AU2023233201A1 - An apparatus and method for use in creating a conduit - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for use in the creation of a conduit using rigid conduit tubing inside a structure where an end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to a direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure, and wherein the structure is formed from a substance which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined by formwork, and where the rigid conduit tubing and also reinforcing bars or mesh are installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment. The apparatus has: a base which can be attached to a part of the formwork which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge; a body portion extending from the base, the body portion having open space inside; an emergence opening in the base, the emergence opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, and a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion. The receiving opening is configured to receive an end of the rigid conduit tubing, and in use the receiving opening is spaced from the base by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between the outer surface through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on metal reinforcing bars or mesh that are furthest from that surface. 7100 Figure 6 vZ7 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11I

Description

Figure 6 vZ7 Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11I

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE IN CREATING A CONDUIT TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the creation of conduits within sections or structures (or parts thereof) made of concrete, or within sections or structures (or parts thereof) made of other materials but where the section or structure is formed in a similar manner to those made of concrete. For convenience, reference throughout the remainder of this specification will generally only be made to sections and structures made of concrete. In particular, the invention relates to the installation of conduits in concrete sections or structures at the time when the concrete section or structure is formed (i.e. when the concrete is poured), so that, after the section or structure has been formed (with the conduit therein), the conduit can be used to allow, for example, electrical and data cabling (or other cabling or other services) to be run through the concrete section or structure, through the conduit, i.e. so that the cabling can extend through, or extend along within, the concrete section or structure inside the conduit.

[0002] It is thought that the present invention may find particular use in creating conduits for electrical and data cabling (or other cabling or other services) in concrete structures that are created by being poured in situ and where the concrete structure is (or it functions as) a ceiling in a building, or a ceiling in a level of a building that may have multiple levels, such that cabling (or other services) can be run through the conduit in order to extend along within the concrete ceiling.

[0003] However, whilst it is thought that the invention may often find use in the particular application described in the previous paragraph, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to use only in that particular application. The invention may therefore also find use in other applications involving the creation of a conduit in a section or structure made of concrete (or other material), e.g. where the concrete (or other material) section or structure serves some other purpose (other than serving as a ceiling).

BACKGROUND

[0004] As mentioned above, it is thought that the present invention may often find use in creating a conduit for cabling (or other services) in a concrete structure that is created by being poured in situ and where the structure, once created, forms (or functions as) a ceiling, so that cabling can later be run through (i.e. cabling can extend along within) the ceiling. The invention will be described mainly with reference to its use in this particular application. However, as also explained above, no limitation on the invention, or the uses to which it may be put, or the applications in which it may be used, should be inferred from this.

[0005] When used in this particular application involving the creation of a conduit inside a concrete ceiling, the invention may assist in the creation of a conduit through which cabling can be run, so that the cabling (when installed to extend through the conduit) runs along within (i.e. inside) the concrete ceiling, and where one end of the conduit forms an opening in (i.e. an opening that emerges through) the outer surface (e.g. the underside) of the concrete ceiling, such that cabling that emerges from the conduit through the opening is accessible from below the ceiling. Thus, cables that extend through the conduit will emerge out through the opening in the ceiling, and the cables that emerge from the conduit through the opening can therefore connect to (e.g. to supply power or data etc to), for example, ceiling lights, ceiling fans, smoke detectors, projectors, or indeed any other kind of electrical or electronic appliance or equipment that may be mounted to the ceiling, or even electrical and electronic appliances which may not themselves be ceiling-mounted but which may nevertheless be conveniently supplied with power or data from cables that extend through, and emerge from, the ceiling.

[0006] In Australia (and many other places as well, it is thought) rigid conduit tubing or piping (e.g. rigid tubing or piping made from plastics such as PVC or UPVC or possibly a other suitable materials) is typically used to create conduits for electrical and data cabling, including conduits formed inside concrete ceiling structures. An example of one kind of rigid plastic tubing commonly used for this purpose is given in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 1, the conduit tubing shown happens to be cylindrical (i.e. circular in cross-section). The conduit tubing shown in Figure 1 is typical of the kind of rigid tubing used to form electrical conduits, including those inside concrete ceiling structures, in Australia (and many other places, it is thought). It is to be noted, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to (or limited to use only with) conduits of the particular size or cross-sectional shape or material shown in Figure 1.

[0007] It was mentioned above that present invention may often find use in the creation of cabling conduits in concrete ceilings. Concrete ceilings (i.e. a ceiling in building, or a ceiling in the level of a building that has multiple levels, which (in either case) is made of concrete) are often formed by being poured in situ. The creation of conduits which enable cabling to extend along inside such concrete ceiling structures (i.e. where the concrete ceiling is made by being poured in situ) therefore involves (amongst other things) positioning the conduit tubing at the correct location, orientation and depth before the concrete is poured so that, after the concrete has been poured and has subsequently set (and after all formwork is subsequently removed when the concrete ceiling has become rigid and self-supporting) the conduit is located at the correct position, orientation and depth within (i.e. inside) the concrete ceiling.

[0008] One method that is currently used for creating a conduit in a concrete ceiling using the kind of rigid plastic conduit tubing shown (by way of example) in Figure 1 will now be explained with reference to Figure 2 to Figure 5.

[0009] As the first step in this current method, the end of the conduit tubing at the end where the conduit is intended to emerge through an opening in the ceiling is wrapped in tape, as shown in Figure 2.

[0010] Then, a length of foam (typically the kind of foam used in expansion joints in concrete structures) is folded over the taped end of the conduit tubing, as shown in Figure 3.

[0011] The foam is then itself secured on that end of the conduit tubing using additional tape that is wrapped around and along the length of the foam on the end of the conduit tubing, as shown in Figure 4.

[0012] The above steps help to ensure that the end of the conduit tubing that is wrapped in tape and foam becomes sealed so that concrete does not flow into the conduit tubing when the concrete is poured. The end of the conduit tubing, once it is wrapped in tape and foam, as shown in Figure 4, is commonly referred to as a "hotdog" or "sausage".

