AU721193B3

AU721193B3 - Assembly for coupling pipe ends

Info

Publication number: AU721193B3
Application number: AU50136/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ken Falls
Original assignee: FFE Building Services Ltd
Current assignee: Chubb Fire and Security Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-10-29
Filing date: 1999-09-24
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2005-09-24

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 PETTY PATENT SPECIFICATION (Original) Name of Applicant: FFE Building Services Limited 17-19 Orion Road, Lane Cove, New South Wales 2066, Australia Actual Inventor: Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Petty Patent specification for the invention entitled: Assembly for coupling pipe ends The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: -1- Q:\OPER\DH\74759.PP 24/9/99 P:\OPER\DH\747598.PP 24/9/99 -iR- ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING PIPE ENDS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembly for coupling pipe ends in a concrete slab.

Preferably, the unit is in the form of a fire collar.

Throughout the specification, reference to a "pipe" is to be taken as a reference to any suitable form of fitting, conduit or section thereof.

Background of the Invention A form of fire collar is known which is installed between floors of a building to prevent spread of flames and/or fumes through pipework extending adjacent floors. The collar includes an open ended housing with the first opening adapted to fit about a first pipe and a second opening adapted to receive a socket of a second pipe for coupling to the first pipe. The collar is provided with a wrap of intumescent material, arranged about the first pipe, which is adapted to expand when subjected to sufficient heat, to crush the pipe and thereby inhibit spread of flames and/or fumes. An annular space is provided in the housing to allow for coupling of the first and second pipes.

To install such a fire collar in, for example, a concrete slab or floor of a building, the housing is firstly secured to formwork and the first pipe inserted through the first opening to abut the formwork. Concrete is then poured over the formwork and housing. After the concrete is cured, the formwork is removed and the second pipe is inserted from beneath the slab, into the annular space, through the second opening for coupling with the first pipe. The second opening is larger than the first opening, in order to accommodate the large diameter socket. The increased diameter of.the second opening, combined with the provision of the 2- 5-00:14!50 5/8 F:OBX W39 -2annular space may lead to misalignment of the first pipe prior to or during the concrete pour. Accordingly, it is known to provide a rigid plastics or foam ring insert in the second opening to securely locate the free end of the first pipe prior to pouring the concrete. The ring Is subsequently removed, after removal of the formwork, to allow for insertion of the socket of the second pipe into the housing.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly for coupling pipe ends.

which preferably presents an alternative lire collar construction, which is more readily adapted for receipt of the second pipe.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an assembly including: a housing having a passage between first and second ends of the housing for -receipt of, respectively, a first and second pipe; and support means for laterally supporting the first pipe in the passage, remote from the first end, to maintain alignment of the first pipe in the housing, the support means being displaced by insertion of the second pipe into the housing to allow for coupling of the first and second pipes, wherein, the assembly includes an intumnescent material arranged in the housing and adapted to expand to close die passage to inhibit spread of flames and/or fumes through the pipes.- Preferably, the support means is secured at the second end of the housing- and projects inwardly of the housing, toward the first opening.

Preferably, the support means includes deforwable tabs arranged to radially engage 02/05 '00 TUE 15:53 [TX/RX NO 85901 P:\OPER\DH\747598.PP- 24/9/99 -3the first pipe, the tabs being deformable toward the first opening upon insertion of the second pipe.

Preferably, the tabs include two leg portions connected via a pivot coupling, one of the portions being hingedly coupled relative to the second end of the housing and the other of the portions having a free end for slidably abutting the material, the coupling being arranged to engage the first pipe and being radially outwardly displaceable by insertion of the second pipe into the housing such that the free end is displaced toward the first end of the housing and the portions collapsed toward the material.

Preferably, the support means is resiliently hinged to an annular flange fixed to the second end of the housing. More preferably, the flange is arranged to engage the intumescent material and hold same in the housing.

Brief description of the drawings The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a bottom view of the assembly of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the drawings The assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 with a first end 3 and a second end 4. The first end 3 includes a flanged neck which defines a first opening 5 for receipt of and close fit with a first pipe 6. A passage 7 is provided in the housing between the first and second ends 3 and 4 to allow for coupling between the first pipe 6 and a socket 8 of a second pipe 9 (shown in P:\OPER\DH\747598.PP 24/9/99 -4phantom lines). The assembly is preferably in the form of a fire collar and includes a wrap of intumescent material. The material is designed to expand and crush the pipes 6,9 when exposed to sufficient heat.

A support means 11 is provided to engage and laterally support the first pipe in the housing prior to insertion of the socket 8 of the second pipe. The support means includes a plurality of tabs 12 which comprise leg portions 13,14 connected at pivotal coupling 15. The potion 14 is pivotally connected relative to the second end 4 via hinge 16 and the other portion 13 includes a free end which slidably abuts the wrap The tabs 12 are coupled to an annular flange 17 which is secured in a suitably recessed portion of the second end 4 by rivets 19. The flange 17 may be formed of a metal mesh material, to enhance transmission of heat to the material 10, and serves to secure the wrap itself within the housing 2. The second end of the housing 4 includes attachment slots which may be used to secure the assembly 1 to formwork, or the like.

In order to install the assembly, the housing 2 is suitably positioned on formwork and secured in place by passing nails or rivets through the slots 20. A first pipe 6 is then inserted into the housing via the first opening 5 to engage with the support means 11, to thereby axially align the first pipe 6 within'the housing 2. Concrete is then poured over the housing and, once the concrete is set, the formwork is removed to expose the underside of the housing. A socket 8 of a second pipe 9 is then inserted from the second end into the housing.

Insertion of the pipe 9 into the passage 7 displaces the support means 11 such that the tabs collapse radially outwardly toward the wrap 10 to thereby accommodate the second pipe within the housing.

As can be appreciated from the above, the invention provides a convenient means of P:\OPER\DH\747598.PP 24/9/99 aligning the first pipe 6 relative to the assembly 1 whilst allowing coupling of the second pipe in the housing without requiring removal of a separate insert, as is the case with the above described known form of fire collar.

The assembly 1 has been described by way of example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described.

Claims

2- 5-00;14:50 6/ 8 p\PAOMMMOI3&99R51 2I5I0 -6- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. An assembly including: a housing having a passage between first and second ends of the housing for receipt of, respectively, a first and second pipe; and support means for laterally supporting the first pipe in the passage, remote from the first end, to maintain alignment of the first pipe in the housing, the support means. being displaced by insertion of the second pipe Into the housing to allow for coupling of the first and second pipes, wherein the assembly includes an intumescent material arranged in the housing and adapted to expand to close the passage to inhibit spread of flames and/or fuimes through the pipes. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means includes defonnble tabs arranged to radially engage the first pipe, the tabs being deformable toward the first opening upon insertion of the second pipe.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tabs include two leg portions connected via a pivot coupling, one of the portions being hingedly coupled relative to the second end of the housing and the other of the portions having a free end for slidably abutting the material, the coupling being arranged to engage the first pipe and being radially outwardly displaceable by insertion of the second pipe into the housing such that the free end is displaced toward the first end of the housing and the portions collapsed toward the material. DATED this 2nd day of May, 2000 FEE BUILDING SERVICES LTD By Its Patent Attorneys D)AVIES COLLISON CAVE 02/05 '00 TUE 15:53 [TX/RX NO 85901