WO2017064572A1

WO2017064572A1 - A flexible collar with quick action coupling means

Info

Publication number: WO2017064572A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yock Kuan Tan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-13
Filing date: 2016-03-18
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-13

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flexible collar (1), which can be limitedly manipulated. One end of the flexible collar (1) is disposed with a first quick action coupling means, connectable to the outlet of the vertical drainage point on a drainage surface. The other end of the flexible collar (1) is disposed with a second quick action coupling means, connectable to one of several discharge points on a horizontal runner piping. The flexible collar (1) is made from rubber, or soft plastic or the like. The quick action coupling means includes a twist lock ring (2, 3) and plug (13, 33) mechanism or a nut (4, 5) and thread/screw mechanism. The quick action coupling means ensures proper sealing and non-leakage of rainwater. The flexible collar (1) allows slight variation in the alignment of the outlet of the drainage point and the inlet of the discharge point.

Description

A FLEXIBLE COLLAR WITH QUICK ACTION COUPLING MEANS

The present invention relates generally to flexible hose with coupling means at both ends. It relates specifically to a flexible collar with quick action coupling means for connecting one of several vertical drainage points from a drainage surface to one of several discharge points on a horizontal runner piping.

According to the general technical knowledge, flexible hoses have been used.

In the case of an oven exhaust, there is a certain distance between the actual kitchen’s outlet and the oven’s exhaust outlet. A length of flexible bellow-type hose made of aluminium material is normally used. One end of the hose is suitably affixed to the oven’s exhaust outlet. The other end is then extended and mounted onto a wall. Since the kitchen exhaust is normally not heavy duty, a sealing means such as a sealing tape is simply applied.

In case of a washing machine, a length of flexible hose made of plastic material is used, to connect the washing machine wastewater outlet to an actual drainage such as a drain. There may be a certain distance between the actual drain and the washing machine wastewater outlet.

Yet in another situation, rainwater is allowed to drain off via one of several vertical drainage points on a drainage surface at an elevated disposition, including a highway, a mass rapid transport (MRT), a light rail transport (LRT), a flyover, a bridge and the like, into one of several discharge points on a horizontal runner piping disposed on a deck below. Each horizontal runner piping is usually disposed with a gradual incline, to ensure rainwater run off. A prior art flexible collar had been employed.

At each drainage point, a vertical opening is normally provided at a pre-determined position on the drainage surface including a concrete slab. The vertical opening is normally fitted with an outlet grating on top of the concrete slab, a pipe sleeve as cast into the concrete slab, and a bottom pipe.

At each discharge point, a tee joint, with at least two PVC solvent cement horizontal joints and a vertical tee-off joint, is employed. Since the PVC solvent cement sets very quickly, within typically three minutes, it is difficult to install the access tee joint, with proper gradient and alignment on site. Hence, a lot of measurements and preparations are needed to ensure efficiency for rainwater discharge.

There are several examples of quick action coupling means in the prior art.

For an example, in US4029953, lamp socket and panel assemblies have coacting means on the panel and on the socket to rotatably lock the socket in place on the socket panel. A socket panel opening has a plurality of equally spaced radially outwardly directed retention slots therein that receive a plurality of circumferentially spaced socket retention tabs on a lamp socket. The socket retention tabs and the retention slots on the panel serve as a twist lock mechanism.

The present invention has therefore a primary objective to provide a flexible collar with quick action coupling means for connecting a vertical drainage point from a drainage surface to a discharge point on a horizontal runner piping on a deck below.

Another object of the present invention is that the two joints at the drainage point and the discharge point are properly sealed, with non-leakage of water on site.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to allow slight variation in the alignment of the outlet of the drainage point and the inlet of the discharge point, during on-site construction.

Still, another object of the present invention is to allow the flexible collar to be employed, even when the space in between the drainage surface and the runner piping is varying.

