GB2197003A - Wall outlet for tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

A central heating or plumbing system where tubes are let into the thickness of a wall 21 has an outlet system to improve the appearance of the projection of tubes from the wall and to simplify wall finishing e.g. plastering. A box 1 has detachably connected a cover 2 to match the size and number of tube outlets and an internal guiding and location system 12 for the tubes integral with the box, and/or provision for securing direct entry and exit tubes. The box 1 has an outlet casing of depth D to match the depth of wall finish layer 4 and holes 14 for securing it in the appropriate place upon a wall material 3 as for example, breeze block. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wall outlet system for central heating tubes This invention relates to the fitting of small bore central heating tubes and, in particular, to their outlet from a wall.

It is well known that in central heating systems where the tube runs are let into the vertical walls of a building it is extremely difficult to plaster or otherwise finish surface that wall around the tube projection from it. This difficulty is very much increased if two tubes are required to project from the wall close together. The resulting surface finish is usually most unpleasant and rough. In modern building much use is made of micro bore, i.e. very small 8mm. outside diameter tubes which are let into a wall and then rendered and/or plastered over to produce a smooth surface finish.

This method of installation of tubes for central heating or other plumbing requirements is very similar to the traditional method used for cables in electrical wiring for buildings. When such buildings are nearing completion it is customary to remove radiators from their valves in order to paint behind them. This renders the tube and valve fittings vulnerable because they are unsupported and often results in the plaster being cracked or more seriously damaged. The protection and support proposed in this invention overcomes this difficulty and permits good finishing.

According to the present invention a system provides a wall box and cover much in the manner of an electrical conduit box and cover, the box having a means of guiding, forming, locating and sealing the central heating tubes in a manner to enable them to project from a wall neatly and be further enhanced by a cover having provision for location over the tube. Both box and cover are provided with means for locating and detachably connecting the cover to the box which has provision for securing it to a wall member such that the outer surface of the box and the inner surface of the cover lie in the same plane as the surface of the wall, if required, when both are installed. In this manner the electrical equivalent of this combination is said to be flush fitting.Alternatively, where dry lining type wall finishing is employed which has an air gap between main wall and finish plaster board for example, a deeper box may be used as it may for alternate forms of tube fixing.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross section through a wall with box and cover in position.

Figure 2 represents a 3 view orthographic projection of the box.

Figure 3 Illustrates a single hole cover.

Figure 4 Shows a multi-hole cover and some options.

Figure 5 Represents the method of adaption from micro bore to a 015mm. tube for a special purpose.

Figure 6 Shows a modified form of box to suit standard elbow fittings.

Figure 7 Shows a cross section of box and cover with 08 and 015 tube with nut and olive tube retention.

Figure 8 Shows a cross section of box and cover with 08 and 015 tubes with the cover and olive tube rentention.

Figure 9 Shows a cross section of box and cover with 08 and 08 tubes with cover and olive tube retention.

Figure 10 Indicates a frontal view of cover for twin 08 tube outlets with cover and olive tube retention.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 and 2 the system comprises a formed trough shaped box 1 and integral outlet casing 20 securable to the basis material 3 of a wall 21, a means for fitting and covering the tubes 6 and provision for plastering over or otherwise finish ing the whole so that the exposed surface of the outlet casing 20 finishes flush with the outer (plaster) 4 surface in a plane 19 and a cover 2 detachably connected to the box 1 so that the inner face also abuts the surface 19 and is able to pass freely over the fixed pipe fittings 11.

In use the box 1 is arranged to be secured in the appropriate place on a wall by means of pins (e.g. masonry nails) 17 through holes 14 in the box 1 with the rear face 15 of the box 1 flat against the surface of the main fabric 3 of wall 21. It is necessary to form a small pocket in the wall to house the curved portion 18 of the box 1 and thus permit attachment as described.

Since the finished appearance of this outlet system is neat and attractive it is envisaged that it will no longer be necessary for it to be fitted at low level i.e. at, or about skirting board height where the associated valve 10 for radiator 9 is often inconvenient especially for the old and infirm. Instead it may be arranged with the outlet at a convenient height, say at the top of a radiator 9 where it would be easier to use.

