Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for providing a pattern of pipes, tubes and/or cables within a volume that is to be included in a construction element such as a roof element, a ceiling element, a wall-element, a floor-element, or a room-element. The invention also relates to a system for providing a pattern of pipes, tubes and/or cables within a volume that is to be included in a construction element such as a roof element, a ceiling element, a wall-element, a floor-element, or a room-element.

Background of the invention

Almost everywhere in the world, there is a shortage of houses. This is partly a result of a growing population, and partly a result of the tendency to have less persons per cubic meter house. For addressing this problem of a shortage, it is a practical condition that houses can be built faster and for less costs. The footprint on the environment also needs to be considered. The energy needed to build a house needs to be drastically reduced.

Traditionally, at a building site formwork is built, often using a lot of wood. This requires delivery of wood and transport of skilled workers. Sometimes, reinforcement grids of steel need to be placed within the formwork, or the formwork is built to encase earlier installed reinforcement grids. In any case, also the reinforcement grids need to be delivered to a building site. Into that formwork flowable material is poured which over time hardens out to a concrete construction element, for instance of concrete. Once hardened out, the formwork can be removed.

In houses also much pipework needs to be present, for instance for flushing away water from bathrooms including toilets, or for instance guiding fresh and temperature-controlled air to compartments in the houses. Also tubes for delivering water into a house, as well as cables, for instance for delivering electricity and/or data for communicating, need to be present in newly built houses. Optical fibers are these days desirable for data transfer. Such optical fibers often extend through special tubes for bundling and protecting optical fibers. In buildings comprising large stackings of apartments, such tubes extend throughout the building up to entries of the apartments. Although this pipe-, tube- and cablework can all be installed after building the skeleton of the house, it is much more practical to incorporate these infrastructural aspects during the shaping up of the house.

During a known method of building a house, these pipes, tubes and/or cables are positioned in the formwork before concrete is poured in the formwork, so that this pipe, tubes and/or cable work is embedded in the concrete. It is also possible to have the cables drawn later through tubes which have been installed for that purpose. Again, the installing of pipes, tubes and/or cables requires transport to the building site. The same applies to the presence of other workers with different skills.

Another way of building houses relies on the use of so-called prefab elements. Concrete floors and concrete walls may typically be prefab elements. The term "prefab" stands for "pre-fabricated" and embraces a qualification of an element that has been made away of the building site and is then transported to the building site for assembling a house together. This saves energy and time.

The footprint of the building site can also be smaller than the one needed without the use of prefab elements. A method can be particularly advantageous when carried out at a site of a factory for making the solidifiable material that can be poured into formwork, and when on that very site the prefab elements are made. The present disclosure aims to facilitate and optimize this way of building as will be further explained below.

Summary of the invention

Disclosed is a method for providing a pattern of pipes, tubes and/or cables within a volume that is to be included in a construction element such as a roof element, a ceiling element, a wallelement, a floor-element, or a room-element. The method comprises:

- fixing positions and/or orientations of the pipes, tubes and/or cables relative to each other according to a pre-determined pattern that corresponds to the pattern in which the pipes, tubes and/or cables are to be positioned within a construction element;

- positioning the pipe, tubes and/or cables as fixed in positions and/or orientations relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern within the volume that is to be enclosed by the construction element. Advantageously, the method allows for a fast, reproduceable and highly automated way of producing a construction element that contains pipe-, tube-, and cable-work. The fixing of the pipe- , tube-, and cable-work, can be done at a position that is different and far away from a position of the formwork that is used for making the construction element. Furthermore, the formwork itself can be at a position that is different and far away from a building site. Hence, the method facilitates the production of "prefab" elements into which the pipe-, tube-, and/or cable-work is already present. This allows for upscaling and efficiency, bringing costs, time for building on a site, and impact on the environment significantly down. The method allows for better reproducibility, so that building houses in large numbers according to a tight schedule becomes possible, therewith meaningfully addressing the shortage of houses. As the fixing of the positions and orientations of the pipes, tubes and/or cables relative to each other according to a pre-determined pattern can be done at a location that is different from each building site, it is possible to carry out this step of the method at a location that is clean, ergonomically optimized, logistically optimized and subjected to quality control. This leads to high precision, well within the tolerances, excellent fitting and more independency of the skills of workers on the building site. Whereas on a building site usually an excess length and amount of pipe, tubes and/or cables are present to ensure that there is enough to continue with installing these also when unforeseen technical problems occur, the method according to the disclosure allows for accurately cutting length so that no excess of length needs to be ordered and then wasted. The houses built using such a method, can offer a guarantee to high standards for lower pricing whilst still being profitable. In essence, it contributes to the well-being of mankind on the planet, given that more rapidly high-quality houses can be built for affordable costs.

Where in this disclosure reference is made to "pipes, tubes and/or cables", this embraces at least one out of the following combinations: at least two pipes, at least two tubes, at least two cables, at least one pipe and at least one tube, at least one pipe and at least one cable, at least one cable and at least one tube. A pipe of which another pipe branches off, is considered to be at least two pipes. Likewise for tubes. Likewise for cables. Branching off may be the result of using suitable connectors.

In an embodiment, fixing positions and/or orientations comprises fixing the pipes, tubes and/or cables to a carrier. This ensures that the entirety of pipes, tubes and/or cables as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to a pre-determined pattern, remains more easily in the pre-determined pattern when positioning takes place within the volume that is to be included by the construction element. This has advantageous for the reproducibility and also the optimal use of pipes, tubes and/or cables. Less waste of pipes, tubes and/or cables is envisaged. In an embodiment, the positioning comprises transporting the carrier. This allows for standardizing the methods for positioning/transporting, on the basis of the carriers, whilst still allowing for different pre-determined patterns.

In an embodiment, the volume to be included in the construction element is included by forming or placing parts of the construction element with respect to the volume. In other words, the dimensions of the volume may be formed by the forming or placing of parts of the construction element, so that in the end the volume is included in the construction element. There is no inefficiency of fitting pipes, tubes and/or cables to match pre-dimensioned construction elements.

In an embodiment, the method also comprises undoing the fixing of the pipes, tubes and/or cables to the carrier. This makes it possible to not also incorporated the carrier in the construction element, so that only the entirety of pipes, tubes and/or cables as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to a pre-determined pattern, can be included in the construction element. Thus, the carrier is only used when needed. The strength and the dimensions of the construction element are not disadvantaged by a continued presence of the carrier in the volume. This optimizes dimensions of the construction element and the resulting strength. Less material for the construction element will be needed for obtaining required mechanical properties. It is also possible to have for a certain footprint and height of a building more usable space in a building built using this embodiment of the method. Furthermore, as the carrier is re-usable, this further facilitates a positive impact on pricing, efficiency and impact on the environment.

In an embodiment, undoing the fixing comprises releasing all pipes, tubes, and/or cables at the same time. This cuts the time down needed for a step in the method. In an embodiment, after positioning and releasing all pipes, tubes, and/or cables from the carrier, the carrier is removable from the volume that is to be included in the construction element. Particularly when the releasing is carried out in a short space of time, it allows for production of prefab elements in series, enhancing efficiency and bringing down costs.

In an embodiment, after removing the carrier away from the volume that is to be included in the construction element, the pipe, tubes and/or cables remain in a pattern that resembles the predetermined pattern. The pattern that resembles the predetermined pattern is intended to be in correspondence with the design of the house including its infrastructure. This offers predictability of the correctness of fitting and connection elements, including pipe-, tube-, and/or cable-work. This enhances reproducibility and in turn for instance allows for spreading the overhead costs of designing and planning over many houses, so that those costs per house drop.

In an embodiment, the fixing makes use of at least one out of the group consisting of mechanically holding, elastically holding, pneumatically holding, or electromagnetically holding. Each of these techniques allows for quickly holding, i.e. for quickly grasping a part of a pipe, tube or cable, without incubation periods, hardening periods or other time-lengthening periods. In contrast, glue related techniques or welding related techniques would take up much time.

