초록 ▼

A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables that pass through peripheral bores of axially aligned flat washers. Pairs of beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinge points for the bending of the steering section. Each pair of beads i

A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables that pass through peripheral bores of axially aligned flat washers. Pairs of beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinge points for the bending of the steering section. Each pair of beads include a spherical-nose ball bead and a countersunk socket bead. A through-passage in the ball bead has a relatively narrow nose portion with a small clearance with respect to the steering cable, and a tapered or countersunk portion that expands basewards and prevents the spacer bead from binding the cable. The axial bores in the washers are tapered out fore and aft from a relatively narrow waist portion so that the cable touches the washer only at a single point. Limiter beads of about half the thickness of the spacing between washers limit the bending of the steering section.

대표청구항 ▼

In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethro

In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; the improvement wherein said pairs of spacer beads include a ball bead and a socket bead, respectively having a convex surface and a concave surface in sliding contact relative to one another, and each having a relatively flat surface disposed against an associated one of said washers.