Method and apparatus for construction of distribution manifolds

Abstract

A reducing tee fitting 30 is provided, for use in a method of assembling a water distribution manifold. The reducing tee fitting has a spigot 32 extending in a first direction, and a socket 34 having

Description

The present invention relates to a method for construction of distribution manifolds, and to apparatus for use in the method. 5 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION To provide a water supply to individual units in a multi-unit dwelling (for example, an apartment block), it is common to provide a single water supply entry point to the building at a basement or ground floor level. The water supply to the building may be, for example, a 54mm pipe connected to the water main in the street. 10 The building water supply pipe is attached to a riser. The riser is an extension of the building water supply pipe, which carries the supply to each floor of the building. The supply is then distributed from a riser cupboard on each floor, where a distribution manifold is provided to split the supply into smaller diameter pipes, one to serve each individual unit I apartment. 15 The smaller diameter pipes, which supply individual units / apartments, are typically for example 22mm or 28mm diameter. The distribution manifold is in the form of a horizontal extension of the riser, with a plurality of smaller diameter pipe connections extending upwardly from the horizontal pipe. Where there is a central / communal boiler for all units in the multi-unit dwelling, or in 20 regions where there is a mains hot water supply, there may be a distribution manifold for the cold water supply and another distribution manifold for the hot water supply. On each branch extending up from the distribution manifold, various devices may be installed. Depending on the requirements of the particular installation, there may be for example a water meter on each branch, a valve on each branch, a pump on each 25 branch, a pressure gauge on each branch, in various combinations and possibly including other devices as well. In assembling the distribution manifold, sufficient space needs to be left between the upwardly extending pipe connections to allow for such devices to be installed. Distribution manifolds are typically custom-built on site by plumbers. They are 30 assembled from reducing tees, spaced apart from each other by horizontal pipe sections. This is a time-consuming job, and due to space constraints in a basement plant room may also delay other work which needs to be done. This adds to the time and cost of a building project. It is an object of the invention to provide a quicker, more efficient method of assembling a distribution manifold. 5 STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a water supply distribution manifold, the method comprising: providing a plurality of reducing tee fittings, each reducing tee fitting comprising a spigot extending in a first direction, and a socket having an open entrance facing in 10 a direction opposite to the first direction, the socket being suitable for accepting a spigot of a similar fitting and the socket and spigot being disposed in-line along a common axis, and a pipe connection extending from the fitting at right angles to the axis, the pipe connection being suitable for accepting a pipe having a smaller diameter than the spigot, the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end 15 of the spigot being at least 120mm; assembling the plurality of reducing tee fittings together in a line by introducing the spigot of each fitting into the socket of an adjacent fitting; attaching a water supply pipe to one end of the line of reducing tee fittings; and wherein the socket includes a watertight press-fit connection for retaining and 20 sealing to the spigot of the similar fitting. The reducing tee fittings are provided as integrated pieces. When assembled together, a manifold is constructed with sufficient space between the pipe connections for fitting equipment which is typically required on each “branch” from a water distribution manifold. Because the reducing tee fittings are connected directly to each other, with 25 the spigot of one fitting being introduced into the socket of the next fitting, a timeconsuming process of cutting pipe sections to correctly space the branches is completely avoided. This results in significant time and labour saving when constructing a water distribution manifold in a building. The sockets of the fittings incorporate means to retain and provide a watertight seal 30 with the corresponding spigot. This is with press-fit connection for the fastest possible construction. Once the manifold is assembled from the plurality of reducing tee fittings, a water supply pipe is attached at one end of the line, either to the spigot of a fitting at one end, or to a socket of a fitting at the other end. The end which is not attached to the water supply may be capped-off, or alternatively a final branch could be attached at the end 5 of the line using a reducing elbow fitting. The reducing elbow fitting preferably has a spigot for fitting into a socket of the reducing tee, and the length of the reducing elbow in the direction in which the spigot extends may be at least half the length of each reducing tee fitting. In this way, a manifold having equally-spaced branches, with sufficient space in between for various devices which may need to be installed on each 10 branch, can easily be assembled. A suitable pipe may be attached to each of the reduced diameter pipe connections, each pipe being installed to carry water to an individual dwelling unit, for example. In some embodiments, a water meter is provided on each of these pipes. In some embodiments, a valve is provided on each of these pipes. In some embodiments, a 15 pressure gauge is provided on each of these pipes. 20 The length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot is preferably at least 120mm. Typically, the depth to which the spigot needs to be inserted into the socket is around 30mm. A “stop” is preferably provided in the socket to ensure that the corresponding spigot is inserted to a consistent and correct depth. With an insertion depth of 30mm and an overall length of 120mm, the spacing between the upwardly-extending pipe connections of the assembled manifold will be 90mm. This is typically enough space to provide commonly-required devices on each branch. In some embodiments, the socket may be provided without a stop, so that the spigot 25 can be inserted into the socket to a greater or lesser extent, to provide flexibility in the spacing between pipes extending from the manifold, with the same components. In such embodiments, the spigot will need to be inserted to a minimum depth in the socket to ensure a durable watertight connection. The minimum depth may be indicated for example by a mark on the spigot. 30 In some embodiments, the length of each fitting may be at least 130mm, at least 140mm, at least 150mm, at least 160mm, at least 170mm, at least 180mm, at least 190mm, at least 200mm, or even greater. Preferably the majority of the overall length of the fitting is the length of the spigot. The external diameter of the spigot, and the corresponding internal diameter of the socket, is typically 54mm. This is a typical diameter for the main supply pipe in a distribution manifold. However it will be understood that in different embodiments different diameters may be used, in accordance with requirements for particular installations and / or local practice in different countries or regions. The typical and preferred lengths mentioned correspond with fittings having an external diameter of at least 35mm, typically 54mm. 10 15 20 The smaller diameter pipe connection is typically provided for attachment of pipes having a 22mm or 28mm external diameter, although again different sizes may be provided. The typical and preferred lengths mentioned are for fittings having pipe connections for pipes of diameter at least 15mm, typically 22mm or 28mm. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reducing tee fitting for use in a water supply distribution manifold, the reducing tee fitting comprising a spigot extending in a first direction, and a socket having an open entrance facing in a direction opposite to the first direction, the socket being suitable for accepting a spigot of a similar fitting and the socket and spigot being disposed in-line along a common axis, and a pipe connection extending from the fitting at right angles to the axis, the pipe connection being suitable for accepting a pipe having a smaller diameter than the spigot, the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot being at least 120mm, the socket incorporating a press-fit connection to retain and provide a watertight seal with the spigot of the similar fitting. The socket of the fitting incorporates means to retain and provide a watertight seal with the spigot of the similar fitting. This is with press-fit connection for the fastest possible construction. 25 The length of the fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot is preferably at least 120mm. Typically, the depth to which the spigot needs to be inserted into the socket is around 30mm. A “stop” is preferably provided in the socket to ensure that the corresponding spigot is inserted to a consistent and correct depth. With an insertion depth of 30mm and an overall length of 120mm, the spacing 30 between the upwardly-extending pipe connections of an assembled manifold will be 90mm. This is typically enough space to provide commonly-required devices on each branch. In some embodiments, the socket may be provided without a stop, so that the spigot can be inserted into the socket to a greater or lesser extent, to provide flexibility in the spacing between pipes extending from the manifold, with the same components. In such embodiments, the spigot will need to be inserted to a minimum depth in the socket 5 to ensure a durable watertight connection. The minimum depth may be indicated for example by a mark on the spigot. In some embodiments, the length of each fitting may be at least 130mm, at least 140mm, at least 150mm, at least 160mm, at least 170mm, at least 180mm, at least 190mm, at least 200mm, or even greater. 10 Preferably the majority of the overall length of the fitting is the length of the spigot. The external diameter of the spigot, and the corresponding internal diameter of the socket, is typically 54mm. This is a typical diameter for the main horizontal pipe in a distribution manifold. However it will be understood that in different embodiments different diameters may be used, in accordance with requirements for particular 15 installations and / or local practice in different countries or regions. The typical and C\l preferred lengths mentioned correspond with fittings having an external diameter of at least 35mm, typically 54mm. 1— 0$ The smaller diameter pipe connection is typically provided for attachment of pipes having a 22mm or 28mm external diameter, although again different sizes may be 20 provided. The typical and preferred lengths mentioned are for fittings having pipe connections for pipes of diameter at least 15mm, typically 22mm or 28mm. A kit for use in assembling a water distribution manifold may be provided, the kit including a plurality of the reducing tee fittings. The kit may further include a reducing elbow for use at an end of the assembled 25 manifold, the elbow having a spigot for introduction into the socket of one of the reducing tee fittings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the 30 accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a prior art water distribution manifold, assembled from reducing tees joined together in a line via cut pipe sections; Figure 2 shows a cross section through a reducing tee according to the invention; and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the reducing tee of Figure 2. 5 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a prior art water distribution manifold 10 in a building. Water from a utility supply or building riser enters the manifold, in this case, on the right-hand side of the substantially horizontal pipe section, indicated at 12. The manifold 10 has been assembled using three reducing tee fittings 14, joined together by cut pipe sections 16. 10 Three upwardly-extending “branches” 18 are in the form of 22mm pipe to carry water to each of three dwelling units in the building. 15 In this case a pump 20 is provided on each branch. Therefore, horizontal space needs to be provided between the upwardly-extending branches 18. The length of the cut pipe sections 16 has therefore been chosen to ensure an appropriate distance between branches. The manifold in Figure 1, which has three branches, has been made using a total of four cut pipe sections 16, three reducing tees 14, and an end cap. Each pipe section has had to be individually cut to length, deburred, and joined to the other components. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show a reducing tee 30 according to the second aspect of the 20 invention, for use in a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The tee 30 comprises a spigot 32, which in this case has a 54mm external diameter. The tee 30 extends in one direction - to the left as shown in the drawing. A socket 34 has an entrance facing away from the tee 30 in the opposite direction, i.e. at 180 degrees from the direction of the spigot 32. The socket 34 is a press-fit socket for quick assembly. 25 The socket 34 has an internal diameter of 54mm, for accepting a spigotof a similar tee 30. The press-fit socket 34 makes a permanent, watertight seal with a spigot of a similar tee 30. The socket 34 preferably includes a shoulder on an internal surface, to provide a stop so that the corresponding spigot is inserted to a consistent and correct depth. The 30 depth of insertion into the socket 34 is preferably around 30mm. The shoulder is not shown in Figure 2, but a line indicated at 36 shows the depth of insertion. 18 1024 The total length of the tee, from the entrance to the socket to the distal end of the spigot, in this embodiment is 157mm. With a depth of insertion of 30mm, this means a 127mm spacing between pipe centres of the “branches”, when a water distribution manifold is assembled. In many cases this leaves sufficient room to install devices 5 such as water meters, pumps, valves, etc. However, other embodiments may have greater lengths to allow for installation of larger equipment. In embodiments, the total length of the tee less the depth of insertion into the socket is at least 120mm, or preferably at least 130mm, at least 140mm, at least 150mm, at least 160mm, at least 170mm, at least 180mm, at least 190mm, at least 200mm, or 10 more. Such lengths are appropriate for water distribution manifolds having a main input section of around 54mm diameter, and output branches of for example 22mm or 28mm diameter. The dimensions shown in Figure 2 are in millimetres. The method and apparatus of the invention provides the means for much faster 15 assembly of a water distribution manifold in a building, without the need to cut pipes into individual sections, saving time and cost in building projects. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a water supply distribution manifold, the methodcomprising:providing a plurality of reducing tee fittings, each reducing tee fitting5 comprising a spigot extending in a first direction, and a socket havingan open entrance facing in a direction opposite to the first direction, the socket being suitable for accepting a spigot of a similar fitting and the socket and spigot being disposed in-line along a common axis, and a pipe connection extending from the fitting at right angles to the axis, the10 pipe connection being suitable for accepting a pipe having a smallerdiameter than the spigot, the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot being at least 120mm;assembling the plurality of reducing tee fittings together in a line by introducing the spigot of each fitting into the socket of an adjacent fitting;xt15 attaching a water supply pipe to one end of the line of reducing teefittings; andwherein the socket includes a watertight press-fit connection for co retaining and sealing to the spigot of the similar fitting.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:20 closing off the other end of the line of reducing tee fittings by providing awatertight closure.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising attaching a suitable pipe to each of the reduced diameter pipe connections.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which a water meter is provided on each25 pipe.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which a valve is provided on eachPipe.

