Field of the invention

5 The present invention relates to a fitting for a pipe, particularly, but not exclusively, a fitting for a domestic plumbing pipe that is used to supply water to an amenity. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for a pipe, and a system including a fitting for a pipe and a valve device. 0 Background to the invention

When fitting valve devices, such as shower valves, to a wall, it is common for a domestic plumbing pipe to pass through an aperture in the wall from the back of the wall to the front. The pipe is then blanked with a blanking5 plug, or the like. The next stage is for the wall to be tiled. When the tiler is fitting a tile around the protruding pipe, they must drill a hole in the tile that is large enough to pass over the blanking plug on the pipe. The next stage is to attach the valve fixing bracket to the tilled wall. This is carried out by drilling holes in the tile that may receive a fixing member receiving0 member, such as a Rawlplug (RTM), or the like. The valve fixing bracket is then attached to the tiled wall using fixing members that engage with the fixing member receiving members. While this method can be used to attach valve devices to walls, it is difficult, time consuming and prone to error. The reason for this is that, because the tile that passes over the5 blanking plug has a relatively large hole therein, there is often little remaining space on the tile to drill the relatively large hole required to receive the fixing member receiving member. This means that when attempting to drill the hole for the fixing member receiving member, or tightening the fixing member onto the fixing member receiving member, the tile often cracks, or breaks, which means that a new tile has to be prepared, which is costly and time consuming.

One known solution to this problem is to avoid the use of fixing member receiving members in the tile. This is performed by providing a dwang, or other fixing member receiving member, behind the wall. The dwang provides a mounting portion for the fixing member, which means that the hole that is required to be drilled in the tile is only required to receive the fixing member, and can be smaller in size. This reduces the chance of the tile cracking, or breaking, during drilling. However, fitting dwangs, or the like behind the wall is often difficult, or not possible.

The inventor has appreciated the shortcomings in these known methods for attaching valves to walls.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fitting for a pipe, the fitting comprising: a body portion, the body portion comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; and a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located on the body portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member. The fitting may be a pipe fitting. The fitting may be a mounting. The mounting may be a mounting for a pipe. The fitting may be an attachment. The attachment may be an attachment for a pipe. The fitting may be a connector. The connector may be a connector for a pipe. The fitting may be arranged to allow the pipe to be connected to the valve. The fitting may be arranged to connect the pipe to the valve. The fitting may be arranged to join the pipe to the valve. The fitting may be located between the pipe and the valve. The pipe may be a pipe used in plumbing. The pipe may be used in domestic plumbing. The pipe may be a domestic plumbing pipe. The pipe may be a water pipe. The pipe may be used to deliver water to an amenity. The pipe may be used to deliver water to a domestic amenity. The pipe may be used to deliver water to a shower or bath, or the like. The pipe may be cylindrical. The pipe may have a circular cross-section. The pipe may be a metal pipe. The pipe may be a copper pipe. The pipe may be made from plastic. The pipe may be made from stainless steel. The pipe may have an outer diameter of between 8mm and 28mm. The pipe may have an outer diameter of approximately 15mm.

The pipe may have a wall thickness of between 0.5mm and 2.5mm. The pipe may have an inner diameter of between 7mm and 23mm.

The body portion may be configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The body portion may include a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet may be located at the first end portion of the body portion and the fluid outlet may be located at the second end portion of the body portion.

The body portion may include a bore. The bore may be arranged to connect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the body portion. The bore may be located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the body portion.

The body portion may include a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may join the first end portion of the body portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion of the body portion (fluid outlet). The longitudinal axis may run in the direction of the bore of the body portion of the fitting.

The fitting may be a pipe. The fitting may be cylindrical. The fitting may have a circular cross-section. The fitting may be made from plastic. The fitting may be made from metal. The body portion may be generally cylindrical. The body portion may be generally cylindrical and the mounting portion may be generally annular.

The body portion may be a pipe. The body portion may be cylindrical. The body portion may have a circular cross-section. The body portion may be made from plastic. The body portion may be made from metal.

The fitting may comprise a generally cylindrical body portion and a generally annular mounting portion. The mounting portion may be located on the body portion.

The first end portion of the body portion may be directly attachable to the end portion of the pipe. The first end portion of the body portion may be indirectly attachable to the end portion of the pipe. The first end portion of the body portion may be attachable to the end portion of the pipe via a coupling member. The coupling member may be a pipe fitting. The coupling member may be a compression fitting, or the like.

The first end portion of the body portion may include a pipe attachment portion.

The first end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same size as the pipe. The first end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same diameter as the pipe. The first end portion of the body portion of the fitting has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe.

The first end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of between 8mm and 28mm. The first end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of approximately 15mm. The first end portion of the body portion may have a wall thickness of between 0.5mm and 2.5mm. The first end portion of the body portion may have an inner diameter of between 7mm and 23mm.

The second end portion of the body portion may be directly attachable to the valve device. The second end portion of the body portion may be indirectly attachable to the valve device. The second end portion of the body portion may be attachable to the valve device via a coupling member. The coupling member may be a pipe fitting. The coupling member may be a compression fitting, or the like. The second end portion of the body portion may include a valve device attachment portion.

The second end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same size as the pipe. The second end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same diameter as the pipe. The second end portion of the body portion of the fitting has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe.

The second end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of between 8mm and 28mm. The second end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of approximately 15mm.

The second end portion of the body portion may have a wall thickness of between 0.5mm and 2.5mm. The second end portion of the body portion may have an inner diameter of between 7mm and 23mm.

The valve device may be a valve of an amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a domestic amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a shower, bath, or the like. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve shower.

The second end portion of the body portion may be configured to cooperate with a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the body portion may be configured to receive a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the body portion may protrude through the valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may include an aperture. The second end portion of the body portion may be received by the aperture of the valve fixing bracket.

The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may be mounted on the body portion. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may be attached to the body portion.

The second end portion of the body portion may be open. The fluid outlet of the body portion may be open. The bore of the body portion of the fitting may be open. In this arrangement, the body portion is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the body portion between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet).

Alternatively, the second end portion of the body portion may be closed, or closed off. The fluid outlet of the body portion may be closed, or closed off. The bore of the body portion of the fitting may be closed, or closed off. In this arrangement, the body portion is arranged to prevent fluid flowing through the body portion between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet). The second end portion of the body portion may be blanked. The second end portion of the body portion may include a blanking member, or portion.

The second end portion of the body portion may include a stopper, bung, or a plug member, or the like. The stopper, bung, or a plug member, or the like, may be removably attachable to the second end portion of the body portion. In this arrangement, the second end portion of the body portion may be opened by removal of the stopper, bung, or a plug member from the body portion. In this arrangement, when the second end portion is opened, the body portion is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the body portion between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet).

Alternatively, the second end portion of the body portion may be opened by removal of a portion of the body portion, or piercing, penetrating, or breaking a portion of the body portion. A portion of the second end portion of the body portion may be removed by cutting.

The second end portion of the body portion may be frangible. The second end portion of the body portion may be penetrable, pierceable. The second end portion of the body portion may be opened by piercing, breaking or penetrating the body portion. In this arrangement, when the second end portion is pierced, broken or penetrated, the body portion is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the body portion between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet). The mounting portion may be configured to releasably receive a fixing member. The mounting portion may be configured to receive and release a fixing member. The mounting portion may be located substantially at a mid-point between the first end portion and second end portion of the body portion. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be located substantially closer to one of the first end portion and second end portion of the body portion. The mounting portion may be in a fixed location between the first end portion and the second end portion of the body portion. The mounting portion may be fixed relative to the first end portion and the second end portion of the body portion. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be at least partially movable between the first end portion and the second end portion of the body portion. In this arrangement, the mounting portion may be moved relative to the body portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may be fixedly attached to the body portion of the fitting. The mounting portion may be fixedly attachable to the body portion of the fitting. The mounting portion may be integrally formed with the body portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may be configured to allow a fixing member to be secured thereto. The mounting portion may be configured to receive two or more fixing members. The mounting portion may be configured to receive a plurality of fixing members.

The mounting portion may be an annular member. The mounting portion may be an annulus. The mounting portion may be a disc. The mounting portion may be an annular disc. The mounting portion may be disc- shaped. The mounting portion may be a plate member. The mounting portion may be configured to receive the body portion of the fitting therethrough. Where the body portion of the fitting is a pipe, the body portion passes through the mounting portion.

The mounting portion may be a planar member. The mounting portion may be arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

The mounting portion may include a mounting surface. The mounting surface may configured to receive a fixing member.

A first planar surface of the mounting portion may face the first end portion of the body portion. A second planar surface of the mounting portion may face the second end portion of the body portion. A first planar surface of the mounting portion may face the first end portion of the body portion and a second planar surface of the mounting portion may face the second end portion of the body portion.

The mounting portion may have a diameter of between 50mm and 150mm. The mounting portion may have a diameter of approximately

60mm.

The mounting portion may have a bore hole. The bore hole of the mounting portion may be between 8mm and 28mm. The bore hole of the mounting portion may be approximately 15mm.

