Patent Publication Number: US-11655918-B2

Title: Modular support system for plumbing connections

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/834,576, entitled “MODULAR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PLUMBING CONNECTIONS”, and filed Mar. 30, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/023,619, entitled “MODULAR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PLUMBING CONNECTIONS”, and filed Jun. 29, 2018, which claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/527,885, entitled “MODULAR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PLUMBING CONNECTIONS” and filed Jun. 30, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to fluid system support structures. More particularly, it is directed to a modular system for supporting water supply and drain lines for connection with fluid handling devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The plumbing system that delivers water and provides drainage in residential and commercial buildings includes hot and cold water supply lines and drain lines. These lines are generally installed in the spaces or stud bays between the vertical framing members, or support studs, within the building walls. The lines may also be installed in similar spaces, or joist bays, between the floor joists below the floors. Once the walls and subfloors have been installed, the supply and drain lines are both invisible and inaccessible, except at designated access points. These access points are positioned at locations where fixtures such as faucets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, icemakers, and the like are to be connected to the supply and/or drain lines. At these locations, branches of the water supply and drain lines are typically brought together and connected to an open-front housing enclosure, or utility box, that is inset into a wall within the stud bay. Such housings provide the plumber with a convenient port to access the supply and drain lines and make up the connections with the fixture. They also provide protection for the connections. Following connection of the fixture, the open front of the housing can be closed with a removable cover or face plate to dress the opening. This allows future access in case it is necessary to shut off the water supply to the fixture for repair or replacement, or to clear the drain line. 
     Such utility housings include openings for entry of hot and/or cold water supply lines and a drain line. They are generally sized to provide sufficient space for up to three such lines as well as to accommodate shut-off or stop valves for the supply lines. Each housing is fastened in place within the wall space by attachment to the side of a stud. Alternatively, a housing may be connected to a pipe support bracket that is attached to and extends transversely between a pair of studs. 
     Previous utility boxes included supply and drain line openings in the top and bottom walls. Attachment structures were provided on the sides to enable connection of the side of the box to a stud or to a clip that could be attached to a stud or bracket. These boxes allowed entry of the supply lines only from above or below, although some allowed the supply lines to be located to the left or right of the drain line. Improved boxes were later developed to split the supply and drain lines between two boxes. This design enabled the supply and drain lines to be positioned in separate boxes, which could be mounted on opposite sides of a single stud. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,511 discloses a supply laundry box and a drain laundry box, the sidewalls of which are joined by a U-shaped clip that fits over a stud and extends down its sides, deep into the wall cavity to support the sides of the box. 
     Such connection clips extend far into the stud cavity and the requisite attachment structure on the housing necessitates correspondingly deep boxes. The box attachment structure also blocks the sidewalls from receiving water supply and drain lines, thereby restricting entry of these lines to the top and bottom walls of the box. In addition, the attachment structures on the sides of the box must be mounted in a vertical orientation in order to engage the connection structures on the legs of the clip. This feature prevents rotation of the boxes and makes plumbing installation more cumbersome. The configuration of such boxes also prevents connecting the boxes to each other in a stacked, vertical orientation, with supply and/or drain lines entering from the side. 
     It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems by providing systems and methods for supporting water supply and drain lines for connection with fluid handling devices. In one implementation, a modular support system for plumbing connections includes a frame having a frame body with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of flanges extend outwardly from the outer surface of the frame body. Each of the plurality of flanges has a forward surface. A plurality of rail assemblies are disposed about the outer surface of the frame body. Each of the plurality of rail assemblies include a first rail and a second rail. A connector is engageable to the frame independent of an orientation of the frame. The connector has an connector body. A slide assembly is disposed on the body of the connector, and the slide assembly includes a first boxway and a second boxway. A receipt of the first rail in the first boxway and the second rail in the second boxway forms a sliding joint between the frame and the connector. A tab is attached to the connector body at an attached end and extends to a free end such that the tab subtends an acute angle with the connector body in a projecting position. A contact by an adjacent flange of the plurality of flanges along a length of the tab during a forward movement of the connector body towards the frame body along the sliding joint displaces the tab in an inward direction towards the connector body. The tab automatically moves to the projecting position upon a cessation of the contact along the length of the tab during the forward movement. The free end of the tab contact the forward surface of the adjacent flange when the connector and the frame are in a locked position, and the locked position prevents rearward movement of the connector body away from the frame body. 
     Other implementations are also described and recited herein. Further, while multiple implementations are disclosed, still other implementations of the presently disclosed technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative implementations of the presently disclosed technology. As will be realized, the presently disclosed technology is capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a plurality of exemplary modular support systems with connectors attaching the frame units to each other or to a stud or to a horizontal bracket as single units, pairs and triple units in side-by-side relation, in vertical stacked orientation, and on either side of a stud. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a frame unit for use alone or with an optional housing assembly to form a frame and housing unit. 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevation of the frame unit of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an alternate frame unit for use without a housing assembly and including an optional, apertured face cover. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a housing assembly for use with the frame unit of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a connector unit in accordance with the modular support system. 
         FIG.  7    is an enlarged top plan view of the connector unit of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a side elevational view of the connector unit of  FIG.  6    with parts broken away to show the rail assembly channels. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the modular support system with a connector block positioned for engagement of the slide assembly with the frame rail assembly. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view similar to  FIG.  9    with the connector and frame fully engaged and the connector guide engaging the frame rail web and the tabs engaging the frame flanges. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a connector unit configured for use with a conventional bracket. 
         FIG.  12    is a top plan view of the connector unit of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a connector unit configured for use with a sliding bracket. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a connector unit configured to include an integral bracket member. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a combination unit including a supply line aperture on one wall panel of the housing assembly. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of an alternate combination unit including a drain aperture with drain collar on one wall panel of the housing assembly. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of a frame extension unit. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a trap adapter gasket. 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of a stop valve cover. 
         FIG.  20    is a side elevation of a cover unit. 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of a debris cover. 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view of a louvered cover. 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of a frame-type cover for a frame unit. 
         FIG.  24    is a side elevation of the frame-type cover of  FIG.  23   . 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view of a debris cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a greatly improved modular support system for providing access to a plumbing line such as a water supply line or drain line for supplying water or drainage to a plumbing fixture. The system includes an open frame unit, a connector block, and an optional housing assembly for attachment to the frame unit. The connector block is configured to fit in front of a residential or commercial framing stud in the space normally occupied by wallboard, paneling, or other finished wall material. The frame unit is configured to fit substantially or entirely in front of a stud and to include connector engagement structure on all four sides. The optional housing assembly is configured to include frame connector engagement structure on all four walls, so that it can be rotated during installation for positioning of apertures to receive one or more supply lines from above, below, or from either or both sides. The connector may be mounted in front of a wall support member to connect a pair of units on either side of a stud. Two or more connectors may be used to connect two or more units in vertical relation to the side of a stud or to connect a first unit to the side of a stud and a second unit in transverse relation to the first unit. In one aspect, the connector may be used to connect two or more units below a support bracket connected between a pair of studs or to connect two or more units in side-by-side relation between upper and lower support brackets connected between a pair of studs. 
     The frame unit includes four shallow walls or sides connected in a generally rounded square configuration with an outstanding mounting flange at each corner. A rail assembly is connected to the outer surface of each side and includes a pair of generally parallel linear rails connected at their forward ends by a web positioned at the forward margin of the side. The generally L-shaped rails each include a leg connected to the wall and an outstanding flange transversely connected to the leg. The sides of the frame unit may include attachment structure for connection with a housing assembly. The frame may include a face cover plate, which may be apertured. 
     The connector block includes a front wall and first and second opposed sidewalls, at least one of which includes a linear slide assembly including first and second spaced boxways with a guide portion between. The boxways are configured to receive the L-shaped rails to cooperatively form a sliding joint between the frame and the connector. The boxways each include keeper plate structure that serves as a stop to constrain lateral movement of the rails out of the slide assembly. The connector block also includes third and fourth opposed sidewalls, each having an angularly projecting tab connected adjacent the front wall. The tab is configured to incline toward its respective sidewall during sliding forward travel of the connector boxways on the rails. The tab is also configured to return to its angularly projecting position after it slides past the corresponding housing corner flange. In its projecting position, the ends of the tab contact the forward surface of the flange to constrain rearward travel of the connector. The guide between the boxways contacts the rear surface of the rail web when the connector and housing are fully engaged, the rail web thereby constraining further forward travel of the connector on the rails. 
     The optional housing assembly includes four wall panels connected to form a circumscribing wall having four housing corners. The forward portion of each wall panel includes attachment structure for connection with a frame unit. At least one of the wall panels includes at least one supply or drain opening. The housing assembly may optionally include a rear wall. In another aspect, a frame unit and housing assembly may be of unitary construction to form a combination frame and housing unit. 
     In another aspect of the connector block configured for use with a bracket, the system may include a connector having first and second opposed sidewalls, the first sidewall having a pair of spaced boxways with a guide between, the boxways configured to receive a respective pair of rails on any one of the sidewalls of a housing unit. The second sidewall has a stepped configuration including a pair of slots for receiving one or more fasteners. The connector includes third and fourth sidewalls, each equipped with a tab configured to contact a corresponding housing flange and constrain rearward travel of the connector when the connector and housing units are engaged. 
     In another aspect, the connector includes an attached bracket member that extends transversely from one sidewall of the connector. The attached bracket may be used to connect multiple frame units in lateral spaced relation to each other with the first and last frame units attached to the front of a stud. 
     Generally, the presently disclosed technology provides a modular support system for plumbing connections includes a frame unit, a connector block that fits entirely in front of a support stud, and an optional housing. The frame includes four equilateral sides, each including a rail assembly. The connector includes a pair of opposed sidewalls, each having a pair of boxways that can receive the rails on any side of a frame unit to form a sliding joint between the frame and connector. A second pair of opposed sidewalls each include flexible tabs that engage frame corner flanges to prevent rearward disengagement of the connector from the frame. The housing includes structure for connection with the frame. The housing can be rotated for connection with the frame to receive vertical or horizontal plumbing lines. Connectors can connect the frame units in vertical or horizontal relation, or on either side of a building stud, or to brackets. 