[0013] After the "sausage" has been formed on the end of the conduit tubing (as described above), the rigid conduit tubing is next placed on top of the steel reinforcing (i.e. on top of the steel bars or steel mesh) that will provide reinforcement in the concrete ceiling, as shown in Figure 5, and the conduit tubing is then moved into the correct position and orientation (i.e. into the position and orientation that it is intended to have within the concrete ceiling after the concrete sets). After the conduit is correctly positioned and oriented, the sausage on the end of the conduit tubing (i.e. the foamed-and-taped end of the conduit tubing) is then secured (e.g. by being nailed or screwed or in some other way) to the underlying formwork beneath it. More specifically, the sausage is secured to the underlying formwork at the location where the end of the conduit is intended to emerge and form an opening in the surface (or underside) of the ceiling. In Figure 5, the underlying formwork to which the "sausage" (i.e. the foamed-and-taped end of the conduit tubing) must be secured takes the form of a plywood panel (plywood is a common material used for formwork), although Figure 5 depicts the "sausage" before it has been secured to the formwork (so Figure 5 does not actually show any nails or screws or the like securing the "sausage" to the formwork; rather, Figure 5 simply shows the sausage resting in contact with formwork at the location where it is to be secured).

[0014] Next, before (often just before) the concrete is poured, one or more locating markings are drawn or painted (e.g. often using spray paint or the like) on the formwork immediately around the "sausage" (and often also on the "sausage" itself) at the location where the "sausage" is attached to the formwork. The reason this is done is so that, after the concrete has been poured, and after the concrete has set such that the ceiling is self-supporting and the formwork is removed to reveal the surface of the ceiling, at least some of the paint or other locating marking around the sausage (that was previously applied to the formwork around and/or on the "sausage") will remain on (or it will have transferred onto) the surface of the concrete ceiling, thereby enabling the location of the sausage to be identified from below the newly created ceiling (i.e. so that the sausage, which contains the end of the conduit, can be found by a person who is below the ceiling looking up).

[0015] Once the "sausage" (or its location within the newly-created concrete ceiling) is located, concrete that may be covering the sausage from below needs to be removed, and the end of the conduit tubing within the sausage itself needs to be exposed. To do this, a hammer (or hammer and chisel) is often initially used to remove at least some of the concrete that may have flowed or made its way between the sausage and the formwork and set there before the formwork was removed. Once some or most of such concrete that is covering the "sausage" from below is removed, next, a cutting tool (e.g. a multitool with a concrete cutting blade) may then be used to cut through any remaining concrete that may be covering the sausage from below, and this cutting tool may also be used to cut through the foam and tape of the sausage itself, to reveal the open end of the conduit tubing inside (through which cables will later emerge, after the cables have been run). On some occasions, it may be necessary for the open end of the conduit tubing to be dug or levered out from within the concrete ceiling somewhat to provide a path for cable to be pulled through.

[0016] It will be appreciated that the above process can be laborious and time-consuming and can therefore add to the time and effort (and consequently the cost) involved in creating concrete ceiling structures with internal conduits for cabling or other services, where the conduit is required to emerge (or open) through a surface of the ceiling, and for exposing the ends of such conduits before the next construction stage can take place.

[0017] It is to be clearly understood that mere reference anywhere in this specification to any previous or existing systems, devices, apparatus, products, methods, practices, publications, patents, or indeed to any other information, or to any problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things, whether individually or in any combination, formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field or admissible prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In one form, albeit not necessarily the only or even the broadest form, the invention resides in an apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit using rigid conduit tubing inside a structure (or inside a portion of a structure) where an end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to a direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure (i.e. like in a ceiling), where the structure (or the portion of the structure) is formed from a substance (like e.g. concrete) which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined (at least partly) by formwork, and where the rigid conduit tubing and also metal (or other suitable) reinforcing (e.g. bars or mesh or the like) are installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment, the apparatus having: a base which can be attached to a part of the formwork which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge; a body portion extending from the base (the body portion may extend from the base in a direction which is toward the inside of the structure when the base is attached to the formwork), the body portion having open space inside; an emergence opening in the base, the emergence opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, and a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, the receiving opening being configured to receive an end of the rigid conduit tubing (such that the end of the conduit tubing terminates in the receiving opening), wherein in use (e.g. when the base is attached to the formwork either directly, or with an additional spacer between the base and the formwork to raise the level of the receiving opening (if necessary), then in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge) the receiving opening is spaced from the base (or from the bottom of the spacer, if present) by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between the outer surface through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on (or part(s) of) the reinforcing that is/are furthest from that surface.

[0019] In another form, albeit (again) not necessarily the only or the broadest form, the invention resides in an apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit inside a structure, the apparatus having

a base;

a body portion extending from the base, the body portion having open space inside;

a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, the receiving opening being configured to receive an end of a length of solid conduit tubing, and

an emergence opening in the base, the emergence opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, wherein the receiving opening is spaced from the base and, in use (e.g. when the base is attached to formwork either directly, or with an additional spacer between the base and the formwork to raise the level of the receiving opening (if necessary), then in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge) the receiving opening is spaced from the base (or from the bottom of the spacer, if present) by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between an outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on (or part(s) of) reinforcing inside the structure that is/are furthest from that surface.

[0020] In either of the broad forms of the invention described above, the base and the body portion of the apparatus may be integral with one another. The base and the body portion (including the openings therein) may therefore be part of a single or unitary device or component.

[0021] It will generally be the case that the apparatus has no openings or gaps therein, except for the receiving opening and the emergence opening.

[0022] In some embodiments, the base may be substantially planar. This may allow the base to be attached (securely) to formwork (or a portion of the formwork) which is also substantially planar in such a way that little if any of the flowable material is able to flow between the base and the portion of the formwork to which the base is attached.

[0023] The body portion of the apparatus may extend from the base in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the base.

[0024] The emergence opening may extend through the base into the open space inside the body portion, and the base may include portions that extend outwards (at least in the plane of the base) from the parts or edges of the body portion where the base joins to the body portion.

[0025] The body portion may have a receiving surface, the shape and configuration of which may be such that, overall, the receiving surface extends from the base in a direction that has at least a component perpendicular to the plane of the base, and the receiving opening may be formed in a portion of the receiving surface that is opposite (or at least spaced apart from) the portion of the receiving surface that joins to the base.

