Flexible joint for pressurizable garment

Claim 2

A pressurizable garment member comprising: a plurality of elongate fabric strips joined edge to edge in overlapping relationship to form a generally axially disposed first fabric tubular element, and a second fabric tubular element, one of said elements being layered within the other with a pressure sealant bonding agent therebetween, the fabric lay of one of said tubular elements being straight cut along the axis of said member.

Claim 3

A member according to claim 1 in which: the fabric lay of the other said tubular elements is bias cut.

Claim 4

A member according to claim 2 in which: said second element is disposed within said first element.

Claim 5

A member according to claim 1 in which: the fill threads of said straight cut fabric layer element are substantially parallel to the axis of said member with the warp threads extending between said joint edges.

Claim 6

A member according to claim 1 in which: said second fabric element is formed of a plurality of elongate fabric strips joined edge to edge in overlapping relationship.

Claim 7

A generally tubular member for a pressurizable garment comprising: a first fabric layer having a straight cut fabric lay relative to the axis of said tubular member, and a second fabric layer having a bias cut fabric lay, said layers being bonded together by a pressure sealant therebetween.

Claim 8

A generally tubular member for a pressurizable garment comprising: a first fabric layer having a straight cut fabric lay relative to the axis of said tubular member, and a second fabric layer having a bias cut fabric lay, said layers being bonded together by a pressure sealant therebetween.

Claim 9

A member according to claim 6 in which: said first fabric layer is the outer one, and the second fabric layer is the inner one of said member.

Claim 10

A member according to claim 6 in which: one of said layers is comprised of a plurality of elongate fabric strips joined edge to edge in overlapping relationship with the edge joints extending axially of said member.

Claim 11

A member according to claim 8 in which: the other of said layers is comprised of a plurality of elongate fabric strips joined edge to edge in overlapping relationship with the edge joints extending axially of said member.

Claim 12

A substantially constant volume joint for a pressurizable garment; said joint being of generally tubular configuration about an axis and adapted to low torque flexion and extension through an angle in a flexure plane including said axis, said joint comprising a convoluted fabric member disposed about said axis, said convoluted member comprising peripheral and folded portions intermediate said peripheral portions, said peripheral fabric portions extending substantially axially on a major diameter of said member, said intermediate folded fabric portions extending substantially radially inwardly from said peripheral portions to a minor diameter of said member, said convoluted member further comprising a first ring-like member adapted to sustain a stress in tension, disposed within said folded portions, and means retaining said ring-like member substantially at points in said flexure plane at said minor diameter, said ring-like member being otherwise unrestrained against movement relative to said folded portions, said convoluted member further comprising a second ring-like member adapted to sustain a stress in compression, disposed within one of said peripheral portions.

Claim 13

A substantially constant volume joint for a pressurizable garment; said joint being of generally tubular configuration about an axis and adapted to low torque flexion and extension through an angle in a flexure plane including said axis, said joint comprising a convoluted fabric member disposed about said axis, said convoluted member comprising peripheral and folded portions intermediate said peripheral portions, said peripheral fabric portions extending substantially axially on a major diameter of said member, said intermediate folded fabric portions extending substantially radially inwardly from said peripheral portions to a minor diameter of said member, said convoluted member further comprising a first ring-like member adapted to sustain a stress in tension, disposed within said folded portions, and means retaining said ring-like member substantially at points in said flexure plane at said minor diameter, said ring-like member being otherwise unrestrained against movement relative to said folded portions, said convoluted member further comprising a second ring-like member adapted to sustain a stress in compression, disposed within one of said peripheral portions.

Claim 14

A joint according to claim 10 in which: said first ring-like member is comprised of a plastic fiber cord.

Claim 15

A joint according to claim 11 in which: said convoluted member further Comprises a substantially low friction medium disposed between said cord and the fabric of said folded portions.

Claim 16

A joint according to claim 12 in which: said low friction medium comprises a thin plastic tube within which first ring-like member is disposed.

Claim 17

A joint according to claim 13 in which: said plastic tube is comprised of a polytetrafuoroethylene.

Claim 18

A joint according to claim 10 in which: said second ring-like member is fixedly disposed substantially mid-way between successive inwardly directed folded portions of said convoluted member.