Connector arrangement, sheet member arrangement and modular assembly comprising thereof

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a connector arrangement, sheet member arrangement and assembly comprising thereof. In an embodiment, the connector arrangement includes annular utility conduit (1), a sheet member (2) and a key (3). The sheet member (2) includes a calenderable portion (24), a first arc-shaped connector (22a) and a second arc-shaped connector (22b). A modular assembly (100) includes the utility conduit (1) and sheet member (2).

Description

[0001] CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT, SHEET MEMBER ARRANGEMENT AND MODULAR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THEREOF

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a connector arrangement and a sheet member arrangement for facilitating the assembly of objects or structures using sheet material. The present invention also relates to a modular assembly comprising the connector arrangement and sheet arrangement.

[0004] Background of Invention

[0005] Plastics products have high utility and possess characteristics that make them desirable as a material choice. Plastics materials are generally lighter than metals and glass, making transportation easier and more energy-efficient. They are also resistant to corrosion, moisture, and impact, which extends their lifespan and reduces the need for frequent replacements. They may also be molded into virtually any shape or form, allowing for a wide range of applications.

[0006] While this is so, the above benefits are diminished when using plastics material as a material for constructing large structures, for example, large plastics pipes which possess more than 1 m in diameter. When part diversity and complexity increases, the cost required to produce diverse and complex plastics components increase as specialised dies and tools are required to produce components with complicated profiles.

[0007] Further, large sized plastics components require solutions to allow safe transportation so that the component arrives at its destination undamaged. Because of this, less components can be transported in a single trip and this limits the usefulness of using plastics material as a construction material.

[0008] As such, there is a need for a solution that addresses the above problems and improves ease of construction of standard and non-standard structures. Summary of Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a connector arrangement, which comprises an annular utility conduit having a hollow region at center of the utility conduit and at least two greater arc- shaped connectors formed on an outer surface of the utility conduit, wherein each of the greater arc-shaped connectors include a plurality of notches formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector. A lesser arc-shaped connector is formed at an end of a sheet member wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector, wherein the hollow region is configured to receive a utility line.

[0010] In an embodiment, the greater arc-shaped connectors include a plurality of notches formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector and the connector arrangement further comprises a key fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector, wherein the key is configured to have a cross-sectional area mating with cross-sectional area of the lesser arc-shaped connector so as to restrict rotational movement of the lesser arc-shaped connector and wherein the key includes a projection fittable into one of the plurality of notches.

[0011] In an embodiment, the greater arc-shaped connector is oriented such that middle portion of the greater arc-shaped connector is tangential to outer surface of the utility conduit.

[0012] In an embodiment, the greater arc-shaped connector defines a major arc having a central angle of 240°.

[0013] In an embodiment, the lesser arc-shaped connector defines a major arc having a central angle of 270°.

[0014] In an embodiment, the utility conduit and sheet member are made of plastics material.

[0015] In an embodiment, the plastics material is acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, cellulose acetate butyrate, high impact polystyrene or glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate.

[0016] In an embodiment, the utility line is a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a sheet member which comprises a calenderable portion integrally formed with the sheet member wherein the calenderable portion is deformable to alter lateral length of the sheet member, a first arc-shaped connector formed on an end of the sheet member and a second arc-shaped connector formed on an opposite end of the sheet member. In an embodiment, the first arc-shaped connector is a lesser arc-shaped connector formed on an end of the sheet member and the second arc-shaped connector is a greater arc-shaped connector formed on an opposite end of the sheet member wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector.

[0018] In an embodiment, the sheet member is made of thermoplastics material.

[0019] In an embodiment, the thermoplastics material is acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0020] In an embodiment, the sheet member further comprises conduit members disposed on a side of the sheet member.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a modular assembly which comprises an annular utility conduit having a hollow region at center of the utility conduit and at least two greater arcshaped connectors formed on an outer surface of the utility conduit, and a sheet member having a calenderable portion integrally formed with the sheet member and a lesser arcshaped connector formed at at least one end of the sheet member wherein the lesser arcshaped connector is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector, wherein the sheet member is reshapeable to a required shape, width or length, and the lesser arc-shaped connector is rotatable within the greater arc-shaped connector such that angle of connection between the lesser arc-shaped connector and greater arc-shaped connector is varied throughout length of the utility conduit.

[0022] In an embodiment, each of the greater arc-shaped connectors include a plurality of notches formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector and the modular assembly further comprises a key fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector wherein the key is configured to have a cross-sectional area mating with cross-sectional area of the lesser arcshaped connector so as to restrict rotational movement of the lesser arc-shaped connector and wherein the key includes a projection fittable into one of the plurality of notches.

[0023] In an embodiment, the hollow region is configured to receive a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device.

[0024] In an embodiment, the sheet member is reshapeable by cutting and fusing the sheet member to a required shape. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary or preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It should be understood, however, the disclosed preferred embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention. Therefore, the figures disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 a shows an illustration of an annular utility conduit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 b shows an illustration of another annular utility conduit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 shows an illustration of a sheet member connected to the annular utility conduit shown in Figure 1 a.

[0029] Figure 3 shows an illustration of an arrangement of a greater arc-shaped connector, a lesser arc-shaped connector and a key according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4a to 4b show exemplary sheet members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4c shows another exemplary sheet member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 5a and 5b show exemplary pipes which may be formed from any of the sheet members shown in Figures 4a and 4b.

[0033] Figure 6a shows an illustration of a sheet member and utility conduits which may be joined together to form a modular assembly.

[0034] Figure 6b shows an illustration of a first assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 7a to 7d show how a sheet member may be reshaped to enable a tubular assembly having openings of two different sizes to be created.

[0036] Figure 7e shows an illustration of a second assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows an illustration of a third assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 shows an illustration of an assembly made up of different segments with dissimilar cross-sectional profiles.

[0038] Figure 10 shows alternative sheet members having a plurality of conduit members.

[0039] Figure 11 shows an exemplary pipe assembly which includes an alternative sheet member shown in Figure 10.

[0040] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0041] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claim and for teaching one skilled in the art of the invention. The numerical data or ranges used in the specification are not to be construed as limiting.

[0042] A connector arrangement, being an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, will be explained with the aid of Figures 1 -3.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, a connector arrangement includes annular utility conduit (1 ), a sheet member (2) and a key (3). The connection system allows various sheet members (2) to be joined together so that assemblies or structures can be created from the joining of these sheet members (2).

[0044] In Figure 1 a, the utility conduit (1 ) includes a hollow region (11 ) formed at center of the utility conduit (1 ) and at least two greater arc-shaped connectors (12) formed on an outer surface of the annular conduit (1 ). In a non-limiting example, the utility conduit (1 ) has eight greater arcshaped connectors (12) as shown in Figure 1 a, however, to enable assemblies or structures to be formed by the joining of sheet members (2), at least to two greater arc-shaped connectors (12) are needed. By connecting sheet members (2) at appropriate locations, angle of connection between two different sheet members (2) can be varied. In an alternative embodiment, the utility conduit (1 ) is formed as an elongate component with a solid core, as shown in Figure 1 b. In a non-limiting example, the greater arc-shaped connector (12) is oriented such that middle portion of the greater arc-shaped connector (12) is tangential to outer surface of the utility conduit (1 ). Alternatively, the greater arc-shaped connector (12) may be oriented in a different manner so that different angles of connection between the utility conduit (1 ) and sheet member (2) may be achieved.

[0045] The hollow region (1 1 ) is configured to receive a utility line, which includes, but is not limited to a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device. Additionally, the hollow region (1 1) is capable of receiving any elongated object that can be fitted within the hollow region (1 1 ) such as a reinforcement bar or steel cable to allow the utility conduit (1 ) to form part of a fixed construction. Alternatively, the hollow region (11 ) can be configured to transport gas or liquid through modification to the hollow region (11 ) which will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Still alternatively, the hollow region (1 1 ) can be configured to be an illumination device through appropriate modification to the hollow region (1 1 ) which will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] In a non-limiting example, a gas-carrying or liquid-carrying pipe may be joined to the hollow region (1 1 ), and the gas or liquid is then transported through the hollow region (1 1 ). In another non-limiting example, the gas-carrying or liquid-carrying pipe is received by the hollow region (11 ) and the gas or liquid is transported by the pipe which is received by the hollow region (11 ). In another non-limiting example, an electrical wire or cable is received by the hollow region (11 ) and electricity is transported by the electrical wire or cable which is received by the hollow region (1 1 ). In another non-limiting example, a telecommunications wire or cable such as a fax, telephone, internet, or fibre optics cable is received by the hollow region (1 1) and telecommunication signals is transported by the telecommunications wire or cable which is received by the hollow region (11 ). In another non-limiting example, an illumination device such as a fluorescent tube or light emitting diode tube is received by the hollow region (1 1 ) and the hollow region (11 ) provides illumination via the illumination device.

[0047] Examples of objects that may be received by the hollow region (11 ) include, but are not limited to, steel wires, fibre optic cables, electrical wires, fluorescent tubes, light emitting diode “LED” tubes or strips, etc..

