Apparatus and method for interconnecting items with a flexible member

Abstract

A flexible member, comprising: an inner core member, comprising a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide the inner core member; an outer sheath disposed about the inner core member, the outer sheath defining an inner opening for receiving the inner core member therein, the inner core member being slidably received within the outer sheath, wherein the flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface, wherein a lubricant is disposed upon an exterior surface of the outer sheath and the outer sheath further comprises an end-fitting member disposed about a portion of the flexible connector, the portion of the flexible connector comprising an engagement surface for securement of the end fitting thereto.

1 . A flexible member, comprising:
 an inner core member, comprising a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide said inner core member; and   an outer sheath disposed about said inner core member, said outer sheath defining an inner opening for receiving said inner core member therein, said inner core member being slidably received within said outer sheath, wherein said flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface, wherein a lubricant is disposed upon an exterior surface of said outer sheath and said outer sheath further comprises an end-fitting member disposed about a portion of the flexible member, said portion of said flexible member comprising an engagement surface for securement of said end fitting thereto, the engagement surface being disposed on the exterior surface of the outer sheath.   
   
   
       2 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said curved surface is defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters and the flexible member is capable of accommodating a tensile force greater than 800 Newtons. 
   
   
       3 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said end-fitting member has an opening disposed therein, said opening extending past an end of the flexible member. 
   
   
       4 . The flexible member as in  claim 3 , wherein said end-fitting member has a circular or rectangular outer configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein the coefficient of friction between said exterior surface and another surface is less than that of a steel cable and said another surface. 
   
   
       6 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer sheath comprises a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers and said engagement surface is a knot defined by a portion of the flexible member. 
   
   
       7 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer sheath comprises a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers and said engagement surface is a knot defined by a portion of the outer sheath. 
   
   
       8 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer sheath comprises a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers and said engagement surface is provided by a beaded member disposed on a surface of the outer sheath. 
   
   
       9 . A flexible connector, comprising:
 a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers braided with each other to define the flexible connector, wherein an exterior surface of said flexible connector is coated with a lubricant and a portion of said flexible connector is manipulated into an engagement surface for securement of an end-fitting member thereto.   
   
   
       10 . The flexible member as in  claim 1 , wherein said lubricant is graphite and said end fitting is plastic and is over molded onto said engagement surface. 
   
   
       11 . The flexible connector as in  claim 9 , wherein said end-fitting member has an opening disposed therein, said opening extending past an end of the flexible connector and said flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters. 
   
   
       12 . The flexible connector as in  claim 11 , wherein said end-fitting member has a circular or rectangular outer configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The flexible connector as in  claim 9 , wherein the coefficient of friction between said exterior surface and another surface is less than that of a steel cable and said another surface. 
   
   
       14 . A flexible connector, comprising:
 a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide the flexible connector; and   an inner axial opening disposed along the inner axis of the flexible connector, wherein a portion of said inner axial opening makes contact with another portion of said inner axial opening when said flexible member travels along a path defined by a curved surface thereby decreasing an external dimension of the flexible connector and said portion and said another portion no longer make contact with each other when the flexible connector is no longer traveling along said path.   
   
   
       15 . The flexible connector as in  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers are braided together and said flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters and an exterior surface of said flexible connector is coated with a lubricant and a portion of said flexible connector is manipulated into an engagement surface for securement of an end-fitting member thereto. 
   
   
       16 . The flexible connector as in  claim 15 , wherein said end-fitting member has an opening disposed therein, said opening extending past an end of the flexible connector. 
   
   
       17 . A flexible connector, comprising:
 a plurality of uni-directed strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide an inner core member;   an outer sheath of extruded material disposed about said inner core member, wherein a lubricant is disposed upon an exterior surface of said outer sheath and said outer sheath further comprises an end-fitting member disposed about a portion of the flexible connector, said portion of said flexible connector comprising an engagement surface for securement of said end fitting thereto.   
   
   
       18 . The flexible connector as in  claim 17 , wherein said outer sheath is an extruded member. 
   
   
       19 . The flexible connector as in  claim 17 , wherein the flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters and is capable of accommodating a tensile force greater than 800 Newtons. 
   
   
       20 . A flexible connector, comprising:
 a plurality of twisted strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide an inner core member;   an outer sheath of extruded material disposed about said inner core member, wherein a lubricant is disposed upon an exterior surface of said outer sheath and said outer sheath further comprises an end-fitting member disposed about a portion of the flexible connector, said portion of said flexible connector comprising an engagement surface for securement of said end fitting thereto.   
   
   
       21 . The flexible connector as in  claim 20 , wherein said outer sheath is an extruded member. 
   
   
       22 . The flexible connector as in  claim 20 , wherein said outer sheath comprises a plurality of braided strands of liquid crystal polymers. 
   
   
       23 . The flexible connector as in  claim 20 , wherein said end-fitting member has an opening disposed therein, said opening extending past an end of the flexible connector. 
   
   
       24 . The flexible connector as in  claim 20 , wherein said end-fitting member is plastic and is over molded onto said engagement surface. 
   
   
       25 . The flexible connector as in  claim 24 , wherein said engagement surface is defined by a knot in said flexible connector. 
   
   
       26 . The flexible connector as in  claim 20 , wherein the flexible member is capable of being disposed about a curved surface defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters and is capable of accommodating a tensile force greater than 800 Newtons. 
   
   
       27 . A driving system for a sliding door of a vehicle, comprising:
 a cable winding device for winding and unwinding a pair of flexible connectors secured to a hinge assembly, wherein each flexible connector comprises;
 a plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers cooperating with each other to define and provide the flexible connector; and 
 an inner axial opening disposed along the inner axis of the flexible connector, wherein a portion of said inner axial opening makes contact with another portion of said inner axial opening when said flexible member travels along a path defined by a curved surface thereby decreasing an external dimension of the flexible connector and said portion and said another portion no longer make contact with each other when the flexible connector is no longer traveling along said path. 
   
   
   
       28 . The drive system as in  claim 27 , wherein said curved surface is defined by a pulley. 
   
   
       29 . The drive system as in  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of strands of liquid crystal polymers are braided together and said curved surface is defined by a radius that is less than 25 millimeters and an exterior surface of said flexible connector is coated with a lubricant and a portion of said flexible connector is manipulated into an engagement surface for securement of an end-fitting member thereto. 
   
   
       30 . The drive system as in  claim 29 , wherein said end-fitting member is plastic and is over molded onto said engagement surface. 
   
   
       31 . The drive system as in  claim 30 , wherein said engagement surface is a knot defined by said flexible connector.