Flexible Hose with Improved Over-Molded Cuffs and Methods of Making Same

A termination ring, for use in forming an improved-quality over-molded plastic cuff on a flexible hose, said termination ring comprising:

• a main ring, said main ring having an inside surface formed with at least a portion of an internal thread being configured to threadably couple to a corresponding portion of a series of turns of a reinforcement member of the flexible hose, said main ring comprising a width configured to be coupled to at least one of the turns of the hose;
• a second ring;
• a plurality of connector members each configured to span between said main ring and said second ring, and to extend from said second ring at a distal most. radial positon on said second ring;
• said plurality of connector members comprising a length configured to position said second ring at least two turns of the hose away from said main ring;
• each of said connector members comprising a plurality of outwardly protruding ridges.

A flexible hose comprising:

• a reinforcement member formed into a series of flexible turns, having a first end and a second end, each said turn spaced from an adjacent one of said turns to create an interstitial area;
• one or more layers of a flexible material formed to overlay at least a portion of said series of turns of said reinforcement member and corresponding interstitial area, to create an opening at each of said first and second ends;
• at least one end fitting comprising:
• a termination ring comprising:
• a main ring, said main ring having an inside surface formed to threadably couple to a corresponding portion of said series of turns of said overlaid reinforcement member, being coupled to at least be positioned at least two of said turns away from said first end;
• a second ring configured to extend away from and be integrally formed with said main ring, and to have an interior surface be positioned proximate to said layers of flexible reinforcement material overlaying said reinforcement member;
• said second ring comprising a length configured to position a distal end of said second ring at least two of said turns closer to said first end;
• said second ring comprising a plurality of openings over a substantial portion of its surface area;
• and
• over-molded plastic, said over-molded plastic being molded to overlie said one or more layers of a flexible material at said first end of said reinforcement member, to encapsulate said second ring, to encapsulate each of said plurality of connector members, and to encapsulate a portion of said main ring;
• wherein said over -molded plastic is configured to extend beyond said first end to form a soft cuff.