean“ finish, does however increase the time taken to complete the installation process and can give rise to repairfmaintenance issues in the . ' event of a supply pipe leakage, for example. In addition. modern designs of domestic showers, in particular, have started to use the supply pipes as a design feature, with it thus being required to leave the pipes exposed .— i.e. proud (in front) of the bathroom/shower cabinet wall.

This invention, in broad terms, is concerned with connectors which are suitable for use with such exposed arrangements.

Summary of the invention’ In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided connector for a fluid flow control device, the connector having a body in which is disposed a passage for the supply of fluid to the control device, the passage having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet for passage of the fluid to the control device, wherein the connector body includes a recess for the location of a substantially disc-shaped mounting element with which the connector may be mounted to a support surface. wherein the mounting element is securable to the body by way of a fastening element which passes through a wall of the body, and wherein the mounting element has a recess which extends around" its periphery and which, in use, receives part of the fastening element.

The recess may desirably be provided by a channel which extends arounclthe circumference of the disc.

The channel may be subtantially V-shaped.

' The connector recess may have a depth equal to or greater than that of the mounting element such that. in use. the connectornmay be flush-mounted to the support surface.

The connector recess may be substantially circular such that the connector may rotate relative to the mounting element.

The fastening element may be a threaded fastener, conveniently a grub screw or the like.

The wait of the body may have an indentation therein to receive a head of the fastening element such that, when the mounting element is secured to the body. the fastening element is substantially concealed from view.

The fluid flow control device may be a shower valve.

The fluid flow control device may conveniently be a bar mixer for a shower.

The connector may be an elbow connector for a shower control valve in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower mixer set comprising a bar mixer and at least one elbow connector according to the first aspect of the invention. in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided _ method of installing an elbow connector for a shower vaive comprising attaching a mounting element to a support surface such as a bathroom or shower cabinet wall, offering to the mounting element a connector having a body in which is disposed a passage for the supply of fluid to the shower valve, the passage having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet for passage of the fiuid to‘ the contro! device, wherein the connector body includes a recess for the location of a substantially _disc-shaped mounting element with which the connector may be mounted to the support surface. iocating the mounting element within the connector recess and passing a fastening element through a wall of the body into a channel or groove disposed around the periphery of the mounting element.

Brief Desorption of the Drawings Specific and non»Iimiting embodiments of the present invention, in its various aspects, will now be described, strictly by way of example only. by reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FtGURE 1 is a schematic view of a bar valve connector assembly, abutting a support surface such as a bathroom wall.'withcut a mounting element in position; FIGURE 2; is a side (edge-on) view of a mounting element suitable for use with the connector body of Figure 1; FIGURE 21;’ is a perspective view of the mounting element shown in Figure FIGURE 3 shows a similar view to that of Figure 1, but with the mounting element located in position and attached to the support surface; and FIGURE 4 shows two bar valve connectors attached to a bathroom wall, with hot and cold supply pipes and the bar mixer valve assembly also being shown.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and Best Mode of the -lnvention _ ‘Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an elbow connector 10 having a body 11, a water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13. The inletloutlet 12 and 13 are provided with an external (male) threaded configuration to facilitate their _engagement'with, respectively, a-water supply pipe (shown schematically in dotted outline at 14) and an inlet configuration of a bar mixer arrangement, shown in Figure 4. ’ The body, which may be cast or stamped from a‘ non~corrodlng metallic material such as brass or stainless steel, is generally cylindrical, with there being provided an internal passage. between the inlet and outlet 12/13, for the supply of water from the pipe 14 to the mixer valve arrangement.

Also illustrated, schematically, in Figure 1 is a support surface such as a bathroom wall 15, which, in use, the body 11 abuts in a flush-mounted condition, -as explained hereafter.’ Thevpari of the body which, in use. abuts the wall 15 (hereinafter known as the "rear" of the body) is provided with a relatively shallow circular recess 16 and a threaded aperture 17 in the circular wall 18 which is thus defined. The outer end of the threaded aperture 17 is V countersunk, so that the head of an appropriately-configured fastener may be substantially concealed from view when engaged, as described in more detail below. in order to attach the connector-10 tothe support surfacelbathroom wait 15, a mounting element 20 (see Figures 2a_ and 2b_).is employed. The mounting element 20 is generalty disc-shaped. with a V-shaped groovelchannel 21 extending around the periphery of the ‘disc.

When seen in side view (as per Figure. 2g), therefore. the mounting element is substantially symmetrical, although it need not necessarily be so. In addition, whilst it is preferable for there to exist a groovelchannel which extends around the entire periphery of the mounting element, it will be appreciated, from what follows, that the groove need not, in fact, be continuous.

As shown in Figure 2p_. one face 22 of the mounting element 20 is provided with a pair of countersunk apertures 23, with the other face 24 also having a pair of aligned apertures therein. but which need not be countersunk. it will of course be understood that more, or fewer, apertures (which need not be countersunk) may be provided. in order to attach the connector body 11 to the support surfaceibathroom wall , it is first necessary to secure the mounting element to the wall 15, by the use of a pair of threaded fasteners which pass through the mounting element , from the face 22 to the face 24, into the wall 15. As indicated above, it will be appreciated, of course, that more than two such fasteners may conceivably be employed. depending upon the weight of the bar valve to be used. the condition of the support surface and other factors.