[0026] In some embodiments, the receiving surface may be substantially planar. The receiving surface may extend in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base. Also, in such cases, the body portion may have two sides each of which joins to a respective edge of the receiving surface and each of which extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the base. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the body portion may have an upper surface which extends between (i.e. it may join to and span the distance between) the respective sides, and the upper surface may have a curved shape extending from the top of the receiving surface (which may be at or near one end of the apparatus) to a point where the upper surface meets (and joins with) the base in the plane of the base (which may be at or near an end of the apparatus which is opposite to the end that has the receiving surface).

[0027] As mentioned above, in some embodiments the base and the body portion of the apparatus may be integral with one another such that the base and the body portion are both part of a single or unitary device or component. In some such embodiments, in addition to the said component, the apparatus may also include a spacer (i.e. a spacer as mentioned above which in use (when it is needed) is secured between the base of the device/component and the formwork to raise the level of the receiving opening so that the receiving opening is spaced from the formwork (or from the surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge) by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on (or part(s) of) the metal reinforcing that is/are furthest from that surface.

[0028] In yet another form, albeit (yet again) not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a method for use in the creation of a conduit using rigid conduit tubing inside a structure (or inside a portion of a structure) where an end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to a direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure (i.e. like in a ceiling), and where the structure (or the portion of the structure) is formed from a substance (like e.g. concrete) which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined (at least partly) by formwork, and where the rigid conduit tubing and also (metal or other suitable) reinforcing is installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment, the method including:

with the reinforcing in position in the temporary containment, attaching the base of an apparatus of the kind described above (either directly, or with a spacer in between) to a portion of the formwork which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge,

positioning a length of rigid conduit tubing in the temporary containment with an end of the length of tubing received in the receiving opening of the apparatus and so that the tubing extends over, or rests on, upper portions of the reinforcing,

causing the amount of the flowable substance required to form the structure (or the portion of the structure) to flow into the temporary containment such that it submerges the reinforcing, the apparatus and the conduit tubing, allowing the flowable substance to set within the temporary containment (thereby forming the structure with the rigid conduit tubing forming the conduit extending inside the structure); and removing the formwork (including the formwork to which the base of the apparatus had been attached) after the flowable substance has set, thereby revealing the end of the conduit that emerges through the surface of the structure (the end portion of the conduit that emerges through the surface of the structure being formed by the apparatus, and in particular by the apparatus's emergence opening).

[0029] The above method may also include the step of removing the apparatus from the set substance/structure. In this case, because the apparatus is removed from the set structure, the end portion of the conduit that emerges through the surface of the structure is not formed by the apparatus itself (because the apparatus is removed), but rather by the opening in the structure itself that remains after the apparatus is removed (which opening has the same shape of the apparatus following the removal of the apparatus).

[0030] Up to this point, it has been explained that the present invention can be used in the creation of a conduit inside a structure (using rigid conduit tubing) where one end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to the direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure. In general, most conduits will also have another or opposite end as well. The location where, and the way in which, any other or opposite end of the conduit emerges from the structure will depend on the situation. Sometimes, the other end of the conduit may emerge on a side or face of the structure that extends approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the conduit extends within the structure. An example of this might be where the other end of the conduit emerges through a side edge of a ceiling, like e.g. where the ceiling meets a wall, or the like. Alternatively, in some other situations, the opposite end of the conduit may actually be created in the same way as the end of the conduit described above, i.e. by using another of the apparatuses, so that the other end emerges through the same surface of the structure, or through some different surface but where the emergence of the conduit at the other end is formed in the same way.

[0031] Other features and aspects of the present invention may be made evident from the Detailed Description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which (together with Background section above) provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description makes reference to a number of Figures as follows:

[0033] Figure 1 is an image showing (by way of example only) one of the kinds of rigid (in this case plastic) conduit tubing commonly used for creating conduits within concrete sections or structures. In this figure, the rigid conduit tubing happens to be cylindrical (i.e. circular in cross-section); however rigid conduit tubing with other cross-sectional shapes and/or sizes, and/or formed from other materials, are also used and may be used with the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates the first step in an existing method for installing a conduit in a concrete ceiling structure, as described in the Background section above, which involves wrapping the end of the conduit tubing in tape.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates the next step in the existing method described in the Background section above, which involves folding a length of foam over the taped end of the conduit tubing.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates the next step in the existing method described in the Background section above, which is the creation of a "hotdog" or "sausage" on the end of the conduit tubing by wrapping tape around and along the length of the foam on the end of the conduit tubing.

[0037] Figure 5 partly illustrates the next step in the existing method described in the Background section above, which involves positioning the conduit tubing on top of (i.e. so that the conduit tubing rests on) the steel (or other) reinforcing bars/mesh (which is already installed and properly positioned within the formwork before the concrete is poured) and securing the "sausage" on the end of the conduit tubing to the underlying formwork at the location where the conduit is to form an opening in (i.e. where the conduit is to emerge through) the surface of the ceiling. Note that Figure 5 only partly illustrates this step because Figure 5 depicts the "sausage" before it has actually been secured to the formwork, so Figure 5 does not actually show any nails or screws or the like securing the "sausage" to the formwork (but it will be apparent how this is done).

[0038] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is another perspective view of the same apparatus shown in Figure 6 but from a different point of view.

[0040] Figure 8 is a side view of the same apparatus.

[0041] Figure 9 is an end-on view of the same apparatus, showing the receiving opening into which the terminal end of a length of (in this case circular-cross-sectioned) rigid conduit tubing can be received.

[0042] Figure 10 is a view of the apparatus from underneath, i.e. looking up through the emergence opening in the base of the apparatus into the open space inside the body of the apparatus.

[0043] Figure 11 is another view of the apparatus also from underneath but from a slightly different angle to Figure 10 such that the inside of the receiving opening is visible from below through the emergence opening.

[0044] Figure 12 is a perspective view of two mounting spacers, each having a different size/height, either of which can be used with the apparatus in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 to Figure 11.

[0045] Figure 13 is a view of the same two mounting spacers as shown in Figure 12 but from underneath.

