Bendable Along Flat Surface (e.g., Leaf Spring) Patents (Class 267/158)
-
Patent number: 7188831Abstract: Suspension system comprising a flat spring member having four legs. The legs are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center position of the spring member and each of the legs has a longitudinal axis and an end portion. A suspension frame is provided to support the spring member (by fixing the end portion of two legs. Two preload elements are arranged close to the end portions of two of the legs in a manner to apply a preloading force at those legs. The preloading force essentially points in the direction of the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Willem Walter Coppoolse
-
Patent number: 7175232Abstract: A rocking chair comprises a base portion and a seat portion and includes a pair of C-springs for coupling the base portion to the seat portion. The C-springs flex to provide the seat portion with a desirably smooth and soft rocking motion while providing excellent structural integrity. Each C-spring has a contoured cross-sectional profile that provides a spring stiffness adapted to provide a smooth and comfortable rocking motion for a wide variety of body weights. The contoured cross-sectional profile also provides a high torsional resistance for minimizing lateral rocking movement of the seat portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Tropitone Furniture Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard Rivera
-
Patent number: 7159857Abstract: A mechanical spring energized sealing device comprising in combination an elastomeric jacket and variety of resilient metallic springs inserted inside one uniform jacket casing, there are variety of energizer springs which are used for different needs in marketplace, depending on whatever application calls for, this patent allows us to use most spring energizers in addition to some new angular canted type spring which fits inside one uniform jacket.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Inventor: Robert Janian
-
Patent number: 7121493Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette includes a case that is formed by joining an upper half and a lower half, one or more tape reels, a window and a reel urging member having a tape reel contacting portion which contacts an upper part of the tape reel(s), bent arms connected to opposite sides of the tape reel contacting portion and sliding end portions provided at distal ends of the bent arm. A slide groove is provided in an inner surface of a perimeter of a window opening in the upper half and a window member has hold-and-retain portions which hold the sliding end portions in cooperation with a bottom surface of the slide groove into which the sliding end portions have been fitted. A tape reel suitable for use with the magnetic tape cassette, a resinous leaf spring and its production process are also provided. Tape reels housed in a cassette case can be urged toward the lower half by a member whose structure is simple and permits easy fitting and removal.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Wataru Iino, Shozo Onmori
-
Patent number: 7111833Abstract: A dual spring includes a pair of conically-shaped spring sections, which are joined at a common fulcrum. One of the spring sections is disposed radially inward from the fulcrum and the other of the spring sections is disposed radially outward from the fulcrum. Both of the conical sections open axially in the same direction relative to the fulcrum section.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Scott H. Wittkopp
-
Patent number: 7045940Abstract: A holder for a cathode ray tube includes a stud engaging portion having an engaging hole in order to be engaged to a stud pin mounted inside a panel, a frame engaging portion engaged to a mask frame which supports a shadow mask, and a connecting portion for connecting the stud engaging portion and the frame engaging portion. Lower end surfaces of a pair of holders are arranged facing toward each other so that the lower end surfaces of the connecting portion are in substantial contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: LG. Philips Displays Korea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min-Hee Ko, Sang-Hyung Kang
-
Patent number: 6983924Abstract: An ortho-planar spring has a platform movably coupled to a base and being movable linearly with respect to the base along at least a portion of an axial direction perpendicular to both a base surface and a platform surface. A resilient and flexible connecting structure is connected to and between the base and platform. The connecting structure is bendable to develop (i) an axial force along the axial direction to bias the platform in a stable position with respect to the base, and (ii) non-axial forces which substantially sum to zero to preserve the orientation of the platform with respect to the base. Thus, the spring is very compact and does not have rotation between the deflecting ends. The spring may be associated with a valve opening, and a button for restricting flow through the valve opening, to bias the button at a position with respect to the valve opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Brigham Young UniversityInventors: Larry L. Howell, Scott Thomson, Jason Alan Briscoe, John J. Parise, Shae Lorenc, John B. Larsen, Curtis R. Huffmire, Nathan Burnside, Troy A. Gomm
