This Invention relates to a pipe connector, and preferably but not exclusively to a pipe connector forming part of a central heating radiator, and a radiator comprising such a pipe connector.

There are numerous Inconveniences associated with conventional hot water central heating systems. One inconvenience is the difficulty of disassembling and reassembling the pipe system in order to perform, for example, servicing or replacement of fittings such as valves and thermostats. UK Patent Applications Nos. 9502176.2, 9511416.1, 9519811.5, 9502177.0 and 9504310.5 in the name of the present assignees, addressed this problem by providing a demountable junction fitting for such pipe systems which is relatively cheap to manufacture and easy to assemble and disassemble. Another inconvenience is the lack of easy access to the area behind the radiator for cleaning or decorating purposes. Traditionally, the only means by which such access could be obtained is the cumbersome and time consuming operation of completely removing the radiator from its fittings.

The present invention provides a solution to the latter problem which, in preferred embodiments, extends the approach described in UK Patent Applications Nos.

9502176.2, 9511416.1, 9519811.5, 9502177.0 and 9504310.5. The entire disclosures of the above mentioned patent applications are included herein for all purposes.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pipe connector for a radiator having a radiator locating means about which the connector can rotate, about an axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of a pipe to be received by the connector.

Preferably the locating means is elongate. The radiator locating means may comprise a pin or a bar. Preferably the bar extends along substantially the length of the radiator. Preferably the radiator locating means, when mounted, extends towards the centre of the base of the radiator. Alternatively, the radiator locating means, when the connector is mounted, extends towards an end of the radiator.

The pipe connector may have an elbow joint configuration for a single-leaved radiator or, alternatively, may have a T-piece configuration for a double-leaved radiator or other multi-leaved radiator.

The pipe connector may be integral with the radiator.

The pipe connector may comprise a first tubular member adapted to couple to a second tubular member to be received by the pipe connector such as a pipe or other fitting or further connector.

In a preferred embodiment the pipe connector is adapted to be rotatable with respect to a pipe to be received by the connector.

The pipe connector may be adapted to be connected to an inlet or outlet pipe for the radiator by any suitable junction. The junction may be that in current use in standard radiators as would be well known by those skilled in the art. Preferred types of junction may take any of the following forms as detailed in co-pending International applications entitled "Connectors" (Agents Ref P31073PC), "Connectors" (Agents Ref P31074PC), "Connectors" (Agents Ref P31364PC), filed herewith, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

In particular in one preferred embodiment, the pipe connector may comprise a first tubular member having an internal wall terminating at its outer end with an outwardly directed abutment and may form a demountable junction in combination with a second tubular member adapted for sliding engagement into the first tubular member and having an outwardly directed flange that, in

use, engages the abutment, annular sealing means providing a seal between the first and second tubular members and securing means for releasably holding the flange against the abutment.

The annular sealing means may comprise a resiliently deformable material positioned in the internal wall of the first tubular member or the external wall of the second tubular member. Preferably, the annular sealing means comprise at least one and preferably two '0' rings, each retained in an annular groove in the external wall of the second tubular member.

The '0* ring may have a generally square corner when seen in cross section arranged to resist axial displacement of the tubular members.

The first tubular member may have an internal thread and the securing means may be an externally threaded nut. In this instance, the connector may be used as a connecting piece for a radiator.

The first tubular member may have an external thread and the securing means may be an internally threaded nut. The securing means may be a castellated nut, and a cap may be fitted thereover.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the pipe connector may comprise a second tubular member and may form an inter-engaging demountable junction in combination with a first tubular member and an externally disposed locating means which resists axial disengagement.

Thus, the demountable junction may comprise a junction between the pipe connector, a fluid inlet or exit pipe for a radiator.

In such a case, it is preferred that the first tubular member has a circumferential recess in an external wall thereof; the second tubular member has an open end adapted to receive the first tubular member in sliding engagement therein and having an external wall with a circumferential slot therein; the locating means is adapted, in use, to pass through the slot in the external wall of the second tubular member, and to be received in the recess in the first tubular member when the recess is in register with the slot; and annular sealing means are provided, adapted, in use, to form a seal between the first and second tubular members.

The locating means can comprise, for example, a circlip, formed from a generally resilient material, for example a suitable plastics or metallic material, with one or more peripherally disposed inwardly-extending

segments. The one or more segments are adapted to be received in the slots in the wall of the second tubular member, and, in the recess in the first tubular member when the slots and the recess are in register. The circlip can be received in the shallow groove in the external wall of the second tubular member.

The circlip or other locating means can be retained in position by a retaining cap which can also be made of plastics or metal, and which is adapted to fit over the locating means.