[0046] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the apparatus alongside the larger (taller) of the two spacers shown in Figure 12.

[0047] Figure 15 is another perspective view showing the apparatus alongside the larger (taller) of the two spacers but from a different point of view (specifically from slightly below and to one side).

[0048] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the apparatus when mounted on the larger (taller) of the two spacers. In other words, unlike Figure 14 and Figure 15 which show the apparatus alongside the larger (taller) of the spacers, Figure 16 shows the apparatus positioned on top of that spacer.

[0049] Figure 17 is an end-on view of the apparatus when it has been positioned at the location where its base is to be secured to underlying formwork (which is done before the concrete is poured). Note that Figure 17 does not actually show any nails or the like securing the base of the apparatus to the formwork, but it will be apparent how this is done (by driving nails through the holes provided in the base of the apparatus). Securing the base to the formwork may help to ensure that, when the concrete is poured, little if any concrete flows between the base and the formwork. (Minimising this is important because if a substantial amount of concrete does flows between the base and the formwork it may, once set, at least partially cover or block the opening where the conduit emerges which is formed by the apparatus.) Note also that, in the situation depicted in Figure 17, when the base is nailed to the formwork to secure the apparatus at the position shown (for the reasons just explained), the receiving opening in the top of the apparatus'front face (i.e. the whole of the receiving opening) is located slightly above the highest part of the steel reinforcing mesh.

[0050] Figure 18 shows the apparatus in the same situation as Figure 17 (i.e. prior to the concrete being poured); however in Figure 18 the apparatus is shown side-on. Also, unlike Figure 17, in Figure 18 a length of cylindrical conduit tubing is positioned so one end of the conduit tubing is tightly received and terminates inside the apparatus' receiving opening. It will be noted that, when the end of the rigid conduit tubing is received in the apparatus' receiving opening (as shown), the conduit tubing is positioned slightly above the level of (or it may sometimes rest on) the upper portions of the steel reinforcing. It should also be noted that the end of the conduit tubing fits sufficiently tightly in the receiving opening that a seal is effectively formed between the outer surface of the conduit tubing and the apparatus so that, when concrete is poured, the wet concrete does not penetrate between the conduit tubing and the inside of the receiving opening into the inside of the apparatus.

[0051] Figure 19 is similar to Figure 12 and Figure 13 in that it shows the two mounting spacers, each having a different size/height, either of which can be used with the apparatus, depending on whether (or how much) the apparatus needs to be raised up relative to the underlying formwork in order for the receiving opening to "clear" the top of the steel reinforcing and allow the conduit tubing to insert into the receiving opening.

[0052] In Figure 20, the apparatus is shown (simply for illustrative purposes) positioned on top of the larger/taller of the two spacers.

[0053] In Figure 21, the apparatus shown is shown (again, simply for illustrative purposes) positioned on top of the smaller/shorter of the two spacers.

[0054] Figure 22 is an illustration of (in this example three (3)) openings through which three respective adjacent conduits that have been formed within a concrete ceiling structure emerge through respective openings formed by three of the apparatus located side-by-side (each of the apparatuses is of the same type shown earlier Figures).

[0055] Figure 23 contains schematic illustrations of the apparatus, including a side-on, an end-on and an underside view, with dimensions of the apparatus according to the particular embodiment shown in earlier Figures shown.

[0056] Figure 24 contains schematic illustrations of a slightly different version of the apparatus, including a side-on, an end-on and an underside view, with dimensions of this slightly different version of the apparatus shown. The overall configuration of the device in this slightly different version is generally the same as that of the version shown in the earlier Figures, except that in this slightly different version, the dimensions of the apparatus are slightly different (in particular the apparatus is slightly longer, and it has a slightly more gradual curve in order to help slightly further reduce resistance in longer cable "pulls", i.e. when the apparatus is used as part of a longer cable conduit and where a longer length of cable is consequently run through the conduit).

[0057] Figure 25 is an example of a prior art device which, despite the appearance of certain similarity, cannot be used in the same manner as the present invention.

[0058] Figure 26 is a view which, somewhat like Figure 18, shows a length of cylindrical conduit tubing with each of its ends tightly received inside the receiving opening of a respective apparatus. That is, in Figure 26, both ends of the length of cylindrical conduit tubing shown are shown received in a respective (different) one of the apparatuses. This is unlike Figure 18 which only shows one end of a length of cylindrical conduit tubing with that one in shown received inside the receiving opening of a single apparatus.

[0059] Figure 27 is an illustration of an opening through which a conduit that has been formed within a concrete ceiling structure emerges through the openings formed by one of the apparatuses in a situation where, after the concrete ceiling has set, the apparatus itself is removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] As mentioned above, Figure 6 through Figure 11 (and other Figures) illustrate (by way of non-limiting example) an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is this embodiment to which reference will mainly be made in the description that follows. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to this particular embodiment, nor is the invention necessarily to be considered limited to or by anything explained with reference to this particular embodiment.

[0061] For ease of reference, the apparatus in the particular embodiment described below will be referred to as a conduit fin 100. The reason the apparatus will be referred to as a conduit fin is mainly due to the shape of the main body portion of the apparatus in this embodiment, which is similar to the shape of a shark's (or dolphin's) dorsal fin. (It is also similar to the shape of a fin on the underside of a surfboard, or the like.)

[0062] It can be seen from Figure 6 through Figure 9 (and other Figures) that the conduit fin 100 includes a main body 120 which (in the orientation in which the conduit fin 100 is shown in Figure 6 through Figure 9) is upstanding relative to a base 140. The base 140 of the conduit fin forms a rectangular perimeter around (and it extends outwardly from) the portion of the body 120 which is at the bottom in Figure 6 through Figure 9. The base 140 (which forms a rectangular perimeter around the portion of the body 120 to which the base 140 attaches) is planar, and there are small holes 142 extending through the thickness of the base 140 at various locations. In this particular embodiment, such holes 142 are located approximately near each of the four corners of the rectangular base 140. In other embodiments, however, holes 142 may be located at different locations in the base, and/or additional or fewer holes may be provided. In any case, nails (or screws or the like) can be driven through the holes 142 in order to secure the conduit fin 100 to formwork (or alternatively, in embodiments where the conduit fin 100 is used together with a spacer (as described below), nails (or screws or the like) can be driven through the holes 142 in the base 140 and also through similar holes in the additional spacer upon which the conduit fin 100 is mounted when it is secured to the formwork).

