Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal

Abstract

Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal, wherein the tubing at a first end includes a signal input member, and at the second end includes a signal readout member, characterized in that said tubing comprises at least one zone extending continuously from said first end towards said second end to be connected to the signal input member and the signal readout member respectively, wherein said at least one zone is made of a conductive plastics.

1 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal, wherein the tubing at a first end includes a signal input member, and at the second end includes a signal readout member, characterized in that said tubing comprises at least one zone extending continuously from said first end towards said second end to be connected to the signal input member and the signal readout member respectively, wherein said at least one zone is made of a conductive plastics, such that an electrical signal is capable of being transmitted over said tubing. 
     
     
         2 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one zone comprises two zones at a distance from each other extending continuously from said first end towards said second end and wherein the tubing between said at least two zones is made of a non-conductive plastics, 
     
     
         3 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 2 , wherein said signal readout member comprises means to measure an electrical resistance between said two zones. 
     
     
         4 . flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 3 , wherein said signal input member comprises a mechanically operated switch and said signal readout member comprises an electrically operated switch provided to switch, based on a comparison, between a measured electrical resistance and a predetermined set resistance 
     
     
         5 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductive plastics has a maximum resistance of 1010 ohm. 
     
     
         6 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-conductive plastics has a minimum resistance of 1011 ohm. 
     
     
         7 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 1 , wherein said tubing is a coiled tubing and said zones extend substantially spirally in said tubing. 
     
     
         8 . Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal according to  claim 1 , wherein said tubing is an extruded tubing and said zones extend substantially longitudinally in said tubing. 
     
     
         9 . Flexible plastics tubing according to  claim 1 , for use as a vacuum cleaner hose.