Patent ID: 7469722
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A bend stiffener for limiting the bending radius of an elongated body, comprising a plurality of alternating disks of rigid material and flexible material, each disk having a center hole of sufficient diameter to accommodate the elongated body, the center hole of each disk being arranged in axial alignment with the center holes of adjacent disks, wherein the axially-aligned disks are arranged intermediate an end plate and a front plate, one or both of which having a termination member, the disks further comprising a plurality of peripheral holes arranged around the disks' center holes, the peripheral holes of adjacent disks being in axial alignment with each other, said disks being sandwiched together by a single wire that has a first end connected to the end plate, passes through one set of axially-aligned peripheral holes to the front plate, rests in a groove in the front plate, passes back to the end plate through a second set of axially-aligned peripheral holes, engages the end plate, returns to the front plate through a third set of axially-aligned peripheral holes and rests in a second groove in the front plate, and passes yet again back to the end plate through a fourth set of axially-aligned peripheral holes, and has its second end connected to the end plate.