Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body including a first section and a second section joined together at a third section, the first section having an body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end, and the second section having a body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end. The third section couples second ends of each of the first and second sections together and comprises a structurally weakened area therein which is manually separateable for forming first and second cover pieces from said unitary body. The ends of the separated first and second sections further include structurally weakened areas for trimming the lengths of the sections during installation whereby the piping assembly is quickly and efficiently covered and insulated generally without the need for special installation tools.

Abstract: A fuel filler neck assembly is provided for use in a vehicle including a gas cap and housing assembly and a fuel tank. The vehicle has a plurality of predetermined final vehicle dimensions dictating a predetermined variety of final filler neck dimensions. The fuel filler neck assembly extends between the gas cap and housing assembly and the fuel tank for transferring fuel into the fuel tank. The filler neck assembly includes at least one axially elongated fill pipe having an axial length and including a plurality of raised, annular beads thereon. The beads are axially spaced along the fill pipe at predetermined distances each corresponding to respective predetermined final filler neck dimensions.

Abstract: Cast iron pipe and other elongated hollow articles are lined with a cementitious mortar for certain applications, such as the transmission of potable water or sewage. To improve the resistance to attack from acids and to provide a crack and holiday free cement lining, a calcium alumina cement is used to line the article. A plasticizer such as fireclay is added to the calcium alumina cement prior to its application. The cement lined article is then coated with an asphaltic based coating and then cured in a high humidity environment.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for use with a fuel pump filler gun having in sequence a barrel, a head, and a handle, includes a protective body. The protective body has an outer shell surrounding at least a portion of the filler gun. The outer shell is hard in order to resist scratching, absorb the initial impact, and distribute the forces. The protective body further has a plurality of energy-absorbing pads distributed around an inner surface of the outer shell. The protective apparatus further includes means for attaching the protective body to the filler gun or to a boot covering a portion of the filler gun.

Abstract: In a core assembly, a stretchable sleeve capable of recovering toward an initial unstretched configuration is supported on a hollow core. The core includes a plurality of structural elements connected by a plurality of linking elements that extend transversely of the structural elements. A mechanism is provided and connected to the distal end of the core whereby the core can be withdrawn from the sleeve in its axial direction by manipulating the mechanism allowing the sleeve to return to the initial unstretched configuration.

Abstract: An air conveying duct has a foam core sealed on the inside and reinforced on the outside. The duct absorbs noise and neither introduces impurities into the air nor collects impurities from the air.

Abstract: A cylindrical structure suitable for use as a drainage culvert made from the side walls of discarded motor vehicle tire casings. The side wall sections are stacked and bonded in axial alignment so that the concave face of each of the next adjacent side wall faces the convex face of the next adjacent side wall. One end face of the structure is thus concave and the other end face is convex so that the cylindrical structure can be placed in close alignment with the concave end face of one cylinder in close abutting contact with the convex end face of a second cylinder. Wide kerfs are cut in selected side walls between the outer rim of the side wall and the inner rim so that the selected side walls can expand or contract during banding to provide a rather uniform opening in the cylinder. The kerf also allow the cylinders to weep when water is being conducted therethrough.

Abstract: An insulative cover piece for insulating a pipe of a P-trap drain piping assembly located under a sink comprises an elongated body formed of a flexible insulating material configured for being positioned over the pipe. A longitudinal slit formed in the body defines opposing edges so that the body is spreadable along the slit. A fastening structure is connected to the body proximate an edge on a side of the slit and the fastening structure is operable for engaging the other edge on the other side of the slit to span across the slit and hold the edges together to effectively close the slit without the need for a plurality of separate and difficult-to-manipulate fasteners.

Abstract: A retainer (10) for holding and protecting a sewer hose for a recreational vehicle is provided. The retainer (10) has an elongate hollow tubular body portion (20) with a flat base (40) attached to a bottom end (23) of the body portion (20). A cap (50) is removably attachable to a top end (22) of the body portion (20). Drain holes (34) provide for ventilation between a hollow interior region (36) of the body (20) and the environment surrounding the retainer (10). Bores (48), (58) pass through the base (40) and the cap (50) to allow for thorough ventilation of the hollow interior region (36) of the body portion (20). The body portion (20) is provided with a width which is less than a width of the sewer hose (H). The base (40) and removable cap (50) are provided with a width which is greater than a width of the sewer hose (H). Hence, the sewer hose (H), when it is located upon the body portion (20) of the retainer (10), is prevented from falling off of the body portion (20).

