Expandable and contractible hose
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A hose comprising:
- a flexible elongated outer tube constructed from a fabric material having a first end and a second end, an interior of said outer tube being substantially hollow;
a flexible elongated inner tube having a first end and a second end, an interior of said inner tube being substantially hollow, said inner tube being formed of an elastic material;
a first coupler secured to said first end of said inner and said outer tubes;
a second coupler secured to said second end of said inner and said outer tubes with the inner and outer tubes unsecured to each other between first and second ends; and
said first coupler fluidly coupling said hose to a source of pressurized fluid, said second coupler coupling said hose to a fluid flow restrictor,whereby said fluid flow restrictor creates an increase in fluid pressure between said first coupler and said second coupler within said hose, said increase in fluid pressure expands said elongated inner tube longitudinally along a length of said inner tube and laterally across a width of said inner tube thereby substantially increasing a length of said hose to an expanded condition and said hose contracting to a substantially decreased or relaxed length when there is a decrease in fluid pressure between said first coupler and said second coupler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hose which automatically expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterally upon the application of a fluid pressure is disclosed. The hose can automatically expand longitudinally up to six times its unexpanded or contracted length. Upon release of the fluid pressure within the hose, the hose will automatically contract to a contracted condition. The hose includes an inner tube made from an elastic material and an outer tube made from a non-elastic material. The inner tube is positioned concentrically within the outer tube in both a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The outer tube is secured to the inner tube only at a first end of the inner and outer tubes and at a second end of the inner and outer tubes. The outer tube moves laterally and longitudinally with respect to the inner tube when the tubes are transitioning between a contracted condition and an expanded condition.
157 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A hose comprising:
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a flexible elongated outer tube constructed from a fabric material having a first end and a second end, an interior of said outer tube being substantially hollow; a flexible elongated inner tube having a first end and a second end, an interior of said inner tube being substantially hollow, said inner tube being formed of an elastic material; a first coupler secured to said first end of said inner and said outer tubes; a second coupler secured to said second end of said inner and said outer tubes with the inner and outer tubes unsecured to each other between first and second ends; and said first coupler fluidly coupling said hose to a source of pressurized fluid, said second coupler coupling said hose to a fluid flow restrictor, whereby said fluid flow restrictor creates an increase in fluid pressure between said first coupler and said second coupler within said hose, said increase in fluid pressure expands said elongated inner tube longitudinally along a length of said inner tube and laterally across a width of said inner tube thereby substantially increasing a length of said hose to an expanded condition and said hose contracting to a substantially decreased or relaxed length when there is a decrease in fluid pressure between said first coupler and said second coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of transporting a fluid comprising:
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introducing a fluid into a hose, said hose including a non elastic, bendable elongated outer tube having a first end and a second end, an interior of said outer tube being substantially hollow, an expandable, elastic elongated inner tube having a first end and a second end, an interior of said inner tube being substantially hollow, said inner tube being formed of an elastic material; securing a first coupler to said first end of said inner and said outer tubes; securing a second coupler to said second end of said inner and said outer tubes; said inner and said outer tubes being secured to each other only at said first and said second ends and unsecured to each other between said first and said second ends; connecting said first coupler to a source of pressurized fluid; connecting said second coupler to a fluid flow restrictor; creating an increase in fluid pressure between said first coupler and said second coupler within said hose, said increase in fluid pressure automatically expanding said inner tube longitudinally along a length of said inner tube and laterally across a width of said inner tube thereby increasing a length and width of said hose to an extended condition; and automatically contracting said hose to a decreased length and width by removing said fluid pressure differential between said first coupler and said second coupler, whereby said inner tube moves freely with respect to said outer tube when there is no fluid pressure differential between said first coupler and said second coupler. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification