Support member for routing a fluid or electrical line in a structural member.

Description

1 / 15 Support member for routing a fluid or electrical line in a structural member. FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to support members and, in particular, to a support member for routing a fluid or electrical line in a structural member. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the manufacture of many products, it is sometimes necessary to route lines for the transport of fluids and / or electrical signals (e.g., flexible tubing, wires, etc.) within channels of structural members of such products. For example, in the case of vehicles, it is often desirable to route fluid lines through an internal channel of an axle (as a specific example of a structural member) in order to supply pressurized fluids (e.g., air) to one or more tires supported by the axle. Similarly, electrical lines are often routed through structural or body elements of a vehicle (as further examples of structural members) in order to provide control signals and / or power to various electrical components of the vehicle or to obtain readings from sensors deployed within the vehicle.Those skilled in the art will recognize that, although examples of structural elements within vehicles have been described in this document, structural members with similar functions can be found in a variety of products.

[0003] In use, such products frequently experience significant vibrations during use, and contact between any lines implanted within structural members experiencing such vibrations can lead to abrasion and even failure of such lines. Furthermore, it is frequently the case that, during product manufacturing, such lines are implanted within a corresponding structural member before subjecting the structural member to additional manufacturing processes, such as welding or other thermally aggressive processes, which processes can also potentially lead to damage to the routed lines. Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 7 / 27 2 / 15

[0004] Thus, developments that would aid in routing lines within structural members, notwithstanding the hazardous environments sometimes presented by such structural members, would be a welcome addition to the technique. SUMMARY

[0005] The deficiencies described above are addressed by providing a support member for routing fluid or electrical lines within structural members according to the present disclosure. In particular, in one embodiment, a support member is provided comprising a conduit having a wall that defines a passage configured to receive at least one line. The passage within the conduit is configured to allow free movement of at least one line along a longitudinal axis of the conduit. Furthermore, the support member comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots formed in the conduit wall and configured to define, in an expanded state of the support member, a plurality of arms extending radially from the conduit.

[0006] In one embodiment, the conduit and the plurality of arms are configured for deployment within a structural member of a vehicle, which structural member may comprise an axle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the plurality of arms is spaced from each other around a circumference of the conduit and, in another embodiment, it is equally spaced around the circumference of the conduit. The plurality of arms may comprise at least two arms.

[0008] In one embodiment, each arm of the plurality of arms comprises at least two linear sections defining the arm and, in a further embodiment, each arm of the plurality of arms comprises two linear sections defining the arm and forming a triangular shape with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The linear sections that define each arm may have the same length. Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 8 / 27 3 / 15

[0009] In one embodiment, the plurality of arms includes a first set of arms at a first location along the longitudinal axis and a second set of arms at a second location along the longitudinal axis.

[0010] In one embodiment, the conduit comprises a first conduit part and a second conduit part, wherein the first conduit part comprises, for each arm of the plurality of arms, a first linear section and wherein the second conduit comprises, for each arm of the plurality of arms, a second linear section. In this embodiment, the distal ends of the first and second linear sections comprise complementary arm coupling features configured to connect the first and second linear sections to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, one end of the first conduit part opposite the first linear section comprises a complementary conduit coupling feature configured to connect the first conduit part to a third conduit part also comprising the complementary conduit coupling feature.

[0011] In one embodiment, one or more sensors may be implanted in the support member. Such sensors may be implanted in the support member so as to be in contact with, or in close proximity to, an inner periphery of the channel. In one embodiment, at least one sensor may comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, and a fluid sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other features and advantages will be discussed in detail in the following non-limiting description of specific embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support member according to the present disclosure and shown in a collapsed state;

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support member according to the present disclosure and shown in an extended state; Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 9 / 27 4 / 15

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a support member according to the present disclosure implanted within a structural member and having a line routed through it;

[0016] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a support member according to the present disclosure;

[0017] Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of another alternative embodiment of a support member according to the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figures 7, 8 and 9 are detailed views of supplementary arm coupling features according to the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT MODALITIES

[0019] As used herein, sentences substantially similar to at least one of A, B, or C are intended to be interpreted in the disjunctive, that is, to require A or B or C or any combination thereof, unless indicated or implied by the context otherwise. Furthermore, sentences substantially similar to at least one of A, B, and C are intended to be interpreted in the conjunctive, that is, to require at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C, unless indicated or implied by the context otherwise. Additionally, substantially, approximately, or similar terms requiring subjective comparison should mean within manufacturing tolerances, unless indicated or implied by the context otherwise.

