GB2449997A - Angled snap fit drain branch connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector 1 for fitting a branch pipe to a flow pipe, includes a pipe section 2 with a skirt section 5 shaped to conform to the outer wall of the flow pipe. Beyond the skirt section 5 there is a connection section formed from a number of deformable finger members 6 which have an outer surface 7 which forms a snap fitting. When the fitting 1 is pushed into an opening formed in the flow pipe, the finger members 6 are deformed inwardly and then snap back to lock the connector 1 in place with respect to the pipe. The branch pipe is slightly angled with respect to the saddle (skirt) 5, see figure 3, and may be used for a soil (waste or drain) pipe.

Description

1 24499 Connector This invention relates to a connector, and in

particular, to a connector to connect or interconnect pipes, such as, for example, the waste line from a toilet to a common toilet waste line for a building.

There are available a number of connection means available for connecting a flow line, such as a branch line, to a line, such as a pipe. The available connection means tend to be fairly complex and difficult to implement when working in a confined space. One typical example, where a connection may be required would be with the waste line from a household toilet. Normally the waste line would be connected directly via a main waste pipe to the sewers.

If the house had a single toilet only the connection is direct and, in effect, directly connects the toilet bowl to the sewers. However if the house or building has more than one toilet, which is normally the case, the individual toilets are connected via a branch waste line arrangement to a common waste line.

Over the years the plumbing industry has adopted a standard sizing for the components of a toilet waste system, so the sizing of the pipes etc used are common between the individual suppliers. This has made the fitting of toilet systems a lot easier. However, the suppliers have not provided an easy to use system/method for the attachment of branch waste lines to a main waste line.

Currently the fitting of a branch line to a main or common waste line is the same whether the system is being newly installed, or a branch line for a new toilet is being a...

retro fitted. To fit the branch line using the currently available connections involves * obtaining a fitting kit that includes a connector piece and a welding pack. Despite the fact that most toilet waste systems are formed with plastic pipes, the conventional 30 fitting technique for a branch line is an adaptation of the systems used for metal pipes.

Currently available connector pieces comprises a pipe section which is about 6 inches S..

in length and provides a straight flow line, the pipe section having a skirted section provided at one end almost adjacent the end of the pipe section providing a small flange within the skirted section and a main pipe section for subsequent fitting of the branch fittings. The skirted section is shaped and curved to fit snugly to the pipe and conform thereto.

In addition a strap is provided that at one end is fitted to the skirted section of the connector and which can be located in an opening that is provided on the other side of the skirted section of the connector piece so that when the connector piece has been located the strap can be used to hold the connector piece in place.

When fitting the connector piece to a flow line, an opening is cut in the wall of the flow line. The opening closely conforms to the size (outer diameter of the pipe section of the connector piece). The connector piece is prepared with the plastic welding material and fitted into the opening so that the flange locates in the opening and locates the connector to the flow line. The connector piece is pushed home so that the skirted section is in contact with the outer wall of the flow line. The fitter then has to fit the strap and tighten this to hold the connector piece in place while the weld sets so that fitting is sealed and plastic welded in place.

One problem with this is with the tightness and integrity of the fitting. This is mainly as a result of the initial part of the fitting operation where the connector piece has to be held in place by the fitter. The strap is fitted once the sealing and welding components have been placed and therefore the fitting of the strap can delay the actual filling to the flow line. In addition the fitting of the strap can be a tricky operation, particularly in confined spaces, and this can delay the actual fitting further.

It should be remembered that when fitting a branch line to a toilet waste line that inevitably the fitter will be working in a confined space, for example under the floorboards. Therefore, there is likely to be a delay with a resultant loss in integrity of * the fitting. This delay has been found to have an adverse effect on the fitting.

Furthermore, the use of multiple parts and the welding thereof can be awkward to 30 achieve in a confined space, especially given that tools are required to adequately complete the fitting. ***

* This is addition to the fact that it is not pleasant having to retro fit a branch line due to the contents of the main waste line, which may have been in use for a number of years.

