Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
  • F16L11/14—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rigid material, e.g. metal or hard plastics
  • F16L11/18—Articulated hoses, e.g. composed of a series of rings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
  • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
  • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
  • E03C1/06—Devices for suspending or supporting the supply pipe or supply hose of a shower-bath

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a flexible pipe adapted in particular for the transport of liquid or gaseous fluids or pulverulent materials, said pipe comprising a clamping device to reduce its flexibility until it can stiffen and freeze, and vice versa, depending on requirements inherent in the use of said conduit.
• the invention also relates to an actuator for a variable rigid rigidity.
• the conduct of the invention may be used for a variety of purposes such as, for example, a shower hose, a fire hose, a garden hose or any other application for transporting liquid or gaseous fluids, as well as a hose for Protection and direction of optical fibers or CCD cameras for medical or telecommunication applications.
• Pipes and pipes of all kinds have been known for a long time, suitable for the transport of liquid or gaseous fluids or even powdery products.
• These pipes and hoses can be, according to their uses as well as their lengths and diameters, flexible or not, the pipes and hoses being generally of relatively small diameter (up to about twenty millimeters maximum) and intended to be handled and moved manually or mechanically.
• said support or holding devices are often not suitable for use in difficult environments (fire, landslides, rugged terrain) which still requires human intervention to support and direct the pipes with the risks that this entails for the physical integrity of the staff in charge.
• the simple friction between the constituent elements of the sheath can not be sufficient to rigidify the pipe correctly and completely to counteract the effect of the internal pressure of the fluid flowing in the central pipe and maintain the pipe in a certain position, especially when the length it exceeds 1 meter and / or its diameter is greater than a few centimeters.
• the object of the present invention is to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages of existing flexible pipes.
• the invention aims in particular to provide a pipe which, in a first state, is completely flexible and flexible, and which, in a second state, can be stiffened and fixed in a specific position, while continuing to convey a said fluid, material or other product of any kind.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe that is suitable for any kind of household or professional use, and whose flexible or rigid nature is independent of its length and diameter.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe which can if necessary, in the frozen state, be guided and moved via appropriate control means.
• the invention achieves its various goals by means of a flexible pipe of the type comprising at least one tight and flexible pipe within which a product such as a fluid, a material or cables or optical fibers can be conveyed, characterized in that it comprises a clamping device covering said sealed pipe over at least a portion of the length of said pipe, preferably the entire length of said pipe, said clamping device comprising at least one sheath and clamping means said sheath, said sheath and said clamping means being adapted, at rest, to preserve the flexibility and flexibility of said pipe and, under the application of a given constraint, to stiffen said pipe and freeze its position over the length of said pipe covered by said clamping device.
• the pipe according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it can be of two different types, flexible or rigid, depending on the needs of the user and a simple action thereof on the clamping device.
• the conduct of the invention thus allows, when rigid and fixed, the release of the hands of the user who can thus perform other tasks while driving continues to convey a said fluid or material for example.
• the pipe is as easy to handle and move as a traditional flexible pipe which facilitates its precise placement before stiffening and its storage after.
• the sheath of the pipe according to the invention is articulated and said clamping means cooperate with peripheral portions of said sheath at its joints, said clamping means exerting, under a said determined stress, forces pressure on said parts peripherals of said sheath.
• said clamping means exerting, under a said determined stress, forces pressure on said parts peripherals of said sheath.
• said sheath comprises an assembly of modules provided with a longitudinal bore, preferably cylindrical, opening through said modules and complementary connecting means. Said cylindrical bore formed in each module makes it possible to thread said sheath onto said sealed pipe of the pipe.
• said complementary connecting means advantageously form, between said two assembled modules, said joints of said sheath, the latter being preferably ball-type.
• said clamping means comprise cables having a length at least equal to the length of said pipe. These cables advantageously cooperate with said peripheral portions of said sheath, in particular said modules thereof, so as to compress said sheath at its said joints under a tensile force applied to one end of said cables.
• the sheath of said clamping device is preferably composed of identical modules, each said module consisting of a part of revolution comprising, on the one hand, a shaped head. ball of substantially spherical external profile, and, secondly, a flared shell, said shell having an internal profile complementary to said external profile of said head of a second identical module, said head and said shell constituting said complementary connecting means of each said module.
