The present invention relates to a connection system for connecting a conduit to a wall. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a connection system for connecting a conduit to a wall comprising a wall plate and a conduit block, the wall plate and conduit block being adapted to be connected together, with the conduit block arranged in a plurality of different positions relative to the wall plate.

There is often a need to connect conduits to walls in buildings. The term conduit is to be interpreted broadly to include pipes but also cables and the like. Such a need can arise for example when installing a central heating system. In this case a plumber must run pipes along walls between radiators. Typically the pipes are run along the bottom of walls and are then covered by skirting board.

Connecting pipes to walls is often a time consuming process. Typically the pipe is help in place and connected to the wall by a number of U shaped clips. Each clip must be screwed to the wall which can be time consuming. It can also be difficult to connect the clips to the wall if the walls are uneven or are not in good condition. Most importantly, once the conduits (in this case pipes) are fixed in place their position cannot be easily adjusted. A consequence of this is that is can often be difficult to add further conduits at a later date.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a connection system for connecting a conduit to a wall, the connection system comprising a wall plate for attachment to a wall, the wall plate comprising a first connector; and, at least one conduit block comprising a second connector and at least one recess for receiving the conduit; the first and second connectors being adapted to interengage in a plurality of configurations so that the conduit block and wall plate can be connected together with the conduit block arranged in a plurality of different positions relative to the wall plate.

The connection system according to the invention has a number of advantages over the traditional method of attaching conduits to walls. Firstly, only the wall plate needs to be connected to the wall. Once the wall plate is in place the conduit block is connected to the wall plate. This simplifies the connection procedure. More importantly, the conduit block can be connected to the wall plate in a plurality of different positions relative to the wall plate. A conduit can be attached in a first position on the wall. If this becomes unsuitable at a later date the conduit block can be detached from the wall plate and reattached to the wall plate in a different position so moving the conduit. This can be particularly useful if one wishes to add further conduits which require moving the original conduit.

Preferably the first connector and second connector are identical.

The first and second connectors can be adapted to push fit into interengagement

Preferably the first and second connectors are adapted to slide into interengagement.

Preferably each of the first connector and second connector comprise a plurality of grooves separated by ridges, the ridges for one connector being adapted to be received in the grooves for the other connector to interengage the connectors.

Preferably the conduit is a pipe.

Alternatively the conduit is a cable. Preferably the connection system as further comprises at least one connector block comprising a plurality of connector block faces, the connector block comprising a first connector arranged on a first connector block face and a second connector arranged on a second connector block face.

Preferably the first face is inclined to, preferably normal to the second face.

Preferably the first face is spaced apart from and parallel to the second face.

Preferably the connection system comprises a plurality of connector blocks, the connector blocks being adapted to interengage with each other.

Preferably the connection system further comprises a reinforcement piece adapted to interengage with at least two connector blocks

Preferably the recess comprises at least one side wall, the side wall being adapted to resiliently deform to receive the conduit within the recess.

Preferably the wall plate is 'L' shaped.

Preferably at least one conduit block comprises at least one further connector, the further connector being a first connector or a second connector.

Preferably the recess is defined by an arcuate wall extending between second connectors.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a connection system for connecting a conduit to a wall, the connection system comprising a wall plate for attachment to a wall, the wall plate comprising a first connector; at least one conduit block comprising a second connector and a conduit block bar; and, a cable tie for tying to the conduit block bar and conduit to attach the conduit to the conduit to the conduit block; the first and second connectors being adapted to interengage in a plurality of different configurations so that the conduit block and wall plate can be connected together with the conduit block being arranged in a plurality of different positions with respect to the wall plate.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows, in vertical cross section a number of conduits attached to a wall using known connectors;

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a connections system according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention; and,

Figures 10(a) and 10(b) show a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows, in vertical cross section, a number of conduits 1 attached to a wall 2 by known connectors 3. In a first step a connector 3 is attached to the wall 2. The connector 3 comprises a base 4. Extending from the base 4 are first and second side walls 5,6 defining a receiving recess 7 therebetween. Typically the base 4 is screwed to the wall 2. The conduit 1 is then inserted into the recess 7. Finally a cap 8 is connected between the side walls 5,6 so holding the conduit 1 in place. This process is repeated along the length of the conduit 1 so fixing the conduit 1 in place.

