| 摘要 |
Long flexible members such as hoses, electric cords and cables tend to be springy and elastic. They are not easily coiled and stored. They tend to straighten out when bent into a desired shape. They tend to tangle and interfere with operations. The invention incorporates an elongate wire element running parallel to the long axis of the flexible member. The wire element is encased in the covering of the flexible member. The wire element is a conformable shape-retaining material such as a compliant soft iron or steel. It renders the entire member shape-retaining so that it may be conveniently coiled for storage or positioned for use. An embodiment for retrofitting an existing flexible member provides the wire element encased in a covering which wraps around a flexible member and then seals closed to form a shape retaining sleeve about the member.
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