VARIABLY SETTABLE BRANCHPIPE

Abstract: A variably adjustable branched pipe-joint fitting (1) for connection to at least three pipe components, and in the form of a main pipe component (10) and at least one branch pipe component (30) secured to each other in a fluid-tight and rotatable manner and forming with each other a continuously variable adjustable angle alpha . The main pipe component (10) is provided with at least one branch stud (20), the end part (23) of which lies in a plane forming an angle beta with a plane at right angles to the central axis (25) of said branch stud (20). The associated branch pipe component (30) is provided with an end part (33) lying in a plane forming an angle epsilon with a plane at right angles to the central axis (35) of the branch pipe component (30).

Description: VARIABLY SETTABLE BRANCHPIPE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a variably adjustable branched pipe-joint fitting of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND ART V7hen connecting drain pipes it is known to use pipe joints of the type muff couplings, in which two pipe ends, of which one is straight and smooth and the other is provided with a muff with an inserted sealing ring embracing its pipe part, are pushed together. Likewise, it is known in a similar manner to use pipe joints, in which two pipe ends, one having a thread and the other a union nut, are screwed together. To achieve a correct installation, both these types of pipe joints require that the pipes are separate or can be held separate from each other with a certain spacing and partly that they are held with their central axes generally parallel and in im- mediate continuation of each other, partly that their end surfaces are held substantially parallel to ■ •each other. Especially the latter type of pipe joint is rela¬ tively costly, and as mentioned before, the threaded joint does not allow any possibility of variable adjust- ment, whether it be before, during or after the instal¬ lation work. Branched pipe-joint fittings consisting of a main pipe component and at least one branch pipe component are CORRECTED available commercially with fixed connections between the main pipe component and the branch pipe component at angles of e.g. 15°, 30°, 45° and 90° between the pipe components, cf. e.g. Danish Patent No. 134,530. For this reason, when using such branched pipe-joint fittings when interconnecting a number of drain pipes, it is ne¬ cessary to keep a number of types in store in order to cover the various possible angles between the drain pipes during the installation. Further, the installation or the work of assembling the pipe components is made diffi¬ cult, because in connection with the prior art it is often necessary to use tightening means or clamping pieces to establish the permanent connection between the pipe components, and it is sometimes difficult to clean the drain pipes, especially when the joints are unburied and visible, because of the annular elements protruding from the surface or around the flanges, thus producing an unclean and ugly appearance. Further, situations fre¬ quently arise in which it is not possible to use a bran- ched pipe-joint fitting with a given fixed angle, as the angle between the drain pipes differs from this angle. In this case, it is either necessary to use extra angular pipe pieces in order to compensate for the angular devi¬ ations, or to attempt to force a pipe-joint fitting with an angle lying closest to the optimum angle into its position between the drain pipes. In the former case, a need will arise for a still larger store of commercially available pipe pieces with different pipe angles, while the latter case produces a pipe joint installed with built-in stresses, that sometimes at some later time may produce leaks with consequent water damage. Thus, in both cases the pipe connections concerned are lacking in adaptability during the installation work, hence increas¬ ing the use of resources. Further, it may happen that lack of space in the installation site makes it necessary to twist or turn the branched pipe-joint fitting into position between drain pipes already installed, and some¬ times this can be impossible when using the branched fittings with fixed angles, as - due to their lack of adjustability - it is simply impossible to turn, twist or wriggle them into position. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It ir, the object of the present invention to provide a variably adjustable branched pipe-joint fitting of the kind referred to initially, in which the continuously variable adjustable angle α between the main pipe and at least one branched pipe can lie between 0° and 180°, but preferably lies between 45° and 90°, at the same time maintaining a substantially uniform and constant internal flow cross-section for the liquid being transported. Further, the invention should provide facilities for translation and rotation of the main pipe in and about its longitudinal direction with simultaneous rotation of at least one branch pipe, this in connection with the assembly of the branch fitting with its associated drain pipe pieces provides a far greater number of possibilities for adaptability during the installation work, also fa¬ cilitating the latter, and also reducing the need for a greater number of different branched fittings with fixed angles between the main pipe and the branch pipe, as well as for different pipe bends, further preserving the possibilities of maintaining a pleasing appearance through an appropriate external design. According to the present invention, this object is a- chieved by constructing the branched fitting with a main pipe component and at least one branch pipe component in the manner set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1, in this manner providing a variably adjustable branched pipe-joint fitting, with which it is possible before, during and after the installation work to change