Device for connecting macerators

Abstract

The apparatus for coupling a macerator includes a bottom plate (1) having a back plate (5) extending upward from the rear edge of the bottom plate (1). A drain pipe (6) extends from the back plate (5) to a drain connector for engaging a drain outlet of the macerator, and a water supply pipe (7) extends from the back plate (5) to a water supply connector for engaging a water supply inlet of the macerator. The apparatus facilitates installation of the macerator.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for installing a macerator, and more particularly to a docking station for accurately positioning the macerator and facilitating the connection of services to the macerator. [Background technology]

[0002] Installing a macerator in a building is a complex process, requiring not only the macerator unit itself to be properly secured in place, but also the connections to the inlet water supply, wastewater outlet and power.

[0003] In a conventional macerator installation process, a paper template is placed on the floor or wall where the macerator will be installed, and fastening holes are drilled as indicated by the template. The template is then removed, mounting brackets are fastened into place, the macerator unit is placed in place, and fastening bolts are placed into fixtures through designated mounting points on the macerator chassis, floor, or wall to secure the macerator unit in place.

[0004] In conventional macerator units, the water supply and drain connections are typically in a fixed location on the back of the unit, and therefore, when the unit is installed, it itself becomes an obstacle to connecting these services. This complicates both the installation of the macerator unit and the subsequent provision of services. Furthermore, running these services from the building wall or floor to the appropriate location on the unit often requires advanced plumbing skills, and therefore, macerator installation personnel must be highly skilled.

[0005] The present invention aims to facilitate the installation, servicing and replacement of macerator units. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for connecting a macerator, the apparatus comprising: a bottom plate having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a back plate extending upwardly from the trailing edge of the bottom plate; a drain pipe extending from the back plate to a drain connector for engaging with a drain outlet of the macerator; and a water supply pipe extending from the back plate to a water supply connector for engaging with a water supply inlet of the macerator, wherein the drain connector and the water supply connector are positioned closer to the leading edge of the bottom plate than to the trailing edge of the bottom plate. In one embodiment, the drain connector and the water inlet connector provide a vertical connection to the macerator.

[0007] The device may further include a P-trap between the drain connector and the back plate.The device may further include an isolator between the water supply connector and the back plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the back plate may further comprise a guide configured to engage with the macerator unit to guide the macerator unit into the correct position relative to the bottom plate. The guide may comprise one or more V-shaped guide bars adapted to engage with roller pins or vertical bars on the macerator unit.

[0009] The apparatus may further include a mounting bracket for securing the macerator to the bottom plate.

[0010] The back plate may be removably attached to the bottom plate. The trailing edge of the bottom plate may be angled relative to the plane of the bottom plate.

[0011] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for installing a macerator unit, comprising the steps of: lifting the macerator unit using a wheeled dolly supporting a jack; positioning the macerator unit on an apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; and lowering the macerator unit and connecting it to a water supply and a drain. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a left front perspective view of one embodiment of a docking station. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a right rear perspective view of one embodiment of a docking station. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the positioning guide in one embodiment of the docking station. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A shows a front view of the water supply and drain connections during installation of the macerator unit. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B shows a front view of the water supply and drain connections during installation of the macerator unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a right rear view of a typical macerator unit for use in accordance with the present invention, with the front cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the macerator of FIG. 4 positioned on a combining station. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the macerator of FIG. 6 from the front right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] 1 and 2 show a bottom plate 1 having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The bottom plate is designed to rest horizontally on the floor of the room in which the macerator unit 20 is installed, with the trailing edge 2 closer to the wall of the room than the leading edge 3. The bottom plate 1 may be made of sheet metal. The bottom plate 1 may be 383 mm from the leading edge 3 to the trailing edge 2 and 416 mm from side to side. The bottom plate 1 includes one or more fastening points 4 for rigidly attaching the bottom plate 1 to the floor. The fastening points 4 may include pre-drilled holes, so that the bottom plate 1 may act as a template for locating fastening holes to be drilled in the floor, thereby avoiding the need for a separate template. The bottom plate 1 may be fastened to the floor using screws or bolts (shown) inserted through the bottom plate 1 and into the floor. In some situations, such as in rooms with underfloor heating, drilling fastening holes in the floor may not be appropriate. In such circumstances, the bottom plate 1 may be secured using alternative means such as gluing it to the floor.

[0015] The bottom plate 1 is preferably installed with its rear edge 80mm to 135mm from the wall to ensure correct positioning of the macerator unit 20. To facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the macerator unit 20, it is recommended that the macerator unit 20 be positioned 100mm from the wall when installed.

[0016] The trailing edge 2 of the base plate 1 may be bent upwards so that the trailing edge 2 is inclined relative to the plane of the floor on which the base plate 1 rests. This provides additional space between the base plate 1 and the wall for room features such as baseboards, plumbing or wiring that run along the floor.

[0017] The back plate 5 rises substantially perpendicularly from the rear edge 2 of the bottom plate 1. The back plate 5 is preferably at least 75 mm from the wall to allow access to facilitate the connection and fastening of pipes, hoses or cables that protrude from the wall.

