Hose-shaping apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016334032-A1
Application number	US-201514711313-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2015
Priority date	May 13, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A hose-shaping apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of ribs spaced apart from each neighboring rib along a flexible spine. Each of the ribs define a first opening for receiving a section of hose and two or more ribs define second openings for receiving a shaping member. The shaping member is inserted through the second openings and tightened to form the hose-shaping apparatus into an assembled state to affect a bend in the section of hose. Unassembled, the spine defines a preselected distance between the ribs, and in the assembled state, the ribs, at a position generally opposite the spine, are spaced apart a distance less than the preselected distance. A method for shaping a hose using the hose-shaping apparatus is also disclosed. The hose-shaping apparatus may be used to reproduce custom-shaped hoses for aftermarket replacement of vehicle engine hoses.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hose-shaping apparatus comprising:
a plurality of ribs each spaced apart from each neighboring rib along a flexible spine, each rib defining a first opening for receiving a section of hose and two or more ribs further defining a second opening for receiving a shaping member that secures the plurality of ribs in an assembled state to affect a bend in the section of hose; wherein the flexible spine, in an unassembled state, defines a preselected distance between the plurality of ribs, and in the assembled state, the plurality of ribs, at a position generally opposite the spine, are spaced apart a distance less than the preselected distance.

2 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs is generally cylindrically-shaped.

3 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is shaped to receive a wire, cable tie, string, or strap for securing the hose-shaping apparatus in an assembly position about a hose.

4 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is positioned generally opposite the spine.

5 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of ribs further defines a third opening for receiving a leader line to pull the hose-shaping apparatus onto a hose or for receiving a secondary shaping member.

6 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shaping member received through the second openings.

7 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the shaping member has an engaging end that is engageable with a receiving end, and wherein the receiving end has a locking mechanism to prevent disengagement of the engaging end from the receiving end.

8 . The hose-shaping apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the shaping member comprises one or more cable ties.

9 . A hose assembly comprising:
a hose-shaping apparatus according to claim 1 ; a hose received through the first opening of each of the plurality of ribs of the hose-shaping apparatus; and a shaping member received through the second openings of the plurality of ribs that have a second opening; wherein the shaping member is tightened to manipulate the hose-shaping apparatus and the hose into at least a first bend.

10 . The hose assembly of claim 9 , wherein the shaping member is a wire tie having a locking mechanism to prevent disengagement of an engaging end of the wire tie from a receiving end of the wire tie.

11 . The hose assembly of claim 9 , wherein the shaping member is a cable tie.

12 . A method for shaping a hose comprising:
utilizing a hose-shaping apparatus of claim 1 ; feeding a hose through the first openings of the plurality of ribs; inserting a shaping member through the second openings of the plurality of ribs; and securing the shaping member in a position that reduces the length of the shaping member within the second openings, thereby drawing the portion of the plurality of ribs having the second openings closer to one another to form at least a first bend in the hose.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein securing the shaping member comprises inserting an engaging end of the shaping member into a receiving end thereof and drawing a length of the shaping member through the receiving end.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising cutting the hose-shaping apparatus to a desired length by cutting the spine between adjacent neighboring ribs.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein one or more of the plurality of ribs has a third opening;
and the method further comprises:
securing a leader to the third openings in the plurality of ribs; and
feeding the hose further comprises pulling the hose-shaping apparatus onto the hose using the leader.

16 . A hose-shaping kit comprising:
a plurality of individual ribs and/or a hose-shaping apparatus having a plurality of ribs spaced apart from each neighboring rib along a flexible spine, each rib defining a first opening to receive a length of a hose and two or more ribs further defining second openings; and a shaping member to be inserted through the second openings and to be tightened to assemble the plurality of individual ribs and/or the hose-shaping apparatus into an assembled state in which the plurality of individual ribs and/or the plurality of ribs, at a position of the second opening, are to be spaced apart a distance less than other portions of the ribs.

17 . The hose-shaping kit of claim 16 , wherein each rib further defines a third opening, and wherein the hose-shaping kit further comprises:
a leader line to be coupled to an initial rib and inserted through the third openings of the other ones of the plurality of individual ribs and/or plurality of ribs; and wherein the leader line is to be used to pull the plurality of individual ribs and/or plurality of ribs onto the section of hose.

18 . The hose-shaping kit of claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of hose-shaping apparatuses of at least two different sizes; wherein one or more of the plurality of hose-shaping apparatuses is to be selected for a specific size of hose.

19 . A hose-shaping system comprising:
a plurality of ribs defining a first opening for receiving a section of hose and defining a second opening; and a shaping member insertable through the second opening in the plurality of ribs and having ends that connect together to form a loop for defining a shape of the section of hose.

20 . The hose-shaping system of claim 19 , wherein tightening the shaping member reduces the size of the loop and causes a distance between each of the plurality of ribs to decrease with increasing proximity to the second opening.

Assignees

• Foster Randy C
• Wakeem James
• Dayco Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Foster Randy C
• Wakeem James

Classifications

• F16L3/015 Primary

  using articulated- or supple-guiding elements · CPC title

• F16L3/26

  specially adapted for supporting the pipes all along their length, e.g. pipe channels or ducts · CPC title

• F16L43/02 Primary

  adapted to make use of special securing means · CPC title