GB2604578A

GB2604578A - Apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall

Info

Publication number: GB2604578A
Application number: GB2101162.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anne Harnett Helen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-28
Filing date: 2021-01-28
Publication date: 2022-09-14
Also published as: GB202101162D0

Abstract

Apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall (6 figure 1), which apparatus comprises a mounting member 8 for connection to the wall (6 figure 1) with a receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8. The apparatus further comprises a manifold which may be a pipe or tube 12 for locating in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8 and a fastener means 14 which may be a quick fit fastener for fastening the manifold 12 in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8. The manifold has an inlet 16, an outlet 18 and a passage 20 connecting the inlet and the outlet. The manifold may comprise at least one locating groove 22 for use in locating the manifold 12 in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A SHOWER FITTING TO A WALL

This invention relates to apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall.

Known types of apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall suffer from various problems. One major problem is that bar shower valves or wall mounted taps require water inlet pipes which are set up level and which are at critical centres when they protrude from a wall. Typically the pipes are 15mm copper pipes and the critical centres are at a distance apart of 1500mm. The pipes are vulnerable to being damaged and/or kinked beyond repair by trades persons on site, for example trades persons involved in the building of new houses. Once a wall is tiled, a series of fixing holes need to be drilled for fast fix kits. The drilling of these fixing holes runs the risk of drilling into hidden pipes behind the wall. Furthermore, the tiles will typically be porcelain tiles which are hard and therefore time consuming to drill. Fast fix kit compression olive joints often leak and/or crack tiles when compressing back plates. Fast fix kit chrome shrouds often allow the ingress of water, which promotes mould and bacteria. The water may even penetrate wall boards or timber frames behind when the chrome shrouds are mounted on irregular tiled walled surfaces.

Another problem with known apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall is that fixed shower head arms or shower hose wall outlets require female fittings to be set into the wall. This requirement gives rise to what is known as depth planning. Due to many unknown variations of wall finish thicknesses at a first fix stage, the depth planning results in a guessing game as to where to terminate the wall fitting so that it will be flush with the finished wall.

It is an aim of the present invention to avoid or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall, which apparatus comprises: a mounting member for connection to the wall; (ii) a receiving aperture in the mounting member; (iii) a manifold for location in the receiving aperture in the mounting member; (iv) fastener means for fastening the manifold in the receiving aperture in the mounting member; (v) an inlet in the manifold; (vi) an outlet in the manifold; and (vii) a passage in the manifold which connects the inlet to the outlet.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it is able to prevent vulnerable pipes, for example copper pipes, from damage due to movement or blows from trades persons on site. The apparatus is able to be used for mounting a shower fitting to solid walls or hollow wall structures. There is no need to drill tiles and risk cracking the tiles. The apparatus is able to provide a complete water-tight seal, even on irregular tiled walled surfaces. The apparatus is able to ensure that wall mounted showerwear, for example brasswear, is level and robust. If chrome adapters are used, then they may be fully adjustable and thereby able to overcome different valve projections out of the walls. The apparatus of the present invention is able to be compatible with pipe fittings which are push-fit, compression, soldered or press-fit pipe fittings. The apparatus of the present invention may be over 80% faster to install than known comparable apparatus. More specifically and by way of example it is mentioned that the apparatus of the present invention may require fifteen minutes for first and second fixes as compared with up to two hours using known comparable apparatus and which requires measuring, cleaning and soldering two copper pipes, setting up level and clipping, and finally drilling porcelain tiles for final backplates.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the manifold comprises at least one locating groove for use in locating the manifold in the receiving aperture in mounting member. There may be two of the locating grooves. In this case, the two locating grooves are preferably opposite each other but they may alternatively be offset from each other if desired.

The apparatus may be one in which the manifold comprises an abutment for use in securing the manifold against the mounting member. The abutment may be a shoulder. Other types of abutments may be employed.

The manifold is preferably a pipe portion. Other configurations for the manifold may be employed.

The apparatus may be one in which the fastener means is configured to fit on the manifold. The fastener means is preferably a quick fit fastener means. Thus, for example, the fastener means may be a push-fit fastener means for pushing on the manifold, or it may be a clip fastener means for clipping on the manifold. Other types of fastener means may be employed.

When the fastener means is a push-fit fastener means, then the fastener means may be a plate device having an aperture for receiving the manifold, and an angled end portion for location under a lower edge of the mounting member.

