Abstract:
A reusable hose bundling sleeve is provided that is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. The reusable hose is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables to be protected such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Notches can be cut along the length of the reusable hose to allow for shorter hoses or cables traveling within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying. The reusable hose is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The reusable hose can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing the durability of the sleeve.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to hydraulic hoses and electrical cables and, more particularly, to reusable bundling sleeves for such hoses and cables.  
           [0002]    Hose sleeves typically are used to cover hydraulic hoses and electrical cables and protect them from abrasion as well as insulate them from high temperatures. On many vehicles or heavy machinery, hydraulic and electrical lines oftentimes run alongside engines, motors, or other moving components. During operation, the vibration and heat created by these components tends to degrade the hydraulic and electrical lines. Because of this, hose sleeves are used to provide a layer of protection between the hydraulic and electrical lines and the engine components.  
           [0003]    Conventional hose sleeves consist of a one-piece tubular member. Hydraulic hoses and electrical cables must be disconnected and fed individually through the entire length of a conventional hose sleeve. Because conventional hose sleeves often are made of a thick knitted material, such as DuPont Cordura®, they are stiff and difficult to work with. Installing a hose sleeve typically requires constant manipulation to thread the hose sleeve around the hydraulic or electrical line.  
           [0004]    Because conventional hose sleeves are made of a one-piece tubular member, they do not allow for shorter hoses or cables traveling within the hose sleeve to exit at a point along the length of the sleeve. Cutting a hole or slit at a point along the length of a conventional hose sleeve decreases the durability of the fibers at that point and only encourages the fibers to fray and provide less protection to the hoses and cables traveling within.  
           [0005]    Replacing a conventional hose sleeve also is problematic. To remove conventional hose sleeves, the hydraulic and electrical lines traveling through the hose sleeve must be disconnected and withdrawn from the sleeve. Disconnecting a hydraulic hose disrupts the hose fittings which may promote leakage. Further, disconnecting the hydraulic hose may expose the hydraulic system to contaminants. Oftentimes, in the field, repair technicians will remove conventional hose sleeves simply by cutting and tearing them off. Because installation of conventional hose sleeves is so labor intensive, repair technicians oftentimes do not install replacement hose sleeves according to the manufacturer&#39;s specifications, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the hose sleeve. It is also not uncommon for field technicians, in the interests of time, to forego installing replacement hose sleeves, exposing the hydraulic and electrical lines to increased abrasion and temperature degradation.  
           [0006]    Another disadvantage of conventional hose sleeves is that they wear out quickly. As a conventional hose sleeve rubs against a surface or edge, internal fibers break, causing the thick knitted material to fray or appear fuzzy. This fraying causes the product to weaken and expand, thereby encouraging further hose abrasion. Additionally, the thick knitted material typically used with conventional hose sleeves does not provide protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. As such, hose sleeves on external hydraulic or electrical lines will degrade from exposure to sunlight and not provide long-lasting effective protection.  
           [0007]    To ensure that conventional hose sleeves do not travel about the hoses and cables running within, manufacturers often will use cable ties or the like to cinch the hose sleeve in place. The necessity of tying down conventional hose sleeves becomes problematic as the ties pinch or place undue pressure upon the hoses and cables running within. Sensitive cables, such as fiber optic lines, will not function properly if pinched.  
           [0008]    It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a hose bundling sleeve that can be easily installed, removed, and reused.  
           [0009]    Another object of this invention is to provide a hose bundling sleeve that can accommodate different lengths of hoses and cables, allowing shorter hoses and cables to exit the hose sleeve at any point along the length of the invention.  
           [0010]    A further object of this invention is to provide a hose bundling sleeve that resists degradation from abrasion, vibration, and UV rays.  
           [0011]    Still a further object of this invention is to provide a hose bundling sleeve that can accommodate hydraulic hoses, electrical cables, and fiber optic lines without the need for ties that pinch or place undue pressure on the lines.  
           [0012]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention is directed towards a reusable hose bundling sleeve. The present invention is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops, with urethane-coated backings, are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. Three rows of chain stitching are used to attach each strip of hooks and loops to the nylon material. When the hose sleeve is installed, the runner of the chain stitching is located on the inside of the hose sleeve. Because of the materials used, the present invention resists abrasion from vibration and heat as well as degradation from exposure to UV rays.  