• said sheath comprises at least two different types of modules, each type of module comprising a pair of similar connecting means complementary to the connecting means of the modules of the other type.
• said sheath then advantageously comprises first modules, of the male type, consisting of a part of revolution comprising two ball-shaped heads of substantially spherical external profile, and second modules, of female type, consisting of a part of revolution comprising two flared shells of internal profile complementary to said external profile of said heads of the male-type modules, said heads and said shells said male and female modules respectively being arranged along the axis of revolution of said modules and symmetrical with respect to a median plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of revolution of said modules.
• said male and female modules comprise a said cylindrical bore pierced and opening right through the axis of revolution of said modules, this bore allowing to pass said modules on said sealed pipe of the conduct to constitute the articulated sheath.
• the cables of the clamping device are inserted in guides formed, preferably parallel to said axis of revolution of said modules, in the walls of said shells of said modules, said cables comprising, at a first end, stop means, particularly stop type, against the module closest to said first end and, at a second end, means for connecting said cables to traction means ancillary to said pipe.
• said clamping means further comprise strapping rings of said cables evenly distributed along said sheath of said clamping device, preferably at a rate of one every 1 to 15 modules of said sheath, preferably at a rate of from one to every 1 to 6 modules.
• These rings make it possible in particular to direct the compressive forces of the cables to the shells of the modules during the tensioning of the cables by traction means to stiffen the pipe.
• said rings also improve the capacity of the pipe to freeze in a determined position, in three dimensions, during the tensioning of the cables by segmenting in a way the articulated sheath into "sections" of sheath each comprising a number determined modules, each said “section” freezing in the preferred direction in which it is oriented during the tensioning of the cables of the clamping device.
• the shell walls of said modules advantageously comprise notches extending from the edge of said shells to the base of those said notches thus delimiting flanks in which said guides for the cables of said clamping means are formed.
• said one or more head (s) of a said module preferably comprises on its external surface an annular groove coaxial with said axis of revolution of the module, said groove receiving means, preferably an O-ring, adapted to increase the adhesion between said head and said shell of the modules once assembled.
• said clamping device may also comprise strapping rings of the flanks of said shells of the modules, the presence of these strapping rings flanks thus avoiding deformation and crushing of the latter when the pipe conveys a fluid under high pressure and the tension of the clamping cables is important.
• the conduct of the invention may further comprise an outer protective sheath covering said clamping device, this protective sheath in particular to improve the aesthetics of the pipe, but also and especially to protect the means of clamping and the hinged sheath of said clamping device against corrosion, shock and any external aggression they may suffer.
• this protective sheath may also replace the cables of the clamping device of the pipe.
• a protective sheath material which is elastic and resistant. By then stretching the protective sheath under a tensile force, a narrowing of the diameter of said protective sheath is generated which constrains the modules of the pipe sufficiently to block the joints of the latter.
• the pipe according to the invention has a particular structure whose manufacturing method is however very simple.
• said modules comprising said complementary connecting means are threaded on a said sealed and flexible pipe, then, in a second step, said rigid modules are assembled by said complementary connecting means to form a said sheath articulated around said a flexible pipe.
• clamping means are then positioned in cooperation with said modules of the sheath, and ends are fixed to the ends of said pipe, said tips covering said articulated sheath and said clamping means of said clamping device and communicating with the open ends. said sealed pipe covered by said sheath.
• the pipe according to the invention will find particular application in all devices adapted to transport products such as fluids, powder materials or other telecommunication cables.
• said devices comprise at least one said individual actuator, in particular a said traction means, for each of said cables of said means for clamping said device clamping said pipe.
• the use of the pipe according to the invention is very simple and fast.
• said driving by any appropriate means to an actuator and a source of fluid such that said clamping means of the clamping device and said hose and flexible pipe of the pipe cooperate and communicate respectively with said actuator and said source of fluid, then in a second time is placed said flexible pipe in a position determined according to the particular use of the pipe.
