US5538294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corrugated flexible metal piping assembly
Assignee: Tru Flex Metal Hose Corp
•
Filing: 1994-11-01
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A flexible metal piping assembly includes a body with corrugations having spiral (helical) or annular configurations. End connections are mounted on the body ends, which can be flanged or male-threaded. A layer of insulating or sealing material can be applied over the body. The end connections can be male-threaded or female-threaded. A bellows configuration is provided with annular corrugations which taper in proximity to the body ends.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Winfield Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/14; F16L9/00; F16L9/02; F16L9/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/903; Y10S285/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which includes: a) body having first and second ends; b) said body being corrugated c) said body having a longitudinally-extending weld seam extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said corrugations; d) said corrugations tapering towards said body ends and having decreasing diameters towards said ends; and e) threaded end connection means associated with at least one of said first and second ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which includes: a) body having first and second ends; b) said body being corrugated c) said body having a longitudinally-extending weld seam extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said corrugations; d) said corrugations tapering towards said body ends and having decreasing diameters towards said ends; and e) threaded end connection means associated with at least one of said first and second ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 which includes a threaded configuration of said body corrugations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body means includes a flange mounting said end connection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said end connection means includes compression connection means engaging said flange and including threaded connection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: (a) said body includes a male-threaded end; and (b) said end connection means comprises a nut having a proximate, female-threaded receiver portion receiving said male-threaded body end and a distal threaded portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said nut distal portion includes a female threaded receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 6, which includes a frusto-conical shoulder formed between said nut proximate receiver and said nut distal receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said nut distal portion comprises a male-threaded receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1, which includes: (a) a sleeve covering said body and comprising a different material therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein: (a) said body material comprises metal and said sleeve material is polymeric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said corrugations in said body are annular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said corrugations in said body form spiral-wound threads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which comprises: (a) a body having first and second ends; (b) said body having multiple, annular corrugations positioned in spaced, parallel relationship; (c) said body having a longitudinally-extending weld seam extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said corrugations; (d) said corrugations tapering towards said body ends and having decreasing diameters towards said ends; (e) at least one of said body ends having a flange thereon; and (f) an end connector including: (1) a smooth-bore receiver proximate portion receiving said one body end; (2) a threaded distal portion communicating with said proximate portion; and (3) a frusto-conical shoulder engaging said flange in a sealing relationship therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which comprises: (a) a body having first and second ends; (b) said body having multiple, annular corrugations positioned in spaced, parallel relationship; (c) said body having a longitudinally-extending weld seam extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said corrugations; (d) said corrugations tapering towards said body ends and having decreasing diameters towards said ends; (e) at least one of said body ends having a flange thereon; and (f) an end connector including: (1) a smooth-bore receiver proximate portion receiving said one body end; (2) a threaded distal portion communicating with said proximate portion; and (3) a frusto-conical shoulder engaging said flange in a sealing relationship therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which includes: (a) a body having a helical corrugation and opposite ends; (b) said body converging towards the ends thereof; (c) said corrugations having decreasing diameters towards said body ends as compared to the diameter thereof between said body ends; (d) a sealing material applied to said body and extending between the ends thereof in covering relation over said body corrugations; (e) said sealing material conforming generally to said corrugations in proximity to said body ends; and (f) an end connector with a female-threaded receiver receiving one of said body ends and the covering material thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flexible metal piping assembly, which includes: (a) a body having a helical corrugation and opposite ends; (b) said body converging towards the ends thereof; (c) said corrugations having decreasing diameters towards said body ends as compared to the diameter thereof between said body ends; (d) a sealing material applied to said body and extending between the ends thereof in covering relation over said body corrugations; (e) said sealing material conforming generally to said corrugations in proximity to said body ends; and (f) an end connector with a female-threaded receiver receiving one of said body ends and the covering material thereon.
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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) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |