Joined Sections Patents (Class 138/120)
  • Publication number: 20090308478
    Abstract: A flexible pipe for conducting fluid, such as offshore production fluids, has interior tubing, a series of rings and clamps, and exterior tubing. The interior tubing has an extruded tube and a surrounding layer. Outer rings dispose about the interior tubing and abut end-to-end. Inner rings dispose on the tubing and fit in between each of the outer rings. These inner rings have tapered surfaces that fit against beveled ends defined in each end of the outer ring's internal bore. The clamps affix the abutting ends of the outer rings together, and the exterior tubing disposes on the series of rings and clamps. This exterior tubing has an inner layer of wrapped tape surrounded by an extruded tube. A flange couples by an end clamp to the end ring of the pipe, and inner and outer supports on the flange support the interior and exterior tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Dang The VO
  • Publication number: 20090242065
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. The system additionally includes a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion that is rotatable on the male end portion to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion to fixedly interlock the male and female end portions. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on a locking assembly portion of the second pole. The locking sleeve assembly can include a locking sleeve and a biased plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the locking sleeve for applying a locking force to the locking nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Publication number: 20090223586
    Abstract: A flexible pipe for fluid transport especially in offshore application has a first extruded tube having nylon and a first layer having aromatic polyamide disposed about the first tube. A plurality of rings composed of stainless steel are disposed about the first layer. Each of the rings has first ends with circumferential lips and second ends with circumferential grooves interconnecting together. These lips and grooves permit adjacent ones of the rings to tilt relative to one another by about 1.5-degrees for every 4-inches of flexible pipe. A second extruded tube having fiberglass is disposed about the plurality of rings, and an exterior jacket having nylon is disposed about the second tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Dang The VO
  • Publication number: 20090211658
    Abstract: A condensate draining pipe is provided for a heating system, a ventilating system, and/or an air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes, but is not limited to a condensate feed portion and a condensate drain portion. The condensate feed portion and the condensate drain portion are connectable to one another by a press-fit coupling assembly comprising an O-ring seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Olaf KADEN, Andreas MARUTSCHKE
  • Publication number: 20090205735
    Abstract: Elastic hose (1) of finite length which, in at least one segment (9) of its overall length, has a cross-sectional shape (11) which deviates from a circular cross section (10) up to a pressure considerably below the operating pressure. The sum of the partial segments (9) with the cross section (10) which deviates from the circular shape is less than the overall length of the molded hose (1) and the molded hose (1) has an approximately circular cross section (10) in the remaining partial lengths or segments (2, 5). The transitions (6, 7) from the cross section (11) which deviates from the circular shape to the circular cross section (10) run continuously in transition regions (6, 7). The transition regions (6, 7) are spaced apart from the connecting ends (2, 5) of the molded hose (1) in such a way that they lie outside the clamping zone of the connecting ends (2, 5) to connecting fittings (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Klaus Schmelter, Anton Besche
  • Patent number: 7559340
    Abstract: A tube type cable protection and guide device in which the device can be easily manufactured by extrusion molding without changing the size of a mold so that devices of different lengths can be made. Smooth linear and flexional movements can be made while sufficiently ensuring dimensional stability and torsional rigidity of the device thus assuring stability of the cable accommodating space. A tube type cable protection and guide device includes integrally molded inner circumferential wall forming portions. The inner wall forming portions are interdigitatedly fitted in a male-female relationship in a longitudinal direction of the sheet forming a flush inner flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Katsuhide Yamashita, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7550669
    Abstract: A fitting is provided for slip fit adjustment of conduit leading from an electric service box on a building to an underground electric service line to allow for subsidence of the ground level without excessive force on the service box even when sections of the conduit are not in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Salvatore A. Rizzuto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7543607
    Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible means includes means for resiliently biasing adjacent stiff members to an axially aligned orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Henkin-Laby, LLC
    Inventors: Melvyn L. Henkin, Jordan M. Laby
  • Publication number: 20090126819
    Abstract: A cladding assembly for an elongate flexible member such as an underwater riser has a series of tubular buoyant sleeve members arranged end-to-end along the riser. The two ends of each buoyant member are formed into a part-spherical shape and are each received in a complementarily-shaped part-spherical socket in a securing collar. The buoyant sleeves are pivotable with respect to the securing collars, which allows the cladding assembly as a whole to flex with the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: TRELLEBORG CRP LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Austin Beesley
  • Publication number: 20090127853
    Abstract: A coupling for three-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a bell portion of corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a spigot portion of corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket disposed in a groove extending around a circumference of the spigot portion and engaged between the bell portion of corrugated wall and the spigot portion of corrugated wall. A three-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of three-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, James B. Goddard, John M. Kurdziel, David J. Kelley, Jeffrey J. Biesenberger
  • Patent number: 7530371
    Abstract: An insulating apparatus for use with vacuum insulated tubing sting to reduce heat loss through the joints, where the apparatus includes an insulator adapted to surround the joint and a latching joint protector adapted to surround the insulator and hold the insulator against the joint, where the protector also includes a channel for receiving injection and/or control tubing. The insulator is capable of reducing heat loss through the joints of a vacuum insulated tubing string by as much as 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Cole J. Hickman, James H. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20090114303
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a flexible conduit element for an exhaust system of a combustion engine vehicle, comprising a helically or annularly corrugated metal bellows member, an outer flexible member disposed around the bellows member and the resilient member biasing the flexible outer member towards the metal bellows member In order to improve the absorption of vibrations of a combustion engine, the outer flexible member comprises a reticulated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: SJM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20090101224
    Abstract: A joining method wherein ends of multilayer composite tubing and/or fittings having at least one middle layer of malleable metal are flared radially outwardly so that exposed ends of the middle layer of malleable metal are directed radially outward and away from a fluid flow path within the tubing and/or fittings. The flared-out ends are then fused using infrared butt welding so that the resulting bead protrusion into the fluid flow path is small enough to be acceptable for use in a high purity water system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Orion Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Ziu
  • Patent number: 7510623
    Abstract: A method to join pipe is disclosed using a curable one or two part adhesive composition comprising an effective amount of a boron containing initiator compound such as an organoborate, a stabilized organoborane complex, or combinations thereof; one or more monomers, oligomers, polymers or mixtures thereof having olefinic unsaturation which is capable of polymerization by free radical polymerization; and optionally a decomplexing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Lutz, Robert J. Donald, David M. Courter, Wesley J. Spaulding, Kalyan Sehanobish, Shaofu Wu, Mark F. Sonnenschein, Julien Damen
  • Patent number: 7506667
    Abstract: A flexible exhaust stack is suitable for use with a vehicle for which relative motion occurs between the cab of the vehicle and exhaust system components mounted to the vehicle frame. The exhaust stack includes a pipe mounted to the cab and having inlet and discharge ends. A collar is secured to an interior portion of the pipe between the inlet end and the discharge end. A flexible hose is at least partially disposed within the pipe, with a discharge end secured to the collar and an inlet end in fluid communication with the frame-mounted exhaust system components. The exhaust stack receives exhaust gases from the frame-mounted exhaust system components and discharges the exhaust gases from the discharge end of the pipe, while the flexible hose allows for relative motion between the cab and the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Jeremy Johnson, Chengappalli P. Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7485808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding device for moveably accommodating a line. Furthermore, the invention relates to an aircraft that comprises a multitude of such holding devices. Finally, the invention relates to a multitude of holding devices according to the invention for section-by-section line routing in an aircraft. The holding device according to the invention, for movably accommodating at least one line, comprises a guide body that can be attached to an attachment surface in an aircraft, as well as a slide body that is designed to envelope at least one line in the region of the guide body. To prevent any tensile stress or abrasion in or on the line from arising when the attachment surface moves, the slide body is movably held in the guide body in such a way that the slide body compensates for any movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Guthke, Carsten Papke, Lutz Zeuner, Lueder Kosiankowski
  • Publication number: 20090025814
    Abstract: The invention specifies a flexible fluid line comprising a plurality of tubes (1) which are arranged parallel next to one another, which have a common connecting element (11, 12) at least one end (9, 10) and which are embedded in a plastic body (6). The invention also specifies a method for producing a fluid line (8) of this type. It is desirable to be able to produce a fluid line of this type in a simple manner. To this end, provision is made for a section of the tubes (1) which is located between the two ends (9, 10) to be bent in a meandering fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: PIFLEX P/S
    Inventor: Ole Olsson
  • Patent number: 7475830
    Abstract: A system for transporting insulation particles suitable for use in a process for forming an insulation product is provided, comprising: a blowing machine for forming an insulation particle/air suspension, wherein the blowing machine comprises at least one opening, and a hose in communication with the at least one opening, for transporting the suspension to or from the blowing machine, wherein the internal diameter variation of at least a portion of the hose is less than about 0.20 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Thomas J. Fellinger
  • Patent number: 7469722
    Abstract: A bend stiffener comprising a modular arrangement of alternating disks of rigid material and flexible material, each disk having a center hole arranged in axial alignment with the center holes of adjacent disks. The axially-aligned disks are arranged intermediate an end plate and a front plate, and are sandwiched together by one or more tensioned wires or other such elongated elements passing from the end plate to the front plate. Either or both the end plate or the front plate contain termination means for connection to a structure, such as for example bolts, threads latches or other locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Norvald Berland
  • Patent number: 7451785
    Abstract: A flexible tube 10 of the present invention is disposed downstream of a exhaust path from an engine E, and formed of an outer bellows 3 as an outer tube and an inner bellows 4 as an inner tube; pleats 4c,4c of the inner bellows 4 are smaller in depth and pitch than the pleats 3c of the outer bellows 3, and the buffering space S is provided with a gap t between the pleats bottoms of the outer bellows 3 and the pleats tops of the inner bellows 4, and further, a partition 17 that splits the exhaust path is disposed in the inner bellows 4. For this reason, sound insulation effect is improved, and the lowering of the temperature of the exhaust gas is suppressed, leading to quick temperature rise of the exhaust gas to be fed into the catalytic converter, thereby promoting the activation of the catalysts and improving the capability to purify exhaust gas, and the exhaust efficiency can be improved thereby increasing output performance of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hirotec Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Taira, Michisada Kumasaki
  • Patent number: 7448414
    Abstract: A rigid pipe (1) is achieved according to the invention in that half-cylinder shaped elements (2) are joined/hinged (3) to each other and where to a such chains are connected together with their concave sides in a zipper-like motion. The two half-cylindrical chains are spooled (13) up individually on each side of a housing (12). This result in a particularly rigid pipe of varying length with a wide area of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Bjarte Langeland
  • Publication number: 20080257440
    Abstract: A tube type cable protection and guide device in which the device can be easily manufactured by extrusion molding without changing the size of a mold so that devices of different lengths can be made. Smooth linear and flexional movements can be made while sufficiently ensuring dimensional stability and torsional rigidity of the device thus assuring stability of the cable accommodating space. A tube type cable protection and guide device includes integrally molded inner circumferential wall forming portions. The inner wall forming portions are interdigitatedly fitted in a male-female relationship in a longitudinal direction of the sheet forming a flush inner flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Katsuhide Yamashita, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7418979
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preventing disbondment in an insulated piping system that is used for conveying high temperature fluids. More specifically, an external slip wrap is shown, capable of surrounding the outer protective jacket of the insulated piping system at a location along the piping before an elbow shaped or angular change in direction. The slip wrap comprises a loosely received outer sleeve which surrounds the outer protective jacket of the piping without being bonded thereto, thereby allowing the insulated and jacketed pipe to move axially relative to the slip wrap for a selected distance once the pipe is buried in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Thermacor Process, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Keyes
  • Publication number: 20080066821
    Abstract: A folding type cable protection and guide device is provided in which a cable is accommodated into a cable accommodating space. The cable accomodating space can be easily adapted to accommodate the cable, even if the cable is a long body. The assembly load is decreased. Further, the use of many different sized metal molds is not required. The form stability of the cable accommodating space is sufficiently ensured during both linear movement and flexion movement, so that smooth linear movement and flexion movement can be attained. The rectangularly shaped cable accommodating space is formed by folding a pair of right and left folded sections 110, 110 extending in a longitudinal direction of the extruded synthetic resin tape 100 along the longitudinal direction of the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: SHOICHIRO KOMIYA, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7337808
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible hose easily converted to a rigid hose. The flexible-rigid bimodal hose comprises a plurality of adjacently engaged hollow members defining a tube having a first end, a second end, and an elongated hollow. A flexible tube as well as a cable pass through the hollow and extend therethrough. The cable acts as a means to apply tension on the hollow members. The hose has a flexible state in which each one of the hollow members is rotating in respect to neighboring hollow member and a rigid state in which the hollow members are forced together by the cable so that there is no relative movement between neighboring hollow members. An actuation means, which can be mechanically or hydraulically operated, is adapted to apply different tensile forces on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Menashe Shamir, Ray King, Samuel Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 7306555
