Apparatus for securing a coupling or a fitting to a spiral bead hose

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing couplings or fittings to the ends of hose of the type that has a smooth cylindrical interior and a spiral-reinforcing bead in conjunction with a more flexible hose body. The present invention relates to a segmented binding strip that is molded or cast in a generally opened or flat condition and is subsequently wrapped around the hose thus forming a generally cylindrical shape to fit the circumference of the hose when installed. Each segment is relatively rigid but is articulated or hinged to adjacent segments with a thinner hinge section allowing the entire binding strip to be bent in a circular form as it is wrapped around the hose. Once wrapped around the hose the binding strip is secured or bound to retain the coupling or fitting to the hose. The binding strip segments have a surface on the hose side that is shaped to mate with the undulations of the spiral bead hose, while the opposite or exterior surface of the binding strip forms a relatively smooth surface for clamping and may include one or more clamping tracks to engage a clamp. The end segments may include an overlap feature to allow for variations in hose diameter. A V-shaped seal may be used between the coupling or fitting and the interior of the hose to prevent leakage of either vacuum or pressure.