Field

The present invention relates to a tool useful in the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin/bath waste fitting. The present invention also relates to a socket, kit, method and use for installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin/bath waste fitting.

Background

Basins are commonly provided with basin waste fittings which comprise a pipe with an opening facing into the basin (known as the strainer) and an opening for connecting to the basin's pipework to drain off wastewater. The pipe is provided with an outer thread beneath the strainer (known as a threaded tailpiece) on which a nut (known as a locknut) is located and can be tightened against the underside of the basin to hold the basin waste fitting in place. Seals or sealants and/or washers may be provided between the strainer and the basin and/or between the locknut and the basin. Wash basins are provided with a waste hole into which such basin waste fittings are fitted.

Such basin waste fittings are typically installed, removed or replaced by using a basin wrench (for example an adjustable basin wrench) on the locknut underneath the basin whilst holding the strainer from above the basin.

Baths comprise similar waste fittings. All references to basin waste fittings in the following specification also encompass bath waste fittings. All references to basins include, for example, bathroom wash basins and kitchen sinks.

Summary of the Invention

The process of installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin waste fitting can be difficult using conventional tools, particularly for a lone worker. For example, the space underneath the basin in which to work may be severely restricted and it may therefore be difficult to manipulate the locknut on the basin waste fitting, particularly when a relatively large gauge spanner (or wrench) is required to manipulate the locknut. Also, the strainer must be manipulated at the same time (i.e. prevented from rotating) and therefore the lone worker can only manipulate the locknut, and any tool used, with one hand. It is one aim of the present invention, amongst others, to provide a tool, socket, kit, method and use that addresses at least one disadvantage of the prior art, whether identified here or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative to existing tools, sockets, kits, methods and uses. For instance it may be an aim of the present invention to provide a tool which can facilitate the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin waste fitting. The tool may allow a user to effectively immobilise said basin waste fitting during an installation and/or removal and/or replacement operation, suitably without risking damage to said basin waste fitting. The kit may simultaneously facilitate the manipulation of a locknut and the immobilisation of the basin waste fitting, which may allow a lone worker to more easily install, remove or replace the basin waste fitting.

According to aspects of the present invention, there is provided a tool, socket, kit, method and use as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the tool comprising: a gripping portion adapted to allow a user to manually grip the tool to prevent rotation of the tool; and a working portion adapted to engage said strainer; wherein the working portion comprises at least two protrusions adapted to engage said strainer to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fitting when the gripping portion is gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool.

Suitably basin waste fittings on which the tool is intended for use have a strainer permanently attached to the basin waste fitting. The term strainer is intended to refer to the structure inside the basin waste fitting which is present to partially obstruct the drain hole of the basin waste fitting, for example to catch debris from entering the drain hole, and/or to provide a structure in which a plug can be accommodated, for example a pop-up type plug. Suitable strainers can therefore be considered to comprise drain sections which are through-holes for allowing wastewater to pass into the drain hole of the basin waste fitting, the drain sections defined by a frame of the strainer. The frame comprises structural elements which may traverse the drain hole and partially block the drain hole of the basin waste fitting. Most known basin waste fittings comprise these general features.

The terms basin waste fitting, strainer, threaded tailpiece and locknut would be known to the person skilled in relevant art. The term basin waste fitting is intended to encompass bath waste fittings.

The inventor has found that the tool of this first aspect may facilitate the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of said basin waste fitting by enabling a user to prevent said basin waste fitting from rotating when said locknut is tightened and/or loosened from said threaded tailpiece, using one hand. This leaves the other hand of the user free to manipulate said locknut and therefore carry out the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of said basin waste fitting from a basin without the assistance of another worker and/or whilst avoiding the difficulty experienced by lone workers in carrying out said operations. The gripping portion is adapted to allow a user to manually grip the tool to prevent rotation of the tool. The gripping portion may be of a suitable length and width/diameter to allow a user to grip the tool with one hand.

Suitably the gripping portion and the working portion are at opposite ends of the tool.

The working portion comprises at least two protrusions adapted to engage said strainer to prevent rotation of said basin waste fitting when the gripping portion is gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool. The at least two protrusions may project outwards from the working portion, away from the gripping portion.

Suitably the at least two protrusions are adapted to fit into drain sections of said strainer, suitably into different drain sections of said strainer. Suitably the at least two protrusions are spaced apart on the working portion of the tool. Suitably the at least two protrusions are arranged around the centre of the working portion, suitably towards an outer edge of the working portion. In some embodiments the at least two protrusions are arranged on the outer edge of the working portion. Suitably the at least two protrusions are equidistantly spaced from each other around the outer edge of the working portion. Therefore the at least two protrusions are suitably adapted to engage said strainer at positions on said strainer towards an outer edge of said strainer. Suitably the at least two protrusions are arranged on opposite sides of the centre of the working portion.

