Flexible connectors and methods of manufacturing same

Abstract

A flexible connector comprises a length of corrugated tubing, a polymeric sleeve aligned with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing, and a length of mesh tubing extending the entire of corrugated tubing and over the polymeric sleeve. The distal end of the corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the distal end of the length of mesh tubing are received in a sleeve which is formed integrally with an end piece. The sleeve is crimped into permanent retaining engagement with the length of corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the length of mesh tubing. The end piece functions to secure the flexible connector into engagement with an adjacent component.

1 . A flexible connector comprising:
 a length of a uniform and unitary corrugated tubing having a distal end;   an end piece having a proximal end;   a length of polymeric tubing surrounding the distal end of length of corrugated tubing and the proximal end piece for initially retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing;   a sleeve surrounding the length of polymeric tubing, the proximal end of the end piece, and the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing for permanently retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing; and   wherein the sleeve is crimped to permanently retain the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing.   
   
   
       2 . A flexible connector comprising:
 a length of a uniform and unitary corrugated tubing having a distal end;   an end piece having a proximal end;   a length of polymeric tubing surrounding the distal end of length of corrugated tubing and the proximal end piece for initially retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing;   a sleeve surrounding the length of polymeric tubing, the proximal end of the end piece, and the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing for permanently retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing; and   a length of mesh tubing surrounding the length of corrugated tubing, the length of polymeric tubing, and the proximal end of the end piece.   
   
   
       3 . A flexible connector comprising:
 a length of a uniform and unitary corrugated tubing having a distal end;   an end piece having a proximal end;   a length of polymeric tubing surrounding the distal end of length of corrugated tubing and the proximal end piece for initially retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing;   a sleeve surrounding the length of polymeric tubing, the proximal end of the end piece, and the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing for permanently retaining the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing;   a length of mesh tubing surrounding the length of corrugated tubing, the length of polymeric tubing, and the proximal end of the end piece; and   wherein the sleeve is crimped to permanently retain the proximal end of the end piece in engagement with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing.   
   
   
       4 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 1  wherein the corrugated tubing is bronze. 
   
   
       5 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 1  wherein the corrugated tubing is a polymeric material. 
   
   
       6 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 1  wherein the polymeric tubing is flexible. 
   
   
       7 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 2  wherein the mesh tubing is stainless steel. 
   
   
       8 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 2  wherein the mesh tubing is nylon. 
   
   
       9 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 2  wherein the corrugated tubing is bronze. 
   
   
       10 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 2  wherein the corrugated tubing is a polymeric material. 
   
   
       11 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 2  wherein the polymeric tubing is flexible. 
   
   
       12 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 3  wherein the mesh tubing is stainless steel. 
   
   
       13 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 3  wherein the mesh tubing is nylon. 
   
   
       14 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 3  wherein the corrugated tubing is bronze. 
   
   
       15 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 3  wherein the corrugated tubing is a polymeric material. 
   
   
       16 . The method of manufacturing a flexible connector according to  claim 3  wherein the polymeric tubing is flexible.