In order to provide a duct, to offer some protection to the tubes 6 and a measure of thermal and accoustic insulation it is further suggested: A section of galvanised flanged channel (top hat section) 7 as used in electrical wiring be placed in front of the tubes 6 and a length of hair felt or similar insulating strip 8 behind the tubes 6 before covering the whole with finish coat plaster or similar surfacing material 4. The outlet casing 20 of box 1 has a depth "D" 16 of such proportions as to match the normal thickness build up or traditional plaster layers.

In the case of so called dry lining type wall construction 29 and referring to Figs. 7 and 8 the box la is of such depth as to enable the outer surface to lie in a plane and be flush with the surface 19 allowing for an air space 24 where appropriate.

It is assumed that the tubes 6 will be able to be formed by hand into the curved shape 18 of the box 1 so that they lie in one of the formed part circular channels 12 and on the surface of the wall 3. The channels 12 also acting as guides for the tubes 6 into and through the cover 2 in such a way as to permit ready connection to the pipe fittings 11 and further into valve 10. In some cases valves now have twin entry for flow and return into the same body in which case the tubes 6 would lie in channels 12 spaced to suit usually 26mm.

To further simplify tube installation the invention provides a modified form of box la to accept direct entry tubes and to retain these 28 by conventional means for example, solder if the box la is of metal construction or by special adhesive if the box is of plastic material. Similarly the exit tubes of diameters between 8 and 15 mm. may have specially constructed boxes to suit the tube sizes, and provide an olive type retention device for said tubes, such an olive 30 may be in the form of a conventional "0" ring and be compressed to grip the tube and seal the joint by any suitable means. Olives have traditionally been compressed by a male nut 25, alternatively, as shown in Figs. 8,9 and 10 by external forces exerted upon a projection 26 on the cover 2a by screws 27 passing through the cover 2a and located in the box la or any other suitable means.It follows that many forms of olive and compression systems could be adapted to suit this invention.

Further embodiments could for example: 1. Include the provision of electrical wiring between the tubes 6 and in the duct 5 formed by the top hat section 7 in order to provide remote control for the valve 10, in this case the cover 2 would have outlet holes to suit.

2. Include provision for fitting a soldered or compression or other type adaptor within or without the outlet casing 20 in order to convert from micro bore to say, 015mm. tube for special purposes.

3. Allow for a box of basically cubic form 22 in order to simply house standard soldered compression and other elbow fittings 23 with the tube 6 bent to lie against the wall member 3 and enter box 22 as indicated.

4. Allow for the cover 2 to be detachably connected to the box 1 by means of screws (not shown) into holes 13 in the outlet casing 20 having fixed or floating threads.

Claims (7)

1. A system for outlet from a wall of small bore let in tubes within that wall comprising a formed trough shaped box having formed integrally:- tube forming, guiding and locating grooves (channels) and at the deep end of the trough an outlet casing where the largest cross section and open side is in the same plane as the open side of, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trough, holes for securing the box to a wall and holes possibly with fixed or floating screw thread provision and detachably connected cover.

2. A system largely as in Claim 1 wherein the wall mounted box of sufficient size and shape only to house its elements has provision for accepting, sealing and retaining direct entry tubes, a means of securing the box to a main wall construction, a means of locating, securing and sealing exit tubes which means may be combined in the cover or separate from it and means for securing the cover to the box which may include the exit tube securing means or be separate from it.

3. A system as in Claim 1 wherein a cover is provided with holes to permit connection to its mating box and a hole to match the tube to be outlet.

4. A system as in Claim 1 wherein a cover is provided with holes to permit the connection to its mating box and a number of holes of appropriate size and position to match the tube and/or electrical conductor to be outlet.

5. A system as in Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the formed box is reduced in length and the cross section changed in order to house tubes with soldered or compression or other type elbow fittings inside it and the cover.

6. A wall outlet system for central heating or other tubes and wires substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claim 6 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

6. A cover for a wall outlet system largely as described in Claims 1-5 but formed in two halves split across the line of circular cross section of tube fitting holes which locate and lock together by means of a projecting lug locating into a mating recess having a projecting pip to clip into a matching hole in the lug, such lug and recess being formed with flat engaging surfaces parallel to the exposed face of the cover and shoulder under this face to constrain the parts against movement along the axis of the outlet tube. Such covers being without retaining screws would be secured to the wall surface by means of double sided adhesive tape one strip inside the shallow depth of each half of the cover lid like form and could be so secured with or without wall mounted recessed boxes.

7. A wall outlet system for central heating or other tubes and wires substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-12 of the accompanying drawings.