The present invention is concerned with providing a simpler and easier to use system where the operation for the fitting is straightforward and involves direct and simple operations.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a connector for the fitting a line to a flow line, such as a toilet waste line, which connector includes a pipe section with first and second ends; a skirt section curved and shaped to conform to the outer wall of the flow line and which is located towards the first end of the pipe section, wherein the first end of the pipe section comprises a connection section formed from a number of deformable finger members having an outer surface which are formed to provide a snap fitting so that when the first end is pushed into an opening formed in the waste line the finger members are deformed inwardly and when inserted snap back to lock the connector in place with respect to the pipe.

The advantage with the present invention is that once an opening has been cut the connector can simply be prepared for sealing and pushed straight into place. The deforniable finger members with their snap back action will secure the connector in the correct orientation with regard to the flow line. The action of the deformable finger members and the resultant locking of the connector in place makes fitting a very simply and easy operation with only the one fitting step. This removes the need for the user to hold the piece in place which can be very hard and tricky in confined spaces which are the types of places that these types of fittings are used.

The present invention has been developed with the plumbing industry in mind and is suited for use with flow lines, such as waste pipes or water pipes. However it should *::u.' be remembered that whilst the invention has been developed with a specific end user in mind the use of the invention is not so limited and it can have application in any fluid flow situation. * .* * I * I...

30 As will be well appreciated by those skilled in the art, the efficiency and effectiveness of the connector, as well as the integrity of the fitting, will depend on the tightness and Il: : secure nature of the fitting of the connector to the flow line. This is controlled by the relative dimensions of the wall thickness of the waste line and the dimension of the snap fit feature of the connector. 3C

If the dimensions of the snap fit feature are too small relative to the wall thickness of the flow line then the snap fit feature will not operate, and it will be just like the connector is pushed into the opening in the flow line. There will be no secure fitting at all.

Alternatively if the dimensions are too large then the connector will be locked in place but able to be moved back and forth relative to the waste pipe. This is an equally weak and insecure fitting that means the welding may be ineffectual.

The correct application of the snap-fit features of the present invention allow a single piece connector to be provided such as by way of a single plastic body. The body may be formed by moulding, such as for example injection moulding. No additional connector members, straps or the like need be provided or aligned, which saves a significant amount of time, effort and skill on behalf of the fitter.

As mentioned above plumbing components for use on toilet systems and other household systems are made to standard sizes and configuration, and this includes the wall thickness of the flow line. Consequently the tightness of the fitting of the connector to the flow line and, therefore, the integrity and secure nature of the fitting can be easily determined and set.

In a preferred arrangement of the present invention the deformable finger members comprise a number of separate fingers which form a circumferential skirt at the first end of the pipe section, each of the deformable finger members having a free end and an end integral with the pipe section wherein an outward protruding knuckle is provided at the free end which knuckle is spaced from the skirt section by a small band of the pipe section. The efficiency of the connector is controlled by the width of the band, the band should have a width equal to the thickness of the flow line so that when fitted the snap fit tightly holds the connector in place to the flow line, for example, : 30 waste pipe. S...

The pipe section may be oriented at a slight oblique angle relative to the deformable fingers and/or skirt member. The deformable fingers may be oriented circumferentially about a first axis and the pipe section may be oriented about a second axis, said axis being angled relative to said first axis. The angle of offset may be between 00 and 100 and more preferably between 0.5 and 5 . In a preferred embodiment the angle of offset is between 1 and 30 The angle may be set at 1.5 with a tolerance of approximately plus or minus 0.5 .

The provision of an angle of this kind is particularly advantageous in ensuring suitable flow through the junction in use.

However such an angled connector is counter-intuitive since it requires the connector to be connectable and useable in one direction only. Accordingly, indicia may be provided on the connector for indicating the correct orientation and/or direction of flow in use. Such indicia may be integral with the connector such as for example by way of an embossed or recessed formation in the wall of the connector. An arrow may be formed in an outer wall portion of the skirt and/or pipe section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the connector is formed from plastic material.

In an alternative arrangement the connector may be formed from a cast metal or metal alloy, or is simply made from a metal or metal alloy.

In one arrangement of the present invention the second end of the pipe section is formed with suitable connection means for the fitting of the line components.

In one arrangement of the present invention the connector may be welded or adhesively sealed and secured to the flow line it is fitted too. The use of an adhesive such as a glue, solvent weld cement, or the like has been found to offer benefits over *.*: conventional sealing means. Furthermore the present invention can avoid the need for a compliant sealing member such as a rubber ring formation in order to ensure a * * suitable seal. Again, this may reduce the parts required and simplify the fixation process for the fitter.

