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. Spacer beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinge points for the bending of the steering section. The spacer beads are t

A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables that pass through peripheral bores of axially aligned flat washers. Spacer beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinge points for the bending of the steering section. The spacer beads are tapered beads having a relatively wide base and relatively small, flat nose surface. A through-passage in the 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.

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 flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough, pairs

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 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 peripheral bores associated with 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 spacer beads are tapered beads disposed over said certain ones of said cables and have a relatively wide base surface facing the associated one of the successive washers and a relatively narrow flat nose surface facing a like nose surface of the other of the pair of spacer beads, wherein said beads each have an axial bore therein that is flared out towards said base surface to prevent said spacer bead from binding on said steering cable.