GB2434811A

GB2434811A - Utility Mounting and draught proofing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2434811A
Application number: GB0701895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Cameron Challinor
Original assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-01
Filing date: 2007-02-01
Publication date: 2007-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-01
Also published as: GB0701895D0; GB2434811B; GB0601966D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus 10 for utility members, e.g. pipework for radiators, wherein the mounting apparatus is fixed to a wall 40, and pipework is then received in guide passages 22 in the mounting apparatus. A covering material 42 e.g. plasterboard has an aperture cut to allow the pipework to pass through the board, which is then secured over the mounting apparatus, thereby compressing a foam seal 38 on the mounting apparatus which restricts the flow of air. The mounting apparatus may also have sealing means 30, 36 for draught proofing. The guide passages 22 also prevent the pipework from kinking.

Description

Mounting Aooaratus The present invention relates to mounting apparatus,

particularly but not exclusively mounting apparatus for locating a utility member such as a pipe within an aperture.

Building regulations have progressively imposed tighter requirements relating to the draught proofing of new buildings to improve energy efficiency.

As a result of these tighter regulations, proven solutions are readily available for the draught proofing of doors and windows. However, as the regulations are progressively tightened, other areas of the building structure can be found in which draughts occur. One such area occurs in the use of dry lining sheet materials such as plasterboard, which are used to dry line block walls. In one method of construction, the plasterboard sheets are fixed to the blocks by dabs of plaster, hence this method of construction is called udot and dab" fixing.

One of the advantages of dot and dab fixing is that utility members such as cables and pipes can be run in the gap between the blocks and the plasterboard. In this construction method, a plumber fixes a pipe run to the block wall, the pipework running to the approximate locations of items such as radiators. The plasterboard is then fixed in position to the block wall, with apertures formed in the plasterboard through which the pipes pass. With the plasterboard sheets fixed in position, radiators can then be connected to the pipework and fixed to the plasterboard in front of the aperture in the plasterboard through which the pipes pass, so that the aperture is not visible.

It has been found that the apertures left in plasterboard behind radiators are significant sources of draughts. Mounting boxes are available which locate the pipes to the block wall, but generally these mounting boxes do not address the problem of preventing draughts. Typically, the pipework now used is formed of plastics material, having the advantage that the pipework is flexible and bends can be formed in the pipe without the use of fittings or joints. However, in forming such bends, particularly as the pipe passes through the aperture in the plasterboard, the pipe can be damaged by over bending, and also bending of the pipe in situ can damage the plasterboard.

According to the present invention, there is provided mounting apparatus for locating a utility member within an aperture, the apparatus including a body, the body defining a guide passage in which the utility member is receivable, the apparatus including sealing means for restricting air flow in use through the aperture.

Preferably, the aperture is defined by a wall covering material, which may be in the form of a sheet.

Preferably the body includes a mounting for mounting the apparatus to a first surface. Preferably the mounting includes a passage or passages, which may be defined by the body, and through which a fastener or fasteners may extend in use.

Preferably the guide passage includes a constricted part, in which the body fits closely to the utility member, thereby comprising the sealing means.

Preferably the constricted part is in the form of a sealing aperture through which the utility member passes in use.

Preferably the sealing means include a first sealing member, which may be locatable in or adjacent to the constricted part, between the body and the utility member, and may substantially prevent air flow between the body and the utility member in the vicinity of the constricted part.

Preferably the first sealing member is formed of a resiliently compressible material.

Preferably the guide passage includes a channel part, which may extend, in use, through the aperture. The channel part may be curved, and the radius of curvature may not be less than a defined minimum radius, which may be the minimum radius of curvature allowable without damage to the utility member. Preferably the channel part is arranged to permit a degree of movement of the utility member relative to the constricted part.