These and other objects are achieved in which a flexible collar is employed to connect a vertical drainage point from a drainage surface to a discharge point on a horizontal runner piping. The collar is a flexible elongated element, in which its length and its diameter can be limitedly manipulated. One end of the flexible collar is connectable to the outlet of the vertical drainage point from a drainage surface, with a first quick action coupling means. The other end of the flexible collar is connectable to an access tee-off joint disposed at a discharge point on the horizontal runner piping, with a second quick action coupling means. The flexible elongated element is made from rubber, soft plastic or the like material. Each quick action coupling means includes a twist lock ring and plug mechanism or a nut and thread/screw mechanism. The quick action coupling means ensures proper sealing and non-leakage of rainwater. The flexible collar allows slight variation in the alignment of the outlet of the discharge point and the inlet of the discharge point.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, the following description is given, by way of two examples of quick action coupling means disposed to the ends of a flexible collar i.e. twist lock ring and plug mechanism, or a nut and thread/screw mechanism. Reference will be made to the following drawings, in which:-

Figure 1a is a side view of a flexible collar to be fitted with two twist lock rings at its ends.

Figure 1b is a side view of an assembled flexible collar with two twist lock rings at its ends.

Figure 2a shows the relative positions of a flexible collar, sandwiched between an extended vertical discharge point on a drainage surface, and an access tee-off joint as a discharge point on a horizontal runner piping.

Figure 2b shows an assembly view depicting the flexible collar disposed in between the drainage surface and the horizontal runner piping shown in Figure 2a.

Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a flexible collar to be locked, as in Figure 2b.

Figure 3b shows a perspective view of a locked flexible collar as shown in Figure 3a.

Figure 4a shows a twist lock ring and plug mechanism in perspective.

Figure 4b shows side cross section views of the twist lock ring and plug mechanism as shown in Figure 4a.

Figure 5 shows a nut and thread/screw mechanism in perspective.

The present invention teaches two examples of quick action coupling means.

One example of the quick action coupling means employs a twist lock ring and plug mechanism. A twist lock ring is disposed on each end of a length of flexible collar. A plug means (13, 33) is disposed on a pipe at the outlet of a vertical drainage point, or on the vertical tee-off joint at the inlet of a discharge point.

For the sake of explanation, a flexible collar (1) with two twist lock rings (2, 3) at its ends is explained as a first example of quick action coupling means in Figures 1a to 3. The twist lock ring (2, 3) and plug (13, 33) mechanism are well known according to the general knowledge, so no detailed description will be given.

In Figures 1a and 1b, each end of a flexible collar (1) is disposed with a twist lock ring (2, 3). The flexible collar (1) shown assumes the shape of five to six bellows, which is made of preferably ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material. The flexible collar (1) is substantially circular. It is important to note that the two ends can be of the same diameter (as in the case of cylindrical flexible collar). In the drawings, the ends of the flexible collar (1) are of different diameters. Each twist lock ring (2, 3) is secured to each end of the flexible collar (1).

It is understood that the length and diameter of this flexible collar (1) can be limitedly manipulated. One benefit is that there is no need for precise alignment of the drainage point and the discharge point, during on-site installation. The installation time is thus reduced.

In Figures 2a and 2b, a flexible collar (1) is sandwiched between a vertical discharge point on a drainage surface (not shown), and a corresponding drainage point on a horizontal runner piping (not shown). A flexible collar (1) is compressed when the space in between the drainage surface and the runner piping is limited.

The drainage surface is normally a concrete slab. At pre-determined positions on the concrete slab, several drainage points can be designated. Each vertical drainage point comprises a top outlet grating (not shown) on the drainage surface, a pipe sleeve (not shown) as cast into a drainage hole inside the drainage surface, and a drainage pipe (15) carrying at least a first plug means (13). This plug means (13) at the outlet of the vertical drainage point engages the twist lock ring (2) of the flexible collar (1) to form a first quick action coupling means.

