GB1562566A - Multiple service module for dwellings - Google Patents

Description

(54) MULTIPLE SERVICE MODULE FOR DWELLINGS (71) We, BRITISH STEEL CORPO RATION, a Corporation incorporated and existing under the Iron and Steel Act 1967 whose principal office is at 33, Grosvenor Place, London, S.W.1 do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a multiservice unit for use in installing domestic services such as electricity, gas, water supply, waste disposal, heating water, telephone, television aerials etc. in accommodation units. The invention is particularly concerned with a unit which will permit the rapid installation of such services so that time wasted by the need for a number of tradesmen to follow each other in a fitting out process could be eliminated.

The invention provides a panel for attachment to a wall of a building to carry water and electrical service lines for the building along the panel, comprising an outer casing, an internal insulating wall forming together with at least the front wall of substantially closed compartment, at least water conduit for heating the front of the panel in the closed compartment, one or more coI1- duits for cold water supply and/or waste water situated to the rear of the insulating wall and means for supporting at least one electrical supply line above the water conduits, the terms "front", "rear" and "above" being determined when the panel is in position, the rear being against the wall. Preferably at least one electrical supply line is installed therein.

The panel may be formed as a skirting board having a rebated lower edge. Preferably the panel has air inlets in the rebated lower edge portion, and air outlets in the front of the panel above the heating water conduit.

In one form of construction mains feed and return pipes for the heating water are contained within the internal insulating wall.

Similarly a domestic hot water supply pipe may be contained within the internal insulating wall.

The panel may comprise coupling means at at least one end of the panel adapted to engage any other such panel, the coupling means comprising a stop valve and lockable shield.

Conveniently the front casing of the panel is of impact resistant steel, and the water conduit for heating the front of the panel is in direct contact with the front casing of the panel.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a panel in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the junction between that panel, and a vertical riser.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the panel at a point beyond an off take (not shown) of one of the conduits, Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the panel, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of an under door connection.

In order to facilitate the fitting out of a new building, or an old building which is being systematically rehabilitated, the present invention is concenred with a multi service unit containing provision for all the services that might be required in that building. As shown in figure 1 a unit of this nature is of a convenient size and weight to be carried by two operatives, and may readily be installed at the junction between the floor and the wall of a room in the manner of a skirting board.

As shown particularly in figure 3 the panel has an outer casing 10 formed of sheet steel with a base surface 11 and a frontal surface 12. At the junction between the surfaces there is a rebated portion 14 and at its edges away from the frontal surface 12 there are upper and lower flanges 15 and 16 respectively. Inside the front surface 12 there is a slab of insulating material 17 which is backed by internal straps 18.

Attached to the inside of the front surface, between it and the insulating slab 17 there is a heating water pipe 19 and a return pipe 21 which are arranged to provide domestic heating facilities to the room in which the panel is installed. The hot water service 22 is carried within the heat insulating slab. Mains feed and return pipes for the heating water system 41 and 42 respectively) are also carried in the slab 17. At the back of the panel away from the front surface 12 there are brackets 23 carried on straps 18 and arranged to support cold water fittings 24 and waste water pipes 25. At or near the top of the panel there are clips 26 carried on straps 18 arranged to support electric cables 27. Telephone cables 28 may be inserted at the top of the panel.

The panels may be joined one to another by inserting them laterally against the wall against which they are to be fitted, and then engaging coupling means between one panel and the next. As shown in figure 2 the end of the first panel 30 may be brought into contact with the junction piece 31 and the various services for use in that particular panel can be connected up and covered with a fairing 32.

On the front of the panel there may be electrical sockets 33, and as shown in figures 4 and 5 the various pipe runs may have connectors 35, 36, and 37. Whereas connections 35 and 36 lead to the room, 37 may pass under an access doorway, or may cross the room under the floor.

The advantage of the specific embodiment would be obtained by avoiding the necessity for a large number of finishing trades to follow each other around the rooms to fit them up as the buildings become structurally complete. The need to make good after each trade has performed its function is also eliminated. The units would lend themselves to mass production, and on sites could be drawn out of store as demanded.

It will be necessary that for safety reasons the electrical cables are carried above the fluid carrying pipes, and additionally that sufficient drop "D" is allowed for the waste pipe which is located jointly below the other domestic supply systems.

As shown in figure 5 where the services contained within the unit are to be passed across a doorway, it may be found conve nient to provide downwardly directed ducts in or adjacent to the door jambs, and to position the services in a threshold inset into the floor. It will be appreciated that drainage services could not readily be so accommo dated unless it is deliberately intended to provide a substantial air lock. However, the electrical services, and the fluid services used for the supply of liquids or for heating purposes, can readily be moved across the doorway in this fasion to supply heating louvres and radiator panels throughout the room.

It may be found convenient to utilise the same joint connections between the downward runs in the door jambs that are already standard for the vertical columns of services from which the multiple service units are fed as shown in figure 2.

