# US 9,038,671 B2 · Hose anti-collapse ribs, systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,671 B2 - Document ID: US9038671B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/072,343 - Filed: 2008-02-26 - Published: 2009-08-27 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-26 - Assignees: The Gates Corporation - Applicants: Douglas D. Schelhaas; Donald R. Gilbreath - Inventors: Douglas D. Schelhaas; Donald R. Gilbreath - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038671B2 ## CPC - F16L 11/10: with reinforcements not embedded in the wall (F16L11/11 takes precedence) - F16L 33/213: only a sleeve being expanded inside the hose - Y10T 29/49: Method of mechanical manufacture - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An integral hose anti-collapse rib comprises a unitary body having a first cantilevered portion curved in a first direction. This first cantilevered portion defines a first end. A second cantilevered portion is curved in a direction opposite the direction of the first cantilevered portion, in a direction facing the first cantilevered portion. The second cantilevered portion also defines a second end disposed at an opposite extent of the rib from the first end. The hose anti-collapse rib also comprises a locking mechanism that locks the first end of the rib to the second end of the rib, such that the first and second cantilevered portions together form a generally circular shape. However, in a relaxed state in which the locking mechanism is not engaged, the rib preferably defines a non-circular, generally spiral shape. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hose anti-collapse rib comprising: a first cantilevered portion curved in a first direction and defining a first end; a second cantilevered portion curved with a different curvature than said first cantilevered portion and in a direction facing said first direction and defining a second end disposed at an opposite extent of said rib from said first end; means for locking said first end to said second end such that said first and second cantilevered portions together form a generally circular shape, and an interference ridge defined in an exterior surface of said cantilevered portions, wherein said interference ridge is adapted to deform a generally flexible hose in which said rib is disposed to provide an interference interlock between said rib and said hose when said rib is expanded within said hose. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rib of claim 1 wherein in a relaxed state in which said means for locking is not engaged, said rib defines a non-circular spiral. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rib of claim 1, wherein said means for locking comprises complementary tabs defined by said ends. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rib of claim 3, wherein each of said tabs is an end portion of said respective cantilevered portion and each of said tabs has a thickness approximately one-half the thickness of said respective cantilevered portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rib of claim 4, wherein said tab defined by said first cantilevered portion is generally aligned with an outer portion of said first cantilevered portion and said tab defined by said second cantilevered portion is generally aligned with an inner portion of said second cantilevered portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The rib of claim 3, wherein one of said tabs comprise a leading edge and another of said tabs comprises a complementary leading edge receptive notch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The rib of claim 3, wherein said locking means further comprises adhesive securing said tabs to one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The rib of claim 3, further comprising: a locking ridge defined in an outside surface of one of said tabs; and a complementary groove defined in an inside surface of said other of said tabs, adapted to receive said ridge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rib of claim 8, wherein said groove extends beyond the other tab along an inside surface of the respective cantilevered portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rib of claim 1, wherein said means for locking comprises a ratcheting mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rib of claim 1, wherein external edges of said cantilevered portions are tapered. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rib of claim 1, wherein internal edges of said cantilevered portions are tapered. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: disposing a hose anti-collapse rib within a generally flexible hose subject to vacuum; expanding opposite curved cantilevered portions of said rib to form said rib into a generally circular shape in contact with an inner surface of said hose; locking said hose anti-collapse rib in said generally circular shape; preventing movement of said rib within said hose by engaging an interior surface of said hose with a interference ridge defined in an outer surface of said rib; and preventing movement of said rib within said hose by adhering an exterior surface of said rib to an interior surface of said hose. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein, said locking comprises mating a first tab defined by an end of a first of said cantilevered portions with a second tab defined by an end of a second of said cantilevered portions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said locking further comprises indexing a ridge defined in an outer surface of one of said tabs in a groove defined in an inner surface of the other of said tabs. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein said expanding further comprises sliding said ridge in a groove defined in an inside surface of the other of said cantilevered portions, guiding said ridge into said groove defined in said inner surface of said other tab.