In an embodiment, undoing the fixing makes use of at least one out of the group consisting of mechanically releasing, releasing by non-destructive deformation, releasing by destructive deformation, releasing by elastic and/or plastic deformation, pneumatically releasing, or electromagnetically releasing. Each of these techniques potentially allows for quickly releasing a part of a pipe, tube or cable, without incubation periods, dissolving periods, melting periods or other time-lengthening periods. In contrast, dissolving a glue, or heating up to melting a connection would take up much time, and possibly also damage the pipe-, tube- or cablework.

In an embodiment, releasing by non-destructive deformation, releasing by destructive deformation, releasing by elastic deformation, releasing by plastic deformation each comprise a step of retaining the pipes, tubes and/or cables as positioned within the volume that is to be included in the construction element whilst moving the carrier away in a direction that facilitates releasing the pipes, tubes and/or cables from being fixed to the carrier. This embodiment provides a very simple way of releasing when for instance parts of the construction element are to be formed by a hardened concrete above which the pipes, tubes and/or cables are retained by retainer elements that are partly embedded in the at least partly hardened concrete. Such retainer elements may be simple and well-known brackets around the pipe, tube or cable, having one radially extending spacer pin that in use extends into the at least partly hardened concrete. An example will be described below. In an embodiment, during positioning of the pipes, tubes and/or cables at least one of the pipes, tubes and/or cables is in a compacted condition, and can from the compacted condition adopt an extended condition for connecting respectively with pipes, tubes and/or cables that are included in another construction element. This allows for the possibility to have slack or excess length of a pipe, tube or cable, which potentially may assist in connecting up on the building site after finally positioning the respective construction element. During transporting the construction element and positioning the construction element the slack or excess length is not necessarily present outside the dimensions of the construction element and can be kept inside the construction element so that stacking of respective construction elements is more easily possible. There is also no need to consider any protruding parts when manipulating the construction element for instance during uploading onto a lorry and positioning, for instance using a hoist or crane. In an embodiment, the compacted condition comprises a condition in which tubes and/or cables are meandering and/or curling up for being extendable out of the volume.

In an embodiment, the construction element is a plate-shaped construction element, and wherein at least one of the pipes, tubes and/or cables is positioned within the volume so that once enclosed by the plate-shaped construction element at least one of the respective pipes or tubes extends, between opposite sides of the plate-shaped construction element in a direction that is under an angle towards a plane which is parallel to the plate-shaped construction element. This allows for making a construction element that forms the ceiling of a lower compartment and the floor of a higher compartment, with a pipe in the construction element through which fluids, for instance from a toilet, can flow under the force of gravity downwards.

In an embodiment, fixing the pipes, tubes and/or cables relative to each other according to a predetermined pattern further comprises fixing relative to the pipes, tubes and/or cables also formwork for receiving solidifiable construction material. This allows for making a structurally strong spacer element between opposite parts of the construction element and also hollow spaces between the opposite parts.

In an embodiment, the construction element is a concrete construction element. Whilst it is not inconceivable that construction elements may be made from other materials, it is conceivable that the advantages of the method are most optimally realized when the construction element is intended to be of concrete, as it would entail that concrete elements can be made as sophisticated prefab elements, therewith no longer requiring that pourable concrete is driven to a building site, which is in terms of timing and use of energy very critical.

According to another aspect the disclosure provides a system for providing a pattern of pipes, tubes and/or cables within a volume that is to be included in a construction element such as a roof element, a ceiling element, a wall-element, a floor-element, or a room-element. The system comprises a carrier for holding the pipe, tubes and/or cables as fixed in positions and/or orientations relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern whilst positioning the pipe, tubes and/or cables within the volume that is to be included in the construction element.

The system further comprises a plurality of fixators, each fixable to the carrier and each for releasably holding at least a part of one of the pipes, tubes and/or cables. The system basically allows for a method as disclosed in this disclosure to be carried out, in a simple way, in a reproducible way, and in an affordable way.

Embodiments of the system may be configured to facilitate embodiments of the above disclosed method. Obtaining the advantages of the embodiments of those methods can thus be facilitated with embodiments of the respective systems.

