U.S. patent application number 16/730048 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-30 for hose arrangements.
This patent application is currently assigned to EXEL Industries SA. The applicant listed for this patent is EXEL Industries SA. Invention is credited to David LORD, Michael ROSE.
Application Number | 20200132229 16/730048 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59055139 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200132229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LORD; David ; et
al. |
April 30, 2020 |
HOSE ARRANGEMENTS
Abstract
A hose arrangement includes an outer tube of flexible material
and an inner tube of an elastic material for carrying fluid. Due to
an action of the elastic inner tube, the hose has a shorter length
in a contracted state in the absence of fluid pressure in the
interior of the inner elastic tube and a longer length in an
expanded state when the fluid pressure is applied to the interior
of the elastic inner tube. The tube has an undulating state in the
contracted state and controls and contains expansion of the inner
tube when the hose is in the expanded state. At least one sleeve
portion is provided between the elastic inner tube and the outer
tube along a part of the elastic inner tube where undulation of the
outer tube occurs in the contracted state for protecting the
elastic inner tube from abrasion undulations of the outer tube.
Inventors: |
LORD; David; (Sutton
Coldfield, GB) ; ROSE; Michael; (Sutton Coldfield,
US) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EXEL Industries SA |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
EXEL Industries SA
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
59055139 |
Appl. No.: |
16/730048 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15624208 |
Jun 15, 2017 |
10550965 |
|
|
16730048 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 11/12 20130101;
F16L 21/06 20130101; F16L 11/20 20130101; F16L 11/111 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 11/11 20060101
F16L011/11; F16L 11/20 20060101 F16L011/20; F16L 11/12 20060101
F16L011/12; F16L 21/06 20060101 F16L021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2016 |
GB |
1610378.0 |
Sep 9, 2016 |
GB |
1615395.9 |
Claims
1. A hose arrangement comprising an outer tube of flexible material
and an inner tube of an elastic material for carrying fluid through
the hose arrangement, wherein due to the action of the elastic
inner tube, the hose arrangement has a shorter length in a
contracted state in the absence of fluid pressure in the interior
of the inner elastic tube and a longer length in an expanded state
when fluid pressure is applied to the interior of the elastic inner
tube, and the outer tube has an undulating state when the hose
arrangement is in the contracted state and serves to control and
contain expansion of the inner tube when the hose arrangement is in
the expanded state, wherein at least one sleeve portion is provided
between the elastic inner tube and the outer tube along at least
part of a length of the elastic inner tube where undulation of the
outer tube occurs in the contracted state for protecting the
elastic inner tube from abrasion by the undulations of the outer
tube, the hose arrangement further comprises: a first hose end
portion for receiving a first end of the outer tube and a first end
of the elastic inner tube for use in coupling the first ends of the
tubes together, a second hose end portion for receiving a second
end of the outer tube and a second end of the elastic inner tube
for use in coupling the second ends of the tubes together, a first
clamping member for clamping the outer tube, the inner tube and the
sleeve portion to the first hose end portion, wherein the sleeve
portion extends longitudinally inwards of the clamping member away
from the first ends of the outer and inner tubes, a second clamping
member for clamping the outer tube, the inner tube and the sleeve
portion to the second hose end portion, wherein the sleeve portion
extends longitudinally inwards of the clamping member away from the
second ends of the outer and inner tubes, a first expansion
retainer at the first hose end portion for controlling radial
expansion of the inner tube, wherein the sleeve portion extends
longitudinally inwards of the expansion retainer away from the
first ends of the outer and inner tubes and said first expansion
retainer comprises a respective support surface for supporting the
inner tube against expansion in the region of the first clamping
member, and a second expansion retainer at the second hose end
portion for controlling radial expansion of the inner tube, wherein
the sleeve portion extends longitudinally inwards of the expansion
retainer away from the second ends of the outer and inner tubes and
said second expansion retainer comprises a respective support
surface for supporting the inner tube against expansion in the
region of the second clamping member.
2. A hose arrangement according to claim 1 which comprises two
sleeve portions, a first sleeve portion provided at a first end of
the tubes and clamped by the first clamping member, and a second
sleeve portion provided at a second end of the tubes and clamped
together by the second clamping member.
3. A hose arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first
and/or second hose end portion comprises a respective adaptor
arranged for introduction in and clamping by a hose connector
portion, such as a conventional hose fitting.
4. A hose arrangement according to claim 3 which comprises two
sleeve portions and two adaptors in which the first clamping member
clamps the outer tube, the inner tube and the first sleeve portion
to a first of the adaptors, and the second clamping member clamps
the outer tube, the inner tube and the second sleeve portion to a
second of the adaptors.
5. A hose arrangement according to claim 3 which comprises two
adaptors and a first nut for securing the first ends of the tubes
to a first of the adaptors and a second nut for securing the second
ends of the tubes to a second of the adaptors, wherein the first
nut carries the first expansion retainer and the second nut carries
the second expansion retainer.
6. A hose arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first
and/or second hose end portion comprises a hose connector portion,
such as a conventional hose fitting.
