Abstract: A method for making helically corrugated rubber tubing with a helical reinforcing element embedded therein and with a relatively smooth interior surface. The tubing is formed with separate inner and outer tubular wall portions with fabric material in between. The inner and outer wall portions may be formed of different elastomeric compositions. Also the method provides for annular cuffs at the opposite ends of the tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is used for making flexible tubing with annular corrugations from a sleeve of uncured rubber. The sleeve is positioned on a mandrel and radially expanded by fluid pressure into an external forming member that includes a plurality of annular discs loosely connected to a support and positioned in approximate axial alignment. A disc aligning tube is located around an axial length portion of the external forming member. While the sleeve is radially expanded, the aligning tube is slid in an axial direction to engage the discs and to urge any misaligned discs into accurate axial alignment.

Abstract: The disclosure includes the combination of a flexible rubber tube with annular corrugations and a coupling device for connecting the tube to a fitting. The device includes a latch secured to an end of the tube and a catch associated with the fitting. When the latch is engaged with the catch, the device forces the specially shaped flat annular side wall of the forward most corrugation into surface-to-surface contact with an annular end face of the fitting.

Abstract: A length of flexible helically corrugated rubber tubing is provided with certain characteristics that enable it to be axially compressed to less than half of its normal relaxed length using minimal force while still providing a high resistance to crushing. The tubing has a wall with a uniform thickness, the wall defining external and internal threads with a specially defined pitch and thread height related to the wall thickness.

Abstract: The disclosure includes the combination of a flexible rubber tube with annular corrugations and a coupling device for connecting the tube to a fitting. The device includes a latch secured to an end of the tube and a catch associated with the fitting. When the latch is engaged with the catch, the device forces the specially shaped flat annular side wall of the forward most corrugation into surface-to-surface contact with an annular end face of the fitting.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is used for making flexible tubing with annular corrugations from a sleeve of uncured rubber. The sleeve is positioned on a mandrel and radially expanded by fluid pressure into an external forming member that includes a plurality of annular discs loosely connected to a support and positioned in approximate axial alignment. A disc aligning tube is located around an axial length portion of the external forming member. While the sleeve is radially expanded, the aligning tube is slid in an axial direction to engage the discs and to urge any misaligned discs into accurate axial alignment.

Abstract: The disclosure includes the combination of a flexible rubber tube with annular corrugations and a coupling device for connecting the tube to a fitting. The device includes a latch secured to an end of the tube and a catch associated with the fitting. When the latch is engaged with the catch, the device forces the specially shaped flat annular side wall of the forward most corrugation into surface-to-surface contact with an annular end face of the fitting.

Abstract: A method for making helically corrugated rubber tubing with a helical reinforcing element embedded therein and with a relatively smooth interior surface. The tubing is formed with separate inner and outer tubular wall portions with fabric material in between. The inner and outer wall portions may be formed of different elastomeric compositions. Also the method provides for annular cuffs at the opposite ends of the tubing.

Abstract: A length of flexible helically corrugated rubber tubing is provided with certain characteristics that enable it to be axially compressed to less than half of its normal relaxed length using minimal force while still providing a high resistance to crushing. The tubing has a wall with a uniform thickness, the wall defining external and internal threads with a specially defined pitch and thread height related to the wall thickness.