The apparatus may be one in which the mounting member comprises mounting apertures for connecting the mounting member to the wall. The mounting member may alternatively be without mounting apertures for connecting the mounting member to the wall, in which case the mounting member may be drilled on site to provide the mounting apertures.

The mounting member is preferably a plate mounting member. Other types of mounting member may be employed so that, for example, the mounting member may be a block mounting member.

The receiving aperture is preferably a slot. Other types of receiving aperture may be employed.

The apparatus may be one in which the inlet extends transversely across the manifold. The inlet is preferably an internally threaded inlet. The inlet may however be of another configuration, for example externally threaded or plain for welding.

The apparatus may be one in which the outlet extends longitudinally of the manifold. The outlet is preferably an internally threaded outlet. The outlet may however be of another configuration, for example externally threaded or plain for welding.

The apparatus may include adaptor means for connection to the outlet in the manifold. Typically, the adaptor means will be connected to the outlet in the manifold when the manifold has been cut level with the wall and the wall is in a finished form, for example tiled. The adaptor means may be an adaptor pipe portion. Other constructions for the adaptor means may be employed. When the adaptor means is an adaptor pipe portion, then the adaptor pipe portion preferably screws into the outlet of the manifold. The adaptor pipe portion may alternatively screw over the outlet of the manifold, or it may be plain for being welded in position.

The apparatus may be one in which there are two of the receiving apertures. In this case, the shower fitting may be a bar shower fitting or two separate taps. Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which there is one of the receiving apertures. In this case the shower fitting may be a hot and cold water mixing arrangement.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view from the front and one side of first apparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a solid brick wall; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of component parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is like Figure 2 but in exploded form; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1 but shows the apparatus of Figure 1 installed on a wall which is a hollow wooden wall rather than a solid brick wall; Figure 5 is a view like Figure 1 but shows second apparatus of the invention having only one water outlet rather than two water outlets as shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of component parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is like Figure 6 but in exploded form; and Figure 8 is a view like Figure 5 but shows the apparatus of Figure 5 installed on wall which is a hollow wooden wall rather than a solid brick wall.

Referring to Figures 1 -3, there is shown apparatus 2 for mounting a shower fitting 4 to a wall 6. The wall 6 is a solid brick wall 6.

The apparatus 2 comprises a mounting member 8 for connection to the wall 6. There is a receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8. A manifold 12 is for location in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8.

The apparatus 2 further comprises fastener means 14 for fastening the manifold 12 in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8. There is an inlet 16 in the manifold 12. There is an outlet 18 in the manifold 12. A passage 20 in the manifold 12 connects the inlet 16 to the outlet 18.

The manifold 12 comprises at least one locating groove 22 for use in locating the manifold 12 in the receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8. As can be seen from Figures 2 -4, there are two sets of two of the locating grooves 22. The locating grooves 22 in each set are opposite each other. The unused set of locating grooves 22 is available for alternative fixing arrangements.

The manifold 12 comprises an abutment 24 for use in securing the manifold 12 against the mounting member 8. The abutment 24 is a shoulder.

The manifold 12 is a pipe portion. The fastener means 14 is configured to fit on the manifold 12. More specifically, the fastener means 14 is a push-fit fastener means which is a push-fit on the manifold 12. The fastener means 14 is a plate device having an aperture 23 for receiving the manifold 12 and an angled end portion 25 for facilitating fitting of the fastener means 14 on the manifold 12. The fastener means 14 is a quick fit fastener means 14.

The mounting member 8 comprises mounting apertures 26 for receiving screws 27 for connecting the mounting member 8 to the wall 6. The mounting member 8 is a plate mounting member 8. The receiving aperture 10 in the mounting member 8 is a slot* The inlet 16 extends transversely across the manifold 12. The inlet 16 is an internally threaded inlet 16. The inlet is able to receive a pipe 17.

The outlet 18 extends longitudinally of the manifold 12. The outlet 18 is an internally threaded outlet 18.

The apparatus 2 includes adaptor means 28 for connection to the outlet 18 in the manifold. The adaptor means 28 is an adaptor pipe portion comprising a short pipe section 30 and a washer 32.

As can be appreciated from Figures 1 -3, the apparatus 2 is such that there are two of the receiving apertures 10, and each receiving aperture 10 has an associated manifold 12, inlet 16, outlet 18, passage 20, locating groove 22 and abutment 24.