[0020] As used in this document, the phrase operatively connected refers to at least one functional relationship between two elements and may encompass configurations in which the two elements are either directly connected to each other, i.e., without any intervening elements, or indirectly connected to each other, i.e., with intervening elements.

[0021] With reference now to Figures 1 and 2, a support member 100 is respectively illustrated in a collapsed / non-extended state and in an expanded / extended state. The support member comprising a conduit 102 having a wall 104 that defines a passage 106 within the conduit. As Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 10 / 27 5 / 15 represented in Figures 1 and 2, passage 106 has a substantially cylindrical shape, although this is not a requirement. Furthermore, passage 106 is dimensioned (i.e., has a diameter) to allow free and unrestricted movement of at least one line through passage 106 along a longitudinal axis 260 (Figure 2) of conduit 102. For example, in an embodiment of support member 100 configured for use within a vehicle axle, the length of conduit 102 (in the collapsed state) is approximately 21.1 inches (536 mm) with an internal diameter of approximately 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and a wall thickness of approximately 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm). However, it is appreciated that the dimensions of conduit 102 may vary widely according to the needs of the specific application.

[0022] Conduit 102 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramic materials, and braids, or combinations thereof, depending on the nature of its intended use. For example, in the case of a structural member that will be subjected to high heat treatments (such as welding) during a manufacturing process, materials including heat-resistant polymers (such as Bakelite, ultraviolet (UV) cured resins, or other known polymers) or high heat-resistant braided materials may be used. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, still other materials may be preferable depending on the environment to which conduit 102 will be exposed, and the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0023] As further shown, conduit 102 comprises a plurality of regions 110-118 characterized by the presence, or lack thereof, of multiple longitudinal slits 120-126 formed therein. In the illustrated example, there are three slit-free regions 110, 114, 118 and two slit-filled regions 112, 116. As further shown, the slit-free regions 110, 114, 118 are located on either side of the slit-filled regions 112, 116. Although two slit-filled regions 112, 116 and three slit-free regions are represented in Figure 1, it is appreciated that fewer slit-filled regions (e.g., a single slit-filled region) Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 11 / 27 6 / 15 flanked by two non-slit regions) or more slit regions (e.g., n slit regions flanked / separated by n+1 non-slit regions, where n > 3) may be provided in conduit 102 as a matter of design choice.

[0024] In the collapsed / non-extended state of the support member 100 illustrated in Figure 1, the overall shape of conduit 102 will generally remain the same, despite the presence of multiple longitudinal slits 120-126. However, when the conduit 102 of the supporting member 100 is placed under compression, the supporting member 100 will assume its expanded / extended state, whereby the presence of multiple longitudinal slits 120-126 will allow the portions of the conduit wall between such slits 120-126 and within the slit regions 112, 116 to deform in such a way as to define a plurality of arms as illustrated, for example, in Figure 2 and described in more detail below.

[0025] The number of slits 120-126 formed in each of the slit regions 112, 116 is equal to the number of arms to be provided by each of the slit regions 112, 116 when the conduit 102 is placed in an extended or expanded state as represented, for example, in Figure 2. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each of the slit regions 112, 116 comprises four slits leading to the formation of four arms per slit region. Generally, the conduit 102 should have at least two slits per slit region, so that at least two arms are provided for each slit region 112, 116, thus minimizing any chance that lines routed through the conduit 102 may come into contact with the internal channel of the structural member in which the supporting member 100 is implanted. However, it is understood that a greater number of slots / arms can be provided for each region with slots 112, 116 as a matter of design choice.Although Figures 1 and 2 represent each region with slits 112, 116 having the same number of respective slits (and resulting arms) formed in it, this is not a requirement; that is, the regions with slits 112, 116 may have different numbers of slits / arms. Furthermore, although the slits / arms represented in Figures 1... Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 12 / 27 7 / 15 and 2 are arranged at equivalent angles around the circumference of conduit 102 (for example, if slot 122 in the first slotted region 112 is considered to be arranged at 0°, slot 126 in the second slotted region 116 is also arranged at 0°, while both slots 120, 124 are arranged at 90° etc.), this is also not a requirement and the angular arrangement of the slots / arms may vary between different slotted regions.

[0026] Furthermore, in one embodiment, slots 120-126 are uniformly spaced around the circumference of conduit 102. Thus, in the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the respective sets of four slots 120, 122 and 124, 126 (only two shown for each set in Figure 1) would be separated by approximately 90° around the circumference of conduit 102. As a result, each of the resulting arms will also be spaced at approximately 90° around the circumference of conduit 102. However, it is appreciated that even the spacing of slots / arms around the circumference of conduit 102 is not a requirement and that unequal spacing can equally be employed.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates the support member 100 when placed in an extended or expanded state. For this purpose, a compressive force can be applied to either end of the conduit 102 as represented in Figure 1. As noted above, such a compressive force will naturally tend to cause the slit regions 112, 116 to bend so that these portions of the conduit wall 104 between the slits extend radially away from the longitudinal axis 260 of the conduit 102, thus forming a plurality of arms 220, 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246 as shown. For example, in one embodiment, such deformation results in the formation of substantially straight or linear sections 230a, 230b, 232a, 232b, 234a, 234b, 236a, 236b, 250a, 250b, 252a, 252b, 254a, 254b, 256a, 256b for each of the respective arms 220, 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246.Although substantially straight or linear sections are represented in the present Figures, it is appreciated that these sections may have arched shapes so that the resulting arms are also substantially curved, while... Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 13 / 27 8 / 15 still extend radially. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the configuration slits within the slit regions 112, 116 result in the formation of two sets of arms: a first set of arms 220, 222, 224, 226 in a first slit region 112 and a second set of arms 240, 242, 244, 246 is the second slit region 116.

[0028] As shown, the resulting pair (in the embodiment shown in Figure 2) of linear sections 230a, 230b, 232a, 232b, 234a, 234b, 236a, 236b, 250a, 250b, 252a, 252b, 254a, 254b, 256a, 256b for each arm 220, 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246 can be approximately equal in length. Again, however, this is not a requirement and the formation of the linear sections can be carried out in such a way as to allow the linear sections of each pair to be of different lengths.

[0029] In one modality, the maximum radial extension of each arm 220, 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246 away from the longitudinal axis 260 is approximately equal, although this is not a requirement. Furthermore, although the angle formed where the linear sections 230a, 230b, 232a, 232b, 234a, 234b, 236a, 236b, 250a, 250b, 252a, 252b, 254a, 254b, 256a, 256b of each arm 220, 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246 meet at the point of maximum arm extension is represented as being approximately 90°, this is not a requirement and it has been appreciated that the angular separations between the linear sections (if present) may be greater or less than this value as a matter of design choice. Formed in this way, and as represented in Figure 3 by the dashed line in relation to the first arm 226, the linear sections 236a, 236b form a triangular shape 310 in relation to the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

[0030] Figure 3 also represents the support member 100 (in its expanded state) implanted within a channel 304 of a structural member 302 and having a line 306 routed through passage 106 of conduit 102. As shown, each of the represented arms 222, 226, 242, 246 comes into contact with an inner periphery of channel 304, thus substantially centralizing line 306 within channel 304. In this way, for example, any vibrations or Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 14 / 27 9 / 15 Excessive thermal effects occurring to structural member 302 are absorbed, or at least minimized, by the supporting member 100, thus also minimizing any chance of damage to line 306. Although all arms represented 222, 226, 242, 246 in Figure 4 are shown in contact with the periphery of channel 304, this is not a requirement, i.e., not all arms need to come into contact with the periphery wall, provided that line 306 is not allowed to come into contact with the periphery of channel 304. On the other hand, in the case where there are only the minimum number of two arms, separated by 180° around the circumference of conduit 102, 302, it is preferable that the arms extend radially a sufficient amount to ensure contact of the arms with the inner periphery of channel 304.When a plurality of arms is configured to contact the periphery of channel 304, it may be desirable that such contact be made by the arms with sufficient force and resulting friction (caused by the deflection of such arms when the support member 100 is inserted into channel 304) so ​​as to retain the support member 100 in its final position along the length of channel 304. Furthermore, although a single line 306 is represented in Figure 3, it is understood that two or more lines may be deployed within passage 106, which would again be configured to be sufficiently large to allow the free and unrestricted movement of the two or more lines along the longitudinal axis of conduit 102.

[0031] Figure 3 further illustrates a schematically represented sensor 320 that may optionally be implanted in the support member 100. Although a single sensor 320 is illustrated in Figure 3, it is appreciated that more than one sensor 320 could be implanted in a given support member 100. The sensor 320 may comprise any variety of sensor types, including, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, fluid, or vibration sensors, or combinations thereof. As is known in the art, the sensor 320 may be capable of wireless communications (i.e., transmitting detected data through a wireless channel) or may be wired for such communications. In the latter case, any wiring Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 15 / 27 The 10 / 15 required for the operation of sensor(s) 320 can also be routed through passage 106. Sensor 320 can be fixed (permanently or removablely) to the support member 100 using a suitable adhesive, mechanical fastener, etc., or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the support member 100 can be configured to include structures (e.g., holes, flanges, notches, etc.; not shown) configured to facilitate the attachment of one or more sensors 320 to the support member. Although sensor 320 is described as being implanted near the apex of an arm 246 and thus in proximity to, or even in contact with, the inner periphery of channel 304, this is not a requirement, and the locations of the sensors 320 on the support member may vary depending on the application.As used herein in relation to one or more sensors 320, sufficient proximity can be determined by the capabilities of the given sensor; that is, a sensor is in proximity to a given location if its placement is close enough to achieve the desired detection operation. For example, when structural member 302 comprises a vehicle axle, it may be desirable to detect excessive heat or vibrations that may be generated during the initial stages of a wheel bearing failure. In this case, positioning a sensor 320 in contact with the axle at an end where the axle is connected to the wheel could allow the detection of such conditions. Alternatively, if the temperature presented within channel 304 along line 306 is a desirable parameter to measure, then the sensor(s) could be placed on the supporting member 100 so as to be in proximity to, or even in contact with, line 306.

[0032] With reference now to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of a support member 400 is illustrated in cross-section. As with the previous embodiments, the support member 200 comprises a plurality of arms 422, 424, 426 that extend radially away from a longitudinal axis 460 of the conduit 402 forming the support member. However, it is appreciated that each arm could comprise more than two linear sections. That is, in this case, each arm 422, 424, 426 comprises three linear sections instead. Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 16 / 27 11 / 15 two, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, for example, a first arm 422 has two linear sections 432a, 432b that extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis 460 as in Figures 2 and 3 (for example, arm 222 having a first linear section 232a and a second linear section 232b). However, in this embodiment, the first arm 422 comprises a third linear section 432c formed between the first linear arm 432a and the second linear arm 432b, preferably so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 460.

[0033] In each of the modalities described above, the support member 100, 400 is formed from a single conduit. However, this is not a requirement and an alternative embodiment in which the supporting member is formed from the first and second conduit parts 502, 602 is further illustrated with reference to Figures 5-9. In particular, Figure 5 illustrates a first conduit part 502 and Figure 6 illustrates a second conduit part 602, each having a passage portion 504, 604 formed in the same as described above. As shown, the first conduit part 502 and the second conduit part 602 comprise, respectively, first linear sections 520, 522, 524, 526 and second linear sections 620, 622, 624, 626. Each of the first linear sections 520, 522, 524, 526 and the second linear sections 620, 622, 624, 626 are preferably configured to have the same length and to form substantially identical angles with respect to the respective longitudinal axes of the first and second conduit parts 502, 602.

[0034] As shown further, each of the first linear sections 520, 522, 524, 526 and the second linear sections 620, 622, 624, 626 are terminated, at a distal end thereof (relative to an end of the respective first and second conduit parts 502, 602 having a slit-free portion as shown), by a complementary arm coupling feature 560, 562, 564, 566, 660, 662, 664, 666. The complementary arm coupling features 560, 562, 564, 566, 660, 662, 664, 666 allow one of the first linear sections 520, 522, 524, 526 and the second linear sections 620, Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 17 / 27 12 / 15 622, 624, and 626 are coupled together, thus forming (in this example) the respective first to fourth arms. For example, the complementary arm coupling feature 560 of a first linear section 520 can be coupled with the corresponding complementary arm feature 660 of a second linear section 620 to form a first arm; the complementary arm coupling feature 562 of a first linear section 522 can be coupled with the corresponding complementary arm feature 662 of a second linear section 622 to form a second arm; the complementary arm coupling feature 564 of a first linear section 524 can be coupled with the corresponding complementary arm feature 664 of a second linear section 624 to form a third arm; and the complementary arm coupling feature 566 of a first linear section 526 can be coupled with the corresponding complementary arm feature 666 of a second linear section 626 to form a fourth arm.

[0035] Details of the supplementary arm coupling features illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 are further illustrated in Figures 7-9. In particular, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a version of the female courtesy arm coupling features 560, 562, 564, 566 as depicted in Figure 5, while Figures 9 illustrate a version of the male courtesy arm coupling features 660, 662, 664, 666 depicted in Figure 6. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the female supplementary arm coupling feature comprises a central opening 702 formed at the distal end of the corresponding linear section 520, 522, 524, 526, which central opening 702 is laterally flanked by two projections 704, 706. A substantially flat front and top surface 708 is provided above the central opening 702 and a substantially flat rear and bottom surface 710 is provided at the rear of the central opening 702.As best shown in Figure 8, the female supplementary arm coupling feature further comprises a substantially flat rear and upper surface 802 that is substantially parallel to the rear and lower surface 710. Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 18 / 27 13 / 15

[0036] In contrast, and with reference to Figure 9, the male complementary arm coupling feature comprises a central projection 920 formed at the distal end of the corresponding linear section 620, 622, 624, 626. The central projection 920 comprises a cantilevered body 922 extending away from a substantially flat frontal surface 926 and has a rim or hook portion 924 formed with a forward-facing surface inclined at a distal end (relative to the frontal surface 926) thereof. Below the frontal surface 926 and flanking the central projection 920 on both sides, descending receptacles 930, 932 are formed.

[0037] By coupling the male and female supplementary arm coupling features together, the central projection 920 is aligned with the central opening 702 and inserted therein, thus providing a coupling engagement between the supplementary arm coupling features. This positioning also causes the side projections 704, 706 to be aligned and positioned within the descending receptacles 930, 932. The upper and front surfaces of the side projections 704, 706 are formed to closely match the contours of the respective descending receptacles 930, 932, thus further stabilizing this coupling engagement between the supplementary arm coupling features.

[0038] In one embodiment, the complementary surfaces of the side projections 704, 702 and the descending receptacles 930, 932 tend to cause an upward force on the male complementary arm coupling feature as it comes into contact with the female complementary arm coupling feature. At the same time, the forward and inclined surface of the rim 924 formed on the central projection 920 comes into contact with an upper surface of the central opening 702, thus causing a compensatory downward force on the male complementary arm coupling feature. The resulting tension will cause the cantilevered body 922 of the central projection 920 to deflect downward until the moment when the rim 924 releases (passes) the rear and upper surface 802 Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 19 / 27 14 / 15 of the female supplementary arm coupling feature, thus allowing the cantilever body 922 to resume its normal undeflected position. The resulting alignment of the flange 924 with the rear and upper surface 802 prevents the male supplementary arm coupling feature from disengaging from the female supplementary arm coupling feature and thus ensures the continuous provision of a radially extending arm, as described above.

[0039] Although a particular embodiment of complementary arm coupling features has been described in relation to Figures 7-9, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other functionally equivalent complementary arm coupling features may be equally employed.

[0040] Finally, and with reference to Figure 5, the first conduit part 502 has, at one end 570 thereof having a slot-free portion as shown, a complementary conduit coupling feature 580 disposed therein, which feature allows the first conduit part 502 to be coupled to another (third) conduit part also having a complementary conduit coupling feature formed in an identical manner. In this case, however, instead of having separate male and female coupling features in different conduit parts, the complementary conduit coupling features are all hermaphroditic insofar as they comprise both projections 582 and corresponding openings 584 allowing substantially rigid coupling of adjacent conduit parts.In particular, each of the complementary conduit coupling features comprises a cantilevered projection 582 having one or more edges formed thereon (very similar to the central projection 920 shown in Figure 9) and one or more openings 584 positioned circumferentially opposite the projections 920, which openings 584 are configured and dimensioned to receive one of the corresponding edges of a projection 582.

[0041] Although the various modalities of this disclosure have been described together with specific implementations thereof, Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, page 20 / 27 15 / 15 It is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Consequently, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth herein, are intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting, provided that variations thereof are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Petition 870260056236, dated 10 / 06 / 2026, pp. 21 / 27

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. A support member configured to route at least one fluid or electrical line within a channel of a structural member, the support member characterized by comprising: a conduit having a wall defining a passage configured to receive at least one line, wherein the passage is configured to permit free movement of at least one line along a longitudinal axis of the conduit; and a plurality of longitudinal slots formed in the conduit wall and configured to define, in an expanded state of the support member, a plurality of arms extending radially from the conduit.

2. Support member, according to claim 1, characterized in that the conduit and the plurality of arms are configured for deployment within a structural member of a vehicle.

3. Supporting member, according to claim 2, characterized in that the structural member is a shaft.

4. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm of the plurality of arms is formed from a portion of the wall.

5. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of arms are spaced from each other around a circumference of the conduit.

6. Supporting member, according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of arms are equally spaced around the circumference of the conduit.

7. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized by the plurality of arms comprising at least two arms. Petition 870250091364, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 26 / 35 2 / 3 8. Supporting member, according to claim 7, characterized in that the plurality of arms are configured to come into contact with an inner periphery of the channel.

9. Supporting member, according to claim 8, characterized in that the plurality of arms come into contact with the inner periphery of the channel with sufficient force to retain the supporting member in one location along a length of the structural member.

10. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm of the plurality of arms comprises at least two linear sections defining the arm.

11. Support member, according to claim 10, characterized in that each arm of the plurality of arms comprises two linear sections defining the arm and forming a triangular shape with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

12. Supporting member according to claim 10, characterized in that the two linear sections have the same length.

13. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of arms includes a first set of arms at a first location along the longitudinal axis and a second set of arms at a second location along the longitudinal axis.

14. Supporting member, according to claim 1, characterized in that the conduit comprises a first conduit part and a second conduit part, wherein the first conduit part comprises, for each arm of the plurality of arms, a first linear section and wherein the second conduit comprises, for each arm of the plurality of arms, a second linear section.

15. Support member according to claim 14, characterized in that the distal ends of the first and second linear sections comprise complementary arm coupling features configured to connect the first and second linear sections to each other. Petition 870250091364, dated 10 / 07 / 2025, p. 27 / 35 3 / 3 16. Support member, according to claim 14, characterized in that one end of the first conduit portion opposite the first linear section comprises a complementary conduit coupling feature configured to connect the first conduit portion to a third conduit portion also comprising the complementary conduit coupling feature.

17. Supporting limb, according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising: at least one sensor implanted in the supporting limb.

18. Support member, according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one sensor is implanted in the support member such that the sensor is in contact with, or in proximity to, an inner periphery of the channel.

19. Supporting member, according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a fluid sensor, and a vibration sensor. Petition 870250091364, dated 10 / 07 / 2025, pp. 28 / 35

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