[0063] As mentioned above, the main body 120 of the conduit fin 100 has an overall shape that is similar to (or which at least roughly resembles) the shape of a shark's dorsal fin. More specifically, the main body 120 includes a front face 122, a pair of side faces 124 on either side that are parallel to one another, and a curved upper surface (or top) 126.

[0064] The front face 122 is planar and vertically upstanding (in the orientation in which the conduit fin is shown in Figure 6 through Figure 9). The plane of the front face 122 is therefore perpendicular to the plane of the base 140. The orientation of the planar front face 122 also lies in a plane parallel to the length direction of the short sides of the rectangular base 140 (i.e. the plane of the front face 122 is perpendicular to the length direction of the long sides of the rectangular base 140). The front face 122 is also located towards one end of the conduit fin, that is, adjacent one of the short sides of the base 140 at one end of the rectangular base, and a bottom edge of the front face 122 joins to that short side of the base 140.

[0065] The front face 122 also has an opening therein, namely the receiving opening 130. The receiving opening 130 therefore extends through (i.e. it opens through) the front face 122 at the top of the front face 122 (i.e. the receiving opening 130 is at an end of the front face 122 which is opposite the end of the front face 122 that joins to the base 140). The receiving opening 130 and its purpose will be discussed further below.

[0066] The respective parallel side faces 124 of the body 120 are both planar and both are vertically upstanding (in the orientation in which the conduit fin 100 is shown in Figure 6 through Figure 9). Each respective planar side face 124 is therefore (like the front face 122) perpendicular to the plane of the base 140. The orientation of each of the planar side faces 124 is, however, perpendicular to the front face 122. Hence, the plane of each side face 124 is parallel to the long sides of the rectangular base 140. The bottoms of the planar side faces 124 also both join to a respective one of the long sides of the rectangular base 140. In other words, one of the planar side faces 124 (at the bottom thereof) joins to one of the long sides of the rectangular base 140, and the other planar side face 124 (at the bottom thereof) joins to the other long side of the rectangular base 140. The respective side faces 124 therefore extend along the length of the conduit fin 100 on either side. The side faces 124 are both unbroken, i.e. they have no openings or gaps therein. Each of the side faces 124 has a vertical edge which joins to one of the respective straight (and parallel) vertical sides (on either side) of the front face 122. The edges where the respective side faces 124 join to the respective sides of front face 122 are both slightly curved/rounded edges.

[0067] The curved upper surface (top) 126 of the main body 120 extends between (i.e. it spans the distance between) the respective side faces 124, and like the upper edge on each of the respective side faces 124 (to which the upper surface 126 joins on either side), the upper (top) surface 126 has a curved shape extending from (at one end) the top of the front face 122 to (at the other end) a point where the curved upper surface 126 meets (and joins with) the base 140 in the plane of the base 140 at the end of the conduit fin 100 which is opposite to the end that has the front face 122. The curved upper surface 126 is unbroken, i.e. it has no openings or gaps therein, and the edges where the respective side faces 124 join to the respective sides of upper surface 126 are both slightly curved/rounded edges.

[0068] The curvature of the upper surface 126 is illustrated in Figure 8, and also in the side on view in Figure 23 (and Figure 24). As the side-on view in Figure 23 (and Figure 24) shows, in this particular embodiment (in which the conduit fin 100 has the dimensions shown in Figure 23 or Figure 24), the whole of the upper surface 126 has a common radius of curvature (in the version in Figure 23 the radius of curvature is 174.4 mm and in the version in Figure 24 the radius of curvature is 257.94 mm). However, it is important to recognise that (in both cases) the centre of the radius of curvature is not located at any point on the conduit fin 100 itself. Rather, the centre of the radius of curvature is located at a point some distance below the base 140, as illustrated in the side-on view in Figure 23 (and Figure 24). This is why the shape/curvature of the upper surface 126 may not initially (at first glance) appear to have a perfectly part-circular shape, even though the whole of the curve does in fact have a common radius of curvature.

[0069] Of course, as has been explained, the invention is not necessarily limited to or by any of the particular dimensions or shapes of the conduit fin 100 in this particular embodiment. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the upper surface 126 could have a shape/curvature which is not circular (or part-circular), i.e. it may not be the case that the whole of the curve of the upper surface 126 always has a common radius of curvature (or even a common centre of curvature). For example, in other embodiments, the curvature could be elliptical, or parabolic, or some other curved shape.

[0070] In any case, in the particular embodiment shown, all parts of the conduit fin 100, including the base 140, the front face 122, the side faces 124, the receiving opening 130 and the upper surface 126, are made from a plastic or polymer material (with relatively thin wall thickness). Consequently, the region within the main body 120 (i.e. the space inside the body 120 which is bounded by the front face 122 at the front, the side faces 124 to either side, and the upper surface 126 at the top) is hollow. In embodiments like this, where the conduit fin is made from a plastic or polymer, any suitable moulding process (or indeed any suitable manufacturing process) may be used to produce the conduit fin. And more generally, no particular limitation is to be inferred in terms of the material from which the conduit fin may be made. The conduit fin (or an apparatus in accordance with the present invention) may therefore be made from any suitable material and in any suitable way.

[0071] Turning next to Figure 10 and Figure 11, as mentioned above, both of these Figures show the underside of the conduit fin 100 (i.e. they both show the conduit fin 100 from below or underneath compared to the orientation in which it is shown in Figure 6). Accordingly, all four of the linear portions that together form the base 140 (i.e. the two parallel long portions that form the two long sides of the base 140, and the two parallel short portions that form the two short ends/sides of base 140) are visible in these Figures. It can also be seen from these Figures that the four linear portions that together form the base 140 only extend outward from the bottom of the body 120 to which they attach. Accordingly, no part of the base 140 extends inward from where (or beyond the point where) the respective front face 122 and side faces 124 and the upper face 126 join to the base 140. Consequently, there is an opening, referred to hereinafter as an "emergence opening" 150, formed in base the at the bottom of the conduit fin 100, which extends through the centre of the base 140 into the space inside the conduit fin 100. In other words, the emergence opening 150 is surrounded on all four sides by the four respective linear portions that define the base 140, and the emergence opening 150 occupies substantially all of the space below the main body 120 in the plane of the base 140.