Abstract: The height adjustable standpipe includes multiple, cylindrical, coaxial drain sections of gradually diminishing cross section. The sections preferably alternate between brass and PVC plastic, and have grooves adjacent the ends of the PVC sections for retaining O-rings that serve as gaskets between the two adjacent sections. Thus, for example, a PVC section would preferably have one or two peripheral grooves on the outer surface near the end that passes inside of the next adjacent brass section, and the same PVC section would have one or two peripheral grooves on the inner surface near the opposite end, through which passes another brass section. Each of these peripheral grooves includes a rubber O-ring seated therein and projecting therefrom to form a water-tight seal with the adjacent surface of the brass section engaged by that end of the PVC section. A travel stop mechanism is employed to limit the travel of the sections of the adjustable standpipe with respect to one another.

Abstract: Components of the fuel delivery device can be connected with each other or with the internal combustion engine (14) by the fuel line (16). The fuel line (16) is embodied as a pipe and is fastened on a connector (20). The pipe (16) has a contact bead (36) on its exterior circumference near the connector (20). By severing the pipe (16), it is possible to create a new connector by its rest (16a), which has the contact bead (36) and remains on the connector (20), on which it is possible to again fasten a new fuel line, for example in the form of a flexible hose. The preparation of the pipe (16) with the contact bead (36) makes the easy removal of the fuel line or of the components connected therewith possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for joining flexible tubular members. The connector has a cylindrical body having an outer diameter and at least one circumferential recess. At least one barb member is positioned and retained at least partially in the recess. The barb member has first and second ends with at least one of the ends having a diameter which extends beyond the outer diameter of the tubular body. The first end has a diameter which is greater than that of the second end and a rigid edge for engaging a flexible tubular member. The barb member provided with the connector can resist pull-off of the tubular member from the connector. The present invention also relates to a method for forming such a connector.

Abstract: A pipe coupling includes first and second coupling shells, each of which shells define a semicircular cross-section, and first and second longitudinal flanges, and wherein the shells are hingedly coupled together about the respective first longitudinal flanges. Fasteners secure together the second longitudinal flanges to enclose two longitudinally-spaced sections of pipe with a generally cylindrical housing. The first coupling shell further defines a port extending radially therefrom into which a grommet is preferably disposed. The grommet defines a normally-closed aperture for passing a needle therethrough for injecting a chemical, such as a disinfectant, into fluid, such as water, in the pipe.

Abstract: The external shape of a pipe wall is formed of sectionally rectangular wall portions and sectionally circular wall portions which are disposed alternately in an axial direction of the pipe, and the internal shape of the pipe wall is formed into a substantially linear circular-cylindrical surface. The whole of the pipe wall is formed of a material of synthetic resin or rubber.

Abstract: In a wire harness protector, a pipe wall has a structure in which wall portions rectangular in section and wall portions circular in section are disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction, a cutting line used for insertion of the wire harness and passing substantially centers of flat sides of the sectionally rectangular wall portions is formed over the entire length of the pipe wall, and the whole of pipe wall is formed of synthetic resin or rubber.

Abstract: A duct connection system for use in a dryer ventilation duct system includes a pair of duct members that are joined together in overlapping relationship, and a connection joint for holding the duct members together. The connection joint includes a plurality of dimples projecting from an end portion and arranged circumferentially around one of the duct members for frictionally contacting another end portion of the other duct member. The end portions may be the ends of straight-walled duct components, or may be sleeves forming part of universal elbow sections, corrugated ducts, etc. The dimples extend either inwardly or outwardly from the end portion of the one duct member depending on whether the one duct member is received in or extends over the other duct member to frictionally engage and hold the duct members together. Each dimple includes a first frusto-conical crush zone integrally formed with the one end portion, and a second conical crush zone radially spaced from the first crush zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable conduit, which includes two retaining brackets, two adapters, a sliding pipe, two elastic retainers, two dust covers, bolts and two O-rings. The sliding pipe penetrates through hollow adapter at each end. Bond the adapter to the retaining bracket with an O-ring and bolts. A dust cover is nested on the front of the adapter, an elastic retainer is set in the adapter for fill the gap between the sliding pipe and the interior surface of the adapter. The sliding pipe can be adjusted to an appropriate length or angle due to the motion of earth crust or a great changing of temperature is happened while it is placed underground, also prevents from silt or dust seeping into the pipe, without affect the quality of the stored liquid.

Abstract: A synthetic resin corrugated pipe includes a pipe wall having an annularly- or helically-shaped convex-concave surface. The convex-concave surface has a plurality of convex portions having a quadrangular cross-sectional shape and a plurality of concave portions having a circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A pipe repair clamp especially for subsea offshore work has two half-shells held together around the pipe by two sets of diametrically opposite interlocking formations comprising in each set a series of abutments integral with a half-shell and a series of hooks integral with the other half-shell. The abutments are arranged in a castellated formation and provide first surfaces opposed to and engaged by second surfaces provided by the hooks. The half-shells have opposed abutting longitudinal faces with a longitudinal seal between each two abutting longitudinal faces extending along the half-shells. The longitudinal seals at their ends seal against 180.degree. seals at each end of the clamp, each 180.degree. seal being at an end of a respective half-shell. An annular gap 18 between the clamp 10 and the pipe is fillable with repair grout.

Abstract: An article, for example a pipe, has a first covering such as a polymer layer, and a second covering, such as a repair patch or a repair deposit of melt-on adhesive or a wrap or a sleeve protecting a welded joint between two lengths of such pipe. The second covering may have a functional coating on an underside which is applied on and is at least partially superimposed over the first covering. A cured deposit of thermoset resin is applied at least over the edges of the second covering, for example in the form of a fibrous tape impregnated with a curable resin composition, and bonds to the first and second coverings. The resin deposit provides the second covering with increased stability against displacement laterally of said first covering, for example as a result of soil stress.

Abstract: A flexible self-supporting plastic core 10 has an outer protective hose 12. The core is made up of a number of back-to-back male members 13 and back-to-back female members 14 and has two end connectors 15 and 16. The members 13 and 14 fit end to end to form fluid-tight ball and socket universally rotatable joints therebetween.

Abstract: A modular cable protection system which is intended to protect electrical cables, fluid hoses and data cables from externally caused physical or mechanical damage. The modular protective components may be detachably interlocked with other structural components so as to form a suitably sized cable protection system. The components may be constituted of molded plastic material of high rigidity and strength, and are adapted to be selectively joined to other components as required to provide the necessary protective array in a simply assembled and decorative manner which not only fulfills the desired protective tasks but which is also authentically pleasing in appearance.

Abstract: The luer adapter of this invention includes a barbed portion having a generally cylindrical distal portion, a generally conical portion, a generally cylindrical portion and a generally outwardly tapered proximal portion. The shape of the barb is substantially the same as the shape of the lumen at the proximal end of a catheter but is slightly larger radially and slightly shorter axially than the proximal portion of the lumen. This ensures that when the barb is inserted into the proximal portion of the lumen the luer adapter is positively locked to the catheter.

Abstract: A duct for gas flow applications is provided with a replaceable insulating duct liner that can be axially inserted into and removed from a tubular shell of the duct. Preferably, the replaceable insulating duct liners comprise fibrous and/or cellular insulation materials. Duct systems using duct sections with replaceable insulating duct liners can be maintained by removing duct sections from the system; removing the replaceable insulating duct liners from the duct sections; inserting new replaceable insulating duct liners into the duct sections; and replacing the duct sections into the duct system.

Abstract: Discharge pipe for discharging hot substances, which discharge pipe consists of an outer pipe, and an inner pipe placed coaxially inside the outer pipe, the inner pipe and the outer pipe enclosing a space, which is filled up with insulating means. The insulating means consist of a first layer (7) of compressible material surrounding the outside of the inner pipe (3), and a second layer (6) of concrete with very good thermal insulating properties which surrounds the first layer (7) and is surrounded by the outer pipe (2). The inner layer (7) consists of compressible material with high thermal insulation properties, such as ceramic wool. The discharge pipe is made up of several lengths of pipe (1), the successive lengths of pipe being fixed to each other by means of fixing means (13), and a compressible layer (12) of material with good thermal insulating properties, being placed between the contact faces of two successive lengths of pipe.

