Bendable tube and method for its manufacture
First Claim
1. A bendable tube having a longitudinal axis (5) comprising tube sections (1,2) wherein neighboring tube sections (1,2) are materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap (3) but which are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube, one of the neighboring tube sections (1) comprising at least one lug (11) facing the other of the neighboring tube sections (2), said lug being engaged into at least one corresponding recess (12) of the other of the neighboring tube sections (2) with a positive fit, said lug having a shape with undercuts, and said corresponding recess having a corresponding shape such that the recess forms the undercuts and interlocks with said lug.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An bendable endoscope is disclosed which comprises tube sections. Neighbouring tube sections are completely materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap and are only connected to one another with a positive fit. By providing a corresponding number of tube sections, a flexible shank or a flexible shaft may be formed. The manufacture may be effected by laser cutting from a rigid tube.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A bendable tube having a longitudinal axis (5) comprising tube sections (1,2) wherein neighboring tube sections (1,2) are materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap (3) but which are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube, one of the neighboring tube sections (1) comprising at least one lug (11) facing the other of the neighboring tube sections (2), said lug being engaged into at least one corresponding recess (12) of the other of the neighboring tube sections (2) with a positive fit, said lug having a shape with undercuts, and said corresponding recess having a corresponding shape such that the recess forms the undercuts and interlocks with said lug.
- 8. A bendable tube having a longitudinal axis (5) comprising tube sections (1,2) wherein neighboring tube sections (1,2) are materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap (3), but which are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube, one of the neighboring tube sections (1") comprising four or more lugs (31-33) facing the other of the neighboring tube sections (2").
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11. A bendable tube having a longitudinal axis (5) comprising tube sections (1,2) wherein neighboring tube sections (1,2) are materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap (3), but which are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube, at least one of the neighboring tube sections (1) comprising at least one lug (49,50) facing the other of the neighboring tube sections (2), said at least one lug engaging into at least one corresponding recess (44,45) of the other of the neighboring tube sections (2) with a positive fit, at least one of the neighboring tube sections having a first side and a second side, the at least one lug being located on the first side and a second recess being located on the second side, and the at least one lug being displaced about an angle with regard to the second recess.
- 12. A bendable tube having a longitudinal axis (5) comprising tube sections (1,2) wherein neighboring tube sections (1,2) are materially separated from one another via a circumferential separating gap (3), but which are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube, at least one of the neighboring tube sections (1) comprising at least one lug (49,50) facing the other of the neighboring tube sections (2) and the other of the neighboring tube sections comprising at least one corresponding recess, said at least one lug (49,50) and the at least one corresponding recess (24) being so formed and arranged that an imagined longitudinal axis (6) extends helically about the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube.
- 14. A method for manufacturing a bendable tube which is flexible at least section-wise, comprising separating an essentially rigid tube having a longitudinal axis (5) into tube sections (1,2) so that tube sections (1,2) are completely materially separated from one another by a separating gap, and selecting a course of the separating gap between neighboring tube sections such that the neighboring tube sections are connected to one another with a positive fit at least in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) of the tube.
Specification