     The presently disclosed technology thus generally provides a modular housing system that includes connectors that can be mounted entirely at the front of a conventional wall stud, that includes housing members that can be rotated to receive supply and/or drain lines from the top, bottom, left and/or right sides, and that can be interconnected either horizontally or vertically to one or more similar systems, to a support member, or to either side of a support member. The presently disclosed technology involves a connection of frame units in a variety of selectable orientations, locations, and/or positions. For example, a plumbing bracket may mount valves, fittings, or piping through outlets in the form of frame units that are cubed or otherwise symmetrical for iterative and modular application in various positions, such that plumbing lines can come from any of a top, a bottom, a first side, or a second side. In another example, the presently disclosed technology may be applicable to a lavatory system where an open frame unit is connectable in series with other frame units and configured to receive a soft flexible elastomer flange. The flange is removable from the frame unit and plumbing install where the flange may be installable with a frame escutcheon that keeps the flange attached to the frame unit via a friction connection with the escutcheon attached to an internal dimension of the frame unit. These and other advantages will be apparent from the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to the drawing figures, a modular support system  1  for plumbing connections is shown in  FIG.  1    in association with hot and cold water supply lines  2  and  3 , and drain lines and pipes  4 . The system  1  is configured for positioning within a residential or commercial framed wall having vertical support members or studs  5  constructed of dimensional lumber or metal. Conventional flat support brackets  6  or channel-shaped sliding support or power brackets  7  may also be connected to the studs  5  in transverse relation for supporting the system  1  between studs. Stop valves  8 , having handles  9  may be connected with the water supply lines  2  and  3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 4  and  6 - 8   , the modular support system  1  includes a frame unit  11  and a connector unit or block  12  which may be used to connect the frame unit  11  to another frame unit in either vertical or side-by-side relation or to connect two frame units on either side of a stud. The frame unit  11  may be a frame, box, or similar structure. A plurality of connector blocks  12  may be used to interconnect more than two frame units in vertical and/or side-by-side relation, or with one or more frame units on either side of a stud. An optional apertured housing assembly  13  can be connected to the frame unit  11  and selectively oriented or rotated so that its apertures are positioned to receive previously installed vertical or horizontal supply lines and/or drain lines within the stud bay. 
     In more detail, the frame unit  11  includes a circumscribing wall  14  having an equilateral configuration defining an open forward perimeter margin or face  15  defining an opening  18 . The wall  14  includes a forward wall portion or section  14   a  and a rearward wall portion or section  14   b , each having a respective outer surface  16   a  or  16   b  and a respective inner surface  17   a  or  17   b . The forward and rear wall sections  14   a  and  14   b  each include four corners  21 , which delineate four wall sections or sides  22 . The inner surfaces  17   a  and  17   b  of each wall section  22  includes a pawl  23  that is centrally located on the wall section adjacent the perimeter margin  15  of the frame  11 . The pawls  23  are centrally located along the margin for universal engagement of corresponding ratchet strip structures on a system modules or elements to be described. The corners  21  may be rounded as shown in the drawings, or they may form right angles, or they may be chamfered to form an eight-sided polygon. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the frame may be constructed to have any suitable overall configuration, provided four equidistant planar the wall sections  14   a  are provided having a size sufficient to accommodate a linear guide or rail assembly to be described. For example, the frame unit  11  could be generally octagonal, or it could be generally circular, with four equidistant facets tangent to the circular forward outer surface. 
     The outer diameter of the rear wall section  14   b  is sized to be slightly smaller than that of the forward wall  14   a , so as to form a step or seat  19  to receive the optional housing assembly  13 . Each rear wall section  14   b  includes engagement structure  25 , such as a catch, or pawl that is centrally located for universal engagement of corresponding connection structure on a housing assembly  13 . 
     The outer surface  16   a  of each forward wall section  14   a  of the frame includes a linear guide or rail assembly  26  that is configured for receiving a corresponding linear slide assembly  64  on a connector block  12  ( FIGS.  6 - 8   ) to cooperatively form a sliding joint  65  ( FIGS.  9 ,  10   ). between a frame unit  11  and a connector block  12 . Each guide assembly  26  is positioned centrally adjacent the forward margin  15  of a respective side  22  of the forward wall  14   a.    
     The guide assembly  26  includes a pair of first and second spaced apart linear rails  31  and  32  connected at their forward ends by a rail web or stop  33  that extends laterally outward from the face  15  of the frame. The rails project in raised fashion from the wall sections  22  and extend rearwardly from the web  33 . The length of the rails is sized for reception of corresponding parts of the connector block  12 . The legs each have a generally L-shaped configuration, including an outstanding first rail leg portion  34  and second rail leg portion  35  and a transverse first rail leg flange portion  36  and second rail leg flange portion  37  ( FIGS.  2 - 4   ) that extend parallel to the forward wall outer surface  16   a . The rails  31  and  32  are positioned on the forward wall  14   a  so that each pair of legs  34  and  35  extends rearwardly slightly inboard from the lateral edges of a respective rail flange and in parallel relation with each other. The first and second rail flanges  36  and  37  extend laterally from the sides of the respective legs  34  and  35 , with the forward end of each flange aligned with an outstanding corner of the web  33 . In this manner, the L-shaped profile of the legs  34  and  35  supports the web  33  along its width as well as along a portion of the length of its outer margin. The parallel legs of the rails form a channel  41  sized to receive a corresponding guide structure on the connector block  12 . 