    Abstract: A centrifugal method, and corresponding system, for processing blood to collect platelet rich plasma. A separation chamber is filled with blood from a fill syringe by rotating the separation chamber at a fill rotation rate and pumping the blood from the fill syringe. A soft spin is used to initially separate red blood cells from platelets by spinning the separation chamber at a soft spin rate. A percentage of the blood is drawn from the separation chamber back into the fill syringe to remove separated red blood cells. A second portion of the separated blood is drawn from the separation chamber until a red blood cell/platelet interface is detected. A hard spin is performed by spinning the separation chamber at a higher rate and connecting tubing is cleared of red blood cells by drawing a predetermined clearing volume. The platelet rich plasma is then collected in the collection syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor D. Dolecek, Gary L. Berg, Kenneth E. Merte, David Malcolm, Kevin D. McIntosh, Vitaly G. Sitko
  • Patent number: 7238317
    Abstract: A twin-wall pipe comprises an internal pipe and an external pipe. The external pipe is corrugated, having elevations and troughs. The twin-wall pipe is further provided with a socket. In a transition portion towards the twin-wall pipe and the socket, provision is made for at least one overflow passage which interconnects the clearance between the external pipe and internal pipe in the vicinity of the transition portion and an adjacent elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Ralph Peter Hegler
  • Patent number: 7150206
    Abstract: To provide a cable or the like protection and guide device, which reliably maintains linear position mode of the adjacent connecting link bodies without backlash to remove distortion and can attain a smooth change of form between the linear position mode and the bending position mode, and also can exert endurance due to the connecting pin and the pin connecting hole for a long period of time. A position limiting concave portion 110a of a side plate 110, which connects link bodies 100 on the front and rear sides of a cable or the like protection and guide device 100 includes a pair of abutting surfaces 111, 111 disposed in parallel with a reference line passing through bending center points of connecting pins 130 disposed on the front and rear sides of the link body 100, and a position limiting convex portion 110b of the side plate 110 includes a pair of linear position limiting surfaces 112, 112 disposed in parallel with each other in a plane symmetry with respect to the bending center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Akihiko Utaki
  • Patent number: 7143788
    Abstract: An flexible coupling is shown for an insulated piping system of the type used to convey steam and other high temperature fluids. The coupling uses a flexible bellows and additional insulating and joining components to couple conventional lengths of insulated pipe. The bellows arrangement compensates for any relative movement of the inner fluid conveying pipes with respect to the outer layers of insulating material and outer jacket in order to protect the integrity of the assembly and prevent the intrusion of water or other contaminants which could lead to corrosion or early failure of the piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Thermacor Process, LP
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Keyes
  • Patent number: 7137414
    Abstract: The fluid transfer apparatus has an outer composite body having end sealing lips that are adapted to sealingly engage the surface surrounding the spaced passages between which fluid is to be transferred. The transfer apparatus has a central member having a uniform cross section adapted to transfer fluid between these passages and also has two end members which engage within and align with the passages to permit continued fluid transfer in view of slight longitudinal misalignments of the first and second passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Andres
  • Patent number: 7134455
    Abstract: An insulating apparatus for use with vacuum insulated tubing sting to reduce heat loss through the joints, where the apparatus includes an insulator adapted to surround the joint and a latching joint protector adapted to surround the insulator and hold the insulator against the joint, where the protector also includes a channel for receiving injection and/or control tubing. The insulator is capable of reducing heat loss through the joints of a vacuum insulated tubing string by as much as 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventors: Cole J. Hickman, James H. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7045705
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device which can protect and guide a cable with a simple connection between the movable end jig and the fixed end jig under various mounting configurations is disclosed. A cable protection and guide device in which when said link frame bodies 10 are left and right reversibly incorporated to each other, and an incorporation error preventing projection 11e, which blocks the connection by interfering with a link plate 11 incorporated in an offset mode, are provided on a surface of at least one of the pair of left and right link plates 11 forming the link frame body 10. Additionally, when the link frame bodies 10 are properly incorporated to each other, a properly connecting region 11f, which avoids interfering with the incorporation error preventing projection 11e, is provided on a surface of a link plate 11 in the link frame body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7032621
    Abstract: A high temperature pre-insulated piping system is shown which can withstand conveyance temperatures in excess of 250° F. The piping system includes a first and second length of insulated and jacketed pipe. Each pipe length includes an inner metal pipe having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having an envelope of foamed insulation surrounding the inner pipe exterior surface. A special release agent is applied between the metal pipe exterior and the surrounding layer of foamed insulation. The release agent causes intentional disbondment of the foamed insulation layer from the inner metal pipes under certain conditions of environmental stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Thermacor Process, LP
