CLAIMS
1 . A coiled service line, for transmitting a service between relatively moveable portions of machinery, fitted within a flexible sleeve having its opposite ends attached to respective end portions of the service line, the flexible sleeve being stretched over the coils of the service line to prevent their intercalation between the coils of any adjacent coiled service line.
2. A coiled service line, according to Claim 1 , in which the flexible sleeve has a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, the main sleeve portion being of substantially constant diameter stretched over the coils of the service line, each cuff portion having at least one longitudinal gap to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and the respective end portion of the service line, and each cuff portion is secured to its respective end portion of the service by an attachment means arranged to close the longitudinal gap
3. A coiled service line, according to Claim 1 , in which the flexible sleeve has a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, the main sleeve portion being of substantially constant diameter stretched over the coils of the service line, each cuff portion having at least two opposed longitudinal gaps to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and the respective end portion of the service line, and each cuff portion is secured to its respective end portion of the service line by an attachment means arranged to close the opposed longitudinal gaps.
4. A coiled service line, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which each cuff portion is formed with an open-ended folded seam locating the respective attachment means. 5. A coiled service line, according to any of Claims 2 to 4, in which the two cuff portions are formed integral with the main sleeve portion from a single piece of fabric.
6. A coiled service line, according to either of Claims 3 to 4, in which the flexible sleeve is fabricated from a pair of fabric components, each defining half of the main sleeve portion and half of both cuff portions, and the pair of fabric components are secured together along their long edges with stretch stitch seams to form the main sleeve portion.
7. A coiled service line, according to any preceding claim, in which the sleeve is formed from a fabric of chain knitted construction having a capacity for multi-directional flexibility.
8. An entanglement protector comprising a flexible protective sleeve to be fitted over the coils of a coiled service line, and attachment means for securing the opposite ends of the protective sleeve to respective end portions of the service line, the protective sleeve being smaller than the coil diameter of the service line whereby the protective sleeve will be stretched over the coils to form a web between the coils to prevent their intercalation between the coils of any adjacent coiled service line.
9. An entanglement protector, according to Claim 8, in which the flexible protective sleeve has a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, each cuff portion being formed with an open-ended folded seam locating the attachment means. 10. An entanglement protector, according to Claim 9, in which each cuff portion has at least one longitudinal gap to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and its associated open-ended folded seam.
11. An entanglement protector, according to Claim 9, in which each cuff portion has at least two opposed longitudinal gaps to define a transition be- tween the main sleeve portion and its associated open-ended folded seam.
12. An entanglement protector, according to any of Claims 9 to 11 , in which the two cuff portions are formed integral with the main sleeve portion from a single piece of fabric.
13. An entanglement protector, according to any of Claims 9 to 11 , in which the flexible sleeve is fabricated from a pair of fabric components, each defining half of the main sleeve portion and half of both cuff portions, and the pair of fabric components are secured together along their long edges with stretch stitch seams to form the main sleeve portion.
14. An entanglement protector, according to any of Claims 8 to 13, in which the sleeve is formed from a fabric of chain knitted construction having a capability for multi-directional flexibility.
15. An articulated vehicle comprising a tractor unit articulated to a trailer unit with a plurality of coiled service lines positioned between them, at least one of the coiled service lines being enveloped by a close-fitting flexible sleeve having its ends secured adjacent the ends of the service line such that a web of the sleeve inhibits engagement of its coils with coils of any of the other service lines.
16. An articulated vehicle having its tractor and trailer units connected by at least one coiled service line according to any of Claims 1 to 7. |
COILED SERVICE LINES
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention is concerned with preventing entanglement of a plurality of coiled service lines connecting machinery, for example articulated ma- chinery such as the tractor and trailer of an articulated vehicle.
Background to the Invention
[0002] A tractor unit of an articulated vehicle typically carries a fifth wheel coupling for connection and disconnection to any compatible trailer unit. In addition to this mechanical articulation between the tractor and the selected trailer, it is also necessary to connect various service lines from the tractor unit to each newly coupled trailer, and eventually to disconnect these service lines before the fifth wheel coupling is disengaged.
[0003] Typically there are five service lines, two being pneumatic for actuating the brakes of the trailer whenever the brakes of the tractor are applied, two being electrical for coupling the electrical circuits of the trailer to those of the tractor, and one for actuating an anti jack-knife device carried by the trailer. The number and purpose of the service lines will be dependant upon the operational requirements of the trailer.
