This invention relates to a mounting arrangement, and in particular to an arrangement whereby a bar-type shower unit or the like can be mounted to a wall or other support. Whilst the description herein relates primarily to the mounting of bar type shower units, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard and may be employed in other applications. By way of example, it may be employed in the installation of a taps, spouts and the like.

In typical arrangements in which a bar-type shower unit is to be mounted to a wall or other support, a plumber or installer firstly installs pipework to allow hot and cold water to be supplied to the shower unit. Often, such pipework will be located within the void of a hollow, stud wall construction, or located with channels cut into a solid wall. At the location at which the shower unit is to be mounted, the plumber or installer will attach elbows to the pipework and fit short lengths of pipe to the elbows, these short lengths of pipe extending substantially horizontally, extending parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another by an appropriate distance to allow them to be connected, subsequently, to the shower unit.

Having installed the pipework, the wall finish is applied. By way of example, ceramic tiles or the like may be fitted. During installation, the wall finish is cut around the projecting short lengths of pipe.

After installation of the wall finish, the plumber or installer of the shower unit will mount the shower unit in position and connect the shower unit to the short lengths of pipe. Typically, the shower unit is mounted in position using a mounting bracket that typically requires holes to be drilled into the wall finish to allow screws or the like to be used the secure the mounting bracket, and hence the shower unit, in position. Drilling holes into the wall finish may require specialist tools and runs the risk of damaging the wall finish. The connection of the shower unit or associated bracket to the short lengths of pipe can be problematic in that the plumber or installer may not have been aware of the nature of the wall finish at the time that he installed the short lengths of pipe, and in particular may not have been aware of the thickness of the wall finish. Consequently, the short lengths of pipe may have been cut to the incorrect length, and so the task of connecting the shower unit thereto may involve cutting or attempting to extend the short lengths of pipe already in position as required in order to achieve a good connection to the shower unit. Also, the mounting brackets used (also known as fast fixing kits) typically involve the forming of compression joints with the pipes which may leak leading to water tracking along the pipes into the wall cavity, and which often result in stress being placed upon the holes drilled into the wall finish, running an increased risk in cracking or other damage to the wall finish.

Another problem that is often faced is that, during the installation of the wall finish, the pipework may be moved slightly, or may be damaged. If moved, there is a risk that the short lengths of pipe may no longer be properly positioned to fit to the shower unit, and there is a risk that the movement may damage the integrity of other connections within the pipework and so may cause leaks therein, and if damaged then the plumber or shower unit installer may need to remove and replace parts of the pipework. In either case, such remedial work is time consuming and may involve removing and replacing part of the wall finish which can negatively impact upon the finish quality of the final, installed shower.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mounting arrangement whereby at least some of the disadvantages set out hereinbefore are overcome or are of reduced impact.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting arrangement comprising a support element having mounting openings whereby the support element can be secured to a wall or other support, at least one connecting member secured to or formed integrally with the support element, the connecting member having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an internal passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet openings, wherein the outlet opening is provided with an internal screw thread formation, and a stub threadedly connected to the connecting member, cooperating with the thread formation, the stub being of hollow form defining an internal passage communicating with the internal passage of the connecting member. In use, the plumber or installer can install the mounting arrangement in the desired location, and install pipework to supply water to the inlet opening and internal passage of the connecting member. The stub can be fitted to the connecting member. A wall finish can then be applied. Subsequently, the stub can be removed, cut to a reduced length if required, and then resecured to the connecting member. The shower unit can then be connected to the stub. The stub, being supported by the connecting member, can bear the load of the shower unit, so no separate mounting bracket for the shower unit need be fitted. The arrangement thus serves to provide both the fluid connection to the water supply pipes and mechanical support to the shower unit.

It will be appreciated that through the use of the invention many of the disadvantages associated with known arrangements are overcome. The need to drill holes into the installed wall finish to attach a mounting bracket for the shower unit is avoided. As the stub is fixed in position during the installation of the wall finish through being secured to the connecting member which, in turn, is secured in position, the risk of movement of the stub or other pipework during installation of the wall finish, and the associated risks and disadvantages, is reduced.