[0048] Moving to Figure 2, it can be seen that the sheet member (2) has a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed on the at least one end of the sheet member (2). The sheet member (2) may have lesser arc-shaped connectors (21 ) formed at opposite ends of the sheet member (2) so that different sheet members (2) may be joined together to form a structure or assembly. The lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is slidably fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) which is formed on the utility conduit (1 ). As both the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) are formed as arcs, angle of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) may be varied throughout a length of the utility conduit (1 ).

[0049] A key (3) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) to enhance connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ), as shown in Figure 2, so that connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arcshaped connector (21 ) is not easily undone. The key (3) is configured to have a cross-sectional area mating with cross-sectional area of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ).

[0050] Alternatively, the key (3) may be configured to fix and lock angle of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) such that angle of connection the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fixed throughout a length of the utility conduit (1 ).

[0051] Referring further to Figure 3, the key (3) includes a projection (31 ) fittable into one of the plurality of notches (13) formed on the inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12). This configuration allows the key (3) to restrict rotational movement of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ). Accordingly, the angles of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) are adjusted, and then locked in place by sliding the key (3) with the projection (31 ) on the key (3) so that the projection (31 ) enters an appropriate notch (13) located on inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12). As such, angle of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arcshaped connector (21 ) is fixed and the sheet member (2) and annular conduit (1 ) do not rotate freely with respect to each other.

[0052] In a non-limiting example, the greater arc-shaped connector (12) defines a major arc having a central angle of 240° and the lesser arc-shaped connector (1 1 ) defines a major arc having a central angle of 270°. As such, the angle of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) may be adjusted.

[0053] It is also possible to form the greater arc-shaped connector (12) such that the greater arcshaped connector (12) defines an arc having an opening that is just enough to correspond to thickness of the sheet member (2). This obviates use of the key (3) and the angle of connection between the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fixed without necessitating use of other components. The annular conduit (1 ) and sheet member (2) are made of plastics material. The plastics material may be opaque or transparent plastics material. Example of plastics materials are such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, cellulose acetate butyrate, high impact polystyrene or glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate.

[0054] An exemplary sheet member (2) arrangement, being another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with the aid of Figures 4a to 5b.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, a sheet member (2) comprises a calenderable portion (24) integrally formed with the sheet member (2). The calenderable portion (24) is calenderable to allow length or width of the sheet member (2) to be altered. Looking at Figure 4b, the lateral length of the sheet member (2) is increased after the calenderable portion (24) is calendered. The sheet member (2) also comprises a first arc-shaped connector (22a) formed on an end of the sheet member (2) and a second arc-shaped connector (22b) formed on an opposite end of the sheet member (2).

[0056] The sheet member (2) is made of thermoplastics material such as, but not limited to acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polytetrafluoroethylene. As thermoplastics material are malleable when sufficiently heated, this allows the calenderable portion (24) to be calendered so that width or length of the sheet member (2) may be increased. In a non-limiting example, the sheet member (2) is extruded as a singular elongate sheet which also includes the first arc-shaped connector (22a), the second arc-shaped connector (22b), and the calenderable portion (24). Thereafter, the calenderable portion (24) are calendered so that a required length of the sheet member (2) is obtained.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the first arc-shaped connector (22a) and the second arc-shaped connector (22b) are of equal size. In another exemplary embodiment, the first arc-shaped connector (22a) is a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed on an end of the sheet member (2) and the second arc-shaped connector (22b) is a greater arc-shaped connector (12) formed on an opposite end of the sheet member (2). As with the foregoing examples, the lesser arcshaped connector (21 ) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12).

[0058] While the calenderable portion (24) may be disposed with excess material being located on a side of the sheet member (2), in another exemplary embodiment, the calenderable portion (24) are disposed centrally at midline of the sheet member (2) such that excess material of the calenderable portion (24) protrude out of both sides of the sheet member (2), as seen in Figure 4c.

[0059] Referring further to Figure 5a and 5b, it can be seen that a pipe (200) may be formed out of the sheet member (2). Diameter of the pipe (200) may be altered by calendering the calenderable portion (24) such that lateral length of the sheet member (2) is increased. The lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fitted into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) so that both ends of the sheet member (2) are joined together form the pipe (22). In Figure 5b, two sheet members (2) are joined together to form the pipe (200) by fitting the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) from one sheet member (2) into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) from another sheet member (2). It would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that more than two sheet members (2) may be joined together to form the pipe (200).

[0060] The pipe (200) may be internally lined with material such as an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene lining which improves pressure rating of the pipe (200). An exemplary ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene lining is a hose made of the same which is capable of being expanded within the pipe (200). The pipe (200) then forms an external shell capable of holding its shape, while the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene lining is capable of withstanding high pressures, allowing high pressure fluid to be conveyed within the pipe (200) without requiring excessive sealing or waterproofing solutions to be applied onto the pipe (200).

[0061] An exemplary modular assembly (100), being another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with the aid of Figures 6a to 7e.

[0062] An exemplary modular assembly (100) comprises an annular utility conduit (1 ) and a sheet member (2). Referring further to Figure 1 , the utility conduit (1 ) includes a hollow region (1 1 ) at center of the utility conduit (1 ) and at least two greater arc-shaped connectors (12) formed on an outer surface of the annular conduit (1 ). With reference to Figure 2, the sheet member (2) has a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed at at least one end of the sheet member (2). The lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12).

[0063] As described in the foregoing, the sheet member (2) is reshapeable to a required shape or length and the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is rotatable within the greater arc-shaped connector (12) such that angle of connection between the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) and greater arc-shaped connector (12) is varied throughout length of the annular conduit (1 ).

[0064] Where angle of connection between the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) and greater arcshaped connector (12) is to be fixed throughout length of the annular conduit (1 ), a plurality of notches (13) may be provided on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and a key (3) with a projection (31 ) may be fitted into the greater arc-shaped connector (12).

[0065] With reference to Figure 4a, the sheet member (2) may include a calenderable portion (24) to allow the sheet member to be reshaped (2) to a required width or length.

[0066] By joining sheet members (2) and utility conduits (1 ) together, a modular assembly (100) as shown in Figure 6b may be obtained. In a non-limiting example, the modular assembly (100) is a pipeline that has a main central area (101 ) that may be used to convey a fluid such as water, while the utility conduits (1 ) may convey utility lines such as a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device within them.

[0067] Figure 7e shows another exemplary modular assembly (100) formed via the connector arrangement as described in the foregoing. The assembly (100) is constructed through the joining of various sheet members (2) and utility conduits (1 ).

[0068] As can be seen in the figure, the pipeline can be modified to have different circumferences at different ends of the pipeline. This is achievable by reshaping the sheet member (2) through cutting the sheet member (2) into an appropriate shape and welding the cut sheet members (2) together so that they can then be joined together using the annular conduits (1 ).

[0069] As can be seen in Figure 7a, sheet member (2) is divided into three parts (2x), (2y) and (2z). Part (2z) is cut out and removed, leaving behind part (2x) and (2y). Parts (2x) and (2y) are then fused together and the reshaped sheet member (2) is then connected to the utility conduit (1 ). Four reshaped sheet members (2) and four utility conduits (1 ) are joined to obtain the modular assembly (100) as seen in Figure 7e.

[0070] In a non-limiting example, the modular assembly (100) is a pipeline can be used for transporting any fluid or gaseous substance including but not limited to water, crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas and the like.

[0071] In another non-limiting example, Figure 8 shows the modular assembly (100) being configured as a bioreactor for the cultivation of algae which is kept in a suspension in the central area (101 ) in the assembly (100).

[0072] As can be seen in the figure, the bioreactor has a substantially oblong cross-sectional area. Sheet member (2a) which is at top of the bioreactor may be configured to be formed of a transparent plastics material with an ultraviolet, “UV” filter to limit amount of sunlight entering central area (101 ), while sheet member (2b) at bottom of the bioreactor may be configured to be formed of a plastics material without the UV filter. Additionally, annular conduit (1 a) may be configured to extract excess gas which builds up at central area (101 ) of the modular assembly (100) while annular conduit (1 b) may be configured to supply carbon dioxide which is then distributed into the central area (101 ).

[0073] In another non-limiting example, Figure 9 shows the modular assembly (100) which is made up of different segments (100a), (100b), (100c), (100d), and (100e). Each segment (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d and 100e) has a different cross-sectional profile and can be assembled by joining different sheet members (2) which are shaped accordingly to form the individual segments (100a), (100b), (100c), (100d), and (1 OOe).

[0074] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10, sheet members (2) may include conduit members (26) disposed on a side of the sheet member (2). These conduit members (26) may be utilised to carry utility lines such as gas conduits, liquid conduits, electrical conduits, a telecommunications conduit or any other type of conduit. The conduit members (26) may be formed as hollow members having a triangular cross-section, rectangular cross-section, circular cross-section or any other suitable shape.