[0004] These various service lines need to be flexible to permit relative movement between the back of the tractor and the front of the trailer as they articulate. Conventionally, these service lines are coiled so that they can accommodate both flexing and variations in the distance between the fixed couplings carried by the tractor and the trailer.
[0005] However, during use, these coiled service lines tend to entangle to the extent that, on disconnection from the trailer, it is difficult and time consuming to separate them for stowage in the tractor unit.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] This invention provides a simple solution to the problem of entanglement of coiled service lines.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention a coiled service line, for transmitting a service between relatively moveable portions of machinery, is fitted within a flexible sleeve having its opposite ends attached to respective end portions of the service line, the flexible sleeve being stretched over the coils of the service line to prevent their intercalation between the coils of any adjacent coiled service line. Entanglement is prevented by stopping intercalation of the coils of the service lines.
[0008] The flexible sleeve may have a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, the main sleeve portion being of substantially constant diameter stretched over the coils of the service line, each cuff portion having at least one longitudinal gap to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and the respective end portion of the service line, and each cuff portion being secured to its respective end portion of the service by an attachment means arranged to close the longitudinal gap. Alternatively, the flexible sleeve may have a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, the main sleeve portion being of substantially constant diameter stretched over the coils of the service line, each cuff portion having at least two opposed longitudinal gaps to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and the respective end portion of the service line, and each cuff portion being secured to its respective end portion of the service line by an attachment means arranged to close the opposed longitudinal gaps.
[0009] Each cuff portion may be formed with an open-ended folded seam locating the respective attachment means.
[0010] The two cuff portions may be formed integral with the main sleeve portion from a single piece of fabric. [0011] Preferably the flexible sleeve is fabricated from a pair of fabric components, each defining half of the main sleeve portion and half of both cuff portions, and the pair of fabric components are secured together along their long edges with stretch stitch seams to form the main sleeve portion.
[0012] Preferably the sleeve is formed from a fabric of chain knitted con- struction having a capacity for multi-directional flexibility.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, an entanglement protector comprises a flexible protective sleeve to be fitted over the coils of a coiled service line, and attachment means for securing the opposite ends of the protective sleeve to respective end portions of the service line, the protective sleeve being smaller than the coil diameter of the service line whereby the protective sleeve will be stretched over the coils to form a web between the coils to prevent their intercalation between the coils of any adjacent coiled service line.
[0014] The flexible protective sleeve may have a main sleeve portion and two cuff portions, each cuff portion being formed with an open-ended folded seam locating the attachment means. In this event, each cuff portion may have at least one longitudinal gap to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and its associated open-ended folded seam. Preferably, each cuff portion may have at least two opposed longitudinal gaps to define a transition between the main sleeve portion and its associated open-ended folded seam. [0015] The two cuff portions may be formed integral with the main sleeve portion from a single piece of fabric.
[0016] Preferably the flexible sleeve is fabricated from a pair of fabric components, each defining half of the main sleeve portion and half of both cuff portions, and the pair of fabric components are secured together along their long edges with stretch stitch seams to form the main sleeve portion.
[0017] Preferably the sleeve is formed from a fabric of chain knitted construction having a capability for multi-directional flexibility.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, an articulated vehicle comprises a tractor unit articulated to a trailer unit with a plurality of coiled ser- vice lines positioned between them, at least one of the coiled service lines being enveloped by a close-fitting flexible sleeve having its ends secured adjacent the ends of the service line such that a web of the sleeve inhibits engagement of its coils with coils of any of the other service lines.
[0019] Whilst the protection of a single coiled service line against intercalation with other coiled service lines reduces entanglement, it is desirable that all coiled service lines be protected from intercalation.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0020] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a plan view of one of a pair of fabric components for forming a flexible protective sleeve;
Figure 2 is a plan view of a flexible protective sleeve formed from a pair of the fabric components shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an enlargement of one end of the protective sleeve shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3 taken in the direction of arrow 4; and
Figure 5 is a side elevation of an end portion of a coiled pneumatic ser- vice line showing its connection to an end connector and the arrangement of the flexible protective sleeve which is shown in section. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment
[0021] Components 10 are cut from a sheet of fabric to the profile shown in Figure 1. Each component 10 defines a main sleeve portion 11 terminating in a pair of cuff portions 12 having respective end tabs 13 each of which can be folded along the lines X-X to form respective open-ended folded seams 14 as shown in Figure 2.
