Conduit assembly and method of use thereof

Abstract

A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein. The conduit assembly includes one or more conduit segments. Each conduit segment has at least one aperture, an also includes top and bottom surfaces adapted to be positioned adjacent to bottom and top surfaces respectively of other conduit segments to form a conduit structure having a conduit passage therein alignable with the passage. The conduit structure has an inner wall surface defining the conduit passage and an opposed outer wall surface adapted to receive a coating of mortar. The conduit assembly also includes one or more shims for positioning on the top surface of the conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.

1 . A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein, the conduit assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of conduit segments, each said conduit segment having at least one aperture;    each said conduit segment having a top surface adapted to be positioned facing upwardly and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface and adapted to be positioned facing downwardly, said top surface and said bottom surface being adapted to cooperate with bottom and top surfaces respectively of adjacent conduit segments such that said adjacent conduit segments are maintained in position relative to each other to form a conduit structure having a conduit passage therein, the conduit passage being alignable with the passage;    the conduit structure having an inner wall surface defining the conduit passage and an opposed outer wall surface adapted to receive a coating of mortar; and    at least one shim to be positioned on the top surface of at least one conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.    
   
   
       2 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which each said conduit segment includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement of each said conduit segment.  
   
   
       3 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which the top surface of each said conduit segment includes at least one channel in which said at least one shim is receivable, for maintaining said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.  
   
   
       4 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  comprising high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       5 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which at least one of said conduit segments includes: 
 a body with a main portion and at least one detachable portion adapted for removal from said main portion, to result in an opening in the conduit structure extending between said outer wall surface and said inner wall surface thereof; and    the conduit assembly additionally including at least one pipe segment having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being receivable in said opening in the conduit structure, and the outer end being positionable a predetermined distance outside the conduit structure to provide for drainage through said at least one pipe segment into the conduit passage.    
   
   
       6 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which each conduit segment includes at least one ladder rung positioned for location in the conduit passage.  
   
   
       7 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having substantially a round cross-section.  
   
   
       8 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having a substantially square cross-section.  
   
   
       9 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 1  in which the conduit structure defines a conduit passage having a substantially rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       10 . A conduit assembly for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure with a passage therein, the conduit assembly comprising: 
 at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture;    said at least one conduit segment being positionable on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially alignable with the passage; and    at least one shim to be positioned on the top surface of said at least one conduit segment, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.    
   
   
       11 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 10  in which said at least one conduit segment includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement of said at least one conduit segment.  
   
   
       12 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 10  in which the top surface of said at least one conduit segment includes at least one channel in which said at least one shim is receivable, for maintaining said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.  
   
   
       13 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 10  comprising high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       14 . A conduit assembly according to  claim 10  in which said at least one conduit segment has an inner wall surface defining said at least one aperture and an opposed outer wall surface adapted for receiving a coating of mortar.  
   
   
       15 . A conduit segment for supporting a cover of a maintenance structure, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the conduit segment comprising: 
 a body with at least one aperture therein;    the body having a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface, the top and bottom surfaces being adapted to cooperate with bottom and top surfaces respectively of adjacent conduit segments to form a conduit structure; and    the top surface being adapted for receiving at least one shim, to locate the cover substantially at a predetermined position.    
   
   
       16 . A conduit segment according to  claim 15  in which the body includes at least two cavities in the bottom surface thereof, for facilitating movement thereof.  
   
   
       17 . A conduit segment according to  claim 15  in which the top surface includes at least one channel for receiving said at least one shim, said at least one channel being adapted to maintain said at least one shim in a preselected position relative to the top surface.  
   
   
       18 . A conduit segment according to  claim 15  comprising high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       19 . A conduit segment according to  claim 15  in which the body includes a main portion and at least one detachable portion adapted for removal therefrom, to create an opening between an inner wall surface of the conduit segment defining said at least one aperture and an outer wall surface located opposite the inner wall surface, for receiving at least part of at least one pipe segment.  
   
   
       20 . A method of locating a cover of a maintenance structure at a predetermined position, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture;    (b) positioning said at least one conduit segment on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially aligned with the passage in the maintenance structure, to form a conduit structure defining a conduit passage therein substantially aligned with the passage;    (c) positioning the cover on the conduit structure;    (d) providing at least one shim; and    (e) interposing said at least one shim between said at least one conduit segment and the cover, for locating the cover at a predetermined position therefor.    
   
   
       21 . A method of locating a cover of a maintenance structure at a predetermined position, the maintenance structure having a passage therein, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one conduit segment having at least one aperture, said at least one conduit segment having a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the top surface, the top surface including at least one channel;    (b) positioning said at least one conduit segment on the maintenance structure such that said at least one aperture is substantially aligned with the passage in the maintenance structure, to form a conduit structure defining a conduit passage therein substantially aligned with the passage;    (c) positioning the cover on the conduit structure;    (d) providing at least one shim receivable in said at least one channel; and    (e) interposing said at least one shim between said at least one conduit segment and the cover, said at least one shim being received in said at least one channel, for locating the cover substantially at a predetermined position therefor.