     The frame unit  11  is equipped at each corner of the forward frame section  14   a  with an outstanding flange  42  that extends outwardly from the corner  21  and a preselected portion of each of the adjacent wall sections  22 . The flanges  42  are positioned a sufficient distance rearward of the frame face  15  to serve as travel stops for structures on a connector block  12  when the frame and one or more blocks are connected. The flanges  42  each include a pair of spaced apertures  43 , with each aperture positioned in spaced relation to a respective wall section  14   a.    
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , a cover piece or face plate  44  may be inset on the forward section  14   a  of the frame, in spaced relation to the front margin  15 . The cover plate  44  includes one or more apertures  45  that are sized for reception of a hot and/or cold water supply line  2 ,  3 , which may be connected to a stop valve  8  at the front of the plate as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6 - 8   , the connector block  12  has a generally square-shaped overall configuration including a front wall  51 , a generally open back  52 , which may include support ribs, first and second opposed sidewalls  53  and  54  and third and fourth opposed sidewalls  55  and  56 . The sidewalls are connected at four respective corners  61 . In one aspect, the connector block may also include a back wall. The block may also be of generally hollow or solid construction. The overall width of the blocks is sized to permit mounting on the front-facing surface of a standard wall support member or stud  5 , while engaging the guide rail assemblies  26  of adjacent frame units  11  positioned on either side of the stud. The overall depth of the blocks is sized to permit the block  12  to be coplanar with or slightly inset from the finished surface of a wall when the block is mounted on a support stud. Thus, for use with standard “2×4” dimensional lumber or conventional cold-formed sheet steel metal studs mounted with the nominal “2 inch” face or flange facing forward, the connector block  12  would be constructed to have a width between the first and second sidewalls  53  and  54  of from about 1.5 inches to about 1.625 inches. The width between the third and fourth sidewalls  55  and  56  may be slightly reduced to accommodate tab structures to be described. To achieve a coplanar or slightly inset mounting with respect to the finished wall, the block would be constructed to have a depth of from about 0.25 inch to about 0.75 inch, preferably about from about 0.5 inch to about 0.625 inches, still more preferably about 0.475 inches. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that connector blocks may be manufactured in a variety of preselected sizes for use with variously sized wall supports and wall finishes. The front wall  51  of the block may be constructed to include a pair of spaced apertures  62  for receiving fasteners to secure the block  12  to the forward face of a stud  5 . These apertures extend through support members or sleeves (not shown) on the connector back side  52 . In one aspect, the front wall  51  is constructed without apertures. 
     The connector block first and second sidewalls  53  and  54  each include a linear slide assembly  64  that is configured for engagement with any one of the linear rail assemblies  26  of a frame unit  11  to cooperatively form a sliding joint  65 . The linear slide assembly  64  includes pair of first and second sockets, or box guideways  66  and  67  located on respective first and second sidewalls  53  and  54 . Each of the boxways  66  and  67  has a generally L-shaped configuration, including a rail leg receiving portion  71  communicating with a rail flange receiving portion  72 . The boxways  66  and  67  are positioned in spaced apart, mirrored relation, with the rail leg receiving portions  71  opening outwardly in parallel relation on either side of a center guide  73  and the rail flange receiving portions  72  extending transversely toward the respective third and fourth sidewalls  55  and  56 . 
     The first and second boxways  66  and  67 , specifically the portions of the connector front wall  51  that extend between the rail flange-receiving portions  72  of the boxways  66  and  67  and the first and second sidewalls  53  and  54 , include respective keeper plate structures  74 . The keeper plate structures  74  each serve as a stop for a corresponding rail  31  or  32  and constrain against movement of the rails along a vertical Z-axis ( FIGS.  9  and  10   ) and consequent disengagement from the connector block  12  when the block is engaged with a frame unit  11 . The portion of the connector front wall  51  that extends between the boxways  66  and  67  forms the center guide  73 , which includes an indention  75  ( FIG.  6   ) that is sized to accommodate the rail web  33  to provide a coplanar relation between the center guide and the rail web when the connector is engaged with a frame unit  11 . 
     First and second tab structures  76  and  77  are connected with the respective third and fourth connector sidewalls  55  and  56 . Each tab includes a first end  78  and a second end  79 . Each tab subtends an acute angle with respective sidewall  55  or  56 , preferably an angle of from about 5° to about 15°, and more preferably an angle of about 10°, although other suitable acute angles may also be employed. The tabs  76  and  77  are constructed of a flexible material, such as a synthetic resin, that enables the tab second ends  79  to be urged against their respective sidewalls during connection of the connector block unit  12  with a frame unit  11 . Once the two units are connected, the tabs spring back to a resting position in which the tabs subtend an acute angle with their respective sidewalls. The length and width of the tabs  76  and  77  are sized to permit the second end  79  of each tab to engage the forward-facing surface of a corner flange  42  of a frame  11  unit. In this manner, the corner flanges  42  serve as stops for the second tab ends  79  to constrain rearward movement of the connector block  12  on the linear rail assembly  26  and consequent disengagement of the connector block  12  from the frame unit  11 . 
