Aspects of this disclosure can be used to implement a braided cover comprising a plurality of left handed fibers and a plurality of right-handed fibers braided into a hollow tube of fabric. Such a braided cover may be adapted to form a plurality of annular ridges and annular valleys along the longitudinal length of the braided cover when compressed from an extended length to a compressed length.
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17. A tube comprising a braided fabric comprising a plurality of right and left handed fibers formed into a circular braid defining an interior channel, wherein the braided fabric is adapted to:
a) longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to a longitudinal extension force;
b) compress from the extended length to the compressed length in response to a longitudinal compression force; and
c) form a plurality of repeating annular pleats when at the compressed length;
wherein the braided fabric is adapted to form forms the plurality of repeating annular pleats based on as a result of a polymer material bonded to the braided fabric.
16. A tube comprising a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form a channel inside the tube and adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length
in response to a longitudinal extension force, wherein:
a) the tube is adapted to, when contracting from its extended length to its compressed length, compress into a plurality of annular pleats, each annular pleat comprising an annular ridge and an annular valley and having an inner diameter which is greater at the annular ridge than at the annular valley; and
b) for each annular pleat, the annular ridge from that annular pleat and the annular valley from that annular pleat are both centered around a longitudinal axis of the channel inside the tube;
wherein the tube is adapted to compress compresses into the plurality of annular pleats based on, for each annular pleat from the plurality of annular pleats, as a result of a polymer material being bonded to the annular ridge of that each annular pleat.
0. 34. A bungee cord adapted to longitudinally extend from a retracted length to a stretched length in response to a longitudinal extension force, the bungee cord comprising:
a tube-shaped outer cover made of a woven fabric that folds and crumples to form a plurality of annular pleats when the bungee cord transitions to the retracted length;
an inner elastic core positioned within the outer cover;
a first hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a first end of the bungee cord; and
a second hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a second end of the bungee cord,
wherein the plurality of annular pleats are heat set into a configuration that forms the plurality of annular pleats.
19. A tube comprising:
a) a tube shaped cover comprising a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form a channel inside the tube shaped cover and adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to a longitudinal extension force;
b) a pleat forming means for forming a plurality of annular pleats along a length of the tube shaped outer cover when it contracts from the extended length to the compressed length, wherein:
i) each annular pleat from the plurality of annular pleats comprises an annular ridge and an annular valley and has an inner diameter which is greater at its annular ridge than at its annular valley; and
ii) for each annular pleat, the annular ridge from that annular pleat and the annular valley from that annular pleat are both centered around a longitudinal axis of the channel inside the tube shaped cover;
wherein the pleat forming means comprises a polymer material bonded to the plurality of annular pleats.
1. A tube comprising a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form a channel inside the tube and adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length
in response to a longitudinal extension force, wherein:
a) the tube is adapted to, when contracting from its extended length to its compressed length, compress into a plurality of annular pleats, each annular pleat comprising an annular ridge and an annular valley and having an inner diameter which is greater at the annular ridge than at the annular valley; and
b) for each annular pleat, the annular ridge from that annular pleat and the annular valley from that annular pleat are both centered around a longitudinal axis of the channel inside the tube;
wherein the tube is adapted to compress compresses into the plurality of annular pleats based on as a result of the plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers being heat set into a configuration comprising the plurality of annular pleats; and
wherein each annular ridge from the plurality of annular pleats comprises a plurality of areas melted in the pleated configuration.
8. A tube comprising a braided fabric comprising a plurality of right and left handed fibers formed into a circular braid defining an interior channel, wherein the braided fabric is adapted to:
a) longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to a longitudinal extension force;
b) compress from the extended length to the compressed length in response to a longitudinal compression force; and
c) form a plurality of repeating annular pleats when at the compressed length;
wherein the braided fabric is adapted to form forms the plurality of repeating annular pleats based on as a result of being heat set into a configuration comprising the plurality of annular pleats; and
wherein each pleat from the plurality of repeating annular pleats comprises an annular ridge, and wherein the fibers comprised by the braided tube are melted at the annular ridges from the plurality of repeating annular pleats.