[0022] The longitudinal boundaries of each component 10 define a pair of longitudinal tabs 15 of which the end portions 16 are angled to follow the con- tours of part of each end tab 13 as shown.
[0023] The choice of fabric for making the components will depend on the environment in which the component is to be used. For the environment of a typical articulated lorry, I have found that a flat bed, chain-knitted fabric can provide sufficient capacity for elastic deformation - such fabrics accommodate stretching in at least two orthogonal directions and provide multi-directional flexibility. By experimentation I have found that black Lycra (registered Trade
Mark) fabrics are particularly useful, and also fabrics formed of approximately 65% Nylon (registered Trade Mark) and 35% Elastane (registered Trade Mark). However, other fabrics would be suitable provided they have sufficient capacity for elastic deformation and are resistant to the environment existing between the tractor and trailer of an articulated lorry or other articulated machinery. When cutting each component 10, due regard must be given to the directions in which the fabric will stretch, the most important direction being transverse to the main sleeve portion 11.
[0024] Typical dimensions for each component 10 are a length of about 1.70m., an overall width including the tabs 15 of about 0.152m., the length of the end portions 16 being about 0.044m., and the overall length of each side of the cuff portions being about 0.127m. The depth of the tabs 15 and their end portions 16 are dependent upon the required stitching allowance as indicated by the dashed lines. [0025] As shown in Figure 2, a flexible protective sleeve 20 is manufactured by superimposing a pair of the components 10 and stretch stitching their tabs 15 and end portions 16 together to form seams 21. The main portion 11 of the sleeve 20 is of constant width, but the cuff portions 12 progressively reduce in width as far as the open-ended seams 14. The width of the main portion 11 is selected such that the sleeve 20 must be stretched in the hoop direction in order to fit over a coiled service line 22 as shown in Figure 3.
[0026] Figures 3 and 4 show details of one pair of the cuff portions 12. The cut edges of the cuff portions are reinforced, as shown, by stretch stitching to form overlocked seams 23 which are continued to secure the end tabs 13 to the respective sides of the two cuff portions 12, thereby forming the two open- ended seams 14 which are separated by a pair of opposed V-shaped notches 24.
[0027] An attachment means 25, in the form of a plastic moulded constricting clip, is located in the open-ended seams 14 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. [0028] The flexible protective sleeve 20 is fitted over the coiled service line 22 as shown in Figure 5. This is achieved by flexibly distending the sleeve 20
over the coils of the service line 22 so that it generates a tensioned helical web 26 of the fabric between the coils of the service line 22. In this manner, the interstices of the coiled service line are blocked against intercalation by the coils of an adjacent service line, thereby preventing entanglement. [0029] Due to the end portions 16, the protective sleeve 20 is a much tighter fit against the first and the last coil of the service line 22, thereby locating the sleeve 20 axially in position and preventing accidental removal. The service line 22 has an end connection 27 for coaction with a complementary connection carried by the tractor unit or the trailer unit. After fitting over the coiled service line 22, the attachment means 25 is shortened to the position shown in Figure 5, thereby drawing together the sides of the V-notches 24 so that the cuff portions 12 are drawn into a generally frusto-conical profile to close the end of the protective sleeve closely around the adjacent end of the service line 22 as shown. Instead of securing each cuff portion to the adjacent end of the service line 22, the attachment means may be positioned to constrict around the end connection 27. Other forms of attachment may, of course be used.
[0030] Each of the seams is stretch stitched, starting and finishing in a bar tack, for instance as indicated at 28 in Figure 4, to provide additional strength.
[0031] In an alternative construction, the flexible protective sleeve 20 may be formed from a single piece of fabric having a profile equivalent to two of the components 10 laid side-by-side. This has the advantage that only one seam 21 will be needed to form the fabric into a tube. However, the finished sleeve is asymmetrical as it has a seam 21 along only one side and in certain applications this single seam may inhibit even distribution of the sleeve 22 over a coiled service line.
[0032] If desired, each cuff portion 12 may be provided with more or less of the V-shaped notches 24.
[0033] Although the invention has been described with specific reference to articulated lorries, it is applicable to other articulated vehicles having a portion provided with coiled service lines that will be decoupled and re-coupled in use, such as multiple trailers, trailers articulated to rigid trucks, and any machinery
having a portion provided with coiled service lines that require to be decoupled and re-coupled, for example the coiled service lines linking pneumatic tools to a source of compressed air in a workshop or tyre replacement bay.