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.

Abstract: An essentially tubular spring housing (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed with longitudinal slits (8d, 8e) into which the support spring blocking structure (1, 10) can be assembled. The support spring blocking structure, in one form (FIGS. 1, 2) is a longitudinal rail retaining a plurality of stacked blocking plates (2) therein, between abutments (3, 4) which are spaced wider than the length of the stack of plates (2) to permit engagement of a spring plate (7) between selected blocking plates, and thus lock the spring plate, and hence the spring, in selected position. In another embodiment (FIGS. 3, 4), the stacked plates (9) are slidable in a holder band or strip (10a). The holders (1a, 10a) are formed with a longitudinal, externally projecting holding hook (5, 11) to permit storing the blocking structure on the spring holder (right side, FIGS. 5, 6) in readily accessible position.