Flexible tube or hose of rectangular cross-section, particularly energy supply conduits
AssigneeWitzenmann GmbH Metallschlauch-Fabrik Pforzheim
InventorWalter Forster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible tube or hose, particularly to carry cables, tubes and the like between a fixed and a removable end position. The tube or hose is of rectangular cross-section, and has separate, ring-shaped links that intermesh at a joint or separating line by means of locking-and-closing elements, arranged to bend only in one direction. The tube links have the joint or separating line on the internal or external side of the bend. The axially parallel portions of the links are connected by interengagement, or by material engagement, e.g. soldering, welding or adhesion. At least every second locking-and-closing element is of such a width that, starting from extended or buckled position of the tube, it blocks the mutual movement of neighboring or adjoining tube links.
Claims15
Flexible hose, particularly to carry cables, tubes and the like for placement between a fixed first terminal end and a movable second terminal end, having
- a plurality of essentially ring-shaped links (2,11,15,21,25,35,36,40,45,48,49,50,54,58,61,63) which have, in radial cross-section, interlocking, interengaging essentially rectangular shape defining rectangular sides, and which are formed with marginal radial ribs interlocking with each other;
- and
- connection means for connecting said links together and shaped to permit bending of the hose from a straight-in-line position of the respective links only in one direction, which direction is perpendicular to one of the rectangular sides of the cross-section of the hose,
- wherein, in accordance with the invention,
- the links (2,11,15,21,25,35,36,40,45,48,49,50,54,58,61,63) are formed with a separating line or joint at one of the sides subject to bending;
- locking-and-closing elements (6,7,12,13,16,17,20,23,27,37,38,41,46,47,51,55,59,62,64) are provided connecting the respective links and locking and closing the separating line or joint;
- and
- wherein at least every second locking-and-closing element has a width dimension which prevents mutual movement of links which are adjacent each other, when in longitudinal direction of the hose, the hose is deformed from a straight line position upon extending or upon buckling of the hose, said locking and closing elements forming a locking, closing and separating element for said adjacent links.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.