In an embodiment, the carrier is provided with anchor hosting positions which are each arranged for fixing one of the fixators, and which are as a plurality arranged on the carrier so that the pipes, tubes and/or cables can be held in a fixed position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern.

In an embodiment, the carrier is transportable for positioning the carrier and the pipes, tubes and/or cables as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern.

In an embodiment, the carrier is stackable on top of another carrier, whilst both carriers hold the respective pipes, tubes and/or cables as fixed in positions and/or orientations relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern. This allows for efficiently storing and/or transporting the pipe-, tube- and/or cablework. In turn, this allows for preparing the carrier and bringing the carrier in a condition that it holds the pipe-, tube- and/or cablework according to the predetermined pattern, at a location that is optimally arranged for carrying out this work, much in contrast with a construction site where weather circumstances may also play a disturbing role in the installation of pipe-, tube- and/or cablework.

In an embodiment, each of the fixators is configured to release the pipes, tubes and/or cables whilst remaining in its respective anchor hosting position fixed to the carrier. In an embodiment, the system is configured to release all pipes, tubes, and/or cables at the same time. Such a system allows for usage of the system in a process where time and/or timing play a critical role. This is for instance the case in a method wherein the time-controlled phenomena such as hardening due to chemical reactions play a role. This is for instance of importance where the volume in which the pipe-, tube- and/or cablework is to be enclosed by a construction element that is of concrete.

In an embodiment, the system is configured to remove the carrier away from the volume that is to be included in the construction element and to only leave behind in the volume that is to be enclosed by the construction element the pipe, tubes and/or cables in a pattern that resembles the predetermined pattern. The advantages that are above cited for the method step that can be carried out by a system according to this embodiment, equally apply.

In an embodiment, the fixators are configured to make use of at least one out of the group consisting of mechanically holding, elastically holding, pneumatically holding, or electromagnetically holding the pipe, tubes and/or cables. The advantages that are above cited for the method step that can be carried out by a system according to this embodiment, equally apply.

In an embodiment, the system is configured to make use of at least one out of the group consisting of mechanically releasing, releasing by non-destructive deformation, releasing by destructive deformation, releasing by elastic deformation, releasing by plastic deformation, pneumatically releasing, or electromagnetically releasing. The advantages that are above cited for the method step that can be carried out by a system according to this embodiment equally apply.

In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of retainer-elements for attaching to the pipe, tubes and/or cables and for embedding of a part of each of the retainer elements in at least partly hardened material that forms a part of the respective construction element in which the volume is to be included. In an embodiment, the system is configured to hold and release the at least one of the pipes, tubes and/or cables in a compacted condition, so that after releasing the pipes, tubes and/or cables as fixed according to the predetermined pattern, the at least one pipe, tube and/or cable can adopt an extended condition for connecting respectively with other pipes, tubes and/or cables which are included by another construction element. The advantages that are above cited for the method step that can be carried out by a system according to this embodiment equally apply. In an embodiment, the compacted condition comprises a condition in which tubes and/or cables are meandering and/or curling up for being extendable out of the volume.

In an embodiment, at least one fixator out of the plurality of fixators has an anchor end for anchoring the fixator to the carrier, and a grabber end for grabbing a part of the pipe, tube or cable. In an embodiment, the distance between anchor end and the grabber end is variable.

In an embodiment, the plurality of fixators comprises a first fixator and a second fixator, wherein the size of the first fixator differs from the size of the second fixator.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second fixator has an anchor end and a grabber end, and wherein the distance between the anchor end and the grabber end of the first fixator differs from the distance between the anchor end and the grabber end of the second fixator and/or wherein at least one dimension of the grabber end of the first fixator differs from that at least one dimension of the grabber of the second fixator. This allows for holding the pipe, tube or cable at two positions at which the respective pipe, tube or cable has mutually different orientations

In an embodiment, the at least one dimension is critical for the diameter of a pipe, tube or cable that can be grabbed by the grabber of the respective fixator.

In an embodiment, the anchor hosting positions are distributed over the carrier according to a pattern in which the positions are equally distributed. This enhances the flexibility of the carrier for use with different predetermined patterns in which the entirety of the pipe-, tube-, and/or cablework needs to be held. In an embodiment, the anchor hosting positions are identical.

In an embodiment, at least one, and preferably each anchor hosting position exhibits rotational symmetry. This enhances the flexibility of the system for holding parts of the pipe-, tube-, and/or cablework which are extending in mutually different directions. In an embodiment, the anchor end and/or the grabber end are rotatable around an axis that extends along a connection between the anchor end and the grabber end.

In an embodiment, the carrier comprises a plate-shaped frame that is on a plate-side provided with supporting spacers for maintaining a distance between the plate and another plate of another carrier that is stacked on top of the carrier such that the respective carriers are similarly oriented.

In an embodiment, the system comprises formwork for receiving hardenable construction material. This allows for use in a method that includes a step of forming a spacer between two opposite sides of the construction element. In an embodiment, the formwork has anchor ends for anchoring the formwork in the anchor hosting positions.

Detailed description of examples of the disclosure

In the drawing, the disclosure is further explained by means of examples. In the drawing: figure 1 shows schematically a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure; figure 2 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure; figure 3 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use; figure 4 shows schematically embodiments of a system according to the disclosure in use and a step of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure figure 5 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use and a step of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; figure 6 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use and a step of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; figure 7 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use and a step of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; figure 8 shows schematically an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use and a step of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; figure 9 shows schematically a result directly obtainable by an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; figure 10 shows schematically in (a) a detail of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure, and in (b) the detail show in (a) when a step of releasing a part of a pipe of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure take place; figure 11 shows schematically a detail of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure, and a possible difference between embodiments; figure 12 shows schematically in (a) a detail of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure, and in (b) the detail show in (a) when a step of releasing a part of a pipe of an embodiment of a method according to the disclosure take place; figure 13 shows schematically parts of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure; figure 14 shows schematically a detail of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure; figure 15 shows schematically use of the parts of an embodiment as shown in figure 13; figure 16 shows schematically a detail of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure, in use figure 17 shows schematically in (a) details of a part of an embodiment of a system according to the disclosure in use; and in (b) a detail as shows in (a) in a modified way.

In the drawing, like parts have like references. Below, examples of both the system and the method of the present disclosure are described.

Figure 1 shows schematically a part of an embodiment of a system for providing a pattern of pipes, tubes and/or cables within a volume that is to be included in a construction element such as a roof element, a ceiling element, a wall-element, a floor-element, or a room-element. The part that is shown in figure 1 is an example of a carrier 1 for holding as shown in figure 3 the pipes 2. Instead of, or in addition to pipes 2, also tubes and/or cables 14 may be held. However, for explaining the disclosure in the following, mostly pipes 2 will be shown. The pipes 2 can be held in fixed positions and/or orientations relative to each other according to a predetermined pattern. The carrier 1 may be provided with anchor hosting positions 3 which are as a plurality arranged on the carrier 1. As will be clear from figure 2, the anchor hosting positions 3 are each arranged for fixing one of a plurality of fixators 4 which are each fixable to the carrier 1. The carrier 1 can hold pipes 2 fixed in positions and/or orientations relative to each other according to a predetermined pattern, as shown in figure 3 by way of example in the pattern of a T-junction of pipes 2. The carrier may comprise a plate 5 as shown by way of example, in which the anchor hosting positions 3 are formed as holes. The plate 5 may be mounted to a rectangular frame 7, which may comprise at corner positions supporting spacers 8. The carrier 1 is transportable for positioning the carrier with the pipes as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern, as for example shown in figure 6.

The carrier may also comprise eyelets 6 for lifting the carrier 1 and positioning the carrier 1 using hooks and/or ropes engaged with the eyelets 6 when the carrier is in an orientation as shown in for instance figures 5-8. As shown in figure 3, optionally the system is provided with a plurality of retainer-elements 9 which will below further be discussed in terms of their structural parts and function, as well as usefulness for carrying out an embodiment of a method according to this disclosure.

The carrier 1 is stackable on top of another carrier 1 whilst both carriers 1 hold pipes 2 as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern. The usefulness of the supporting-spacers 8 for that purpose is clearly shown in figure 4. This may be useful where a relatively large number of carriers 1 is prepared, each for holding in position and orientation pipes 2 and stored and/or transported before positioning each carrier 1 one by one each time in a volume that is to be included during the successive production of a construction element.

The carrier 1 holding pipes 2 as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern may be positioned onto a layer 16 of still unhardened concrete material that will form a part 16 of the construction element that is in the making. That material may be concrete material which has just been poured into formwork. It is also possible that first the pipes 2 as fixed in position and/or orientation relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern is positioned and that then the unhardened concrete material is poured to form a layer that forms a part 16 of the construction element in the making. Figure 5 schematically shows the positioning of the carrier 1. Figure 6 provides a perspective view.

In the example shown in figures 3-9, the retainer-elements 9 are attached to the pipes 2. A retainer element may comprise a circumferential bracket to which a radially extending spacer pin or retainer stick 19 is connected. At least a part of the retainer stick 19 or spacer pin 19, is embedded in at least partly hardened material that forms a part 16 of the respective construction element in which the volume is to be included, as shown in figures 5-9. Once the material has been hardened up to a point the retainer stick 19 or spacer pin 19 of each of the retainer elements 9 is stuck in the at least partly hardened material, the carrier 1 can be lifted away for releasing the pipes 2 from being fixed to the carrier 1.

Figure 7 and 8 show schematically a form of releasing the pipes 2 by non-destructive deformation, in this case by elastic deformation. Whilst retaining the pipes 2 positioned within the volume that is to be included in the construction element, the weight of the at least partially hardened material keeps the pipes 2 down. When the carrier 1 is lifted up, it is moved away in a direction that facilitates releasing the pipes 2 from being fixed to the carrier 1, by elastic deformation of the parts

10 of the fixators 4 that held pipes 2 fixed in position and orientation relative to each other. Those parts may be referred to as grabber ends 10 of the fixators 4. Each of these grabber ends 10 is suitable for grabbing a part of a pipe 2. However, when the part of the pipe 2 has effectively become heavy by being retained in position due to the embedment of a part of the retainer element 9 in the at least partly hardened material of a part 16 of the construction element, and the carrier 1 is lifted up, the grabber end 10 loses grip onto the pipe 2. As show, the retainer-element 9 ideally has a connection with the pipe 2, like a circumferential bracket 18, that fully surrounds the pipe 2. Thus, when the carrier is pulled up, the grabber ends 10 of the fixators 4 deform and depart from the pipe 2, while the retainer-elements 9 keep the pipes 2 firmly in a fixed position and orientation relative to the part 16 of the construction element into which a part of the retainer-element 9 is embedded . Figure 9 shows an example of a possible result, namely a pattern of pipes 2 fixed in position and orientation relative to each other in a volume that is to be included in a construction element of which one side is already present.

Figure 10 (a) and (b) show schematically in more detail that grabber end 10 may elastically deform up to an extend that grabber end 10 no longer grabs the pipe 2, effectively facilitating the release of pipe 2. Figure 10 also shows that the fixators 4 may have an anchor end 11, that can be hosted by the anchor-hosting-position 3 of the carrier 4. The dimensions of the anchor end 11 and the anchor hosting position 3 can be such that the anchor end 11 can be inserted in a hole that forms the anchor-hosting position 3. The anchor end 11 may be squeezed laterally to reduce the lateral dimension of the anchor end for facilitating the insertion into the hole of the anchor hosting position 3. The anchor end 11 may be biased towards laterally expanding so that the anchor end 11 can indeed be anchored into the anchor hosting position. Small anchor blades 12 prevent the fixator from removal from the anchor hosting position. Stopper shoulders 13 can prevent the anchor ends

11 from being inserted too deeply into the hole of the anchor hosting position 3. These stopper ends 13 also provide stability to the orientation of the fixator relative to the carrier, and therewith to the accuracy to the position and orientation to the pipe that is held by the fixator 4.