11. A tube comprising:
a) a tube shaped cover comprising a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form a channel inside the tube shaped cover and adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to a longitudinal extension force;
b) a pleat forming means for forming a plurality of annular pleats along a length of the tube shaped outer cover when it contracts from the extended length to the compressed length, wherein:
i) each annular pleat from the plurality of annular pleats comprises an annular ridge and an annular valley and has an inner diameter which is greater at its annular ridge than at its annular valley; and
ii) for each annular pleat, the annular ridge from that annular pleat and the annular valley from that annular pleat are both centered around a longitudinal axis of the channel inside the tube shaped cover;
wherein the pleat forming means is the plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers, the plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers having been heat set into a configuration comprising the plurality of annular pleats; and
wherein the plurality of left-handed and the plurality of right-handed fibers comprise melted portions.
0. 35. A bungee cord adapted to longitudinally extend from a retracted length to a stretched length in response to a longitudinal extension force, the bungee cord comprising:
a tube-shaped outer cover made of a braided fabric comprising a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form an inner channel, and wherein the outer cover is adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to the longitudinal extension force;
an inner elastic core positioned within the inner channel;
a first hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a first end of the bungee cord; and
a second hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a second end of the bungee cord,
wherein the outer cover at the compressed length defines a plurality of annular pleats and each annular pleat provides an annular ridge and an annular valley, and
wherein the plurality of annular pleats are defined by bonding a polymer to the left-handed and right-handed fibers at each annular ridge.
0. 21. A bungee cord adapted to longitudinally extend from a retracted length to a stretched length in response to a longitudinal extension force, the bungee cord comprising:
a tube-shaped outer cover made of a fabric that folds when the bungee cord transitions to the retracted length, wherein the fabric of the tube-shaped outer cover is braided and comprises a plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers braided to form a channel inside the outer cover, and wherein the outer cover is adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to the longitudinal extension force;
an inner elastic core positioned within the outer cover;
a first hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a first end of the bungee cord; and
a second hook end coupled to the outer cover and the inner elastic core at a second end of the bungee cord,
wherein the outer cover at the compressed length defines a plurality of annular pleats and each annular pleat provides an annular ridge and an annular valley, and
wherein the plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers are heat set into a configuration that forms the plurality of annular pleats.
2. The tube of
3. The tube of
5. The tube of
6. The tube of
7. The tube of
9. The tube of
10. The braided tube of
a) each annular pleat from the plurality of repeating annular pleats comprises an annular ridge; and
b) the polymer material is bonded to the annular ridges from the plurality of annular pleats.
12. The tube of
13. The tube of
14. The tube of
15. The tube of
a) the yarns comprise individual yarns, each of the individual yarns comprising a plurality of filaments; and
b) the yarns in the plurality of areas melted in the pleated configuration are partially bonded, with the bonding primarily being between filaments within individual yarns.
18. The braided tube of
a) each annular pleat from the plurality of repeating annular pleats comprises an annular ridge; and
b) the polymer material is bonded to the annular ridges from the plurality of annular pleats.
20. The tube of
0. 22. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the stretched length is at least three times the retracted length.
0. 23. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the stretched length is at least four times the retracted length.
0. 24. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the stretched length is at least six times the retracted length.
0. 25. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the inner elastic core comprises an elastic hose defining an interior channel.
0. 26. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the inner elastic core comprises a solid elastic cord.
0. 27. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the inner elastic core comprises a plurality of elastic cords.
0. 28. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the fabric of the tube-shaped outer cover is woven and adapted to longitudinally extend from a compressed length to an extended length in response to the longitudinal extension force.
