AU657871B2 - Waste fitting - Google Patents

Description

1I V AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: BRAD RONALD CHADWICK BRAD RONALD CHADWICK CULLEN

CO.,

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

WASTE FITTING Invention Title: 09 4 4 Details of Associated Provisional Application: No. PL 5722 SThe following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: i i tt t II 00 00 0 00 0 0 oo 00 0t4 THIS INVENTION relates to plumbing fittings and is particularly concerned with waste fittings for use on the inlet end of waste pipes which extend through concrete subbases such as shower floors, laundry floors and like places from which water has to be drained. Such waste fittings are designed so that tiles can be placed level with the upwardly facing opening in the waste grate and so that any water seepage that occurs beneath the tiles is drained away through outlets located in an intermediate section of the fitting.

Waste fittings are generally manufactured from plastics material, such as polyvinylchloride, as a unitary component. They comprise a sleeve for fitting over the waste pipe, an intermediate flange on which the tile bed is laid, intermediate diainage openings as mentioned above located between the flange and the inlet, and an inlet arrangement which supports a removable grating.

The universal problem with these waste fittings is that they have to follow the inclination of the waste pipe.

That is, the connecting sleeve has to be aligned with the waste pipe outlet. This means that any variation in the orientation of the waste outlet pipe from the vertical results in the grating being inclined at an angle to the horizontal.

This creates all manner of problems for the tiler who requires the grating to be horizontal if proper drainage is to be achieved and also to ensure a neat and tidy job.

Such misalignment from the vertical of the waste pipe is an all too common occurrence. No matter how many precautions a plumber may take in setting the pipe prior to the concrete being laid, concretors frequently knock the pipe 3 out of plumb. The solution to gross misalignment has been to jack-hammer the concrete away from the waste outlet and insert the necessary bends to realign the opening. Other, untradesman-like activities have also been resorted to, like attempting to force the waste outlet into a vertical position after chipping away some of the concrete. All these "solutions" are clearly time consuming and costly to the plumber.

r It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waste fitting which can be utilized on waste pipe outlets no matter if the inclination of the outlet is away from the vertical, yet which will always provide an outlet grating which is horizontal.

According to the present invention, there is provided a multi-piece waste ipe- outlet device comprising an inlet unit, a basal unit and, optionally, one or more intermediate units; said inlet unit having a bitruncated spherical section depending from an annular grate supporting section; said basal unit having a sleeve for connecting to a waste pipe, a flange, and a portion enabling connection to the bitruncated spherical section either directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate units so that the inlet unit is pivotal on its bitruncated spherical section with respect to the basal unit.

Such pivotal action enables the grate supporting section of the inlet unit to be brought into exact horizontal alignment with respect to the floor and thereby overcomes the problems mentioned above of the prior art unitary waste 6T- devices.

4 The term "bitruncated spherical section" as used throughout the specification, denotes a section of a sphere which has had both its top and bottom portions removed; that is, it is a section between the poles of a sphere.

Preferably, the multi-piece waste pipe outlet device comprises from 2 to 4 principal components, most preferably 3, excluding the grate fitting. That is, it comprises an inlet unit, a basal unit and a single intermediate unit. The single intermediate unit has a first section which compliments the ile shape of the bitruncated spherical section of the inlet unit and on which said bitruncated spherical section seats, and a second section which is adapted for press or screw fitment to the basal unit. Suitably, the first section overlies and surrounds the bitruncated spherical section and thus acts as a receptacle therefor.

Although not essential, the bitruncated spherical section of the inlet unit is preferably formed integrally with the annular grate supporting section. The grate supporting section will generally be of increased diameter relative to the diameter of the bitruncated spherical section to provide suitable support for a conventionally dimensioned grate fitting which is generally of enlarged diameter with respect to the diameter of the waste pipe. Because of this difference in diameters, there will be an intermediary wall connecting the two portions which slopes downwardly from the grate supporting section to the bitruncated spherical section to facilitate drainage of waste water.

The grate fitting will generally include an outer circumferential wall which is designed to either snap-fit or screw onto or into a complimentary shaped outer circumferential wall of the grate supporting section. The grate fitting can optionally include a plug retaining portion in the central region thereof. Such a plug retaining portion will suitably be recessed so that the plug lies below the upper outer rim of the grate fitting.

The basal unit is designed for either direct or indirect connection to the waste pipe outlet, usually by press-fitment therewith, although screw fitment is not ruled out. For large diameter waste pipe outlets, a reducer will be interposed between the sleeve of the basal unit and the outlet.

