Patent ID: 7213618

Claim:
Components for constructing a fluid manifold assembly having a plurality of separate fluid-flow pathways, where the manifold assembly is designed to be carried on a support, and to hold a plurality of fluid components in fluid communication with said pathways, said components comprising: a plurality of pipe modules which form said fluid-flow pathways and which each includes an elongate pipe section and two or more connectors, each connector having a proximal end section joined in fluid communication with the elongate pipe section and a distal end section terminating at a collar, a plurality of block modules which can be placed together with one another and with said pipe modules to form the fluid manifold, where each block module provides: (i) at least one groove formed therein, such that when two block modules are placed together, confronting grooves in the two modules form an opening in which a connector in a pipe module can be received, (ii) an upper surface region adjacent each groove, such when two block modules are placed together, confronting surface regions define a support surface for supporting the collar of a pipe module having a connector received in said opening, and (iii) structure for mounting said fluid components on said joined blocks, and for mounting said joined blocks on said support, wherein said pipe modules are supported in the fluid manifold by their collars contacting the support surfaces formed by the block modules, allowing block or pipe modules to be removed and replaced without removal of adjacent block or pipe modules.