Elastic foreshortening of cable or other linear structures
OwnerTodd Nicholas Bishopinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device wherein an elastic cord is attached to a pre-existing flexible linear structure such as a wire, tube or non-elastic cordage in order to deform the structure and impart elastic handling properties of a common curly cord. The resulting assembly is a foreshortened version of the linear structure that is axially elastic and therefore easier to handle, store and use. The preferred method involves creating attachments between one or more stretched elastic cords and a linear structure at close intervals along the structure, such that when the elastic is allowed to retract, it pulls the linear structure into a series of loops or bends.
Claims10
An apparatus to foreshorten and impart axially elastic handling properties to a flexible linear structure having an extended functional length, comprised of a stretched, functional length of elastic cord that is substantially equal in length and positioned substantially parallel to said extended, functional length of said flexible linear structure and is firmly attached to the linear structure at primary attachment points, each primary attachment point located at a functional end of said stretched elastic cord and the elastic cord held in proximity to the linear structure by fixed and slidably fixed secondary attachment points along the functional length of the linear structure such that, when the elastic cord is allowed to relax, tension in the elastic cord pulls the apparatus into a series of loops or bends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.