The mounting portion may be between 4mm and 20mm thick. The mounting portion may be approximately 12mm thick. The mounting portion may be square-shaped. The mounting portion may be rectangular-shaped. The mounting portion may be a polygon. The mounting portion may be circular. The mounting portion may be oval shaped.

The mounting portion may be made from a plastic material. The mounting portion may be made from a plastic. The mounting portion may be made from metal. The mounting portion may be configured to provide support to the valve device. The mounting portion may be configured to provide support to the valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The mounting portion may be configured to receive at least one fixing member of the valve fixing bracket. The mounting portion may be configured to receive two or more fixing members of the valve fixing bracket.

The mounting portion may be made from a plastic material and the fixing members may be screw members. In this arrangement, the screw members may be screwed into the mounting portion. That is, the mounting portion may provide support to the fixing members to allow the fixing members to be supported by the mounting portion of the fitting. The fixing members may be self-tapping screw members, or the like.

The body portion may be made from plastic. The body portion may be made from a plastic material. The body portion may be made from metal.

The body portion may be a moulded component. The body portion may be manufactured by moulding. The body portion may be a plastic moulded component. The body portion may be manufactured by injection moulding. The body portion may be an injection moulded component. The body portion and the mounting portion may be made from plastic.

The body portion and the mounting portion may be made from a plastic material. The body portion may be made from metal.

The body portion and the mounting portion may be moulded components. The body portion and the mounting portion may be manufactured by moulding. The body portion and the mounting portion may be plastic moulded components. The body portion and the mounting portion may be manufactured by injection moulding. The body portion and the mounting portion may be injection moulded components.

The body portion may be a one-piece component. The body portion may be integrally formed.

The body portion and the mounting portion may be a one-piece component. The body portion and the mounting portion may be integrally formed. The mounting portion may be integrally formed with the body portion of the fitting.

Where the second end portion of the body portion is closed, or closed off, the closed portion of the second end portion may be formed during manufacture. That is, the second end portion of the body portion may be formed to be closed, or closed off, during the manufacture process.

Where the body portion is made from a moulded plastic, the second end portion of the body portion is moulded closed. In this arrangement, the moulding process forms the blanking member, or portion. The second end portion of the body portion may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable material. The second end portion of the body portion may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable plastic, or the like.

The body portion may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable material. The body portion may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable plastic, or the like. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for a pipe, the apparatus comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member.

The apparatus may be a fitting. The apparatus may be a pipe fitting. The apparatus may be a mounting. The mounting may be a mounting for a pipe. The apparatus may be an attachment. The attachment may be an attachment for a pipe. The apparatus may be a connector. The connector may be a connector for a pipe.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the second aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising: a fitting for a pipe, the fitting comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member; and a valve device.

The valve device may be a valve of an amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a domestic amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a shower, bath, or the like. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve shower.

The second end portion of the fitting may be configured to cooperate with a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may be configured to receive a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may protrude through the valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may include an aperture. The second end portion of the fitting may be received by the aperture of the valve fixing bracket.

The system may further comprise a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first or second aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the third aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising: a first fitting for a pipe; a second fitting for a pipe, wherein each fitting comprises: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member; and a first valve device, the first valve device being arranged to cooperate with the first fitting; and a second valve device, the second valve device being arranged to cooperate with the second fitting.

The first and second valve devices may be configured as mixer valves.

The first and second valve devices may be integrally formed. The first and second valve devices may arranged to supply mixed fluids (water) to a user. The first and second valve devices may together be a bar valve. The first and second valve devices may together be a bar valve of a shower, bath, or the like.

Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fourth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a fitting for a pipe, the fitting comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion having a pipe attachment portion; a second end portion, the second end portion having a valve device attachment portion; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member.

Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fifth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a fitting for a pipe, the fitting comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member. The fitting may include a body portion. The body portion may include a bore. The bore may be arranged to connect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fitting. The bore may be located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fitting. The body portion may include a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may join the first end portion of the fitting (fluid inlet) and the second end portion of the fitting (fluid outlet). The longitudinal axis may run in the direction of the bore of the body portion of the fitting. The fitting may be a pipe. The fitting may be cylindrical. The fitting may have a circular cross-section. The fitting may be made from plastic. The fitting may be made from metal.

The fitting may be generally cylindrical. The fitting may be generally cylindrical and the mounting portion may be generally annular.

The body portion may be a pipe. The body portion may be cylindrical.

The body portion may have a circular cross-section. The body portion may be made from plastic. The body portion may be made from metal. The body portion may be generally cylindrical. The body portion may be generally cylindrical and the mounting portion may be generally annular.

The fitting may comprise a generally cylindrical body portion and a generally annular mounting portion. The mounting portion may be located on the body portion.