     An optional housing assembly  13  is shown in  FIG.  5    and includes an equilateral circumscribing wall  84  presenting an outer surface  85  and an inner surface  86 . An optional rear wall  87  may be planar, or it may be slightly bowed outwardly or convex. The wall  84  and optional rear wall  87  cooperatively define an enclosure or receptacle  88  presenting a forward perimeter margin or face  89  defining an opening  90 . The wall  84  includes four corners  94  which delineate four wall panels or sections  95 ,  96 ,  97  and  98  having equal width dimensions. The corners  94  may be rounded as shown, or they may form right angles, or they may be chamfered to form an octagon. The housing assembly  13  may be formed of a synthetic resin, fiberglass-reinforced synthetic resin, metal, or any other suitable material. The assembly is preferably of unitary construction, although in another aspect, the wall panels  95 ,  96 ,  97  and  98  and rear wall  87  (if present), are formed as discrete units interconnected to form the corners. Any or all of the four wall panels or the rear wall may be constructed to include one or a plurality of apertures sized to receive water and/or drain lines, valve fittings, or any combination thereof. 
     Each of the wall panels  95 ,  96 ,  97 , and  98  includes engagement structure  103 , such as an aperture, catch or pawl that is centrally located on the panel adjacent the housing face  89 , and is sized, shaped, and positioned for registry with corresponding engagement structure such as pawls  23  on a frame unit  11 . 
     One or more of the wall panels  95 ,  96 ,  97 , and  98  includes at least one aperture  104  that is sized to receive a supply line  2  or  3  ( FIG.  15   ) or a pair of supply lines. One or more of the wall panels may alternately, or also, include an aperture  105  that is sized to receive a drain line or pipe  106  ( FIGS.  5  and  16   ). The aperture  105  may also be equipped with a drain collar  106 . Because each wall panel is constructed to include an identical frame connection aperture  103 , none of the wall panels are predesignated as a “top” “bottom” or side wall. Thus, the wall panels may be constructed to include any arrangement of one or more supply and/or drain apertures, which may be covered by knockout seals or plugs that can be selectively removed to accommodate the desired type and number of lines. Advantageously, the housing assembly  13  may be rotated prior to installation to position the apertures to receive hot and cold supply lines  2  and  3  from above, below, laterally from one or both sides, or any combination thereof. 
     The housing assembly  13  may be constructed to include either one or two supply line apertures  104  in any one or any combination of wall panels  95 ,  96 ,  97  and/or  98 , to enable both hot and cold supply lines  2  and  3  to enter the enclosure  88  through opposed wall panels  95  and  97  or  96  and  98  or to enter the enclosure orthogonally, through adjacent wall panels  95  and  96 , or  96  and  97  or  97  and  98  or  98  and  95 . Similarly, a housing unit may be constructed to include a drain aperture  105  through any one of the wall panels  95 ,  96 ,  97  or  98 , either alone in combination with a hot and/or cold supply line. 
     In one aspect, the frame unit  11  may be constructed to include truncated or clipped frame unit flanges  42  on one side. As shown in  FIG.  16   , the frame unit and housing unit  13  may be connected with the clipped flanges  42  and drain line aperture  105  positioned for installation adjacent a drain line  4  to allow greater gripping access to the drain collar  106  when for making up the connection between the drain collar  106  and a drain line  4 . 
     In this manner, a housing assembly  13  may be constructed, to include hot and cold supply line apertures positioned on respective opposed wall panels  95  and  97  or  96  and  98  and a drain line aperture on a respective adjacent wall or its opposed wall panel  96  or  98  or  95  or  97 . Alternatively, the hot supply line aperture may be positioned on any wall, the cold supply line aperture may be positioned on any other wall panel, and the drain line aperture may be positioned on any other wall panel. Alternatively, both hot and cold supply line apertures may be positioned on the same wall panel  95 ,  96 ,  97 , or  98  and a drain line aperture on any other wall panel. Alternatively, one or both hot and cold supply line apertures and a drain line aperture may be positioned on the same wall pane  195 ,  96 ,  97  or  98 . Still further alternatively, the supply line apertures may be positioned alone or together on any of the housing assembly wall panels of a first combination frame unit and housing assembly and the drain line may be positioned on any of the housing assembly wall panels of a second combination frame unit and housing assembly  13 . 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    illustrate alternate embodiments of a connector block  200  for use in connecting a frame unit above or below a conventional bracket  6 .  FIG.  13    illustrates an alternate embodiment of a connector block  201  for use in connecting a frame unit above or below a sliding bracket  7 .  FIG.  14    illustrates an embodiment  202  of a connector block for use in connecting a frame unit with the end of a bracket. 
     The connector blocks  200  and  201  of the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  11 - 13    include some structures similar to those of the connector block  11 , which are identified with corresponding numbers in the  200  series. The connectors each include a front wall  251 , a back  252 , and first and second sidewalls  253  and  254 . The first sidewall  253  includes a linear slide assembly  264  including boxways  266 . The third and fourth sidewalls  255  and  256  include corresponding first and second tabs  276  and  277  configured to cooperate with any of the linear rail assemblies of a frame unit to form a sliding joint  65  ( FIGS.  9 - 10   ). 