Preferably the sealing means include a sealing face, which may extend outwardly from the body, and may be formed on a sealing flange. Preferably the sealing face is substantially planar. Preferably the plane of the sealing face is substantially vertical in use, and may be substantially parallel to the plane of the wall covering material in use. Preferably the sealing face extends substantially continuously around the body. Preferably the sealing face extends outwardly from the body for a minimum of 10mm, and more preferably for between 20 and 30mm.

Preferably the sealing flange spaces the wall covering material from the first surface in use.

Preferably the sealing means include a second sealing member, which may be positioned between the sealing face and the wall covering material in use. Preferably the second sealing member is substantially continuous.

Preferably the second sealing member is formed of a resiliently compressible material, which may be a plastics or rubber material, and may be a foam material.

Preferably the body defines a plurality of guide passages, and may define a pair of similar guide passages, which may be arranged so that the constricted parts of each of the guide passages are adjacent to each other.

Preferably the pair of guide passages are arranged so that the curved channels diverge.

Preferably the body includes side walls which in use abut edges of the wall covering material forming the aperture. Preferably the side walls of the body form a triangular shape having three vertices. Possibly the or each guide passage extends in to the body from one or more of the vertices.

Possibly at least one guide passage extends in to the body from each vertex.

Possibly, the sealing means include one or a plurality of third sealing members, one of which may extend across the/or each guide passage.

Possibly the/or each third sealing member is formed integrally with the body.

Possibly the apparatus includes separation means to permit the or each third sealing member to be separated from the body. The separation means may be lines of weakness.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided a method of locating a utility member, the method including providing mounting apparatus, the mounting apparatus including a body, the body defining a guide passage, positioning the utility member along the guide passage, and positioning the wall covering material so that the utility member in the guide passage passes through an aperture defined by the wall covering material, the apparatus including sealing means for restricting air flow through the aperture.

Preferably, the mounting apparatus includes any of the features described in the preceding paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of mounting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the mounting apparatus of Fig.1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 with sealing members; Figs. 4 -8 are views of the apparatus of Figs. 1 -3 in use, each figure showing a different stage of installation; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another mounting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a front view of the mounting apparatus of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a perspective view from the rear of the mounting apparatus of Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another mounting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 13 is a front view of the mounting apparatus of Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a perspective view from the rear of the mounting apparatus of Figs. 12 and 13.

Fig. 1 shows mounting apparatus 10 comprising a body 12, the body 12 including side walls 16 which together form a triangular shape having an upper vertex 54 and a pair of lower, base vertices 56, the body 12 including a substantially planar front face 13 extending between the side walls 16. Fig. 1 shows the apparatus 10 in an in use position, in which the front face 13 is substantially vertical and in this description the descriptive terms "fronr', "back", "top", "bottom" etc will be used relative to this position. The front face 13 extends substantially from the fotward most part of the side waits 16. A raised lip extends forwardly from part of the length of the junction between each of the side walls 16 and the front face 13 to form plaster beads 32.

A sealing flange 18 extends continuously around the side walls 16, projecting outwardly from the side waIts 16 and stepped back from the front most portion of the side walls 16. The sealing flange 18 includes a substantially planar sealing face 20, the plane of the sealing face 20 being substantially parallel with the plane of the front face 13. The sealing face 20 extends continuously around the side walls 16, and extends outwardly from the side walls 16 by at least 10mm, and preferably by between 20 and 30mm.

The width of the sealing flange 18 and sealing face 20 is substantially constant around the side walls 16, the shape of the perimeter of the sealing flange 18 when viewed from the front being substantially triangular with rounded corners.

A substantially planar mounting flange 14 extends outwardly from each of the corners of the sealing flange 18, the plane of the mounting flanges 14 being substantially parallel with the planes of the sealing face 20 and front face 13. Each of the mounting flanges 14 defines an external mounting hole 29.