[0072] The emergence opening 150, and the receiving opening 130 mentioned above, are the only openings that extend between the space inside the hollow body 120 and the outside.

[0073] The way in which the conduit fin 100 is used will now be explained, mainly with reference to Figure 17 and Figure 18.

[0074] From what has been explained above, it will be appreciated that the conduit fin 100 in this embodiment is an apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit inside a structure (or inside a portion of a structure) S, which in this example is a concrete ceiling, and where the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure S. Figure 22 illustrates a portion of a structure S, and Figure 22 also shows the way that the apparatus (conduit fin 100) helps to create a conduit inside the structure S which emerges through an outer surface of the structure S. In fact, in Figure 22, there are three (3) of the conduit fins 100 shown forming three (3) respective openings through which three respective conduits inside the structure (ceiling) S emerge through an outer face of the structure S.

[0075] It should be noted that, sometimes, after the structure S has been created with a conduit therein (and the formwork removed, etc), the conduit fin 100 itself may also be removed, as shown in Figure 27. This does not affect the way the conduit fin 100 is used to create the conduit (or the opening or the emergence point of the conduit) in the structure S. Rather, it simply means that, after the structure has been created using the conduit fin 100 (and after the formwork is removed, etc), the conduit fin 100 is subsequently removed as well, but the shape (i.e. the shape of the opening or open space) left behind in the structure when the conduit fin 100 is removed functions in much (if not exactly) the same way as if the conduit fin 100 were left in.

[0076] The conduit fin 100 is an apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit inside a structure (or a portion of a structure) S (which is a ceiling in the present example) where the structure (or the portion of the structure) S is formed from a substance (like e.g. concrete) which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined (at least partly) by formwork F. Metal (or other suitable) reinforcing bars or mesh, designated R, is/are also installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment, and after the flowable substance has flowed into the temporary containment submerging the reinforcing bars or mesh R therein, the flowable substance sets (or otherwise hardens or becomes solid) within the temporary containment. Thereafter, the formwork F is removed to reveal the finished structure (or portion of the structure) S.

[0077] In order for the apparatus (the conduit fin 100) to be used in the creation of a conduit inside a structure (or inside a portion of a structure) S of the kind just described, the apparatus (conduit fin 100) in this embodiment has (as described above):

a base 140 which can be attached to a substantially planar part of the formwork F which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure S through which the conduit is to emerge. As mentioned above, in Figure 17 the conduit fin 100 is shown at the position where its base 140 can be secured to underlying formwork F of the temporary containment, before the concrete (or other flowable and settable material) is poured. Note that Figure 17 does not actually show any nails or the like securing the conduit fin 100 to the formwork F. However, it will be readily apparent how this is done, e.g. by driving nails through the holes 142 in the base 140 into the formwork

F. Figure 26 does show this.

• a body portion 120 extending from the base 140, the body portion 120 having open space inside (this is explained above);

• a receiving opening 130 in the body portion 120, the receiving opening 130 communicating with the open space inside the body 120, and the receiving opening also being configured to receive an end of a length of solid conduit tubing T (e.g. as shown in Figure 18 and also Figure 26) such that the end of the length of solid conduit tubing T terminates in the receiving opening 130. As a consequence of this, in use (i.e. once the solid conduit tubing T has been inserted into the conduit fin 100 (or possibly both ends of the conduit tubing T have been inserted into respective conduit fins 100 at either end of the tubing as in Figure 26), and once the flowable and settable substance has been poured and set, etc, and the formwork F has been removed, such that the structure S containing the conduit has been formed, one or more cables run through the length of solid conduit tubing T can extend out of the end of the conduit tubing T and into the space inside the body 120, and

• an emergence opening 150 formed in the base 140. The emergence opening 150 communicates with the open space inside the body 120. As a result of this, in use (i.e. once the solid conduit tubing T has been inserted into the conduit fin 100 (or possibly both ends of the conduit tubing T have been inserted into respective conduit fins 100 at either end), and once the flowable and settable substance has been poured and set, etc, and the formwork F has been removed, such that the structure S containing the conduit has been formed, the open space inside the body 120 becomes opened / revealed to the outside of the structure S, and therefore the end of the conduit formed in the structure (or in the portion of the structure) S emerges through the outer face of the structure S via the emergence opening 150, as shown in Figure 22. (In fact, three examples of this are shown in Figure 22.)

Alternatively, the conduit fin 100 may be removed, as shown in Figure 27, but in that case, the shape of the opening left by the removal of the conduit fin 100 may function in much (if not exactly) the same way as if the conduit fin 100 were left in.

[0078] Significantly, the configuration of the apparatus (i.e. the configuration of the conduit fin 100 in this embodiment) is such that the receiving opening 130 is spaced from the base 140 by a distance (in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the formwork portion to which the conduit fin 100 is initially attached) that is equal to or greater than the distance within the structure S between the outer surface of the structure S through which the conduit emerges and the portion(s) of the reinforcing bars or mesh R that are furthest from that surface of the structure S (in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface). In other words, as shown in Figure 17 and Figure 18 and Figure 26, the configuration of the conduit fin 100 is such that, when the base 140 of the conduit fin 100 is secured to the formwork F (either directly, or with a spacer in between see below), the receiving opening 130 in the body 120 of the conduit fin will be spaced apart from the formwork F by a sufficient distance that the rigid conduit tubing T can insert into the receiving opening 130 at a height above the uppermost or highest part of the metal reinforcing R.

[0079] As will be apparent from above, in some situations, the height of the highest part of the metal reinforcing, when it is installed within the formwork (before the concrete is poured), may be such that the base 140 of the conduit fin 100 can be secured directly to the formwork F and the receiving opening 130 will still be high enough for rigid conduit tubing T to clear the highest point on the metal reinforcing R and insert into the receiving opening 130.