Abstract: A shaping member for the finishing of junctions for "Climaver Plus" type glass wool piping comprising a unitary flat plate of bendable material which can be folded into sections to form a shape such that the shaping member can be placed at the junction of two glass wool elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible extension conduit, in which a basic unit includes a joint base, two joints, two ball valves, a sliding pipe, two dirt covers, a flat pipe, two damping collars and two embedded retainers, and so on. Therein the embedded retainer is placed in the caulking groove of the ball valve so that the caulking groove of the embedded retainer catches the catching rim in the caulking groove of the ball valve. The sliding pipe is put in the ball valve and welded a thrust collar at the smaller end to limit the sliding range of the sliding pipe in the ball valve, and the combined ball valve is located in the spherical bearing consisting of the joint base and the joint. When the earth crust moves or the temperature gets a great changing, the dirt cover can prevent the sand and the soil from seeping in, and the conduit can change the length and bend an angle in each section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making pipes made of a plurality of axially juxtaposed discarded vehicle tires wherein several batches of vehicle tires are sequentially compressed against one-another for forming long pipes of discarded tires. In one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic mandrel having a first and second spaced apart compactor plates mounted thereon for compacting a batch of vehicle tires therebetween. A plurality of grabbing jaws mounted on the telescopic mandrel at an intermediate position between the compactor plates grabs and retains the batch of tires in a compressed mode against the second compactor plate, while the telescopic mandrel is extended for loading a second or subsequent batch of vehicle tires thereon. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided several spacer strips on the telescopic mandrel for holding vehicle tires of the same rim size in alignment with the telescopic mandrel.

Abstract: An insulative cover assembly for insulating a P-trap drain piping assembly comprises a unitary body including a first section and a second section joined together at a third section, the first section having an body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end, and the second section having a body configured to cover a pipe and having a first end. The third section couples second ends of each of the first and second sections together and comprises a structurally weakened area therein which is manually separateable for forming first and second cover pieces from said unitary body. The ends of the separated first and second sections further include structurally weakened areas for trimming the lengths of the sections during installation whereby the piping assembly is quickly and efficiently covered and insulated generally without the need for special installation tools.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinders includes at least two adjacent connection branches which are interconnected by collection pipe sections having an expansion compensating bellows for accommodating differential thermal expansion therebetween and a gas flow guide pipe structure which extends into the bellows. At least one of the collection pipe sections comprises a multi-layered pipe wall with which the expansion compensating bellows is integrally formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a clean air duct (150) includes the steps of providing at least two tubular bodies (152, 156) having at least one open end (153, 157), each said open end having an annular ring (168, 168a) which terminates at an inwardly extending lip (166, 166a); closing an injection mold (210) around each annular ring; injecting a polymeric material into the injection mold to form a cuff (160) around the annular rings, thereby connecting the tubular bodies to form an air duct; opening the injection mold and, removing the air duct from the injection mold. Clean air ducts (10) for interconnecting an air filter to a throttle body comprise a blow molded tubular body (12) with at least one open end (14,16), the open end having an annular ring (72) which terminates at an inwardly extending lip (86) and, connecting means (30) molded around and secured to the annular ring, and the lip.

Abstract: A leaching system (10) includes arched leaching chamber sections (12) and an angled adapter (18) connected adjacent chamber sections at a 22.5.degree. angle. The adapter includes a first portion (122) having sidewalls (140, 142) spanned by a vaulted portion (144) and a female end collar (126). A second end portion (124) has sidewalls (140, 142) spanned by a vaulted portion (144) and a male end collar (130). The first and second end portions are connected at an arched, vertical ridge (136). The adapter connects the leaching chamber sections in a nonlinear configuration to curve the leaching system to follow contours and avoid obstacles.

