GB2325632A

GB2325632A - Plumbing tool

Info

Publication number: GB2325632A
Application number: GB9811216A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angus Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-29
Filing date: 1998-05-27
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Also published as: GB9811216D0

Abstract

The tool (17) is used to restrain rotation of a device (10) fitted to the drainhole of a bath, washbasin or the like. The tool (17) comprises pins (19) which may engage respective openings (16) in a member (15) which spans the annular flange (11), these pins (19) projecting from one side of a base (18). From the other side of the base projects a boss formed internally with a polyhedral recess (20). This will accept the distal end of a socket drive so that holding the handle (22) of the socket drive a person may prevent rotation of the device (10) when screwing on or when unscrewing the nut (14).

Description

"PLUMBING TOOL" This invention relates to a plumbing tool and more particularly to a tool which will assist plumbers in fitting and unfitting a drainpipe location device to and from the drainhole of a bath, washbasin or like receptacle.

The drainhole of a bath, washbasin, bidet and the like receptacle conventionally has fitted to it a device such as indicated at 10 in the acssafamying Drawings, the device comprising an annular flange 11 from one side of which there projects an externally screw-threaded shank 12. In use the shank 12 is passed through the drainhole of the receptacle so that the flange 11, within the receptacle, comas to surround the drainbole.

The shank 12 projects from beneath the receptacle so that it may be engaged first by a washer 13 and then by a nut 14, the latter serving to compress the washer against the underside of the receptacle around the drainhole.

As is also conventional, the interior of the annular flange 11 is spanked by a dished, perforated member 15, the openings 16 of which serve as a filter for the drainhole.

When screwing the nut 14 onto the shank 12, or when unscrewing it therefrom, it is difficult to prevent the shank 12, and with it the flange 11 and member 15, rotating with the nut. This is a particular difficulty for a plumber working alone because he has to try to reach both the nut and the flange 11 simultaneously and this is difficult when working, for example, on a deep bath.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a tool which will assist a plumber in this situation.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plumbing tool for restraining against rotation a drain pipe location device for a bath, washbasin or like receptacle, the device comprising an annular flange locatable within the receptacle to surround the drain hole thereof, a perforated member spanking said flange to act as a filter for the drainhole and an externally screw-threaded shank extending from the flange to be passed through the drainhole and project externally of the receptacle to be engaged by a nut, the tool comprising a base from one side of which project at least two male elements so shaped and so distributed on the base that they may enter respective perforations of said member, the other side of the base having manipulation means such that by means of the manipulation means an operator may restrain the device against rotation while engaging or disengaging the nut with or from the shank.

Said id manipulation means may comprise a handle at one end of a rod the other end of which is engaged or engageable with the base. The rod may be integral with the base. Alternatively the manipulation means may comprise a polyhedral recess releasably engageable with one end of a rod to be relatively non-rotatable, the other end of said rod being provided with a handle. The said recess may have the internal shape and dimensions of the socket of a conventional socket set so as to be releasably engageable with the socket drive of such a set.

The base is preferably generally circular. The male elements are preferably more than two in number, generally parallel and each a generally cylindrical pin integral at one of its ends with the base.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will nor be described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded, sectional elevation of a tool in accordance with the invention in association with a drainpipe location device, and Figure 2 is a plan view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1.

The tool 17 of the invention is for use with a drainpipe location device 10 generally as illustrated. As already described, the location device 10 comprises an annular flange 11 which will rest inside the bath, washbasin or like receptacle (not shown) around its drainhole while the shank 12 projects through the drainhole to be engaged in turn by the washer 13 and nut 14. The interior of the flange 11 is spanned by a dished member 15 which has circular openings 16 to serve as a filter for the drainhole.

The tool 17 of the invention comprises a circular base 18 from one side of which three cylindrical pins 19 project, the pins having a mutual spacing and a distribution on the base 18 such that each pin may be inserted through a respective one of the openings 16. On the other, top side of the base is an integral boss formation having an outwardly opening recess 20. The recess 20 is polyhedral, for example square, in cross section.

A rod 21 has at one end a handle 22 and at its other end a spigot 23 which is shaped to fit within recess 20. Thus when the spigot 23 is fitted in the recess 20 the handle 22 can be used to prevent rotation of the base 18 and consequsntly, when the pins 19 are passed through three of the holes 16, rotation of the assembly of flange 11, member 15 and shank 12.

The length of the rod 21 is chosen so that the handle 22 will be accessible to someone fitting or unscrewing the nut 14 despite having to reach over the side of a deep bath.

Conveniently the internal shape and dimensions of the recess 20 are similar to those of the socket of a conventional socket set, in which case a conventional socket drive may be used as the spigotted rod and handle.

Plumbers will generally have a socket set in their toolbabs and therefore need only add to it the disc-like tool of the invention. A separate spigotted handle as part of the tool of the invention can then be dispensed with.

It will of course be understood that with minor modification the tool of the invention can be used in connection with drainpipe location devices in which the spinning member 15 is not as shown but in which, for example, the opens 16 are not circular and are more or less in number than as The number of pins 19 provided is optional provided there is more than one and their shape and distribution will be suited to the spanning or filter member of the device concerned.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A plumbing tool for restraining against rotation a drain pipe location device for a bath, washbasin or like receptacle, the device comprising an annular flange locatable within the receptacle to surround the drain hole thereof, a perforated member spanning said flange to act as a filter for the drainhole and an externally screw-threaded shank extending from the flange to be passed through the drainhole and project externally of the receptacle to be engaged by a nut, the tool comprising a base from one side of which project at least two male elements so shaped and so distributed on the base that they may enter respective perforations of said member, the other side of the base having manipulation means such that by means of the manipulation means an operator may restrain the device against rotation while engaging or disengaging the nut with or from the shank.

2. A pluming tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said manipulation means comprises a handle at one end of a rod the other end of which is engaged or engageable with the base.

3. A plumbing tool as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying Drawings.

3. A plumbing tool as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the manipulation means comprises a polyhedral recess releasably engageable with one end of a rod to be relatively non-rotatable, the other end of said rod being provided with a handle.

4. A plumbing tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said recess has the internal shape and dimensions of the socket of a conventional socket set so as to be releasably engageable with the socket drive of such a set.

5. A plumbing tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is generally circular.

6. A plumbing tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the male elements are more than two in number, are generally parallel and are each a generally cylindrical pin integral at one of its ends with the base.

7. A plumbing tool for restraining against rotation a drain pipe location device for a bath, washbasin or like receptacle, the device comprising an annular flange locatable within the receptacle to surround the drain hole thereof, a perforated member spawning said flange to act as a filter for the drainhole and an externally screw-threaded shank extending from the flange to be passed through the drainhole and project externally of the receptacle to be engaged by a nut substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying Drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been fled as follows 1. A plumbing tool for restraining against rotation a drain pipe location device for a bath, washbasin or like receptacle, the device comprising an annular flange locatable within the receptacle to surround the drain hole thereof a perforated member spanning said flange to act as a filter for the drainhole and an externally screw-threaded shank extending from the flange to be passed through the drainhole and project externally of the receptacle to be engaged by a nut, the tool comprising a circular base from one side of which project at least two male elements so shaped and so distributed on the base that they may enter respective perforations of said member, the other side of the base having a polyhedral recess which has the internal shape and dimensions of the socket of a conventional socket set so as to be releasably engageable with the socket drive of such a set such that by means of the recess an operator may restrain the device against rotation while engaging or disengaging the nut with or from the shank.

2. A plumbing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male elements are more than two in number, are generally parallel and are each a generally cylindrical pin integral at one of its ends with the base.