Bendable tube and method for manufacturing the same

摘要

A bendable tube used for an endoscope or the like, includes a plurality of joint pieces 11 arranged in a row. Each of the joint pieces is provided at one end portion thereof with a pair of first connecting portions 12 and at the other end portion with a pair of second connecting portions 13. The first connecting portions 12 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 13 are projected in the opposite direction to the first connecting portions 12 and arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the peripheral direction. The first connecting portion 12 is formed with a through-hole 12a (retaining portion) and the second connecting portion 13 is formed with a protrusion 13a. The first and second connecting portions 12, 13 of the adjacent joint pieces 11 are connected together only by fitting engagement between the protrusion 13a and the through-hole 12a. 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 12a and an outer periphery of the protrusion 13a.