[0018] The back plate 5 is rigidly joined to the bottom plate 1, and the two plates may be formed from a single folded steel sheet, although preferably the two plates are separable from each other to allow for easy replacement of the back plate 5 if it is damaged during installation. The back plate 5 may be bolted to the bottom plate to allow for easy replacement.

[0019] In one embodiment, the back plate 5 extends upwardly by 272 mm. The back plate 5 includes a hole through which a drain pipe 6 passes to connect to a drain pipe protruding from the wall, and a hole through which a water supply pipe 7 passes to connect to a water supply pipe protruding from the wall.

[0020] A drain pipe 6 extends on the bottom plate 1 from the back plate 5 to a drain connector 8 for engaging the drain outlet of the macerator unit 20. The drain pipe 6 is preferably supported above the bottom plate 1 by the back plate 5. Preferably, a P-shaped trap is positioned between the connector 8 and the back plate 5. The trap prevents sewage gases from being released into the atmosphere, ameliorating odors and reducing the risk of infection. While the trap is traditionally part of the macerator unit, by moving the trap to the combining station, the trap still functions even when the macerator unit 20 is not combined. If the macerator unit 20 is removed from the combining station for an extended period of time, a blanking cap 9 may be placed on the open end of the drain pipe 6.

[0021] The drain connector 8 comprises a short length of tubing that rises vertically from the P-trap to engage with the vertical drain outlet of the macerator unit 20. The connector 8 may be held firmly on the P-trap by a hose clamp. The connector tubing (connector) 8 may be transparent or translucent, allowing for easy identification of blockages in the drain and visual confirmation that the macerator drain outlet is properly seated within the connector 8. The inner diameter of the connector tubing closely matches the outer diameter of the macerator unit drain outlet. The macerator drain outlet pipe preferably has a circumferential ridge around its outer periphery, approximately 8 mm from the end, that acts as a stop for the drain connector. A second hose clamp may be used to tighten the connector 8 around the drain outlet of the macerator unit 20 to ensure a watertight seal.

[0022] To reduce the risk of spillage during connection and disconnection, the top of the connector tube 8 is positioned above the trap level. In one embodiment, the top of the connector tube 8 is more than 40 mm above the trap level (i.e., the bottom of the drain pipe 6, which determines the liquid level in the trap).

[0023] Importantly, the drain connector 8 is positioned towards the front edge 3 of the bottom plate 1. This means that the drain connector 8 is easily accessible when the macerator unit 20 is in place on the bottom plate 1. In one embodiment, the macerator unit 20 may have a removable front cover. When such a front cover is removed, the drain connector 8 is also more easily accessible.

[0024] A water supply line 7 extends from the back plate 5 to a water supply connector 10 for engaging a water supply inlet of the macerator unit 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the water supply line 7 is substantially parallel to the drain line 6. The water supply line 7 is preferably supported above the bottom plate 1 by the back plate 5.

[0025] Connector 10 for engaging with macerator unit 20 is in the form of a bend (shown as a right-angle isolator) to connect to the vertical water supply inlet of macerator unit 20. It may include a faucet or valve that acts as a supply isolator. When macerator unit 20 is in place on bottom plate 1, the isolator controls (e.g., faucet handle) are accessible from the front edge 3 of bottom plate 1. Like drain connector 8, water supply connector 10 is positioned toward the front edge 3 of bottom plate 1 so that it is easily accessible when macerator unit 20 is in place on bottom plate 1. In one embodiment, the front cover of macerator unit 20 can be opened to facilitate access to the isolator and connectors 8 and 10.

[0026] The location of the drain connector 8 and the water supply connector 10 closer to the front edge 3 of the bottom plate 1 than to the rear edge 2 of the bottom plate 1 is important to ensure that the two connectors, and in particular the water supply isolator, are easily accessible through the front of the macerator unit 20 when the macerator unit 20 is in place.

[0027] Both the drain connector 8 and the water inlet connector 10 are preferably oriented vertically so that the final movement connecting the macerator unit 20 to the piping is a downward movement.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in close-up in FIG. 3 , the back plate 5 further includes one or more guides 11 configured to engage the macerator unit 20 and guide it into the correct position relative to the bottom plate 1. In one embodiment, the guides may be guide bars formed in the shape of a horizontally oriented "V" with the apex of the "V" pointing toward the rear of the apparatus. The bars engage with one or more vertical pegs or pins in the macerator unit 20. To facilitate sliding of the pins along the guide bars, the pins may be roller pins and / or may be coated with or formed from acetal plastic or other low-friction material. As the macerator unit 20 is pressed toward the rear of the bottom plate, the pins in the macerator unit 20 bias against either the left or right side of the "V," thus moving the macerator unit 20 laterally until the pins are ultimately at the apex of the "V" and the macerator unit 20 is in the correct position. In a preferred embodiment, the two spaced apart "V"s engage with two similarly spaced apart pins on the macerator unit 20 to ensure that rotation of the macerator unit 20 about its vertical axis is also controlled.