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which a pressure gauge isprovided on each pipe.

7. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot, less the minimum depth of insertion of the spigot into the socket, is at least 90mm.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which the length of each fitting between the 5 entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot, less the minimum depthof insertion of the spigot into the socket, is at least 100mm.

9. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the external diameter of the spigot, and the corresponding internal diameter of the socket, is at least 35mm.10 10. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the smallerdiameter pipe connection is suitable for pipes of diameter at least 15mm.

11. A reducing tee fitting for use in a water supply distribution manifold, the reducing tee fitting comprising a spigot extending in a first direction, and a socket having an open entrance facing in a direction opposite to the first direction, the socket 15 being suitable for accepting a spigot of a similar fitting and the socket and spigotbeing disposed in-line along a common axis, and a pipe connection extending from the fitting at right-angles to the axis, the pipe connection being suitable for accepting a pipe having a smaller diameter than the spigot, the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot being 20 at least 120mm, the socket incorporating a press-fit connection to retain andprovide a watertight seal with the spigot of the similar fitting.

12. A reducing tee fitting as claimed in claim 11, in which the length of the fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot, less the minimum depth of insertion of the spigot of the similar fitting into the socket, is 25 at least 90mm.

13. A reducing tee fitting as claimed in claim 12, in which the length of each fitting between the entrance to the socket and the distal end of the spigot, less the minimum depth of insertion of the spigot of the similar fitting into the socket, is at least 100mm.30 14. A reducing tee fitting as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which the externaldiameter of the spigot, and the corresponding internal diameter of the socket, is at least 35mm.

15. A reducing tee fitting as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, in which the smaller diameter pipe connection is suitable for pipes of diameter at least 15mm.18 1024

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