Abstract: A hose assembly including an elongated flexible metal hose attached to a hose fitting having a fitting body defining a passageway for conveying material. The fitting body has a mating portion for connecting the hose assembly to a corresponding fitting which delivers or accepts material passing through the hose assembly. A sleeve engages a surface of the fitting body and secures an end portion of the metal conduit to the fitting by trapping the end portion of the metal conduit between the sleeve and the fitting body. During installation, the sleeve is inserted into the body and subsequently the hose is inserted into a gap between the sleeve and fitting body. A fixture having a radially expanding member is slipped into the sleeve and brought into contact with the sleeve to deform the sleeve and consequently trap an end of the hose between the sleeve and the fitting.

Abstract: A flexible metal hose formed by a helically wound metal having an “S” shaped cross-section. The strip is provided with projections and recessions, with projections and recessions of adjoining convolutions meshed, enabling hose flexure without unwrapping. First and second resiliently engaged sealing surfaces extend helically along the hose to block leakage via the projections and recessions. In one embodiment the sealing surfaces are formed on a lip of one convolution and a body portion of the adjoining convolution. A second embodiment is a “smooth bore” hose having a first helical strip, constructed as described, and a second helical strip with first and second smoothly cylindrical axially spaced radially inner and outer regions. One region forms the smooth bore and the other is resiliently engaged between the radially outer lip of the first strip and the radially outer first strip body portion of the adjoining convolution to form the seal.

Abstract: A flexible metal hose formed by a helically wound metal having an “S” shaped cross-section. The strip is provided with projections and recessions, with projections and recessions of adjoining convolutions meshed, enabling hose flexure without unwrapping. First and second resiliently engaged sealing surfaces extend helically along the hose to block leakage via the projections and recessions.

Abstract: A flexible metal conduit is disclosed that comprises a thin metal ribbon arranged in a helix about a longitudinal axis. Convolutions of the helix are disposed adjacent each other with the ribbon defining helical, sinuously corrugated inwardly and outwardly facing conduit surfaces forming radially inner and radially outer apices that are spaced substantially evenly apart and extend parallel to the convolution edges. A first ribbon edge region is defined by a partial corrugation and a flange extending radially from the partial corrugation. A second ribbon edge region is defined by a second partial corrugation and a second flange extending radially from the second partial corrugation. The first and second partial corrugations abut to form a helical seam running along the convolution junctures. The first and second edge flanges abut at the corrugation seam and are interlocked to secure the convolutions together.

Abstract: A connector for delivering combustion gas to a gas fired appliance from a stationary supply line where the appliance moves toward and away from the supply line with the connector straightening and flexing between them as the appliance moves. The connector comprises a flexible hose assembly and first and second swivel fittings at respective hose assembly ends. Each swivel fitting defines a gas flow path and comprises a swivel member for communicating the connector with the appliance or the supply line. The hose assembly comprises a flexible metal hose member antitorsion fittings forming ends of the hose assembly connected to respective swivel fittings. The antitorsion fittings comprise pintle and nipple members rotatable relative to each other to prevent torsional stress in the hose member when the appliance moves relative to the supply line.

Abstract: A connector for delivering combustion gas to a gas fired appliance from a stationary supply line where the appliance moves toward and away from the supply line with the connector straightening and flexing between them as the appliance moves. The connector comprises a flexible hose assembly and first and second swivel fittings at respective hose assembly ends. The first and second swivel fittings have respective end walls defining between them the maximum overall connector length. Each swivel fitting comprises a swivel member for communicating the connector with the appliance or the supply line. The swivel members each define a gas flow path and swivel axis extending therethrough with each axis extending parallel to a respective adjacent swivel fitting end wall and each end wall rotatable relative to the swivel member about the axis.

Abstract: A flexible metal conduit and fabrication method where a thin metal ribbon is arranged in a helix about a central axis. The ribbon defines helically extending corrugated inwardly and outwardly facing conduit surfaces formed by alternating ridges and valleys extending parallel to the ribbon edges. Ribbon edge locking structure secures abutting ribbon convolutions together and comprises first and second confronting parallel ribbon edge flanges extending at least a substantial length of the ribbon. The flanges are lapped and tightly rolled together to form a two ply spirally curved wall defining a tube whose central core has a generally circular cross sectional shape. The tube is disposed adjacent a convolution surface and extends along a helical path parallel to the abutting convolutions.