The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1998
Frank Albert, Parma, OH (US);
PMI Industries, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
An articulated bend limiter (10) is provided for connection to an elongate flexible member such as a steel cable (14). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes of a plurality of interconnected segments (12), each of which includes a modified ball and socket joint capable of limited angular movement. The ball (36) contained within each socket is modified in that it comprises two generally hemispherical sections (36A,36B) that form a split ball and that move relative to one another within a limited range. Each hemispherical section (36A,36B) is formed of two half-portions which may be bolted together about a mid span region of a cable (14). The socket is defined by a curved inner surface (34) of an outer sleeve (30) that, itself, includes two half-portions (30A,30B) which are bolted around the ball assembly (36). The range of movement of each of the hemispherical sections (36A,36B) within the socket is defined by a coacting stop surfaces (42A,42B) respectively provided on the sections (36A,36B). A resilient spacer element (46) of elliptical cross-section is provided axially between the hemispherical sections (36A,36B) of each segment (12).