IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,022,239
Granted Patent B1
US 11,022,239 · App. 16/946,024 · Granted Jun 1, 2021

Pressure locking hose

Inventor: Vann Stone Faison (Seattle, WA)
F16L11/14F16L3/10F16L3/1215F16L3/202
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,022,239
App. No.
16/946,024
Granted
Jun 1, 2021
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present application discloses a hose that uses pressure to lock itself into a fixed position. The basic structure may comprise an internal flexible tube which contains a fluid and a mechanical exoskeleton. The mechanical exoskeleton may move freely without pressure, but may lock into place once the tube is pressurized.

Claims (22)

1. A hose which transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state when pressure is applied, wherein said unlocked state allows for said hose to rotate freely along at least one axis, and said locked state maintains said hose in a fixed position, said hose comprising:

a fluid tube;

a locking mechanism surrounding said fluid tube or surrounded by said fluid tube, said locking mechanism being actuated by expansion of said fluid tube caused by an increase in pressure or a decrease in pressure, or said locking mechanism being actuated by compression of said fluid tube caused by an increase in pressure or a decrease in pressure;

whereby at least one segment of the locking mechanism locks to an adjacent segment when said pressure is applied.

2. A hose which transitions between an unlocked state and a locked state when vacuum is applied, wherein said unlocked state allows for said hose to rotate freely along at least one axis, and said locked state maintains said hose in a fixed position, said hose comprising:

a fluid tube;

a locking mechanism surrounding said fluid tube or surrounded by said fluid tube, said locking mechanism being actuated by expansion of said fluid tube caused by an increase in pressure or a decrease in pressure, or said locking mechanism being actuated by compression of said fluid tube caused by an increase in pressure or a decrease in pressure;

whereby at least one segment of the locking mechanism locks to an adjacent segment when said pressure is applied.

3. The hose of claim 1 wherein a change of pressure may be initiated at a hose termini.

4. The hose of claim 2 wherein a change of pressure may be initiated at a hose termini.

5. The hose of claim 1 wherein a change of pressure may be initiated at a point along a body of the hose.

6. The hose of claim 2 wherein a change of pressure may be initiated at a point along a body of the hose.

7. The hose of claim 1 wherein the hose may contain high friction materials selected from a group comprising: aluminum, polystyrene, rubber, steel, plexiglass, or any other suitable material.

8. The hose of claim 2 wherein the hose may contain high friction materials selected from a group comprising: aluminum, polystyrene, rubber, steel, plexiglass, or any other suitable material.

9. The hose of claim 1 wherein the fluid tube is a space between at least two layers of tubing surrounded by a sheath.

10. The hose of claim 2 wherein the fluid tube is a space between at least two layers of tubing surrounded by a sheath.

11. The hose of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mechanical exoskeleton.

12. The hose of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mechanical exoskeleton.

13. The hose of claim 1 wherein said hose has an outer sleeve.

14. The hose of claim 2 wherein said hose has an outer sleeve.

15. The fluid tube of claim 1 wherein tethers are attached from said fluid tube to said locking mechanism.

16. The fluid tube of claim 2 wherein tethers are attached from said fluid tube to said locking mechanism.

Cited By (1)
US 12,361,023