US 4,091,063 AGranted

Hose construction and method of making same

AssigneeDayco Corporation

InventorArthur D. Logan

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Abstract

A molded hose construction and method of making same is provided wherein such hose construction has axially spaced convolutions and a controlled flexibility defined by alternating crests and troughs, and the hose construction has an elastomeric inner layer, an elastomeric outer layer, and an intermediate reinforcing layer made of a fabric material having a substantial open space between cooperating threads defining the fabric material; and the layers are bonded as a unitary structure by strike-through columns of elastomeric material extending through said substantial space with the alternating crests and troughs having a controlled wall thickness throughout which assures the controlled flexibility, and the crests and troughs having been formed with the elastomeric layers in a semi-cured condition to assure said controlled wall thickness thereof.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for making a flexible hose having axially spaced convolutions defining alternating crests and troughs, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a base tube of elastomeric material;
(b) knitting single reinforcing layer of 2200 denier rayon filament in a knitted lockstitch of 8-9 courses per inch around said base tube, said layer having open spaces therein;
(c) applying a cover tube of elastomeric material free of adhesive means concentrically around said layer and base tube to define a tubular assembly;
(d) subjecting said assembly to semi-curing conditions to provide a semi-cure of said base and outer tubes;
(e) placing said semi-cured assembly within a mold having axially spaced convoluted walls;
(f) final forming and final curing said semi-cured assembly within said mold by urging said assembly against said wall in a controlled environment to form axially sapced convolutions in said hose having crests and troughs of roughly uniform wall thickness such that the thickness at said crests is no more than 25% greater than the thickness at said troughs;
(g) the 100% modulus of said semi-cured elastomeric material being roughly fifty percent less than the 100% modulus of said final cured tubes;
(h) bonding together the elements of said assembly into a unitary structure and causing strikethrough columns of elastomeric material between said tubes through the open spaces of said reinforcing layer;
and
(i) coiling a metal reinforcing member to a configuration corresponding to helical convolutions of said hose and inserting said reinforcing member so that it is supported within surfaces thereof arranged opposite the crests of the hose convolutions.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.