7. A hose arrangement according to claim 1 in which the sleeve
portion, the outer tube and the inner tube are connected together
at at least one location inwards of the ends of the outer and inner
tubes.
8. A hose arrangement according to claim 7 in which the at least
one location is inwards of the first and/or second hose end
portion.
9. A hose arrangement according to claim 8 in which the sleeve
portion extends from the first and/or the second hose end portion
to the at least one location.
10. A hose arrangement according to claim 8 in which the sleeve
portion is connected to the first and/or the second hose end
portion and/or connected to at least one of the inner and outer
tube at the region of the first and/or the second hose end
portion.
11. A hose arrangement according to claim 1 in which the sleeve
portion, the outer tube and the inner tube are connected together
at at least one location inwards of the first ends of the outer and
inner tubes and the sleeve portion is connected to the first hose
end portion and/or connected to at least one of the inner tube and
outer tube at the region of the first hose end portion so enabling
control by the sleeve portion of longitudinal expansion and
contraction of the hose arrangement between said at least one
location and the first hose end portion.
12. A hose arrangement according to any one of claim 7 in which the
at least one sleeve portion extends beyond the location at which it
is connected to the outer tube and the inner tube.
13. A hose arrangement according to any one of claim 7 in which the
hose arrangement comprises a joiner member at the location at which
the at least one sleeve portion is connected to the inner and outer
tubes.
14. A hose arrangement according to claim 13 in which the outer
tube, inner tube and sleeve portion are all attached to the joiner
member.
15. A hose arrangement according to claim 13 in which there is an
aperture or a break in the sleeve portion in the region of the
joiner member with the joiner member bridging the aperture or break
in the sleeve portion.
16. A hose arrangement according to claim 2 in which a first of the
sleeve portions is connected to the outer tube and the inner tube
at a first location which is inwards of a first end of the tubes
and a second of the sleeve portions is connected to the outer tube
and the inner tube at a second location which is inwards of a
second end of the tubes.
17. A hose arrangement according to claim 1, in which the support
surface defines a flared bore in the first expansion retainer
and/or in the second expansion retainer in order to allow gradual
increase in diameter of the inner tube when subjected to
pressure.
18. A method of manufacturing a hose arrangement comprising an
outer tube of flexible material and an inner tube of an elastic
material for carrying fluid through the hose arrangement, wherein
due to the action of the elastic inner tube, the hose arrangement
has a shorter length in a contracted state in the absence of fluid
pressure in the interior of the inner elastic tube and a longer
length in an expanded state when fluid pressure is applied to the
interior of the elastic inner tube, and the outer tube has an
undulating state when the hose arrangement is in the contracted
state and serves to control and contain expansion of the inner tube
when the hose arrangement is in the expanded state, the method
comprising the step of providing at least one sleeve portion
between the elastic inner tube and the outer tube along at least
part of a length of the elastic inner tube where undulation of the
outer tube occurs in the contracted state for protecting the
elastic inner tube from abrasion by the undulations of the outer
tube, wherein the method comprises the further steps of: providing
a first hose end portion for receiving a first end of the outer
tube and a first end of the elastic inner tube for use in coupling
the first ends of the tubes together; providing a second hose end
portion for receiving a second end of the outer tube and a second
end of the elastic inner tube for use in coupling the second ends
of the tubes together; providing a first clamping member for
clamping the outer tube, the inner tube and the sleeve portion to
the first hose end portion, wherein the sleeve portion extends
longitudinally inwards of the clamping member away from the first
ends of the outer and inner tubes; providing a second clamping
member for clamping the outer tube, the inner tube and the sleeve
portion to the second hose end portion, wherein the sleeve portion
extends longitudinally inwards of the clamping member away from the
second ends of the outer and inner tubes; providing a first
expansion retainer at the first hose end portion for controlling
radial expansion of the inner tube, wherein the sleeve portion
extends longitudinally inwards of the expansion retainer away from
the first ends of the outer and inner tubes and said first
expansion retainer comprises a respective support surface for
supporting the inner tube against expansion in the region of the
first clamping member; and providing a second expansion retainer at
the second hose end portion for controlling radial expansion of the
inner tube, wherein the sleeve portion extends longitudinally
inwards of the expansion retainer away from the second ends of the
outer and inner tubes and said second expansion retainer comprises
a respective support surface for supporting the inner tube against
expansion in the region of the second clamping member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
15/624,208 filed Jun. 15, 2017, which claims priority to GB
Application No. 1610378.0 filed on Jun. 15, 2016, and GB
Application No. 1615395.9 filed on Sep. 9, 2016, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to hose arrangements.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The ideas in this specification are generally applicable to
hoses of different types including industrial hoses, for example,
hoses used in spraying applications as well as watering hoses
including domestic, say, garden hoses. One example of the hoses to
which the ideas relate are garden water supplying hoses of the type
which have an expanded and increased length state when pressurised
due to water flowing therethrough and a contracted state in the
absence of such pressure.