Abstract: An article, for example a pipe, has a first covering such as a polymer layer, and a second covering, such as a repair patch or a repair deposit of melt-on adhesive or a wrap or a sleeve protecting a welded joint between two lengths of such pipe. The second covering may have a functional coating on an underside which is applied on and is at least partially superimposed over the first covering. A cured deposit of thermoset resin is applied at least over the edges of the second covering, for example in the form of a fibrous tape impregnated with a curable resin composition, and bonds to the first and second coverings. The resin deposit provides the second covering with increased stability against displacement laterally of said first covering, for example as a result of soil stress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a hollow plastic product is provided. In accordance with one aspect, into a mold half having a tubular groove portion and a projecting groove portion which projects outwardly from the tubular groove section is supplied a parison into the tubular groove portion and a clump of molding material into the projecting groove portion. When blow molding is carried out by introducing a pressurized gas into the parison, the clump becomes integrated with the parison thereby providing a hollow plastic product of unitary structure. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a parison extrusion nozzle is provided with at least two passages each of which is connected, preferably through a valve, to a corresponding dispensing unit for dispensing a desired molding material. A control unit is provided as connected to each of the dispensing units to control the supply of molding material so that there is obtained a parison having regions of different molding materials.

Abstract: In this method a short pipe element (2) with a radially outwards directed bead (3) at its end rim (4) is inserted into a pipe, and a radially outwards directed bead (7, 8) is rolled in the other end (5) of the pipe element (2) and in the pipe (1), such that the pipe element is fixed inside the pipe. The pipe element (2) may before insertion into the pipe be provided with at least two radially outwards directed beads (9, 10), causing the pipe element after insertion to be tightly clamped and fixed inside the pipe, and the pipe element (2) may over a part of its outer surface be coated with a sealing material (13).

Abstract: A joint construction for connecting a flexibly bendable angle section of an endoscopic insertion rod with an anteriorly and/or posteriorly located section of the insertion rod, including a line-wrapping layer formed on a fore end portion of a resilient outer skin layer of the angle section at a joint with the adjoining section, and a rigid cover ring fitted on the line-wrapping layer for protective purposes. The rigid cover ring is externally tapered or gradually thinned down in its front and rear end portions to provide front and rear bevel surfaces.

Abstract: A wooden tube made up of tubular layers of wood veneer and the method of making it in which the various tubular layers are made from flat sheets of wood veneer having the grain in one layer extending longitudinally and the grain in an adjacent layer extending circumferentially of the tube so that the grain in adjacent layers extend transversely of each other with all joints extending in the direction of the wood grain being edge to edge butt joints and all joints extending transversely to the wood grain being interlocking finger joints and with adjoining tubular layers being bonded to each other to form a unitary tube.

Abstract: Trunking, in particular trunking for electrical apparatus, includes a body with inwardly directed lips and a cover adapted to be snap-fastened to the lips. The trunking further includes a cover jointing member extending transversely between the lips of the body to cover the end of the cover. At one end at least it is provided with a latch for locking it to the respective lip of the body.

Abstract: A tubular supporting element for supporting an elastic sleeve for covering a junction of cables which is provided with a wall which has a groove or incision directed according to a helical line and which has a radial depth from the outer surface of the supporting element less than the radial thickness of the supporting element. The incision has a mouth at the outer surface of the supporting element with a width of less than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.05 mm, so as to provide a strip between the incision having a substantially rectangular cross-section. Also, a process and an apparatus for making the tubular supporting element.

Abstract: Pieces of thermal insulating molded rubber are configured to conform to under-sink piping, so as to provide protection against burn injury from contact with hot surfaces. The pieces are telescopically and interengaged with one another at selected relative orientations, to cooperatively enclose a P-trap assembly, and the piece covering the J-bend is formed with a protrusion to accommodate clean-out structure provided thereon.

Abstract: A one-piece body of thermal insulation comprises a first component having valve-covering and pipe-covering portions, and a second, perpendicular component for covering the water-supply tube. An integral cover component on the forward end of the valve-covering portion is displaceable for access to the valve handle, and can be secured in its closed position.

Abstract: Rectangular sheet metal duct sections with integral outwardly-and-rearwardly formed end flanges are conventionally made from coiled strip metal to lengths provided by the width of the coil stock, ordinarily slightly less than five feet. As is common practice, outward-and-reverse facing flanges are formed on both ends of each wall of the duct section. The spaces between the flange ends at the corners of the duct section are filled by heavier cornerpieces having arms projecting at right angles. Crimping the outstanding flanges over the corner arm portions completes a duct section. According to the present invention, a linear array of embossed surface portions is formed in the duct wall close to each outwardly projecting flange portion and beneath its reverse-facing portion.

Abstract: An improved flexible multi-duct conduit system for housing and protecting subterranean fiber-optic cable comprises matable sections each having an outer casing and a plurality of inner ducts for carrying the cable. An rubberized inner duct coupler is provided at one end of each section for aligning and sealing the inner ducts of adjacent sections when the sections are joined together end-to-end. An outer casing coupler for coupling and sealing the outer casings of adjacent joined sections comprises a cylindrical collar that extends around the ends of two adjacent sections. Sealing gaskets disposed between the outer casing ends and the collar insure against ingress of moisture and other corrosive subterranean elements into the outer casings. The inner ducts are bendable and the outer casings are formed with corrugated exterior surfaces so that the entire system, when assembled in the field, can be bent about an arc to accommodate turns and the like.

Abstract: An improved pipe section is disclosed for installation into a subsea pipeline. A pipe section in accordance with the present invention provides a length of pipe having a pipe wall and at least a first bearing shoulder projecting circumferentially outward from the pipe wall whereby the pipe section may be handled by supporting the pipe section from the first bearing shoulder during installation. The first bearing shoulder also prevents propagation of buckling failure in the subsea pipeline constructed from such pipe sections and the first bearing shoulder remains available for pipeline retrieval operations in the event of localized failure in the subsea pipeline.

Abstract: A fastener has a head component with a channel in which are engaged bosses of a member to be secured, which bosses cooperatively form a passage for receiving the fastener. A tail component of the fastener is used for threading it through the apertures, and may thereafter be broken away to leave an inobtrusive body component, which may be released by rotating it about its axis.

Abstract: A cornerless slip-on flange system for duct connections. The system utilizes flange pieces to form a frame at the end of a duct section without the use of connectors at the corners of the flanges, the frames of two sections being used to join the two ducts sections together. The flange pieces each have a male end and a female end with the male end of one flange piece being inserted into the female end of the adjacent flange piece at each corner to form the frame. The frames can then be installed on the ends of the ducts to be joined and fastened together by inserting suitable fasteners through preformed openings in the flange pieces.

Abstract: An immersion tube for a cyclone has a plurality of rings stacked atop one another and connected to one another. Each ring is comprised of a plurality of plate-shaped segments. The plate-shaped segments of one ring are suspended under the force of gravity from the plate-shaped segments of another ring positioned above said one ring for connecting the segments of each ring to one another. Each segment has contact surfaces for connecting each segment of the one ring to the segments of the other ring positioned above said one ring, wherein the contact surfaces comprise first inclined planes facing outwardly with respect to the immersion tube. Preferably, the contact surfaces comprise also second inclined planes facing inwardly with respect to the immersion tube.

Abstract: A device for joining trays includes a transverse portion and a sheetlike buttstrap. The transverse portion is flush with a transverse end edge of a lid section of a tray and engages the side walls of a base section of the tray by end walls which may be provided with projections or with hook-shaped legs. The transverse portion has retaining holes and is provided with a center tab extending longitudinally and which is covered by the lid section. The sheetlike buttstrap covers the transverse portion of the device and the part of the lid section covering the center tab. The sheetlike buttstrap is provided with resilient protuberances mating with the retaining holes.

Abstract: A flange (33) which can be connected to a length of pipe which is to be renewed (1a) and which comprises a series of separable disc-shaped elements individually constituted by a plurality of parts. Sealing-tight gaskets are interposed with a clamping effect between two element parts and between two adjacent disc-shaped elements. By way of a terminal flange element (33e) it is possible also to place at the end of the flange a monitoring device or a counter-flange (77) for guiding a casing pipe (35). The flange may be dismantled when casing is completed.

Abstract: This modular element has several conduits disposed side by side, each pair of adjacent conduits being interconnected to form a rigid or flexible unit, each conduit has a male end and an opposite female end, the latter for joining with the male end of an aligned conduit of an adjacent modular element. The several conduits of a first modular element can therefore be simultaneously extended by the several conduits of a second modular element by simultaneously joining the female and male ends of the elements. These elements can be in the form of panels to be joined together to form, for instance, a solar panel or a floor covering with a circulating heat transfer fluid through the conduits. The conduits may also serve as protected passages for underground electrical wires. The conduits may be provided with sprinkler holes to water plants.