[0080] However, in other situations, the height of the highest part of the metal reinforcing, when it is installed within the formwork (before the concrete is poured), may be such that, if the base 140 of the conduit fin 100 were to be secured directly to the formwork F, the height of the receiving opening 130 would not be high enough for rigid conduit tubing T to insert into the receiving opening 130, given that the tubing extends over the highest part of the metal reinforcing R. In other words, in some situations, the metal reinforcing maybe installed within the temporary containment defined by the formwork at a height which is too high for the conduit tubing T to insert into the receiving opening 130 in the conduit fin 100 if the base 140 of the conduit fin is secured directly to the formwork F.

[0081] To allow the conduit fin 100 to be used in such situations, spacers like e.g. the ones depicted in Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 19 may be provided and used with the conduit fin 100. More specifically, in order for the conduit fin 100 to be used in such situations where the metal reinforcing R is installed at a height which is too high for the conduit tubing T to insert into the receiving opening 130 in the conduit fin 100 if the base 140 of the conduit fin is secured directly to the formwork F, spacers of varying heights may be provided so that the conduit fin 100 can be first be positioned on top of the spacer before the conduit fin + spacer together are secured to the formwork in such a way that, when the conduit fin (on top of the spacer) is secured to the formwork, the height of the receiving opening 130 is consequently made high enough for rigid conduit tubing T to clear the highest point on the metal reinforcing R and insert into the receiving opening 130. Illustrations of the conduit fin 100 mounted on spacers of different sizes are given in, for example, Figure 16, Figure 20 and Figure 21.

[0082] In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures, the receiving opening 130 in the conduit fin 100 is generally circular. This is so that the receiving opening 130 can receive the end of the length of rigid conduit tubing T that is circular in cross-section, as shown for example in Figure 18. However, it will be readily appreciated that, in other embodiments, if the rigid conduit tubing being used to form the conduit in the concrete structure has a cross-section of different shape (e.g. if the conduit tubing is square or rectangular in cross-section), the shape of the receiving opening 130 in the conduit fin may also have a corresponding shape to the cross section of the conduit tubing T.

[0083] It will also be noted that, on the inside of the receiving opening 130 at the end of the receiving opening 130 which is furthest inside the body 120, there is a short length of the receiving opening 130 where the internal diameter of the receiving opening is slightly smaller (or stepped down) compared to the internal diameter of the rest of the opening. This therefore forms a small lip or ridge on the inner end of the receiving opening 130. This lip or ridge forms a stop, which prevents the terminal end of the conduit tubing T that is received in the receiving opening from extending any further into body of the conduit fin 100 than the lip.

[0084] Referring again to Figure 22, it will be appreciated that once the conduit has been formed inside the structure and the formwork is removed, the removal of the formwork causes the open space inside the conduit fin 100 (i.e. inside the body 120) to be exposed through the emergence opening 150. Three examples of this are provided, side-by-side, in Figure 22. Thus, once the ceiling (or other structure) has been created (with the conduit inside) and the formwork has been removed, the conduit fin 100 creates the open end of the conduit, and any cables that are run through the conduit can emerge through from the conduit through the surface of the structure by emerging through the emergence opening 150 in the conduit fin 100.

[0085] As mentioned above, the conduit fin 100 may alternatively be removed, as shown in Figure 27, but in that case, the shape of the opening left by the removal of the conduit fin 100 may function in much (if not exactly) the same way as if the conduit fin 100 were left in.

[0086] The purpose of the curved shape of the upper surface 126 (or the shape this creates in the opening left in the structure S if the conduit fin 100 is removed) will also now be readily appreciated. The curved shape of the upper surface 126 (or the curved shape of the part of the opening it creates, if the conduit fin is removed) helps, when running cables and the like through the conduit, to minimise resistance and guide any cables that are run down and out through the emergence opening 150. The shape of the opening in the centre of the respective spacers, which effectively form an extension of the emergence opening 150 in the conduit fin (whenever a spacer is used with the conduit fin) also serve a similar purpose. For instance, it will be seen from a number of the Figures in which the spacers are shown that the size of the opening in the centre of the spacer is larger on the underside of the spacer than on the upper side of the spacer.

Consequently, when the conduit fin 100 is mounted on top of a spacer (if the conduit fin 100

+ spacer are not removed), the opening in the centre of the spacer flares outwardly slightly in a direction moving downwards through the spacer from the inside of the conduit fin above. This shape of the opening on the inside of the spacer which flares outwards (or becomes wider) in a downwardly direction also helps to minimise resistance and guide cables that are run through the conduit when the end of the conduit through which the cables emerge is formed using both the conduit fin and a spacer in combination. (Again, this applies in situations where the conduit fin 100 + spacer are not removed.)

[0087] In cases (or situations) where it is known that the conduit fin will be removed after the structure is formed, the conduit fin might not need to be hollow / open on the inside like in the various embodiments described above (i.e. the conduit fin in this scenario could be largely solid, although it could still be hollow and still work). It also may not, in this situation, be necessary for the conduit fin to have an emergence opening, or a space inside that communicates between the receiving opening and the emergence opening. Rather, it could be that the conduit fin (apparatus) simply has a receiving opening to receive the conduit tubing, and the apparatus may be otherwise sized and shaped such that, after the structure is created (i.e. after it has set, and the formwork has been removed, etc), the conduit fin is then required to be removed leaving a space or opening of the same shape, and it may be this space for opening formed in the structure (of the same shape as the conduit fin, which was removed) that the conduit (and any cables or the like that extend through the conduit) emerges through.