The horizontal runner piping, with a gradient, is disposed with a plurality of discharge points, corresponding roughly the above mentioned vertical drainage points. Each discharge point is occupied by an access tee-off joint, with at least two horizontal joints (31, 32) and a vertical tee-off joint (34). The two horizontal joints (31, 32) correspondingly engage with the horizontal runner piping, via the use of solvent cement. The vertical tee-off joint (34) is fitted with a second plug means (33), which is upwardly directed to connect to the bottom end of the flexible collar (1) with a twist lock ring (3). This twist lock ring (3) and the second plug means (33) on the vertical tee-off joint (34) forms a second quick action coupling means.

One unexpected benefit of these quick action coupling means is that the flexible collar (1) can be easily dismantled and both the drainage point and the discharge point can be easily cleared off debris trapped therein. Quick and easy maintenance is thus ensured. An inventive step lies in this unexpected benefit.

In Figures 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b, the space in between the drainage surface and the runner piping is not so limited. The pipe sleeve in the concrete slab is supplemented with an extension pipe (not shown), with a first plug means (13) at its end. The vertical discharge point is thus extended. The flexible collar (1) is also expended likewise. This feature in the present invention provides for flexibility in the on-site installation.

In Figures 4a and 4b, the twist lock ring (2) and plug (13) mechanism is explained. A plurality of sideward extending tab protrusions (131) are equi-distancely spaced on the circumference of a circular flange encircling the drainage pipe (15) which engages the pipe sleeve in the drainage surface. A plurality of stopper means (21) corresponding to the number of the first plug means (13) are equi-distancedly spaced on the circumference of the twist lock ring (2). The stopper means (21) includes a laterally disposed L-shaped slot (22), which receives the first plug means (13) when they are inserted and twisted. It is important to note that the L-shaped slot (22) ensures a secured locking action such that it is not easy to loosen.

Furthermore, the twist lock ring (2, 3) and plug (13, 33) mechanism can be substituted by a nut and thread/screw mechanism. No detailed description will be given on the nut and thread/screw mechanism, since it is also well known to those skilled in the art. There may be other mechanisms that can achieve similar twist and lock function. To those skilled in the art, a flexible collar (1) can be fitted with two nuts (4, 5) at its ends. As shown in Figure 5, a nut and thread/screw mechanism serves as a second example of quick action coupling means. The outlet of the vertical drainage point and the inlet of the discharge point are each disposed with a thread or screw means. The thread/screw means next engage the above mentioned nuts (4, 5) on each end of the flexible collar (1).

1. Collar

2. Twist lock ring

3. Twist lock ring

4. Nut

5. Nut

13. First plug means

15. Drainage pipe

21. Stopper means

22. L-shaped slot

30. Runner piping

31. Joint

32. Joint

33. Second plug means

34. Tee-off joint

131. Tab protrusions

Claims

A collar (1), for connecting a vertical drainage point on an elevated drainage surface to another discharge point on a horizontal runner piping on a deck below, is characterized in which the collar (1) is a flexible elongated element, in which its length and its diameter can be limitedly manipulated; one end of the flexible collar (1) is connectable to the outlet of the vertical drainage point from the elevated drainage surface with a first quick action coupling means; the other end of the flexible collar (1) is connectable to an access tee-off joint disposed at one of several discharge points on the horizontal runner piping, with a second quick action coupling means; whereby the quick action coupling means ensures proper sealing of the joints and non-leakage of rainwater; whereby the flexible collar (1) allows slight variation in the alignment of the outlet of the drainage point and the inlet of the discharge point.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 1 in which the collar (1) is made from rubber material.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 2 in which the collar rubber includes EPDM rubber.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 1 in which the flexible collar (1) is made from soft plastic material.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 2 or 4 in which the flexible collar (1) assumes a plurality of bellows.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 2 or 4 in which the flexible collar (1) is substantially circular.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 6 in which the flexible collar (1) is cylindrical with the same diameter throughout its length.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 6 in which one end diameter of the flexible collar (1) is larger than the other end diameter.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 1 in which the quick action coupling means includes a twist lock ring (2, 3) and plug (13, 33) mechanism.
The flexible collar (1) with quick action coupling means at its ends as in claim 1 in which the quick action coupling means includes a nut (4, 5) and thread/screw mechanism.