GB2606127A

GB2606127A - Tap connector

Info

Publication number: GB2606127A
Application number: GB2102584.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hayden Alawi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-24
Filing date: 2021-02-24
Publication date: 2022-11-02
Also published as: GB202102584D0

Abstract

A one-piece tap connector comprises a head end 7, a tail end 10 and an internal bore. The head end 7 has a screw thread 4 for attachment to a tap inlet. The tail end 10 is for attachment to a water supply conduit, and has an internal non-round formation 20, whereby the tap connector can be screwed to the tap by means of a suitable key.

Description

TAP CONNECTOR

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a connector for connecting a tap to a water supply and securing the tap in place in a plumbing unit such as a bath, sink or wash basin.

Background to the Invention

[0002] A commonly-used tap has an inlet with external screw threads. To install the tap, the inlet is inserted through a hole in the unit. A plastics or metal nut is then screwed to the exterior of the inlet to clamp the tap in place. Finally, a water supply pipe or hose is screwed to the inlet below the nut.

[0003] Over a period of time or as a result of mechanical stresses, taps can be damaged, leading to leaks, or blocked up, and require replacement. The approach taken to removing a tap depends on its distance from immovable objects such as walls, waste pipes, etc. [0004] It is often necessary for a plumber to lie on their back, manoeuvre themselves beneath the unit and struggle to loosen the nut. A special tool is available for this purpose, but the location of the nut still makes placement of the tool on the nut awkward, whether installing or removing a tap. In addition, the lack of space considerably hampers the attachment of the supply hose or pipe to the tap inlet and in particular, the manoeuvring of the necessary tools.

[0005] GB 2388411 A describes a tap pipe extension in which a first end is secured to the tap inlet and a second end is provided with a non-round formation on an external surface. This non-round formation has at least two parallel sides that can be engaged by a spanner. However, the use of a spanner in a confined space is still problematic.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides a one-piece tap connector comprising a head end, a tail end and an internal bore, the head end being provided with a screw thread for attachment to a tap inlet, and a tail end for attachment to a water supply conduit, the tail end having an internal non-round formation, whereby the tap connector can be screwed to the tap inlet by means of a key having a shape corresponding to that of the non-round formation.

[0007] A key having an L-shaped or Y-shaped shaft can easily be rotated in locations where the use of a spanner would be awkward or impossible.

[0008] The non-round formation may, for example, have a hollow hexagonal, square or star-shaped cross section for use with a key of corresponding shape.

[0009] By providing the non-round formation internally, fixing means, such as a screw thread, can be provided on the external surface of the tail end for attachment of the water supply conduit.

[0010] The head end can be provided with a flange for clamping against an underside of a plumbing unit.

[0011] A second aspect of the invention provides a kit comprising a tap connector as described above, and an adapter bush having internal and external threads, whereby the screw thread on the tap connector can engage with a threaded tap inlet having a diameter smaller than that of the screw thread on the tap connector.

[0012] A third aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a tap in a plumbing unit having an aperture, comprising inserting a tap inlet into the aperture, providing a tap connector as described above, screwing the tap connector to the tap inlet by engaging the internal non-round formation with a key, until the head end damps the tap in the aperture, and attaching a water supply conduit to the tail end.

[0013] The water supply conduit can be attached by screwing or soldering or by means of a compression or push-fit fitting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tap connector according to an embodiment of the invention; [0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tap connector of Figure 1; and [0017] Figure 3 shows the tap connector in the process of installation. Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments [0018] The drawings show a tap connector for use in installing a tap in a plumbing unit within a building, and subsequent connection of the tap to a water supply, usually provided by a flexible hose.

[0019] The tap connector is an elongate hollow body, so that a bore extends from a head end 7 to a tail end 10. In this example, the connector has a round external cross section. It may be of galvanized, stainless or other steel, brass, copper, aluminium, another suitable metallic material, or of plastics. A suitable length for the connector is 300 mm, but other lengths such as 600 mm are also possible.

[0020] The head end 7 of the connector is provided with an external flange 8. An upper part 6 of the connector has, on its lower internal surface, threads 4 for engaging a tap inlet 12, shown in Figure 3.

[0021] A lower part 18 has a diameter that is less than that of the upper part 6. The tail end is provided with an internal hexagonal formation 20.

[0022] A shoulder 22, in this example a stepped shoulder, is formed internally at the top of the lower part 18. A rubber washer 24 is seated in this shoulder.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the tap connector in the process of being screwed to the tap inlet 12 of a tap 16. The inlet 12 is inserted into an aperture of a plumbing unit 26 in a known manner. The upper part 6 of the tap connector is then placed around the inlet 12, until the external threads of the inlet 12 contact the internal threads 4 of the upper part.

[0024] A key (not shown) has a hexagonal external shape matching the hexagonal formation 20, at least at a distal end of the key. This key can be inserted into the formation and then used to screw the tap connector to the inlet 12, until the flange 8 firmly clamps the tap 16 in place. Then the end of the tap inlet 12 forms a sealing fit with the washer 24.

[0025] In the example shown, the lower part 18 has a plain round cross section, and can be attached to a known metal connector on a water supply hose or other conduit by soldering or by means of a compression or push-fit fitting. In an alternative version, an external screw thread is formed at the tail end 10, for screwing on a threaded component of the water supply conduit.

[0026] Where the tap connector is for connection to a tap having an inlet of a diameter too small for the threads 4, a substantially cylindrical bush can also be provided. This has an external thread that engage with the threads 4, and an internal thread that engages with the tap inlet.

[0027] Modifications to the specific embodiment shown in the drawings can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. In one modification, the non-round formation at the tail end has a cross-section of a shape other than hexagonal, and is used with a key of corresponding shape.

[0028] The tap connector of the invention allows easy installation of a tap, and connection of a water supply, in a confined space, even where the plumber cannot see the connector and is operating by touch alone.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A one-piece tap connector comprising a head end, a tail end and an internal bore, the head end being provided with a screw thread for attachment to a tap inlet, and a tail end for attachment to a water supply conduit, the tail end having an internal non-round formation, whereby the tap connector can be screwed to the tap inlet by means by means of a key having a shape corresponding to that of the non-round formation.
2. A tap connector according to claim 1, wherein the internal non-round formation has a hollow hexagonal, square or star-shaped cross section.
3. A tap connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein fixing means are provided on the external surface of the tail end for attachment of the water supply conduit.
4. A tap connector according to claim 3, wherein the fixing means comprise a screw thread.
5. A tap connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the head end is provided with a flange for clamping against an underside of a plumbing
6. A tap connector according to any preceding claim, wherein a lower part of the tap connector, including the tail end, is of a diameter less than that of an upper part of the tap connector, including the head end.
7. A tap connector according to claim 6, wherein a washer is seated on a shoulder at a top of the lower part.
8. A kit comprising a tap connector according to any preceding claim, and an adapter bush having internal and external threads, whereby the screw thread on the tap connector can engage with a threaded tap inlet having a diameter smaller than that of the screw thread on the tap connector.
9. A method of installing a tap in a plumbing unit having an aperture, comprising inserting a tap inlet into the aperture, providing a tap connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, screwing the tap connector to the tap inlet by engaging the internal non-round formation with a key, until the head end damps the tap in the aperture, and attaching a water supply conduit to the tail end.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the water supply conduit is attached by screwing or soldering or by means of a compression or push-fit fitting.