FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to covers for fitting to waste water outlets.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The waste water outlet in the floor of a shower is fitted with a cover which is either pressed into the fitting forming the entrance to the outlet pipe which is embedded in the shower floor, or attached to the fitting by means of one or more screws.

One extensively used form of cover comprises an outer ring, a series of parallel bars spanning across the ring and a single diametral strengthing bar at right angles to the parallel bars. The bars form a grid. This type of grid has the advantage that water can flow through it at a rate sufficient to prevent a water build up in the shower.

A problem with such covers is that hair can drape over the bars. Because the hair is hanging down on each side of a bar, water flowing from the shower to waste does not dislodge it. If the grid is not properly cleaned soap and other materials build up on the trapped hair. In a domestic situation this is unsightly and unhygienic but in hotels and the like it is unacceptable. Much time is spent by staff in cleaning the cover and if the cover is not properly cleaned this can result in a complaint by the next guest who checks into the room. Another known cover is in the form of a disc with a multitude of circular holes in it. This suffers from the same problem as the cover described above. The problem with matter trapped on the grid also arises with the waste water outlets of baths and, to a lesser extent, with sinks and wash hand basins that use an outlet grid and not a simple plug.

The present invention provides a waste water outlet cover which does not suffer from the defects discussed above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is a cover for a waste water outlet, the cover having a non-circular opening in it which opening is bounded by a number of discrete edges, the opening being devoid of any bridges which span across the opening and sub-divide the opening into two or more separate sub- openings. In one form the opening can be in the form of a cross which is bounded by eight long straight edges and four short transverse edges. In a further form the opening is arcuate in form and bounded by two parallel curving edges generated about the same centre as one another but of different diameters and two spaced apart curving edges of the same diameter as one another but of smaller diameter than the parallel edges and forming the ends of the opening. In yet a further form the opening consists of a plurality of slots which radiate from a central opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first form of cover in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diametrical section through the cover of Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 and 4 are a top plan view of, and a section through, a further form of cover; and

Figures 5 to 9 are top plan views of four other forms of cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 the cover 10 illustrated is specifically intended for a shower. The cover is circular in plan view and fits into the circular upwardly facing opening of the drain fitting (not shown) which is embedded in the floor of the shower.

The cover's external, cylindrical surface 12 has a change of diameter in it so that the diameter of the upper part 12.1 is greater than that of the lower part 12.2. This provides a downwardly directed cover supporting face 14. Two intersecting through slots 16 are provided in the cover, the slots 16 being at right angles to one another. The resulting opening 18 in the cover is in the shape of a cross bounded by eight long straight edges 20 and four transverse curved edges 22. It will be seen that there are no "bridges" which extend across the slots and divide the opening 18 into sub-openings. This ensures that it is impossible for a hair to drape over any part of the cover and hang down on each side.

Should a hair take up the position shown by the dotted line H in Figure 1 , the flowing water will sweep it off in the direction of the arrow A. This effect is enhanced if the triangular surfaces designated 24 slope down towards their apices at the centre of the cross-shaped opening.

In Figures 3 and 4 the cover designated 26 has an arcuate opening 28 in it. The opening 28 is continued downwardly through the cover 26 as shown in Figure 4. The opening 28, in common with the opening 18 in the cover 10 of Figures 1 and 2, does not have any "bridges" which cross it. This again prevents any hairs being suspended and retained. The cover 30 of Figure 5 is rectangular as opposed to round and has in it an opening 32 which comprises a centre part 34 and two diverging parts 36 one at each end of the centre part 34. The configuration can consequently be described as comprising two "Y" shapes with one inverted with respect to the other. Turning to Figure 6, the cover 38 is of elongate rectangular form and has in it an opening 40 which comprises a main part 42 and a plurality of side parts 44 which are on both sides of the main part 42 and at right angles to it. The cover 38 is secured to the outlet fitting by screws 46. The cover

30 can similarly be secured in place. The screws are not shown in Figure 5.

The covers 30 and 38 can have top surfaces which slope down towards the openings 32 and 40 respectively to promote water flow through the covers.

In Figure 7, the cover 46 has an opening 48 which consists of a plurality of equally spaced radial slots 50 which are bounded by ten long straight edges 52 and five transverse curved edges 54. In Figure 8 the cover 56 has an opening 58 which comprises six equally spaced slots 60 which are bounded by twelve long straight edges 62 and six transverse curved edges 64. It will be seen that there are no "bridges" in either embodiment which would extend across the slots and divide the openings 48 and 58 respectively into sub-openings. This ensures that it is impossible for a hair to drape over any part of the cover and hang down on each side.

The covers 46 and 56 may have top surfaces that slope down towards the respective openings 48 and 58 to promote the flow of water through the covers.

The cover of Figure 9 is designated 66 and has a single opening 68 in it, the opening being in the form of an elongate slot. The opening 68 is bounded by two spaced apart long edges 70 and by two semi-circular transverse edges 72 which form the ends of the slot. The top surface of the cover 66 can slope down towards the opening 68 from both sides.