0. 29. The bungee cord of claim 28, wherein the tube-shaped outer cover crumples when transitioned to the compressed length.
0. 30. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the plurality of annular pleats are further defined by bonding a polymer to the left-handed and right-handed fibers at each annular ridge.
0. 31. The bungee cord of claim 21, wherein the plurality left-handed and right-handed fibers define a first pitch angle between about 5 to 20 degrees when the outer cover is at the compressed length.
0. 32. The bungee cord of claim 21, further comprising a middle cover interposing the outer cover and the inner elastic core.
0. 33. The bungee cord of claim 21, further comprising a lubricant interposing the outer cover and the inner elastic core.
0. 36. The bungee cord of claim 35, wherein the plurality of left-handed and right-handed fibers are further heat set into a configuration that forms the plurality of annular pleats.
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This is a continuation in part of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/455,461 filed on Aug. 8, 2014 titled “Retractable Elastic Bungee Hose”, which is itself a non-provisional of, and claims priority from, U.S. provisional patent application 61/864,555, filed Aug. 10, 2013, titled “Retractable Elastic Bungee Hose.” This document also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/069,831, filed on Oct. 29, 2014, titled “Pleating Machine for Braided Covers”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/078,358, filed on Nov. 11, 2014, titled “Pleating Machine for Braided Tubes”. The disclosures of each of those documents, except for provisional patent application 62/078,358, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The disclosed technology can be used to implement hollow braided covers, and more specifically FIG. 4C Elastic bungee cord comprising a pleated braided cover and an inner plurality of elastic cords. refracted retracted (e.g., by being slightly smaller than, or approximately the same as, a desired inside diameter of the outer cover 36 when retracted). This gives tube 34 room to slide within outer cover 36 while also providing internal support for outer cover 36 so that the exterior of cover 36 can have a relatively smooth cylindrical shape (e.g., a pleated shape made up of regular valleys and ridges) when retracted. Protrusions 33 are part of elastic tube 34 and comprise annular rings protruding radially outward from the main elastic tube body. Outer cover 36 can deform slightly to accommodate protrusions 33, which helps hold outer cover in place when hose 30 is retracted. Protrusions 33 can also comprise protruding dots or segments instead of complete rings. The protrusions in each case can help reduce stresses on inner elastic tube 34 by resisting shifting of outer cover 36 with respect to elastic tube 34 when hose 30 is retracted and not in use. This holding of outer cover 36 in place with respect to inner elastic tube 34 can also be accomplished with bonding rings 38 that use an adhesive to bond tube 34 and cover 36 together.
As stated previously, in
In
With bungee hose 30 in its retracted position, as seen in
When additional tension is added (e.g., as a result of pulling by the user) to bungee hoses 30, 40 or 50, the pitch angle of yarns 36a-b can increase to intermediate pitch angle P2 and beyond. Pitch angle P2 is greater than the pitch angle of approximately 30 degrees which bungee hoses 30, 40 or 50 would achieve when extended by internal pressure alone (i.e., when extended to their Extended Length), but less than the angle such hoses would achieve when extended to their Maximum Stretched Length. The yarns 36a-b can then be held at an intermediate pitch (i.e., when extended to the Fully Extended Length) even after the additional tension is released (e.g., when a user stops pulling) as a result of friction between the yarns 36a-b and the elastic tube 34 and between the yarns 36a-b themselves. For example, prototype hoses have been produced using circular braided tubes for an outer cover 36 made up of yarns having pitch angles of approximately ten degrees when retracted. With a ten degree yarn pitch angle, the prototype hoses were able to expand to a fully extended length of approximately three times their retracted length. Prototypes that had their outer cover compressed even further (even smaller pitch angles from the transverse direction) were able to achieve fully extended lengths greater than four times their retracted length without a stretching force on the hose. When continuously pulled on (stretched) by the user, these prototype hoses easily reached five to six times their retracted lengths during use.