In one embodiment of the present invention a seal member is located in the skirt section so that the seal engages the surface of the flow line making a sealing contact *** * therewith.

In accordance a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fitting a line to a main line which method comprises: forming, for example by cutting or milling, an opening in the main line: preparing a connector in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention for sealed and secure fitting to the main line: and inserting the first end of the connector into the opening in the waste line until it has snap fitted into place.

The fitting may be further sealed in place using an external sealing member secured around the edges of the fitting.

The invention will now be illustrated, by way of description of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a connector made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the connector shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the connector of figure 1 taken through an axis of the pipe section.

Now referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a branch line connector 1 * 25 made in accordance with the present invention for fitting to a waste pipe. The branch line connector 1 comprises: **** * * **** : * a pipe section 2 having a first end 3 and a second end 4; and **** 30 a circumferential skirt section 5 located about the pipe section 2 adjacent the *:::: first end of the pipe section.

* The dimensions of the branch line connector 1 conform to the standard sizes currently used in the industry for these types of fittings.

The second end 4 of the pipe section 2 in this embodiment of Ihe invention is shown as a plain configuration to which further fittings and components of the branch line can be fitted using conventional technology.

The inner surface of the skirt section 5 is shaped and curved to conform to the outer surface of the waste pipe to which the connector 1 is to be fitted.

The first end 3 of the pipe section 2 is formed, for example by moulding or cutting, into a plurality of fingers 6. Each finger 6 has an outer surface with a knuckle or barb-like section 7 towards the edge of the first end 3. A flat section 8 extends between the knuckle 7 and the inner surface of the skirt section 5. The combined flat sections 8 of the fingers 6 are disposed about a radius which is smaller than the radius of the knuckle sections 7 so as to form a neck region for fitment within a correspondingly shaped opening in a pipe.

The spacing of the knuckles 7 from the opposing face of the skirt 5 corresponds to the wall thickness of the pipe to be fitted. It will be appreciated that this dimension can vary slightly in accordance with accepted manufacturing tolerances.

The number of fingers may van according to different embodiments of the present invention. Four or more fingers will typically be required to ensure a close fit between the connector and pipe. Eight or more fingers may be preferable and, in one embodiment, sixteen fingers may be provided. The fingers are typically circumferentially spaced about an axis.

When the branch line connector 1 is fitted into an opening in a waste pipe the knuckles 7 engage the sides of the opening and the fingers are deformed inwardly of the opening so that the first end 3 of the pipe section 2 of the of the branch line connector :.:::. can be inserted further into the opening. Once the knuckles 7 have been inserted * 30 through the waste pipe wall, the deformable fingers 6 snap back into place so that the knuckles 7 engage the inner surface of the waste pipe wall. The opening in the waste .. : pipe s now located about the branch line connector 1 so that the pipe wall of the waste pipe extends around the flat section 8 of the first end 3 of the pipe section 2 of the branch line connector 1.

Further for a correct fitting of the branch line connector to the waste pipe the flat section 8 is dimension so that whilst the knuckle 7 of the deformable fingers engages the inner surface of the waste pipe the outer surface of the waste pipe and the inner surface of the skirt section 5 are also in contact with each other. This will provide a true and secure fitting of the branch line connector to the waste pipe.

In fitting the branch line connector 1 to a waste pipe the followings steps are carried out: an appropriately sized opening conforming to the outer diameter of the pipe section 2 of the branch line connectorl is formed in the waste pipe; the outer surface of the waste pipe in the vicinity of the opening is cleaned and may even be roughened and the inner surface of the skirt section 5 of the branch line connector is cleaned; the inner surface of the skirt section 5 and the outer surface of the waste pipe are prepared and adhesive or welding material applied; the first end 3 of the pipe section 2 is inserted into the opening; and the branch line connector 1 is pushed home so that the inner surface of the skirt section 5 contacts the outer surface of the waste pipe.

The snap fit of the deforn,able fingers 6 will apply pressure across the fitting and the pipe to ensure that a secure fitting is achieved. S... * S * *.

