NZ536486A - Matco piping systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A system 1 for placement of conduits to a property site comprises a conduit receiving channel member 1 shaped to receive a selected plurality of conduits 12. The receiving channel member 1 is formed by a plurality of substantially identical members which co-operate to form a plurality of bores through which the conduits 12 can pass.

Description

Patents Form # 5 53 64 8 6 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL # : 536486 DATED : 10 November 2004 TITLE : Piping Systems I, ARMIT, Cedric Brian Anthony Address: 78A William Bayes Place, Red Beach,, Hibiscus Coast, Auckland, New Zealand Nationality: A New Zealand citizen do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: -1- I,,.>ecu=u-|OAL)PHOPEmv OFFICE] I f 4 NOV 2005 I 130611NZ_Cap_2005 111 1_1139_NPB.doc FEE CODE 1050 I j 1—&ECgiv/fgp / FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a system for aiding the placement of conduits, particularly but not necessarily solely those used by service providers, to provide services to property sites such as houses, businesses and warehouses and more particularly the placement of said conduits through an easily accessible access region of a property site.

BACKGROUND The placement of the various types of cables and conduits (hereinafter called "conduits") conduits of service providers, such as phone, gas, water and power, is traditionally is effected by each service provider independently digging at different, and sometimes the same, locations on a property site so that each service provider may place their independent service conduits.

It is usually difficult to schedule all service providers to place their conduits at a property site on the same day and conduits cannot or at least should not be left exposed and unattended on a property site. The effect of this is that areas of a property site are repeatedly dug by each successive service provider when laying their respective conduits.

Due to the time and effort expended by each service provider in independently digging and laying their conduits at a respective site, the customer experiences delays in receiving provider services and added expense due to the cumulative work required to be performed by each provider in preparing the site for the laying of their conduits.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for ease of placement of service provider's conduits at a property site, or one which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a system for placement of conduits to a property site comprising a conduit receiving channel member shaped to receive a selected plurality of conduits, the receiving channel member being formed by a plurality of intellectual property office 0FN2.

G:\!30611NZ NK cap.S07.doc 1 1 MAY 2007 substantially identical members which co-operate to form a plurality of bores through the channel member through which the conduits can pass in use.

Preferably each bore is adapted to receive a service providers conduit.

Preferably the receiving channel member is formed of a selected material sufficiently strong 5 to allow it to receive a selected conduit and hold said conduit in position, and sufficiently durable to protect the conduit from being exposed to the elements by outside forces.

Preferably the receiving channel member is formed of a plastics material.

Preferably the receiving channel member is formed of PVC.

Optionally the receiving channel member has a selected surface texture.

Optionally the channels in the receiving member is curved.

Preferably the receiving member comprises two part receiving members which co-operate to form the bores.

Preferably each part receiving member is substantially identical.

Preferably each side of the part receiving member has part attachment means provided one 15 on each side of the receiving channels.

Preferably the part attachment means include co-operating male and female members.

Preferably the part attachment means are provided to enable each side of the part receiving member to be longitudinally engaged one with another.

Alternatively the substantially identical members are connected one to the other, the 20 substantially identical members being able to fold upon and engage each other to provide said bores.

Preferably the system includes connection means to enable receiving channel members to be longitudinally engaged.

Preferably the connection member consists of two substantially parallel rods connected by 25 spacing members between said rods, part securing means to enable each rod to be engaged to G:\130611NZ NK cap.S07.doc intellectual property OFRCE OP M.z 2 5 JtlN 2007 received one of a pair of adjacent receiving members, and further part securing means are provided on the receiving members.

Preferably each securing means comprises apparatus through which bolts or the like may be passed.

Preferably part securing means are placed at each end of the connection member.

Alternatively the connection member can have additional part securing means located at the centre of the parallel rods of the connection member.

Alternatively the receiving channel member is engageable with one or more further members so that the longitudinal axes of each bore is substantially parallel over at least a substantial 10 part of the length thereof.

Preferably each member includes two or more bores.

Preferably each bore is connected by one or more bridges to an adjacent bore.

Preferably each member has at least a pair of part engagement means thereon whereby in use a member may be connected with one or more other sets of members.

Preferably a system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each bore is adapted to receive a service provider's conduit.

Preferably a system as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the receiving channel member is formed of a selected material sufficiently strong to allow it to receive a selected conduit and hold said conduit in position, and sufficiently durable to protect the conduit from 20 being exposed to the elements by outside forces.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a construction comprising a system as referred to in the preceding paragraphs having one or more channel members extending to a property one or more of the bores in the channel member or members containing or being able to receive a conduit.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a method of providing conduits to a property comprising the steps of providing a system as referred to in the preceding paragraphs intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z.

G:\130611NZNKcap.507.doc J 2 & 2007 ££ceived extending one or more channel members to a property and positioning conduits into one or more of said bores.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves 5 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be now described, by way of example only, with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plate for a receiving system showing a plurality of elongated depressions according to a preferred form of the invention. is a diagrammatic perspective view of a receiving system comprising channels formed from co-operation of male and female members located on the elongated depressions according to a preferred form of the invention. is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connection member with securing means for use in a receiving system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a diagrammatic plan view of a receiving system showing a bend a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an end view of an alternative preferred form of the invention, Figure 6 is an end view showing a plurality of receiving systems according to Figure 5 in interconnected form, and Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving system of Figure 5 and 6.

G:\130611NZ NK cap.507.doc intellectual property office of n.z. 1 1 MAY 2007 RECEIVED PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A receiving system for conduits is provided which in the first preferred form comprises an 5 elongated plate (1). The plate (1) shown in Figure 1 is shortened for the purposes of clarity.

The plate (1) is provided with a plurality, such as six, elongated depressions (2) thereacross.

The upper limit of elongated depressions is determined by practical considerations. Of course in use several plates could be used at a single location.

The plate (1) is desirably moulded as a single unit from a suitable plastics material such as 10 polyvinyl chloride.

In the preferred form of the invention the ridge (3) between the channels (2) may carry either a bulbous rib (4) or a narrow mouthed channel (5) into which the rib (4) is a snap fit. The central ridge (3) in the embodiment in Figure 1 carries neither.

Side flat areas (6) again may each carry either a co-operating rib (7) or a channel (8) which 15 are a snap fit together. In the embodiment of Figure 1 a "Christmas tree" shaped rib and channel are shown. Plates (1) can then be snapped together as seen in Figure 2 to form channels (10) between the two plates (1). Intermediate ribs are connected together, save for the centre ribs (3). The "Christmas tree" construction provides additional strength to the connection between the side ridges.

The dimensions of the channels (2) formed by co-operation of male (4, 7) and female (5, 6) attachment members are determined by the diameter of conduits (12) which are to be positioned in use in the channels (2).

A connection member (20) is preferably provided for the system so that plates (1) placed end to end may be connected. The connection member may comprise two substantially parallel 25 stringers (21) connected by cross members (22).

The connection member (20) is provided with securing means preferably in form of apertures (25) through which bolts (not shown) or the like may pass allowing the connection G:\1306M NZ NK cap.507.doc intellectual property office of n.z. 1 1 MAY 2007 nropi\/cr\ member (6) to engage with the plate (1). To enable this, the plates (1) may have corresponding apertures (27) at, for example, the edges and centre thereof. The connection member therefore holds two receiving plates (1) together end to end. If desired a connection plate (30) can span two receiving system plate pairs. This enables a good connection 5 between the plate pairs to be made. In Figure 4 a horizontal turn connector (33) is provided. Vertical turn connectors and connection of other shape can also be provided.

In use a service provider's conduit (12) may be feed through a channel (10) in the plates (1), as shown in Figure 2.

The combination of the integers results in a system for placement of conduits comprising a 10 receiving means, optional attachment means, and clamping means as illustrated in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 5 members (40) are provided having bores (41). The members (40) may be extruded from, for example, a suitable plastics material. The construction of Figure 5 shows two bores (41) therein. Thus in this embodiment the members (40) are extruded to provide a pair of bores (41). It will be apparent of course that members (40) could be 15 extruded to provide a single conduit or a number of conduits greater than two up to a suitable practical limit such as, for example, six conduits. However, members (40) providing a pair of bores (41) are the preferred form. The pair of bores (41) are linked by bridging parts (42) and connection means are provided to allow the members (40) to be connected in a side by side relationship.

In the preferred form the connection means are provided by a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending flanges (43) to form a channel (44). The mouth of the channel is narrowed by inwardly extending ribs (45) which are desirably shaped to provide a snap fit as will be described further hereinafter.

