GPI coverage and content

You can use Global Patent Index (GPI) to carry out detailed searches in the EPO's worldwide bibliographic (DOCDB), legal event (INPADOC) and full-text data sets, and download or visualise the search results for statistical analysis.

Current content: 155 263 406 patent documents

This week's update (19/04/2024 12:00 CET):

215 613 new documents added

1 342 057 documents amended

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EP 1007859 A1 20000614 - FLEXIBLE SHAFT

Title (en)

FLEXIBLE SHAFT

Title (de)

BEWEGBARE ACHSE

Title (fr)

ARBRE FLEXIBLE

Publication

EP 1007859 A1 20000614 (EN)

Application

EP 98901817 A 19980116

Priority

US 9800768 W 19980116
US 78505397 A 19970117

Abstract (en)

[origin: WO9831944A1] A flexible shaft comprising a flexible outer tube (10) containing a shaft core with specially designed links (18) that closely fit within the smooth interior of the outer tube (10). The links (18) are substantially rectangular and have construction which limits a flex angle between links. The links (18) may include stop surfaces (17) which limits the flex angle to prevent kinking or limit longitudinal movement of the links (18) with respect to one another.

IPC 1-7

F16C 1/04

IPC 8 full level

F16C 1/04 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

F16C 1/04 (2013.01)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB IT

DOCDB simple family (publication)

WO 9831944 A1 19980723; AU 5825298 A 19980807; EP 1007859 A1 20000614; EP 1007859 A4 20000614; JP 2001509242 A 20010710

DOCDB simple family (application)

US 9800768 W 19980116; AU 5825298 A 19980116; EP 98901817 A 19980116; JP 53452198 A 19980116