The fitting can now be allowed to set. * .. * S S S...

* 30 The pipe section protrudes outwardly from the waste pipe such that a branch pipe can be fitted thereto. S... S * S. S

Once set a further cover seal can be applied to the fitting in the vicinity of the edge of the skirt section 5.

As shown in figure 3, the pipe section 2 may have a centreline or axis 9 which is slightly angled relative to the axis 10 of the fingers 6 and skirt 5. In this regard the skirt and fingers are substantially coaxially arranged, whilst the pipe section is angled relative to the skirt from which it depends.

A line perpendicular to the axis 9 of the pipe section 2 is shown at 11 and a line perpendicular to the axis 10 of the fingers 6 and skirt 5 is shown at 11 in order to exemplify the angle between the pipe section and skirt. This angle is typically less than 30 and in this embodiment is set at 1.5 subject to manufacturing tolerances which may account for a +/-0.5 variation. Thus the acute angle between the pipe section and the skirt is approximately 87.5 .

If the connector is attached to a vertical pipe as shown, the angle of the pipe section will cause a 2-3 slope to ensure suitable flow through the connector. The direction of flow in use is shown by arrow A. This has been found to be particularly beneficial in the flow characteristics through the connector post installation.

Turning back to figure 1, it can be seen that an indicator of flow direction is provided on the body of the connector by arrow 14. This indicator may be accompanied by wording such as, for example, "flow" or "one-way flow" or similar description of the intended flow direction through the connector. A similar indicator and/or wording may additionally or alternatively be provided on the skirt section 5 as indicated by arrow 15.

Alternative indicators, such as the wording "this way up" or the like may be provided to indicate the correct orientation of the connector in use. * .* I. * * * ** *

** The indicator may be formed within the body of the connector or else may be attached : * thereto such as for example by way of a label or else printed onto the connector body.

30 Finally it will be appreciated that the indicator arrow 14 in figure 1 is for figurative purposes only and it is intended that the indicator will in a preferred embodiment be provided on a part of the connector which is intended to be upwardly facing when **.

correctly installed. Thus the indicia will typically be provided on the upper portion 16 of pipe section 2 or else the upper portion 17 of skirt 5 as shown in figure 3.

Claims (13)

1 A connector for the fitting a branch pipe to a flow pipe, which connector comprises: a pipe section with first and second ends; a skirt section curved and shaped to conform to the outer wall of the flow pipe and which is located towards the first end of the pipe section, wherein the first end of the pipe section comprises a connection section formed from a number of deformable finger members having an outer surface which are formed to provide a snap fitting so that when the first end is pushed into an opening formed in the flow pipe the finger members are deformed inwardly and when inserted snap back to lock the connector in place with respect to the pipe and wherein the pipe section is angled slightly with respect to the deformable fingers and/or skirt section.

2 A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformable finger members comprise a number of separate fingers which form a circumferential skirt at the first end of the pipe section, each of the deformable finger members having a free end and an end integral with the pipe section wherein an outward protruding knuckle is provided at the free end which knuckle is spaced from the skirt section by a small band of the pipe section.

3 A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector is formed from plastic material.

4 A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connector is formed of a single body of material shaped to provide said pipe, skirt and connection sections.

30

5 A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector is formed from a metal or metal alloy. * **

6 A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second end of the * pipe section is formed with suitable connection means for the fitting of the pipe components. *

7 A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connector is welded or adhesively sealed and secured to the flow pipe.

8 A connector according to claim 7, wherein the connector is adhesively securable to the flow pipe using a solvent cement applied to the skirt section.

9 A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a seal member is located in the skirt section so that the seal engages the surface of the flow line making a sealing contact therewith.

A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pipe section has a first axis and the skirt has a second axis and the angle between the first and second axes is 50 or less.

11 A method of fitting a line to a main line which method comprises: forming, for example by cutting or milling, an opening in the main line: preparing a connector in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention for sealed and secure fitting to the main line: and inserting the first end of the connector into the opening in the waste line until it has snap fitted into place.

12 A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fitting is sealed in place using an external sealing member secured around the edges of the fitting.

13 The use of a connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in fitting a branch line to waste line for a toilet system. *... * * * S.. * *. * S * ** *.. e S * * S.

S S..