continuously the angle α between the main pipe and a branch pipe, the branch pipe concerned being secured to the main pipe sealingly and rotatably about a rotational axis determined on the background of the angles β and e between each branch and the end-part plane of the as¬ sociated branch pipe, respectively, relative to their respective central axes. This means, that in case of need, the branched pipe-joint fitting according to the present invention may be twisted, turned and/or "wriggled" into position, this again contributing to achieving the desired adaptability during the installation work. By providing a branched pipe-joint fitting additionally possessing the features set forth in claim 2, a branched fitting according to the invention is achieved that in a simple manner - partly depending on the requirement for the installation - may be adjusted continuously in angles between 0° and 180°, and preferably in the interval be- tween 45° and 90°. The adjustment may e.g. be carried out by holding the main pipe stationary and turning the branch pipe, and may be carried out to both sides relative to the main pipe by turning the branch pipe all the way round, i.e. in a 360° rotation. Otherwise, the main pipe may be turned upside down, which in connection with the preferred interval means that the assembling angles can lie between 45° and 135°, thus covering the most commonly used commercially available angle bends. Additionally, the angle can, depending on the installation situation. be set and/or finely adjusted in position by simultaneous translation and/or rotation of the main pipe in and/or about its longitudinal direction, as well as by rotation of the branch pipe. By using a securing connection as set forth in claim 3, i.e. a rib-and-groove connection, it is ensured that the branch pipe is held sealingly and rotatably connected to the main pipe without risk that unintended leaks could arise at some later time, e.g. caused by stresses introduced during the installation work. By choosing a branched pipe-joint fitting as set forth in claim 4, a flow passage for the flowing liquid is provided, in which there is no risk of the formation of pockets or bulges likely to retain solid particles en¬ trained in the flowing liquid, because the placing of the engagement connection outside of the flow cross-section but still inside of the outer periphery of the branched fitting prevents them from constituting a hindrance for effective cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, including advantageous embodiments and examples of the branched pipe-joint fitting according to the invention as set forth in the remaining dependent claims, will be explained in more detail below with refer¬ ence to the drawing showing diagrammatically an embodiment of the branched pipe-joint fitting according to the in¬ vention, and in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded side view, partly in section, of the branched pipe-joint fitting with the branch pipe placed at an angle a of 90° between the main pipe and the branch pipe. Figures 2a-2d diagrammatically show a series of illustra¬ tive side views of the branched pipe-joint fitting, and Figures 3a-3d diagrammatically show a series of illustra¬ tive views of the branched pipe-joint fitting as shown in Figures 2a-2d, but as viewed from the front. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The exemplary embodiment of a branched pipe-joint fitting 1 according to the invention shown in the drawing com¬ prises two pipe components, but it could, as mentioned before, just as well comprise more than two pipe co - ponents. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, one component is constituted by a main pipe 10, and the other pipe component is constituted by a branch pipe 30 being rotatably connected to the main pipe 10 through a branch spigot 20 placed on the main pipe 10. Further, the main pipe 10 may as shown be provided with pipe ends 11, 12 with mutually parallel end planes, normally sub¬ stantially at right angles to the central axis 5 of the main pipe 10. The connecting end 23 of the branch spigot 20 lies in a plane advantageously forming an angle of 22.5° with a plane at right angles to the central axis 5. It is, of course, possible to choose other angles than those mentioned above, depending on the intended use of the branched pipe-joint fitting, but as a point of departure, the angles having been chosen have proved to provide the greatest possible flexibility in connection with the mutual rotation of the pipes and possibilities of connections to the drain pipes. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the branch pipe 30 is provided with a pipe end 31, the end plane of which nor¬ mally extends substantially at right angles to the central axis 35 of the branch pipe 30, and another pipe end 33 for connection to the branch spigot 20, the end plane of which advantageously forms an angle of 22.5° relative to a plane at right angles to the central axis 35. In order to achieve a fluid-tight and rotatable connection between the branch spigot 20 on the main pipe 10 and the branch pipe 30, both pipe components have engagement parts for their angularly set connecting ends 23 and 33, as shown in Figure 1 constituted by rib-and-groove engagement means 22 and 32. The pipe components are shown separated from each other for better illustration of their rib¬ and-groove engagement means 22 and 32. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pipe components may be assembled e.g. by means of a shrink joint, i.e. by e.g. the branch pipe 30 constituting a female part that may advantageously be heated, and the branch spigot 20 on the main pipe 10 constituting a male part that may advantageously be cool- ed, all in order to facilitate the assembly work. Alter¬ natively, the components may be assembled or connected with a snap connection. The ribs and grooves as a whole designated 22 and 32, respectively, are preferably all formed as real bodies of rotation, meaning that they constitute bodies of ro¬ tation rotated about the rotational axes 15 and 45 of the branch pipe 30 and the branch spigot 20, respective¬ ly, enabling the pipe components to be rotated continu- ously relative to each other and form angles α in the interval 0°-180°. As will also be evident from the drawing, the ribs and grooves as a whole designated 22 and 32 lie within the outermost periphery of the branch pipe 30 and the branch spigot 20, respectively, but still outside of their flow cross-sectional area, incidentally being substantially the same for the main pipe 10, the branch spigot 20 and the branch pipe 30, so that the branched pipe-joint fit¬ ting provides a flow passage for the liquid flow without obstructions or impediments. In addition, this arrangement can also in itself be fluid- tight over the full circumference of the engagement con¬ nection. A sealing ring may, however, be placed in the engagement connection in order to achieve an even more reliable seal. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pipe ends 11, 12 and 31 are made with traditional or conventional inter¬ connection means, these means on the end 11 on the main pipe 10 and on the free end 31 of the branch pipe 30 being constituted by female parts for coupling with male parts on other pipe components or drain pipes, and the interconnection means on the other end 12 of the main pipe 10 being constituted by a male part for coupling with the female part of another pipe component. The inside diameter of the female part is somewhat greater than the inside diameter of the remainder of the pipe, preferably corresponding to the wall thickness of the pipe, while the outside diameter of the male part either corresponds to or is somewhat less than the inside diameter of the female part, thus providing the male part with a spigot fitting within the female part, all without causing a variation of the flow cross-sectional area in the joint. These commonly used muffs comprise i.a. a sealing ring for providing a seal between the interconnected pipe components. Moreover, it is possible to choose freely the female and male parts of the interconnecting means 11, 12 and 31 on the branched pipe-joint fitting 1 and to combine them in other ways than shown, e.g. female parts may be used all over. They should, however, be adapted to the interconnecting means on the drain pipe pieces to be connected to the branched pipe-joint fitting 1. By using muffs it is ensured that the connection to the drain pipes may be established in a simple manner without using e.g. special tools for screwing pipe parts and the like together. As illustrated in Figures 2a-2d and 3a-3d, it is possible when carrying out installation work with the central axis 5 of the main pipe 10 approximately vertical, by rotating the branch pipe 30 continuously through 180° to achieve connection angles α of between 45° and 90° between their respective central axes 5 and 35. In Figures 2a-2d and 3a-3d of the drawings, the branched pipe-joint fitting 1 is shown with the end connecting part of the branch spigot 20 lying in a plane forming an angle β of 22.5° with a plane at right angles with the central axis 20 of the branch spigot 20, and with the end connecting part 33 of the branch pipe 30 lying in a plane forming an angle e of 22.5° with a plane at right angles with the central axis 35 of the branch pipe 30. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the central axis 5 of the main pipe 10 and the central axis 35 of the branch pipe 20 may form an angle α with each other that is con- tinously variable from 45° to 90°. The angle α may, how- ever, be varied in the interval between 0° and 180°, depending on the construction of each branch spigot 20 and the associated branch pipe 30 having been chosen. In Figures 2a and 3a, the angle between the pipe com- ponents appears to constitute 90°. In Figures 2b and 3b, the pipe components are rotated 90° anti-clockwise rela¬ tive to each other as compared to the initial position in Figures 2a and 3a, so that the angle α constitutes 67.5°. In Figures 2c and 3c, the pipe components have been further rotated 90° anti-clockwise relative to each other as compared to the position in Figures 2b and 3b, so that the angle constitutes 90°. In Figures 2d and 3d, the pipe components are rotated 170° anti-clockwise relative to each other as compared to the initial position of Figures 2a and 3a, so that the angle again consti¬ tutes 67.5°, this time, however, to the left of the cen¬ tral axis 5 of the main pipe 10 as shown in Figure 3b. Thus, it is primarily the ability of the pipe components to move relative to each other that is exploited according to the present invention. If the main pipe 10 is held against rotation, a rotation of the branch pipe 30 through 360° will cause the central axis 35 of the branch pipe 30 to move and describe a surface of a cone about the rotational axis 45 of the branch pipe 30. At the same time, the end surface 31 of the branch pipe 30 will lie in a plane at right angles to the rotational axis 45, meaning that opportunities may arise for connecting a drain pipe, the end plane of which extends parallel to the end surface 31 of the branch pipe 30. Conversely, i.e. if the branch pipe 30 is held against movement, the central axis 5 of the main pipe 10 will likewise move and describe a surface of a cone. When carrying out fine adjustments of the connections between the branched pipe- joint fitting 1 and the drain pipes, it is possible to a certain extent to take advantage of the paths of movement of the pipe components, as by e.g. displacing and/or rotating the main pipe in and/or about its longitudinal direction it is generally possible to maintain a given desired position of the end surface 33 of the branch pipe 30. This means that it becomes easier to turn and- /or "wriggle" the branched pipe-joint fitting 1 into its final position during the installation work.