     Unlike the connector block embodiment  11  previously described, the second sidewall  254  of connector blocks  200  and  201  does not include a linear slide assembly. The front wall  251  lacks apertures for receiving fasteners, and terminates a short distance behind the linear slide assembly  264  components for orthogonal connection to the second sidewall  254 . A generally L-shaped flange  280  is connected in outstanding orthogonal relation to the base of the second sidewall  254 . The flange  280  includes a first leg  281  that is generally parallel to the front wall  251  and a second leg  282  that is generally parallel with the second sidewall  254 . The first leg  281  includes a pair of spaced apart apertures  283  for receiving fasteners for fastening the connector  200  or  201  to a bracket  6  or  7  as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  11    the second leg  282  of flange  280  is sized to have a shallow depth to accommodate a depth of a generally planar conventional bracket  6 . A return or pair of returns  284  extends from the end of the second leg  282  in generally parallel relation to the first leg  281  of the flange  180 . In combination with the first and second legs  281  and  282 , the return  284  forms a generally U-shaped hook structure  285  for receiving the top edge of a bracket  6  or  7  and holding the connector  200  or  201  in place on the bracket. A shown in  FIG.  13   , the second leg  282  may be sized to have a depth sufficient to accommodate the three dimensional configuration of a generally U-shaped sliding bracket  7 . 
     The hook structure  285  enables sliding engagement of the connector  200  or  201  along the top edge of a bracket to a desired position where it can be fastened in place, and it also serves to constrain the connector against forward movement away from the bracket. The aspects of this connector blocks  200  and  201  enable one or more housing units to be connected from above or below with one or more brackets  6  and/or  7  for positioning of the frame units  11  at selectively spaced intervals within a wall. 
     In another aspect shown in  FIG.  14   , a combination connector-bracket member  202  is configured substantially as described, except that the generally L-shaped flange  280  is replaced by an integral bracket member  291  connected in outstanding orthogonal relation to the base of the second sidewall  254 . The bracket member  291  has a generally planar overall configuration and includes spaced apart apertures  292  for receiving fasteners for connection of the bracket portion  291  to a support member  5 . The bracket member  291  may be trimmed to a desired length, thereby enabling connection of one or more frame units in selectively spaced apart horizontal relation to a support member  5  and/or to each other within a stud bay. 
     The modular support system  1  also includes structures or modules designed for connection with the frame unit by engagement with the pawls  23  on the inner surface of the forward wall sections  14   a.    
       FIG.  17    illustrates a frame extension unit  110  having a circumscribing wall  111  defining an opening  112  and including an outer surface  113 , an inner surface  114  and wall sections  115  that are sized and shaped for reception through the frame opening  18 . The outer surface  113  of each wall section  115  includes ratchet strips  116  positioned adjacent the rear margin thereof for engagement with the frame pawls  23 . When the extension unit  110  and the frame  11  are engaged, the extension unit wall  111  extends beyond the frame margin  15  and folds over to form an expanded lip or collar  117 . The rear margin of the collar  117  rests against the linear rail webs  33  at the forward margin  15  of the frame unit  11  when the extension unit  110  and frame unit  11  are engaged. In this manner, the collar  117  serves as a stop against further rearward movement of the extension unit  110  into the frame  11 . The inner surface  114  of each wall section  115  includes a catch or pawl  118  that is positioned centrally adjacent the fold margin for universal engagement of corresponding ratchet strip structure with other elements of the system. 
     Stub waste lines are installed during rough plumbing and are often imperfectly aligned for connection with the outlet of a P-trap drain fitting for a lavatory or sink. Damage to the stub may occur during finish installation within the confines of a stud bay.  FIG.  18    illustrates a trap adapter gasket  122  configured for engagement with the extension unit  110 . The gasket  122  is constructed of a flexible, elastomeric material such as rubber, silicon, or a synthetic resin to provide a snug, adjustable connection between a drain stub and a P-trap outlet. The gasket  122  includes a tubular sleeve  123  having a rear opening  124  that is sized for snug reception of a P-trap outlet. At its forward end, the sleeve  123  is orthogonally connected to a front wall member  125  that extends outwardly from a front opening  126  of the sleeve. The front wall  125  has an overall shape corresponding to that of the frame extension unit  110 . At its outer perimeter, the front wall  125  is orthogonally connected to a circumscribing sidewall  127  that defines a forward opening  128  The sidewall  127  extends forwardly and folds over to form an expanded lip or collar  129  having a generally U-shaped, rearward facing open channel or groove  130 . The channel is sized for reception of the collar  117  of a frame extension unit  110  in covering relation 
     In use, ( FIG.  1   ) the flexibility of the gasket unit  122  allows the channel  130  to be easily aligned with and slipped over the frame extension collar  117 . The gasket collar  129  snugs the gasket  122  against the collar  117  of the frame extension unit  110 . The flexibility of the gasket  122 , particularly the sleeve  123  and front wall  125  cooperate to allow easy installation of the gasket over the drain stub and manipulation of the P-trap to connect to the stub. The flexibility of the gasket  122  also serves to bridge any misalignment between the P-trap outlet and the position of frame opening  18 . The frame can be fitted with a frame cover, or, if the installation is positioned within a cabinet and not visible, the cover can be omitted and the gasket collar  129  and front wall  125  used as an escutcheon to trim the gap between the wall surface and the frame unit  11 . The gasket unit  122  is removable and replaceable. 