The flange on the basal unit is designed to closely overlie the region of the concrete floor through which the waste pipe outlet extends and to direct any water which seeps down past the inlet unit and intermediate unit(s), into the sleeve. To this end, drainage openings are suitably located in the sleeve and/or the adjacent intermediate unit, when present. Suitably, the flange extends substantially perpendicular with respect to the sleeve of the basal unit and there is an inclined intermediate wall which spaces the flange from the sleeve to facilitate the flow of waste water to the drainage openings.

The multi-piece waste -4-pe- outlet can be manufactured from a wide range of conventional materials used for plumbing and sanitary fittings. Typically it will be manufactured from polyvinylchloride and the grate fitting itself may be metal, plastic or plastic with a metallic /ylk coating. i 6 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a three-piece waste pipe outlet device according to the present invention, in situ; 1 a 4o o 0 o 0 1 0 o oos0 ooo o0 t 0 t *lO t K I I 2Q- Figure 2 is an exploded top perspective of the waste -pip outlet device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a waste pipeoutlet device similar to Figure 1 but including a plug and grate fitting; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a waste pipe outlet device similar to Figure 1 but including a grate fitting; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a waste Jpipe outlet before it has been fitted with an inlet unit, but including a cover piece; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece waste pipe- outlet device according to another aspect of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a waste pipe outlet device similar to Figure 2 but including a plug and grate fitting.

In all the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the waste pipeoutlet device is injection moulded in three pieces from polyvinylchloride so to be accommodated by a 50 mm waste-ppeoutlet 10 extending through a concrete slab 15. Larger size 7 waste outlets can be accommodated by an appropriately sized I reducer fitted to the end of the outlet in a known manner.

The waste ipe outlet device comprises an inlet unit 11, a basal unit 12 and a single intermediate unit 13. The intermediate unit frictionally engages the basal unit and the inlet unit is pivotal on the intermediate unit so as to bring the uppermost rim of the inlet unit into parallel alignment with the floor surfacing 14. Cementitious and/or adhesive material 16 binds the floor surfacing to the concrete slab and an optional fibreglass/resin or bituminous layer is located therein.

K The inlet unit 11 has a bitruncated spherical K section 17 connected through a sloping wall 18 to an annular i grate supporting section 19.

The intermediate unit 13 has an upwardly opening section 20 whose inner wall surface compliments the shape of the outer wall surface of the bitruncated spherical section 17 and provides a seating surface therefor. This enables the inlet unit to pivot between a wide range of levels and to thereby accommodate variations between the angle of the waste pipe outlet relative to the surface of the finished floor.

This angle should be a right angle but in practice hardly ever is.

The lower portion of the intermediate unit 13 tapers through an intermediary wall 21 to a uniform diameter section 22 which press-fits into the basal unit 12. Openings 23, 24 are located in the uniform diameter section 22 to permit drainage of any waste water which happens to seep around the device, into the basal unit for discharge.

8 The basal unit 12 comprises a disc-shaped flange formed at right angles to a sleeve 26 to which it is connected through a sloping wall 27. The sloping wall collects and directs the seepage waste water to the openings 23, 24 in the intermediate section.

Turning to Figure 3, this illustrates a waste -pipeoutlet, substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 2, i incorporating a grate/plug fitting 30. The fitting is fabricated from metal, plastics material or metallic coated 1 ',7 plastic material and includes a circular wall 31 which pressfits over the annular supporting section 19 of the inlet unit.

The upper wall 32 is a solid wall and the lower supported wall 33 is a grate. A plug 34 is frictionally engaged by the inner i sloping wall 35 of the fitting.

Figure 4 shows a grating 40 which is designed to be captured within the walls of the inlet unit. The grating can also be manufactured from metal, plastics material or metallic coated plastics material and includes a resiliently deformable inner ring 41 which has an enlarged outer portion 42 to enable it to "snap-lock" behind a projecting wall 43 formed as an extension of the sloping wall 18 of the inlet unit.

Additionally, a rim 44 on the lower circumferential region of the grating provides resistance against downward displacement of the grating and ensures horizontal alignment with the upper rim of the inlet unit.

Figure 5 shows how the intermediate unit, when fitted to the basal unit, is protected from damage and/or debris from entering the waste outlet. That is, a cap 50 is 4 vpplaced on the opening so as to be in frictional engagement 9 Ktherewith. Such an arrangement is often useful during installation.