The first end portion of the fitting may be directly attachable to the end portion of the pipe. The first end portion of the fitting may be indirectly attachable to the end portion of the pipe. The first end portion of the fitting may be attachable to the end portion of the pipe via a coupling member. The coupling member may be a pipe fitting. The coupling member may be a compression fitting, or the like. The first end portion of the fitting may include a pipe attachment portion.

The first end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same size as the pipe. The first end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same diameter as the pipe.

The first end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of between 8mm and 28mm. The first end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of approximately 15mm. The first end portion of the body portion may have a wall thickness of between 0.5mm and 2.5mm.

The first end portion of the body portion may have an inner diameter of between 7mm and 23mm. The second end portion of the fitting may be directly attachable to the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may be indirectly attachable to the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may be attachable to the valve device via a coupling member. The coupling member may be a pipe fitting. The coupling member may be a compression fitting, or the like.

The second end portion of the fitting may include a valve device attachment portion.

The second end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same size as the pipe. The second end portion of the body portion may be substantially the same diameter as the pipe. The second end portion of the body portion of the fitting has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe.

The second end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of between 8mm and 28mm. The second end portion of the body portion may have an outer diameter of approximately 15mm.

The second end portion of the body portion may have a wall thickness of between 0.5mm and 2.5mm.

The second end portion of the body portion may have an inner diameter of between 7mm and 23mm.

The valve device may be a valve of an amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a domestic amenity. The valve device may be a valve of a shower, bath, or the like. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve. The valve device may be a valve of a bar valve shower. The second end portion of the fitting may be configured to cooperate with a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may be configured to receive a valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The second end portion of the fitting may protrude through the valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may include an aperture. The second end portion of the fitting may be received by the aperture of the valve fixing bracket. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may be mounted on the fitting. The valve fixing bracket of the valve device may be attached to the fitting.

The second end portion of the fitting may be open. The fluid outlet of the fitting may be open. The bore of the body portion of the fitting may be open. In this arrangement, the fitting is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the fitting between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet).

Alternatively, the second end portion of the fitting may be closed. The fluid outlet of the fitting may be closed. The bore of the body portion of the fitting may be closed. In this arrangement, the fitting is arranged to prevent fluid flowing through the fitting between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet). The second end portion of the fitting may be blanked. The second end portion of the fitting may include a blanking member, or portion.

The second end portion of the fitting may include a stopper, bung, or a plug member, or the like. The stopper, bung, or a plug member, or the like, may be removably attachable to the second end portion of the fitting. In this arrangement, the second end portion of the fitting may be opened by removal of the stopper, bung, or a plug member from the fitting. In this arrangement, when the second end portion is opened, the fitting is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the fitting between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet).

Alternatively, the second end portion of the fitting may be opened by removal of a portion of the fitting, or piercing, penetrating, or breaking a portion of the fitting. A portion of the second end portion of the fitting may be removed by cutting.

The second end portion of the fitting may be frangible. The second end portion of the fitting may be penetrable, pierceable. The second end portion of the fitting may be opened by piercing, breaking or penetrating the fitting. In this arrangement, when the second end portion is pierced, broken or penetrated, the fitting is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the fitting between the first end portion (fluid inlet) and the second end portion (fluid outlet). The mounting portion may be configured to releasably receive a fixing member. The mounting portion may be configured to receive and release a fixing member.

The mounting portion may be located substantially at a mid-point between the first end portion and second end portion of the fitting. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be located substantially closer to one of the first end portion and second end portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may be in a fixed location between the first end portion and the second end portion of the fitting. The mounting portion may be fixed relative to the first end portion and the second end portion of the fitting. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be at least partially movable between the first end portion and the second end portion of the fitting. In this arrangement, the mounting portion may be move relative to the body portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may be fixedly attached to the body portion of the fitting. The mounting portion may be fixedly attachable to the body portion of the fitting. The mounting portion may be integrally formed with the body portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may be configured to allow a fixing member to be secured thereto. The mounting portion may be configured to receive two or more fixing members. The mounting portion may be configured to receive a plurality of fixing members.

The mounting portion may be an annular member. The mounting portion may be an annulus. The mounting portion may be a disc. The mounting portion may be an annular disc. The mounting portion may be disc- shaped. The mounting portion may be a plate member. The mounting portion may be configured to receive the body portion of the fitting therethrough. Where the body portion of the fitting is a pipe, the body portion passes through the mounting portion. The mounting portion may be a planar member. The mounting portion may be arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the fitting.