Suitably the at least two protrusions have a size, shape and arrangement on the working portion which allow the at least two protrusions to contact said frame of said strainer on at least two different positions when the tool is lowered onto said strainer so that the at least two protrusions each enter a different drain section, and when the tool is gripped by a user against rotation. This may involve the user slightly rotating the tool after lowering the tool onto said strainer to bring the at least two protrusions into contact with said frame on said at least two different positions. This contact with said frame on said at least two different positions prevents the rotation of the basin/bath waste fitting when the tool is gripped by a user by the at least two protrusions providing a resistance against the rotation of said basin waste fitting through contact with said frame of said strainer.

In some embodiments, the at least two protrusions have a size, shape and arrangement on the working portion which is complimentary to the size, shape and arrangement of drain sections of said strainer and allows an approximate contact fit of the at least two protrusions into two different drain sections, in use. This contact fit prevents the rotation of the tool when the tool is gripped by a user by the at least two protrusions providing a resistance against the rotation of said basin waste fitting through contact with said frame of said strainer. The size, shape and arrangement of the at least two protrusions may be altered according to a size, shape and arrangement of a specific strainer and/or basin waste fitting. Many variations of such strainers and/or basin waste fittings are known in art and commercially available. The tool of this first aspect may therefore be provided in many variations in order to be specifically adapted according to the principles described herein to function with specific strainers and/or basin waste fittings.

The at least two protrusions may be arranged and adapted to engage with at least two different designs of strainer. For example, the tool may comprise two protrusions arranged and adapted to engage with at least two differently sized and/or shaped drain sections on different strainers. Suitably the protrusions are arranged on an outer edge of the working portion, suitably the protrusions are equidistantly spaced from each other around the outer edge of the working portion.

In some embodiments, the tool is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting comprising a strainer having no drain sections, i.e. having only a single open drain channel through the basin waste fitting. Such basin waste fittings comprise side holes in said strainer arranged above said threaded tailpiece, in use. In such embodiments, the at least two protrusions may be retractable and arranged to extend outwards from an outer edge of the working portion, for example approximately perpendicular to a major axis of the tool, for engaging with side holes arranged in said strainer. The tool may comprise a mechanism for selectively extending and retracting the at least two protrusions from and into the working portion. Suitably the tool of this first aspect has a cylindrical shape and a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of said basin/bath waste fitting. Suitably the tool has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of from 30 mm to 50 mm, suitably from 32 to 37 mm, for example for use with a basin waste fitting. In some embodiments the tool has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of from 38 to 44 mm, for example for use with a bath waste fitting. Suitably the tool has a length of from 100 mm to 200 mm.

Suitably the working portion has a cylindrical shape and a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of said basin waste fitting. Suitably the working portion has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of from 30 mm to 50 mm, suitably from 32 to 37 mm, for example for use with a basin waste fitting. In some embodiments the working portion has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of from 38 to 44 mm, for example for use with a bath waste fitting. The tool and/or the working portion having a cylindrical shape and a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of said basin waste fitting facilitates the location of the tool on said basin waste fitting in the correct position for the at least two protrusions to engage with said strainer and prevent rotation of the basin waste fitting, in use. In some embodiments the working portion has a cylindrical shape and a diameter smaller than the diameter of a main body of the tool. The main body of the tool comprises the remainder of the tool apart from the working portion and the gripping portion. Suitably the tool comprises a step on an outside surface of the tool where the working portion meets the main body of the tool, the diameter of the working portion being smaller than the diameter of the main body of the tool.

Suitably the gripping portion comprises at least one handle protruding outward from a major axis of the tool.

The handle may facilitate the gripping of the tool by a user during an installation and/or removal and/or replacement of said basin/bath waste fitting. The handle may be adjustable. The handle may comprise a shaft. The gripping portion may comprise a channel passing through the gripping portion adapted to receive, suitably slidably receive, the shaft. This arrangement suitably allows the handle to be adjusted to lengthen the handle on one side of the gripping portion and shorten the handle on another side of the gripping portion, in order to increase the mechanical advantage provided by the handle where it has been lengthened and therefore allow a user to apply a larger torque to the tool for the same effort. This may assist the user to remove a basin waste fitting which is very tightly fitted.

In some embodiments, the working portion comprises a slot adapted to accommodate an integral plug of said basin/bath waste fitting when the working portion engages said strainer. Suitably the slot provides an opening in the working portion which extends across the working portion through the centre of the working portion. Suitably the slot extends into the tool, suitably along a major axis of the tool, towards the gripping portion. Suitably the slot extends into the tool to a depth sufficient for the tool to accommodate said integral plug and allow the at least two protrusions to engage the strainer. In some embodiments, the working portion of the tool may be hollow. Suitably in such embodiments, the slot is formed by cut-away sections of side walls of the working portion.

