Patent · US Expired

Flexible connector

US5127681A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
11References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1991
Grant dateJul 7, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S285/915
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A connector for sealingly joining together lengths of tubing such as those used in automobile fluid conveying systems accommodates large angular bending and twisting motions as a result of a spherical shell which rotates inside guide/thrust circumferential bearings. Noise and vibration damping are achieved by an elastomeric pad of non-uniform thickness bonded between the spherical shell and an enlargement formed on one of the lengths of tubing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.