Preferably, the stub is provided with an internal feature of non-circular cross sectional shape to allow a suitable tool to be used to drive the stub for rotation to allow it to be secured to the connecting member. By way of example, it may include a region in which the internal passage thereof is of hexagonal cross sectional shape suitable for cooperating with a suitably sized Allen key or the like. Alternatively, other features, internal or external, may be provided to allow the stub to be driven for rotation using a suitable tool. By way of example, external flats may be located on the stub.

Where the connecting member is attached to the support element, it is preferably selectively attachable to the front or rear face of the support element, and its orientation may be selected from a range of possible orientation options. Accordingly, the arrangement may be used in a wide range of applications including those in which the connecting member is to be concealed within the void of a hollow stud wall, in a cavity cut into a solid wall, or surface mounted to a wall surface.

Preferably, the support member carries two connecting members positioned such that the stubs attached thereto are correctly spaced for cooperating with the connectors of a shower unit.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the plumber or shower installer may need, as part of the installation process, to reduce the length of the stub. This may be achieved through the use of a hacksaw or the like to cut through the material of the stub. As the stub is provided with an external screw thread to cooperate with the internal screw thread of the connecting member, there is a tendency for the cut end face of the stub to be angled slightly to the axis of the stub and this may lead to difficulties in achieving a good seal between the stub and the connecting member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a finishing tool comprising a drive member shaped for receipt by the chuck of a power drill or the like, a grinder element attached to the drive member, and a guide member carried by the drive member and shaped and dimensioned for receipt, in use, within the cut end of a stub, the guide member cooperating with the stub to support the grinder element in a position perpendicular to the axis of the stub such that rotation of the grinder element results in the grinder element grinding the end of the stub to form a surface that is perpendicular to the axis of the stub.

The invention further relates to a support element, for example for use in a mounting arrangement of the type set out hereinbefore, wherein the support element comprises a plate having features formed at locations around its periphery to allow attachment of the plate to a plate of another similar support element.

Where the support element is designed to carry a single connecting member, attachment of two support elements of the type set out hereinbefore to one another can allow a pair of connecting members to be located correctly spaced apart from one another to allow the assembly to be used in the mounting of, for example, a bar-type shower unit or the like or for the connection of hot and cold water taps or the like.

The features preferably comprise a plurality of projections and recesses, the projections and recesses being of similar shapes and sizes to allow cooperation with corresponding projections and recesses of an adjacent support element in a jigsaw puzzle-like manner.

One problem that is often encountered when installing fittings such as taps to internally threaded stubs is that at the point at which the fitting is driven home onto the stub, bearing against the wall surface, and forms a seal with the stub, the fitting is incorrectly orientated for use, for example being at an angle to the vertical rather than being arranged vertically. To correct for this rather than being driven fully home with the threads forming a seal with the threaded stub, a liquid sealant or a sealant tape located upon the threads may be relied upon to form the seal. However, such seals are more prone to leak over time, and so reliance upon them is not ideal.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting arrangement comprising an internally threaded stub to which a fitting is securable, in use, and an adjustable stop component in threaded engagement within the stub.

During installation, the axial location of the stop component within the stub can be adjusted by rotation thereof relative to the stub so that, upon subsequent attachment of a fitting to the stub, the fitting will adopt the desired orientation at the point at which it is driven home against the stop component. The stop component is preferably provided with a feature shaped for cooperation with a tool to assist in adjustment of the location thereof. By way of example, it may be provided with a hexagonal shaped inner periphery for cooperation with an Allen key or the like, or a slot for cooperation with a screw driver or the like. The stub conveniently comprises the stub of a mounting arrangement as described hereinbefore. However, this need not always be the case, and the invention may be employed in other applications.

It is sometimes found that, in an installed shower or the like, water running down a wall surface finish onto pipework may track back along the pipework into voids behind the wall surface finish. The water may pool within the void, and over time may cause damage, for example leading to water marks on the ceilings of rooms beneath the one in which the shower or the like is installed, perhaps giving the impression that pipework is leaking. Investigation to ascertain whether a leak is present can result in damage to the wall surface finish, for example, which is costly and inconvenient to repair.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting arrangement comprising a threaded stub and a sealing member in threaded engagement with the threaded stub, the sealing member including an outwardly projecting flange for sealing engagement, in use, with a wall surface finish. During installation, a liquid thread sealant or the like is provided upon the threaded stub, and a sealant material is applied to a face of the flange. The sealing member is then threaded onto the stub and driven to a position in which the flange bears against the wall surface finish, the sealant material sealing the flange to the wall surface finish, and the liquid thread sealant sealing the sealing member to the stub. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the sealing member serves to restrict or avoid such tracking back of water along pipework into a void behind the wall surface finish or the like. The sealing member may be used with a mounting arrangement or the like of the type outlined hereinbefore.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a shower mounting arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating part of the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the arrangement in another mode of use;