The slot allows the tool to function with a basin waste fitting which comprises an integral plug. Such integral (or captive) plugs are not intended to be removed from said basin waste fitting during fitting or in normal use. In some embodiments, the tool is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting comprising a strainer having an integral plug, for example a pop-up type plug which is permanently connected to said strainer (or captive in said strainer) through a rod - said plug not being readily removable from said strainer. In such embodiments, the working portion may comprise a slot for accommodating said rod connecting said integral plug to said strainer, and may comprise a space between the working portion and a main body of the tool for accommodating said plug, in use. Therefore, with said rod located in the slot and said integral plug located in the space between the working portion and the main body of the tool, the working portion can engage with said drain sections of said strainer through the at least two protrusions, despite the presence of the integral plug.

In some embodiments of the tool of this first aspect, the gripping portion may be a working portion as described above. Therefore the tool of this first aspect may have two working portions, suitably two different working portions adapted to engage with different basin/bath waste fittings, as described herein. It will be appreciated that a working portion as described above may allow a user to manually grip the tool to prevent rotation of the tool, despite being adapted to engage a strainer of a waste fitting.

Therefore this first aspect of the present invention may provide a tool for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing at least a first basin/bath waste fitting and a second basin/bath waste fitting, said first basin/bath waste fitting and said second basin/bath waste fitting each comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the tool comprising: a first working portion adapted to engage said strainer of the first basin/bath waste fitting; and a second working portion adapted to engage said strainer of the second basin/bath waste fitting; wherein the first and second working portions each comprise at least two protrusions adapted to engage one of said strainers to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fittings when one of the first and second working portions are gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool.

To operate such an embodiment of the tool, either the first working portion is engaged with the strainer of the first basin/bath waste fitting and the second working portion is gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool, or the second working portion is engaged with the strainer of the second basin/bath waste fitting and the first working portion is gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a socket for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the socket comprising: a first end adapted to engage with said locknut; and a second end adapted to engage with a fastening device.

Suitably the socket is substantially cylindrical. Suitably the first end is an open end adapted to receive said locknut into the interior of the socket and engage said locknut. Suitably the open end has a hexagonal shape suitable for engaging with a common hexagonal locknut, for example a 1 .25 inch plastic or brass hexagonal waste locknut. In some embodiments the open end has an octagonal shape suitable for engaging with a common octagonal locknut, for example a 1 .25 or 1 .5 inch plastic octagonal waste locknut.

Engaging said locknut may allow a torque to be applied to said locknut through the socket. Suitably the diameter of the first end is larger than the diameter of the second end. This may allow a smaller fastening device to be used to manipulate said locknut, through the socket, in use. The use of a smaller fastening device may facilitate the tightening and/or loosening of said locknut as a smaller fastening device may be easier to use in a difficult to access location underneath a basin or bath, especially if obstructed by piping and/or under basin furniture. Suitably the first and second ends are spaced apart by a main body of the socket by at least 5 cm. Suitably by at least 10 cm.

The first and second ends being spaced apart allows the user to apply a torque to said locknut, using said fastening device, through a position spaced away from said locknut. Such locknuts may be typically located in a difficult to access location underneath a basin or bath, especially if obstructed by piping and/or under basin furniture. Therefore the first and second ends of the socket being spaced apart may facilitate the tightening and/or loosening of said locknut.

Suitably the second end of the socket comprises a connection fitting adapted to engage with a spanner. In some embodiments the second end of the socket comprises a hexagonal shaped connection fitting suitable for engaging with commonly available spanners. Suitably the connection fitting has a smaller diameter and/or gauge than said locknut and or the first end of the socket. This may allow a smaller spanner to be used to manipulate said locknut through the socket than would be required to directly engage with and manipulate said locknut. The use of a smaller spanner may facilitate the tightening and/or loosening of said locknut as a smaller spanner may be easier to use in a difficult to access location underneath a basin or bath, especially if obstructed by piping and/or under basin furniture.

Suitably the second end of the socket comprises a handle adapted to allow a user to manually grip the socket to rotate the socket. The socket having a handle may facilitate the tightening and/or loosening of said locknut as the use of a fastening device such as a spanner could be avoided, simplifying the procedure, particularly when performed simultaneously with engaging said strainer in order to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fitting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the kit comprising: a tool for engaging said strainer, the tool comprising: a gripping portion adapted to allow a user to manually grip the tool to prevent rotation of the tool; and a working portion adapted to engage said strainer to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fitting when the gripping portion is gripped by said user to prevent rotation of the tool; and a socket adapted to engage said locknut to allow said locknut to rotate on said threaded tailpiece when the socket is rotated. The tool, and the gripping portion and working portion of the tool, may have any of the features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect.

The socket may have any of the features and advantages described in relation to the second aspect.

The inventor has found that, when used together, the tool and the socket of the kit of this third aspect may provide a great improvement in the ease with which a basin/bath waste fitting can be installed, removed or replaced, in particular when carried out by a lone worker.

Suitably the tool is a tool according to the first aspect.

Suitably the socket is a socket according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the method comprising the steps of: a) when said basin/bath waste fitting is located in a basin, engaging said strainer with a tool having at least two protrusions adapted to engage said strainer to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fitting; and b) engaging said locknut to tighten or loosen said locknut on said threaded tailpiece to allow installation and/or removal and/or replacement of said basin/bath waste fitting.

The suitable features and advantages of the method of this fourth aspect are as described in relation to the first, second and third aspects. Steps a) and b) can be carried out in any order. Steps a) and b) are suitably carried out simultaneously so that the tool having at least two protrusions engages said strainer and prevents rotation of said strainer (step a)) during the tightening or loosening of said locknut (step b)).

The skilled person would appreciate that further operations may be necessary to install, remove or replace a basin/bath waste fitting, such as removing said locknut from said threaded tailpiece, removing said basin waste fitting from a basin/bath etc.

Suitably step a) is carried out using a tool according to the first aspect.

Suitably step b) is carried out using a socket adapted to engage with said locknut to allow said locknut to rotate on said threaded tailpiece when the socket is rotated. Suitably step b) is carried out using a socket according to the second aspect.

The method of this fourth aspect may be a method of installing a basin/bath waste fitting wherein step a) is preceded by a step of locating said basin/bath waste fitting in a basin/bath; and wherein step b) involves tightening said locknut on said threaded tailpiece against an underside of said basin/bath, suitably with a sealant material and/or a washer arranged between said locknut and said underside of said basin/bath.

The method of this fourth aspect may be a method of removing a basin/bath waste fitting wherein step b) involves loosening said locknut on said threaded tailpiece to allow removal of said locknut from said threaded tailpiece and removal of said basin/bath waste fitting from said basin/bath. The method of this fourth aspect may be a method of replacing a basin/bath waste fitting wherein step b) involves loosening said locknut on said threaded tailpiece to allow removal of said locknut from said threaded tailpiece and removal of said basin/bath waste fitting from said basin/bath; and wherein step b) is followed by a step of locating a second basin/bath waste fitting in said basin/bath; and a step of tightening a locknut on a threaded tailpiece of said second basin/bath waste fitting against an underside of said basin/bath, suitably with a sealant material and/or a washer arranged between said locknut and said underside of said basin/bath. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut, the method comprising the steps of: a) when said basin/bath waste fitting is located in a basin/bath, engaging said strainer with a tool to prevent rotation of said basin/bath waste fitting; and b) engaging said locknut with a socket to tighten or loosen said locknut on said threaded tailpiece to allow installation and/or removal and/or replacement of said basin/bath waste fitting, the socket comprising: a first end adapted to engage with said locknut; and a second end adapted to engage with a fastening device.

The suitable features and advantages of the method of this fifth aspect are as described in relation to the first, second, third and fourth aspects.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a tool according to the first aspect for installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a socket according to the second aspect for installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a kit according to the third aspect for installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, said basin/bath waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting having a strainer with six drain sections and a central drain hole.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting having a strainer with five drain sections arranged in a spiral and a central drain hole. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a bath waste fitting having three drain sections and no central drain hole.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting having a strainer with four drain sections, the basin waste fitting having an integral rotatable plug.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting having an integral pop-up type plug.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tool according to the first aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting with a strainer having no drain sections. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a socket which is part of a kit according to the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 8A is a perspective view of a kit according to the second aspect of the invention and a basin waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut.

Figure 8B is a perspective view of a kit according to the second aspect of the invention engaged with a basin waste fitting comprising a strainer, a threaded tailpiece and a locknut.

Detailed Description Of The Example Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a tool (100) comprising a gripping portion (1 10) and a working portion (120). The structure and function of the tool (100) is described below in relation to a basin waste fitting (1000) comprising a threaded tailpiece (not shown) with a permanently attached strainer (1010), the strainer comprising a frame (1040) which defines six drain sections (1020) having a wedge shape and a central drain hole (1030). The drain sections (1020) and the central drain hole (1030) are through holes which extend into the centre of the threaded tailpiece of the basin waste fitting (1000) and in use allow wastewater to pass from the basin, though the basin waste fitting (1000) and into the wastewater pipework. The tool is formed predominantly from a plastics material which provides the tool with structural rigidity but a relatively soft surface finish which may help to avoid damaging metal and porcelain fixtures and fittings during use. The tool has a substantially cylindrical shape and a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of a standard basin waste fitting (1000), for example approximately 37 mm in diameter. This diameter facilitates the correct alignment of the tool over and in contact with a strainer (1010) of basin waste fitting (1000), during use, and provides an appropriate size of tool to facilitate manual gripping of the tool (100) by a user, for example at the gripping portion (1 10). The gripping portion (1 10) comprises a handle (1 1 1) for facilitating manual gripping of the tool by a user and prevention of the rotation of the tool through said gripping in use. The handle (1 1 1 ) comprises a shaft (1 12) slidably arranged in channel (1 13) which traverses the tool (100) at the gripping portion (1 10) through the central major axis of the tool (100) in a direction perpendicular to the central major axis of the tool (100). This arrangement allows the handle

(1 1 1 ) to facilitate the prevention of rotation of the tool through the application of a torque to the tool, through the handle, using the mechanical advantage provided by the length of the shaft

(1 12) of the handle (1 1 1). The handle also comprises rounded end caps (1 14) fixed onto each end of shaft (1 12) to facilitate the comfortable gripping of the handle (1 1 1) by a user and to prevent the handle (1 1 1) sliding completely out of the channel (1 13) and therefore separating from the tool (100).

The working portion (120) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of a standard basin waste fitting (1000), for example approximately 36 mm in diameter, to facilitate engagement of the working portion (120) with the strainer (1010) of basin waste fitting (1000). The working portion (120) has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 50 mm. The working portion (120) comprises two protrusions in the form of teeth (121) which extend outwards from the working portion (120) and are arranged at the outer edge of the working portion (122). The teeth (121) are shaped and sized to each enter a drain section (1020) of the strainer (1010) and engage parts of the frame (1040) which define the drain sections (1020) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (100) can prevent the rotation of the basin waste fitting (1000) relative to a basin in which it is fitted. As described below, preventing the rotation of the basin waste fitting assists a user in the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin waste fitting by allowing a locknut to be threaded onto the threaded tailpiece of the basin waste fitting and tightened against the basin (through any washers or seals present) without the tightening operation simply rotating the basin waste fitting in the basin without actually tightening the locknut.

Figure 2 shows a tool (200) comprising a similar arrangement of gripping portion (210) and working portion (220) as the tool (100) of Figure 1 . The tool (200) has the same arrangement of handle (21 1), shaft (212), channel (213) and rounded end caps (214) as tool (100). The tool (200) differs from the tool (100) in that the working portion (220) is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting (2000) comprising a strainer (2010) having five drain sections (2020) arranged in a spiral around a central drain hole (2030) defined by a frame (2040). As with basin waste fitting (1000) of Figure 1 , the basin waste fitting (2000) comprises a threaded tailpiece (not shown) permanently attached to the strainer (2010), the drain sections (2020) and the central drain hole (2030) otherwise functioning the same as described in relation to Figure 1 . The working portion (220) has a cylindrical shape as described for working portion (120) of tool (100) shown in Figure 1 . The working portion (220) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of a standard basin waste fitting (2000), for example approximately 35 mm in diameter, to facilitate engagement of the working portion (220) with the strainer (2010) of basin waste fitting (2000). The working portion (220) has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 26 mm. The working portion (220) comprises five protrusions in the form of studs (221). Studs (221) are formed of metal, for example steel, and are shaped and sized to each enter a drain section (2020) of the strainer (2010) and engage parts of the frame (2040) which define the drain sections (2020) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (200) can prevent the rotation of the basin waste fitting (2000) relative to a basin in which it is fitted, as described above.

Figure 3 shows a tool (300) comprising a similar arrangement of gripping portion (not shown) and working portion (320) as the tool (100) of Figure 1 . The tool (300) may have the same arrangement of handle, shaft, channel and rounded end caps as tool (100). The tool (300) differs from the tool (100) in that the working portion (320) is adapted to engage with a bath waste fitting (3000) comprising a strainer (3010) having three drain sections (3020) arranged around a central pin (3030) for attachment of a plug, the drain holes defined by a frame (3040). As with basin waste fitting (1000) of Figure 1 , the bath waste fitting (3000) comprises a threaded tailpiece (not shown) permanently attached to the strainer (3010), the drain sections (3020) otherwise functioning the same as described in relation to Figure 1 .

