Granted Patent B2

US 9,158,332 · App. 13/657,203 · Granted Oct 13, 2015

Abstract

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus, comprising multiple portions interconnected in series via interconnections between adjacent portions of the multiple portions, defining an aggregate length wherein each multiple portion comprises one each of a first portion and a second portion, wherein each interconnection comprises an axially extending and substantially linear projection extending through a corresponding aperture that surrounds the projection with clearances therebetween configured to enforce limits on relative rotational movement of the adjacent portions while enabling reciprocating movement axially between each substantially linear projection and the corresponding aperture of the adjacent portion while maintaining engagement there between, the limits of relative movement allowing the apparatus to bend over the aggregate length of the multiple portions due to the reciprocating relative movement between individual projections and their corresponding aperture.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the clearances for each interconnection is the same.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the clearances for at least some of the interconnections are different.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the clearances for

interconnections that are positioned equal distances from a transverse center line are the same.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the multiple portions comprise:

a first terminal portion comprising a projection extending in a first direction from a first end;

a second terminal portion comprising an aperture extending in a first direction at a second end;

one or more intermediate portions each of which comprises

a projection extending in a first direction from a first end and an aperture extending in the first direction at a second end,

where the multiple portions are configured for relative movement in at least the first direction;

and wherein each projection extends in the first direction through the aperture of an adjacent one of the multiple portions and wherein each aperture surrounds each projection with clearances configured to enforce limits on relative movement of the adjacent portions while enabling reciprocating movement of the adjacent portions in the first direction towards each other and away from each other.

Assignments (10)