Often a number of conduits 1 are required. In this case the connectors 3 are arranged as shown with the connectors 3 for one conduit 1 interengaging with the connectors 3 for the adjacent conduits 1. This increases the strength of the arrangement.

Once all of the conduits 1 are held in place they are then typically covered by a skirting board 9 as shown.

Attaching conduits 1 such as pipes or cables to walls 2 in this way is well known. However, this approach has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, a large number of connectors 3 need to be attached directly to the wall 2. This can be time consuming. It can also be difficult if the wall 2 is uneven or if its surface is in poor condition. Further, a fair amount of skill is required to attach the connectors 3 to the wall 2 at exactly the correct spots to receive the conduit 1. If the connectors 3 are out of line by only a few millimetres over the length of the conduit 1 then it may not be possible to fit the conduit 1 into the receiving recesses 7.

A more significant problem is that once the connectors 3 are connected to the wall 2 and the conduits 1 attached to the connectors 3 then no alteration of the position of the conduits 1 is possible. If one wishes to add a further conduit 1 for example which requires moving the original conduits 1 then the original conduits 1 must be detached from their connectors 3, the connectors 3 removed from the wall 2 and then reconnected to the wall 2. This is time consuming.

Shown in figure 2 is a first embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. The connection system 10 comprises a wall plate 11. The wall plate 11 comprises a first connector 12. In this embodiment the first connector 12 comprises a plurality of grooves 13 separated by ridges 14. In this embodiment the first connector 12 extends over the entirety of one face 15 of the wall plate 11 as shown. Extending through the wall plate 11 is a plurality of support apertures 16, the function of which will be explained in more detail below.

The connection system 10 further comprises a conduit block 17. The conduit block 17 comprises a second connector 18. In this embodiment the second connector 18 comprises a plurality of grooves 19 separated by ridges 20. Extending from the second connector 18 is a resiliently deformable side wall 21. The side wall 21 is shaped to define a recess 22 for receiving a conduit 1.

In use the wall plate 11 is connected to the wall 2. Preferably it is screwed to the wall 2. If the wall surface is suitable it could be adhered to the wall 2. The first connector 12 faces outwards ie away from the wall 2. The second connector 18 of the conduit block 17 is then interengaged with the first connector 12 of the wall plate 11 so connecting the wall plate 11 and conduit block 17 together. Interengagement is achieved by sliding the ridges 14 of the first connector 12 into the grooves 19 of the second connector 18 and vice versa. As can be seen from figure 2 the first and second connectors 12,18 have identical ridge and groove profiles in cross section and as such can be considered to be identical. Once the conduit block 17 is connected to the wall plate 11 the conduit 1 is snap fit into engagement with the recess 22. This process is repeated connecting further conduit blocks 17 to the conduit 1 and either the same wall plate 11 or other wall plates 11 until the conduit 1 is held in place. The connection system 10 according to the invention is relatively simple to use. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the first and second connectors are not identical but are still adapted to interengage.

The first and second connectors 12,18 can be interengaged in a plurality of configurations. With reference to figure 2, the conduit block 17 could for example be connected to the wall plate 11 with the top ridge 20 of the second connector 18 received in the top groove 13 of the first connector 12. This determines the position of the conduit block 17 relative to the wall plate 11. The second connector 18 could however be slid out of interengagement with the first connector 12 and then back into interengagement this time with the top ridge 20 of the second connector 18 received in the next groove 13 down of the first connector 12. This alters the position of the conduit block 17 relative to the wall plate 11.