The mounting portion may include a mounting surface. The mounting surface may configured to receive a fixing member. A first planar surface of the mounting portion may face the first end portion of the fitting. A second planar surface of the mounting portion may face the second end portion of the fitting. A first planar surface of the mounting portion may face the first end portion of the fitting and a second planar surface of the mounting portion may face the second end portion of the fitting.

The mounting portion may have a diameter of between 50mm and 150mm. The mounting portion may have a diameter of approximately 60mm.

The mounting portion may have a bore hole. The bore hole of the mounting portion may be between 8mm and 28mm. The bore hole of the mounting portion may be approximately 15mm.

The mounting portion may be between 4mm and 20mm thick. The mounting portion may be approximately 12mm thick.

The mounting portion may be square-shaped. The mounting portion may be rectangular-shaped. The mounting portion may be a polygon. The mounting portion may be circular. The mounting portion may be oval shaped.

The mounting portion may be made from a plastic material. The mounting portion may be made from a plastic. The mounting portion may be made from metal.

The mounting portion may be configured to provide support to the valve device. The mounting portion may be configured to provide support to the valve fixing bracket of the valve device. The mounting portion may be configured to receive at least one fixing member of the valve fixing bracket. The mounting portion may be configured to receive two or more fixing members of the valve fixing bracket. The mounting portion may be made from a plastic material and the fixing members may be screw members. In this arrangement, the screw members may be screwed into the mounting portion. That is, the mounting portion may provide support to the fixing members to allow the fixing members to be supported by the mounting portion of the fitting. The fixing members may be self-tapping screw members, or the like.

The fitting may be made from plastic. The fitting may be made from a plastic material. The fitting may be made from metal. The fitting may be a moulded component. The fitting may be manufactured by moulding. The fitting may be a plastic moulded component. The fitting may be manufactured by injection moulding. The fitting may be an injection moulded component. The fitting may be a one-piece component. The fitting may be integrally formed.

The mounting portion may be integrally formed with the body portion of the fitting.

Where the second end portion of the fitting is closed, the closed portion of the second end portion may be formed during manufacture. That is, the second end portion of the fitting may be formed to be closed during the manufacture process. Where the fitting is made from a moulded plastic, the second end portion of the fitting is moulded closed. In this arrangement, the moulding process forms the blanking member, or portion.

The second end portion of the fitting may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable material. The second end portion of the fitting may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable plastic, or the like.

The fitting may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable material. The fitting may be made from a frangible, penetrable, or pierceable plastic, or the like.

Embodiments of the sixth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the sixth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching a fitting between a pipe and a valve fixing bracket, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fitting for a pipe, the fitting comprising: a body portion, the body portion comprising: a first end portion, the first end portion being attachable to an end portion of the pipe; and a second end portion, the second end portion being attachable to a valve device; and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being located on the body portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to receive a fixing member; providing a pipe for the fitting; attaching the first end portion of the body portion of the fitting to an end portion of the pipe; locating a valve fixing bracket of the valve device on the second end portion of the body portion of the fitting; and securing the valve fixing bracket of the valve device to the mounting portion with one or more fixing members.

The method may comprise the further step of sealing the valve fixing bracket of the valve device with the second end portion of the body portion of the fitting.

The method may comprise the further step of attaching the valve device to the valve fixing bracket.

The method may comprise the step of passing the second end portion of the body portion of the fitting through an aperture in a wall prior to engagement with the valve fixing bracket. Embodiments of the seventh aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the seventh aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. Brief description of the drawings

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

Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a fitting for a pipe according to the present invention;

Fig. 1 b is a side view of the fitting of Fig. 1 a;

Fig. 2a is an end view of a valve fixing bracket of a valve device; Fig. 2b is a side view of the valve fixing bracket of Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3 is a top partial cross-sectional in use view of the fitting of Fig. 1a connected to a pipe and the valve fixing bracket of Fig. 2a through a wall;

Fig. 4 is a top partial cross-sectional in use view of two fittings of Fig. 1 a connected to two pipes and two valve fixing brackets of Fig. 2a through a wall to a bar valve device;

Fig. 5a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the fitting of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 5b is a side view of a blanking member for the fitting of Fig. 5a; and

Fig. 5c is a side view of the fitting of Fig. 5a.

Description of preferred embodiments With reference to Figs. 1a and 1b, a fitting 10 for a pipe is illustrated is illustrated. The fitting 10 includes a body portion 12 and a mounting portion 14.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fitting 10 is used to connect a pipe 16 to a valve device 18 and to provide a mounting point for the fixing members 20 of a valve fixing bracket 18a of the valve device 18 when the valve fixing bracket 18a is being mounted to a wall 1. In this arrangement the fitting 10 is located between the pipe 16 and the valve device 18.