Once the mounting element has been secured firmly to the support surface , the connector body 11 is brought into register with the mounting element such that-the mounting element 20 is introduced into the recess 16 of the connector body 11. It will be understood, of course, that a degree of rotational movement is permitted, given the circular nature both of the mounting element and the recess__‘i6. which gives an installer a degree of "play" and. flexibility.

Once the rotational position of the body has been decided upon (it is noteworthy in that respect, that whilst Figure 1 is illustrative of a "top-fed" arrangement, it is also possible for the water supply pipes to come from below, simply by rotating the body through 180°), the body is secured to the mounting element by the use of a short grub screw which is introduced through the threaded aperture 17 in the wall 18 of the connector body. This is illustrated in more detail in Figure 3. with the grub screw shown at 30. The grub screw, having a bevelled head suitable for countersinking, passes through the wall 18 of the connector body and enters into the groove 21 which extends around the periphery of the mounting element 20. Continued advancement of the grub screw 30 leads to engagement of the tip of the screw with the bottom of the groove 21, which looks the body 11 and mounting element 20 together. with the countersunk nature of the grub screw head and the threaded aperture 17 leading to substantial concealment from view of the grub screw 30. it will thus be appreciated that the result is the attachment of the connector body to the wall 15 in a manner which is both firm and aesthetically pleasing, given that no connection elements. fasteners or the like are visible. once the process has been completed. arrangement being shown at 41." Noting. of course, that it is necessary to repeat the process tor the other (hot or cold) supply pipe. it is then a relatively straightfowvard matter to attach a generally conventional bar valve construction to the water outlets 13 of the two newly-installed connector bodies. using threaded collars, brazing techniques, adhesives or the like. It will be understood, of course. that the manner in which the bar valve construction is attached to the connector bodies 11 does not form part of the present invention.

The resulting assembiy_ is shown in Figure 4, in which the bar valve construction is shown generally at 40. with a schematic shower hose As alluded to above. the “top-fed" configuration shown in Figure 4 is merely exemplary, given that a ''bottom-ted'' ‘ construction would be equally simpie to achieve. Indeed, given the ability of the bodies 11 to rotate retative to the mounting elements 20, prior to the grub screws 30 being tightened, it would even be possible for "side-fed" arrangements to be provided, should design briefs or aesthetic requirements dictate that. It will alsobe understood that the nature of the cast bodies 11 is such that integral flow regulators (such as those available commercially under the trade mark "NEOPERi.") and filters may be provided, in: cases where variable water pressures or qualifies may require this. it will also be appreciated that. whilst the present invention lends itself particularly welt to elbow connectors. there is no reason. in principle, why the inventive concepts described herein could not also be- applied to straight connectors. in which the water supply pipes are parallel with (as opposed to perpendicular to) the main. axes of the cylindrical bodies 11. lo order to accommodate this, it would of course be necessary to provide a generally axial fluid flow passage from the rear of the body to the water outlet 13, with that necessitating an aperture in a generally central part of the mounting element 20. Whilst it may be necessary to increase some of the dimensions, over and above those of a typical elbow connector. there is no technical reason why such a construction could not be viable, although it is acknowledged that additional seals may be required in order to ensure that no leakage occurs around the periphery of the mounting element 20.

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

Claims (15)

CLAIMS.

1. _’ A connector for a fluid flow control device. the connector having a body in which is disposed a passage for the supply of fluid to the control device, the passage having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet for passage of the fluid to the control device, wherein the connector body includes a recess for the location of a substantially disc-shaped mounting element with which the connector may be mounted to a support surface, wherein the mounting element is securable to the body by way of a fastening element which passes through a wall of the body. and wherein the mounting element has a recess which extends around its periphery and which. in use. receives part of the fastening element.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the recess is a channel which extends around the circumference of the disc.

3. A connector according to claim 3 wherein the channel is substantially V»shaped.

4. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector recess has a depth equal to or greater than that of the mounting element such that, in use, the connector may be flush-mounted to the support surface.

5. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector recess is substantially circular such that the connector may rotate relative to the mounting element. '

6. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the fastening element is a threaded fastener.

7. A connector according to claim 6 wherein the fastening element is a grub screw.

8. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wall of the body has an indentation to receive a head of the fastening element such that, when the mounting element is secured to the body. the fastening element is substantially concealed from view.

9. A connectoraccording to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid flow control device is a shower valve.

10. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims vmerein the fluid flow control device is a bar mixer for a shower.

11. A connector according to any preceding claim which is an elbow connector for a shower control valve.

12. A shower mixer set comprising a bar mixer and at least one elbow connector according to claim 11.

13. A method of installing an elbow connector for a shower valve comprising attaching a mounting element to a support surface such as a bathroom or shower cabinet wall, offering to the mounting element a connector having a body in which is disposed a passage for the supply of fluid to the shower valve. the passage having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet for passage of the fluid to the control device, wherein the connector body includes a recess for the location of a substantially disc-shaped mounting element with which the connector may be mounted to the support surface. locating the mounting element within the connector recess and passing a fastening element through a wall of the body into a channel or groove disposed around the periphery of the mounting element.

14. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described andlor as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of installing an elbow connector substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.