[0088] It should be noted that certain devices do already exist, some of which may initially appear similar to the conduit fin 100 (and similar to the apparatus) described herein, because they are used in a similar application. That is, these existing devices also assist in the creation of a conduit where an end of the conduit is to emerge from within a structure. Some of these earlier devices also have an appearance which may initially appear (somewhat) similar to the conduit fin 100 above. An example of one such existing device is given in Figure 25. However, whilst these earlier devices (like the one shown in Figure 25, and others) may initially appear similar to the present invention in some ways, they are not, and they cannot be used in the same way. One of the main reasons for this relates to the fact that these existing devices (like the one shown in Figure 25, and others) are designed for use in Europe (and other locations with a similar climate) and where conduits formed within concrete and other structures are generally made using corrugated (and consequently flexible) conduit tubing, which can easily bend. This kind of corrugated conduit tubing is not generally used in places like Australia (and other locations with a similar climate). The reason is because, in places like Australia (and other places with a similar climate), rigid conduit tubing is almost always used (and preferred over corrugated conduit tubing) because rigid conduit tubing is internally smooth and therefore allows for easier cable pulls (i.e. less resistance when running cables) and it is also lower in cost than corrugated conduit tubing. The main reason (it is thought) why corrugated (flexible) conduit tubing is often used in Europe (and other locations with a colder climate) is because rigid conduit tubing, and the current method for its use (as described in the Background section above) often cannot be employed in places with cold climates because the rigid conduit tubing can become brittle in the cold and may crack or shatter, for example, when an attempt is made to bend it down to secure it to the formwork. This does not occur in locations with warmer climates like e.g. Australia.

[0089] There are a number of consequences that flow from this. One is that, for example, in the existing device shown in Figure 25, the opening, which may initially appear similar to the receiving opening in the present conduit fin 100, is not positioned at a height that would be above the highest point on the metal (or other) reinforcing. Indeed, there is no need for it to be, because the conduit tubing used with the device in Figure 25 is corrugated, so the conduit tubing can simply bend down easily in order to insert into the opening of the device. This is not the case with the rigid conduit tubing used places like Australia. Also, unlike the conduit fin 100 described above, in the device shown in Figure 25, the corrugated conduit tubing extends through the device, so the conduit tubing does not terminate at or in the device, as is the case for the conduit fin 100 (and, again, the fact that this is the case for the conduit fin 100 is a consequence of the fact that the present conduit fin 100 is designed for use with rigid conduit tubing). It should also be noted that there would appear to be no need, with the device shown in Figure 25, to ever use spacers to increase the height of the opening in the device that receives the conduit tubing. This is not necessary where the conduit tubing that is used with the device is itself flexible.

[0090] Thus, for at least the reasons described above, devices like the one shown in Figure cannot be used in the same way as the apparatus of the present invention, and therefore do not provide the same benefits.

[0091] In the present specification and claims, the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' are intended to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers, but not necessarily the exclusion of any other integer, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0092] It is to be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited to specific features shown or described herein since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit using rigid conduit tubing inside a structure where an end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to a direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure, and wherein the structure is formed from a substance which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined by formwork, and where the rigid conduit tubing and also reinforcing bars (or the like) are installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment, the apparatus having:

a base which can be attached to a part of the formwork which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge;

a body portion extending from the base, the body portion having open space inside;

an emergence opening in the base, the emergence opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion,

a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, the receiving opening being configured to receive an end of the rigid conduit tubing, and wherein in use the receiving opening is spaced from the base by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between the outer surface through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on the reinforcing bars or mesh that are furthest from that surface.

2. An apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit inside a structure, the apparatus having

a base;

a body portion extending from the base, the body portion having open space inside;

a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, the receiving opening being configured to receive an end of a length of solid conduit tubing, and an emergence opening formed in the base, the emergence opening communicating between the outside of the apparatus and the open space inside the body portion, wherein the receiving opening is spaced from the base and, in use, the receiving opening is spaced from the base by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between an outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on (or part(s) of) reinforcing inside the structure that are furthest from that surface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base and the body portion of the apparatus are integral with one another.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion has no openings or gaps therein, except for the receiving opening and the emergence opening.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is substantially planar.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the body portion extends from the base in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the base.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the emergence opening extends through the base into the open space inside the body portion, and the base includes portions that extend outwards from the parts or edges of the body portion where the base joins to the body portion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the body portion has a receiving surface, the shape and configuration of which is such that, overall, the receiving surface extends from the base in a direction that has at least a component that is perpendicular to the plane of the base, and the receiving opening is formed in a portion of the receiving surface that is opposite the portion of the receiving surface that joins to the base.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the receiving surface is substantially planar.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the receiving surface extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the body portion has two sides each of which joins to a respective edge of the receiving surface and each of which extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the base.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the body portion has an upper surface which extends between the respective sides, and the upper surface has a curved shape extending from the top of the receiving phase to a point where the upper surface meets the base in the plane of the base.

13. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base and the body portion of the apparatus are integral with one another such that the base and the body portion are both part of a single or unitary device, and in addition to the said component, the apparatus also includes a spacer.

14. A method for use in the creation of a conduit using rigid conduit tubing inside a structure where an end of the conduit is to emerge through an outer surface of the structure which is approximately parallel to a direction in which the conduit extends inside the structure, and where the structure is formed from a substance which is initially flowable and which is caused to flow into a temporary containment defined by formwork, and where the rigid conduit tubing and also reinforcing is installed within the temporary containment before the flowable substance flows into the temporary containment, the method including:

with the reinforcing in position in the temporary containment, attaching the base of an apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to a portion of the formwork which, when removed, reveals the outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge,

positioning a length of rigid conduit tubing in the temporary containment with an end of the length of tubing received in the receiving opening of the apparatus and so that the tubing extends over, or rests on, upper portions of the reinforcing,

causing an amount of the flowable substance required to form the structure to flow into the temporary containment such that it submerges the reinforcing, the apparatus and the conduit tubing,

allowing the flowable substance to set within the temporary containment; and

removing the formwork and thereby revealing the end of the conduit that emerges through the surface of the structure.

15. The method according to claim 14, further including removing the apparatus from the structure.

16. An apparatus for use in the creation of a conduit inside a structure, the apparatus having

a base;

a body portion extending from the base; and

a receiving opening in the body portion, the receiving opening being configured to receive an end of a length of solid conduit tubing;

wherein the receiving opening is spaced from the base and, in use, the receiving opening is spaced from the base by a distance equal to or greater than a distance within the structure between an outer surface of the structure through which the conduit is to emerge and place(s) on (or part(s) of) reinforcing inside the structure that are furthest from that surface.