Once a conduit block 17 is connected to a wall 2 it is relatively straightforward to move it to a different position. One slides each conduit block 17 so that its connector 18 is no longer interengaged with the connector 12 of the wall plate 11. One then moves the conduit block 17 relative to the wall plate 11 before sliding its connector 18 back into interengagement with the connector 12 of the wall plate 11. In this way one can change the position of the conduit on the wall. Often the position of the conduit only needs to be changed slightly to introduce the correct 'drop' along the conduit so that fluid flows along it in the correct direction.

A further embodiment of the connection system 10 according to the invention is shown in figure 3. This embodiment comprises a wall plate 11 and plurality of conduit blocks 17. This embodiment further comprises a connector block 23. The connector block 23 comprises a plurality of connector block faces 24. Arranged on one connector block face 24 is a first connector 12. Arranged on a further block face 24 is a second connector 18. The two block faces 24 are normal to each other as shown.

In use the wall plate 11 is attached to the wall 2 as before. A second connector 18 of the connector block 23 is interengaged with the first connector 12 of the wall plate 11. The second connector 18 of each of the conduit blocks 17 is then interengaged with the first connector 12 of the connector block 23 as shown. By choosing a suitable shape of connector block 23 one can arrange the recesses 22 of the conduit blocks 17 in any desired orientation relative to the wall plate 11. The conduits 1 are then snap fit into the recesses 22 in the conduit blocks 17.

In the current embodiment the connector block 23 has an aperture 25 extending therethrough. Typically the connector block 23 is arranged so that this aperture 25 overlies a support aperture 16 in the wall plate 11. A screw (not shown) is screwed along the aperture 25 in the connector block 23 and through the support aperture 16 in the wall plate 11 so providing additional support for the connector block 23.

A variety of different shapes of connector block 23 are possible. By way of example the connector block could be rectangular or cubic. Further examples include triangular or pyramidal.

In the embodiment of figure 3 only one connector block 23 is employed. Connector blocks 23 can be chained together between the wall plate 11 and conduit block 17 with each interengaged with the next. In this way any desired spacing between the wall plate 11 and conduit block 17 can be achieved.

In the above embodiments the conduit 1 is a pipe. This could for example be a water pipe or a gas pipe. In alternative embodiments the conduit 1 could be a cable or a cable housing containing cables.

Typically the wall plate 11, conduit block(s) 17 and connector block(s) 23 are made from plastics materials. Other materials which have sufficient structural strength such as metal or wood are also possible.

The connection system 10 may further comprise labels which are attached to the conduit block 17 which can be used to indicate the type of conduit 1 and also direction of flow if the conduit 1 is a pipe. The labels can be color coded, for example yellow is for gas, red is hot, blue is cold, and orange could be used to indicate radiator pipes. The labels could be adapted to snap fit onto the recess side wall 21 and can be removed and reused.

Shown in figure 4 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. This embodiment is similar to that of figure 3 except two spaced apart connector blocks 23 are connected to the wall plate 11. A skirting board 26 is connected to the connector blocks 23. The skirting board 26 comprises a plurality of spaced apart skirt board connectors 27. Each skirting board connector 27 is interengaged with a corresponding connector on a connector block 23 as shown so holding the skirting board 26 in place.

The embodiment of figure 4 further comprises a top block 28. A top block connector 29 is also interengaged with a connector on one of the connector blocks 28 as shown. The top block 28 and skirting board 26 together box in the conduits 1, hiding them from view.

Shown in figure 5 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. The connection system 10 comprises a wall plate 11 one face of which comprises a first connector 12. The connection system 10 further comprises a conduit block 17. The conduit block 17 comprises two spaced apart second connectors 18. An arcuate wall 30 extends between the two second connectors 18 to define the recess 22 for receiving the conduit 1. In this embodiment the cross sections of the first and second connectors 12,18 are not identical. Instead the first and second connectors 12,18 are shaped such that the second connectors 18 can be push fit into interengagement with the first connector 12.

In use a conduit 1 is arranged in the recess 22. The conduit block 17 is then push fit into connection with the wall plate 11 so securing the conduit 1 in place.