As hose 30 (and hoses 40 and 50) are extended, outer cover 36 tends to go from a larger diameter D3 to a smaller diameter D4. Diameter D4 can be significantly smaller than diameter D3 so that inner elastic tube 34 does not have to expand much radially when pressurized. The angle of yarns 36a-b causes this shrinkage in diameter to happen because of straightening out of the yarns when they are pulled longitudinally. As the pitch angle of yarns 36a-b increases, the diameter of outer cover 36 decreases. With fluid pressure within elastic tube 34, elastic bungee hoses 30, 40 and 50 are easily stretchable by the user simply pulling on the end. This pulling action can further reduce the diameter of outer cover 36 below diameter D4. As outer cover shrinks in diameter, inner elastic tube 34 must also reduce in diameter. Because elastic tube 34 decreases in diameter as the bungee hose is extended, the overall strain within elastic tube 34 is less than if outer cover 36 did not decrease in diameter. Thus, this type of bungee hose can easily reach high expansion ratios without rupturing. Using the disclosed technology, a bungee hose can be implemented which can easily be stretched an additional thirty percent further than its Fully Extended Length simply by being pulled on. This can provide a very stretchable feel, similar to a bungee cord.
In outer cover 36, the denier of the yarn used to form the outer cover influences the ultimate compression ratio in the longitudinal direction, because the yarns can more easily pile up on one another if they are smaller in cross-section. Note that when yarns 36a-b are being compressed in the longitudinal direction, they also tend to expand in the radial direction. During this radial expansion, the radial thickness of outer cover 36 can remain relatively constant for particular ranges of expansion and contraction. As yarns 36a-b are angled closer to the transverse direction (smaller pitch angle), the yarns tend to define a larger diameter on their exterior while at the same time the yarns can define a smaller interior diameter as cover 36 is longitudinally compressed (retracted). In prototype designs, the interior diameter of the outer cover was closely matched with the outside diameter of the inner elastic tube. A small amount of space was left between the inner elastic tube and the pleated outer cover to allow the outer cover to slide freely over the elastic tube. This arrangement provided a well organized and smooth exterior to the prototype hoses when retracted.
Retractable hoses 30, 40 and 50 can have a similar structure with the proper dimensions of outer cover 36, and inner elastic tube 34 or 44. With the correct size of inner elastic tube 34 and outer cover 36, combined with a gentle longitudinal compressive force from the elastic tube (elastic tube 34 length chosen to match compressed length of outer cover 36), then a smooth outer surface can be formed on outer cover 36 with the exterior of elastic tube 34 gently supporting the interior surface of outer cover 36 when retracted. The retracted position seen in
In
In the extended position seen in
In
In
In
In
In
In
Wear rings 39 can provide dimensional stability to hose 50 which tends to return outer cover 36 to the same retracted configuration when pressurized and depressurized over and over again (e.g., if the combined length of the wear rings 39 is greater than the length the hose 50 would take when depressurized in the absence of the rings, then the combined length of the rings can place a limit on the hose's ability to retract, and the outer surfaces could, when the hose 50 is at its retracted length, provide an unbroken barrier between the outer cover 36 of the hose 50 and the surrounding environment). When hose 50 is extended, wear rings 39 protrude outward away from the surface of outer cover 36 to protect cover 36 from wear against surfaces such as pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, etc. Outlet connector 28 is designed to transfer fluid (liquid or gas) from interior channel 35 to an external nozzle or other device that provides a restriction to the flow of fluid through hose 50. Outlet connector 28 is connected to inner elastic tube 34 and outer cover 36 on the opposite end from inlet connector 22, and can be designed to connect to various nozzles or applicator attachments. Outlet connector 28 can be designed with a flow restriction ridge 29 to restrict fluid flow (gas or liquid) out of hose 50 and helps build pressure within elastic tube 34 to extend hose 50 for use.
