Plumbing Manifold Guard, U.S. Patent # D929-547S

The manifold guard is a device designed for use by plumbers that are installing water lines that are susceptible to damage in a concrete slab.

It is a series of 16-gauge steel tubes welded in a line and supported by steel rods driven into the ground on each side.

The plumber would set the device in the wall location and drive the stakes partially down to hold it into place.  After the various water lines are slid up through the steel tubes, the manifold guard can then be slid down on the rods into place.  The rods can then be driven down firmly and the bolts on each side can be tightened to hold it in place.

The rods hold the manifold guard in place, preventing it from being displaced by the concrete crew.

The 16-gauge steel tubes double as nail guards, preventing nails from penetrating the plumbing lines.

Finally, the manifold guard tubes are in a line, separated by a few inches, making it easier to makeup the water manifold.