Hose restraint apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus configured to restrain movement of an end of a hose inserted into an outlet port of an outlet structure, comprising:
- an elongated restraint member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the restraint member having a flat, planar shape;
a first opening located at the first end of and extending through the restraint member; and
a second opening located at the second end of and extending through the restraint member, wherein the ends of the restraint member are configured to be biased toward each other such that the first opening is operable to receive the outlet port therethrough and the second opening is operable to receive the hose therethrough, wherein upon release of the ends of the restrain member, the first and second ends are operable to exert a bias force against the outlet structure and the hose, respectively, in a manner so as to resist a longitudinal force directed to remove the hose from the outlet structure, and wherein upon removal of the outlet structure and the hose from the restraint member, the restraint member is operable to substantially return back to the flat, planar shape.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A restraint apparatus configured to selectively attach a flexible hose at an outlet structure of a manifold of an air conveyance system is provided. The restraint apparatus includes a restraint member having a flat, planar shape. The restraint member includes a first opening located at a first end and a second opening located at a second end opposite the first end. The first and second ends of the restraint member are configured to be biased toward each other such that the first opening is operable to receive the outlet port therethrough and the second opening is operable to receive the hose therethrough. Upon release of the first and second ends of the restraint member, the first and second ends are operable to exert a bias force against the outlet structure and the hose, respectively, in a manner that resists removal of the hose from the outlet structure.
40 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured to restrain movement of an end of a hose inserted into an outlet port of an outlet structure, comprising:
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an elongated restraint member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the restraint member having a flat, planar shape;
a first opening located at the first end of and extending through the restraint member; and
a second opening located at the second end of and extending through the restraint member, wherein the ends of the restraint member are configured to be biased toward each other such that the first opening is operable to receive the outlet port therethrough and the second opening is operable to receive the hose therethrough, wherein upon release of the ends of the restrain member, the first and second ends are operable to exert a bias force against the outlet structure and the hose, respectively, in a manner so as to resist a longitudinal force directed to remove the hose from the outlet structure, and wherein upon removal of the outlet structure and the hose from the restraint member, the restraint member is operable to substantially return back to the flat, planar shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A forced air conveyance system for a granular material, comprising:
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a distribution head having an inlet in communication with a plurality of outlet ports each extending through an outlet structure;
a plurality of hoses each configured to be inserted into one of the plurality of outlet ports of the distribution head; and
a restraint member having a first opening located at a first end and a second opening located at second end, wherein the first and second ends of the restraint member are configured to be biased toward each other such that the first opening is operable to receive the outlet structure therethrough and the second opening is operable to receive the hose therethrough, and wherein upon release of the first and second ends of the restraint member, the first end of restraint member is configured to bias against the outlet structure and second end of the restraint member is configured to bias against the hose in a manner operable to resist a longitudinal force directed to remove the hose from the outlet structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of restraining a hose at an outlet structure of a low-pressure air distribution system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a restraint member having an original shape that is generally flat, the restraint apparatus comprising a material composition characterized with a shape memory such that the retainer element reverts substantially back to the original shape from release in a distorted position;
receiving the outlet structure through a first opening of the retainer element;
distorting the restraint apparatus in a generally U-shaped configuration; and
receiving an end of a hose through a second opening of the retainer element, the second opening located opposite the first opening of the retainer element;
inserting hose into the outlet structure; and
releasing the restraint apparatus from the biased U-shaped configuration such that the restraint apparatus applies a bias force operable to restrain the flexible hose at the outlet structure. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification