Guide for coiling lengths of non-rigid material
OwnerThomas Matteoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A guide to coil a length of material can have a plurality of segments in a sequence, where each segment includes a passage to partially contain the length of material and opposing ends. A plurality of flexible links/connecting devices joins each of the plurality segments. Further, a slope is disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment. The guide can have an uncoiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other. Also it can have a fully coiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other.
Claims18
A guide to coil a length of material, comprising:
- a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises:
- a passage to partially contain the length of material;
- and
- opposing ends;
- at least one connecting device linking each of the plurality segments;
- and
- a slope disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment.
A method of coiling a length of material, comprising the step of:
- disposing a guide on the length of material having a plurality of sequential segments interconnected by a connecting device;
- providing a slope on an end of more than one of the plurality of segments;
- displacing the guide along the length of the material until the slopes of the sequential segments come into contact;
- and
- coiling the length of material based on the displacing step.
A self-coiling device, comprising:
- a length of material
- a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises:
- a passage partially containing the length of material;
- a long side;
- a short side opposite the long side;
- and
- a slope formed from a difference in length between the long side and the short side;
- and
- a plurality of connecting devices joining each of the plurality segments;
- wherein the slope of each of the plurality of segments is configured to contact the slope of a sequential segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.