Figure 4 is a view of a tool adapted for use in the installation of the arrangement;

Figure 5 is a view of part of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is an exploded view illustrating an alternative embodiment.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a shower mounting arrangement 10 is illustrated which comprises a support element 12 in the form of a steel plate formed with mounting openings 14 to allow the support element 12 to be secured to a wall or other support in a desired location using screws or other suitable fixings. In addition to the mounting openings 14, the support element 12 is formed with further openings 16 positioned such that threaded bolts 18 used to mount a pair of connecting members 20 to the support element 12 can extend through the openings 16. The bolts 18 extend into threaded openings 22 provided in the connecting members 20, and the threaded openings 22 extend completely through the connecting members 20 such that the support element 12 can be secured either to the front faces of the connecting member 20 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) or to the rear faces thereof, depending upon the application in which the shower mounting arrangement 10 is to be used.

As best shown in Figure 2, each connecting member 20 takes the form of a non-ferrous material block of substantially cubic or cuboid shape and having a threaded inlet opening 24 formed in one side thereof and a threaded outlet opening 26 formed in another, front face thereof. The connecting members 20 further include internal passages 28 interconnecting the inlet and outlet openings 24, 26. The connecting member 20 may be of, for example, brass. A sealing washer (not illustrated) is located within the outlet opening 26, bearing against a flat internal surface thereof.

The support element 12 is provided with openings 30a which, in use, align with the outlet openings 26.

The shower mounting arrangement 10 further comprises stubs 30 associated with each of the connecting members 20. Each stub 30 takes the form of a relatively short length of hollow non- ferrous material tube, conveniently of brass, for example, and provided with a chrome finish to enhance the appearance thereof. The outer surface of the stub 30 is of threaded form or has a screw thread formed on at least part thereof. Internally, each stub 30 defines a passage that, for the most part, is of circular cross sectional shape. However, as shown in Figure 2, towards a free end of the stub 30 the internal passage includes a region 31 that is shaped to be of hexagonal cross sectional shape, allowing an Allen key or similar tool to be used to drive the stub 30 for rotation. Whilst the provision of a hexagonal region is convenient, it will be appreciated that other formations, either internal or external, may be used to allow engagement of the stub 30 by a suitable tool to aid driving the stub 30 for rotation. By way of example, the exterior of the stub 30 could be provided with flats for engagement by a spanner or the like to aid rotation thereof. The flats could be located so as to be concealed in the finished installation, for example being concealed by the wall finish or the like.

The thread of each stub 30 is designed for cooperation with the thread of the outlet opening 26 of the associated connecting member 20, the end face of the stub 30 bearing against the sealing washer and so forming a water tight seal with the connecting member 20...

In use, the support element 12 is secured in the desired location, with the connecting members 20 secured thereto, using screws or other suitable fixings extending through the openings 14. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 it is envisaged that the support element 12 will be screwed to the surface of a solid wall, with the connecting members 20 located within cavities cut into the wall. However, it could be mounted upon the face of a hollow stud wall or the like, with the connecting members 20 located within the void of the wall, if desired. Watertight connections are made between the inlet openings 24 of the connecting members 20 and hot and cold water supply pipes also located within the void of the wall or cavities cut into the wall. These connections may take any suitable form and do not form part of the invention so will not be described herein in detail. The stubs 30 are screwed into the outlet openings 26.

Subsequently, a wall finish is applied to the wall. By way of example, ceramic tiles or the like may be applied thereto. The wall finish is cut or otherwise formed such that the stubs 30 project through the wall finish. It will be appreciated that as the hot and cold water supply pipes are attached, at their ends, to the connecting members 20 which are held in position by virtue of being attached to the support element 12, movement of the pipes during installation of the wall finish, and the consequent risk of damage to the integrity of connections in the pipework, is reduced. Furthermore, as the stubs 30 are held rigidly in position by the connecting members 20 during the installation of the wall finish, the risk of movement thereof is reduced. Also, the stubs 30 are relatively robust and so damage thereto is unlikely. If the stubs 30 are damaged, they can readily be removed and replaced. Consequently, subsequent connection to a shower unit is relatively straightforward.

Once the wall finish has been installed, a bar-type shower unit can be mounted to the stubs 30. This may involve working out how far from the surface of the wall finish the shower unit is desired to be positioned, and hence working out whether the stubs 30 are of the correct length or require shortening. If they require shortening then the stubs 30 are removed and cut to the required length, for example using a hack saw or the like. Once cut to the required length, the stubs 30 are resecured to the connecting members 20. In order to allow the application of a sufficient torque to the stubs 30 to achieve a desired seal between the stubs 30 and the connecting members 20, an Allen key or other suitable tool may be used to engage the hexagonal formation or other formation within or associated with each stub 30. As mentioned hereinbefore a, for example, fibre sealing washer is positioned within each outlet opening 26 prior to threadedly securing the stubs 30 thereto, to aid the formation of a good seal between the stubs 30 and the connecting members 20. Once the stubs 30 have been installed, the shower unit is attached to the stubs 30 to form a watertight connection to the stubs 30. The stubs 30 not only serve to provide a water supply to the shower unit, but also provide support to the shower unit, securely mounting the shower unit in position upon the wall or other support. Consequently, the need to provide a separate mounting bracket or the like to secure the shower unit in position is avoided, and the need to drill holes in the wall finish to attach such a mounting bracket in position is also avoided.

It will be appreciated that the shower mounting arrangement described hereinbefore is thus advantageous over and above conventional arrangements, and that the disadvantages associated with such arrangements outlined hereinbefore are overcome or are of reduced effect.

Figure 3 illustrates the arrangement described hereinbefore in another mode of use. In the arrangement of Figure 3, the support element 12 is intended to be secured within the void of a hollow wall structure, for example mounted upon a wooden horizontal support located within the wall structure. The support element 12 is secured to the rear faces of the connecting members 20. Other than this, the arrangement of Figure 3 is substantially identical to that described hereinbefore, and is used in substantially the same manner. As an alternative to the application mentioned above, the arrangement of Figure 3 could be used in applications where the water supply pipes are to be surface mounted, the support element 12 being secured to the surface of the wall or other support in such an arrangement. It will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated is thus flexible in that it may be used in a wide range of different applications.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification to the arrangement described hereinbefore in which the connecting members 20 are of cylindrical form rather than of cubic or cuboid form. Use of the arrangement of Figure 5 is substantially as described hereinbefore, and so will not be described in further detail.

As well as being designed in such a manner as to allow the connecting members 20 to be secured to either the front face or the rear face of the support element 12, it will further be appreciated that the connecting members 20 can be connected in several different orientations, for example to connect to water pipes positioned above, below or to the side of the connecting members 20. The arrangement is thus suitable for use in a number of applications.

As described hereinbefore, in some installations there may be a need to shorten the stubs 30, for example using a hack saw or the like to cut the stubs 30 to the desired length. Difficulties can be faced in achieving smooth cut end surfaces that are perpendicular to the axis of the stubs 30, and as the failure to achieve such good, correctly oriented cut surfaces can negatively impact upon the quality of the seal that can be achieved with the connecting members 20, a tool of the type shown in Figure 4 is preferably used after cutting of the stubs 30 to finish the cut ends. The tool comprises a drive member 40 adapted to be received within the chuck of a power drill or other suitable power tool capable of driving the drive member 40 for rotation. Connected to the drive member 40 is a grinding element 42 formed with grinding formations 44 on a face thereof. A guide element 46 of external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the stub 30 extends concentrically from the drive member 40. In use, the guide element 46 is introduced into the stub 30, and the grinding formations 44 are positioned to engage the cut end of the stub 30. Driving of the tool for rotation causes the grinding formations 44 to grind the end face of the stub 30 to form a smooth, flat surface that is properly oriented relative to the axis of the stub 30 to allow the formation, in use, of a good seal between the stub 30 and the associated connecting member 20.

Referring next to Figure 6, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In many respects, the embodiment of Figure 6 is similar to those of Figures 1 to 3 and 5, and so only the significant distinctions therebetween are described herein. The embodiment of Figure 6 may be used, as described hereinbefore, for example in the mounting of bar-type shower units and the like. Flowever, it will be appreciated that it is also suitable for use in a wide range of other applications as described below.