A less preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. This embodiment comprises a two-piece waste -pi-pe- outlet device fitted with a grating, one of which is also designed to support a plug. The embodiment differs from the preceding embodiments in that there is no inter-mediate unit.

The two-piece device comprises an inlet unit having a more highly curved bitruncated spherical section 61 110 than in previous embodiments. This section is integrally formed with a grate supporting portion 62. The grate 63 in Figure 6 is shown prior to location on its seating surface.

It is designed to be removable from the inlet unit to enable access to the waste pipe (as indeed, is the case in the previous embodiments). To this end, resiliently deformable lugs 64, 65 are located on the lower surface of the grate 63 which "snap-lock" behind a projecting wall 66 formed on an inner circumferential wall of the inlet unit.

In Figure 7, the grate 75 is designed 'to overlie the 2Q upper rim of the inlet unit and to support a plug 76. The grate includes a grating at 77.

The basal unit 67 in both figures, has a sleeve 68 for connecting to a waste pipe opening (not illustrated). A permanent joint is achieved therewith by the use of a solvent cement. A perpendicular flange 69 extends outwardly from the sleeve 68 and is separated therefrom by a depending wall which defines a water drainage channel 71. Openings 72 in the sl~eeve are for the purpose of draining water from the water Sdrainage channel 71 into the sleeve 68. The perpendicular flange 69 defines the surface on which tiles are laid and collects seepage water for dispersal through the openings 72.

The upper section 73 of the basal unit 67 has a shape which complements the shape of the bitruncated spherical section 61 of the inlet unit 60. This enables the inlet unit to be pivoted relative to the basal section 67 so that the grate 63 is level with the intended level of the tiles to be laid. When the desired orientation is found, the inlet unit is removed, coated with a solvent cement and then replaced iie in the desired orientation so as to set firm.

Claims (9)

1. A multi-piece waste-,plpe- outlet device comprising an inlet unit, a basal unit and, optionally, one or more intermediate units; said inlet unit having a bitruncated spherical spcotion depending from an annular grate supporting section; said basal unit having a sleeve for connecting to a waste pipe, a flange, and a portion enabling connection to the bitruncated spherical section either directly or indirectly t hrough one or more intermediate units so that the inlet unit I is pivotal on its bitruncated spherical section with respect V to the basal unit. v

2. A multi-piece waste pi4pe- outlet device as claimed in claim 1 and including r, single intermediate unit having a first section which compliments the shape of the bitruncated spherical section of the inlet unit and on which said bitruncated spherical section seats, and a second section which is adapted for press or screw fitment to the basal unit.

3. A multi-piece waste ppe outlet device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first section of the intermediate unit is .2Q designed to surround the bitruncated spherical section.

4. A multi-piece waste ppe outlet device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the bitruncated spherical section is formed integrally with the annular grate supporting section.

5. A multi-piece waste pipe-outlet device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including a grate fitting, said grate fitting having an outer circumferential wall which is designed to snap-fit or screw onto a complimentary shaped outer circumferential wall of the grate supporting section. 12

6. A multi-piece waste -pipe outlet device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said grate fitting includes a plug retaining portion in a central location thereof.

7. A multi-piece waste -p-ipe- outlet device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flange extends substantially perpendicular with respect to the sleeve of the basal unit and wherein an inclined intermediate wall spaces the flange from the sleeve and provides a catchment area for any waste water which collects exteriorally of the waste pipe outlet, there being provided drainage openings in the sleeve and/or the adjacent intermediate unit if present, to permit the waste water to be drained into the basal unit.

8. A multi-piece waste pipe- outlet device as claimed in any one of the preceding rjlaiLms and including a reducer to enable connection between a non-standard size waste pipe outlet and the sleeve of the multi-piece waste pipe outlet device.

9. A multi-piece waste pip outlet device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1-4 of the 1~2Q accompanying drawings. DATED this 9th day of September 1993 BRAD RONALD CHADWICK By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. 13 ABSTRACT A waste pipe fitting for use on the inlet end of a waste pipe which extends through a concrete slab. It comprises an inlet unit, a basal unit and, optionally, one or more intermediate units; said inlet unit having a bitruncated spherical section depending from an annular grate supporting section; said basal unit having a sleeve for connecting to a waste pipe, a flange, and a portion enabling connection to the bitruncated spherical section either directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate units so that the inlet unit Sis pivotal on its bitruncated spherical section with respect I to the basal unit. The fitting accommodates varying inclinations of the waste pipe yet still ensure that the grating is substantially horizontal.