Figures 1 -3 show the apparatus 2 installed on a solid wall 6 made of blocks 34. Figure 4 shows the apparatus 2 installed on a hollow wooden wall 36 comprising wooden sections 38. Both walls 6, 36 are shown provided with tiles 40. The blocks 34 in the wall 2 are shown provided with longitudinal cutout slots 40 for receiving pipework. The timber wall 36 has a hollow interior which is able to accommodate the necessary pipework.

Figures 2 and 3 show how the mounting member 8 is provided with two V-shaped notches 41. These notches 41 may be for use in installing the apparatus. More specifically, the notches 41 may be of use in forming a reference line for help in ensuring that the various components of the apparatus 2 are correctly aligned. As can be appreciated from a comparison of Figures 2 and 3, the short pipe sections 30 screw into the screw threaded bore defining the passage 20 in the manifold 12. The short pipe sections 30 terminate in threaded head portions 39.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show alternative apparatus 42 which is like the apparatus 2 but which has only one manifold 12. Similar parts as in the apparatus 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The apparatus 42 is shown fitted to the solid wall 6 made of the blocks 34. In the apparatus 2, it will be seen that the shower fitting 4 is in the form of a bar fitting. In the apparatus 42, the shower fitting is a rose fitting 44 having a rose head 46. The shower fittings 4, 44 are of a known constructions and thus they will not be described in detail.

Figure 8 is like Figure 5 but shows the apparatus 42 installed on a hollow wooden wall 46 rather than that solid wall 6. Similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The apparatus 2, 42 is advantageous in that it is able to prevent vulnerable copper pipes from dimensional movement or damage from knocks, for example from trades persons on site during the installation of shower fittings. The apparatus 2, 42 is suitable for installation in solid walls and also in hollow walls. There is no risk of drilling or cracking tiles. The apparatus 2, 42 is beneficial in that it does not require depth planning and second guessing fitting projection lengths from walls. The apparatus 2, 42 facilitates rapid installation time with confidence. The apparatus 2, 42 is able to be installed such that it provides a 100% watertight seal, even on irregular wall tiles. The apparatus 2, 42 is able to ensure wall mounted brass wear is level and robust. Fully adjustable chrome adaptors are able to be used to overcome different valve projection lengths out of the wall. The apparatus 2, 42 is compatible for push-fit, compression, soldered or press fittings.

The end portion of the manifold 12 that is typically cut flush with the tiled wall surface of the wall 6, 36, 46 may be cut with any appropriate cutting apparatus. Preferably, the cutting apparatus is one which addresses any non-square cuts. Such a cutting tool may be used in a drill which flattens down the end of the manifold level and square to the finished wall and in a controlled manner. The cutting tool may include a pin for holding a cutting section made from hardened material. Thus, in the event that the hardened material should become blunt and in need of replacing, the pin is simply removed, for example by being pushed out, and the cutter section is then able to drop out or otherwise be removed for replacement or regrinding.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the mounting member 8 may be of a construction other than the illustrated plate mounting member 8. The manifold 12 may be of a different construction than the illustrated manifold 12. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

CLAIMSApparatus for mounting a shower fitting to a wall, which apparatus comprises: a mounting member for connection to the wall; (ii) a receiving aperture in the mounting member; (iii) a manifold for location in the receiving aperture in the mounting member; (iv) fastener means for fastening the manifold in the receiving aperture in the mounting member; (v) an inlet in the manifold; (vi) an outlet in the manifold; and (vii) a passage in the manifold which connects the inlet to the outlet.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the manifold comprises at least one locating groove for use in locating the manifold in the receiving aperture in the mounting member.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which there are two of the locating grooves.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the two locating grooves are opposite each other.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the manifold comprises an abutment for use in securing the manifold against the mounting member.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the abutment is a shoulder,
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the manifold is a pipe portion.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fastener means is configured to fit on the manifold.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the fastener means is a push-on fit on the manifold.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the fastener means is a plate device having an aperture for receiving the manifold, and an angled end portion for locating under a lower edge of the mounting member.
11. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the fastener means is a clip fastener means.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting member comprises mounting apertures for connecting the mounting member to the wail.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting member is a plate mounting member.
14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the receiving aperture is a slot.
15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inlet extends transversely across the manifold,
16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inlet is an internally threaded inlet.
17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outlet extends longitudinally of the manifold.
18, Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outlet is an internally threaded outlet.
19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including adaptor means for connection to the outlet in the manifold.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the adaptor means is an adaptor pipe portion.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which adaptor pipe portion screws into the outlet in the manifold.
22. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which there are two of the receiving apertures.
23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -21 in which there is only one of the receiving apertures.