With reference to Fig. 3, the pipe 16 described in this embodiment is a domestic plumbing pipe, which is typically used to deliver water to a domestic amenity, such as a shower, bath, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the pipe 16 is typically a copper pipe with an outer diameter of approximately 15mm. Flowever, it should be appreciated that the fitting 10 may be configured to operate with other pipes made from other suitable materials and dimensions.

The valve device 18 described in this embodiment is a valve for a domestic amenity, such as a shower, bath, or the like. The valve device 18 is attached to the pipe 16 in a sealed manner, via the valve fixing bracket 18a, as is known in the art. The valve fixing bracket 18a of the valve device 18 receives the pipe 16 on the amenity side of the wall 1 and is attached to the wall 1 , as is known in the art. As will be described further below, the valve fixing bracket 18a is attached to the fitting 10 via the fixing members 20, which in the embodiment illustrated and described here, are self-tapping screw members. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the fitting 10 can be used to supply water from two pipes 16 to two valve devices 18. This arrangement may be a bar valve, such as a bar shower valve, or bar bath valve, or the like.

As illustrated in Figs. 1a and 1b and described above, the fitting 10 includes a body portion 12 and a mounting portion 14. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the body portion 12 is in the shape of a pipe. That is, the body portion 12 is a cylindrical member with a bore 12’ therethrough that allows fluid to flow through the body portion 12. The body portion 12 therefore has a first end portion 12a, which is a fluid inlet, and a second end portion 12b, which is a fluid outlet. The body portion 12 includes a longitudinal axis 12c which runs in the direction between the first end portion 12a and the second end portion 12b.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fitting 10 is made from a plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). However, it should be appreciated that the fitting 10 could be made from any suitable material. It should also be appreciated that the fitting 10 need not be in the form of a pipe. Other shapes of fitting with passages between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are possible. With reference to Fig. 3, the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 is configured to be attachable to an end portion 16a of the pipe 16. Typically, this is carried out by a coupling member 22 (an example of a pipe attachment portion), which may be a compression fitting, or the like, as is known in the art. In this arrangement, the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 is indirectly attachable to the end portion 16a of the pipe 16. However, it should be appreciated that first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 may be attachable to the end portion 16a of the pipe 16 by any suitable means. The first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 may be directly attachable to the end portion 16a of the pipe 16. The first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 may be, or include, a pipe attachment portion. The pipe attachment portion may be a portion of the body portion 12, or a separate component. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 has substantially the same diameter as the pipe 16. The first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 has an outer diameter of approximately 15mm, a wall thickness of approximately 2mm, and an inner diameter of approximately 11mm. The first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe 16.

Again, with reference to Fig. 3, the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 is configured to be attachable to the valve device 18. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 cooperates with the valve fixing bracket 18a of the valve device 18. The valve fixing device 18a receives the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 through an aperture 18b thereof and is sealed with a sealing member (not shown), as is known in the art. The second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 has an outer diameter of approximately 15mm, a wall thickness of approximately 2mm, and an inner diameter of approximately 11mm. The second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe 16.

As best illustrated in Figs. 2a, 2b and 3, the valve fixing device 18a includes a valve device attachment portion 18c, which in the embodiment illustrated and described here, is an elongate threaded portion. The valve device 18 is screwed to the valve device attachment portion 18c and, in use, the valve is used to regulate the water passing through the valve device 18, as is known in the art. The second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 is indirectly attached to the valve device 18 via the valve fixing bracket 18a and sealing member (not shown). However, it should be appreciated that other arrangements of attaching the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 to the valve device 18 are possible, such as direct attachments, which may include the use of coupling members, or the like. The second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 may be, or include, a valve device attachment portion. The valve device attachment portion may be a portion of the body portion 12, or a separate component.

The valve fixing bracket 18a also includes a mounting portion 18d. The mounting portion 18c is formed with the valve attachment portion 18c and is used to attach the valve fixing bracket 18a to the wall 1 , as described further below. The mounting portion 18d includes apertures 18e which receive the fixing members 20 therethrough.