The body 12 defines a pair of guide passages 22. The body 12 includes a pair of tubular portions 23 which extend side by side upwardly from the flange 18 at the top most corner, the tubular portions 23 each defining a constricted part 24 in the form of a seahng aperture of one of the guide passages 22. Each of the guide passages 22 extends downwardly and forwardly from the upper vertex 54 into the body 12 in a curve in the form of an open channel within the side walls 16, the curved channel parts 26 of the guide passages 22 diverging from each other towards each of the lower vertices 56. Towards each of the lower vertices 56, each of the channel parts 26 becomes increasingly shallow.

A plurality of internal mounting holes 28 are defined by the front face 13.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from the rear of the body 12 of the mounting apparatus 10. The body 12 is formed as a one piece moulding of plastics material, the moulding comprising the body 12, the body 12 including the side walls 16, sealing flange 18, the front face 13 and the mounting flanges 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the moulding is substantially hollow and includes strengthening ribs 34. In an initial condition, the internal mounting holes 28 are blind holes, with a web 38 of unbroken material extending across each of the holes 28.

Fig. 3 shows the mounting apparatus 10 with a first sealing member 30 for sealing the tubular portions 23 to pipes positioned therein as Will be described below. The first sealing member 30 could be in the form of a cap, separate 0-rings or any other suitable form, and could be formed of a resiliently compressible material such as rubber or a suitable plastics material.

In Fig. 3, the mounting apparatus 10 also includes a second sealing member 36 which is located on the sealing face 20. The second sealing member 36 extends continuously around the side waIls 16, and could be formed of a resilient compressible material such as a plastics foam material.

Figs. 4 to 8 show the mounting apparatus 10 in use in progressive stages of installation. In Fig. 4, the mounting apparatus 10 is mounted to a first surface in the form of a wall 40, which in this example comprises a plurality of blocks. The wall 40 could, for example, be an internal wall of a building, or could be the internal face of an outside wall of a building. To fix the mounting apparatus 10 in position, fasteners such as screws are located through the internal mounting holes 28 and/or the external mounting holes 29 into the wall 40. When a fastener is located through one of the internal mounting holes 28, it breaks through the web 38, the web 38 forming a seal around the fastener.

With the mounting apparatus 10 mounted in position on the wall 40, utility members in the form of pipes 44 are located through the constricted parts 24 formed by the tubular portions 28 and along the curved channel parts 26 of the guide passage 22. The pipes 44 could be formed of plastics material, and could be flexible, thus allowing the pipes 44 to be curved around the curved channel parts 26 as shown in Fig. 5. The radius of curvature of the curved channel parts 26 defines an acceptable radius of curvature for the size and grade of plastic pipe used which is greater than or equal to the minimum radius of curvature below which damage to the pipe may occur through bending. For example, a plastics pipe of nominal size 10mm has a minimum recommended bending radius of 80mm, and therefore mounting apparatus 10 for use with 10mm nominal size pipe would have curved channel parts 26 having a minimum radius of curvature of greater than 80mm. Likewise, for a nominal size 15mm pipe, the minimum bending radius recommended is 120mm; for 22mm diameter pipe the recommended minimum bending radius is 176mm, and for 28mm diameter pipe the minimum recommended bending radius is 224mm.

The mounting apparatus is sized to fit a particular pipe diameter so that the tubular portions 23 which define the constricted parts 24 of the guide passages 22 fit closely to the outside surface of the pipes 44, but permit the pipes 44 to be fed therethrough.

Prior to feeding the pipes 44 through the tubular portions 23, the first sealing member 30 could be fitted in position in or adjacent the constricted parts 24 between the tubular portions 23 and the pipes 44.

In the next stage of installation as shown in Fig. 6, wall covering material in the form of sheet material 42 such as plasterboard is fixed to the block wall 40 by the "dot and dab" method. The plasterboard sheets 42 are cut to fit closely around the side walls 16. The back face of the plasterboard sheet material 42 lies against and compresses the second sealing member 36.

