Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A flexible coupling for interconnecting two axially spaced-apart pipe ends, said coupling comprising an axially tubular elastic hose having a median section forming a bellows, two outer sections axially flanking said bellows and flaring outwardly therefrom in unmounted condition of said hose, and two collars axially flanking said outer sections and tapering inwardly therefrom in unmounted condition of said hose, said collars each forming with the respective outer section a radially inwardly opening seat; a support ring in each of said seats; two annular connecting members each having an end face turned axially away from said bellows and engaging a respective outer section, each end face having an annular axially opening groove axially alignable with the respective support ring; and fastening means for securing each of said connecting members to a respective pipe end face bearing axially on the respective outer section, the respective pipe end bearing axially on the respective collar, and the respective support ring at least partially received with a portion of the respective outer section in the respective groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A flexible coupling for interconnecting two axially spaced-apart pipe ends, said coupling comprising an axially tubular elastic hose having a median section forming a bellows, two outer sections axially flanking said bellows and flaring outwardly therefrom in unmounted condition of said hose, and two collars axially flanking said outer sections and tapering inwardly therefrom in unmounted condition of said hose, said collars each forming with the respective outer section a radially inwardly opening seat; a support ring in each of said seats; two annular connecting members each having an end face turned axially away from said bellows and engaging a respective outer section, each end face having an annular axially opening groove axially alignable with the respective support ring; and fastening means for securing each of said connecting members to a respective pipe end face bearing axially on the respective outer section, the respective pipe end bearing axially on the respective collar, and the respective support ring at least partially received with a portion of the respective outer section in the respective groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting members have surfaces bounding said grooves and each of said surfaces has a portion whose curvature conforms substantially to the curvature of the cross-sectional outline of the respective ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said connecting members has an aperture for the respective outer section and said grooves surround and are closely adjacent to the respective apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing insert in said hose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A coupling as defined in claim 4, wherein said insert has portions in each section of said hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coupling as defined in claim 4, wherein said insert has portions embedded in the collars of said outer sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A coupling as defined in claim 4, wherein said insert consists of metallic filaments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A coupling as defined in claim 7, wherein said filaments are steel cords.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A coupling as defined in claim 7, wherein said filaments form several overlapping layers including a first and a second layer, the filaments of said first layer being substantially normal to the filaments of said second layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A coupling as defined in claim 4, wherein said insert constitutes a prefabricated blank which conforms to the shape of and is embedded in the material of said hose.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said connecting members has an aperture for the respective outer section and an annular bead intermediate the aperture and the respective groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A coupling as defined in claim 11, wherein said outer sections include substantially S-shaped portions overlying the respective beads and surrounding the respective rings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A coupling as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said connecting members has a surface bounding the respective groove and bead, each of said surfaces having a substantially concave annular portion bounding the respective groove and having an outline conforming to appoximately one-fourth of the cross-sectional outline of the respective ring, and a substantially cylindrical portion constituting the peripheral surface of the respective bead.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A coupling as defined in claim 11, wherein the inner diameters of said rings and the outer diameters of said beads are such that said outer sections are subjected to a pronounced deforming action intermediate the respective rings and beads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said rings has a substantially circular cross-sectional outline.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said rings has a polygonal cross-sectional outline.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A coupling as defined in claim 16, wherein said one ring has a plurality of annular facets and rounded annular portions between neighboring facets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said rings has a plurality of convex annular facets and annular notches alternating with said facets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting members have apertures for the respective outer sections and annular beads intermediate said apertures and the respective grooves, each of said connecting members further having a surface bounding the respective groove and the respective bead, each of said surfaces having a first portion bounding the respective groove and a second portion surrounding the respective bead, each of said first and second portions having a plurality of convex annular facets and annular recesses alternating with said facets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A coupling as defined in claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing insert embedded in said hose, said insert having at least one profiled convolution conforming to the outline of said hose.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupling defined in claim 1, wherein said outer sections and said collars are substantially frustoconical in unmounted condition of said hose and extend generally radially in mounted condition of said hose.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupling defined in claim 1, wherein said grooves and rings are of substantially the same diameter.