-
Patent number: 6935634Abstract: A packing spring for a steam turbine comprising a flat, elongated spring body of specified length, width and thickness dimensions; a flange at one end of the main spring body; and at least one bend in the main spring body, located substantially midway along the length dimension of the spring body.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lei Zuo, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Frederick George Baily, Mark Edward Burnett, Biao Fang
-
Publication number: 20040164471Abstract: A contact element has a contact body. A contact arrangement is attached to the contact body. The contact arrangement has a spring tongue. The spring tongue has a free end with a locking face for securing the contact element in a contact housing. The locking face is movable between a locked position and an assembly position. The spring tongue has first and second retention tongues. The first retention tongue extends laterally to a longitudinal direction of the spring tongue and engages an opening in the contact body when the locking face is in the locked position. The second retention tongue extends perpendicular to the spring tongue for engagement with the contact housing when the locking face is in the locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Gheorghe Hotea, Hannes Jahn Wendling
-
Patent number: 6752458Abstract: A rocking chair comprises a base portion and a seat portion and includes a pair of C-springs for coupling the base portion to the seat portion. The C-springs flex to provide the seat portion with a desirably smooth and soft rocking motion while providing excellent structural integrity. Each C-spring has a contoured cross-sectional profile that provides a spring stiffness adapted to provide a smooth and comfortable rocking motion for a wide variety of body weight. The contoured cross-sectional profile also provides a high torsional resistance for minimizing lateral rocking movement of the seat portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Tropitone Furniture Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard Rivera
-
Patent number: 6718655Abstract: According to the present invention, a cushion-action applying implement comprising a gutter-like receiver, a plate spring in which a flexing portion is inserted into the gutter-like portion, the flexing portion is provided in its both sides with embedded portions in series, and an angle formed by the embedded portions is V or nearly horizontal, a switching shaft provided with a cam for pushing the flexing portion of the plate spring to change the angle formed by the embedded portions and in which an engaging portion for rotation is provided on the end thereof, a bearing of the switching shaft fixedly mounted on both ends of the gutter-like receiver, and a drive means for rotating the switching shaft is embedded in the flexing portion of the footwear bottom body, whereby the switching shaft is rotated to simply switch to the state of presence or the state of absence of cushioning.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Inventor: Fumio Sugawara
-
Patent number: 6695297Abstract: The flexural device-based suspension suspends a movable element with high compliance in a direction of travel and low compliance in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. The suspension comprises two flexural devices and a constraining element. The two flexural devices are connected to the movable element. Each of the flexural devices includes an elongate floating beam disposed substantially parallel to the direction of travel. The constraining element is for constraining relative motion of the floating beams in the direction of travel and for allowing the floating beams to move freely relative to one another in the orthogonal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Storrs T. Hoen, Jonah A. Harley
-
Patent number: 6679488Abstract: The present invention relates to an armature spring (4) for a relay comprising a fastening section (3), a connected oblong spring section and a lever (7). The lever is located on the side of the longitudinal axis of the spring section opposite to that of the fastening section (3) so that the spring section is subject to torsional stress. Due to the torsional stress of the spring section, an even progression of the spring characteristic curve can be achieved. The stress is very even, so that the spring is very small and simple. In advantageous embodiments, the spring section extends parallel to the armature pivot axis and is formed by a torsion web (6). The lever section can be flexibly deformable. As a result the spring characteristic can be particularly easily and flexibly adjusted. As a result the spring armature can be combined with a magnet system exhibiting opening angles of 10° to 15°.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbHInventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann
-
Patent number: 6675944Abstract: In order to minimize an effect of centrifugal force on a release operation of a clutch piston, this invention provides a return apparatus including a spring support rotating at a same speed as the clutch piston, and a return spring abutted at an end against the spring support and exerting an elastic force on the clutch piston, the elastic force increasing as the clutch piston rotating speed increases.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Chang-Wook Lee
-
Patent number: 6658949Abstract: A starter for engines uses a leaf spring as a shift lever for advancing a pinion gear for engagement with a ring gear. The shift lever may be constructed with a plurality of layered leaf springs having respective front ends spaced apart one another to contact a one-way clutch at different positions. The shift lever may include a lever holder which has a low heat conductive member to minimize fatigue of the leaf spring. The leaf spring is initially loaded with a spring force.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Mikio Saito, Kazuhiro Ando, Kiyokazu Haruno, Masahiro Katoh
-
Publication number: 20030178757Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element, comprising a sprung sheet (16, 17) which co-operates with at least one rolling body (20) in a first region (23) of the device. The rolling body impinges on a stopper (22) in a second region (25) of the device and opposite to the first region of the device with the sprung sheet. The stopper and sprung sheet are mounted in a displaceable manner relative to each other and, on such a displacement, the sprung sheet is bent. The above spring element may be applied to advantage in torsional vibration dampers (1) and preferably comprises a damping unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Christoph Drager, Werner Brandwitte, Dietmar Heidingfeld
-
Publication number: 20030160371Abstract: A vibrator with resilience comprised of two or more spring leafs which are jointed between a base and a bearing object, in which the respective leaf spring folds at connecting ends are parallely disposed to each other, the joint form of which might be triangle or parallelogram etc., and various completed configurations deriving from foregoing basic forms are available according to acquirement. The advantage of said vibrator is its handy structure, lower cost and easy maintenance, which can be widely used as a damper in the cases of suitable vibration scope.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: David Tak-Wei Hon, Dalai Xu
-
Patent number: 6532925Abstract: A bias element which urges the valves in an internal combustion engine into their closed positions and includes a pair of arms and a bight portion connecting the two arms. Each arm has an aperture therein with at least one arm having an aperture that is keyhole-shaped, or having a first portion and second portion that is larger than the first portion. The arm which has the keyhole-shaped aperture is in operative biasing engagement with the end portion of a valve stem and the keyhole-shaped aperture engages the valve stem in that the first portion of the aperture lockingly engages the neck portion of the valve stem. The other arm is engages the shank portion of the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Tecumseh Products CompanyInventor: Avelino Moya
-
Publication number: 20030038415Abstract: A sensor isolation system including a sensor, a package for the sensor, and a compliant interposer disposed between the sensor and the package and interconnecting the sensor to the package to isolate the sensor from thermal and mechanical stresses and yet at the same time providing a physical interconnect between the sensor and the package.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Richard S. Anderson, David S. Hanson, Frederick J. Kasparian, Thomas F. Marinis, Joseph W. Soucy
-
Publication number: 20020180131Abstract: A pressure plate is held by at least one leaf spring arrangement so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing. The at least one leaf spring arrangement cooperates in a first coupling area thereof with the pressure plate for transmission of force and cooperates in a second coupling area thereof with the housing for transmission of force. For this purpose, the at least one leaf spring arrangement cooperates in one of first coupling area and second coupling area with the component group of housing and pressure plate cooperating with this coupling area for transmission of force in order to transmit force in only one circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: ZF Sachs AGInventors: Hartmut Bach, Cora Carlson, Matthias Dorfler, Gunther Esly, Reinhard Feldhaus, Ingrid Hoffelner, Christoph Kleuker, Paul Kraus, Andreas Orlamunder, Bernd Peinemann, Michael Peterseim, Gerhard Roll, Ralf Till, Sebastian Vogt, Andreas Dau
-
Patent number: 6471151Abstract: The reel spring for use in a magnetic tape cassette comprises a fixing portion which is fixed to a boss of a cassette case by means of a boss hole, an arm portion which forces a reel in an axial direction of rotation and a bending portion provided between the fixing portion and the arm portion in an L-like shape. The ratio of a length of the fixing portion of the reel spring to a height of the boss is 4.0 or more. The length of the fixing portion is longer than that of the arm portion by 1 mm to 5 mm. The magnetic tape cassette employs the reel spring which is capable of enhancing production efficiency in fabricating the magnetic tape cassette while maintaining a specified force of the reel spring.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihisa Kita, Tatsuya Yamaguchi