The sheet material 42 is spaced from the wall 40 by the sealing flange 18 and to a lesser extent by the compressed second sealing member 36. The thickness of the sealing flange 18 is similar to the diameter of the pipes 44.

The mounting apparatus 10 thus locates the pipes 44 within an aperture defined by the sheet material 42. The constricted parts 24 of the guide passage 22 restrict airflow through the aperture in the sheet material 42 between the pipes 44 and the body 12, and this airflow can substantially be prevented by the use of the first sealing members 30. The second sealing member 36 substantially prevents airflow between the sheet material 42 and the body 12, since it provides a continuous compressed seal between the back face of the plasterboard and the sealing flange 18. The webs 38 substantially prevent airflow through the internal mounting holes 28. Thus the arrangement of the mounting apparatus 10 substantIally restricts if not substantially prevents airflow through the aperture of the plasterboard sheet material 42, and thus reduces the incidence of draughts within the building.

With the sheet material 42 in position, the plaster beads 32 are arranged to project slightly above the front face of the sheet material 42, so that a skim coat of plaster finish can be applied to the sheet material. The plaster beads 32 provide a neat reinforced edge to the plaster skim finish and the sheet material 42, reducing the risk of damage to the sheet material 42 during installation or use, particularly during subsequent operations requiring movement of the pipes 44.

Fig. 7 shows a cover member 50 positioned over the front face 13 of the mounting apparatus 10 to provide a neat finished appearance. The cover member 50 is cut away at the lower corners to allow the pipes 44 to extend forwardly. The cover plate 50 defines a pair of fastening holes 52 through which fasteners 54 are locatable, the fasteners 54 locating through the fastening holes 52 into the front face 13 of the mounting apparatus 10.

In the final stage of installation, as shown in Fig. 8, a radiator 46 is mounted to the sheet material 42 and the pipes 44 are connected to radiator connectors 48. The radiator 46 is mounted in front of the mounting apparatus 10 to provide a neat finished appearance. The mounting apparatus 10 is arranged so that the flexible pipes 44 can move sufficiently within the curved channel parts 26 of the guide passage 22 so that the radiator 46 can be demounted from the sheet material 42 while still connected to the pipes 44 to allow decoration of the sheet material 42 while the radiator 46 is connected to the water system.

Figs. 9 to 11 and 12 to 14 show other examples of mounting apparatus according to the invention. Many features of these examples are the same as or are similar to those previously described for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 8. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals are used, and the features will not be described in detail again for the sake of brevity.

Figs. 9 to 11 show mounting apparatus 110 comprising a body 12 of generally triangular shape, having an upper vertex 54 and a pair of lower, base vertices 56. The body defines a pair of guide passages 22. Each guide passage extends downwardly and forwardly from the upper vertex 54 into the body 12, in a curve in the form of an open channel, the curved channel parts 26 diverging from each other towards each of the lower vertices 56. In this example, the guide passages include a constricted part in the form of an aperture 24 between the lower, curved channel parts 26 and upper, rearward channel parts 62 which are open to the rear.

In use, the mounting apparatus 110 is used in a similar fashion to that previously described for the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 8. During installation, the rearwardly open channel parts 62 permit easier installation than the tubular portions 23 of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 8. Other differences between the embodiments shown in Figs. 9 to 11 and the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 8 are that the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 11 does not have mounting flanges 14 defining external mounting holes 29, and the second sealing member 36 in Figs. 9 to 11 is discontinuous, extending from each side of the part of the body 12 defining the rearward channel parts 62. The discontinuous second sealing member 36 permits accommodation of the rearward open channel parts 62, which are of larger open cross-section area than the constricted parts 24 defined by the tubular portions 28 of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 8.

