BACKGROUND ART It is well known to provide valves in pipelines to control the flow of fluid as and when required. Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the typical slide valve arrangement 10 with a slide valve 12 disposed between inlet and outlet pipes 14 and 16 respectively.

The slide valve 12 comprises a body 18 having a conduit 20 which communicates with the bores of pipes 14,16.

Sleeves 22,24 are provided on the body 18 to facilitate coupling to the pipes 14,16. A gate 26 is slidably mounted in the body 18, and is movable in a vertical plane using handle 28 between a first position (as shown) disposed in the conduit and a second position (as indicated in phantom) disposed in recess 30. When in the first position, the slide valve 12 is"closed"preventing the flow of fluid through the conduit 20; when in the

second position, the slide valve 12 is"open"since the gate no longer blocks the flow of fluid through the conduit 20.

The present applicant has recognised the need for an alternative slide valve arrangement of simple construction, in an effort to reduce fabrication costs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided valve means for regulating fluid flow through a pipe, comprising: a body having a conduit extending therethrough which in use communicates with fluid flowing in the pipe; and a member which is movable between a first position in the conduit and a second position substantially outside the conduit to regulate fluid flow; characterised in that the member movement between the first and second positions is by rotation about a pivot axis.

When in the first position, the member is disposed at least partially in the conduit and is thus able to restrict or even stop fluid flow. When moved into the second or open position, the member is at least substantially retracted from the conduit so that fluid flow restriction is reduced or even minimised. The present applicant has appreciated that pivotally mounting the member to the body to provide rotational gate movement -in contrast to the linear gate movement employed in the typical slide valve arrangement-has important ramifications to valve means construction. In particular, it may be possible to reduce the total number of injection moulded components which are required to produce the valve

means.

When the member is in the open position, fluid flows in an axial direction through the conduit. In a preferred form, the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the axial flow direction. The pivot axis is preferably located to one side of the conduit; that is, radially spaced from a central axis of the conduit, the central axis being parallel to the axial flow direction. The pivot axis may be beyond the periphery of the conduit.

The valve means may further comprise a lever, coupled to the member, for actuating the member. The lever and member may be integrally formed, e. g., injection moulded as a single component. The member may be formed with mounting means which engages a corresponding profile in the body to create the pivot between the member and body.

The mounting means and corresponding profile may include an arrangement comprising a spindle and an annular housing into which the spindle extends and is rotatable relative thereto.

The member may comprise a seal which, in the first position, is a snug fit against an opposing surface of the body. The seal may be disposed in a recess in the member.

In another aspect, the present invention provides valve means for regulating fluid flow through a pipe, comprising: a body having a conduit extending therethrough which in use communicates with fluid flowing through the pipe; and a member pivotably mounted in the body, the member being pivotable between a first position for restricting fluid flow through the conduit and a second

position where it is substantially removed from fluid flowing through the conduit; characterised in that the member's pivot axis is substantially parallel to the principal direction of fluid flow through the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional slide valve arrangement; Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of a valve embodying the present invention; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along AA of the valve of Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of a Figure 2.

MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figure 2 illustrates a valve 50 embodying the present invention, and comprising a body 52 having a conduit 53 of circular cross-section extending therethrough. A gate member 54, which may be positioned in the conduit (first position) as shown in Figure 2, is pivotably coupled through pivot axis 56 to the body 52. A lever 58 is rigidly connected to the gate 54 to control pivotal movement of the gate 54 into and out of the conduit 53.

The direction of fluid flow through the conduit is indicated by the arrow referenced D, which is parallel to the pivot axis 56.

The pivotal movement of the gate 54 is best illustrated with reference to Figure 3. The gate 54 is

pivotal between a first or closed position where the conduit 53 is totally blocked by the gate 54, to a second or open position where the gate 54 is totally outside the conduit 53, but still within the body 52. The gate 54 is confined to move in a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, D. The position of the gate 54 is determined by the position of the lever 58.

The body 52 comprises two halves, each with a sleeve 60 for attachment to a pipe (shown in phantom in figures 2 and 4) such that fluid in the pipe communicates with the conduit 53. The bore of the conduit 53 is determined by the extent of radially inwardly projecting flange 62.

Each half of the body 52 has a spindle 64 which, in use, is aligned with the pivot axis 56. The spindles 64 are received in corresponding profiles 66 in the gate 54 to provide the pivotal movement. The two halves of the body 52 are held together by screws 67. Each side of the gate 54 is provided with an annular seal 68 located in recess 70, which makes intimate contact with the opposing surface of the flange 62 to ensure the valve 50 is fluid tight when the gate 54 is in the closed position.