Patent US4675780A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4675780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conductive fiber hose
Assignee: Gates Corp
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Filing: 1985-08-26
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2005-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A hose article for carrying volatile fluids, which can conduct and dissipate the accumulation of static electrical charges that are associated with such volatiles, which includes an elastomeric tube and outer sleeve and at least one reinforcement layer of fiber bundles sandwiched between the tube and the cover. Sandwiched between the tube and the reinforcement layer is a nontwisted yarn of fibers of carbon that runs in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the tube, and at the end of the tube makes electrical contact with a staple-shaped metallic connector, which in turn electrically contacts a metallic hose coupling, leading from there to an electrical ground.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Barnes
- 👤 Harrell P. Sundberg
- 👤 Joe C. Haney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:09
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/01; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/12; F16L11/127; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube, having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of a polymeric material; a sleeve, comprised of a polymeric material, positioned over the outer surface of the tube, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube; and a nonmetallic conductive fiber bundle member, embedded within the article, running in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the tube, and running along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and substantially covered by the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube, having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of a polymeric material; a sleeve, comprised of a polymeric material, positioned over the outer surface of the tube, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube; and a nonmetallic conductive fiber bundle member, embedded within the article, running in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the tube, and running along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and substantially covered by the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is an elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elastomer is in an uncured state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is an elastomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastomer is in an uncured state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube and the sleeve are elastomers in an uncured state, and which uncured elastomers are cured together to form an article whereby the tube, the conductive member, and the sleeve are integrally attached together and free from mutual slippage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic conductive member runs in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic conductive member is spirally wound over the outer surface of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic conductive member is helically wound over the outer surface of the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic conductive member is a conductor of electrons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonmetallic conductive member is a conductor of photons.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member is a yarn comprised of a bundle of fibers of carbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the yarn of carbon fibers contains approximately 6,000 to 12,000 filaments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the yarn of carbon fibers contains 6,000 or less filaments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the yarn of carbon fibers contains 12,000 or more filaments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member has a volume resistivity of approximately 1,500 microhm-cm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductive member has a volume resistivity less than 1,500 microhm-cm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member has a volume resistivity greater than 1,500 microhm-cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fibers comprising the yarn exhibit a tensile strength of approximately 4.50×10 4 p.s.i. to 5.15×10 4 p.s.i. using an impregnated strand test method.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fibers comprising the yarn exhibit a tensile modulus of approximately 3.3×10 7 p s.i. to 3.4×10 7 p.s.i. using an impregnated strand test method.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ultimate elongation of the fibers is approximately 1.2% to 1.5%, using an impregnated strand test method.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube, having length, defined by inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; and a nonmetallic conductive member embedded within the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the article, and running along at least a portion of the length of the article, and is electroconductive or photoconductive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube, having length, defined by inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; and a nonmetallic conductive member embedded within the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the article, and running along at least a portion of the length of the article, and is electroconductive or photoconductive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; a carbon fiber electrically conductive member, layed over the outer surface of the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; a reinforcement member, comprised of fiber bundles, and twined over the tube and the conductive member, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube and the length of the conductive member; and a sleeve, comprised of an elastomer, positioned over the reinforcement member, substantially covering the tube, the conductive member, and the reinforcement member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising: an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; a carbon fiber electrically conductive member, layed over the outer surface of the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; a reinforcement member, comprised of fiber bundles, and twined over the tube and the conductive member, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube and the length of the conductive member; and a sleeve, comprised of an elastomer, positioned over the reinforcement member, substantially covering the tube, the conductive member, and the reinforcement member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article as claimed in claim 23, wherein the reinforcement member is spirally wound over the tube and the conductive member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article as claimed in claim 23, wherein the reinforcement member is braided over the tube and the conductive member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article as claimed in claim 23, wherein the conductive member is a zero-twist yarn.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a secondary yarn layed in a direction running generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, and positioned in between the outer surface of the tube and the conductive member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The article as claimed in claim 26, wherein the fibers of the zero-twist yarn are comprised of carbon fibers sized with an epoxy resin giving the surface of the fibers a reduced friction surface sufficient to permit mutual slippage of the fibers past one another along lines generally parallel to the length of the fibers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tubular unitary article having respective inner and outer surfaces, and having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith comprising: an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; a carbon fiber electroconductive member, layed over the outer surface of the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; a reinforcement member, comprised of textile fiber bundles, spirally twined over the tube and the conductive member, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube and the length of the conductive member; an elastomeric sleeve positioned over the reinforcement member, substantially covering the tube, the conductive member, and the reinforcement member; a coupling means attached to the end of the article, comprising an electroconductive material; and a connector means electrically joining the carbon fiber conductive member to the coupling means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tubular unitary article having respective inner and outer surfaces, and having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith comprising: an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces and comprised of an elastomer; a carbon fiber electroconductive member, layed over the outer surface of the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; a reinforcement member, comprised of textile fiber bundles, spirally twined over the tube and the conductive member, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube and the length of the conductive member; an elastomeric sleeve positioned over the reinforcement member, substantially covering the tube, the conductive member, and the reinforcement member; a coupling means attached to the end of the article, comprising an electroconductive material; and a connector means electrically joining the carbon fiber conductive member to the coupling means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The article as claimed in claim 29, in which the connector means is positioned onto an end of the article, and contacts the carbon fiber conductive member, and is sandwiched in between at least a portion of the tube and at least a portion of the sleeve, and projects outward from the end of the article for a predetermined desired length, the outwardly projecting portion contacting the coupling means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article as claimed in claim 30, in which the connector means is a two-legged U-shape when viewed from the side.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