-
Patent number: 6464089Abstract: A spring-driven pusher device for a forward, side, top, or up feeding merchandise dispenser having an adjustment mechanism for setting a desired pushing force. The adjustment mechanism is utilized to increase and/or reduce the tension of the windings of the coiled end of a spring or strip of coiled metal carried on the pusher device. The tension in the windings is increased if greater pushing force is desired, or decreased, if less pushing force is desired. Since the desired pushing force can be set, the same spring-driven pusher device can be utilized to feed various different products, regardless of size, shape, weight or surface texture.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Alexander Rankin, VI
-
Patent number: 6457804Abstract: A spring for latching a print cartridge in a carriage in a facsimile printer mechanism. The spring is a cantilever that is doubled back on itself to obtain a long effective length is a short space.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Marcus Scholz, Daniel S. Kline, Junji Yamamoto, Ram Santhanam
-
Patent number: 6453140Abstract: A vibration inhibiting mechanism for a scanner including a base installed in a chassis of the scanner for resiliently biasing a roller support formed with a roller assembling portion on the top thereof; a roller being mounted on the roller assembling portion for abutting against a glass panel disposed on a top side of casing for receiving the chassis by an upward urging force exerted by the roller support, so as to prevent the chassis from vibrating along a direction perpendicular to the glass panel during the movement of the chassis and to prevent damage to or dislocation of the chassis during a drop test.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Umax Data Systems, Inc.Inventor: Ting-Jar Hsu
-
Patent number: 6435485Abstract: A fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring for use in a vehicle chassis system capable of multi-linear response when compressed. The fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring extends longitudinally below a vehicle frame and is secured at each end of the vehicle frame typically using a pair of pinned end attachments and is secured in the middle to an axle. The spring has a central upwardly curved region introduced between two downwardly curved regions that are introduced between two more upwardly curved regions. The spring can be made using either a pre-preg process or three-dimensional weaving process. By varying the curvature either the upwardly curved regions or downwardly curved regions, or by varying the length and width of the bow spring, the rate of displacement along each portion of the multi-linear deflection response curve may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Giovanni Greco
-
Patent number: 6427990Abstract: A spring configuration of an individual-segment underspring configuration for furniture including a mattress. The spring configuration is formed of individual spring elements, each containing a supporting plate; a baseplate; a latch holder having latches; and at least one spring body connected between the supporting plate and the baseplate. The spring body has a first center, a second center spaced apart from the first center, a central axis, and cushioning arms disposed in one of a straight plane and a curved plane and extending radially outward in one of a straight manner and a curved manner from the first center and the central axis. The cushioning arms have outer ends with latching devices in a region of the second center, and, in each case in a state in which the cushioning arms are bent over in a manner of a basket in one direction toward the central axis and the second center, the latching devices of the cushioning arms engaging in and securing to the latches of the latch holder.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Siegbert Hartmann
-
Patent number: 6427552Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having a chamber (18). A portion of the chamber (18) is a relief pocket (22). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the chamber (18) of the housing (12). A rack bar (38) is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (38) is at least partially disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) and has teeth (44) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (26). A spring (60) is disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (38) relative to the pinion gear (26). The spring (60) extends across an opening to the relief pocket (22). The spring (60) extends into the relief pocket (22) as a load applied to the spring (60) from the rack bar (38) increases.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Sahr
-