In
Pleated outer cover 36 can also be used as a bungee cord cover to allow the elastic cords an inner elastic core inside to be stretched more than six times their its original length. In FIGS. 4A-B 4A-C, we see bungee style tie-downs developed by the inventor for use in tying or securing items for travel. Prior to the development of the longitudinally pleated braid, conventional Bungee Cords were limited to approximately 2× (two times their retracted length). Now with the longitudinally pleated braid, 6× or more expansion is possible for a bungee style tie-down. This allows a one-foot long elastic cord core, incorporating an outer cover made with the disclosed longitudinal pleating technology, to operate as a bungee cord and stretch up to six feet to tie down items like a bungee cord. Various types of inner elastic core can be used in this type of implementation, and
In FIGS. 4A-B 4A-C, we see bungee cords 60 and 63 and 65 using pleated cover 36 to obtain a high stretched-to-retracted length ratio. Bungee cord 60 comprises previously discussed elastic tube 34 and pleated braided cover 36. Both elastic tube 34 and braided cover 36 are attached to bungee cord hook end 62 at one end and attached to a similar hook end at their other ends. Ribs 33 and lubricant 37 are optional. Bungee cord 63 comprises previously discussed pleated braided cover 36 and a solid core elastic band cord 64. Bungee cord hook end 62 is attached to one end of both braided cover 36 and elastic band cord 64 and a second hook end (not shown) similar to hook end 62 is attached to the other ends of braided cover 36 and elastic band cord 64. Bungee cord 65 comprises previously discussed pleated braided cover 36 and a plurality of elastic cords 67 positioned within the breaded cover 36. Bungee cord hook end 62 is attached to one end of both braided cover 36 and elastic cords 67 and a second hook end (not shown) similar to hook end 62 is attached to the other ends of braided cover 36 and elastic cords 67.
In FIGS. 4A-B 4A-C, we see two three bungee cords 60 and 63, respectively and 65 comprising hook ends 62, a pleated outer cover 36 and an elastic core comprising either elastic hose tube 34 or, solid core elastic cord 64, and a plurality of elastic cords 67, respectively. In
In
In FIGS. 4A-B 4A-C, pleat ridges 36r have been heat set into the outer cover 36 so that it tends to form the annular pleats as shown when retracted. Setting the shape of the pleats can contribute to the stable operation of pleated braided cover 36. In embodiments where the pleats' valleys 36v and/or ridges 36r are not stabilized on cover 36, the pleated cover can be at greater risk of losing its orderly shape and not retracting properly. Several methods can be used to stabilize the pleats, such as: 1) bonding a polymer material to fibers and/or yarns 36a-b at ridges 36r on cover 36 (see
In
As the burner nozzles 72 direct their flames 71 across the outer surface of pleated cover 36, the intense heat from the high temperature flames 71, may require only a fraction of a second to melt the outer surface of ridges 36r and form the plurality of melted surfaces 77 on the exposed portions of yarns 36a-b. During this melting process, the interior portions of pleated braided cover 36 can remain relatively cool compared to ridges 36r. Braided cover 36 can be slightly extended longitudinally from its fully compressed (fully retracted) position during the melting process so that ridges 36r do not significantly touch their neighbors on either side. With cover 36 slightly longitudinally extended in this way, flames 71 tend to cool quickly as they passes through the narrow gap between pleats (between ridges 36r) and tend not to provide sufficient heat to bond the sides of the pleats together where the pleats might be lightly touching each other.
