Patent ID: 6905415

Claim:
A flexible element having: a core ( 12 ) for transmission of a mechanical force or moment by the core or for transmission of electricity by the core, a tubular sheathing ( 16 ) protecting the core, said core and said tubular sheathing being moveable relative to each other and having different coefficients of thermal expansion, first and second sleeve elements ( 20 ) encircling the core ( 12 ) and being movable relative to the core ( 12 ), said first and said second sleeve elements holding the tubular sheathing ( 16 ) between said first and said second sleeve elements, and ring elements ( 24 ) being fixed at the ends of the core ( 12 ) and forming an axial stop to limit motion of associated ones of said sleeve elements ( 20 ) to maintain said sleeve elements in positions for engaging said tubular sheathing, wherein at least one of said sleeve elements ( 20 ) has an interior space providing play, and holds the tubular sheathing ( 16 ) with limited axial play ( 26 ) dimensioned in such a manner that, within an operating temperature range, at the lowest temperature of the range, the ends of the tubular sheathing are still held, securely in the sleeve elements and at the maximum temperature of the range, a smaller axial play remains, the core extending from a first of the core ends to a second of the core ends with said ends of the core being free ends axially extending through said ring elements ( 24 ).