Hose

Claim 2

A hose comprising: a first tube; a first ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes spiralled around the first tube, the first ply of tubing defining a first reinforcement ply; a second ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes oppositely spiralled radially of and over the first ply of tubing and defining a second reinforcement ply; and a cover disposed over the second reinforcement ply.

Claim 3

A hose as set forth in claim 1 and further including a friction layer disposed between the first and second reinforcement plies.

Claim 4

A hose as set forth in claim 2 wherein the friction layer is a foamed flexible material.

Claim 5

A hose as set forth in claim 2 wherein the friction layer is of gum rubber.

Claim 6

A hose as set forth in claim 2 wherein a plurality of reinforcement plies of spiralled tubing are disposed between the cover and second ply of tubing.

Claim 7

A buoyant hose assembly comprising: a first tube; a plurality of carcass plies disposed around and secured to the first tube; coupling means disposed at each end of the first tube; a first ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes spiralled around the outermost carcass ply, the tubing sealed and having end portions retained to the coupling means; a second ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes oppositely spiralled radially of and around the first ply of tubing, the second ply of tubing sealed and the end portions of the tubing retained to the coupling means, the sealed tubing defining a plurality of reinforcement strands and float chambers; and a water resistant cover surrounding the outermost ply of tubing.

Claim 8

A buoyant hose assembly comprising: a first tube; a plurality of carcass plies disposed around and secured to the first tube; coupling means disposed at each end of the first tube; a first ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes spiralled around the outermost carcass ply, the tubing sealed and having end portions retained to the coupling means; a second ply of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes oppositely spiralled radially of and around the first ply of tubing, the second ply of tubing sealed and the end portions of the tubing retained to the coupling means, the sealed tubing defining a plurality of reinforcement strands and float chambers; and a water resistant cover surrounding the outermost ply of tubing.

Claim 9

A hose as set forth in claim 6 comprising friction layers disposed between the tube and first ply of tubing, and between the plies of tubing.

Claim 10

A hose as set forth in claim 6 which further includes a spiral reinforcement wire disposed in a friction layer between carcass plies which surround the tube.

Claim 11

A hose as set forth in claim 6 comprising additional plies of sealed tubing spiralled over the outermost ply of tubing near the end portions of the tube the additional plies of sealed tubing defining additional float chambers.

Claim 12

A hose as set forth in claim 6 wherein the reinforcement strands are spiralled at a helical angle of generally 54 degrees in relation to the first tube.

Claim 13

A hose comprising at least: a first tube; a first ply consisting of a carcass disposed over the tube; a second ply consisting of a friction layer disposed over the first ply; a third ply consisting of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes spiralled around the second ply at generally fifty-four degrees, the third ply defining a plurality of reinforcement strands; a fourth ply consisting of a friction layer disposed over the third ply; a fifth ply consisting of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes disposed over the fourth ply and oppositely spiralled from and radially of the third ply at generally fifty-four degrees, the fifth ply defining a plurality of reinforcement strands.

Claim 14

A hose comprising at least: a first tube; a first ply consisting of a carcass disposed over the tube; a second ply consisting of a friction layer disposed over the first ply; a third ply consisting of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes spiralled around the second ply at generally fifty-four degrees, the third ply defining a plurality of reinforcement strands; a fourth ply consisting of a friction layer disposed over the third ply; a fifth ply consisting of tubing comprising a plurality of individual tubes disposed over the fourth ply and oppositely spiralled from and radially of the third ply at generally fifty-four degrees, the fifth ply defining a plurality of reinforcement strands.

Claim 15

A hose as set forth in claim 11 comprising a spiralled wire disposed in the second ply.

Claim 16

A hose as set forth in claim 11 wherein the second ply and fourth ply are of a closed-cell foam material.

Claim 17

A hose as set forth in claim 11 wherein the tubing has a radial collapse resistance modulus greater than the first tube, the second ply, fourth ply and cover.

Claim 18

A hose as set forth in claim 11 wherein the tubing is a polyester material.

Claim 19

A hose as set forth in claim 15 wherein the spiralled tubing is a plastic.

Claim 20

In a buoyant hose of the type having a tube and cover, the improvement comprising: a reinforcement disposed between the tube and cover comprising at least two radially successive plies of buoyant tubing, the tubing of each ply comprising a plurality of individual tubes helically spiralled, and the tubing of a ply oppositely spiralled in relation to each other.

Claim 21

In a buoyant hose of the type having a tube and cover, the improvement comprising: a reinforcement disposed between the tube and cover comprising at least two radially successive plies of buoyant tubing, the tubing of each ply comprising a plurality of individual tubes helically spiralled, and the tubing of a ply oppositely spiralled in relation to each other.

Claim 22

A hose as set forth in claim 17 wherein the tubing is spiralled at a helical angle of generally fifty-four degrees. .

Claim 23

A hose as set forth in claim 17 wherein the hose has a radial thickness defined as a radial distance from the interior of the tube to the exterior of the cover and wherein the reinforcement has an average radial thickness equal to at least one-half of the radial thickness to define a hose having a specific gravity that is less than one.