The working portion (320) has a cylindrical shape as described for working portion (120) of tool (100) shown in Figure 1 . The working portion (320) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of a standard bath waste fitting (3000), for example approximately 41 mm in diameter, to facilitate engagement of the working portion (320) with the strainer (3010) of bath waste fitting (3000). The working portion (320) has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 38 mm. The working portion (320) comprises three protrusions in the form of teeth (321). The teeth (321) are separated around the outer edge of the working portion (320) by gaps (322) which accommodate the frame (3040) of the strainer (3010) in use. Teeth (321) are shaped and sized to each enter a drain section (3020) of the strainer (3010) and engage parts of the frame (3040) which define the drain sections (3020) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (300) can prevent the rotation of the bath waste fitting (3000) relative to a bath in which it is fitted, as described above.

Figure 4 shows a tool (400) comprising a similar arrangement of gripping portion (410) and working portion (420) as the tool (100) of Figure 1. The tool (400) may have the same arrangement of handle, shaft, channel and rounded end caps as tool (100). The tool (400) differs from the tool (100) in that the working portion (420) is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting (4000) comprising a strainer (4010) having four drain sections (4020) defined by a frame (4040). As with basin waste fitting (1000) of Figure 1 , the basin waste fitting (4000) comprises a threaded tailpiece permanently attached to the strainer (4010), the drain sections (4020) otherwise functioning the same as described in relation to Figure 1 . The basin waste fitting (4000) comprises an integral plug (4050) which is rotatably mounted in the strainer (4010) to allow rotation of the integral plug (4050) between an open position which would allow wastewater to pass from a basin through the basin waste fitting (4000) and a closed position which would prevent wastewater passing from a basin through the basin waste fitting (4000).

The working portion (420) has a cylindrical shape as described for working portion (120) of tool (100) shown in Figure 1 . The working portion (420) is approximately 37 mm in diameter and has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 34 mm. The working portion (420) comprises four protrusions in the form of teeth (421) which extend outwards from the working portion (420) and are arranged at the outer edge of the working portion (422). The teeth (421) are shaped and sized to each enter a drain section (4020) of the strainer (4010) and engage parts of the frame (4040) which define the drain sections (4020) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (400) can prevent the rotation of the basin waste fitting (4000) relative to a basin in which it is fitted, as described above.

The working portion (420) is hollow and comprises two cut-away sections (423) arranged opposite each other on the outer edge (422) of the working portion (420). The two cut-away sections (423) are shaped and sized (approximately 11 mm wide and 33 mm deep along the major axis of the tool) to accommodate the integral plug (4050) in use when the integral plug (4050) is in a fully open position (wherein the outer surfaces of the plug (4051) are approximately perpendicular to the strainer (4010) and to position the outer surfaces of the plug (4051) would be in if the plug (4050) was in a fully closed position) and when the tool (400) is engaged with the strainer (4010) as described above. The two cut-away sections (423) effectively form a slot in the hollow working portion (420) which allows the tool (400) to accommodate the integral plug (4050) and therefore allows the teeth (421 ) to engage the drain sections (4020) of the strainer (4010) to allow the tool (400) to perform its function, despite the presence of the integral plug (4050).

Figure 5 shows a tool (500) comprising a similar arrangement of gripping portion (510) and working portion (520) as the tool (100) of Figure 1. The tool (500) may have the same arrangement of handle, shaft, channel and rounded end caps as tool (100). The tool (500) differs from the tool (100) in that the working portion (520) is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting (5000) comprising a strainer (5010) having five drain sections (5020 - not shown) defined by a frame (5040 - not shown) and an integral plug (5050). The integral plug (5050) is a pop-up type which is permanently connected to the strainer through rod (5051 ), i.e. the plug (5050) is not readily removable from the strainer (5010) during fitting or removal of the basin waste fitting. As with basin waste fitting (1000) of Figure 1 , the basin waste fitting (5000) comprises a threaded tailpiece (5060) permanently attached to the strainer (5010).

The working portion (520) has a cylindrical shape as described for working portion (120) of tool (100) shown in Figure 1 . The working portion (520) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of a standard basin waste fitting (5000), for example approximately 36 mm in diameter, to facilitate engagement of the working portion (520) with the strainer (5010) of basin waste fitting (5000). The working portion (520) has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 20 mm. The working portion (520) comprises two protrusions in the form of teeth (521). Teeth (521) are shaped and sized to each enter a drain section (5020) of the strainer (5010) and engage parts of the frame (5040) which define the drain sections (5020) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (500) can prevent the rotation of the basin waste fitting (5000) relative to a basin in which it is fitted, as described above.