[0075] Referring further to Figure 1 1 , an exemplary pipe (200) is constructed by joining sheet members (2) together. Sheet members (2) forming outer wall (201 ) of the pipe (200) do not have conduit members (26) while sheet members (2) forming inner wall (202) of the pipe (200) include the conduit members (26). As voids external to the conduit members (26) are present between the outer wall (201 ) and the inner wall (202), the voids may be filled with filler material (300) to improve strength of the pipe (200). Filler material (300) may be, but is not limited to expandable polyurethane, cement, concrete, or any other fluent material that is capable of setting inside the void.

[0076] The exemplary pipe (200) is able to carry liquid such as water within the main central area (101 ), while utility lines such as electrical conduits, telecommunication conduits and gas conduits may be carried within the conduit members (26).

[0077] Furthermore, the connection system may also be appropriately scaled up and used to construct large tubular structures including tunnel structures, subway structures, hyperloop tube structures and the like, capable of withstanding external differential pressure of about 30 bars and internal differential pressure of less than 10 bars.

[0078] The invention being thus described, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the embodiments as disclosed therein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims unless the claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

Claims1 . A connector arrangement, comprising: an annular utility conduit (1 ) having a hollow region (11 ) at center of the utility conduit (1 ) and at least two greater arc-shaped connectors (12) formed on an outer surface of the utility conduit (1 ) wherein each of the greater arc-shaped connectors (12) include a plurality of notches (13) formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12); and a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed at an end of a sheet member (2) wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12); wherein the hollow region (1 1 ) is configured to receive a utility line.

2. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein each of the greater arc-shaped connectors (12) include a plurality of notches (13) formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and the connector arrangement further comprises a key (3) fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) wherein the key (3) is configured to have a cross-sectional area mating with cross-sectional area of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) so as to restrict rotational movement of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) and wherein the key (3) includes a projection (31 ) fittable into one of the plurality of notches (13).

3. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the greater arc-shaped connector (12) is oriented such that middle portion of the greater arc-shaped connector (12) is tangential to outer surface of the utility conduit (1 ).

4. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the greater arc-shaped connector (12) defines a major arc having a central angle of 240°.

5. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector (1 1 ) defines a major arc having a central angle of 270°.

6. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the utility conduit (1 ) and sheet member (2) are made of plastics material.

7. The connector arrangement as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the plastics material is acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, cellulose acetate butyrate, high impact polystyrene or glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate.

8. The connection system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the utility line is a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device.

9. A sheet member (2), comprising: a calenderable portion (24) integrally formed with the sheet member (2) wherein the calenderable portion (24) is deformable to alter lateral length of the sheet member (2); a first arc-shaped connector (22a) formed on an end of the sheet member (2); and a second arc-shaped connector (22b) formed on an opposite end of the sheet member (2).

10. The sheet member (2) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the first arc-shaped connector (22a) is a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed on an end of the sheet member (2) and the second arc-shaped connector (22b) is a greater arc-shaped connector (12) formed on an opposite end of the sheet member (2) wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12).1 1. The sheet member as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the sheet member (2) is made of thermoplastics material.

12. The sheet member as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein the thermoplastics material is acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polytetrafluoroethylene.

13. The sheet member (2) as claimed in claim 9, further comprising conduit members (26) disposed on a side of the sheet member (2).

14. A modular assembly (100), comprising: an annular utility conduit (1 ) having a hollow region (1 1 ) at center of the utility conduit (1 ) and at least two greater arc-shaped connectors (12) formed on an outer surface of the utility conduit (1 ); and a sheet member (2) having a calenderable portion integrally formed with the sheet member (2) and a lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) formed at at least one end of the sheet member (2) wherein the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12); wherein: the sheet member (2) is reshapeable to a required shape, width or length; and the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) is rotatable within the greater arc-shaped connector (12) such that angle of connection between the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) and greater arc-shaped connector (12) is varied throughout length of the utility conduit (1 ).

15. The modular assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the greater arcshaped connectors (12) include a plurality of notches (13) formed on an inner surface of the greater arc-shaped connector (12) and the modular assembly (100) further comprises a key (3) fittable into the greater arc-shaped connector (12) wherein the key (3) is configured to have a cross-sectional area mating with cross-sectional area of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) so as to restrict rotational movement of the lesser arc-shaped connector (21 ) and wherein the key (3) includes a projection (31 ) fittable into one of the plurality of notches (13).

16. The modular assembly (100) as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the hollow region (1 1 ) is configured to receive a gas conduit, a liquid conduit, an electrical conduit, a telecommunications conduit or a lighting device.

17. The modular assembly (100) as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the sheet member (2) is reshapeable by cutting and fusing the sheet member (2) to a required shape.

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