Adjustable plumbing device

Abstract

A plumbing alignment device consists of two, internally threaded, cylindrical end components 1, whose external dimensions replicate that of standard pipe, and a mechanism 2 that affords a range of adj

Description

This invention relates to a device offering a means of replicating sections of pipe, but with a degree of length adjustment to make design and implementation of plumbing systems more efficient with regard to both time and cost. Presently, when installing plumbing systems, much time and effort must be spent measuring, cutting and ultimately dry running the pipe sections with the corresponding plumbing fittings to ensure it will satisfy the job requirements and restrictions. It is only once this is complete that you can go back and confidently prepare and 'final fix' the system. The difficulty with this method is that, especially in more complex cases, you often have a number of elements to consider all at once and relies on a deal of trial and error. This can result in not only wasted time but a deal of material wastage whilst you try to ascertain the optimum configuration to satisfy the job in hand. This invention will solve the afore mentioned problems by offering a means of replicating sections of pipe, incorporating a mechanism that affords a range of adjustment to the length of these sections. This will allow the user opportunity to temporarily mock-up an entirely adjustable replica of the plumbing system, utilising the invention alongside standard plumbing fittings. Once the optimum configuration has been ascertained the invention can be used as a measuring aid for replacing with actual pipe sections. This method will not only limit material wastage but user time and effort will also be reduced substantially. The adjustment will be provided by a threaded rod mechanism where shorter pipe sections would be required. In scenarios where longer pipe sections would be required, and it would be somewhat impractical to use the threaded mechanism, a telescopic rod mechanism will be utilised instead. The component heads of the device will be cylindrical and sized so they replicate exactly the external dimensions of standard pipe, making them fully compatible with existing plumbing fixtures and fittings. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a 3-dimensional drawing of the pipe device utilising the threaded rod mechanism. Figure 2 illustrates a 3-dimensional exploded view drawing of the pipe device utilising the threaded rod mechanism. Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional representation of the pipe device, utilising the threaded rod mechanism, in a fully extended position. Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional representation of the pipe device, utilising the threaded rod mechanism, in a fully closed position Figure 5 illustrates a 3-dimensional drawing of the pipe device utilising the telescopic rod mechanism. Figure 6 illustrates a cross sectional representation of the pipe device, utilising the telescopic rod mechanism, in a fully extended position. Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional representation of the pipe device, utilising the telescopic rod mechanism, in a fully closed position. Figure 8 illustrates an example of the pipe device being used within a simple plumbing system. In figure 1 the device is displayed as a 3-dimensional model utilising the threaded rod mechanism. The areas shown in dashed lines represent areas that would not be visible but which better explain how the device functions. The details of the device are best explained in relation to the accompanying numbers. Where: 1. Identifies the component head. These will be cylindrical, with an external dimension that exactly replicates that of standard pipe sizes so as to be fully compatible with existing plumbing fittings. There will be a threaded section to the base of the head to allow for adjustment along the threaded rod(2). The upper section of the head will have a larger bore to allow for the passing of the threaded rod end nut(4), allowing the maximum range of adj ustment. 2. Identifies the threaded rod which allows adjustment of the component head(l) and corresponding lock nut(3). 3. Identifies the lock nut. These will be threaded to allow for full, independent, movement along the threaded rod(2) and will be used as a means of securing the component head(l) in place to prevent any unwanted rotational movement. 4 . Identifies the end nut which will prevent the component head(l) from unintentionally unscrewing from the threaded rod(2) as it is adjusted to its maximum length. Figure 2 illustrates a 3-dimensional exploded view of the pipe device, utilising the threaded rod mechanism, in its component parts. It is clearer from this picture the individual parts that make up the device, identified in figure 1. Figure 3 shows a cross section of the device, utilising the threaded rod mechanism, in a fully extended position. The component head(l) would be unscrewed to the outer most point of the threaded rod(2), taking the device to its maximum length. The corresponding lock nut(3) would then be used as a means of securing the component heads in place to restrict any unwanted rotational movement. It is also clear how the end nut(4) would move unobstructed within the larger bore of the component head offering a fixed end point to prevent any unintentional unscrewing of the component heads(1). Figure 4 shows a cross section of the device, utilising the threaded rod mechanism, in a fully closed position. The component head(l) and corresponding lock nut(3) would be screwed to the central point of the threaded rod(2), taking the device to its minimum length. In figure 5 the device is displayed as a 3-dimensional model utilising the telescopic rod mechanism. This option would be intended where it would be impractical to use the threaded rod method i.e., where longer spans are required. In this scenario the component head(l) would be fixed to the telescopic rod(5). Adjustability would be achieved via movement in the telescopic rod and would be secured by a locking mechanism(6) when required. Figure 6 shows the cross section of the device, utilising the telescopic mechanism, in a fully extended position. Here the telescopic rod(5) is extended to its maximum length and fixed in place using a locking mechanism(6). It is more clearly seen in this illustration how the component head(l) would be fixed to the telescopic rod(5) via the threaded end(7). Figure 7 shows the cross section of the device, utilising the telescopic mechanism, in a fully closed position. The telescopic rod(5) is reduced to its minimum length and fixed in place using a locking mechanism(6). Figure 8 shows a 3-dimensional representation of the invention being implemented in a basic plumbing system, as would be intended. The threaded version of the device(8) can be seen being utilised where shorter pipe sections would be required. The telescopic version of the device(9) can be seen being utilised where longer pipe sections would be required. As can be seen from the diagram the devices will be fully compatible with standard plumbing fittings(10). This is represented by the component heads(1) fitting within the plumbing fittings(10) as would be expected from standard pipe.

Claims

Claim 1. A plumbing device that incorporates 2 sections of cylindrical tube, internally threaded and with outer diameters engineered to identically replicate that of copper pipe commonly used in the plumbing industry, with the two sections of tube joined together axially via a, central, externally threaded rod, which runs, internally, the full length of each tube, thus allowing the end user the ability to alter the linear dimension of the device through the rotational movement of each tube section.Claim 2. A plumbing device according to claim 1 that utilises a telescopic rod as means of length adjustment.CM

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