Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A support device for running at least one flexible elongate member from a fixed station to a linearly movable station that travels along a predetermined line, the device providing an openended loop region between the fixed and movable stations and including a pair of spaced-apart, parallel guide strips disposed on opposite sides of said member, at least one of said guide strips having an arcuate profile in cross section, which provides longitudinal stiffness to support the weight of said member, but which is elastically deformable to assume a flattened cross section in the loop region, sadi strips cooperating to form a conduit-like enclosure for said flexible member which is wider at the midportion of the strips than at the edges thereof when said strips extend in a straight line, and said enclosure changing to parallel flat sides where it bends around said open-ended loop region, and elastic means flexibly holding said strips toGether.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A support device for running at least one flexible elongate member from a fixed station to a linearly movable station that travels along a predetermined line, the device providing an openended loop region between the fixed and movable stations and including a pair of spaced-apart, parallel guide strips disposed on opposite sides of said member, at least one of said guide strips having an arcuate profile in cross section, which provides longitudinal stiffness to support the weight of said member, but which is elastically deformable to assume a flattened cross section in the loop region, sadi strips cooperating to form a conduit-like enclosure for said flexible member which is wider at the midportion of the strips than at the edges thereof when said strips extend in a straight line, and said enclosure changing to parallel flat sides where it bends around said open-ended loop region, and elastic means flexibly holding said strips toGether.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said elastic means comprises elastic bands encircling said guide strips at intervals along their length so as to retain the member in the member-receiving position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as in claim 1, including elastic seal elements fixed to the edges of at least one of the guide strips and extending along the length thereof, said seal elements contacting the other strip on either side of said flexible members at least along that portion of the device that is straight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the spacing between the strips is such that a relative displacement of the strips occurs in the loop region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the seal elements are of an oil-proof rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the seal elements are of an oil-proof cellular rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein each of said guide strips has an arcuate profile in cross section, said strips having their respective concave sides facing one another so that the cross section of said conduit-like enclosure is lenticular in configuration when said strips extend in a straight line, both of said strips being flattened and extending parallel to one another where they bend around said open-ended loop region.