Figure 11 shows that it is possible to have a first and a second fixator 4a, 4b wherein one dimension of the grabber end 10 of the first fixator 4a differs from a dimension of the grabber end 10 of second fixator 4b. That dimension may be critical for the ability to grab a pipe 2 of a certain diameter end/or for the ability to release the pipe 2. In general, the size of the first fixator may differ from the size of the second fixator. A distance between the anchor end and the centre of the grabber end will generally not differ between the first and the second fixator 4a, 4b. However, for positioning drainage pipes the difference is likely to be significant given that such pipes need to be positioned under an angle allowing for flowing away of fluid waste, from for instance toilets, under the influence of gravitational forces.

Releasing of the pipes 2 from carrier 1 by elastic deformation of the fixators 4, particularly the grabber ends 10, has the advantage that the fixators can be used again.

However, also forms of destructive deformation may be employed. The grabber ends may simply break, so that the pipes are released. Also, plastic deformation may occur. As this is irreversible deformation, the fixators may no longer be useable. The fixing of the pipes 2 is for this embodiment also based on a form of mechanically fixing.

Instead of releasing by a form of deformation of the grabber ends 10 of the fixators 4, it is also possible to employ forms of releasing which are actively controlled. Figure 12 (a) and (b) show a form of mechanically releasing by removing pin 17 so that the two-part fixator has the grabber end 10 opening up and lose grip. Such a fixator may be as a pair of pliers that can be held in a locked position for holding the pipe 2 and be unlocked by removing the pin 17 for releasing the pipe 2. After releasing the pipe 2, the fixator 4 may still be retained in the anchor hosting position 3. A mechanism can be employed so that all pins of the fixators are removed at the same time.

Also, a form of electromagnetically fixing and electromagnetically releasing is conceivable, as schematically depicted in figure 13.

As another alternative, figure 14 depicts a form of pneumatically fixing and releasing the pipe 2. As shown, it is also possible to have the fixing of the anchor end 11 to the carrier 1 effected by pneumatically anchoring, using a suction cup and suction line 11. Equally, holding the pipe, and thus also releasing the pipe may be based on respectively pneumatically holding and pneumatically releasing, using in line 10c vacuum respectively atmospheric pressure so that a suction cup that holds onto the pipe 2 may also release the pipe 2. Interestingly, as for the electromagnetically fixing and electromagnetically releasing, also the pneumatically holding and pneumatically releasing allows for release of all pipes at once. Further, the hosting positions can be much less predetermined, giving more flexibility for designing a pattern into which the pipes 2 should be held fixed and positioned. The anchor hosting positions should not contain holes where suction cups are to be placed against the plate 5 of the carrier 1.

Figure 15 depicts an embodiment in which the distance between the anchor ends 11 and the center of the grabber ends 10 differ for two fixators 4. As a result, the pipe 2 may be positioned to slope off downwards, which is often a requirement for drainage pipes.

Figure 16 shows schematically that advantageously the anchor hosting position 3 may be equally distributed over the carrier 1. The anchor hosting positions may be identical and/or may exhibit rotational symmetry. However, it is also possible that the anchor hosting positions comprise square-shaped through holes. In exceptional embodiments, the fixator 4 may have an anchor end 11 and/or a grabber end 10 may be rotatable around an axis that extends along a connection between the anchor end and the grabber end.

As also shown in figure 16, the system may be configured to hold and release pipes, tubes and/or cables 14 in a compacted condition, so that after releasing the pipes, tubes and/or cables 14 as fixed relative to each other according out of which the at least one pipe, tube and/or cable 14 can adopt an extended condition for connecting respectively with other pipes, tubes and/or cables which are not enclosed by the same construction element. The compacted condition may comprise a condition in which tubes and/or cables are meandering and/or curling up for being extendable out of the volume. Figure 17 (a) shows a cable 14 that is meandering or curling up for storing excess length, in contrast to the cable shown in figure 17 (b).

Reference is also made to formwork 15 for receiving solidifiable construction material that could form a spacer between outer parts 17 of a construction element. Various modifications are conceivable without departing from the appended main claims.