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Keyes
  • Patent number: 6983768
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pre-formed insulation module (310, 320) for insulating a process component having opposed longitudinally extending contacting surfaces (390) extending along a length thereof and terminal contacting surfaces (337, 387) at each end thereof comprising: a) at least one first inner insulation layer (314) being constituted of an insulation material having suitable thermal shock characteristic under cryogenic conditions and having one surface (314d) proximate or contacting with a component to be insulated; b) at least one second outer insulation layer disposed radially outwardly of said inner insulation layer (314); c) at least one water vapour barrier layer (319); d) a cladding layer (318).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bains Harding Limited
    Inventor: Milivoj Vujic
  • Patent number: 6966527
    Abstract: To provide a closed cable drag chain, which is capable of preventing the contact wear powder generated in the holding and guiding the inserted cable or the like from being scattered into an operation space, and of suppressing noises such as sliding contact noise and scattering sounds, and wherein the assembling, maintenance and repair are easy and early wear of the cable or the like can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 6941974
    Abstract: To provide a cable or the like protection and guide device excellent in endurance and reliability by preventing breakage of a flexible cable-shaped body (cable, rope, wire or the like). A cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention includes link frame members (10) each having a rectangular section, and a pair of flexible cable-shaped members (20) insertion-passing through the respective guide holes (15) formed on both side walls of the link member. A cable or the like is inserted into the link frame members to be protected and guided in a state where a number of the link frame members are articulately connected to each other by the flexible cable-shaped members. The guide hole (15) through which the flexible cable-shaped member is insertion-passed is formed of an arc surface (15b) concentric with an arc formed of mutually bent said link frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Akihiko Utaki
  • Patent number: 6941972
    Abstract: A corrugation has a radially inner wall circumferentially surrounding an axis. The inner wall defines an inner cavity configured to conduct a liquid axially through the inner cavity. A radially outer wall of the corrugation overlies the inner wall. The outer wall adjoins the inner wall so as to form a closed outer cavity bounded by the inner and outer walls and separated from the inner cavity by the inner wall. The inner wall has at least one opening providing fluid communication between the inner and outer cavities for the corrugation to serve as a reservoir for the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hancor, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Toliver, Bill R. Vanhoose
  • Patent number: 6883550
    Abstract: A flexible pipe joint joins, in a bendable manner, a first pipe member provided with a partially spherical outer circumferential surface that protrudes outward in radial direction and a second pipe member provided with a partially spherical inner surface that can slide along the partially spherical outer circumferential surface. A sleeve made of a synthetic resin is inserted and fitted in a state of contact, bridging the inner circumferential surfaces of the two pipe members. The sleeve has a length that covers a cavity portion that opens inward in radial direction at a location where the two pipe members are joined together, and is elastically deformed substantially maintaining its circular tube shape when following a flexure of the two pipe members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Waterworks Technology Development
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Bekki, Tsutomu Kiyozumi
  • Patent number: 6874542
    Abstract: A flexible hose with connect flange and a method for obtaining such a hose. The flexible hose (1) whereof the elastomer wall (1a) is reinforced by at least a main carcass (2) comprises flexible cables, including at least at one of its ends an annular flange (3), provided with longitudinal perforations, whereto is fixed at least the main carcass, the flange having an external diameter not greater than the external diameter of the hose wall proximate to the flange. The flange comprises perforations (34a) emerging on one or more indentation(s) (12) provided on the outer surface (9) of the hose wall and whereof the dimensions enable to house therein at least linking elements (15) externally accessible for abutting connection of pipes without interposition of an intermediate component between their respective flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Trelleborg Industrie
    Inventors: David Mayau, Guy Laurand
  • Patent number: 6864425
    Abstract: An improved cable or the like protection and guide device in which static electricity can be surely escaped and the device can be produced at a reduced cost is disclosed. A cable or the like protection and guide device of the present invention includes a plurality of link bodies (11) articulably connected to each other in the longitudinal direction in a state where a cable or the like (10) was inserted into the device. The link body includes a pair of side plates (21) disposed on both sides of the cable or the like and composed of a conductive synthetic resin. And a linear position and bend position are limited by bend angle limiting means provided on a portion in a side plate, which contacts a side plate of the adjacent link body and a corresponding portion of the side plate of the adjacent link body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6858677