[0004] Typically such hoses have an outer fabric based layer which
can contract and in effect crumple as the hose contracts in a
non-water filled state and some form of internal elastic member for
causing the hose to move to a contracted state in the absence of
water pressure.
[0005] One such existing expandable hose is described in
GB2490276A. That hose has an outer tube formed of a non-elastic and
flexible material and an inner tube constructed of an elastic
material. The outer tube and the inner tube have a first end
attached together by a first coupler and a second end attached by a
second coupler. The hose has a shorter length a non-water flow
contracted state and a longer length in an expanded state where
water pressure is applied to the interior of the elastic tube. The
water flow path is through the inner elastic tube whereas the outer
tube serves to control and contain expansion of the inner tube in
the expanded state. In the contracted state the outer tube is in a
crumpled or undulating state, whereas in the expanded state the
outer tube is relatively taut and restrains the inner tube against
further expansion.
[0006] A potential drawback with a hose of the construction
described in GB2490276A is that there can be a tendency for hose
failure due to one or other of the couplers failing to successfully
hold the inner or outer tube after a period of use or more
generally that there is a tendency for such hoses to fail after an
extended period of use.
[0007] Thus it would be desirable to provide an improved design of
hose with better reliability/durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Whilst not at all immediately apparent, it has been
determined by the applicants that one cause of failure in such
hoses is that when such a hose expands and contracts a
disproportionate amount of expansion and contraction takes place in
the region of the couplers provided at each end of the hose. That
is to say, on each hose usage, these end regions of the hose tend
to expand and contract more than central regions of the hose. This
in turn means that there is increased wear and stress in these
regions.
[0009] Further again although not at all immediately apparent, the
applicants have determined that one effect of this excessive
expansion and contraction at these end regions is that there is
wear on the inner elastic tube due to the outer tube, and in
particular the undulations thereof, rubbing against the material of
the inner tube.
[0010] Thus whilst it might be first thought that a tendency for
failure of the inner hose to occur near the couplers was due to
excessive radial expansion in this region and or damage done to the
inner tube by the clamping mechanism in the couplers in fact there
are further factors at play which have been uncovered by the
applicant.
[0011] Having uncovered these factors the applicants have devised
hose arrangements aimed at addressing these factors amongst
others.
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a hose arrangement comprising an outer tube of flexible
material and an inner tube of an elastic material for carrying
fluid through the hose arrangement, wherein due to the action of
the elastic inner tube, the hose arrangement has a shorter length
in a contracted state in the absence of fluid pressure in the
interior of the inner elastic tube and a longer length in an
expanded state when fluid pressure is applied to the interior of
the elastic inner tube, and the outer tube has an undulating state
when the hose arrangement is in the contracted state and serves to
control and contain expansion of the inner tube when the hose
arrangement is in the expanded state, wherein at least one sleeve
portion is provided between the elastic inner tube and the outer
tube along at least part of a length of the elastic inner tube
where undulation of the outer tube occurs in the contracted state
for protecting the elastic inner tube from abrasion by the
undulations of the outer tube.
[0013] This can help improve the life/reliability of the hose
arrangement due to the protection of the inner tube.
[0014] The arrangement may comprise a first hose end portion for
receiving a first end of the outer tube and a first end of the
elastic inner tube for use in coupling the first ends of the tubes
together and a second hose end portion for receiving a second end
of the outer tube and a second end of the elastic inner tube for
use in coupling the second ends of the tubes together.
[0015] The first and/or second hose end portion may comprise an
adaptor arranged for introduction in and clamping by a hose
connector portion, such as a conventional hose fitting.
[0016] The first and/or second hose end portion may comprise a hose
connector portion, such as a conventional hose fitting.
[0017] The first and/or second hose end portion may clamp the
respective end of one or both of the inner tube and the outer tube.
The respective end of one or both of the inner tube and the outer
tube may be clampable to the first and/or second hose end
portion.
[0018] The sleeve portion, the outer tube and the inner tube may be
connected together at at least one location inwards of the ends of
the outer and inner tubes.
[0019] Where there is a first and/or second hose end portion the at
least one location may be inwards of the first and/or second hose
end portion.
[0020] The sleeve portion may extend from the first and/or the
second hose end portion to the at least one location.
[0021] The at least one location is preferably towards a respective
end of the hose arrangement but inwards therefrom.
[0022] The sleeve portion may be connected to the first and/or the
second hose end portion and/or connected to at least one of the
inner and outer tube at the region of the first and/or the second
hose end portion.
[0023] This can form a respective sleeved end region of the hose
arrangement with the sleeve running between one of the first and
second hose end portions and the location at which the sleeve
portion is connected to the outer tube and the inner tube.
[0024] Moreover with the sleeve:
[0025] i) connected to the first and/or the second hose end portion
and/or connected to at least one of the inner and outer tube at the
region of the first and/or the second hose end portion; and
[0026] ii) connected to the outer tube and the inner tube at at
least one location inwards of the ends of the outer and inner
tubes,
the sleeve can help control longitudinal expansion of the inner
tube in the region of the first and/or the second hose end
portion.