The annular sealing means is preferably formed from a resilient material, and can comprise, for example, an O-ring, which may be made from natural or synthetic rubber, or any suitable polymeric material.

The pipe connector may comprise a first tubular member and may form a junction in combination with a second tubular member, wherein the first tubular member has an opened end adapted to receive the second tubular member in axial sliding engagement therewith; there may further be provided gripping means mounted on the wall of the body member and adapted to bear upon the wall of the tubular member in gripping engagement therewith; and annular sealing means adapted to form a seal between the first tubular member are provided, the arrangement being such that the gripping means and the sealing means are

axially spaced apart and the gripping means is positioned between the sealing means and the open end of the first tubular member.

In a preferred connector according to the invention, the gripping means is integral with the first tubular member. Preferably the gripping means comprises an annular ring of gripping members, and, for example, the gripping means can comprise one or more rings of annular gripping teeth, preferably formed from a resilient material. Where the second tubular member is received within the first tubular member of the connector the teeth will depend inwardly from an internal surface of the body member in order to grip the outer surface of the tubular member. The teeth are preferably angled and arranged such that they point generally in the direction of the insertion of the tubular member, so that they can be relatively easily resiliently deformed and therefore exert little resistance when inserting the pipe or tubular member into the body member of the connector, but provide a maximum resistance against axially-directed pull out forces.

The second tubular member can be provided with an annular groove or recess in which the teeth are a snap fit. Thus, rotation capability is provided.

The connector (or tubular members) may be made from any suitable material, for example plastics or metals, but preferably at least the radiator fitting portion is made from stainless steel or a low carbon steel.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a plvotable radiator comprising one or more and preferably two pipe connectors having a radiator locating means as described herein. This aspect of the invention also extends to a plvotable radiator comprising at least one pipe connector and at least one radiator locating means about which the radiator can rotate, about an axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of a pipe to be received by the connector.

In the instance where a single pipe connector according to the invention is provided, a bracket having a radiator locating means such as a bar or pin may also be provided axially spaced from sand pipe connector and substantially coincidental axial alignment therewith.

Where two or more pipe connectors or a pipe connector and a bracket having a radiator locating means are provided radiator locating means such as a pin or any two pipe connectors or pipe connector and bracket may extend so as to be inwardly directed towards one another or they may extend so as to be outwardly directed away from one another. If the two radiator locating means

extend towards one another they may comprise a single bar.

Preferably two pipe connectors are provided. One pipe connector may serve as an inlet and the other as an outlet for the radiator.

Preferably two pipe connectors or a pipe connector and bracket having a radiator locating means are positioned at opposite corners of the base of the radiator, though they may be positioned at any suitable point near the base of the radiator panel.

The radiator may be of any arrangement and may, in one embodiment, comprise one or more leaves which preferably are opposite one another or in line.

If the radiator comprises two or more leaves the pipe connectors will typically comprise T-pieces.

Preferably the slotted brackets each comprise hook members in which the radiator locating means can be positioned and rotated with respect thereto.

The slotted brackets may comprise disengagable securing means for supporting the radiator in an upright configuration, and each slotted bracket may further

comprise a hinged stay connected to the radiator. The stays may be detachable from the slotted brackets.

The securing means may include locking means.

The present invention also extends to an assembly comprising a radiator having at least one pipe connector adapted to be rotatable with respect to a pipe to be received by the connector, about an axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the pipe; and one or more radiator supports adapted to support the radiator and to allow the radiator to pivot relative to the support or supports about the said axis.

Alternative embodiments of the invention can be envisaged from the information contained herein, all such alternative embodiments are intended to lie within the scope of this application.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial cut away view of a pipe connector;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the pipe and pipe connector;

Figure 3 is a partial cut away view of the pipe and pipe connector;

Figure 4 illustrates the pipe connection process;

Figure 5 shows a plvotable radiator;

Figure 6 shows a slotted bracket having a hook member;

Figure 7 shows the securing means;

Figure 8 shows side views of plvotable radiators;

Figure 9a and 9b shows in perspective and cross sectional views, a junction which forms part of a pipe connector for a radiator in accordance with the invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a pipe connector incorporating a junction such as that seen in figures 9a and 9b;

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of push fit junction which may form part of a pipe connector in accordance with the invention;

Figure 12 shows a cross section of any of the connectors seen in figures 1-6 and 8. Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a T-piece in accordance with the invention;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a Tee piece pipe connector in accordance with the invention such as might be used with a double or triple leaved radiator;

Figure 14 shows a plan view of two plvotable radiators in accordance with the invention mounted in line;

Figures 15a and 15b show plan views of two plvotable radiators joined by an elbow connection about a corner. The elbow connection is illustrated in cross section in Figure 15c;

Figures 16a and 16b show plan and side views respectively of a plvotable radiator having inlet and outlet pipes adjacent the radiator panel;

Figure 17 shows a cross section of a pipe connector according to the invention adapted for use as a bleed valve on a radiator;

Figure 1 shows a pipe connector 10 for a radiator 12 having a locating pin 14 positioned along the

longitudinal axis of the pipe 16 which is received by the connector 10.