Provided that a recess is left at the door threshold there will be very little additional work that needs to be done when the multiple service units are installed. Alternatively, a duct could be cast into the floor at the theshold with the services already installed therein.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A panel for attachment to a wall of a building to carry water and electrical service lines for the building along the panel, comprising an outer casing, an internal insulating wall forming together with at least the front wall a substantially closed compartment, at least one water conduit for heating the front of the panel in the closed compartment, one or more conduits for cold water supply and/or waste water situated to the rear of the insulating wall and means for supporting at least one electrical supply line above the water conduits, the terms "front", "rear" and "above" being determined when the panel is in position, the rear being against the wall.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1, having at least one electrical supply line installed therein.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 formed as a skirting board having a rebated lower edge.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 3, having air inlets in the rebated lower edge portion, and air outlets in the front of the panel above the heating water conduit.

5. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which mains feed and return pipes for the panel heating water are contained within the internal insulating wall.

6. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a domestic hot water supply pipe is contained within the internal insulating wall.

7. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising coupling means at at least one end of the panel adapted to engage any other such panel, the coupling means comprising a stop valve and a lockable shield.

8. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the front casing of the panel is of impact resistant steel, and the water conduit for heating the front of the panel is in direct contact with the front casing of the panel.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. there is a rebated portion 14 and at its edges away from the frontal surface 12 there are upper and lower flanges 15 and 16 respectively. Inside the front surface 12 there is a slab of insulating material 17 which is backed by internal straps 18. Attached to the inside of the front surface, between it and the insulating slab 17 there is a heating water pipe 19 and a return pipe 21 which are arranged to provide domestic heating facilities to the room in which the panel is installed. The hot water service 22 is carried within the heat insulating slab. Mains feed and return pipes for the heating water system 41 and 42 respectively) are also carried in the slab 17. At the back of the panel away from the front surface 12 there are brackets 23 carried on straps 18 and arranged to support cold water fittings 24 and waste water pipes 25. At or near the top of the panel there are clips 26 carried on straps 18 arranged to support electric cables 27. Telephone cables 28 may be inserted at the top of the panel. The panels may be joined one to another by inserting them laterally against the wall against which they are to be fitted, and then engaging coupling means between one panel and the next. As shown in figure 2 the end of the first panel 30 may be brought into contact with the junction piece 31 and the various services for use in that particular panel can be connected up and covered with a fairing 32. On the front of the panel there may be electrical sockets 33, and as shown in figures 4 and 5 the various pipe runs may have connectors 35, 36, and 37. Whereas connections 35 and 36 lead to the room, 37 may pass under an access doorway, or may cross the room under the floor. The advantage of the specific embodiment would be obtained by avoiding the necessity for a large number of finishing trades to follow each other around the rooms to fit them up as the buildings become structurally complete. The need to make good after each trade has performed its function is also eliminated. The units would lend themselves to mass production, and on sites could be drawn out of store as demanded. It will be necessary that for safety reasons the electrical cables are carried above the fluid carrying pipes, and additionally that sufficient drop "D" is allowed for the waste pipe which is located jointly below the other domestic supply systems. As shown in figure 5 where the services contained within the unit are to be passed across a doorway, it may be found conve nient to provide downwardly directed ducts in or adjacent to the door jambs, and to position the services in a threshold inset into the floor. It will be appreciated that drainage services could not readily be so accommo dated unless it is deliberately intended to provide a substantial air lock. However, the electrical services, and the fluid services used for the supply of liquids or for heating purposes, can readily be moved across the doorway in this fasion to supply heating louvres and radiator panels throughout the room. It may be found convenient to utilise the same joint connections between the downward runs in the door jambs that are already standard for the vertical columns of services from which the multiple service units are fed as shown in figure 2. Provided that a recess is left at the door threshold there will be very little additional work that needs to be done when the multiple service units are installed. Alternatively, a duct could be cast into the floor at the theshold with the services already installed therein. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A panel for attachment to a wall of a building to carry water and electrical service lines for the building along the panel, comprising an outer casing, an internal insulating wall forming together with at least the front wall a substantially closed compartment, at least one water conduit for heating the front of the panel in the closed compartment, one or more conduits for cold water supply and/or waste water situated to the rear of the insulating wall and means for supporting at least one electrical supply line above the water conduits, the terms "front", "rear" and "above" being determined when the panel is in position, the rear being against the wall.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1, having at least one electrical supply line installed therein.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 formed as a skirting board having a rebated lower edge.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 3, having air inlets in the rebated lower edge portion, and air outlets in the front of the panel above the heating water conduit.

5. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which mains feed and return pipes for the panel heating water are contained within the internal insulating wall.

6. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a domestic hot water supply pipe is contained within the internal insulating wall.

7. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising coupling means at at least one end of the panel adapted to engage any other such panel, the coupling means comprising a stop valve and a lockable shield.

8. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the front casing of the panel is of impact resistant steel, and the water conduit for heating the front of the panel is in direct contact with the front casing of the panel.

9. A panel substantially as hereinbefore

described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.