           [0014]    The present invention is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables to be protected such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Because the hooks and loops form such a strong connection, there is no need for using cable ties or the like to secure the hose sleeve in place. Notches also can be cut along the length of the present invention to allow for shorter hoses or cables traveling within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying.  
           [0015]    The present invention is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The present invention can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing the durability of the sleeve.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a vehicle equipped with the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention when fastened around hydraulic hoses;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention when opened and lying flat;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is the reverse side of the present invention shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the chain stitching of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 except that the present invention has been notched;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is the reverse side of the present invention shown in FIG. 7; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 except that a hydraulic hose is shown exiting the present invention at a point along the length of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    With respect to FIG. 1, a hose sleeve  10  is disclosed for use with bundling hydraulic hoses  12  typically found on heavy machinery  14  or other vehicles. Hose sleeve  10  also may be used with electrical cables, fiber optic lines, and any other type of conduit. Further, hose sleeve  10  may be used on any number of applications other than vehicles. For example, hose sleeve  10  also may be used to protect data lines running through the walls or ceilings of a home or office building. Hose sleeve  10  protects hydraulic hoses  12  or any other conduits traveling within from abrasion caused by vibration and heat as well as degradation from exposure to UV rays.  
         [0026]    With respect to FIGS. 2-6, hose sleeve  10  includes an elongated section of material  16 . Elongated section of material  16  includes a front surface  18  opposite a reverse surface  20 . Elongated section of material  16  also includes a first edge  22  opposite a second edge  24 . Material  16  is a tightly-woven nylon, such as 1000 denier or 1050 ballistic weave. In addition, material  16  is coated with urethane. Coating the material  16  with urethane provides many advantages. First, urethane coating allows for the use of a lighter weight nylon, as opposed to the thicker knit conventional hose sleeves. A lighter weight nylon is more flexible and allows hose sleeve  10  to be easily wrapped around hydraulic hoses  12  or other conduits. The lighter weight nylon also allows hose sleeve  10  to be installed on hydraulic hoses  12  with bends or curves. Urethane coating also creates a slicker surface than the thicker knit conventional hose sleeves. A slicker surface allows hose sleeve  10  to slide easily over other surfaces and edges, thereby minimizing friction and abrasion. The slicker surface also allows the hoses and cables traveling within hose sleeve  10  to flex. Finally, urethane coating ensures that elongated section of material  16  will not be degraded by UV rays.  
         [0027]    Hose sleeve  10  also includes strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  attached to opposite sides of opposite edges of the elongated section of material  16 . Specifically, strip of hooks  26  is attached to the reverse surface  20  of elongated section of material  16 , near second edge  24 . Strip of loops  28  is attached to the front surface  18  of elongated section of material  16 , near first edge  22 . Strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  are of a heavy duty construction, containing about fifteen to twenty percent more hooks per inch as compared to standard hook and loop material, such as that sold under the Velcro® brand. In addition, the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  have a backing coated with urethane. The urethane coating provides all the advantages as discussed above. Each strip of hooks  26  and loops  28  has a width about one-fifth the width of the elongated section of material  16 . Therefore, the width of the strip of hooks  26  plus the width of the strip of loops  28  comprises about two-fifths the width of elongated section of material  16 .  
         [0028]    In attaching strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  to the elongated section of material  16 , the strips are first adhered to material  16 . A layer  30  of low-temperature adhesive is applied to the elongated section of material  16  near second edge  24  of reverse surface  20 . A strip of hooks  26  is then placed on the layer  30  of adhesive. The strip of hooks  26  is then sewn to the elongated section of material  16  with stitching  32 . This process is repeated for attaching strip of loops  28  to the elongated section of material. Specifically, a layer  30  of low-temperature adhesive is applied to the elongated section of material  16  near first edge  22  of front surface  18 . A strip of loops  28  is then placed on the layer  30  of adhesive. The strip of loops  28  is then sewn to the elongated section of material  16  with stitching  32 . The material  16  is then placed in an oven that heats the layer  30  of low-temperature adhesive without damaging the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28 . After heating the adhesive, the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  are rolled or pressed to ensure that the adhesive flows around the stitching  32 . The layer  30  of adhesive prevents the stitching  32  from unraveling even if the stitching  32  should break or wear after installing the hose sleeve  10 .  
         [0029]    Three rows of stitching  32  are used to attach each strip of hooks  26  and loops  28 . The middle row of stitching  32  ensures that the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  do not separate from the elongated section of material  16  when pulling the strip of hooks  26  away from the strip of loops  28 . Stitching  32  consists of chain stitches  34  with runners  36 . Chain stitches  34  are advantageous because they allow the sewing process to be automated. Chain stitching can be accomplished without the use of bobbins, which reduces the time and labor necessary to thread and replace the bobbins. Chain stitching also provides the strength necessary for repeated use of the hose sleeve  10 . When sewing the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  onto elongated section of material  16 , care is taken to ensure that the runners  36  of each row of stitching  32  are located inside hose sleeve  10  when it is installed, as discussed below. Specifically, the runners  36  of the three rows of stitching  32  securing the strip of hooks  26  to the elongated section of material  16  will be located on the reverse surface  20  of the material  16 , nested in the strip of hooks  26 . Similarly, the runners  36  of the three rows of stitching  32  securing the strip of loops  28  to the elongated section of material  16  will be located on the front surface  18  of the material  16 , nested in the strip of loops  28 . This is advantageous because the runners  36  are the weakest portion of chain stitches  34 . Breaking a runner  36  may cause the entire stitching  32  to unravel. By placing the runners  36  inside the hose sleeve  10 , the runners  36  will not be exposed to external surfaces and edges that can wear away at the runners  36 . It should be noted, though, that the layer  30  of adhesive prevents the runners  36  from unraveling even if the runners  36  should break or wear after installing the hose sleeve  10 .  
         [0030]    Hose sleeve  10  is installed by placing the reverse surface  20  of elongated section of material  16  against the hydraulic hose  12  or any other conduit to be protected. The elongated section of material  16  is then wrapped around hose  12  such that the strip of hooks  26  engages with the strip of loops  28 . The strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  form a strong connection such that elongated section of material  16  firmly covers hose  12 , as best shown in FIG. 2. Because of the strong connection of strips of hooks  26  and loops  28 , cable ties or the like are not needed to secure hose sleeve  10  about the hydraulic hose  12  or other conduits being protected. Hose sleeve  10  firmly wraps around hose  12  such that hose sleeve  10  will not travel about hose  12 , even when hose sleeve  10  is used in an environment with high vibration or abrasion. It should be noted, though, that hose sleeve  10  firmly encompasses hose  12  without pinching or placing undue pressure on hose  12  or the conduits traveling within.  
         [0031]    Removing hose sleeve  10  is easily done by grasping the second edge  24  and pulling the strip of hooks  26  away from the strip of loops  28 . After the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  have been disengaged, the elongated strip of material  16  is free to be unwrapped from hose  12  or the conduit traveling within. Because the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  are securely attached to the elongated section of material  16  by the layer  30  of adhesive and the three rows of stitching  32 , hose sleeve  10  can be installed, removed, and reinstalled numerous times without damaging hose sleeve  10 .  
         [0032]    As best shown in FIGS. 7-9, hose sleeve  10  can be notched to accommodate a hose  38  that, for functional reasons, needs to exit the hose sleeve  10  at a point along the length of hose sleeve  10 . For smaller conduits, such as an office data line (not shown), notching is not necessary as the conduit can easily slip through the seam  40  created by wrapping the first edge  22  of elongated section of material  16  over the second edge  24 . Seam  40  of hose sleeve  10  will properly seal around a smaller conduit without pinching or placing undue pressure on the smaller conduit. For larger conduits, such as hose  38 , a notch  42  is necessary in order to ensure that the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  properly engage with each other to form a strong connection.  
         [0033]    Notch  42  may be cut as needed anywhere along the length of elongated section of material  16 , as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Preferably, the notch  42  is cut into both edges  22  and  24  such that the elongated section of material  16  wraps around the exiting conduit  38  when installed, as shown in FIG. 9. Because of the layer  30  of adhesive, the strips of hooks  26  and loops  28  will not pull away from the elongated section of material  16  after notch  42  has been cut. Further, the layer  30  of adhesive prevents stitching  32  from unraveling after notch  42  has been cut into hose sleeve  10 . The size of notch  42  depends entirely upon the size of the exiting conduit  38 . Notch  42  can be easily cut with scissors.