       FIGS.  19  and  20    illustrate a stop valve receiving cover  134  for the opening  18  of a frame unit  11  that allows a stop valve  8  and handle  9  to be mounted outside the frame unit for easy access, while closing off the frame unit opening  18 . The cover  134  includes a circumscribing sidewall  135  having an outer surface  136 , an inner surface  137  and wall sections  138  that are sized and shaped for reception through the frame perimeter margin  15 . The outer surface  136  of each wall section  138  includes ratchet strips  139  positioned adjacent the rear margin thereof for engagement with the pawls  23  of a frame unit  11 . A moulding  140  extends outwardly from the forward margin of the sidewall  135  to cover any space remaining between the finished wall and the frame unit  11 . A cover or face plate  141  is connected to the forward margin of the sidewall  135  over the frame opening  18 . The cover plate  141  includes a first aperture  142  that is sized for reception of a supply line  2  or  3  for connection to a stop valve  8  on the exterior of the face plate  141  ( FIG.  1   ). A second, smaller second aperture  143  is positioned in spaced relation to the central aperture  142  and is sized to accommodate the stem of a handle  9  for stopping the flow of water to the valve  8 . The apertures  142  and  143  are particularly well suited to accept valve fittings for mounting a valve outside the cover plate  141 , such as the fittings described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/529,264 for Plumbing Fitting Assemblies 
       FIG.  21    illustrates an access cover unit  148  for covering the opening to an unused housing a finished wall. The access cover  148  is identical to the stop valve cover  134  previously described and illustrated in  FIGS.  19  and  20    except that it includes an intact cover plate  149  that is of generally planar construction, without any apertures or openings. This enables the access cover unit  148  to completely cover the frame unit opening  18  as well as any gaps between the frame unit  11  and the finished wall. 
       FIG.  22    illustrates a vented cover unit  152 . The vented cover  152  is identical to the cover units  134  and  148  previously described, except that the cover plate  153  is constructed to include a series of louvers  154 , which provide ventilation while dressing the frame unit opening  18  and covering any gaps between the frame unit  11  and the finished wall. 
       FIGS.  23  and  24    illustrate an escutcheon-type cover unit  158 . The unit  158  is similar to the cover units  134 ,  148  and  158  previously described, except that the cover plate is absent. The circumscribing sidewall  159  is connected to a moulding  160  that extends outwardly to cover any gaps between the frame unit  1  land the finished wall, and the unobscured sidewall  159  defines an opening  161  through which any plumbing stub outs in the wall cavity can be viewed. 
       FIG.  25    illustrates a debris cover unit  164  for protecting the frame opening  18  against debris, for example, during finishing of the surrounding wall surface. The debris cover unit  164  includes a circumscribing sidewall  165  having an outer surface  166 , an inner surface  167 , and wall sections  168  that are sized and shaped for reception though a frame unit opening  18 . The outer surface  166  of each wall section  168  includes ratchet strips  169  positioned adjacent the rear margin thereof for engagement with the pawls  23  of a frame unit  11 . When the debris cover unit  158  and the frame  11  are engaged, the debris unit sidewall  165  extends slightly beyond the frame unit margin  15  and folds over to form a rolled edge or collar  170 . The cover unit  164  has the overall general configuration of a divided tray, including a flat center panel  172  extending from opposed portions of the sidewall  165  adjacent the forward collar  170  and defining a pair of recessed areas  173  on either side. The recesses each include a rear wall  174 . The center panel  172  and the rear walls  174  cooperatively serve to close off the rear margin of the unit sidewall in much the same manner as a cover plate, while facilitating gripping of the cover unit  164  during insertion and removal. 
     In use, a worker selects components of the modular support system  1  for positioning as desired, either in vertical relation on one or both sides of a wall support member  5 , in horizontal relation on one or both sides of a stud, in multiples in side-by-side relation between two studs, or in multiple spaced relation between two studs. 
     A user may install a pair of frame units  11  with linear rail assemblies  26  in vertical relation by first determining the location of the supply line or lines  2  and  3  or the drain line  4  to be connected with the frame unit  11 . The user selects a connector unit  11  with a pair of linear slide assemblies  64  and orients the connector unit so that the slide assemblies  64  are vertically oriented for engagement of the lowermost slide assembly  64  with a linear rail assembly  26  on any forward wall section  14   a  of a frame unit. The user next positions the front of the connector behind the back of the frame unit so that the connector boxways  66  and  67  are aligned with the rearward extending linear rail assembly  26  as shown in  FIG.  9   . The user next urges the connector toward the frame unit until the rails  31  and  32  are received within the boxways  66  and  67  to form a sliding joint  65  and the tabs  76  and  77  begin to compress against the edges of the flanges  42  as shown in  FIG.  9   . The user continues to urge the connector forward along the sliding joint until the connector center guide  73  contacts the rear surface of the rail web  33  and the ends of the tabs clear the flanges  42 , at which point the compressed tabs spring back to their original positions away from the third and fourth sidewalls  55  and  56  of the connector  12  and the user may hear an audible click ( FIG.  10   ). Advantageously, the user may install the frame unit  11  at a location where a fixture is to be connected without regard to whether the supply and/or drain lines  2 ,  3  are horizontal or vertical or whether both lines originate from the same direction, opposite directions, or orthogonally, since lines from all directions within the stud bay will be behind the frame unit  11 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , once a respective frame unit  11  and a connector block  12  are fully engaged, the legs  34  and  35  and flanges  36  and  37  of the rails  31  and  32  are constrained by the keeper plate structure  74  against sideways movement along the lateral Y-axis, which might disrupt the tabs  76  and  77  from their stops  33  and cause movement away from the housing along the vertical Z-axis to separate the frame unit from the connector. The rail web  33  serves as a stop, constraining the center guide  73  against forward movement of the connector along the X-axis, which extends from front-to-rear of the frame unit  11 . The frame unit flanges  42  serve as stops constraining the second ends  78  and  79  of the tabs against rearward movement of the connector unit along the X-axis. The frame unit and housing assembly are thus securely locked together without the use of fasteners and are constrained against disengagement along either the X, Y or Z axis. 
