Stiffening probe and tensioning device therefor
First Claim
1. A tensioning device for use with a stiffening probe including an elongated casing and a core longitudinally extending therethrough, the tensioning device comprising:
- a frame including front and back end pieces, and at least a first longitudinally extending guide member connecting together said end pieces;
front and back thrust pieces mounted on and longitudinally displaceable along the guide member;
a first spring held between the front end piece and the front thrust piece;
a second spring held between the front and back thrust pieces;
a threaded bolt extending through the back end piece and the back thrust piece, and threadably engaging the back thrust piece to move the front and back thrust pieces along the guide member, the threaded bolt including a handle to facilitate turning said threaded bolt;
front holding means connected to the front end piece to engage and hold a back end of the casing of the stiffening probe; and
back holding means connected to the back thrust piece to engage and hold a back end of the core of the stiffening probe.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stiffening probe and tensioning device for use therewith. The probe comprises an elongated casing and a core longitudinally extending through the casing. This core includes front and back end portions respectively extending forward of and rearward of the casing, and respectively supported for longitudinal sliding movement relative to front and back ends of the casing. A stop element is connected to the front end portion of the core to limit rearward movement of that front end portion relative to the casing, and another stop element is connected to the back end portion of the core to facilitate pulling the core rearward relative to the casing. The tensioning device comprises a frame including front and back end pieces, and front and back thrust pieces mounted on and longitudinally displaceable along the frame. A spring is held between the front end and front thrust pieces, and another spring is held between the back end and back thrust pieces. A bolt extends through the back end piece and threadably engages the back thrust piece to move the front and back thrust pieces along the frame. A holding device is connected to the front end piece to hold the casing of the stiffening probe, and another holding device is connected to the back thrust piece to hold the core of the stiffening probe.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A tensioning device for use with a stiffening probe including an elongated casing and a core longitudinally extending therethrough, the tensioning device comprising:
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a frame including front and back end pieces, and at least a first longitudinally extending guide member connecting together said end pieces; front and back thrust pieces mounted on and longitudinally displaceable along the guide member; a first spring held between the front end piece and the front thrust piece; a second spring held between the front and back thrust pieces; a threaded bolt extending through the back end piece and the back thrust piece, and threadably engaging the back thrust piece to move the front and back thrust pieces along the guide member, the threaded bolt including a handle to facilitate turning said threaded bolt; front holding means connected to the front end piece to engage and hold a back end of the casing of the stiffening probe; and back holding means connected to the back thrust piece to engage and hold a back end of the core of the stiffening probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A stiffening probe comprising:
- an elongated, flexible casing adjustable between relaxed and stiffened states, and forming a longitudinally extending inside passage;
the casing comprising a multitude of sections longitudinally lying adjacent to each other, each section including longitudinally opposite first and second faces, the first face of each section being convex and the second face of each section being concave, and the first face of each section being adjacent the second face of another section;an elongated core extending through the inside passage, and including (i) a front end portion extending outside the casing, forward of and supported for longitudinal sliding movement relative to a front end of the casing, and (ii) a back end portion extending outside the casing, rearward of and supported for longitudinal sliding movement relative to a back end of the casing; a first, front stop element connected to the forward end portion of the core, outside the casing, to limit rearward movement of the front end portion of the core relative to the casing; and a second, back stop element connected to the back end portion of the core, outside the casing, to facilitate pulling the core rearward relative to the casing to pull the casing from the relaxed state to the stiffened state. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- an elongated, flexible casing adjustable between relaxed and stiffened states, and forming a longitudinally extending inside passage;
Specification