AU2004201399B2

AU2004201399B2 - Improvements in sealing connections between conduits

Info

Publication number: AU2004201399B2
Application number: AU2004201399A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Konrad Schuster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-04
Filing date: 2004-04-02
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-02
Also published as: AU2004201399A1

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Konrad Schuster Actual Inventor: Konrad Schuster Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: IMPROVEMENTS IN SEALING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CONDUITS Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2003901509 dated 4 th April 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

SPatAU131) FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to joining together two conduits or pipes, and in particular, to sealing the connection between two conduits or pipes.

BACKGROUND

In industries such as plumbing, it is often necessary to join together two or more pipes or pipe sections. As such pipes are designed to convey liquids, it is important that the connection between the pipes or pipe sections provides a continuous path for the liquid to flow, without leakage from the connection point between the pipes.

An example of such a connection is a bath waste adaptor (a first conduit) which consists of two parts an upper conically shaped drain portion located, in use, at the lowermost portion of a bath to drain water from the bath, and a lower pipe portion leading vertically downwards from the conically shaped drain portion, the lower pipe forming a connection with a waste pipe (or second conduit). The second conduit conveys waste water from the first conduit to a pipe network, disposal unit or container.

The sealing means between the first and second conduits is usually in the form of an O-ring which is placed on the outer surface of the lower pipe of the first conduit prior to insertion within the second conduit. Upon sliding the lower pipe of the first conduit into the second conduit, the O-ring forms a seal between the outer surface of the lower pipe of the first conduit and the inner surface of the second conduit, as would be well understood by the person skilled in the art.

In practice however, substantial problems occur with this arrangement. In some cases, when the lower pipe of the first conduit slides into the second conduit, the O-ring can slide up the lower pipe to an undesired position on the lower pipe.

This is due to frictional forces provided by the second conduit. Another possibility is that one side of the O-ring can slide up the lower pipe more than the other. This 00 results in stretching of the O-ring and often compromises its ability to seal the space between the

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conduits and prevent leakage. In the worst case, the O-ring can stretch to the extent that the O-ring splits or leaves gaps between the pipes thus failing to seal altogether.

00 5 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve the seal formed between pipes or conduits upon their engagement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION O 0 In one aspect of the invention there is provided a conduit for engaging a second conduit, said S conduit including, support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing (Ni support to a sealing means, said sealing means for sealing the engagement between said conduit and second conduit; wherein when said conduit and said second conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means.

Preferably at least a portion of said conduit has a circular cross-section.

0 It is also preferred that said support means is an internally threaded nut, and at least a portion of said conduit is externally threaded to receive said nut, said nut being adjustable along said portion of said conduit.

Preferably said support means is in the form of two threaded nuts, the location of said nuts being adjustable along at least a portion of said conduit and for securing said sealing means between said nuts.

Preferably said support means is a nut permanently fixed to an external portion of said conduit.

In another embodiment said support means is in the form of two nuts permanently fixed to an external portion of said conduit, said sealing means secured between said nuts.

In a preferred form said sealing means is at least one O-ring.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a conduit for engaging a second conduit, said conduit including fitting means for fitting thereto support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing support to a sealing means, said sealing means for 00 sealing the engagement between said conduit and said second conduit, wherein when said conduit and

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said second conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means.

00 5 Preferably said fitting means allows the location of said support means to be varied along at least a portion of said conduit.

Preferably said fitting means is an externally threaded portion on said conduit and said support means is an internally threaded nut, such that in use the nut can be screwed onto said conduit to S0 support said sealing means at a desired location.

Preferably said support means is in the form of two internally threaded nuts the locations of which are adjustable on said conduit, a portion of said conduit being externally threaded wherein said sealing means is secured between said nuts.

In an alternative form, said conduit includes said support means retained by said fitting means, and said seal, supported by said support means.

Preferably said sealing means is at least one O-ring.

.0 In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for sealingly engaging a conduit with a second conduit, the method including: fitting a support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit to said conduit; and fitting a sealing means to said conduit, such that said sealing means is supported by said support means; wherein, said support means located internally to said second conduit prevents movement of said sealing means when said conduit and said second conduit are fitted together.

Furthermore it is preferred that the step of fitting said support means includes screwing said support means over an externally threaded portion of said conduit, wherein said support means is at least one internally threaded nut; and adjusting the location of said support means along the length of said conduit, so that it supports said sealing means at a desired location along the length of said conduit.

In an alternative form the support means and sealing means are and integral piece.

00 In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a bath waste adaptor for engaging a conduit, 0 said bath waste adaptor including support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing support to a sealing means, said sealing means for sealing the engagement between the bath waste 00 5 adapter and the conduit, wherein when said bath waste adapter and said conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS O 0 The invention is now described in detail in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

Fig 1 is a perspective view of the first conduit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first conduit of Fig 1 following engagement with a second conduit; Fig 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first conduit of Fig 1 illustrating the adjustability of the position of the supporting nut on the first conduit; and Fig 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Fig 1, a bath waste adaptor (or first conduit) 1 is adapted for association with a bathtub (not shown), and consists of a conically shaped upper portion 10 and a hollow tubular lower portion 20. An external section of the lower portion 20 is threaded 21.

A support member in the form of a threaded nut 30 is screwed onto the threaded section 21 at the desired position. At least one sealing O-ring 40 is then positioned against nut 30 around lower portion 20. Further O-rings may be fitted as desired. The outer periphery of O-ring 40 extends beyond the outer periphery of nut 30, to ensure that a proper seal is provided, between lower portion 20 and a section of a bathtub or second pipe (or second conduit) 60 as illustrated in Fig 2.

Fig 2 illustrates a typical application of the invention in relation to a bathtub (not shown). The base 70 of the bathtub has an opening or outlet 50, through which water can be drained from the bath. The adaptor 1 is positioned in opening 10 such that water from the bathtub will flow into upper portion 10 and into lower portion of adaptor 1. To connect adaptor 1 to the external plumbing network (not shown), it is necessary to connect an intermediary pipe or second conduit 60 to adaptor 1. This can be done by any convenient means as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

To ensure a water-tight sealing engagement between lower portion 20 and pipe 60, an O-ring is typically fitted around lower portion 20, before sliding adaptor 1 into pipe 60. The action of the lower portion 20 of the adaptor 1 sliding into pipe can result in upward forces being imposed on O-ring 40 due to frictional contact of the O-ring 40 with pipe 60. Since the O-ring 40 is generally of a size such that it is quite strongly compressed within the space between lower portion 20 and pipe these frictional forces can be significant. Generally, this results in the displacement of and/or damage to O-ring 40, thereby compromising the sealing ability of the O-ring To overcome this disadvantage, and according to an aspect of the invention, nut 30 is screwed on the external thread 21 of the lower portion 20. The position of the nut 30 may be adjusted so that the nut 30 is at the desired position along lower portion 20. O-ring 40 is then fitted below nut 30, along lower portion 20, such that the O-ring 40 is supported by nut 30 and prevented from moving up lower portion or being otherwise displaced upon pipe 60 when O-ring 40 engages pipe during fitting of the adaptor 1.

As an alternative embodiment (not shown), pipe 60 may be narrower than lower portion 20, and will slide into lower portion 20. In this case, the threaded portion 21 will be on the outer surface of pipe 60, and nut 30 and O-ring 40 will be applied to pipe 60 before insertion of the lower portion Referring to Fig 3, it can be seen that the position of the nut 30 on the threaded section 21 can be screwed further towards the upper portion 10 as desired. Further supporting nuts and O-ring assemblies can be adapted to the conduit as desired. For example, a supporting nut can be screwed either side of the O-ring to firmly hold the O-ring in position (not shown), or, a series of nuts and O-rings may be used along the length of lower portion In the alternative embodiment shown in Fig 4, a portion of the internal surface of the pipe 100 is screw threaded 90. A supporting nut 80 is screwed into the pipe 100 7 to a desired location, and then an O-ring is positioned against nut 80 or on adaptor 1.

Adaptor 1 is then fitted into pipe 100 and retained by any suitable means. Due to the presence of support nut 80, O-ring 40 will not slide past nut 80 as would normally be the case without the nut 80 due to the downward driving force of the adaptor 1.

Again, if pipe 100 is narrower than lower portion 20, it is possible to have the inner surface of lower portion 20, bearing nut 80 and O-ring 40, although as an alternative embodiment the outer surface of pipe 100 can bear the nut 80 and O-ring Any such combination is possible.

It is to be understood that although it is not required, the supporting member (or supporting nut) may be welded or glued in place prior to inserting the conduit.

It is also to be understood that whilst in the above embodiments adaptor 1 slides into pipe 60 or pipe 100, alternatively pipe 60 or pipe 100 can slide into adaptor 1 in the alternative form.

In an alternative embodiment, the sealing means (eg O-ring 40) and support means (eg nut 80) could be manufactured as a single piece as would be understood by the skilled person in the art. For example, referring to Figure 4, a plastic nut (not shown) could be fitted to the lower portion 20, the plastic nut having sealing means on its external surface where it contacts the internal surface of the pipe 100. The plastic nut could be permanently fixed or have internal threading to allow adjustment on lower portion 20. Therefore the support means and sealing means could be integral in the form of a single piece. Alternatively the support means and sealing means could be fastened together by ultrasonic welding or other techniques.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, the invention may be applied to two conduits of the same form, rather than a pipe and a bath waste element. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope:

Claims

1. A conduit for engaging a second conduit, said conduit including support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing support to a sealing means, said sealing means for sealing the engagement between said conduit and second 00 conduit, wherein when said conduit and said second conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means.

2. A conduit according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said conduit has a circular cross- O 0 section.

3. A conduit according to claim I or claim 2, wherein said support means is an internally threaded nut, and at least a portion of said conduit is externally threaded to receive said nut, said nut being adjustable along said portion of said conduit.

4. A conduit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said support means is in the form of two threaded nuts, the location of said nuts being adjustable along at least a portion of said conduit and for securing said sealing means between said nuts. 0

5. A conduit according to claim 1, wherein said support means is a nut permanently fixed to an external portion of said conduit.

6. A conduit according to claim I wherein said support means is in the form of two nuts permanently fixed to an external portion of said conduit, said sealing means secured between said nuts.

7. A conduit according to any one of claims I to 6 wherein said sealing means is at least one O-ring.

8. A conduit for engaging a second conduit, said conduit including fitting means for fitting thereto support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing support to a sealing means, said sealing means for sealing the engagement between said conduit and said second conduit, wherein when said conduit and said second conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means.

9. A conduit according to claim 8 wherein said fitting means allows the location of said support means to be varied along at least a portion of said conduit. O O O 00 5 0 O

10. A conduit according to claims 8 or 9 wherein said fitting means is an externally threaded portion on said conduit and said support means is an internally threaded nut, such that in use the nut can be screwed onto said conduit to support said sealing means at a desired location.

11. A conduit according to claims 8 or 9 wherein said support means is in the form of two internally threaded nuts the locations of said nuts being adjustable on said conduit, a portion of said conduit being externally threaded wherein said sealing means is secured between said nuts.

12. A conduit according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein said conduit includes said support means retained by said fitting means, and said seal, supported by said support means.

13. ring.

14. includin A conduit according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said sealing means is at least one O- A method for sealingly engaging a conduit with a second conduit, the method g: fitting a support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit to said conduit; and fitting a sealing means to said conduit, such that said sealing means is supported by said 0 support means; wherein said support means located internally to said second conduit prevents movement of said sealing means when said conduit and said second conduit are fitted together.

A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of fitting said support means includes screwing said support means over an externally threaded portion of said conduit, wherein said support means is ar least one internally threaded nut; and adjusting the location of said support means along the length of said conduit, so that it supports said sealing means at a desired location along the length of said conduit.

16. A conduit according to any on of claims I to 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 or 14, said sealing means and support means are a integral piece.

17. A bath waste adaptor for engaging a conduit, said bath waste adaptor including support means adjustable along at least a portion of a length of said conduit for providing support to a sealing means, said sealing means for sealing the engagement between the bath waste adapter and the conduit, wherein when said bath waste adapter and said conduit are fitted together, said support means locates within said second conduit and prevents movement of said sealing means. 00

18. A conduit substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying representations.

19. A conduit with fitting means substantially as described in the specification with reference to 00 5 and as illustrated by the accompanying representations. A bath waste adaptor for engaging a conduit substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying representations.