• said actuator is then actuated in order to apply a determined stress on said clamping means resulting in the stiffening of said pipe and its freezing in said determined position in which it has been placed, the transport of the fluid inside. of said pipe being done without hindrance regardless of the position in which said pipe is frozen due to the absence of pinching or bending of the inner pipe of said pipe by the clamping device thereof.
• FIG. 1 shows a shower device comprising a pipe according to the invention connected at one end to a knob and at a second end to a means for controlling and actuating the clamping device of the pipe,
• FIG. 2 represents, seen in partial longitudinal section, the pipe of the invention connected to the control and actuation means of FIG. 1,
• FIGS. 3A to 3C show respectively in front view, from above, and in longitudinal section along plane C-C a constituent module of the articulated sheath of the pipe according to the invention in a preferred embodiment
• FIG. 4A and 4B show, in section and in overall view, the structure of the clamping device of the pipe according to the invention
• FIG. 5 shows a shower device comprising a variable rigidity pipe connected at one end to a shower head and at a second end to another type of actuator, itself connected to a water valve;
• FIG. 6 represents an exploded view of the actuator of FIG. 5 and the assembly of parts constituting it along its longitudinal axis XX ',
• Figure 7 shows the actuator of Figures 5 and 6 seen in longitudinal section along its axis ZZ 1 in the rest position
• FIG. 8 represents a perspective view in partial section showing positioning means of the actuator according to the invention.
• Figure 10 shows the actuator of Figures 5 and 6 seen in longitudinal section along its axis ZZ 'in the actuating position
• FIG. 11A and HB respectively show in perspective the relative displacement of positioning means of the actuator of Figures 5 and 6 during a displacement of the rest position to the actuating position and vice versa;
• FIG. 12 shows the actuator according to the invention seen in longitudinal section along its axis ZZ ', the actuator pushing means moving from their actuating position to their rest position;
• FIGS. 13 and 14 show the connection between the actuator and a pipe of variable rigidity and the cooperation of thrust means of the actuator with the device for clamping said pipe when said thrust means are in the rest position and in actuation position respectively.
• the pipe according to the invention has a singular structure from which derives particular properties of flexibility and flexibility or, conversely, stiffening, these properties depending on the state of the various constituent elements of said pipe.
• the pipe 1 according to the invention comprises a hose 2 central waterproof and flexible, this pipe being adapted in particular for the transport of fluids and / or powder materials.
• This central pipe 2 is covered with a clamping device comprising in the first place an articulated sheath 3 consisting of modules 4 assembled to each other by means of complementary connecting means 41, 42, this articulated sheath 3 comprising an internal cylindrical channel 18 allowing the passage of said pipe 2.
• the articulated sheath 3 consists of a plurality of identical modules 4 as shown in detail in FIGS. 3A to 3C and two end modules 19, 20. These modules 4, 19, 20 are assembled to each other by complementary connecting means 41, 42 which form a ball joint 3a between each module 4 of the sheath 3, this ball 3a allowing an angular deflection of about 40 ° between each module of the sheath, giving it flexibility and flexibility.
• Each module 4 consists of a piece of cylindrical revolution made of metal or, preferably, resistant plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP) or Acetal.
• HDPE High Density Polyethylene
• PP Polypropylene
• Acetal other materials may also be used to produce the modules 4, chosen according to the desired cost of the pipe 1 and the mechanical stresses to be borne by it according to its use.
• a said module 4 can be obtained for example by molding or injection and machining. It comprises a head 41 in the form of a ball from the base of which extends a shell 42 flared and recessed, said said head and said shell constituting said complementary connecting means of the modules 4.
• the external profile, spherical , the head 41 is complementary in shape to the substantially hemispherical inner profile of the cavity of the shell 42.
• the diameter of the footprint thereof at its rim is very slightly less than its maximum internal diameter, which corresponds to the maximum external diameter of said head 41.
• each module 4 is leveled and said module is pierced along its axis of revolution XX 'of a central cylindrical bore 14 opening on either side of the head 41 at the level of said cap of the module and inside the cavity of the shell 42, said bore having a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the sealed pipe 2.
• the end modules 19, 20, for their part, are also pierced with a cylindrical bore but each have only one shell 42 and one head 41, the rest of their body forming a connection enabling the installation end caps 16, 17 at the ends of the sheath 3 of the pipe 1.
