Cable

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10290394-B2
Application number	US-201615571327-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2016
Priority date	Jun 9, 2015
Publication date	May 14, 2019
Grant date	May 14, 2019

Abstract

A cable includes a flexible coated wire, a multi joint support member, and a flexible sheath member that covers the multi joint support member and the coated wire. The multi-joint support member is formed by pivotally coupling adjacent ones of a plurality of link members arranged in series. Turning of the multi joint support member in a first direction in a direction intersecting a serial direction is allowed until becoming equal to a predetermined radius of curvature and turning of the multi joint support member in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, is restricted.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cable, comprising:
a plurality of flexible transmission members extending in a lengthwise direction of the cable and arranged circumferentially around a center of the cable;
a multi-joint support member formed by pivotally coupling adjacent ones of a plurality of link members arranged in series, wherein turning of the multi joint support member in a first direction in a direction intersecting a serial direction is allowed until becoming equal to a predetermined radius of curvature and turning of the multi joint support member in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, is restricted to avoid drooping of the multi joint support member when extending substantially horizontally;
a flexible sheath member that covers the multi joint support member and the plurality of transmission members;
wherein said plurality of link members of the multi joint support member include recesses that are free from external intrusion such that the plurality of link members of the multi-joint support member are free to pivot with respect to one another;
wherein the multi joint support member is covered by a flexible cover member;
wherein the flexible cover member does not extend into recesses within the multi joint support member such that the plurality of link members of the multi-joint support member are free to pivot;
wherein the flexible cover member has a substantially uniform wall thickness;
wherein the flexible cover member has a substantially circular outer peripheral wall shape cross-sectional shape and a substantially circular inside wall cross-sectional shape; and
wherein the flexible sheath member has a substantially circular outer peripheral exterior wall shape cross-sectional shape and a substantially circular interior wall cross-sectional shape.

2. The cable according to claim 1 , wherein
the multi-joint support member is arranged in a central portion of the sheath member, and
the plurality of flexible transmission members are arranged between the multi-joint support member and the sheath member.

3. The cable according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-joint support member is formed from a synthetic resin.

4. The cable according to claim 1 , wherein
the multi-joint support member is one of a plurality of multi-joint support members, and
the sheath member covers the plurality of multi-joint support members.

5. The cable according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of flexible transmission members includes a respective outer coating or cover surrounding a periphery thereof.

6. The cable according to claim 5 , wherein each of the respective outer coating or cover surrounding a respective one of the plurality of flexible transmission members is made with a synthetic resin.

7. The cable according to claim 1 , wherein the cable includes only one multi joint support member that is the multi joint support member arranged in the central portion of the sheath member, and includes only said plurality of flexible transmission members and each of said plurality of flexible transmission members is circumferentially around said one multi joint support member at a common radial distance therefrom.

8. A cable, comprising:
a plurality of flexible transmission members extending in a lengthwise direction of the cable and arranged circumferentially around a center of the cable;
a multi-joint support member formed by pivotally coupling adjacent ones of a plurality of link members arranged in series, wherein turning of the multi joint support member in a first direction in a direction intersecting a serial direction is allowed until becoming equal to a predetermined radius of curvature and turning of the multi joint support member in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, is restricted to avoid drooping of the multi joint support member when extending substantially horizontally;
a flexible sheath member that covers the multi joint support member and the plurality of transmission members;
wherein said plurality of link members of the multi joint support member include recesses that are free from external intrusion such that the plurality of link members of the multi-joint support member are free to pivot with respect to one another; and
wherein each link member includes two side walls and a bottom wall that define one of the recesses, wherein the bottom wall is located between the two side walls, and each side wall has an arcuate cross-sectional shape bulging outwardly so that the multi-joint support member has a rounded shape.

Assignees

• Tsubakimoto Chain Co

Inventors

• Tetsuka Takayuki
• Kunii Masashi

Classifications

• F16G13/16

  with arrangements for holding electric cables, hoses, or the like · CPC title

• H02G3/0475

  formed by a succession of articulated units · CPC title

• H02G11/00 Primary

  Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts · CPC title

• H01B7/02

  Disposition of insulation · CPC title

• H01B9/006

  Constructional features relating to the conductors · CPC title