In this embodiment the first and second connectors 12,18 are adapted to be push fit into interengagement. In an alternative embodiment the connectors 12,18 are adapted to be slid into interengagement in the same fashion as the connectors 12,18 described in earlier embodiments. Similarly, where slide fit connectors have been employed in earlier embodiments push fit connectors may be used.

Shown in figure 6 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment the wall plate 11 is an 'L' shape comprising a vertical portion 31 which is attached to the wall and a horizontal portion 32. A first connector 12 extends over both the vertical and horizontal portions 31,32 as shown. Interengaged with the portion of the first connector 12 on the horizontal portion 32 of the wall plate 11 are first and second conduit blocks 17, each of which holds a conduit 1. Interengaged with the portion of the first connector 12 on the vertical portion 31 of the wall plate 11 is a first connector block 23. A second connector block 23 is interengaged with the first connector block 23. Further conduit blocks 17 are interengaged with the first and second connector blocks 23 as shown. A screw 33 extends through the two connector blocks 23 and into the wall plate 11 increasing the rigidity of the structure.

Connected to the first and second connector blocks 23 is a reinforcement piece 34. The reinforcement piece 34 strengthens the interconnection between the first and second connector blocks 23.

The embodiment of figure 6 further comprises a locking plate 35 (shown dotted). The locking plate 35 connects to the sides of the connector blocks 23 and overhangs the conduit blocks 17 slightly as shown. The locking plate 35 prevents the conduit blocks 17 from being removed from the connector blocks 23.

Attached to the end of the horizontal portion 32 of the wall plate 11 remote from the vertical portion 31 is a skirting board connector 36. Once the conduits 1 are in place a skirting board is connected to the skirting board connector 36 so hiding the conduits 1 from view.

Shown in figure 7 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. The connection system 10 comprises a wall plate 11. Interengaged with the wall plate 11 is a connector block 23. Interengaged with the connector block 23 is a first conduit block 17. Interengaged with the first conduit block 17 is a second conduit block 17 which is in turn interengaged with a third conduit block 17 so forming a tree like structure. Each of the branches of the tree holds a conduit 1.

Each of the conduit blocks 17 comprises a further connector 12,18 which may be a first connector 12 or a second connector 18. In this embodiment all of the connectors 12,18 are identical. Further connector blocks 23 or conduit blocks 17 can be interengaged with these further second connectors 18 to produce more complex structures if required.

Shown in figure 8 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. The connection system 10 comprises a wall plate 11 having a first connector 12 on one face. The connection system 10 further comprises a conduit block 17 comprising a second connector 18 on one face. The first and second connectors 12,18 are adapted to interengage. The conduit block 17 further comprises a conduit block bar 36 on the opposite side of the conduit block 17 to the second connector 18.

In use the conduit block 17 is interengaged with the wall plate 11. The conduit 1 is then arranged approximately in position adjacent to the conduit block bar 36. A cable tie 37 is then tied around the conduit block bar 36 and conduit 1 and then tightened so fixing the conduit 1 in place.

Shown in figure 9 is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. This embodiment comprises a wall plate 11 and a top block 28 each of which comprises a first connector 12. The connection system 10 further comprises a conduit block 17 comprising two second connectors 18. The two second connectors 18 are interengaged with the first connectors 12 of the wall plate 11 and top block 28 respectively so increasing the rigidity of the whole structure.

Shown in figure 10(a) is a further embodiment of a connection system 10 according to the invention. The connection system 10 comprises a wall plate 11 comprising a first connector 12. It further comprises a plurality of conduit blocks 17. Each conduit block 17 is rectangular in cross section, each face of the conduit block 17 having a second connector 18 thereon. In this embodiment the first and second connectors 12,18 are identical. The conduit blocks 17 are interengaged as shown so forming a complex structure.

Each of the conduit blocks 17 shown in figure 10(a) comprises a lid 38 which can be opened so that the conduit 1 can be received within the recess. Once the conduit 1 is in place the lid 38 is closed. When in the closed position the top face of the lid 38 forms a face of the conduit block 17. The top face of the lid 38 has a second connector 18 thereon. The lid 38 is shown in the open position in figure 10(b).