[0027] In one set of embodiments the sleeve portion, the outer tube
and the inner tube are connected together at at least one location
inwards of the first ends of the outer and inner tubes and the
sleeve portion is connected to the first hose end portion and/or
connected to at least one of the inner and outer tube at the region
of the first hose end portion so enabling control by the sleeve
portion of longitudinal expansion and contraction of the hose
arrangement between said at least one location and the first hose
end portion.
[0028] There may be two sleeve portions. A first of the sleeve
portions may be connected to the outer tube and the inner tube at a
first location which is inwards of a first end of the tubes. A
second of the sleeve portions may be connected to the outer tube
and the inner tube at a second location which is inwards of a
second end of the tubes.
[0029] The first and/or second location is preferably towards a
respective end of the hose arrangement but inwards therefrom.
[0030] The first sleeve portion may be connected to the first hose
end portion and/or connected to at least one of the inner and outer
tube at the region of the first hose end portion.
[0031] The second sleeve portion may be connected to the second
hose end portion and/or connected to at least one of the inner and
outer tube at the region of the second hose end portion.
[0032] This can form a respective sleeved end region at each end of
the hose arrangement with the respective sleeve portion running
between the respective one of the first and second hose end
portions and the location at which the respective sleeve portion is
connected to the outer tube and the inner tube.
[0033] Moreover with the first sleeve portion:
[0034] i) connected to the first hose end portion and/or connected
to at least one of the inner and outer tube at the region of the
first hose end portion; and
[0035] ii) connected to the outer tube and the inner tube at at
least one location inwards of the ends of the outer and inner
tubes, the first sleeve portion can help control longitudinal
expansion of the inner tube in the region of the first hose end
portion.
[0036] Similarly with the second sleeve portion:
[0037] i) connected to the second hose end portion and/or connected
to at least one of the inner and outer tube at the region of the
second hose end portion; and
[0038] ii) connected to the outer tube and the inner tube at at
least one location inwards of the ends of the outer and inner
tubes,
the second sleeve portion can help control longitudinal expansion
of the inner tube in the region of the second hose end portion.
[0039] In one set of embodiments the second sleeve portion, the
outer tube and the inner tube are connected together at at least
one location inwards of the second ends of the outer and inner
tubes and the second sleeve portion is connected to the second hose
end portion and/or connected to at least one of the inner and outer
tube at the region of the second hose end portion so enabling
control by the second sleeve portion of longitudinal expansion and
contraction of the hose arrangement between said at least one
location and the second hose end portion.
[0040] Having the at least one sleeve portion connected in this way
to control the longitudinal expansion and hence contraction of the
hose arrangement in the region of the/each hose end portion can
also control the degree to which the undulations of the outer tube
move relative to the inner tube in the region of the/each hose end
portion. Thus this can reduce the stress which this portion of the
inner tube experiences by reducing the degree of longitudinal
expansion and can reduce the wear caused by the undulations rubbing
on the inner tube/sleeve portion by virtue of the resulting reduced
reciprocating motion in this region.
[0041] Thus this structure where there is joining of the outer tube
to the inner tube at at least one location part way along the
length of the hose arrangement is particularly beneficial. More
beneficial still is providing two such joins each close to but
inwards from a respective end of the hose arrangement, so that the
hose arrangement is protected at each of its ends.
[0042] The at least one sleeve portion may extend beyond the
location at which it is connected to the outer tube and the inner
tube.
[0043] The hose arrangement may comprise a joiner member at the
location at which the at least one sleeve portion is connected to
the inner and outer tubes.
[0044] The outer tube, inner tube and sleeve portion may all be
attached to the joiner member.
[0045] The outer tube may be heat welded to the joiner member. The
sleeve portion may be bonded to the joiner member. The inner tube
may be bonded to the joiner member.
[0046] The joiner member may be tubular. The outer tube may be
connected to an outer curved surface of the joiner member. The
sleeve portion may be connected to an inner curved surface of the
joiner member. The inner tube may be connected to an inner curved
surface of the joiner member.
[0047] There may be an aperture or a break in the sleeve portion in
the region of the joiner member. The joiner member may bridge the
aperture or break in the sleeve portion.
[0048] The outer tube may be of a non-elastic material.
Alternatively the outer tube may have elasticity to some degree in
one or more direction provided that it acts to retain the inner
tube. The outer tube may be termed an outer retaining tube. For
example, the outer tube may be elastic in the longitudinal
direction and non-elastic in the radial or circumferential
direction. In another case the outer tube may be elastic but less
elastic than the inner tube.
[0049] The outer tube may be of fabric. The inner tube may be of
elastomeric material. The sleeve portion may be of elastomeric
material.
[0050] The hose arrangement may comprise a clamping member for
clamping at least one of the outer tube, the inner tube and the
sleeve portion to the hose end portion. The clamping member may
clamp the outer tube, the inner tube and the sleeve portion to the
hose end portion.
[0051] The clamping member may comprise a collar or ferrule.
[0052] The clamping member may be deformable into position to clamp
the or each clamped component. In such a case the clamping member
will typically be of metal and typically swaged, crimped, pressed
or otherwise deformed into position.
[0053] Alternatively the clamping member may be threadingly
engageable with the hose end portion to clamp the or each clamped
component. This can be advantageous since it facilitates demounting
of a component which may, for example, allow replacement or
interchanging of the component. The clamping member may comprise a
threaded nut.
[0054] The hose assembly may comprise an expansion retainer for
controlling radial expansion of the inner tube. The expansion
retainer may comprise a support surface for supporting the inner
tube. The support surface may be flared. The expansion retainer may
comprise a flared bore. The support surface may bound the flared
bore.
[0055] The clamping member may comprise the expansion retainer and
thus have a supporting surface with a profile selected to support
the inner tube. The clamping member may have a flared, for example
cone shaped or trumpet shaped, supporting surface. The clamping
member may comprise a bore with a flared portion, with a first part
of the bore arranged for clamping the inner tube and a flared part
of the bore arranged for supporting the clamped inner tube.
[0056] This may relieve stress on the tube and/or the clamping of
the tube due to radial expansion. In turn this may help to guard
against failure.
[0057] The sleeve portion may extend longitudinally inwards of the
end of the hose end portion as alluded to above. The sleeve portion
may extend longitudinally inwards of the clamping member. The
sleeve portion may extend longitudinally inwards of the expansion
retainer where present.
[0058] Note that the sleeve portion is arranged to protect the
inner tube in the region where undulations occur and move, and this
is usually beyond any extent of the clamping member and/or
expansion retainer. Further note that the sleeve portion can help
protect against the effects of longitudinal expansion of the inner
tube whereas the support portion can help protect against the
effects of radial expansion.
[0059] The first hose end portion may, for example, comprise one
of: a nozzle; a spray gun; a sprinkler; a watering lance; a tap
(faucet) connector; a hose fitting--for allowing connection of the
hose arrangement to another water source or outlet device; or so
on.
[0060] The second hose end portion may, for example, comprise one
of: a nozzle; a spray gun; a sprinkler; a watering lance; a tap
(faucet) connector; a hose fitting--for allowing connection of the
hose arrangement to another water source or outlet device; or so
on.
[0061] In each case the respective hose end portion may comprise a
standard hose connector portion.
[0062] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a hose arrangement comprising a first hose end portion,
a second hose end portion and connected therebetween an outer tube
of flexible material and an inner tube of an elastic material for
carrying fluid through the hose arrangement, wherein a first end of
the inner and outer tubes are coupled together at the first hose
end portion, a second end of the inner and outer tubes are coupled
together at the second hose end portion and due to the action of
the elastic inner tube, the hose arrangement has a shorter length
in a contracted state in the absence of fluid pressure in the
interior of the inner elastic tube and a longer length in an
expanded state when fluid pressure is applied to the interior of
the elastic inner tube, and the outer tube has an undulating state
when the hose arrangement is in the contracted state and serves to
control and contain expansion of the inner tube when the hose
arrangement is in the expanded state, wherein at least one sleeve
portion is provided between the elastic inner tube and the outer
tube along at least part of a length of the elastic inner tube
where undulation of the outer tube occurs in the contracted state
for protecting the elastic inner tube from abrasion by the
undulations of the outer tube.
[0063] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of manufacturing a hose arrangement comprising
an outer tube of flexible material and an inner tube of an elastic
material for carrying fluid through the hose arrangement, wherein
due to the action of the elastic inner tube, the hose arrangement
has a shorter length in a contracted state in the absence of fluid
pressure in the interior of the inner elastic tube and a longer
length in an expanded state when fluid pressure is applied to the
interior of the elastic inner tube, and the outer tube has an
undulating state when the hose arrangement is in the contracted
state and serves to control and contain expansion of the inner tube
when the hose arrangement is in the expanded state, the method
comprising the step of providing at least one sleeve portion
between the elastic inner tube and the outer tube along at least
part of a length of the elastic inner tube where undulation of the
outer tube occurs in the contracted state for protecting the
elastic inner tube from abrasion by the undulations of the outer
tube.
[0064] As will be clear, the above defined hose arrangements can be
used in many different circumstances--for example industrial
situations, such as for example spraying applications, as well as
domestic situations. The carried fluid may be a liquid, in some
cases this will be water, but it might also be another liquid. One
particular application is a water supplying (say watering) hose,
for example, a garden water supplying hose.
[0065] Each of the optional features following each of the aspects
of the invention above is equally applicable as an optional feature
is respect of each of the other aspects of the invention and could
be written after each aspect with any necessary changes in wording.
The optional features are not written after each aspect merely in
the interests of brevity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0066] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0067] FIG. 1 schematically shows a garden water supplying hose
arrangement in a contracted state;
[0068] FIG. 2 schematically shows part of the hose arrangement of
FIG. 1 in an extended state;
[0069] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the part of the hose
arrangement shown in FIG. 2;
[0070] FIG. 4 is a detail of the view shown in FIG. 3 showing a
first hose end component of the hose arrangement shown in FIGS. 1
to 3 mounted on the end of a hose assembly of the hose arrangement
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;
[0071] FIG. 5 is a detail of the view shown in FIG. 3 showing a
portion of the hose assembly at a location where an outer tube and
inner tube and a sleeve portion of the hose assembly are joined
together via a joiner member; and
[0072] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing an
alternative joiner member that may be used in an arrangement of the
type shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0073] FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically show a hose arrangement
comprising a hose assembly 1 provided at each end with a respective
hose end component 2 (only one of which can be seen in FIGS. 2 and
3) the hose arrangement is a garden watering hose arrangement for
use in, for example, domestic gardens when watering plants and/or
washing surfaces. FIG. 1 shows the hose arrangement in a contracted
state which will tend to be adopted when there is no water in the
hose assembly. On the other hand FIGS. 2 and 3 show part of the
hose arrangement of FIG. 1 in an extended state which will tend to
be adopted when water flows through the hose assembly.
[0074] Whilst the present description is directed to this type of
garden watering hose it is noted again that the ideas in the
present invention are more generally applicable than this. They may
be used, for example, in other types of watering hoses in
non-domestic situations and moreover in other applications for
example, industrial applications, including say spraying.
[0075] FIG. 4 shows one of the hose end components 2 and one end of
the hose assembly at an enlarged scale. In the present embodiment
the other hose end component is identical. In alternatives however,
there may be differences between the hose end components 2.
[0076] In the present embodiment the hose end component 2 is in the
form of a hose fitting which is arranged to allow the hose
arrangement to be connected to other components. In particular, for
example, one of the hose fittings may be connected to a tap or
another source of water and the other hose fitting to maybe
connected to a spray gun, a nozzle or other outlet device. In the
present embodiment each hose fitting is an industry standard female
push fit hose fitting which is arranged to allow connection to a
complimentary male fitting provided on another component.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 4 the hose fitting comprises a fitting
portion 3 and a connector portion 4. The fitting portion 3 is
arranged for connection to the complimentary male fitting portion
provided on another component. Since this part of the fitting 2 is
a standard piece of garden watering equipment and is not a
particular pertinence to the present invention, further description
of it is omitted.
[0078] Further note that in other cases, different forms of hose
end component 2 may be used in the hose arrangement. Thus, for
example, in fact the type of hose fitting 2 shown in FIG. 4 is of a
slightly different type than that shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore the
hose end component might be a nozzle, spray gun, watering lance or
some other component. Provided that this hose end component 2 has a
connector portion for connecting to a hose it may be connected to
the hose assembly 1. To put this another way, the hose assembly 1
of the present embodiment is suitable for use with many different
hose end components.
[0079] In the present embodiment, the connector portion 4 comprises
a spigot 41 which is arranged to be received in the internal bore
of a piece of hosepipe to be connected to the connector portion 4.
Further, the connector portion 4 comprises a plurality of
deformable griping fingers 42. A locking nut 43 is provided to
drive the deformable fingers 42 into the outer surface of a piece
of hose received on the spigot 41 as the locking nut is tightened
onto the main body 44 of the connector portion. In this embodiment
the deformable fingers are provided with teeth 42a for biting into
the outer surface of the hose and as will be appreciated the
locking nut and main body 44 of the connector 4 have interengaging
threads for allowing tightening of the nut onto the main body 44.
The hose assembly 1 is arranged to be received in the connector
portion 4 and is shown so received in FIG. 4. Similarly of course
the hose assembly 1 is arranged to be received in any similar hose
connector portion in particular one comprising a spigot, a
plurality of gripping fingers and for use with a locking nut.
[0080] The hose assembly 1 comprises a first outer tube 11 of
non-elastic and flexible material, for example, a woven plastic
material and a second inner elastic tube 12 which is for carrying
water through the hose assembly 1 and hence the whole hose
arrangement.
[0081] Note that in alternatives the outer tube may be of material
with elasticity to some degree in one or more direction provided
that it acts to retain the inner tube. The outer tube may be termed
an outer retaining tube. For example the outer tube may be elastic
in the longitudinal direction and non-elastic in the radial or
circumferential direction. In another case the outer tube may be
elastic but less elastic than the inner tube.
[0082] In the present embodiment each end of the hose assembly 1 is
provided with a respective adaptor 5. Of course only one of these
adaptors 5 may be seen in FIG. 4.
[0083] The adaptor 5 is generally tubular with a through bore
through which water may flow between the interior of the inner tube
12 and an internal bore of the fitting portion 3 or more generally
an internal bore of the hose end component 2 which comprises the
connector portion 4. Thus this through bore forms part of the water
flow path through the hose assembly and the whole hose
arrangement.
[0084] As well as the inner and outer tubes 12, 11 the hose
assembly 1 comprises two elastomeric sleeve portions 6 (only one of
which can be seen in the drawings). The first of these sleeve
portion 6 is provided at a first end of the hose arrangement as
shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 whereas the other elastomeric sleeve portion
6 is provided at the opposite end of the hose arrangement.