Figs. 11 to 14 show another mounting apparatus 210 comprising a body 12 of triangular shape, having an upper vertex 54 and a pair of lower, base vertices 56. The body 12 defines a plurality of guide passages 22A, 22B, 22C, 220. Two of the guide passages, 22A, 22B form a pair which are similar to those described in the previous embodiments, and extend from the upper vertex 54 into the body 12, having curved channel parts 26A, 26B which diverge from each other towards each of the lower vertices 56. One guide passage 24C, 24D extends from each of the lower vertices 56 into the body 12, each of the guide passages 24C, 24D including a curved channel part 26C, 26D respectively.

Each of the guide passages 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D includes a constricted part in the form of an aperture 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D respectively, and a rearwardly open channel part 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D respectively which extends from the respective aperture 24A, 248, 24C, 24D towards the respective vertex 54, 56. As shown in Fig. 14, the body 12 of the mounting apparatus 210 includes a rear body wall 64 which extends around a perimeter of the body 12. In this example, the sealing means include third sealing members 58 which are formed integrally as part of the rear body wall, one third sealing member 58 extending across each of the rearward channel parts 62 of each of the guide passages 22 to seal the guide passages 22. Each of the third sealing members 58 is formed integrally with the rear body wall 64, but is thinner in section, permitting easy removal thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, separation means in the form of lines of weakness 60 could define each third sealing member 58, again permitting easy removal of the third sealing members 58 from the guide passages 22.

In the example shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the second sealing member is formed of a relatively thin, resiliently flexible sheet material such as a plastics or rubber material, extending forwardly and outwardly from the body 12.

In use, the mounting apparatus 210 can be used in a similar manner to that previously described for the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 8. Utility members in the form of pipes 44 can be located along the guide passages 22A, 22B by removing the third sealing members 58 from these guide passages.

Alternatively, pipes 44 which are running substantially horizontally along a wall can be located along the guide passages 22C, 22D, again by removing the respective third sealing members 58 from these guide passages. The third sealing members 58 thus form knock out portions of the rear body wall 64.

This embodiment permits a number of different pipework combinations.

Any permutation or combination of pipes 44 located in the guide passages 22 could be employed. Thus this embodiment provides flexibility for different installation requirements.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The mounting apparatus could be of any suitable size or shape, For example, the mounting apparatus could be square in shape.

One advantage of the triangular shape is that it provides the shape having the smallest number of straight cuts, thereby making the cutting of an aperture in the sheet material a simple task. The cutting of the aperture is particularly simple if a joint between two adjacent sheets of plasterboard is substantially aligned with the central vertical axis of the mounting apparatus 10.

The first sealing member could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material. The second sealing member could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material. In one example, the second sealing member could be formed in situ by a continuous bead of plaster or mastic, which is applied to the sealing face 20.

In another example, the mounting apparatus is provided without a sealing flange, and the second sealing member is formed in situ between the wall, the sheet material and the mounting apparatus.

The mounting apparatus could be mounted to a wall composed of any suitable material and formed by any suitable method. For example, the wall could be formed of bricks, or could be formed of timber studding. The wall covering material could be any suitable material, and could include plaster or a render applied in situ.

In another example, the method of use could be different. The mounting apparatus could be retrofitted to a wall with wall covering material already in situ, an aperture being formed in the wall covering material, the mounting apparatus being located in the aperture, and wall covering material such as plaster then applied around the mounting apparatus.

The mounting apparatus could be arranged to include a different number of guide passages, to accommodate a different number of utility members. The type of utility members accommodated could be varied. For example, the mounting apparatus could be arranged for use with electrical cable, or could be arranged for use with a combination of pipes and electrical cable. The guide passages could be of a different shape.

There is thus provided mounting apparatus for locating a utility member within an aperture defined by wall covering material such as sheet material.