Patent number: 6430050Abstract: A method and substrate using a wave spring to clamp a component to the substrate. One embodiment of the invention involves a method to use a wave spring to clamp a component to a substrate. The method includes placing the component on the substrate, placing a structure having holes on the component, placing a number of wave springs on a corresponding number of bolts, inserting the bolts into the holes in the structure, and attaching the bolts to the substrate. A second embodiment of the invention involves a substrate with an electrical contact area, an interposer placed on the electrical contact area, a component placed on the interposer, a block having holes placed on the component, bolts and wave springs inserted in the holes, wherein the bolts and wave springs clamp the component, the interposer and the substrate together on the electrical contact area of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.Inventors: James David Hensley, Stephen Daniel Cromwell, Gregory S. Meyer
-
Publication number: 20020084563Abstract: A pivot has identical first and second members partially engaged in each other and mobile in rotation relative to each other about a common axis, against the action of at least two return leaf springs each having first and second ends anchored in the first and second parts, respectively, by being wedged inside them.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2002Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Eric Pascal Jean Lorigny, Eric Lionel Meizel
-
Publication number: 20020070089Abstract: A leaf spring arrangement, especially for connecting a pressure plate to a housing, comprises a plurality of adjacent leaf spring elements, where each leaf spring element has a first attachment area for establishing the connection the pressure plate, a second attachment area for establishing the connection to the housing, and a connecting area extending between the first attachment area and the second attachment area. At least certain areas of at least two of the leaf spring elements are spaced apart between their first attachment area and their second attachment area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventors: Matthias Dorfler, Andreas Orlamunder, Andreas Dau, Albert Kammermeier, Hartmut Bach, Cora Carlson, Gunther Esly, Reinhard Feldhaus, Ingrid Hoffelner, Christoph Kleuker, Paul Kraus, Ralf Till, Sebastian Vogt
-
Patent number: 6371463Abstract: Pseudoelastic elements are subjected to pre-strains and restrained in order to form springs which exhibit relatively constant force levels over a major fraction of maximum deflection capacity during loading and also during unloading. Pre-straining of pseudoelastic elements subjects them to strains which approach or reach the upper stress plateau of the pseudoelastic stress-strain curve. Loading of said pseudoelastic springs thus produces strains largely corresponding to the upper pseudoelastic stress plateau where strain variations cause relatively small changes in stress. Unloading of said pseudoelastic springs also produces strains largely corresponding to the lower stress plateau of the pseudoelastic stress-strain curve where stress is subject to relatively small changes with strain variations. Said psueodoelastic springs can be used in brush holders which can benefit from a relatively constant level of force as deflections occur due to brush wear.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: DPD, Inc.Inventor: Parviz Sorovshian
-
Patent number: 6364293Abstract: An elongate or continuous fender having a surface mounting meeting portion and a conjoined fendering body. The meeting portion includes one or more elongate or continuous mounting pieces located alongside the fendering body to create upper and lower shoulders. The shoulders provide one part of a two part fastening with a surface mounting. The mounting piece can be an elongate strip. The fender and surface mounting together form a suitable impact-energy absorbing assembly. The form and shape of the fender provide a secure method of attaching such fenders to a supporting surface without affecting the fendering properties.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Valpar Industrial LimitedInventor: Robert Prentice Beckett
-
Patent number: 6361032Abstract: A method of increasing lateral stiffness in fiberglass composite leaf springs used in suspension systems. The increase in lateral stiffness is accomplished by introducing two carbon fiber inserts to the longitudinal side regions of a fiberglass composite spring. The amount of volume of carbon fiber inserts is preferably between 10-20% by volume of the total volume of the spring and is a function of the strain characteristics required within the suspension system. The composite leaf spring secures the weight advantages of fiberglass springs as compared with traditional steel leaf springs and improves lateral stiffness that promotes improved handling as well as increased efficiency in the packaging of suspension and fuel storage systems. These new composite springs can be molded from layering preprag tape containing fiberglass, carbon fiber and resin, or from a 3D weaving process.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Lawson
-
Patent number: 6357733Abstract: An elastic spring element includes a fiber-reinforced ceramic that is resistant to temperatures greater than 1,000° C. The fibers are in the form of endless fibers and the elastic spring element has a corrugated geometric shape. The elastic spring elements may be used for sealing a control surface against hypersonic flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Astrium GmbHInventors: Hans Georg Wulz, Wilfried Becker, Helmut Knabe
-