A protrusion (46) is provided opposite the ribs (45) and in the embodiment describe the 25 protrusion is hollow having an interior (47). The width of the protrusion (46) is such that the protrusion is able to be a snug fit into the channel (44) of an adjacent member (40) as can be seen from Figure 6.

In the preferred form towards the base of the protrusion (46) are provided inwardly extending longitudinal channels (48) into which a rib (45) may pass.

G:\1306ilNZ HKcap.507.doe intellectual property office of n.z. 11 MAY 2007 The plastics or other material from which the conduit pairs are formed are preferably such that there is sufficient flexibility in the material to enable the arrangement to be performed and also, by reference to Figure 7, an elongated strip of material is shown which is sufficiently flexible to be able to be formed into curves such as that shown at (50). As an 5 alternative shape members may be provided which are able to be connected to the part (51).

As can be seen at end (52) of the part (51) the conduit pairs may be left unconnected or may be separated, for example, by cutting along bridging parts (42) so the ends of the bores (41) may be manipulated into any suitable position. Thus the conduits have substantially parallel longitudinal axes over at least a substantial part of the length of the conduits.

By providing a further paxt engagement means sets of conduits could be built into blocks of conduits if desired.

ADVANTAGES This system provides a receiving member which allows for ease of placement of service providers conduits through a single access point on a property site, The system results in an improved method of laying service conduits at a property site as compared to the prior art.

Finally, it will be appreciated that various alternatives and modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth.

G:\i30611NZNK cap.507.doc

Claims (27)

WHAT I CLAIM is:

1. A system for placement of conduits to a property site comprising a conduit receiving channel member shaped to receive a selected plurality of conduits, the receiving channel member being formed by a plurality of substantially identical members which co-operate to form a plurality of bores through the channel member through which the conduits can pass in use,

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each bore is adapted to receive a service provider's conduit.

3. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the receiving channel member is formed of a selected material sufficiently strong to allow it to receive a selected conduit and hold said conduit in position, and sufficiently durable to protect the conduit from being exposed to the elements by outside forces.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the receiving channel member is formed of a plastics material.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the receiving channel member is formed of PVC.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the receiving channel member has a selected surface texture.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the channels in the receiving member is curved.

8. A system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the receiving member comprises two part receiving members which co-operate to form the bores.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein each part receiving member is substantially identical.

10. A system as claimed in either one of claims 8 and 9 wherein each side of the part receiving member has part attachment means provided one on each side of the receiving channels. G:\1306l 1NZ NK cap.507.doc intellectual property office of n.z. It MAY 200? •• kar iA,/c,n -10- 10 15 20

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the part attachment means include cooperating male and female members.

12. A system as claimed in either one of claims 10 and 11 wherein the part attachment means are provided to enable each side of the part receiving member to be longitudinally engaged one with another.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the substantially identical members are connected one to the other, the substantially identical members being able to fold upon and engage each other to provide said bores.

14. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including connection means to enable receiving channel members to be longitudinally engaged.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the connection member consists of two substantially parallel rods connected by spacing members between said rods, part securing means to enable each rod to be engaged to one of a pair of adjacent receiving members, and further part securing means are provided on the receiving members.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein each part securing means comprises apparatus through which bolts or the like may be passed.

17. A system as claimed in either one of claims 15 and 16 wherein part securing means are placed at each end of the connection member.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17 having additional part securing means located at the centre of the parallel rods of the connection member.

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the receiving channel member is engageable with one or more further members so that the longitudinal axes of each bore is substantially parallel over at least a substantial part of the length thereof.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein each member includes two or more bores.

21. A system as claimed in either one of claims 19 and 20 wherein each bore is connected by one or more bridges to an adjacent bore. G:\130611NZ NK cap.507.doc -11 - 10

22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein each member has at least a pair of part engagement means therein whereby in use a member may be connected with one or more other members.

23. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein tine channel members have sufficient flexibility to allow at least some degree of shaping of the channel member to occur.

24. A system as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A construction comprising a system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having one or more channel members extending to a property one or more of the bores in the channel member or members containing or being able to receive a conduit.

26. A construction as claimed in claim 25 wherein one or more of said bores contains a

27. A method of providing conduits to a property comprising the steps of providing a system according to any one of claims 1 to 24, extending one or more channel members to a property and positioning conduits into one or more of said bores. conduit. PIPERS yj 20 Attorneys for \ J ARM IT, CedriHSrian Anthony