Field of invention

The present invention relates to a surrounding member for a pipe. More especially the invention relates to a surrounding member for a pipe that fits around the pipe and provides an enclosure around the pipe and a wall into which the pipe extends.

Background to the invention

In many buildings where a pipe extends into a wall, for example, a toilet waste pipe, a gap is often left between the outer surface of the pipe and the wall aperture. Sometimes, this is filled by pointing or applying mortar, but poor finishing by a tradesman can result in the gap being left open. As well as being unsightly, moisture and air is able to pass through the gap which contributes to an overall reduction in the energy efficiency of the building. Pointing or applying mortar also incurs cost and labour . Statement of invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a surrounding member for a pipe, the surrounding member comprising a ring section and a flange section extending substantially perpendicularly from one side of the ring section, the surrounding member arranged to fit, in use, around a pipe at or near a location where the pipe extends into a wall, the ring section and the flange section having a cut to permit the member to be opened and located around a pipe in-situ .

Preferably the ring section is made from rigid material, such as a plastics material.

Preferably the flange section is made from a flexible material, such as a rubber material. Preferably each edge of the ring section, either side of the cut, are connected by a clip insert. Preferably the insert clip is butterfly or bow-tie shaped.

Part or all of the flange section may be separable from the ring section. The flange section may be connected to the ring section by a region of weakness, such as a narrower wall than the rest of the section, permitting easy cutting or user tearing to remove the flange section. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a surrounding member for a pipe, the surrounding member comprising a conical ring which fits, in use, around a pipe at a point where the pipe extends into a wall of a building, the ring having a first end of a first diameter and a second end of a larger diameter to that of the first, wherein the rims of first and second ends are lined with an adhesive foam material thereby to provide, during use, a seal between the sleeve and the pipe, and the end of the sleeve and the wall.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment pipe surrounding member constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is perspective view of the pipe surrounding member shown from one side;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pipe surrounding member from the other side of figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pipe surrounding arrangement in a separated configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pipe surrounding member constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pipe surrounding member in use on a pipe;

Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of a pipe surrounding member according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figures 8 (a) and (b) are side views of part of the Figure 7 member;

Figure 9 is a lower perspective view of the Figure 7 member;

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the Figure 7 member when installed around a pipe passing through a wall; Figure 11 is a schematic view of a further embodiment pipe surrounding member constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 12 is a view taken from below of the surrounding member of Figure 11;

Figure 13 illustrates the Figure 11 surrounding member in place over a pipe; and

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration showing the Figure 11 surrounding member in use.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

A first embodiment pipe surrounding member, and arrangements using such member, will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The first embodiment pipe surrounding member is generally constructed of two parts, one being a flexible part and the other being a rigid part.

Specifically, the pipe surrounding member comprises a rigid plastics ring 1, having an interior aperture or hole 21, with a substantially perpendicular rubber collar or flange 2 extending from a lower side 3 of the ring 1, from the rim 4 surrounding the aperture (see Figure 2). The ring 1 and flange 2 are split/incomplete as shown at the region 20 indicated in Figure 1. More specifically, the ring 1 is incomplete, with a gap that in this case is butterfly or bow-tie shapes, whereas the flange 2 is split by a straight perpendicular cut. A butterfly or bow-tie- shaped insert 5 is provided to selectively clip the free ends of the incomplete ring 1 together, effectively completing the ring. To this end, the free end surfaces of the ring 1 at the region 20 are formed with complimentary shaped recesses 6 to receive the corresponding part of the insert 5.

Various other clips or mechanisms for completing or connecting the surrounding member can be provided. In this way, it is possible for the surrounding member to be located around existing pipework, in-situ, and then clipped together. This is performed by first unclipping the ring 1 by removing or opening the insert 5, then separating or deforming the free ends of the ring and flange 2, locating both around the pipework, and then replacing or closing the insert 5 in the gap to retain the shape .

Once located around pipework at the desired location, the surrounding member acts to seal the gap where a pipe enters or exits a wall. To this end, the flange 2 part of the member can extend into the wall aperture entrance such that the outer surface 7 of the flange 2 abuts the internal surface of the bore. The internal surface 8 of the flange 2 extends around the pipework.

