US3897923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curvature maintaining device
Assignee: Ball Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A device for maintaining at least a portion of a flexible conduit such as a water hose or the like in a predetermined fixed curvilinear position is disclosed herein and includes a shell or housing in the shape of, for example, a segment of a toroid having a top curvilinear section, a bottom curvilinear section and opposite side sections, all of which extend from one open end of the shell to an opposite open end thereof. An opening is located in one of the shell''s side sections between the top and bottom sections thereof and extends the length of the shell so that a flexible conduit can be placed in the shell through the opening such that the conduit extends out the open ends. In this manner, the device, positioned around the side of the conduit, retains the latter in a fixed curvilinear fashion while, at the same time, providing a protective covering to the bottom curved portion of the conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A Paepke
- 👤 Buddy J Zent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L3/00; F16L3/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A device adapted for maintaining at least a portion of a flexible conduit in a predetermined fixed curvilinear position, said device comprising a hollow shell open at opposite ends and having a top section positioned between said opposite open ends and defining a top curvilinear path having a curvature greater than 90*, a bottom section positioned between said opposite open ends and defining a bottom curvilinear path having a curvature complimentary to that of said top curvilinear path, said bottom section being positioned within said top curvilinear path, and opposite side sections extending between said opposite open ends, at least one of said side sections connecting said top section with said bottom section and the other of said side sections defining an opening positioned between said top section and said bottom section, whereby said shell is adapted to receive through said opening at least a portion of a flexible conduit so that at least a portion of the latter is held in a fixed curvilinear position determined by the curvature of said top and bottom sections of said deviCe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A device adapted for maintaining at least a portion of a flexible conduit in a predetermined fixed curvilinear position, said device comprising a hollow shell open at opposite ends and having a top section positioned between said opposite open ends and defining a top curvilinear path having a curvature greater than 90*, a bottom section positioned between said opposite open ends and defining a bottom curvilinear path having a curvature complimentary to that of said top curvilinear path, said bottom section being positioned within said top curvilinear path, and opposite side sections extending between said opposite open ends, at least one of said side sections connecting said top section with said bottom section and the other of said side sections defining an opening positioned between said top section and said bottom section, whereby said shell is adapted to receive through said opening at least a portion of a flexible conduit so that at least a portion of the latter is held in a fixed curvilinear position determined by the curvature of said top and bottom sections of said deviCe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said top and bottom sections define top and bottom curvilinear paths, respectively, having a curvature substantially equal to 180*.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
207 words
A device adapted for maintaining at least a portion of a flexible conduit in a fixed curvilinear position, said device comprising a shell fashioned after a segment of a toroid having opposite open ends, a top curvilinear portion extending between said opposite open ends, the curvature of said top portion between said opposite open ends being substantially equal to 180* and having a first predetermined radius of curvature, a bottom curvilinear portion positioned below said top portion and extending between said opposite open ends, the curvature of said bottom portion between said opposite open ends being complimentary to the curvature of said top portion and having a second predetermined radius of curvature shorter in length than said first radius of curvature, and opposite side portions extending between said open ends, at least one of said side portions connecting said top portion with said bottom portion and the other side portion having an opening positioned between said top and bottom portions whereby said shell is adapted to receive through said opening at least a portion of a flexible conduit so that at least a portion of the latter is held in a fixed curvilinear position determined by the curvature of said top and bottom portions of said device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
207 words
A device adapted for maintaining at least a portion of a flexible conduit in a fixed curvilinear position, said device comprising a shell fashioned after a segment of a toroid having opposite open ends, a top curvilinear portion extending between said opposite open ends, the curvature of said top portion between said opposite open ends being substantially equal to 180* and having a first predetermined radius of curvature, a bottom curvilinear portion positioned below said top portion and extending between said opposite open ends, the curvature of said bottom portion between said opposite open ends being complimentary to the curvature of said top portion and having a second predetermined radius of curvature shorter in length than said first radius of curvature, and opposite side portions extending between said open ends, at least one of said side portions connecting said top portion with said bottom portion and the other side portion having an opening positioned between said top and bottom portions whereby said shell is adapted to receive through said opening at least a portion of a flexible conduit so that at least a portion of the latter is held in a fixed curvilinear position determined by the curvature of said top and bottom portions of said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 3 including shoulder means connected with and extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of said shell and adapted for engaging said conduit when the latter is received within said shell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US955342A
Cited
US1445475A
Cited
US1787106A
Cited
US1933919A
Cited
US3203066A
Cited
US3498575A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |