Patent ID: 8327879
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A manifold, comprising: a manifold body comprising first and second modules, each module comprising opposing top and bottom faces, a side face, and at least one end face, and defining a module chamber therewithin, wherein the first and second modules are joined end to end and cooperate to form a first manifold body side face that extends the length of the adjoined modules and to define a manifold chamber; a plurality of ports formed through the manifold body side face and communicating with the manifold chamber; a plurality of adapters, each adapter having a manifold engagement portion and an attachment engagement portion, the manifold engagement portion configured to sealingly and releasably engage one of the ports; and a first elongate cladding releasably attached to the first manifold body side face, the cladding spanning at least one port of each of the adjoined first and second modules, the cladding having an aperture positioned to correspond with a respective one of the ports and being sized to accommodate the manifold engagement portion of an adapter extending therethrough; wherein the manifold body and attached cladding cooperate to define a pocket therebetween at or adjacent each port, wherein each adapter has a lock surface and each adapter is sized so that there is a space between the lock surface and the cladding when the adapter is engaged in the port, and a locking member is releasably disposed in the pocket so as to be interposed between the cladding and the lock surface.