Importance

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Abstract

Floating hose is normally comprised of a carcass that is covered with a layer of foam to provide buoyancy. The foam can be deformed and compressed by being repeatedly reeled onto a drum under conditions of high axial forces (reeling forces plus hose weight). The propensity for the foam layer to become compressed is aggravated in typical conditions where the hose is stored on a reel for extended periods and is on the reel more than it is in the water. In any case, compression damage causes the hose to lose buoyancy which can ultimately result in the hose sinking under conditions of normal use. It would accordingly be desirable to develop a floating hose that minimized the permanent damage caused by the foam layer being compressed to high levels over and over again. The floating hose of this invention is resistant to damage that can be caused by axial forces, such as those encountered while being collected on a reel. More specifically, the floating hose of this invention is not as susceptible to being damaged by compression as conventional floating hoses. This is by virtue of the floating hoses of this invention including anti-compression collars that protect the floatation medium therein from damage that can occur during routine usage. This extends the service life of the floating hoses of this invention and reduces their propensity to lose buoyancy over time. The present invention more specifically discloses a floating hose comprising: a carcass having an inside and an outside; a plurality of anti-compression collars interspaced around the carcass; a floatation medium surrounding said hose carcass and said anti-compression collars, and an outer cover, wherein said outer cover covers said floating medium and said anti-compression collars.

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First Claim