    Abstract: A solution polymerization process in a series or parallel of two or more reactors at different temperatures is used to prepare a multimodal polyolefin resin of narrow molecular weight distribution. This resin is used to manufacture melt extruded pipe that has an improved performance at elevated temperatures and an improved hydrostatic design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Nova Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Alexei Kazakov, Stephen John Brown, Christopher John Brooke Dobbin, Stanley Allan Grabow
  • Patent number: 6854486
    Abstract: A fluid line assembly is disclosed that includes an outer fluid line and an inner fluid line disposed substantially within the outer fluid line. The inner and outer fluid lines each include a slip joint. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the slip joints includes a reservoir in communication with the interior of the corresponding fluid line. Among other things, the reservoir is suitable for receiving fluid from the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is contracted and expelling fluid into the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is extended. In another embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer fluid lines include a ball joint assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Gary B. Challender
  • Patent number: 6796334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit repairing material, repairing structure, and repairing method thereof, and particularly provides a repairing method for an existing conduit characterized by comprising using a plurality of reinforcing members capable of being carried in the existing conduit, assembling said reinforcing members into a hollow skeleton-like reinforcing body extending substantially along the inner surface of the existing conduit, attaching a plurality of inner face bars to the inside of the reinforcing body to assemble them into a tubular form along the lengthwise direction of the conduit, and injecting a curable infilling into the gap between the inner face bars and the inner surface of the existing conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignees: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd., Ashimori Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ishikawa, Hitoshi Saito, Futoshi Makimoto
  • Publication number: 20040178626
    Abstract: A tubular assembly 10 is disclosed for passing fluids within a hydrocarbon recovery well. The tubular assembly 10 has an insulated connection 12 between insulated tubing segments 14, 16. Tubing segments 14, 16 are connected via a threaded connection, and the resulting joint 10 is insulated by an external insulating sleeve 18. The insulating sleeve 18 may have unitary construction, such that the sleeve 18 may only be installed or removed by first breaking apart the joint 10. Alternatively, the sleeve 18 may comprise a plurality of arcuate partial-sleeves, which may be assembled about or removed from the completed joint 10 without first breaking apart the joint 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Salvador Segreto
  • Patent number: 6773297
    Abstract: To provide a closed cable drag chain, which is capable of preventing the contact wear powder generated in holding and guiding the cable or the like from being scattered by reliably closing the cable or the like, and wherein the assembling, maintenance and repair are easy while having light weight and low noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Publication number: 20040140010
    Abstract: A fabric tube made from highly resistant and thermostable threads has at least one tube end that is inverted inwards, the inverted tube section resting substantially parallel on the inner wall of the fabric tube. Two of such tubes can be connected to each other for forming a jointed tube. A method for producing the jointed tube uses a transition piece for connecting the individual parts to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Hasslberger, Michael Wagner
  • Patent number: 6752335
    Abstract: A pivoting blow-gun with a pivoting barrel having sufficient strength to receive pressurized air while at the same time dimensioned to allow the manipulation of the pivoting barrel into non-linear configurations which non-linear configurations are maintainable during use of the blow-gun in order to use the pivoting blow-gun to reach areas which would otherwise be hard to reach. A quick-connect attachment device can be used to permit relatively fast and easy changing of barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Summit Tool Company
    Inventor: Kimothy Levia
  • Publication number: 20040093077
    Abstract: A stent is constructed using interconnected links having micro-mechanical latching mechanisms. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow relative rotational movement of interconnected links in one rotational direction but restrict relative rotational movement of the two links in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Jason White, David Stern
  • Publication number: 20040066036
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe having at least one end portion (2) forming a section for coupling onto a rigid endpiece (7) and containing an inner tubular jacket (5) of elastic material. According to the invention, at least one longitudinally-extending indentation (4) is formed in the end portion (2) of the pipe (1). The invention is applicable in coupling a pipe to a member to which it is to be connected in the field of fluid transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Guy Estran
  • Publication number: 20040050441
    Abstract: Articulated joint for tubes of electric household appliances, comprising a plurality of axially hollow modular elements, each modular element comprising a male end and a female end, coupling means for joining said modular elements to each other and resilient means fitted to at least two adjacent modular elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Riccardo Roschi