Improved Flexible Tube.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
CUBIT TIME OF DOITIC
Improved Flexible Tube.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me from
abroad by Thomas Richard Almond, Machinist, of 343, West 23rd Street, and Edwin
Gale Freligh, Physician, of 11, West 34th Street, both in the City, County, and
State of New York, United States of America,) and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention relates to a new construction of tubing, and consists in making
the same of wire as hereinafter described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
specification, wherein figure 1 is a side view of a flexible tube containing this
invention and provided with an ordinary socket for connection with a burner.
Figure 2 is a detail enlarged longitudinal section of the tube, shewing it in process of
construction. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the tube when straight, and figure 4
is a similar view of the same when curved. Figure 5 shews a modification of the
invention.
In making the tubo, a coiled wire spring is used, that is to say a coil of wire
having the elasticity of the ordinary coiled or spiral spring and the tendency to
contract lengthwise when expanded. This spring A is slipped upon a mandrel or
core B and a wire D is then forced in between the convolutions of the spring A
until it touches the mandrel B. The mandrel is then withdrawn. The contractile
tendency of the spring A forces its coils tightly against the windings D. By this
pressure, a continuity of surface and a close joint between the convolutions is
obtained so that a practically fluid tight tube is produced. A tubo of this
construction may be used for conducting illuminating gas, as indicated in figure 1; it
can be used to convey water or other liquids, has flexibility and can be bent as
required.
The wire D may be of soft metal or analogous substance and it may be covered
wire or the like. Suitable strands of fabric may be wound in or around the tube thus
formed without changing the spirit of the invention. When the mandrel is withdrawn,
the pressure exerted by the convolutions of the spring A may, in some cases, serve to
force the wire D inwards, as in figure 3, but the tight grip upon them will not be
released.
When the tube thus produced is bent, as in figure 4, the convolutions of A will
approach on the inner curvature a of the bend and will become further separated on
the outer curvaturo b, but as they come nearer together on the inner circumference
they force the intervening wire D towards the outer circumference, thus causing the
wire D to fill the larger gaps produced at that place between the convolutions of the
spring A. This is clearly indicated in figure 4.
Figure 5 shews a modification, wherein there is an additional inner coiled spring A*
between the convolutions of which, as well as between the convolutions of the outer
spring A, the convolutions of the interposed coiled D are forced so as to spread them
apart.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
The fovible the cominced of the coiled wire spring A and the coiled wire D. the

page_text: convolutions of the wire D being interposed between the convolutions of the spring A
and held thereby under pressure, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 25th day of March 1890.
A.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.