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:
Jun. 25, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 25, 2000
Yuichi Komachi, Akishima, JP;
Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd., , JP;
Abstract
A bendable tube used for an endoscope or the like, includes a plurality of joint pieces arranged in a row. Each of the joint pieces is provided at one end portion thereof with a pair of first connecting portions and at the other end portion with a pair of second connecting portions . The first connecting portions are projected in a center axis direction of the joint piece and arranged 180 degrees away from each other in a peripheral direction, and the second connecting portions are projected in the opposite direction to the first connecting portions and arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the peripheral direction. The first connecting portion is formed with a through-hole (retaining portion) and the second connecting portion is formed with a protrusion . The first and second connecting portions of the adjacent joint pieces are connected together only by fitting engagement between the protrusion and the through-hole . A rivet is not used for this connection. The first and second connecting portions are able to rotate relative to each other due to rubbing relation between an annular inner periphery of the through-hole and an outer periphery of the protrusion