All or part of the flange section 2 may be separable from the ring section 1 to cater for unusually dimensioned pipework. Separation may be possible through the provision of a line of weakness along a section of the flange 2 or at the junction between the flange 2 and the rim 4 of the ring section 1. The line of weakness may be provided by means of a narrower wall section, for example. In such circumstances the user has the option of tearing or otherwise separating the flange 2 or a part thereof along the line of weakness, and/or using adhesive or other means to adhere the ring section 1 around the aperture opening.

The pipe surrounding member in its split configuration is shown in Figure 4. As previously explained, the split is to allow the pipe surrounding member to be placed around the pipework in situ. The split extends through the flange section 2 as well as the ring section 1. As can be seen in Figure 4, the insert 5 is used to complete, and join the ring section 1 together. The cut in the flange section is straight and extends perpendicular to the cut in the ring section 1, from one side of the insert 5.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is the same as that of Figure 1 except that the flange 2 is wider to provide more support to the seal by increasing the surface area engaging the wall.

Foam may be provided on the rear side, possibly extending into the inner edge of the ring section 1 and/or flange section 2, with an adhesive layer to permit the seal to be attached to a wall to provide a water-tight seal.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment, in which a second rubber flange 11 or collar is located on the opposite side of the ring section 1 from which the (first) flange section 2 extends. The aim here is to help the seal fit to an angled pipe branch 12 and cater for the numerous ridges and joints in that pipework. The second rubber flange 11 or collar is split to allow in-situ attachment. A further embodiment is shown in Figures 7 to 9. The pipe surrounding member 22 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 6. It comprises a relatively rigid plastics ring 23 with an interior aperture. A rubber collar or flange 24 is joined (e.g. adhered) to the inner rim of the ring aperture and projects downwards, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ring 23. Part of the interior wall 30 of the collar or flange 24 is narrower in diameter than that of the ring 23 to permit a close gripping fit over a pipe. Reference numeral 29 indicates a tapered section of the wall which extends inwardly to the narrower part.

As before, the collar or flange 24 is effectively a pipe with a cut 26 running along its length, transverse to the plane of the ring 23, and in alignment below a gap 25 in the ring to permit the surround member 22 to be opened and placed over an in-situ pipe as previously described. The ring 23 is incomplete, as before, but in this embodiment an insert 27 is provided which is hingedly attached to one free-end of the ring, on its outer edge as shown in Figure 7. The insert 27 is not fixed to the opposite free-end. The insert 27 is therefore arranged to pivot as indicated between open and closed positions, i.e. to permit the ring 23 and collar/flange 24 to be parted for placement, and then to lock or fix the ring 23 to hold the surrounding member 22 in place around the pipe. The insert 27 is, as before, bow-tie shaped and the lateral U-shaped portions are configured to locate within like-shaped U-shaped recesses which are sunken within the ring upper surface. Further, first and second protrusions 28 are provided on the lower face of the insert 27 for engaging within like-shaped indents, either side of the gap 25, in the sunken part of the ring 23. These provide extra stability and an improved and positive locking mechanism which enables the user to feel and/or hear a clicking engagement. The gap 25 is covered in the closed position and cannot be opened unless the insert 27 is forced upwards by user action.

Referring specifically to Figure 8 (a) , the collar or flange 24 is shown from one side. It is formed of a resilient rubber material, as in the previous embodiment ( s ) , and comprises a cylindrical tubular wall 32 upstanding from a ring-like wall 33. The tubular wall 32 comprises a plurality of flanges 34 projecting outwardly therefrom. The cut 26 that underlies the gap 25 of the ring 23 is shown. The flanges 34 permit the surrounding member 22 to be retained within a wall opening, in use.

Referring to Figure 8 (b) , part of the ring-like wall 33 has an internal diameter which is less than that of the ring 23. The profile of said wall 33 at the interior edge 38 tapers at this part to a point, or similar, and thereby can grip pipes of different diameters by deformation as such a pipe is inserted.

Referring to Figure 9, the ring-like wall 33 is in use adhered (or otherwise fixed) to or within the lower wall of the ring 23 using surface 35. Said lower wall may comprise one or more circumferential wall(s) 28 which help adhere the product to a wall exterior, either directly or via an additional adhesive.

Referring back to Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b) , the tubular wall 32 has a circumferential line of weakness provided by a section 36 of narrower thickness. This can be cut by tearing, or cutting with a knife or scissors, to detach the wall 32 from the ring 23 where the wall is not required in use.

Referring to Figure 10, the surrounding member 22 is shown placed around a pipe 18 that extends through a wall 19. The surrounding member 22 is in this case installed on the exterior side. The area indicated 20 is the hole in the wall 19 through which the pipe 18 extends. The ring 23 and the top part of the collar 24 sits on the wall exterior, with a tight fit around the pipe 18 and against the wall 19. The remainder of the collar 24 is inside the hole 20, i.e. within the wall 19. The flanges 34 bend to accommodate the gap between the pipe 18 and the surrounding hole 20, thereby holding the surrounding member 22 in place and providing an air and water-tight seal . Figures 11 to 14 illustrate a further embodiment of a pipe surrounding member. Here, the surrounding member comprises a conical ring 13 consisting of a first circular end 14 of a first diameter and second circular end 15 of a second, larger diameter with a tapered surface 16 extending therebetween. The ring 13 is made from a plastics material. It is envisaged that the ring 13 could be made of any suitable, non-degradable material.

The rims of first and second ends are lined with a layer of adhesive foam 17.

The ring 13 is, in use, designed to be placed around a pipe 18 at the point at which the pipe extends into a wall 19 (see figure 9) . As shown best in figure 13, the foam layer 17 located along the rim of the first end 14 provides a fully air tight and water tight seal between the ring 13 and the pipe 18 it surrounds.

Moreover, the foam layer 17 on along the rim of the second end 15 provides a fully air tight and water tight seal in the area at which the pipe 18 extends into the wall 19, thereby conforming to strict construction regulations improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

Furthermore, the foam layer 17 is compressed between the end 15 of the ring 13 and the wall 19, expanding into any gaps thereby providing an air-tight, water-tight seal even when the wall is uneven, for example on outside exposed brickwork or when the pipe 18 extends into angled walls or skirting boards. The foam chosen for the foam layers 17 is able to withstand a wide range of temperatures allowing the ring 13 to be applicable to internal and external conditions without degradation. With external use, the use of the ring 13 removes the need for pointing or applying mortar which currently needs to be carried out to seal the gap between the pipe 18 and the wall 19. The pipe 18 is easily fitted by plumbers in a single use, often while on a ladder, resulting in additional health and safety benefits. Furthermore, the removal of the need for pointing or applying mortar means that the service of a bricklayer is not required, thereby reducing the overall time and cost associated with the work. The top surface of the foam has an adhesive layer which is initially covered by a removable liner. At the point of use, the liner is removed (simply peeled off) exposing the adhesive layer which is then pushed onto the wall 19 and pipe 18 to stick the foam layers 17 and hence the ring 13 in place.

The diameter of the first end 14 may be adjustable to fit varying sizes of pipes.

In all above embodiments, the use of the surrounding member removes the need for pointing or applying mortar which currently needs to be carried out to seal the gap between the pipe and the wall. The pipe is easily fitted by plumbers in a single use, often while on a ladder, resulting in additional health and safety benefits. It is quick and straightforward to use. Furthermore, the removal of the need for pointing or applying mortar means that the service of a bricklayer is not required, thereby reducing the overall time and cost associated with the work. As well as providing an aesthetically pleasing finish, in some embodiments the surrounding member provides a fluid-tight seal against the ingress of water, moisture and/or contaminants.

As well as being useful for surrounding pipes, the surrounding members described are also applicable to cables and the like, and references to the word pipe or pipes should be intepreted also to mean cables.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing are merely examples of embodiments of a pipe surrounding system and just some examples of its use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.