In order to allow the teeth (521 ) to engage with the drain sections (5020), working portion (520) comprises a slot (523) to accommodate the rod (5051) connecting plug (5050) to the strainer (5010). Furthermore, the working portion (520) is spaced apart from a main body (530) of the tool (500) via metal struts (531) which are bolted onto the main body (530) and the working portion (520). This arrangement provides space (540) between the main body (530) and the working portion (520) of the tool (500) which can accommodate the plug (5050), in use. Therefore, with the rod (5051) located in the slot (523) and the plug (5050) located in the space (540), the working portion (520) can engage with the drain sections (5020) of the strainer (5010), despite the presence of the integral plug (5050).

Figure 6 shows a tool (600) comprising a similar arrangement of gripping portion (610) and working portion (620) as the tool (100) of Figure 1. The tool (600) may have the same arrangement of handle, shaft, channel and rounded end caps as tool (100). The tool (600) differs from the tool (100) in that the working portion (620) is adapted to engage with a basin waste fitting (6000) comprising a threaded tailpiece (6060) permanently attached to a strainer (6010) having no drain sections. The basin waste fitting (6000) comprises side holes (601 1) in the strainer (6010). This type of basin waste fitting is intended for use with a captive plug which may be attached to the basin waste fitting from underneath after fitting into a basin. This type of basin waste fitting does not have drain sections defined by a frame which could be engaged by the protrusions of the tools of the other embodiments.

The working portion (620) has a cylindrical shape as described for working portion (120) of tool (100) shown in Figure 1 . The working portion (620) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately equal to an inside diameter of a standard basin waste fitting (6000), for example approximately 33 mm in diameter, to facilitate engagement of the working portion (620) with the strainer (6010) of basin waste fitting (6000). The working portion (620) has a length (along the major axis of the tool) of approximately 34 mm. The working portion (620) comprises two protrusions in the form of retractable studs (621).

The retractable studs (621) are located within the working portion (620) and are connected to a mechanism for selectively extending and retracting the retractable studs (621) from and into the working portion (620). The mechanism is actuated by screw handle (615) located in the gripping portion (610). Turning the screw handle (615) in one direction retracts the retractable studs (621) into the working portion (620) which allows the working portion to enter the strainer (6010). Turning the screw handle (615) in the opposite direction extends the retractable studs (621) from the outer edge (622) of the working portion (620), approximately orthogonal to the major axis of the tool (600), to engage the strainer (6010). The retractable studs (621) are each shaped and sized to each enter a side hole (601 1) of the strainer (6010), when extended, and therefore engage the strainer (6010) such that in use when gripped by a user the tool (600) can prevent the rotation of the basin waste fitting (6000) relative to a basin in which it is fitted, as described above.

Figure 7 shows a socket (700) adapted to engage locknut (7030). The locknut (7030) comprises an internal thread (7031) complimentary to the thread on a threaded tailpiece of a basin or bath waste fitting with which it is intended to be used. The locknut also comprises an octagonal shaped head (7032), for example a 1 .25 inch octagonal shaped head, for engagement with a suitable tool to assist with tightening or loosening the locknut (7030). The socket (700) comprises a main body (710) having an open end (71 1) and a base (712). The main body (710) is hollow and the open end (71 1 ) has an octagonal shape to enable the locknut (7030) to be received through the open end (71 1) and at least partially into the main body (710) of the socket (700) such that the socket (700) can engage the locknut (7030) to allow a user to apply a torque to the locknut (7030) through the socket (700). In some embodiments, the locknut head (7032) and the open end (71 1) of the socket (700) may be hexagonal shaped. The socket (700) comprises a connection fitting (720) adapted to engage with a fastening device, for example a spanner. The connection fitting (720) is attached to the main body (710) of the socket (700) at the base (712). The specific size and shape of the connection fitting (720) can vary. However, the connection fitting (720) is advantageously a size and shape which allows a standard size spanner to engage with the connection fitting (720) and facilitate the application of a torque to the locknut (7030) through the socket (700). For example, the connection fitting may be a 19 mm hexagonal tail suitable for engaging with a 19 mm fine ratchet spanner. The connection fitting (720) is sized to have a significantly smaller diameter than the main body (710) of the socket (700) which allows a significantly smaller spanner (or wrench) to be used to engage the connection fitting (720) than would be needed to directly engage the locknut (7030) directly. The relatively large basin wrenches (or adjustable basin wrenches) required to directly engage locknuts (7030) which are typically used on basin or bath waste fittings (which necessarily have a relatively large gauge) can be difficult to use under a basin or bath because access to a locknut on a threaded tailpiece of a basin/bath waste fitting can be severely restricted due to pipework or under basin furniture, for example. A significantly smaller spanner (or wrench), for example the 19 mm fine ratchet spanner discussed above, may overcome this problem. Additionally or alternatively, the main body (710) of the socket (700) may comprise through holes (713) arranged to receive a bar to assist with turning the socket (700), in use. The length of the main body (710) separates the connection fitting (720) from the open end (71 1 ) which engages the locknut (7030). This means that the point at which the user engages the socket with a spanner (i.e. at the connection fitting (720)) is spaced apart from the point at which a user would have otherwise had to engage the locknut (7000) directly with a spanner. This arrangement has the advantage that the connection fitting (720) may be clear of the restrictions which would have made engaging the locknut directly with a spanner difficult, further facilitating the operation of a locknut on a basin/bath waste fitting.