Claims: C L A I : 1. Variably adjustable branched pipe-joint fitting (1) for connection to at least three pipe components, espe- cially drain pipes for sanitation equipment such as e.g. floor drains, wash basins, washing machines, shower cab¬ inets and the like, and in the form of a main pipe com¬ ponent (10) and at least one branch pipe component (30) secured to each other in a fluid-tight and rotatable manner and forming with each other a continuously variable adjustable angle α whilst simultaneously maintaining a substantially constant internal flow cross-section for the liquid being transported, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the main pipe component (10) is provided with at least one branch stud (20) , the end part (23) of which lies in a plane forming an angle β with a plane at right angles to the central axis (25) of said branch stud (20) , an associated branch pipe component (30) being provided with an end part (33) lying in a plane forming an angle e with a plane at right angles to the central axis (35) of the branch pipe component (30) concerned. 2. Branched fitting according to claim 1, c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d in that both the angle β and the angle e are substantially 22.5°, and, depending on the construc¬ tion of each branch stud (20) and/or the associated branch pipe component (30) , the angle α lies variably adjustable in the interval between 0° and 180°, preferably in the interval between 45° and 90°. 3. Branched fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each said branch pipe component (30) is sealingly and rotatably secured to the branch stud (20) placed on the main pipe component (10) through a rib-and-groove engagement connection (22, 32), possibly with a sealing ring placed therein. 4. Branched fitting (1) according to one of the claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said main pipe component (10) , at least one branch stud (20) placed on said main pipe component (10) and having an associated pipe branch component (30) secured to it, all have the same flow cross-section, said engagement connection ele- ments (22, 32) being situated within the outer periphery of the branch pipe (30) and the branch stud (26) , respec¬ tively, and yet outside of said cross-section. 5. Branched fitting (l) according to one of the pre- ceding claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the engagement connection is constituted by a snap con¬ nection or a shrink connection. 6. Branched fitting (1) according to one of the pre- ceding claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the main pipe component (10) is provided with at least two pipe ends (11, 12), the end planes of which are sub¬ stantially parallel to each other, and which normally are at right angles to the central axis (5) of the main pipe (10) . 7. Branched fitting (1) according to one of the claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each branch pipe component (30) is provided with a pipe end part (31) , the end plane of which normally extends at right angles to the central axis (35) of the branch pipe com¬ ponent (30) concerned. 8. Branched fitting (1) according to claims 6-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each pipe end part (11, 12, 31) is provided with coupling elements of the muff and/or bayonet and/or screw type. 9. Branched fitting (1) according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each pipe end part (11, 12, 31) is provided with coupling means consisting of male and female parts, respectively, the coupling means on one end (11) on the main pipe component (10) and the free end (31) of the branch pipe (30) preferably being constituted by female parts, and the coupling means on the other end (12) of the main pipe (10) preferably being constituted by a male part; or of other combinations thereof, adapted for a coupling connection with corres- ponding coupling means on other pipe pieces, and in which sealing rings are possibly placed in the female parts.

Inventors: TOEGERSEN SVEIN, TOEGERSEN, SVEIN
Applicants: JOTI VVS AS, TOEGERSEN SVEIN, JOTI VVS A/S, TOEGERSEN, SVEIN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16L41
IPC codes: E03C1, F16L41