A first distinction between the arrangement described hereinbefore with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and that of Figure 6 is in relation to the shape of the support element 12. In the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3, the support element 12 is of generally rectangular form and is arranged to have a pair of connecting members 20 mounted thereon, the connecting members 20 being properly spaced to allow connection thereof to, for example, a bar type shower unit. In the arrangement of Figure 6, only a single connecting member 20 is intended to be mounted upon the support element 12, and the support element 12 is shaped, around its periphery, to define a series of connecting tongues 12a and recesses 12b which are able to cooperate with the tongues 12a and recesses 12b of a similar support element 12 in a jigsaw-like manner, when required, to allow the correct positioning of two or more support elements 12 side-by-side, when required, to correctly space and locate the connecting members 20 mounted thereon to allow them to be used in the mounting of, for example, a bar-type shower unit or the like, or to taps, spouts or other fittings. It will be appreciated that the modular nature of the arrangement of Figure 6 results in it being suitable for use in an increased range of applications.

As shown in Figure 6, the support element 12 is preferably provided with cut outs 12c, providing some additional space to accommodate part of a fitting attached to the inlet opening 24, or to assist in attachment of such a fitting. Such fittings can be relatively bulky, and so providing this additional space can be useful in some circumstances.

The stub 30, as illustrated, in addition to being externally threaded for cooperation with the threads of the connecting member 20 (and, where appropriate, to connectors to be mounted thereto when used in the manner described in the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 and 5) is provided with an internal thread 30a for cooperation with the external thread of a fitting (not shown) to be connected thereto. By way of example, the fitting could comprise a tap or spout. Located within the stub 30, in threaded engagement therewith, is an adjustable stop ring 30b. The axial position of the stop ring 30b within the stub 30 can be adjusted by rotation of the stop ring 30b, for example using a suitable tool such as an Allen key or a screw driver cooperating with suitably shaped formations provided on the stop ring 30b. In use, the axial position of the stop ring 30b within the stub 30 is adjusted as required such that, once a fitting is threaded to the internal thread 30a of the stub 30 and is driven home against the stop ring 30b, the fitting will be in the desired angular orientation. By way of example, where the fitting is a spout, the end thereof will be pointed vertically downwards. As shown, a sealing washer 30c is preferably located within the stub 30 between the stop ring 30b and the fitting to aid sealing therebetween. The invention is thus not only beneficial in that the fitting is properly orientated, but also in that a good seal can be established with the fitting, in use. Once driven home against the sealing washer and stop ring 30b, it will be appreciated that the fitting is sealed to the stub 30. In many applications, the use of a liquid thread sealant upon the threads of the fitting can be avoided, although such sealants may be applied as a safeguard, if desired.

Another feature of the arrangement of Figure 6 is the provision of a sealing member 50 in threaded engagement with the external thread of the stub 30. The sealing member 50 defines an outwardly extending flange 52 that, in use, bears against the wall surface finish. During installation, a sealant material is applied to the face of the flange 52 that bears against the wall surface finish, and a liquid thread sealant is applied to at least part of the external thread of the stub 30. The sealing member 50 is threaded onto the stub 30 and is driven into position with the flange 52 bearing against the wall surface finish. It will be appreciated that, in this position, the sealing member 50 seals against both the stub 30 and the wall surface finish, and so water running down the wall surface finish is unable to track along the stub 30 into, for example, a void behind the wall surface finish.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figure 6 is advantageous in that it allows a wide range of fittings to be mounted and connected in the required positions. Bar-type shower units and the like can be mounted using the external threads of the stub, being both supported by the mounting arrangement and plumbed in using the mounting arrangement. Flowever, the mounting arrangement can be used in other applications such as in the mounting of taps, spouts and other fittings that are threaded to the internal thread of the stub, the adjustable stop ring allowing the correct installation of such fittings without relying solely or primarily upon the use of liquid thread sealant materials to ensure the formation of a seal, but rather the cooperation of the fittings with the stop ring 30b and sealing washer allowing a good mechanical seal to be achieved. As described above, the use of the sealing member 50 can avoid or restrict water ingress into voids behind a wall finish, and the use of a support element 12 of the form shown in Figure 6 allows the mounting arrangement to be used in a very wide range of applications, both those where a single connection is required and where multiple connections are required. Whilst specific embodiments of the invention are described herein, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.