Engaging the socket (700) with the locknut (7030) as described above allows a user to tighten or loosen the locknut (7030) by rotating the socket (using a suitable fastening device) in order to install and/or remove and/or replace a basin/bath waste fitting. Figure 8A shows a kit (800) and a basin waste fitting (1000). Kit (800) comprises a tool (100) as described in relation to Figure 1 and a socket (700) as described in relation to Figure 7. Basin waste fitting (1000) comprises a strainer (1010), a threaded tailpiece (1020) and a locknut (7030). The locknut (7030) has an internal thread complimentary to the thread (1021) on the threaded tailpiece (1020). The locknut (7030) can therefore rotate on the threaded tailpiece (1020) to tighten or loosen the locknut during installation, removal or replacement of basin waste fitting (1000). The socket (7000) may be manipulated in use by spanner (8000).

Figure 8B shows the kit (800) and the basin waste fitting (1000) wherein tool (100) is engaged with the strainer (1010) of the basin waste fitting (1000) and the socket (700) is engaged with the locknut (7030) of the basin waste fitting (1000), as described in relation to Figures 1 and 7. A spanner (8000), which may be a 19 mm fine ratchet spanner, is engaged with the connection fitting (720) of the socket (700) as described in relation to Figure 7.

The engagement of the tool (100) and the socket (700) with the basin waste fitting (1000) as shown allows a user to manipulate the tool (100) and the socket (700) in order to facilitate the installation, removal or replacement of basin waste fitting (1000). First the user grips the gripping portion (1 10) of the tool (100) which prevents the basin waste fitting (1000) from rotating in a basin (not shown) due to the engagement of the teeth (121) of the tool (100) in the drain holes (101 1) of the basin waste fitting (1000). Then the user rotates the socket (700) using spanner (8000) to either tighten or loosen the locknut (7030), during which the tool (100) prevents the basin waste fitting from rotating in the basin which could otherwise counteract the effort of the user aiming to tighten or loosen the locknut (7030) (because the locknut (7030) must rotate relative to the threaded tailpiece (1020) of the basin waste fitting (1000) for it to be tightened or loosened).

Use of the kit (800) as described above may facilitate the installation, removal or replacement operation due to the tool (100) effectively immobilising the basin waste fitting (1000) against rotation in the basin to which it is fitted, when operated with one hand by the user; and due to the socket (700) allowing the user to tighten or loosen the locknut (7030) when operated with one hand by the user. Furthermore the socket (700) allows the use of a smaller spanner and spaces the contact point of the spanner away from the locknut to avoid any encumbrances which would hamper the user from directly manipulating the locknut (7030) with a large gauge spanner. Therefore the kit (800) may facilitate the installation, removal or replacement of a basin waste fitting by a single user (lone worker), saving labour costs and reducing the time required for the installation, removal or replacement operation.

In summary, the present invention provides a tool for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting. The tool is adapted to be gripped by a user and adapted to engage a strainer of said basin/bath waste fitting. The tool allows the user to prevent rotation of the tool in use when held by the user. The tool may facilitate the installation and/or removal and/or replacement of a basin or bath waste fitting by enabling the user to immobilise said basin/bath waste fitting with one hand whilst a locknut arranged on said basin/bath waste fitting is manipulated by another of the user's hands. A socket for use in installing and/or removing and/or replacing a basin/bath waste fitting, suitably in combination with the tool, a kit comprising the tool and the socket and related methods and uses are also described.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components. The term "consisting essentially of or "consists essentially of" means including the components specified but excluding other components except for materials present as impurities, unavoidable materials present as a result of processes used to provide the components, and components added for a purpose other than achieving the technical effect of the invention. The term "consisting of" or "consists of means including the components specified but excluding addition of other components. Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term "comprises" or "comprising" may also be taken to encompass or include the meaning "consists essentially of or "consisting essentially of, and may also be taken to include the meaning "consists of or "consisting of. The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as set out herein are also to be read as applicable to any other aspect or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different exemplary embodiments.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.