Multi-passage guide system

Abstract

A system for arranging a plurality of conductors includes a guide assembly having a plurality of passage guides. Each of the plurality of passage guides are constructed to guide the passage of a conduit through the guide assembly. The guide assembly is securable to a substrate and constructed to organize individual conduits passing therethrough. The individual conduits communicate any one of a fluid, an electrical power, a hydraulic fluid, or the like through the guide assembly.

1 . A guide assembly comprising: 
 a body having a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a crossing direction relative to the first portion; and    a plurality of channels formed in the body and extending across the first portion and the second portion, each channel constructed to receive a conductor conduit therein.    
   
   
       2 . The guide assembly of  claim 1  wherein a majority of the plurality of channels is encompassed by the body.  
   
   
       3 . The guide assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a cover connectable to the body and constructed to traverse the plurality of channels.  
   
   
       4 . The guide assembly of  claim 3  wherein the cover and the body include a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings oriented to be generally aligned when the cover is engaged with the body.  
   
   
       5 . The guide assembly of  claim 3  wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cover generally matches a cross-sectional shape of at least a portion of the body.  
   
   
       6 . The guide assembly of  claim 3  wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of tabs extending from the cover and constructed to align with a space between adjacent channels of the plurality of channels.  
   
   
       7 . A guide system comprising: 
 a guide body having a plurality of passages formed therein, each passage extending between a first end and a second end of the guide body, the first end extending in a first direction across a second direction of the second end;    a cover connectable to the guide body and having a profile which generally matches at least a portion of a profile of the guide body; and    a plurality of recesses formed in the cover and spaced apart a width of each of the plurality of passages, each recess constructed to allow uninterrupted passage of a conductor conduit from an associated passage of the plurality of passages of the guide body.    
   
   
       8 . The guide system of  claim 7  wherein the first direction is generally transverse to the second direction.  
   
   
       9 . The guide system of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the cover between adjacent recesses of the plurality of recesses, each tab constructed to snuggly engage the guide body between adjacent passages.  
   
   
       10 . The guide system of  claim 7  wherein each passage is constructed to receive more than one conductor conduit.  
   
   
       11 . A method of positioning a conduit array comprising the steps of: 
 securing a guide block to a substrate;    securing a first conduit to the guide block such that the first conduit extends in crossing directions from the guide block; and    securing a second conduit to the guide block such that the second conduit extends in directions generally similar to the first conduit.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of securing another guide block to the guide block.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the steps of securing the first conduit and securing the second conduit further comprises passing the at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit through a guide passage formed through the guide block.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the steps of securing the first conduit and securing the second conduit further comprises the step of engaging the at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit with at least one clip attached to the guide block.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the steps of securing the first conduit and securing the second conduit further comprises the step of passing the at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit through an elbow and the step of securing the at least elbow to the guide block.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of securing the elbow to the guide block further comprises snap-fittingly engaging the elbow with at least one clip attached to the guide block.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of connecting a cover to the guide block such that the cover generally traverses at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves in the guide block wherein each groove is constructed to receive at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each groove is constructed to receive more than one conduit.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising attaching at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit to at least one of an electrical system, a hydronic system, a potable water system, a structured wiring system, and a hydraulic system.