• the walls of the shell 42 of the modules 4 comprise notches 8 delimiting therein flanks 421, 422, 423, 424, as well as guides 7 drilled parallel to said axis XX 'of the modules in the thickness of the flanks.
• These notches 8 and these guides 7, 4 in number distributed regularly every 90 ° about the axis XX 1 , respectively make it possible to increase the flexibility of the walls of the shell 42 by the formation of said independent flanks and to pass 5 cables clamping the sheath 3.
• Said cables cooperate with said flanks 421, 422, 423, 424 at said joints 3a.
• the modules constituting the articulated sheath 3 may be of two different types, and in particular a first type of male module comprising two heads similar to the head 41 of the modules 4, and a second type of female module comprising two shells similar to the shell 42 of the modules 4 and arranged head to tail, the hinged sleeve then being formed by an alternation of male-type modules and female-type modules.
• the cables 5, which may be metallic, for example made of stainless steel, or based on a plastic material such as NYLON®, have a length at least equal to that of the pipe 1 and may be of four individual cables or of two cables looped along the length of the sheath 3 as shown in Figures 2 and 4A, and they comprise at least one of their ends connecting means (not shown) to a traction member.
• These said connecting means can easily be integrated for example in a tip such as the tip 16 in Figure 2, avoiding too much freedom of the ends of said cables 5 and their wear.
• rings or strapping rings 6 circumscribe the cables 5 between the joints 3a. These rings 6 have the function of directing the efforts of compression of the cables 5 under tension clothe the flanks of the shells 42 which will increase the tightening of the cables on the modules 4 and the clamping of the shells 42 on the heads 41 to lock the ball joints 3a and freeze the pipe in a determined position.
• the number of these rings 6 may vary depending on the stiffness of conduct that is desired in the end, as well as its length. In general, it is advisable to position a strapping ring 6 at the rate of one every 1 to 15 modules, and preferably at a rate of one every 1 to 6 modules to obtain a satisfactory rigidity of the pipe even in case of curvatures. important and numerous of it.
• the articulated sheath 3, consisting of the modules 4, the cables 5 and the strapping rings 6 thus form the clamping device of the pipe 1 according to the invention allowing the flexibility of said pipe when the cables 5 are at rest and its stiffening when the tensioning of the cables 5 by a control and actuation device (traction member), which will be chosen according to the uses of the pipe 1 and its length and diameter.
• a said suitable traction member may in particular be of the electric cylinder type, pneumatic or hydraulic or furling type.
• the modules 4 may also comprise around their head 41 an O-ring 11 in order to increase the adhesion between said head and the inside of the flanks of the shells 42 and thus to improve still blocking the joints 3a of the sheath 3 during the tensioning of the cables 5.
• said heads 41 of the modules 4 comprise an annular groove 10 concentric with the cylindrical bore 14 of said modules, this groove receiving the case where appropriate one said o-ring 11.
• flanks 421, 422, 423, 424 of the shell 42 of the modules are identical to the flanks 421, 422, 423, 424 of the shell 42 of the modules.
• a ring or ring 12 housed in a groove 9 formed near the rim of the shell 42.
• This ring 12, optional for the stiffening function of the pipe 1, is however useful to avoid crushing and deformation of the shells when the pressure of the cables is important.
• the pipe 1 of the invention also comprises a protective sheath 13 covering the articulated sheath 3, the cables 5, the bushings strapping 6 and preferably the ends 16, 17 at the ends of said pipe.
• this protective sheath 13 may also, when its material is chosen sufficiently resistant and resilient, replace the clamping cables 5 to achieve the constraint of the modules 4 and the locking of the joints 3a of the pipe.
• the pipe 1 of the invention is particularly advantageous for its ability to be flexible and flexible or conversely rigid and fixed in a position determined by the user following a control action thereof as a function of the use that he wishes at the top.
• This flexible or rigid nature of said pipe is exclusively determined by the state of the clamping device, which at no time constrains the central pipe 2, even when the cables 5 compress the flanks 421, 422, 423, 424 of the shells 42 of the modules for freezing the pipe, which allows to never interfere with the flow of the product transported in said pipe 2.
• the pipe 1 will thus be suitable for a large number of diverse and varied applications for individuals and professionals, bringing in them a very high user comfort of use.
• the pipe 1 is particularly suitable for use as a shower hose in combination with a suitable actuator 15, for example able to exert traction on the cables 5 of the pipe 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
• said pipe 1 is connected by its tip 16 to a hydraulic cylinder 15, itself connected to a not shown water inlet.
• the connection of the pipe 1 to the cylinder 15 operates the connection of the cables 5 of the clamping device of the pipe to the rod 151 of the cylinder 15 and the connection of the central pipe 2 to the water inlet of the shower.
• the tip 17 allows the introduction of a traditional shower head 21 by screwing or latching.
• the hydraulic cylinder 15 comprises a control handle 152 for actuating or not the clamping device of the pipe.
• the cylinder 15 in a first position Pl of the control handle, the cylinder 15 only allows the water to pass inside the pipe 2 of the pipe 1 in the manner of a traditional valve, said pipe then being flexible and flexible, the cables 5 of its clamping device not being tensioned.
• the user wishes in a second time to have their hands free to soap or wash them For example, he places said flexible pipe 1 in the position in which he wishes to fix it, then, in a third step, turns the handle 152 to a second position P2 for actuating the clamping device of pipe 1.
• This rotation of the handle 151 causes a stop of the flow of water in the pipe 2 of the pipe 1 to the knob 21 and a bypass of this water to a filling circuit of the chamber 153 of the cylinder.
• the filling of said chamber causes the displacement of the rod 151 of the jack which itself causes a pull of the cables 5.
• the cables 5 thus stretched apply on the shells 42 transverse compressive forces guided by the strapping rings 6, causing the tightening the flanks 421, 422, 423, 424 of said shells on the head 41 of the modules 4 of the articulated sheath 3 and the locking of the joints 3a of said sheath, this blocking of the joints 3a causing the locking and the stiffening of the pipe 1 on its entire length in the position chosen by the user.
• said user brings back the handle 152 of the cylinder 15 to its first position when desired so that the water circulates again inside the pipe 2 to the knob to be rinsed as it would in a shower with a fixed showerhead. If, however, the user wishes to return to the pipe 1 its flexible nature it is sufficient to turn the control handle 152 to a third position P3, thus causing the emptying of the chamber 153 of the cylinder, the rise of the rod 151 of the latter and loosening of the cables 5, thus releasing the joints 3a of the sheath 3 of the pipe again allowing the angular displacement of the modules 4 of said sheath and the flexibility of the pipe.
• the actuator 15 described above may also be replaced by a similar device whose cylinder, rather than pulling on the cables 5, will push the modules 4 under the pressure of the water or the fluid derived for this purpose, the cables 5 being in this case immobile and only the modules 4 moving and compressing to stiffen the pipe 1.
• a similar device whose cylinder, rather than pulling on the cables 5, will push the modules 4 under the pressure of the water or the fluid derived for this purpose, the cables 5 being in this case immobile and only the modules 4 moving and compressing to stiffen the pipe 1.
• Such an actuator is shown in detail in Figures 5 to 14.
• connection member 16 may be of the screw type or snap-fastening type, attached to the end of the driving 1 and screwed or latched respectively on the actuator 15 which comprises a complementary connection means.
• the actuator 15 consists, from its base to its top, of a cylindrical and hollow base 39 pierced at its bottom with water injection orifices communicating with the opening of a connection tip formed at the base. of the base 39 ( Figure 6).
• a cylindrical jacket 26 comes to fit or screw on said base 39 by a tabular end piece 261 integral with a flange 263 of said jacket 26.
• a nozzle 40 In the space between the bottom of the base 39 and the flange 263 is housed a nozzle 40 whose nozzle passes through the flange 263 through an orifice pierced at its center.
• the inside of the liner 26 forms a compression chamber 262 receiving a piston 24.
• the piston comprises a disc 241, from which extends a thrust shaft 242.
• O-rings 247 seal between the cylindrical surface of the disc 241 and the walls of said chamber 262.
• the piston 24 has a bore 245 pierced axially with the shaft 242 and with the disc 241 of the piston, said bore 245 forming a flow duct leading right through the piston and terminating in a substantially conical recess 248 formed in the body of disc 241 from the lower surface thereof.