[0029] In one embodiment, the "V" is preferably 40mm wide, allowing for an initial positioning error of 20mm to the left or right. Preferably, the final positioning tolerance for the bottom plate 1 is 0.5mm.

[0030] The guide 11 may be formed as a separate part of the back plate 5 which may be bolted to the remainder of the back plate 5. Alternatively, the entire back plate 5 including the guide bar (guide) 11 is preferably formed from one metal sheet to ensure manufacturing accuracy in the relative positions of the guide bar 11, the drain pipe 6 hole and the water supply pipe 7 hole.

[0031] Macerator fixing points 12 are positioned on bottom plate 1 to secure macerator unit 20 to bottom plate 1. In one embodiment, fixing points 12 comprise brackets supported above bottom plate 1 at the same height as the floor panel of a properly positioned macerator unit 20. Bolts through the floor panel of macerator unit 20 engage the brackets to secure macerator unit 20. Guides 11 ensure that the macerator is accurately positioned, so that the bolt holes require minimal tolerances. In one embodiment, custom fixings (as shown) may be provided to allow the bolts to be tightened by hand.

[0032] A typical macerator unit 20 (as shown in Figure 5) weighs 50-70 kg, although some are heavier. Preferably, the weight of the unit may be supported on a base plate 1, which may help distribute the weight across the floor. No additional wall mounting is believed to be necessary or desirable.

[0033] It should be noted that preferably, there are no plates or other features extending upward from the front surface of the bottom plate 1. This open area at the front surface of the bottom plate 1 ensures that the macerator unit 20 can be easily moved onto or off the bottom plate 1 from the front surface. It also facilitates access to the internal components of the combining station, particularly the pipe connectors 8, 10 and / or the feedwater isolator, through the front surface of the macerator unit 20 when the macerator unit 20 is in place at the combining station. Similarly, preferably, there are no plates or other features rising from the left or right side of the bottom plate 1. This can facilitate access to the internal components of the combining station when used with a macerator unit 20 that has removable panels or doors on its sides.

[0034] To install the macerator unit 20 using the described docking station, the macerator unit 20 is preferably positioned on a platform (or other macerator support) on a dolly. The platform is then raised, raising the unit so that the drain outlet and water inlet of the macerator unit 20 are above the drain connector 8 and water connector 10 of the docking station. The macerator unit 20 can be elevated 40 mm off the floor. The dolly preferably incorporates jacks for raising and lowering the platform.

[0035] Once elevated, the macerator unit 20 can be pressed onto the dolly on its bottom plate without being obstructed by the docking station. A large diameter hole 21 at the rear of the macerator unit 20 allows the P-trap and feedwater isolator to pass through to the interior of the macerator unit 20. If use of a docking station with a particular model of macerator unit 20 is optional, the hole may be covered with a removable panel when the macerator unit 20 is used without the docking station.

[0036] As the macerator unit 20 is pushed back, the guides 11 cause lateral and rotational movement to precisely position the macerator unit 20 above the combining station, until the unit reaches the position shown in Figure 4A. The carriage platform can then be lowered, moving the macerator unit 20 to the position shown in Figure 4B. This downward movement moves the macerator unit 20 downward, and the drain connector 8 and water supply connector 10 engage the drain outlet and water supply inlet of the macerator unit 20.

[0037] The dolly is then removed, allowing the installer to easily access the piping through the front of the macerator unit 20 and tighten the piping clamps on the drain connector 8. Connecting both the drain and water inlet in one move greatly simplifies installation of the macerator unit 20. The docking station ensures that the drain connector 8 and water inlet connector 10 are always in the same position for proper engagement with the macerator unit 20, and that the macerator unit 20 is always accurately positioned.

[0038] It should be understood that any feature described in connection with one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may be used in combination with one or more features of one or more other embodiments, where technically feasible.

[0039] Additionally, equivalents and variations not described may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for combining macerators, comprising: a bottom plate having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a back plate extending upward from the rear edge of the bottom plate; a drain pipe extending from the back plate to a drain connector for engaging a drain outlet of a macerator; a water supply line extending from the back plate to a water supply connector for engaging a water supply inlet of the macerator; Equipped with the drain connector and the water inlet connector are positioned closer to the leading edge of the bottom plate than to the trailing edge of the bottom plate; Device.

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain connector and the water inlet connector provide vertical connections to the macerator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a P-trap between the drain connector and the back plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an isolator between the water supply connector and the back plate.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back plate further comprises a guide configured to engage a macerator unit and guide it into correct position relative to the bottom plate.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the guide comprises one or more V-shaped guide bars adapted to engage roller pins in the macerator unit.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket for securing the macerator to the bottom plate.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back plate is removably attached to the bottom plate.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trailing edge of the bottom plate is inclined relative to the plane of the bottom plate.

10. 1. A method of installing a macerator unit, comprising: elevating the macerator unit using a wheeled dolly with a jack; Positioning the macerator unit on the device of any one of claims 1 to 9; lowering the macerator unit and connecting it to a water supply and a water drain; A method for providing the above.

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