This invention relates to a pipe junction primarily for plumbing applications.

BACKGROUND ART

The removal of unpleasant odours from toilet bowls and urinals has long been the source of discomfort, embarrassment and of a host of inventions.

One solution to the problem has been the provision of an angled vent pipe connected to the flush pipe , the vent pipe leading to the outside of a building or, more preferably to a manifold which receives the vent pipes of a bank or banks of toilets/urinals for expulsion of the odours to the atmosphere.

The vent pipe/s may be connected to the flush pipe by welding its end into an orifice formed in the flush pipe or by using wrapping means. Welding is expensive and difficult and the use of wrapping is unaesthetic and of short life.

In addition the conversion of an existing flush pipe already in position, to receive a vent pipe generally necessitates the dismantling of the system so that the welding or other operation can be carried out.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple connection which does not involve welding or wrapping and which is aesthetically acceptable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a coupling assembly for a through pipe and an angled branch pipe includes a port formed in the through pipe and a saddle type branch coupling , the saddle having a curvature equal or approximately equal to the outer curvature of the through pipe, and having a formation adapted to receive a gasket conforming to the inner curvature of the saddle and the outer curvature of the branch pipe; and means to secure the branch pipe in position and to deform the gasket to provide an adequate seal.

The means to secure the branch pipe may be glue, cable ties, U-bolts or the like.

In one form of the invention the securing means includes a T-piece with a threaded stem, the top of the T being having a greater length than the diameter of the port and to be insertable into the port and to abut diametrically opposite edges of the port; and a nut or bolt adapted to pull the T piece to apply pressure and deform the gasket.

The saddle may comprise a single curved element and may have formations (for example in the form of loops) for receiving cable ties. Alternatively, the saddle may have two curvatures both approximately corresponding with the outer curvature of the through pipe.

In another form of the invention the junction includes a first collar for passage of a through pipe and a second collar at an angle thereto; and a channel following the inside curvature of the first collar and the inside opening of the second angled collar, the channel being adapted to receive a gasket to form a seal between the collars.

The channel thus is circular in one view and curved in a view at an angle. For a right-angled T-piece, the curvature is arcuate.

The first vertical collar may be hinged so that it can be applied over a through pipe and then tightened by means of bolts or the like to form a seal. The angled collar receives the branch pipe which is pushed into a sealing location with the gasket or O- ring. The latter therefore constitutes a sealing means for both pipes.

The invention is particularly useful where standard diameter pipe (for example 40 mm or 50mm diameter pipe) is used for the branch pipe and the through pipe is either 38 mm, 44 mm or 55mm (Gerberit -trade mark) diameter. It is merely necessary to provide the two collars to accommodate the different diameter pipes. In a particular application of the invention, the through pipe is a flush pipe and the branch pipe is a vent pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is an isometric view of one form of a branch pipe according to the invention, Figure 2 is a similar view with the branch pipe in position with respect to a through pipe, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a similar view of an alternative form of branch pipe,

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the branch pipe of Figure 3, in position with respect to a through pipe,

Figure 6 is a cross section of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the assembly of Figure 5,

Photographs 1 to 4 illustrate a further alternative form of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In Figure 1 a branch pipe 10 (or rather a stub for a branch pipe) includes a saddle 12 that has a curvature equal or approximately equal to the outside curvature of a through pipe (See Figures 2 and 3).

A cradle formation 14 has enlarged opposite ends 16 that assist in locating the pipe into a port of a through pipe 18. The formation 14 receives a gasket 20 made from a suitable material so that it can deform so to conform to the assembly in sealed relationship. This is shown in Figure 3.

Loops 22 are provided to receive cable ties or the like 24, which when tightened, causes the gasket to deform as mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Turning to Figure 4, the branch pipe has a different configuration, the saddle 40 having double curvatures as described above. The pipe portion 42 has a vaned structure 44 including a central orifice 45 through which passes a bolt 46. This bolt engages with internal thread 48 of the stem of the vaned structure 44. The arms of the T have a length just longer than the diameter of the port of the through pipe so that the arms can be introduced into the latter pipe by tipping the angle of entry and then straightening the arms to engage on opposite sides 52 of the port - see Figure 5.

Figures 6 and 7 further illustrate the assembly.

Photograph 1 is an exploded view showing the hinged (112) wing 110 of the vertical collar, the other wing 114 having a channel 116 which follows the curvature of that wing as well as the circular shape of the collar 118 for a vent pipe connection. The O-ring 120 is conventional and is shown in the channel in Photograph 2.

The vertical collar is opened so that it can be clasped around the flush pipe and is then closed and tightened against the flush pipe (not shown) using nuts and bolts 122 as shown in Photographs 3 and 4. The vent pipe (also not shown) is then inserted into the other collar against the O-ring.