As described further below, the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 replicates an end portion of a pipe that is usually passed through the wall 1 to connect with the valve device 18. That is, a domestic plumbing pipe is usually passed through the wall 1 to connect with the valve device 18, but in the present invention, the fitting 10 is located between the pipe 16 and the valve device 18, such that the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 passes through the wall 1 to connect to the valve device 18.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1a and 1 b, the mounting portion 14 is located on the body portion 12 between the first end portion 12a and the second end portion 12b. As described further below, the mounting portion 14 is configured to receive the fixing members 20 of the valve fixing bracket 18a.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the mounting portion 14 is an annular disc, with the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 passing through centre of the disc. As best illustrated in Fig. 1b, the mounting portion 14 is arranged orthogonally to the body portion 12. That is, the mounting portion 14 is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 12c of the body portion 12. In this arrangement, a first planar surface 14a of the mounting portion 14 faces towards the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10, and a second planar surface 14b of the mounting portion 14 faces towards the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10. The second planar surface 14b may be termed a mounting surface. The mounting surface of the mounting portion 14 is configured to receive fixing members 20 of the valve fixing bracket 18a.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the mounting portion 14 may be made from a plastic material, such as PVC, or CPVC. Flowever, it should be appreciated that the mounting portion 14 may be made from any other suitable material.

Also, the mounting portion 14 has a diameter of approximately 60mm and a thickness of approximately 12mm. The bore hole of the mounting portion 14 may be approximately 15mm thick. Flowever, the mounting portion 14 may have any other suitable dimensions.

As will be appreciated, and described further below, the mounting portion 14 is configured to provide support to the valve fixing bracket 18a (and valve device 18). The mounting portion 14 achieves this by providing a mounting point to receive the fixing members 20 of the valve fixing bracket 18a.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fitting 10 is a one- piece component that is manufactured by plastic moulding. The body portion 12 and the mounting portion 14 are therefore integrally formed.

The fitting 10 may be made by injection moulding. However, it should be appreciated that other manufacturing techniques and methods are possible. In particular, it should be appreciated that other manufacturing techniques are possible whereby the body portion 12 and the mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10 are separate components. In this arrangement, the positioning of the mounting portion 14 on the body portion 12 may be varied, as required. With reference to Fig. 1a, in the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fitting 10 is manufactured with the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 closed off. That is, fitting 10 is manufactured such that the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 is sealed. The second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 is moulded closed during the manufacture process. As described further below, in this arrangement, in use, the body portion 12 is initially arranged to prevent fluid flowing through the body portion 12 between the first end portion 12a and the second end portion 12b. The fitting 10 is “blanked”, or closed off in this configuration. The portion of the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 which is blanked, or closed off, is referenced 12’.

In the embodiment illustrated here, given that the fitting 10 is manufactured from a plastic material, the second end portion 12b may be opened by removal of a portion of the body portion 12 by cutting, or piercing, penetrating, or breaking, the portion of the body portion 12. The body portion 12, or at least the second end portion 12b thereof, may be frangible, penetrable, or pierceable. As described further below, in this arrangement, when the second end portion 12b is pierced, broken or penetrated, the body portion 12 is arranged to allow fluid to flow through the body portion 12 between the first end portion 12a (fluid inlet) and the second end portion 12b (fluid outlet).

It should be appreciated that, in this arrangement, the fitting 10 does not require any additional blanking plugs, or the like, to be installed to the second end portion 12b. However, as described further below, it is also possible for the fitting 10 to be manufactured with the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 to be open.

Operation of the fitting 10 and opening of the body portion 12 will be described in further detail below.

With reference to Fig. 3, in use, when the fitting 10 is used to connect a pipe 16 to a valve device 18 through a wall 1 , the first step is for the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 to be connected to the pipe 16. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 is connected to the pipe 16 by a coupling member 22, which may be a compression fitting, or the like, as is known in the art. However, it should be appreciated that other coupling devices may be used, or the first end portion 12a of the body portion 12 may be directly connected to the pipe 16.

The next step is to pass the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 through the wall 1. The wall 1 being pre-prepared with an aperture 2 to receive the fitting 10 therethrough. As illustrated in Fig. 3, in the embodiment illustrated and described here, the wall 1 includes a tiled layer 1a and a plasterboard layer 1b. However, it should be appreciated that the wall 1 could be formed from any suitable material, or materials, and may include one or more layers of the same. When the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 is protruding through the wall 1 , the valve fixing bracket 18a is mounted over the second end portion 12b of the body portion of the fitting 10. As described above, the valve fixing bracket 18a includes a valve attachment portion 18c, which is a hollow cylindrical member that receives the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 therethrough.

The valve fixing bracket 18a is then secured to the wall 1. This is performed by firstly drilling holes 1 c through the tiled layer 1 a and the plasterboard 1 b of the wall 1. It should be noted that the holes 1 c that are drilled are sized to suit the size required by the fixing members 20. The next step is to screw the valve fixing bracket 18a to the mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the fixing members 20 pass through the mounting portion 18d of the valve fixing bracket 18a, the tiled layer 1 a and plasterboard layer 1 b of the wall 1 , and the mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10. As described above, in the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fixing members 20 are self-tapping screws, which penetrate the plastic material of the mounting portion 14 and hold the valve fixing bracket 18a in place. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable fixing members are possible.