The article as claimed in claim 30, in which one leg of the U-shape connecting means is inserted in between the tube and the sleeve, and electrically contacts the conductive member, and the other leg of the U-shape connecting means fits in between the coupling means and the outside surface of the article, and electrically contacts the coupling means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
59 words
The article as claimed in claim 31, in which one leg of the U-shape connecting means is fitted in between the tube and the sleeve, and electrically contacts the conductive member, and the other leg of the U-shape connecting member fits in between the coupling means and the inside surface of the article, and electrically contacts the coupling means.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for forming a tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising the steps of: forming an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces, and comprised of a polymeric material; laying a nonmetallic electroconductive or photoconductive member radially outward of the outer surface of the tube, being layed in a direction generally lengthwise to the tube, and running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; forming a polymeric material sleeve, separate of the tube, of substantially the length of the tube; and positioning the sleeve radially outward of the outer surface of the tube at a predetermined desired location, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube and substantially covering the conductive member.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for forming a tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising the steps of: forming an elongated tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces, and comprised of a polymeric material; laying a nonmetallic electroconductive or photoconductive member radially outward of the outer surface of the tube, being layed in a direction generally lengthwise to the tube, and running along at least a portion of the length of the tube; forming a polymeric material sleeve, separate of the tube, of substantially the length of the tube; and positioning the sleeve radially outward of the outer surface of the tube at a predetermined desired location, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube and substantially covering the conductive member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the tube is an elastomer in an uncured state.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the sleeve is an elastomer in an uncured state.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising the step of curing the tube and the sleeve together to form the tubular unitary article whereby the tube, the conductive member and the sleeve are integrally attached together and free from mutual slippage.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for forming a fluid containing hose having a nonmetallic static discharge member integral therewith comprising the steps of: forming an elongated tube having length and thickness, and being defined by respective inner and outer surfaces separated by the measure of the thickness, and being materially comprised of an elastomer in an uncured state; laying a nonmetallic static discharge member radially outwardly of the outer surface of the tube, being layed in a direction lengthwise and substantially parallel to the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and being materially comprised of a yarn of carbon fibers; twining at least one reinforcement layer comprised of fiber bundles over the tube and over the discharge member; forming an elastomeric sleeve, separate of the tube, in an uncured state, of substantially the length of the tube; positioning the sleeve upon the outer surface of the tube at a predetermined desired location, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube, and substantially covering the discharge member; and curing the tube and the sleeve together to form the tubular unitary article whereby the tube, reinforcement layer, dicharge member, and sleeve are integrally attached together and free from mutual slippage.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for forming a fluid containing hose having a nonmetallic static discharge member integral therewith comprising the steps of: forming an elongated tube having length and thickness, and being defined by respective inner and outer surfaces separated by the measure of the thickness, and being materially comprised of an elastomer in an uncured state; laying a nonmetallic static discharge member radially outwardly of the outer surface of the tube, being layed in a direction lengthwise and substantially parallel to the tube, running along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and being materially comprised of a yarn of carbon fibers; twining at least one reinforcement layer comprised of fiber bundles over the tube and over the discharge member; forming an elastomeric sleeve, separate of the tube, in an uncured state, of substantially the length of the tube; positioning the sleeve upon the outer surface of the tube at a predetermined desired location, the sleeve substantially covering the outer surface of the tube, and substantially covering the discharge member; and curing the tube and the sleeve together to form the tubular unitary article whereby the tube, reinforcement layer, dicharge member, and sleeve are integrally attached together and free from mutual slippage.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising inserting an electrically conductive connecting member into an end of the hose, in between the tube and the sleeve, and in electrical contact with the discharge member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 39, in which the connecting member has been formed into a two-legged U-shape, as viewed from the connecting member's side, and the first leg of the U-shape is inserted in between the tube and the sleeve, and is in electrical contact with the discharge member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of attaching a coupling means onto an end of the hose, which is comprised of an electrically conductive material, and which is in electrical contact with the second leg of the U-shaped connecting member.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for forming a tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising the steps of: forming a tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces, and comprised of an elastomer; and embedding an electroconductive or photoconductive member within the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the tube, along at least a portion of the length of the tube.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for forming a tubular unitary article having a nonmetallic conductive member integral therewith, comprising the steps of: forming a tube having length, defined by respective inner and outer surfaces, and comprised of an elastomer; and embedding an electroconductive or photoconductive member within the tube, running in a direction generally lengthwise and substantially parallel to the tube, along at least a portion of the length of the tube.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of transmitting source-generated electronic or photonic energy within the construction of a hose article comprising the steps of: constructing a hose article having at least a tube with a nonmetallic electroconductive or photoconductive member embedded in the hose article, the conductive member running generally longitudinally to the axis of the hose article; positioning a conductive connector means onto an end of the hose article so as to contact the conductive member; attaching a coupling means to an end of the hose so as to contact the conductive connector means; and contacting the coupling means with an equipment means for receiving the electronic or photonic energy.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of transmitting source-generated electronic or photonic energy within the construction of a hose article comprising the steps of: constructing a hose article having at least a tube with a nonmetallic electroconductive or photoconductive member embedded in the hose article, the conductive member running generally longitudinally to the axis of the hose article; positioning a conductive connector means onto an end of the hose article so as to contact the conductive member; attaching a coupling means to an end of the hose so as to contact the conductive connector means; and contacting the coupling means with an equipment means for receiving the electronic or photonic energy.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the nonmetallic electroconductive or photoconductive member is embedded within the tube.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 43, in which the generating source is static electricity created by naturally occuring chemical and physical processes within the hose article.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 43, in which the generating source is an equipment means for generating electronic or photonic signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |