All The Claims

1. A loop and saddle assembly for engagement with a precast concrete panel comprising:
a loop member comprising multiple layers of a geosynthetic material, the loop member including an inner surface having a loop radius; and
a saddle member having a curved seating surface adapted for cooperative engagement with the inner surface of the loop member, the saddle member further including a first generally planar truncated end at a first end of the curved seating surface and a second generally planar truncated end at a second end of the curved seating surface, the first and second generally planar truncated ends being disposed opposite one another, and the saddle member further including a lower surface extending from the first generally planar truncated end to the second generally planar truncated end.
2. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the saddle member includes a concave profile.
3. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 1, wherein the curved seating surface of the saddle member has a saddle radius substantially equal to the loop radius.
4. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 1, wherein the curved seating surface of the saddle member is recessed and includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the curved seating surface being defined between the first and second side walls.
5. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 4, wherein the first side wall and second side wall are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than a width of the loop member.
6. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 4, wherein the loop member and saddle member are sized such that the loop member snugly fits within the recess between the first and second side walls.
7. A loop and saddle assembly for engagement with a precast concrete panel comprising:
a loop member comprising multiple layers of a geosynthetic material, the loop member including an inner surface having a loop radius; and
a saddle member having a curved seating surface adapted for cooperative engagement with the inner surface of the loop member, the curved seating surface having a saddle radius substantially equal to the loop radius, the curved seating surface being recessed and including a first side wall and a second side wall, the curved seating surface being defined between the first and second side walls,
the saddle member further including a first generally planar truncated end at a first end of the curved seating surface and a second generally planar truncated end at a second end of the curved seating surface, the first and second generally planar truncated ends being disposed opposite one another, the saddle member further including a lower surface extending from the first generally planar truncated end to the second generally planar truncated end, the lower surface having a concave profile.
8. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 7, wherein the first side wall and second side wall are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than a width of the loop member.
9. The loop and saddle assembly of claim 7, wherein the loop member and saddle member are sized such that the loop member snugly fits within the recess between the first and second side walls.
10. An earth wall comprising:
at least one precast concrete panel;
a loop member partially cast in the at least one precast concrete panel, the loop member comprising multiple layers of a geosynthetic material and having an inner surface having a loop radius;
a saddle member having a curved seating surface disposed in cooperative engagement with the inner surface of the loop member between the inner surface of the loop member and the at least one precast concrete panel, the saddle member further including a first generally planar truncated end at a first end of the curved seating surface and a second generally planar truncated end at a second end of the curved seating surface, the first and second generally planar truncated ends being disposed opposite one another, and the saddle member further including a lower surface extending from the first generally planar truncated end to the second generally planar truncated end; and
a strip of geosyntheic material disposed in contact with the lower surface of the saddle member and secured to a section of earth spaced apart from the at least one precast concrete panel so as to impart a pulling force away from the at least one precast concrete panel.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A proportional pressure control valve comprising:
a hollow cage that includes a wall pierced by a pump port that is adapted for receiving fluid from a pump at a pressure provided by the pump, the wall also being pierced by a clutch port that is adapted for supplying pressurized fluid to a hydraulic actuator, and the wall also being pierced by a tank port that is adapted for supplying fluid to a tank;
a main spool adapted to be positioned within said hollow cage in which location said main spool is moveable relative to said cage for controlling a flow of fluid passing between the clutch port in said cage and either the pump port or the tank port in said cage, said main spool including a control pressure surface to which pressure may be applied for urging said main spool to move within said cage to a position in which said main spool allows a flow of fluid to pass between the pump port and the clutch port, said main spool also including a feedback pressure surface to which pressure may be applied for urging said main spool to move within said cage to a position in which said main spool allows a flow of fluid to pass between the clutch port and the tank port;
a control pressure chamber located within said cage for receiving fluid under pressure and applying the pressure of the fluid to the control pressure surface of said main spool;
an electromagnetically operated pilot valve means for supplying a regulated pressure of fluid to said control pressure chamber responsive to an electrical control signal;
a feedback pressure chamber located within said cage for receiving fluid at a pressure and coupling the pressure of the fluid to the feedback pressure surface of said main spool; and
a clutch port pressure feedback passage for coupling the pressure of fluid within the clutch port in said cage to said feedback pressure chamber, said clutch port pressure feedback passage including a feedback restriction orifice for restraining the rate at which fluid may flow between the clutch port in said cage and said feedback pressure chamber.
2. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 1 further comprising pressure spike suppression means for relieving any abnormally high pressure that occurs in the clutch port.
3. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 2 wherein said pressure spike suppression means includes a check valve for allowing fluid to flow from the clutch port to the tank port if an abnormally high pressure occurs in the clutch port.
4. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 3 wherein the check valve of the pressure spike suppression means is mounted within said main spool.
5. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 2 wherein the pressure spike suppression means further includes a spike suppression orifice between said control pressure chamber and said pressure spike suppression means for restraining the rate at which fluid may flow between said control pressure chamber and said pressure spike suppression means.
6. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 1 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
7. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 6 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
8. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 1 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber, said pilot valve supply passage including a control flow restriction orifice for restraining the flow rate of the control pressure flow of fluid;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
9. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 8 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
10. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 1 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means both restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber and restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
11. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 10 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
12. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 2 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
13. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 12 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
14. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 2 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber, said pilot valve supply passage including a control flow restriction orifice for restraining the flow rate of the control pressure flow of fluid;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
15. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 14 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
16. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 2 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means both restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber and restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulating the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
17. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 16 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
18. In a proportional pressure control valve that includes:
a hollow cage a wall pierced by a pump port that is adapted for receiving hydraulic fluid from a pump at a pressure established by the pump, the wall also being pierced by a clutch port that is adapted for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator, and the wall also being pierced by a tank port that is adapted for supplying hydraulic fluid to a tank;
a main spool adapted to fit within the cage in which location the main spool is moveable relative to the cage for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid passing between the clutch port in the cage and either the pump port or the tank port in the cage, the main spool including a control pressure surface to which pressure may be applied for urging the main spool to move within the cage to a position in which the main spool allows a flow of hydraulic fluid to pass between the pump port and the clutch port, the main spool also including a feedback pressure surface to which pressure may be applied for urging the main spool to move within the cage to a position in which the main spool allows a flow of hydraulic fluid to pass between the clutch port and the tank port;
a control pressure chamber located within the cage for receiving fluid under pressure and applying the pressure of the fluid to the control pressure surface of the main spool;
an electromagnetically operated pilot valve for supplying a regulated pressure of fluid to the control pressure chamber responsive to an electrical control signal;
a feedback pressure chamber located within the cage for receiving fluid at a pressure and coupling the pressure of the fluid to the feedback pressure surface of the main spool; and
a clutch port pressure feedback passage for coupling the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the clutch port in the cage to the feedback pressure chamber;
the improvement comprising:
a feedback restriction orifice located in the clutch port pressure feedback passage for restraining the rate at which fluid may flow between the clutch port in the cage and the feedback pressure chamber.
19. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 18 further comprising pressure spike suppression means for relieving any abnormally high pressure that occurs in the clutch port if a flow of hydraulic fluid through the clutch port is interrupted.
20. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 19 wherein said pressure spike suppression means includes a check valve for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the clutch port to the tank port if an abnormally high pressure occurs in the clutch port.
21. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 20 wherein the check valve of the pressure spike suppression means is mounted within said main spool.
22. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 19 wherein the pressure spike suppression means further includes a spike suppression orifice between said control pressure chamber and said pressure spike suppression means for restraining the rate at which fluid may flow between said control pressure chamber and said pressure spike suppression means.
23. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 19 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
24. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 23 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for directing the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
25. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 19 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber, said pilot valve supply passage including a control flow restriction orifice for restraining the flow rate of the control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
26. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 25 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
27. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 19 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means both restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber and restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
28. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 27 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
29. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 18 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
30. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 29 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
31. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 18 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber, said pilot valve supply passage including a control flow restriction orifice for restraining the flow rate of the control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
32. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 31 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
33. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 18 further comprising a pilot valve supply passage for supplying a control pressure flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump port to said control pressure chamber;
said control pressure chamber having a control pressure chamber outlet through which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber;
said electromagnetically operated pilot valve means both restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said pilot valve supply passage into said control pressure chamber and restraining the rate at which fluid flows from said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet, and thereby regulates the pressure of the fluid within said control pressure chamber.
34. The proportional pressure control valve of claim 33 further comprising a control pressure flow return passage for conducting the fluid that flows out of said control pressure chamber through the control pressure chamber outlet to the tank port of the valve.
35. A method for operating a proportional pressure control valve comprising the steps of:
supplying pressurized fluid to a pump port formed through a wall of a hollow cage;
supplying a regulated control pressure of fluid to a control pressure chamber within the cage which control pressure is regulated by an electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve, the control pressure chamber including a control pressure surface located on a main spool, the main spool positioned within the hollow cage and being moveable therein, said control pressure applied to the control pressure surface urging the main spool to move relative to the cage to a position in which the main spool allows a flow of fluid to pass between the pump port in the wall of the cage to a clutch port also formed through the wall of the cage while simultaneously obstructing any flow of fluid between the clutch port and a tank port also formed through the wall of the cage;
supplying a feedback pressure of fluid from the clutch port to a feedback pressure chamber within the cage, the feedback pressure chamber including a feedback pressure surface on the main spool, said feedback pressure applied to the feedback pressure surface urging the main spool to move relative to the cage to a position in which the main spool obstructs any flow of fluid between the pump port and the clutch port while simultaneously allowing a flow of fluid to pass between the clutch port and the tank port; and
restraining the rate at which fluid may flow between the clutch port in the cage and the feedback pressure chamber.
36. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 35 further comprising the step of relieving any abnormally high pressure that occurs in the clutch port.
37. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 36 wherein the abnormally high pressure is relieved by venting fluid from the clutch port to the tank port.
38. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 35 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a flow rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a restrained flow rate.
39. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 35 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a restrained flow rate, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve.
40. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 35 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a flow rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a rate that is also regulated in response to the electrical control signal.
41. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 36 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a flow rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a restrained flow rate.
42. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 36 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a restrained flow rate, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve.
43. The method for operating a proportional pressure control valve of claim 36 wherein said regulated control pressure of fluid that is supplied to the control pressure chamber is generated by supplying a control pressure flow of fluid from the pump port to the control pressure chamber at a flow rate that is regulated in response to the electrical control signal applied to the proportional pressure control valve, and by allowing the fluid to flow out of the control pressure chamber at a rate that is also regulated in response to the electrical control signal.

What is claimed is:

1. A flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction, said tubing bundle extending in an axial direction along a central longitudinal axis to an indefinite length, and in a radial direction circumferentially about said longitudinal axis, said tubing bundle construction comprising:
one or more plastic tube members each extending axially along said longitudinal axis and being arranged with the other said tube members radially about said longitudinal axis to form a bundle;
at least one thermal transfer layer surrounding said bundle of said tube members; and
at least one fire-resistant layer surrounding said thermal transfer layer, fire-resistant layer being formed of a fibrous material.
2. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 wherein said tube members each is formed, independently, of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, fluoropolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, and copolymers and blends thereof.
3. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 wherein said thermal transfer layer is formed of a metal foil material.
4. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 3 wherein said metal foil material is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, brass, and alloys thereof.
5. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 3 wherein said metal foil material has a thickness of between about 1-2.5 mils (0.025-0.06 mm).
6. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 3 wherein said metal foil material is formed as a tape wrapped spirally about said bundle.
7. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 wherein said fibrous material is formed of fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid fibers, azole fibers, and blends thereof.
8. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 7 wherein said aramid fibers are selected from the group consisting of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers, poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers, and blends thereof, and wherein said aramid fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene bezobisoxazole fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, and blends thereof.
9. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 7 wherein said fibrous material is formed as a non-woven fabric.
10. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 9 wherein said non-woven fabric is formed as a tape wrapped spirally about said thermal transfer layer.
11. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 wherein said fibrous material has a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of at least about 0.30.
12. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 further comprising a moisture barrier layer surrounding said fire-resistant layer.
13. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle of claim 12 wherein said moisture barrier layer is formed of a polymeric film.
14. The flame-retardant flexile tubing bundle construction of claim 13 wherein said polymeric film is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, fluoropolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, natural and synthetic rubbers, and copolymers and blends thereof.
15. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 14 wherein said polymeric film is formed as a tape wrapped spirally about said fire retardant layer.
16. The hose of claim 1 further comprising a jacket surrounding said fire-resistant layer.
17. The hose of claim 16 wherein said jacket is formed of one or more layers of a polymeric material selected, independently, from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, and copolymers and blends thereof.
18. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 1 wherein said thermal transfer layer has a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.14 Wm- K.
19. A flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction, said tubing bundle extending in an axial direction along a central longitudinal axis to an indefinite length, and in a radial direction circumferentially about said longitudinal axis, said tubing bundle construction comprising:
one or more plastic tube members each extending axially along said longitudinal axis and being arranged with the other said tube members radially about said longitudinal axis to form a bundle; and
at least one fire-resistant layer surrounding said bundle of said tube members, said fire-resistant layer being formed of a fibrous material.
20. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 19 wherein said tube members each is formed, independently, of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, fluoropolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, and copolymers and blends thereof.
21. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 19 wherein said fibrous material is formed of fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid fibers, azole fibers, and blends thereof.
22. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 21 wherein said aramid fibers are selected from the group consisting of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers, poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers, and blends thereof, and wherein said aramid fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene bezobisoxazole fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, and blends thereof.
23. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 21 wherein said fibrous material is formed as a non-woven fabric.
24. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 23 wherein said non-woven fabric is formed as a tape wrapped spirally about said thermal transfer layer.
25. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 19 wherein said fibrous material has a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of at least about 0.30.
26. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 19 further comprising a moisture barrier layer surrounding said fire-resistant layer.
27. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle of claim 26 wherein said moisture barrier layer is formed of a polymeric film.
28. The flame-retardant flexile tubing bundle construction of claim 27 wherein said polymeric film is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, fluoropolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, natural and synthetic rubbers, and copolymers and blends thereof.
29. The flame-retardant flexible tubing bundle construction of claim 28 wherein said polymeric film is formed as a tape wrapped spirally about said fire retardant layer.
30. The hose of claim 19 further comprising a jacket surrounding said fireresistant layer.
31. The hose of claim 30 wherein said jacket is formed of one or more layers of a polymeric material selected, independently, from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, polyolefins, silicones, polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, and copolymers and blends thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A multi-stage automatic transmission comprising:
an input shaft;
an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft;
a first planet gear mechanism coaxially disposed on the input shaft, the first planet gear mechanism having two rotary elements connected to the input shaft so as to engage with and disengage from the input shaft;
a second planet gear mechanism connected to the first planet gear mechanism via a plurality of pairs of external gears, the second planet gear mechanism being connected to the output shaft;
the plurality of pairs of external gears for transferring power between one rotary element of the rotary elements of the second planet gear mechanism that is connected to neither the first planet gear mechanism nor the output shaft and the input shaft;
a plurality of power engagingdisengaging members for switching power transmission via the plurality of pairs of external gears between the rotary elements of the second planet mechanism and the input shaft; and
a restraint member capable of halting a movement of one rotary element of the rotary elements of the second planet gear mechanism connected to neither the first planet gear mechanism nor the output shaft.
2. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 1, wherein one rotary element of the first planet gear mechanism connected to the input shaft so as to engage with and disengage from the input shaft is connected to a rotary element of the second planet gear mechanism via a first pair of external gears,
the multi-stage automatic transmission further comprising a first brake capable of halting a movement of the rotary elements connected to the first pair of external gears.
3. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 2, wherein the first planet gear mechanism is a double pinion planet gear mechanism including a first linear gear and a first carrier connected to the input shaft so as to engage with and disengage from the input shaft, the first carrier being connected to the input shaft via a first clutch so as to engage with and disengage from the input shaft, and the first linear gear being connected to the input shaft via a second clutch so as to engage with and disengage from the input shaft.
4. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 3, wherein the second planet gear mechanism is a single pinion planet gear mechanism, wherein
a second carrier of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to the first carrier of the first planet gear mechanism via the first pair of external gears, and
a second ring gear of the second planet gear mechanism is connected to the output shaft and is connected to a first ring gear of the first planet gear mechanism via a second pair of external gears.
5. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 4, wherein
one rotary element of the second planet gear mechanism that is connected to neither the first planet gear mechanism nor the output shaft is a second linear gear, and
the pairs of external gears between the second linear gear and the input shaft include third and fourth pairs of external gears linearly arranged between the input shaft and the second linear gear and a fifth pair of external gears arranged parallel to the third and fourth pairs of external gears.
6. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the input shaft and the third pair of external gears and a fourth clutch disposed between the input shaft and the fifth pair of external gears, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake directly coupled to the second linear gear.
7. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the input shaft and the third pair of external gears and a fourth clutch disposed between the fifth pair of external gears and the second linear gear, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake directly coupled to the second linear gear.
8. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the fourth pair of external gears and the second linear gear and a fourth clutch disposed between the input shaft and the fifth pair of external gears, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake directly coupled to the second linear gear.
9. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the fourth pair of external gears and the second linear gear and a fourth clutch disposed between the fifth pair of external gears and the second linear gear, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake directly coupled to the second linear gear.
10. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein the first brake is connected to the first carrier of first planet gear mechanism connected to the first pair of external gears.
11. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein the first brake is connected to the second carrier of the second planet gear mechanism connected to the first pair of external gears.
12. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the input shaft 10 and the third pair of external gears and a fourth clutch disposed between the input shaft and the fifth pair of external gears, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake directly coupled between the fourth clutch and the fifth pair of external gears.
13. The multi-stage automatic transmission of claim 5, wherein
the power engagingdisengaging members comprise a third clutch disposed between the input shaft and the third pair of external gears and a fourth clutch which is disposed between the input shaft and the fifth pair of external gears, and
the restraint member comprises a second brake which is directly coupled between the third clutch and the third pair of external gears.