Patent ID: 7055551

Claim:
A flexible pipe comprising: a tubular member defining a longitudinal passage; a single metal strip continuously helically wound over the tubular member to define a plurality of radially spaced, integral windings, the strip having a constant thickness throughout its length and width; a cross section of the strip being preformed prior to being wound over the tubular member and having a convex portion comprising a first, curved bent region at an edge of the strip and a straight portion extending from the first bent region to a curved, bent portion of the strip, and a concave portion comprising a second, curved bent region at the other edge of the strip and a straight portion extending from the second bent region to the bent portion of the strip, said convex portion and said concave portion being integrally formed; the convex portion of each winding of the strip overlapping a portion of the concave portion of one adjacent winding, and the concave portion of each winding being overlapped by the convex portion of another adjacent winding which is in a spaced relation to the one adjacent winding, to interlock the windings; a layer of wires wrapped around the exterior of the metal strip; and an outer sheath extending over the metal strip and the layer of wires.