The next stage is to seal the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 to the valve attachment portion 18c. As described above, this is performed using a sealing member (not shown), as is known in the art. In this arrangement, the valve fixing bracket 18a is secured to the mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10 and the pipe 16 is supported and sealed.

The next stage is to open the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10, so that, in use, water may flow through the pipe 16 and fitting 10 to the valve device 18. As described above, in the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fitting 10 is made from a moulded plastic. This means that the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 may be opened by removal of a portion of the second end portion 12b. Typically, this will be performed by cutting off a suitably- sized portion of the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12. This may be performed by a saw device, or the like. However, as described above, it should be appreciated that the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 may alternatively be opened by piercing, penetrating, or breaking, the portion of the body portion 12. The removed portion of the second end portion 12b is discarded.

The final step is to attach the valve device 18 to the valve fixing bracket 18a. This is performed by aligning a threaded portion (not shown) of the valve device 18 with the thread of the valve attachment portion 18c and screwing the valve device 18 thereon, as is known in the art.

Once the valve device 18 has been attached to the valve fixing bracket 18a, the mains water can be turned on and the valve device 18 can control the water flow through the pipe 16 and the fitting 10.

The fitting 10 of the present invention allows the fixing member 20 of the valve fixing bracket 18a to be attached thereto. That is, the mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10 provides a mounting surface 14b which receives the fixing members 20 and allows the valve fixing bracket 18a to be secured thereto. The mounting portion 14 of the fitting 10 functions in the same way as the dwang in the known methods. This allows a smaller drill hole to be drilled in the tile, as the fixing member receiving members are not located in the tile.

Furthermore, given that the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 of the fitting 10 is manufactured with a closed end, the outer diameter of the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 has substantially the same dimensions as the pipe. That is, the outer diameter of the second end portion 12b of the body portion 12 is substantially the same as that of the pipe 16. This means that a smaller hole can be drilled in the tile that is mounted over the fitting 10, as there is no large blanking plug on the pipe. This increases the distance between the hole required to fit over the fitting 10 and the holes required for the valve fixing bracket 18a, which reduces the chances of the tile cracking during drilling.

Fig. 5a illustrates an alternative fitting 100 of the present invention. The fitting 100 is generally identical to the fitting 10, however, the second end portion 120b of the body portion 120 of the fitting 100 is not closed off, i.e., open. Again, the formation of the fitting 100 is the same is the fitting 10 and the second end portion 120b of the body portion 120 of the fitting 100 can be formed to be “open” during the manufacturing process.

Fitting 100 may include a plug member 101 , which may be used to blank, or close off, the second end portion 120b of the body portion 120 of the fitting 100. The operation of the fitting 100 is otherwise identical to the operation of the fitting 10.

Modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated that the fitting could be described as a mounting, a mounting for a pipe, an attachment, an attachment for a pipe, a connector, or a connector for a pipe. Similarly, the fitting could be described as an apparatus, or an apparatus for a pipe.

Furthermore, the although the mounting portion 14 and the body portion 12 have been illustrated and described above as being integrally formed, it should be appreciated that the two components may be formed separately. For example, the mounting portion 14 may be mounted over the body portion 12. In this arrangement, the position of the mounting portion 14 may be varied on the body portion 12.

Also, although the mounting portion 14 has been illustrated and described above as being a plastic member to which the fixing members 20 are attached, it should be appreciated that the mounting member may receive and secure the fixing members 20 in other ways. For example, the mounting portion 14 may releasably receive and secure the fixing members 20, by way of threaded engagement. In this arrangement, the mounting portion 14 may include a threaded bore that engages with a corresponding thread of the fixing member 20.

Furthermore, although the mounting portion 14 has been illustrated and described above as being an annular disc, it should be appreciated that the mounting portion 14 may be of any shape suitable to receive and provide support to the fixing members 20. The mounting portion 14 may be an annular member, an annulus, a disc, disc-shaped, a plate member, or the like. The mounting portion 14 may be square-shaped, rectangular shaped, a polygon, circular, or oval-shaped. Also, it should be appreciated that the fitting 10 may be an apparatus for a pipe.

Furthermore, the present invention also provides a system comprising the fitting 10, 100 and the valve device 18. The system also comprises the valve fixing bracket 18a and the fixing members 20. The system may also comprise a first and second fitting 10, 100, for fitting to two pipes 16, and two valve devices 18. The system also comprises two valve fixing brackets 18a and the fixing members 20.