The mounting apparatus permits the utility member to be located on a wall, establishing a location for subsequent tradesmen to work to. The mounting apparatus ensures that the installation is neat, and risk of damage to the pipes and the wall covering material is minimised. The mounting apparatus restricts or prevents airflow through the aperture formed in the wall covering material, thus reducing the prevalence of draughts and ensuring that the building complies with building regulations.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Mounting apparatus for locating a utility member within an aperture, the apparatus including a body, the body defining a guide passage in which the utility member is receivable, the apparatus including sealing means for restricting air flow in use through the aperture.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the aperture is defined by a wall covering material.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the body includes a mounting for mounting the apparatus to a first surface.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the mounting includes a passage or passages, the or each of which is defined by the body, and through which a fastener or fasteners extends in use.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims in which the guide passage includes a constricted part, in which the body fits closely to the utility member and thereby comprises the sealing means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the constricted part is in the form of a sealing aperture through which the utility member passes in use.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sealing means include a first sealing member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 when dependent on claims 5 or 6, in which the first sealing member is locatable in or adjacent to the constricted part, between the body and the utility member, and substantially prevents air flow between the body and the utility member in the vicinity of the constricted part.

9. Apparatus according to claims 7 or 8, in which the first sealing member is formed of a resiliently compressible material.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the guide passage includes a channel part.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the channel part extends, in use, through the aperture.

12. Apparatus according to claims 10 or 11, in which the channel part is curved.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the radius of curvature is not less than a defined minimum radius, which is the minimum radius of curvature allowable without damage to the utility member.

14. Apparatus according to claims 10 to 13 when dependent on claim 5 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the channel part is arranged to permit a degree of movement of the utility member relative to the constricted part.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sealing means include a sealing face.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the sealing face extends outwardly from the body.

17. Apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, in which the sealing face is formed on a sealing flange.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 17, in which the sealing face is substantially planar.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the plane of the sealing face is substantially vertical in use, and substantially parallel to the plane of the wall covering material in use.

20. Apparatus according to claim 15, or any claim dependent thereon, in which the sealing face extends substantially continuously around the body.

21. Apparatus according to claim 16, or any claim dependent thereon, in which the sealing face extends outwardly from the body for a minimum of 10mm.

22. Apparatus according to claim 17 or any claim dependent thereon, when dependent on claims 2 and 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the sealing flange spaces the wall covering material from the first surface in use.

23. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sealing means include a second sealing member.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 when dependent on claim 2 and claim 16 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the second sealing member is positioned between the sealing face and the wall covering material in use.

25. Apparatus according to claims 23 or 24, in which the second sealing member is substantially continuous.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 25, in which the second sealing member is formed of a resiliently compressible material.

27. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the body defines a plurality of guide passages.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, in which the body defines a pair of similar guide passages.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 when dependent on claim 5 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the similar guide passages are arranged so that the constricted parts of each of the guide passages are adjacent to each other.

30. Apparatus according to claims 28 or 29 when dependent on claim 12 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the pair of guide passages are arranged so that the curved channels diverge.

31. Apparatus according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the body includes side walls which in use abut edges of the wall covering material forming the aperture.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, in which the side walls of the body form a triangular shape having three vertices.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, in which the or each guide passage extends in to the body from one or more of the vertices.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, in which at least one guide passage extends in to the body from each vertex.

35. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sealing means include one or a plurality of third sealing members.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, in which one third sealing member extends across the or each guide passage.

37. Apparatus according to claims 35 or 36, in which the or each third sealing member is formed integrally with the body.

38. Apparatus according to any of claims 35 to 37, in which the apparatus includes separation means to permit the or each third sealing member to be separated from the body.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38, in which the separation means are lines of weakness.

40. A method of locating a utility member, the method including providing mounting apparatus, the mounting apparatus including a body, the body defining a guide passage, positioning the utility member along the guide passage, and positioning the wall covenng material so that the utility member in the guide passage passes through an aperture defined by the wall covering material, the apparatus including sealing means for restricting air flow through the aperture.

41. A method according to claim 40, in which the mounting apparatus includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 39.

42. Apparatus substantially as herein before described and with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method substantially as herein before described and with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

44. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.