Each of the yarns 36a-b can comprise many individual filaments that can be twisted together or untwisted. In
In
Adhesives
As the reader should understand from the previous discussions, the use of bonding agents, bonding structures, and adhesives for bonding specific components of the disclosed bungee pressure hoses together can be useful for a hose's proper operation and durability. However, the composition of these bonding materials, and the positioning, shaping and applying of the bonding structures can vary greatly. For example, the bonding structures (bonding rings 38) used to bond inner elastic tube 34 to outer cover 36 can take the form of bonding strips that follow a spiral path, small segments (short strips), or small dots that are periodically positioned along the hose, or even random patterns of bonding patches or pads (not shown, see bonding rings 38 and 48 if segmented). During manufacturing, these bonding structures and/or adhesives can be first applied to the inner elastic tube, or outer cover, and/or to additional components to form structures such as bonding rings 38, bonding rings 48, bonding pads (not shown), or bonding dots (not shown). The bonding materials can also be applied before, during or after the construction of particular parts of the retractable hose. Further, the bonding structures can also be applied in a non-adhesive state to the inner elastic tube, and/or outer cover and then later, after assembly, be activated to bond these components together to complete the retractable hose. The bonding agents themselves (plus any support structures) can comprise a very diverse set of materials, including, but are not limited to, adhesives, polymer adhesives, UV cured adhesives, thermally cured adhesives, chemically cured adhesives, flexible thermal polymers, soft elastomers, foamed polymers and/or elastomers, etc. Finally, the bonding structures and bonding agents can comprise the actual hose structure itself, in which case, no additional bonding structures or adhesives are needed (e.g., linear elastic tube is thermally and/or mechanically bonded to the outer cover).
In
In
In
In
Lubricant 37 can be a liquid lubricant, a solid lubricant, and/or a mixture of solid and liquid lubricants. Solid polymer powders or small beads can also be used as a solid lubricant. Some lubricant examples include, but are not limited to oils, paraffin wax, wax mixtures, other soft polymers, Teflon, graphite, solid polymer coatings, elastomer coatings, etc. These lubricants 37 can be coated on the interior of outer cover 36, on the fibers of outer cover 36, and/or on the exterior of inner elastic tubes 24, 34, and 44. Liquid lubricants can be applied from the exterior through outer cover 36 to coat the inside surface of cover 36 because of the porous nature of outer cover. Solid lubricants, like paraffin wax, that can be melted, can also be applied to the exterior of outer cover 36 and allowed to wick through the fabric of cover 36 and/or be forced through cover 36 to its interior surface by a number of methods (e.g., application of a compressed gas).
Of the lubricants tested so far, paraffin candle wax has worked the best. The soft solid nature of paraffin provides a smooth lubrication between the two surfaces, and does not wash away or drain away during use, nor while not in use. Wax also easily wicks into the fabric of cover 36 when heated to its melting point. Wax and other lubricating polymers can also continue to provide protection even after hundreds of hose extension and retraction cycles. Waxes may also be combined with other ingredients or additives to make the wax have various other properties. By adding additional ingredients or additives, a wax or soft polymer can be made sticky and/or gooey so that it can shift with the inner elastic tube and/or outer cover, while at the same time help hold the inner hose in a particular position when the hose is retracted. These sticky and/or gooey polymers can operate as a weak adhesive, providing weak bonding between the elastic tube and outer cover to maintain their relative position during operation. These sticky and gooey polymers can be tailored to slide easily when a small constant force is applied (acting like a thick lubricant) while at the same time resisting strong fast forces to act like an adhesive. Other additives might be used to increase the melting temperature (warmer climates) of the wax or soft polymer, and in other situations be used to reduce the melting temperature (colder climates). Other lubricating solid polymers can comprise polymers that can be bonded to the fibers of outer cover 36 and also make a low friction contact interface with the outer surface of the elastic tubes (i.e., elastic tubes 24, 34, and 44). The lubricant may also comprise a solid lubricant that is coated on the yarn or fibers that make up outer cover 36 before outer cover 36 is woven or braided.
