Patent ID: 7337808

Claim:
A flexible-rigid bimodal liquid conveyor hose, said bimodal hose comprising: a plurality of adjacently engaged hollow members defining a hose having a first end, a second end, and an elongated hollow; at least one flexible tube passing along said plurality of adjacently engaged hollow members, wherein said at least one flexible tube is adapted to convey fluid; a tensioner extending from said first end to said second end, wherein said tensioner has a first low tension state in which each one of said plurality of adjacently engaged hollow members is rotating in respect to neighboring hollow members and a second high tension state in which said plurality of hollow members are forced together so that there is substantially no relative movement between the hollow members; an actuator adapted to apply different tensile forces on said tensioner; whereby in the first low tension state, the bimodal hose is in a flexible mode and in the second high tension state, the bimodal hose is maintained in a rigid state.