GB2258513A

GB2258513A - Extruded tubes linked by webs.

Info

Publication number: GB2258513A
Application number: GB9116605A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Alan Fitzgerald
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1991-08-01
Filing date: 1991-08-01
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Also published as: GB9116605D0

Abstract

As shown in Figure 2, a number of tubes formed by an extrusion process with a web between adjacent tubes is connected to an automotive component 12 by severing one of the tubes and removing the web between the severed tube and adjacent tubes so that it may be formed to enable the severed ends 8 and 9 to be readily connected to the input and output ports 10 and 11 of the component 12. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTRUDED TUBES LINKED BY WEBS The invention relates to a plurality of extruded tubes, each of which is linked to at least one other tube by a web formed during the extrusion process.

BACKGROUND An array of tubes linked by webs is known and such arrangements are generally used to keep the tubes in a neat and manageable structure between an input and an output point. Such an arrangement is shown and described in US Patent Specification 3907002 in which the tubes form a multi hose link between a fuel tank and an internal combustion engine.

With such arrangement it is difficult to insert a metering device, pump or other component within one of the tubes. It is an object of this invention to overcome such difficulties.

THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a plurality of extruded tubes each of which is linked to at least one other tube by a web formed during the extrusion process, characterised in that: at a predetermined location orthogonal to the length of the tubes at least one, but not all, of the tubes are severed and are separated from any adjacent web for a first predetermined length on one side of the severed ends and for a second predetermined length on the other side of the severed ends so that, in use, both of the severed ends may be connected to a component.

The severed ends may be directly connected to the component, or via one or more extension tubes. Alternatively, one or both severed ends may be further cut back to form a new severed end.

The tubes may all be of substantially identical size or differing sizes. More than one of the tubes, but not all of the tubes, may be severed at the same location and connected to the same or different components. Alternatively, different tubes may be severed at different locations. The section of the tubes separated from the web may be subjected to a forming process to leave them displaced out of the general plane of the extruded tubes. The tubes may be severed and separated from adjacent webs in a single operation. The length of the first and second predetermined length may be the same or different.

It will be appreciated that by means of the present invention the severed ends of the tube may be displaced from the general plane of the remaining tubes over an arc determined by the predetermined length of web which is separated from adjacent tubes. If the component to which the severed ends of the tubes can be provided with inlet and outlet ports coinciding with the arcs of freedom of the severed ends then, the component may be readily connected in between the severed ends. However, if the component is remotely located or of such a size that the arcs of freedom do not coincide with the inlet and outlet ports of a component then one or more extension tubes from the inlet and outlet ports of a component may be connected to the severed ends.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows an array of three extruded tubes connected by webs before forming; Figure 2 shows a component coupled to one of the tubes after forming; and Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement for interconnecting a component.

Figure 1 shows three tubes, 1, 2 and 3 interconnected by webs 4 and 5 so that the tubes lie in substantially the same plane.

The tubes and the webs could also be arranged so that the tubes lie in different planes. The web between tubes 1 and 2 between the points 6 and 7 is removed and tube 1 is severed between that section of the tube where the web had been removed so as to leave severed ends 8 and 9.

The tube 1 may, if necessary, be formed by means of a heat forming process into a letter S shape so that the sever nds 8 and 9 are conveniently located for the input and outp# s 10 and 11 respectively of the component 12.

However, if the component is remotely located as shown in figure 3, the severed ends 8 and 9 may be connected to an extension arrangement consisting of tubes 13 and 14 which interconnect with the input and output ports of the remote device 15.

It will be appreciated that if the component to which the severed ends are to be connected is positioned very close to the array of tubes it may be preferable to reform the severed end by cutting a short length from one or both of the severed end sections. The tubes may all be of substantially identical size as shown in the drawings, or may be of differing sizes.

Although only three tubes are shown in the embodiment any number of tubes may be joined by suitable webs formed during an extrusion process. The tubes and the webs may be of a synthetic plastics material of any known suitable type such as synthetic rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer or terpolymer).

The invention can also be applied to cases where a number of initially independent tubes are joined by a co-extruded cover.

In this case, the cover forms the webs between the tubes.

Although the component is shown connected to the nearest tube it would be appreciated that any of the tubes may be severed and connected to the component.

Claims

1 A plurality of extruded tubes each of which is linked to at least one other tube by a web formed during the extrusion process, characterised in that at a predetermined location orthogonal to the length of the tubes, at least one, but not all, of the tubes are severed and are separated from any adjacent web for a first predetermined length on one side of the severed ends and for a second predetermined length on the other side of the severed ends so that, in use, both of the severed ends may be connected to a component.

2 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in Claim 1 in which at least one of the tubes differs in size from at least one other tube.

3 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in any preceding claim in which more than one of the tubes, but not all of the tubes, are severed at the same location.

4 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in any preceding claim in which the section of the tubes separated from the web are permanently deformed by a forming process so as to leave them displaced out of the general plane of the other extruded tubes.

5 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in any preceding claims in which the first and second predetermined lengths differ.

6 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in any preceding claim in which the material of the tubes and web is a thermoplastics material.

7 A plurality of extruded tubes as claimed in any preceding claims in which the tubes connected by the web are substantially in the same plane.

8 A plurality of extruded tubes substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.