Pleated covers 36 and 76 can be manufactured by first braiding a round braid tube with a circular braiding machine, or other similar machine, then pleating the braided tube with repeating annular pleats and the setting the shown pleated shapes by heat setting, coating with polymers, and/or using other shape holding methods. Once, pleated covers 36 and 76 have a set shape, as shown in
The manufacturing of pleated outer cover 76 seen in
In tests, a very-high temperature heat gun, produced sufficiently hot air, at greater than 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, and radiant heat to produce melted portions 77, on a pleated cover similar to cover 36, that were nearly indistinguishable from melted portions 77 produced by a propane flame. In some designs quickly heating the exterior of cover 36 is important to properly melting of portions 77 without heating and shrinking the valley portions of the cover. Slower heating can cause excessive heating of underlying portions of pleated cover 36 which can tend to cause yarns 36a-b (and cover 36) to shrink significantly and can also make the resulting pleated braid stiff. Thus, heating of portions 77 can be done quickly to prevent shrinkage of fibers 36a-b. Heated air, and burned gasses, cool quickly as they pass between the small closely-packed fibers of cover 36, but if heat is applied for more than about one-half a second, the heat begins to penetrate deeper into cover 36 and starts to cause the interior portions of the fibers to begin to shrink. When this interior shrinkage happens there is nothing to support the outer ridges and the entire cover 36 tends to shrink in diameter. This shrinkage can cause problems if the shrinkage of cover 36 was not taken into account for the final product. Ideally, only the outer ridge is heated sufficiently for the fibers to shrink and/or melt so that the underlying fibers can support the outer ridge and help resist the shrinkage of fibers there. For pleated braid about 0.80 inches in outside diameter, the dwell time for the heated air or gasses should kept below one second to prevent significant shrinkage. Ideally for most nylons and polyesters heating times under one-half second can be used to keep shrinkage minimal. However, temperatures should be high enough to melt the outer ridge and form melted portions 77 during this one-half second or less of heat. This can require relatively high temperatures above about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, in many cases the heating of melted portions 77 should be done very quickly before hot gasses, flame, or radiant heat have time to penetrate deeper into braided cover 36 and cause excessive shrinkage.
In
In
Before we go further in the discussion of bungee hoses 30, 40 and 50 please review the section marked “Definition of Terms” in this document for the definition of a few special terms used in describing bungee hoses. In
In
In
In
In FIGS. 4A-B 4A-C, bungee cords 60 and, 63 and 65 can operate in substantially the same way as standard bungee cords, with hook ends 62 allowing them to attach to various places on vehicles to tie down items. The bungee cord itself, comprising pleated cover 36 and an elastic core (i.e., elastic tube 34 and, elastic cord 64 and a plurality of elastic cords 67) allow it to stretch to hold these items in place. Unlike typical bungee cords, the disclosed bungee cord can stretch to over six times its original length to wrap and hold objects that need securing.
In
In
The use of a radially expandable and longitudinally stretchable outer cover with an inner elastic tube significantly changes the dynamics of a retractable hose (bungee hose) and its operational characteristics. An outer cover such as disclosed herein can be implemented to facilitate stretching longitudinally and radially by orienting all the yarns that comprise the outer cover at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bungee hose (yarns oriented neither longitudinal nor tangential).
Although the above description contains many concrete examples, these should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the protection provided by this or any related document. Instead, the above description should be considered illustrative of some of the presently preferred approaches to implementing aspects of the inventor's technology. For example, many alternate solid and liquid lubricants can be used, and, in implementations where an outer cover is bonded to an inner elastic tube, many different ways of bonding can be used to achieve specific characteristics for a particular bungee hose. The choice of material for the inner elastic tube and the outer cover is very diverse and many natural and synthetic polymers can be used. Also, many additional combinations of outer cover, lubricants, inner elastic tube, and bonding methods are possible. Finally, while a hollow circular braided tube is the presently preferred structure for the outer cover of the bungee hose, many other knits, braid styles, and weaves can be substituted that provide a regular repeating pleated pattern and allows the hose to retract radially when extended longitudinally and expands radially when longitudinally retracted.
Thus, the scope of this invention should not be limited to the above examples but should be determined from the following claims.
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