The pipe connector 10 may have an elbow joint configuration as depicted in Figure 1, wherein the pipe 16 enters the pipe connector 10 perpendicular to the pipe connector-radiator connection axis. Alternatively, the connector may be of a "T" piece configuration, in which there are two substantially collinear pipe connector- radiator connections perpendicular to the pipe entry axis. The latter configuration is used for double-leaved radiators (see figure 13).

In a preferred embodiment the pipe connector comprises a hollow tubular socket member 18 having an annular groove 20 in the external wall thereof, said groove 20 having a plurality of slots 22 therethrough; the pipe 16 has preferably two '0' rings 24a and 24b fitted thereto, and an annular groove 26 in the external wall thereof; and there is a locating clip 28 having a plurality of lugs 30 is positioned in the annular groove

20 of the tubular member 18, the lugs 30 projecting through the slots 22 thereof to be received in the groove

26 of the pipe 16 when said groove 26 is in register with said slots 22. Optionally there is a sleeve 32 which slidingly fits around the connection.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a preferred connection means and the assembly thereof; a more detailed description may be found in UK Patent Application No. 9502176.2. This means of pipe connection is relatively cheap to manufacture, easy to assemble and disassemble, and, crucially for the purposes of the present invention, permits easy rotation of the pipe connector 10 around the longitudinal axis of the pipe 16 without compromising the effectiveness of the seal provided by the '0' rings 24a and 24b. This facility is provided by the lugs 30, which can rotate freely in the annular groove 26 and thereby act as bearings.

Usually the pipe is also connected to a control valve 34.

Figure 5 shows a plvotable radiator 36 comprising two pipe connectors 38a and 38b of the type described above, in which the locating pins 40a and 40b of the pipe connectors 38a and 38b are located in slotted brackets 42a and 42b. This configuration allows easy access to the region behind the radiator for cleaning and decorating purposes, since disassembly of pipe fittings is not required. Pipe connections of the type described above are ideally suited to the invention, but other pipe connections means are within the scope of invention, provided, of course, that substantial rotation of the

pipe connector about the longitudinal axis of the pipe is possible.

Figures 6 and 7 depict a wall mountable embodiment 42 of the slotted brackets comprising disengagable securing means for supporting the radiator 36 in an upright configuration. Each securing means has a finger 44a which engages an aperture in a plate 46 on the radiator 36 and a retaining hook 44b. The hook may be locked in place by a sliding bolt 48.

Each slotted bracket may further comprise a hinged stay connected to the radiator. Figure 8a-c shows various views of such an arrangement: in Figure 8a the radiator 50 is maintained in the upright configuration by a pair of slotted brackets 52 (only one shown) having the above-described securing means 54. A hinged stay 56 is attached to each support means 54 and the radiator 50 (only one stay 56 shown in Figure 8). Figure 8b shows the radiator in the pivoted position with the stays 56 fully extended. The stays 56 may be detachable from the slotted brackets 52 allowing the radiator to be rotated through 90° as depicted in Figure 8c. In this instance the radiator 50 should be supported by support 58. Figure 8d illustrates the application of the invention to double-leaved radiator installations, involving the use of pipe connectors 60 in the form of T-pieces as also seen in figure 13.

Figures 9a, 9b, 10 and 12 depict a junction for use with the pipe connector of the invention comprising:

a first tubular member 110 having an internal cylindrical wall 114 terminating at its outer end with an outwardly directed annular abutment 116;

a second tubular member 112 adapted for sliding engagement into the first tubular member 110 and having an outwardly directed annular flange 118 that, in use, engages the annular abutment 116;

annular sealing means 120a, 120b providing a seal between the first 110 and second 112 tubular members; and

securing means 122 for releasably holding the flange 118 against the abutment 116.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that one of tubular members 110,112 may be used instead of the circlip arrangement seen in figure 1. Indeed any known radiator attachment may be used in conjunction with radiator fitting 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. The arrangements described herein are preferred embodiments of preferred junction arrangements.

The annular sealing means may comprise resiliently deformable material positioned either in the internal

wall of the first tubular member 110 or in the external wall of the second tubular member 112. The type of material may be varied depending upon the requirements of a given application and/or location. For example, particular applications or locations may require the use of material for the '0' ring which is resistant to certain forms of chemical susceptibility or chemical attack such as by Chlorine. The preferred arrangement is shown in Figures 9a and 9b wherein the sealing means comprises two '0' rings 120a, 120b, which are retained in annular grooves in the external wall of the second tubular member 112.

The first tubular member 110 has an internal thread 124 and the securing means 122 is an externally threaded nut whose thread 126 matches the thread 124 of the first tubular member 110.

The second, or indeed the first, tubular member 112 may comprise the inlet, or outlet, pipe to a central heating radiator or may form part of the pipe connector

110. The thread 124 could instead of the nut 122 receive a conventional threaded pipe connection.

Referring now to Figure 11, a further preferred junction, illustrated generally at 220, comprises a tubular body member 221, which forms part of radiator fitting 10 (not shown), having an open end 222. Within

the open end 222, and adjacent to the lip thereof, there is positioned a plastics washer 223, which acts as a bearing for locating and guiding the pipe 229 into the body member. Arranged around the body member are a series of inwardly depending resilient wedge-shaped teeth 224, which, typically, have been pressed out of slots cut in the wall of the body member 221. An O-ring sealing member 226 is located in an annular groove 227 formed by deforming the wall of the body member 221 outwardly.

The pipe 229 to be connected, is a sliding fit within the plastics washer 223 and the body member 221, and is provided with an annular groove or recess 230 in its outer surface.

To make the connection, the pipe 229 is pushed axially into the open end 222 of the connector, displacing the resilient teeth 224 outwards. As the pipe is pushed home, a click will be heard as the teeth snap back into the groove 230 indicating that the connection is completed.

The presence of the groove 230, as well as providing an audible indicator of the connection, thereby facilitating assembly, also increases the strength of the connection. A further advantage of this embodiment is that, because the teeth are adapted so as not to cut into

the surface of the pipe, the pipe can be rotated in the connector, even when the connector is under pressure.

The pipe connector of the invention is typically formed from low carbon steel though other metals, plastic or other materials can be used.

Referring now to figure 14, there is shown a dual radiator 400 having two panels 410 and 420 connected by a support 430 and a pipe 480. Each panel is mounted on two pipe connectors 10a, 10b, 10c, and lOd in accordance with the invention. Connectors 10a, 10b, 10c, and lOd comprise a radiator locating means in the form of a pin 460 or a bar 470 (dotted line). The panels 410 and 420 may be pivoted about radiator locating means 460, 470, and hence the axis of inlet or outlet pipes 440, 450, either separately or together. It will be understood that support 430 may be disengaged if required.

Referring now to figures 15a, b and c, radiator panels 510 and 520 are illustrated adjacent an internal or external corner wall generally indicated at 500. The two panels are connected by an elbow 530 having two pipe connectors 10 according to the invention and in particular according to a preferred embodiment of the invention at either end. Each panel can be rotated about, respectively, axis AA' or BB' which is generally in line with inlet and outlet pipes of the radiator. The

panels may be rotated independently of one another, as also in figure 14, without the need to disconnect any couplings in the system. It is possible for the connector to be offset from the inlet or outlet pipes, if these pipes have sufficient flexibility to allow rotation of the radiator.

One or more '0' rings and preferably two are provided in the connectors. The '0' ring may have a cross section cross-section with a substantially square corner so as to resist axial separation of the two tubular members, if required as illustrated in the inset in figure 15c.

The orientation of the radiator locating means with respect to a panel of the radiator has ramifications for the total length of radiator and pipe connector assembly. In particular if the radiator locating means extend outwardly with respect to the centre of the panel the pipework is adjacent the panel and therefore a larger radiator may be provided in a given space than has hitherto been thought possible.

In Figures 16a and c, a panel 620 is plvotable about axis CC and inlet or outlet pipes 610 by virtue of rotatable connections 600 and pins 630. The total length of the radiator is greater than the extent of the pipework.

Figure 17 shows a pipe connector 10 adapted for use as a bleed valve by the provision of a bleed valve 640 including a pin.

The invention of the application therefore provides a pipe connector for a plvotable radiator, a plvotable radiator and an assembly for rotatably mounting same to a structure such as a wall, and a securing bracket therefore. Thus, the invention alleviates many of the problems of the prior art.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above examples, many variations being possible without departing from the scope thereof.

The reader's 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, abstract 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, abstract 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 embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.