[0085] Each sleeve portion 6 is provided in the hose assembly
between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11. As will be
appreciated the sleeve 6 is another tubular portion. In the present
embodiment the outer tube 11, sleeve 6, and inner tube 12 are all
mounted to a support portion 51 of the adaptor 5 by a metal ferrule
53. (Note that the metal ferrule 53 adopts a crenellated or
castellated form when deformed into its clamping position as shown
in FIG. 4 and the section shown in FIG. 4 is taken through one of
these crenellations such that one can see a section through the top
of one of the crenellations and then a side wall of the
crenellation descending down into contact with the clamped tubes
and sleeve 11, 12, 6.)
[0086] As well as the support portion 51 the adaptor 5 comprises an
insertion portion I which is clamped by the deformable fingers 42
of the connector portion 4.
[0087] Thus in the present embodiment by virtue of the adaptor
portion 5 and the metal ferrule 43 acting as a clamping portion,
the outer tube 11 the inner tube 12 and the sleeve 6 are secured in
the hose end component 2. Thus in this embodiment the hose end
components 2 and adaptor portion 5 together form a first hose end
portion.
[0088] Note however that the hose assembly 1 comprising the outer
tube 11, the inner tube 12, and sleeve 6 as mounted to the adaptor
5 via the ferrule 53 can also be considered to be a complete hose
arrangement in itself and that in that case the hose end portion is
the adaptor 5.
[0089] In this embodiment the hose arrangement also comprises an
expansion retainer 7 which is provided to control expansion of the
outer tube 11 and hence inner tube 12 in the region where these are
clamped to the adaptor 5. The expansion retainer 7 comprises a
support surface 71 for supporting the inner tube 12 against
expansion in the region of the ferrule 53.
[0090] The supporting surface 71 of the expansion retainer 7 is
flared outwards to allow gradual increase in diameter of the inner
tube when subjected to pressure. The support surface defines a
flared bore in the retainer 7. In the present embodiment the
expansion retainer 7 is captured by the locking nut 43 and as such
is indirectly mounted to the adaptor 5. Further it will be noted
that this expansion retainer 7 serves to support the inner tube
against expansion even though the outer tube 11 and the sleeve 6
lie between the inner tube and the expansion retainer 7.
[0091] In the present embodiment, as described above the expansion
retainer 7 is retained by the locking nut 43. In alternatives the
expansion retainer could be formed as part of the locking nut 4 or
a clamping member used to secure at least one of the tubes, or the
sleeve portion 11, 12, 6 to the adaptor 5.
[0092] In the present embodiment the elastomeric sleeve 6 is
provided in the region of ferrule 53 and thus helps to protect
against damage to the inner tube 12 during clamping and also
protects it during expansion which can help prevent hard and or
sharp parts of the ferrule 53 instigating a rupture of the inner
tube.
[0093] However, in the present embodiment the elastomeric sleeve 6
also extends beyond the clamping region. In particular the sleeve 6
extends longitudinally inwards of the end of the hose end component
2 and adaptor 5 (that is longitudinally inward beyond the hose end
portion) and particularly longitudinally inward of the end of the
expansion retainer 7 and its supporting surface 71.
[0094] This means that the sleeve 6 can provide other functions
than just protecting the inner tube 12 from the effects of clamping
and the effects of radial expansion in the region of the clamp.
[0095] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 the elastomeric sleeve 6 extends a
significant distance into the outer and inner tubes 11, 12.
[0096] In the present embodiment the hose arrangement comprises two
tubular joiner members 8 each of which is provided at a respective
location which is spaced longitudinally inwards from the respective
hose end component 2. Only a first of these joiner members 8 is
shown in the drawings. This joiner member 8 is associated with the
first hose end component 2 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and there is a
corresponding joiner member 8 associated with the other hose end
component 2 which is not shown in the drawings. The outer tube 11,
the inner tube 12 and the elastomeric sleeve 6 are joined to one
another at the location of the joiner member 8. In the present
embodiment the outer tube 11 is heat welded to an outer curved
surface of the joiner member 8 whilst the elastomeric sleeve 6 and
inner tube 12 are bonded (using adhesive) to the joiner member 8.
In particular a silicon sealant based adhesive may be used.
[0097] In the present embodiment the elastomeric sleeve 6 extends
beyond the joiner member 8 so as to extend further longitudinally
inwards into the outer tube 11 than the location at which the
joiner member 8 is located. Thus in the present embodiment a break
or aperture A is provided in the elastomeric sleeve 6 in the region
of the joiner member 8 to facilitate bonding between the inner tube
12 and the joiner member 8.
[0098] The location at which the sleeve 6, outer tube 11 and inner
tube 12 are connected together, and hence the location of the
joiner member 8 is such as to be towards the end of the hose
arrangement but inwards of the hose end portion. The location may
be described as close to the extremity of the hose arrangement.
Where there are two sleeves, one at each end of the hose
arrangement all these consideration will of course be true for
both. The optimal distance of this location from the end of the
hose arrangement has been found largely independent of the overall
length of the hose arrangement. The optimal spacing from the end of
the hose arrangement has been found to be in the range of 100 mm to
340 mm, say preferably 200 mm to 240 mm or around 220 mm. If the
spacing is too small inadequate protection against longitudinal
expansion is given. If the spacing is too large the overall
expansion capable by the hose arrangement is compromised.
[0099] The joiner member itself may have a length of say 40 mm, but
this in not critical.
[0100] As will be appreciated where, as in the present embodiment,
a second elastomeric sleeve is provided at the second end of the
hose arrangement, it can have the same construction as that
described above in relation to the first elastomeric sleeve.
[0101] The provision of the elastomeric sleeve 6 in the present
embodiment provides different functions. First it is provided in a
region where, as mentioned in the introduction, there is excessive
longitudinal expansion and contraction of the hose arrangement in
use between the contracted state as shown in FIG. 1 and the
extended state as shown in FIG. 2. This means that the elastomeric
sleeve portion 6 can serve to protect the inner tube 12 from
abrasion which would otherwise occur by virtue of the undulations
in the outer tube 11 rubbing on the surface of the inner tube 12.
This beneficial effect can be seen both in the portion of the
elastomeric sleeve 6 provided between the joining member 8 and the
hose end component 2 and the portion of the elastomeric sleeve 6
where this extends further into the hose than the location of the
joiner member 8. Further the elastomeric sleeve 6 can help control
radial expansion if suitably chosen in diameter and strength.
[0102] Furthermore because the elastomeric sleeve 6 is joined to
the inner and outer tubes 12, 11 at the joiner member 8 and is
retained at the hose end component 2, longitudinal contraction and
expansion of this region of the hose arrangement also requires
longitudinal expansion and contraction of the elastomeric sleeve 6.
As will be appreciated this can tend to control and consequently
reduce the longitudinal expansion and hence contraction which takes
place in this region since the additional elastic material in this
region will increase the amount of force which is required to
provide a given degree of expansion. Thus in the present hose
arrangement reinforcement against expansion (and hence contraction)
is provided in those regions where it has been determined that most
expansion and contraction will tend to occur.
[0103] In turn this control of expansion (and hence contraction)
can help relieve the stress on the inner tube 12 in this region as
well as help reduce the wear on the inner tube 12 in this region
due to the action of the outer tube 11 rubbing on the inner
tube/elastomeric sleeve 6. That is to say because of the amount of
expansion (and hence contraction) which occurs in this region has
been reduced, the amount of rubbing which occurs due to the
reciprocating motion in this region will also be reduced.
[0104] Thus the provision of the elastomeric sleeve as well as the
connection of this sleeve to the inner and outer tubes at two
longitudinally spaced locations can help provide a more reliable
and robust hose arrangement.
[0105] FIG. 6 shows an alternative joiner member 8' in position
between the outer and inner tube 11, 12 and the sleeve portion 6
which may be used in place of the joiner member 8 shown in FIGS. 3
and 5. The alternative joiner member 8' is again tubular but in
this case includes an aperture 8A which can be aligned with the
aperture A provided in the sleeve portion 6. This facilitates
assembly by easing the process of introducing adhesive 9. In
assembly the sleeve portion 6 is provided over the inner tube 12
and the joiner member 8' is slipped over the sleeve portion 6 to
the location of the aperture A in the sleeve 6. Adhesive 9 can then
be introduced via the aperture 8A in the joiner member 8' and flow
from there to the aperture A in the sleeve portion 6 so contacting
and bonding the sleeve 6 and inner tube 12 to the joiner member 8'.
After this, typically when the adhesive 9 is dry, the outer tube 11
may be located over the inner tube 12 and sleeve 6 and the outer
tube fixed (typically heat or sonic welded) to the joiner member
8'. Assembly to the adaptor 5 (or other hose end portion) can then
be carried out when desired. With the joiner member 8' of FIGS. 3
and 5 applying adhesive is more difficult/messy, as it must be
applied before locating the joiner member 8 but otherwise the
assembly process is the same.
[0106] In other embodiments the hose arrangement may comprise the
above hose assembly without the hose end components 2, that is, it
may comprise the inner and outer tubes 12, 11, the sleeves 6, the
adaptors 5 and the joining member 8. In such a case each adaptor 5
acts as a "hose end portion". In some such cases at least one of
the tubes and sleeve may be held on the adaptor but not clamped
until the tubes, sleeve and adaptor are clamped together by
introduction into a hose end component. In yet other embodiments
the adaptor 5 may be dispensed with and the inner and outer tubes
12, 11 and sleeves 6 may be arranged to be directly captured is a
hose end component 2, e.g. conventional hose fitting. In such a
case the hose end component acts as a "hose end portion".
[0107] In further embodiments the hose arrangement may include
neither an adaptor 5 nor a hose end component 2 of the type
described above, rather for example the ends of the tubes 12, 11
and sleeves 6 may be attached together in another way--for example
they may be bonded perhaps with use of a joiner member similar to
that described above.
* * * * *