US 4,791,963 AGranted

Flexible tube with mutually parallel, ring-shaped flutes and axial support

AssigneeWitzenmann GmbH Metallschlauch-Fabrik Pforzheim

InventorsHeinz Gronert, Johann Benisch, Johann Pichler, Reinhard Gropp

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Abstract

A flexible tube (1) has mutually parallel ring-shaped flutes, end connectors (2) and longitudinal support cables (4, 5, 102) which hold said connectors against changes in axial spacing, and are rigidly joined to the connectors in the direction of pull and/or pressure, and against which the tube is at least indirectly braced. The longitudinal cables are held on the tube by rings (104) that ensure the radial relative position between tube (1) and cables (4, 5, 102) and hold the cables while the tube (1) is guided along these rings via the cables. The rings are formed by two ring segments, each of which has a hole (109) at the respective segment end to retain the cables therein.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Flexible thin-walled tube (1, 100) with mutually parallel ring-shaped flutes (105), end connectors (101) and longitudinal support means which hold said connectors against changes in axial spacing and which are securely joined to said connectors in the direction of at least one of:

pull, pressure, and against which the tube is at least indirectly braced,
wherein the longitudinal support means include at least two cables (4, 5;
102) extending generally parallel to the tube, arranged symmetrically about the tube axis and located externally of the tube and guiding said tube in radial direction;
and including spacers (3, 104) determining the relative position between the tube and said cables and holding the cables at intervals along the length of the tube,
said spacers including rings (104) which, each, comprise ring segments (106, 107) captively enclosing the tube and retaining said cables, the ring segments being formed with aligned holes (109) at respective ends and through which the cables (102) are placed to hold the ring segments in opposed position, in pairs, and thereby form said rings.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.