Positionable and expandable tube system having slotted tube segments
US6253712A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L27/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A positionable and expandable tube system composed of snappingly engageable slotted tube segments for the construction of hamster, gerbil, or like pet tubes. Each tube segment consists of an upper and a lower truncated sphere connected at an annular intersection. The preferred embodiment incorporates an upper truncated sphere having a plurality of tapered slots delineating flexible arcuate portions which can be flexed inwardly upon contact with a lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment to reduce the cross section of the upper truncated sphere to allow easily accomplished entry into the lower truncated sphere of a succeeding tube segment. The tube segments, when snappingly engaged, create frictionally positionable ball and socket joints.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.