Patent Publication Number: US-2007119363-A1

Title: Hose apparatus wear indicator

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/740,773, filed Nov. 30, 2005. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FILED  
      The disclosed invention is directed in general towards a hose, and more specifically to a hose for use in abrasive environments such as mining applications.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      Hoses used in harsh environments require routine visual inspection to ensure that the hose structural integrity is maintained. Visual inspection of hoses in low light environments is thus hampered by the lack of light. Thus it is desired to have a hose that has an external configuration which has a wear indicator to indicate that the hose needs to be replaced. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the hose of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hose of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hose of  FIG. 1  shown with an abrasion revealing one or more of the wear indicators;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the hose of  FIG. 1  showing the internal construction. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is an overview of the hose  10  of the present invention. The hose  10  is typically a multi-layered laminate having an inner layer or tube  20  which is in direct contact with the material being conveyed through the hose. The inner layer  20  is typically comprised of rubber or an elastomeric material preferably comprised of an abrasion resistant material.  
      Hose  10  may optionally include a middle reinforcing layer  30 . The middle reinforcing layer  30  may comprise braided steel wire, fabric reinforced material, or a metal reinforced fabric.  
      Hose  10  further comprises an outer cover  40 . The outer cover may be comprised of a rubber or elastomeric material. Embedded within the outer cover  40  is a light reflective wear indicator. The wear indicator  50  may be embedded in a spiral or helix manner at a predetermined depth of the hose. The wear indicator  50  may also be located between the reinforcement layer  30  and cover  40 . The wear indicator may comprise reflective tape such as for example, an aluminum hydroxide strip. Thus when the hose cover becomes worn, the light reflective strip is illuminated by lighting the hose, via a flashlight or other light source. Alternatively, a brightly colored or shiny strip may also be used, such as, but not limited to, neon, orange, bright green, silver, yellow, gold or other contrasting color.  
      Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention.