GB2388638A - A hosepipe - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible pipe, for the flow of water or other fluid, is provided with a core member (12) extending along its interior, to prevent the pipe being completely flattened if kinked or crushed, and so ensure continuity of flow. Preferably the core member (12) is integrally jointed to the tubular wall (10) of the pipe by means of a radial web (14).

Description

( nosedive The present invention relates to a hosepipe or other pipe for

conveying water or other fluid.

Hosepipes often become locally kinked or crushed flat when in use, with the effect that the flow of water or other fluid 5 is interrupted. Various hosepipe constructions have been proposed for overcoming this problem, but with limited success.

I have now devised a simple arrangement which substantially alleviates the problem noted above.

In accordance with the present invention, there is 10 provided a flexible pipe for the flow of water or other fluid, the pipe being provided with a core member extending along its interior. In use, if the pipe is kinked or crushed at any location along its length, the core member prevents the pipe being 15 competely flattened and ensures that interstices are left alongside the core member at this location, to permit the water or other fluid to continue to flow.

The core member may be circular in section. Preferably the core member is formed integrally with the tubular wall of 20 the pipe and is preferably joined to the tubular wall by means of a radial web. Preferably the core member extends along the axis of pipe. The pipe may however be formed with more than one such core member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be 25 described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; FIGURE 1 is a view of an end portion of a hosepipe in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hosepipe shown 30 in Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 shows, at successive stages, a connector being fitted to the end of the hosepipe.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a flexible hosepipe H which is extruded from plastics 35 material and comprises a tubular wall 10 and a core 12 extending along the axis of the hosepipe. In the example

shown, the core 12 is circular in section and is joined to the tubular wall 10 of the hosepipe by means of a thin, radial web 14 which extends the full length of the hosepipe.

It will be appreciated that if the hosepipe is crushed or 5 kinked at any location along its length, the core 12 prevents the tubular part lo of the hosepipe being completely flattened and ensures that interstices remain, alongside the core 12, to permit the water or other fluid to continue flow along the hosepipe. 10 Figure 3 shows a connector C being fitted to the end of the hosepipe H. The connector C includes a body 20 having a tubular spigot 22 projecting from it for insertion into the end of the hosepipe, and a coupling nut 24 for screwing onto a threaded section 26 of the connector body, to clamp the end 15 portion of the hosepipe to the spigot 22. As shown at (b) in Figure 3, the end of the hosepipes I prepared by cutting away an end portion W of the core 12 and web 14, to allow the spigot 14 of the connector to be luserted into the end of the hosepipe, after which the coupling unit 16 is screwed onto the 20 connector, as shown at (c) in Figure 3.

It will be appreciated that the hosepipe which has been described is of simple construction yet effective in preventing the flow of water or other fluid being interrupted should the hosepipe be locally kinked or crushed. It will also be 25 appreciated that the provision of the core 12 and its supporting web 14 does not significantly reduce the flexibility of the hosepipe.

Claims (1)

1) A flexible pipe for the flow of water or other fluid, the pipe being provided with a core member extending along its interior. 5 2) A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1, in which said core member is formed integrally with the tubular wall of the pipe. 3) A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 2, in which said core member is joined to said tubular wall by means of a radial 10 web.

4) A flexible pipe as claimed in arty preceding claim, in which said core member extends along the axis of said pipe.

5) A flexible pipe as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said core member is circular in cross-section.

15 6) A flexible pipe as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with more than one core member.

7) A flexible pipe substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.