• This wall 243 constitutes a guide means and blocking rotation of a ring 31 rotatably mounted by its central bore 313 around the shaft 242 of the piston.
• This ring 31 overlaps a leaf spring 36, also mounted on the shaft 242 of the piston, and whose outer end is connected to the wall 243 of said piston by a pin 361 inserted into an orifice of said wall 243. and whose inner end is locked in a groove made in the ring 31.
• a tubular sleeve 30 Above the ring 31, and in contact with it, is a tubular sleeve 30, also mounted free to rotate on the shaft 242 of the piston 24 by its central bore 302.
• said sleeve 30 At its base, said sleeve 30 comprises a notched ring 301 complementary to a notched surface 311 formed on the ring 31, said notched ring 301 and said notched surface 311 allowing the coupling of the ring 31 and the sleeve 30 by meshing
• the sleeve 30 also has on its outer surface two identical threads 303 and helical. These threads 303 allow, in cooperation with male elements 34 described below, to guide the sleeve 30 geared on the ring 31 in rotation and thus the tensioning of the leaf spring 36 during an elevation of the piston 24 in the compression chamber 262.
• a flange 29 is also threaded onto the shaft 242 of the piston around the sleeve 30, resting on the upper flange of the wall 243 of the piston.
• the compression chamber 262 is closed by a removable flange 28 having a central circular opening of diameter equal to that of the shaft 242 of the piston covered with the sleeve 30 which thus extend outside the compression chamber 262 through of said opening, a compression spring 27 coaxial with the shaft 242 of the piston and the sleeve 30 being interposed between said flange 28 and the flange 29 so as to force the plating of said flange 29 on the piston 24 to maintain the latter. at the bottom of the compression chamber.
• a cover 37 is reversibly fixed by screwing on the sleeve 26 of the actuator.
• This cover 37 has two internal housings, a lower housing covering a tubular barrel 32, a cross 33 and a thrust member 25, all coaxial and having a central bore 323, 332, 253 of axis ZZ ', and an upper housing of connection of a connecting piece 16 of the pipe of variable rigidity, said tip 16 covering the end 251 of the thrust member 25.
• the barrel 32 is mounted by its central bore 323 on the end of the shaft 242 of the piston 24 covered with the sleeve 30 coming out of the compression chamber 262 through the central orifice of the flange 28 on the jacket 26.
• Said cylinder 32 constitutes , in cooperation with the sleeve 30 on the one hand and with the cross 33 on the other hand, a positioning and locking means of the thrust member 25, the lower end of which rests on the upper end of the 242 shaft of the piston 24 between the walls of the barrel 32.
• the latter comprises two series of notches 321, 322 machined in the longitudinal direction in its said walls, the notches 321 being of substantially equal depth to the height of the barrel 32 and the notches 322 being very shallow, of the order of a few millimeters, on the upper edge of the walls of the barrel, each notch 321 being offset by an angle of 45 ° with respect to a notch 322 and an angle of 90 ° in relation to u no other notch 321, this creating a regular alternation of notches 321 and 322 all around the circumference of the barrel 32, giving the latter a form of notched crown.
• said barrel 32 also comprises at its base balls 34 for coupling said barrel with the sleeve 30 on the shaft 242 of the piston 24, said balls 34 being diametrically opposed on the inner face of the central bore 323 of the barrel so as to engage in the threads 303 formed on the sleeve 30, adjusting screws 35 for adjusting during assembly the depth of penetration of the balls in said threads 303.
• the thrust member 25 takes the form of a finger whose upper end 251 is of complementary shape to the lower end of the sheath of the variable rigidity pipe 1 connected to the actuator by its clamping cables 5 embossed at the base of the connector 16, said connector being itself inserted in the cover 37, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. At its lower end, said thrust member is integral with the cross 33, whose bars 331 are inserted into the notches 321 of the barrel 32 when the actuator is at rest.
• guide grooves 252 may also be formed along two generatrices of said thrust member 25 from the cross 33 to the head 251 thereof, pins 38 inserted transversely to the base of the connector 16 penetrating said grooves 252.
• the piston 24 and the thrust member 25 constitute pushing means movable along the longitudinal axis ZZ 'between a rest position (FIG. 7) and an actuating position (FIG. 10), and their respective bores 245, 253. communicate, allowing the insertion of said watertight and flexible pipe 2 of water circulation in the pipe 1 as shown in Figures 7, 10 and 12 in particular.
• the ring 31, the leaf spring 36, the sleeve 30, the barrel 32, the cross 33 and the balls 34 constitute positioning and blocking means cooperating with said thrust means 24,25 to apply or release a stress on the sheath 3 and the cables 5 of the variable stiffness pipe 1.
• the actuator 15 is; as indicated above, controlled from the shower head 21 by means of the button 22 for closing the water inlet in the shower head.
• the flexible rigidity pipe 1 is flexible such as a traditional shower hose.
• the water When the valve is opened, the water first enters the actuator 15 through the orifices 211 of the base 39 and into said pipe 2 and the pipe 1 to the pommel 21.
• the piston 24 is then in the down position , or of rest, inside the compression chamber 262, the force of the compression spring 27 being greater than the pressure of the water at the base of the piston.
• the thrust member 25 is in contact with the end of the shaft 242 of the piston and the bars 331 of the cross 33 in the notches 321 of the barrel 32, its pushing head 251 does not support on the end module of the sheath 3 of the pipe 1, the cables 5 of the latter being flexible ( Figure 13).
• the user can then shower as he would with a traditional shower.
• the translation of the piston 24 under the pressure of the water causes the ring 31 and the sleeve 30 to rotate simultaneously, coupled at their toothed contact portions 301, 311, by an angle ⁇ (FIG. 9) of FIG. order of 40 to 50 °, and more particularly between 42 ° and 47 °, around the shaft 242 of the piston.
• This rotation of the ring 31 and the sleeve 30 causes the compression of the leaf spring 36 and is itself caused by the movement of the balls 34 of the barrel 32 in the threads 303 of the sleeve, said barrel being locked in rotation by the bars 331 of the cross 33 at the base of the thrust member 25 in its notches 321.
• the relaxation of said leaf spring 36 then causes rotation of said ring 31, of said sleeve 30 by an angle ⁇ in the opposite direction to that adopted by said sleeve and said ring during the rise of the piston.
• said sleeve driving in its rotation the barrel 32 which pivots from said angle ⁇ , whose value is determined, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, by the pitch of the threads 303 of the sheath according to the length of the shaft 242 of the piston.
• This rotation of the barrel 32 which is carried out as soon as the bars 331 of the cross 33 come out of the notches 321 of said barrel, causes the positioning of the notches 322, of shallow depth in line with said bars 331 of the cross 33.
• the disk 241 of the piston 24 has in its lower surface a recess 248 of conical shape for creating a suction effect of the water towards the water. 245 of the shaft 242 of the piston 24 when the latter descends, the flow of water injected through the nozzle 40 towards the shaft 242 also promoting this suction effect.
• variable-stiffness pipe 1 its flexible character
• the rise of the piston causes the coupling of the sleeve 30 and the ring 31, then the rotation of these last, with simultaneous compression of the leaf spring 36, by the sliding of the balls 34 of the cylinder 32 in the threads 303 of the sleeve.
• the pipe 1 of the invention used as a shower hose, will allow for example in the medical environment nurses and caregivers to shower a patient while having the two free hands. Disabled persons will also find great comfort in using the pipe according to the invention for showering.
• the conduct of the invention will also be particularly suitable for watering gardens, or the fight against fire where it will allow firefighters to freeze their spear in a specific direction without having to hold it and stay closer to the flames , with all the risks that entails.
• the conduct of the invention can also convey any other gaseous substance, liquid or organic or optical fibers and electrical cables which opens a wide range of use in areas such as domestic applications, industry, food , or the defense systems.
• any other gaseous substance, liquid or organic or optical fibers and electrical cables which opens a wide range of use in areas such as domestic applications, industry, food , or the defense systems.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

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• 2006
  • 2006-01-18 US US11/815,948 patent/US20090121477A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-01-18 EP EP06709114A patent/EP1848909A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-01-18 WO PCT/FR2006/000107 patent/WO2006087436A1/fr active Application Filing

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