     A user may also connect a housing assembly  13  to a frame unit  11  to form a combination unit  107  by aligning the forward perimeter margin  89  of the housing with the rear section  14   b  of the frame. The then user urges the frame unit  11  and housing assembly  13  toward each other until the housing assembly sidewall  84  slides over the frame wall rear section  14   b  in telescoping relation. Continued urging together of the frame and housing causes the frame connection apertures  103  of the housing to slide over the pawls  25  in the frame rear section  14   b  and brings the housing assembly margin  89  into contact with the seat  19 . In this manner, the frame unit and housing assembly are engaged, with the pawls  25  and apertures  103  cooperating to constrain rearward movement of the housing  13 , and the seat  19  constraining forward travel of the housing past the pawls. The frame and housing may be disengaged at any time by use of a tool, such as a screwdriver to release the pawls  25  from the apertures  103 . 
     The user may install the combination unit  107  by rotating it until housing supply line aperture(s)  104  and/or a drain line aperture  105  are presented on one or more sides of the housing assembly corresponding to the direction of the plumbing lines. As an example, if two units are to be mounted in vertical relation with hot and cold supply lines entering the upper unit from the left, and a drain line connected from below the lower unit, the user will select a housing assembly  13  with a pair of supply line apertures  104  for use with a frame unit  11  to make up the upper combination unit  107  and a frame assembly  13  with a drain line aperture  105  with a frame unit  11  for use to make up the lower combination unit  107 . 
     The user rotates the first combination unit  107  equipped with supply line apertures until the housing assembly portion  13  is positioned with a pair of supply line apertures  104  on the left for use as an upper unit. The user rotates a second combination unit having a housing assembly with a drain line aperture  105  until it is positioned as shown in  FIG.  5   , on the lower side of the unit. The method of engagement of the two combination units  107  with a connector block  11  having a pair of linear slide assemblies is the same as previously described. The units may then be positioned with corresponding pairs of frame flanges in overlapping relation on the stud and fasteners may be inserted to fasten the flanges onto the stud. 
     While connection of the frame units  11  or combination frame and housing units  107  prior to attachment of the units to the stud has been described, it is foreseen that the frame units or combination units may be attached to the connector blocks  12  and to each other and to the studs in any order selected by the user. For example, the upper frame unit or combination unit and connector may be joined before connection of a lower frame unit or combination unit. Alternatively, one frame unit or combination unit may be connected to the stud, then joined to a connector and the other frame unit or combination unit may be joined to the connector and then fastened to the stud. It is also foreseen that three or frame units or combination units or any combination thereof may be joined in vertical relation to a stud. A user may also install two frame units, two combination units, or a frame unit and one combination unit in vertical relation by selecting an alternate connector for a bracket or power bracket as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 12  and  13    for attachment of a first unit to a bracket  6  or power bracket  7  as described and attaching the second unit using a connector unit  12 . The bottom end of the second unit may be connected to a second bracket or power bracket using an alternate connector as described above. It is also foreseen that a combination frame and housing unit may be of unitary construction, obviating the need for connection. 
     A user may also install two units, including frame units and/or combination units in horizontal relation by selecting a pair of units, rotating any selected combination units until the supply and/or drain apertures are oriented to correspond with the positions of the supply and/or drain lines, and interconnecting the units with a connector  12  as previously described. Because the connector is sized to fit within the space occupied by a finished wall element, a connector may be mounted entirely on the face of a stud. If the supply and/or drain lines are positioned on either side of a stud, the units may be correspondingly connected on either side of the stud by inserting fasteners through the central apertures in the connector block and into the stud. If the supply and/or drain lines are positioned on one side of a stud, a second connector may be joined as previously described to the corresponding side of the housing to be positioned adjacent the stud, and the second connector  12  may be joined to the stud using fasteners through the connector central apertures. 
     A user may also install three or more units including frame and/or combination units in side-by-side relation using connectors as previously described to connect the units to each other and using additional alternate connector units as previously described to connect the units at the top, or the top and the bottom, to a top bracket or power bracket or to top and bottom brackets or power brackets. 
     A user may also install several units including frame and/or combination units in spaced-apart horizontal relation using alternate side brackets as shown in  FIG.  14    to connect the units a desired distance apart. The units need not be equidistant, as the length of the brackets may be selectively trimmed to achieve any preferred spacing. Such spaced-apart connected units may be connected to a stud at one side, or they may be connected with two units on either side of a stud and a third unit connected to one of the units, or they may be connected to a bracket or power bracket. 
     Because each of the frame front wall sections  14   a  includes identical linear guide assembly structure  26 , the frame unit  11  has no designated “top,” “bottom,” or “side” wall. In this manner, a supply line  2  or  3  or drain line  4  or combination of lines may be accessed via the frame opening  18  from above, below or either side of the frame unit. 
     A user may also install the frame units or the combination units prior to the rough-in plumbing installation, since the housing assembly  13  can be disengaged and rotated to orient the supply line openings in to accept the supply lines  2  and  3  from above, below, left or right. 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of the modular housing system for plumbing have been illustrated and described herein, the system is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.