Patent number: 6342138Abstract: An electroplating rack includes a cathode flight bar from which depends an insulated rack bar over an acid bath. A clamp is fixed to the rack bar, and has a bridge electrically connected to the flight bar through a conducting core inside the insulated rack bar. The clamp has a main body made of plastic, which includes a slot in which protrudes the bridge. An electrically conducting spring clip is installed in the slot, and is formed of two arms continuously biased into a spreaded, opened condition in the slot. A screw carried by the main body, when rotated in a first direction, can force the spring clip into a closed condition, in which it can hold an article to be electroplated between its two arms, and in which one of the spring clip arms is forced against the bridge member. Thus, electrical current can pass through the rack flight bar and conducting core, then through the bridge member, the spring clip and finally into the article to be electroplated.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: M & B Plating Racks Inc.Inventor: Howard Brown
-
Publication number: 20020008600Abstract: The present invention relates to an armature spring (4) for a relay comprising a fastening section (3), a connected oblong spring section and a lever (7). The lever is located on the side of the longitudinal axis of the spring section opposite to that of the fastening section (3) so that the spring section is subject to torsional stress. Due to the torsional stress of the spring section, an even progression of the spring characteristic curve can be achieved. The stress is very even, so that the spring is very small and simple. In advantageous embodiments, the spring section extends parallel to the armature pivot axis and is formed by a torsion web (6). The lever section can be flexibly deformable. As a result the spring characteristic can be particularly easily and flexibly adjusted. As a result the spring armature can be combined with a magnet system exhibiting opening angles of 10° to 15°.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann
-
Patent number: 6254071Abstract: A round wire wave spring is formed from a single turn of round wire with a plurality of distinct waves defined therein, each of the waves having respective crest and trough portions that bear against opposing parallel surfaces of two work elements. The round wire wave spring may fit in a simple to form semi-circular groove, that is slightly greater in diameter than the free diameter of the round wire wave spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Smalley Steel Ring CompanyInventor: Michael Greenhill
-
Patent number: 6253635Abstract: The brake pedal configuration is particularly suited for an automobile having electrically actuated wheel brakes. A spring provides a resistance force with a nonlinear characteristic against brake actuation forces exerted on the brake pedal. The spring is arcuately curved and is fastened at one end to a support. At is second end the spring is connected to the brake pedal in an articulated manner. At its middle region, the spring is located opposite a stop on which the spring comes to bear after a partial deflection.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Huber
-
Patent number: 6215081Abstract: A compliant, bistable mechanism has a plurality of segments coupled end-to-end in a series to form a continuous chain of segments. The plurality of segments includes at least two rigid segments and at least one relatively flexible and resilient segment. Adjacent rigid segments are coupled by flexible joints or pin joints. The flexible and resilient segment is coupled to adjacent segments either fixedly or by pin joints. There are at least four pin joints, flexible joints, and/or flexible and resilient segments. The joints allow relative movement of the segments while the flexible and resilient segment resists movement and biases the segments. The segments move between first and second stable equilibrium positions. The segments have a pseudo-rigid-body model resembling a four-bar linkage. The segments and flexible joints may be integrally formed. First and second electrical contacts may be coupled to the segments to form an electrical connection as the segments move to one of the positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Brigham Young UniversityInventors: Brian D. Jensen, Larry L. Howell, Gregory M. Roach
-
Patent number: 6076795Abstract: In known retaining devices for electric motors, rotationally flexible retaining elements on the order of leaf springs are provided between a receiving housing and the electric motor and serve to decouple noise of the electric motor. The novel retaining device for an electric motor includes retaining elements that extend axially between a receiving housing and the motor housing. These retaining elements enable low-frequency decoupling below the frequencies to be decoupled; on the occurrence of natural resonance when the electric motor is turned on and off or there are shocks from outside, the torsional motion of the retaining elements is limited by stop elements. The retaining device is especially well suited to electric motors of blowers.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Scheidel, Peter Froehlich, Christof Bernauer, Thomas Bertolini, Christoph Eitel, Josef Foerstera, Peter Nolting, Reuben Agnon, Otto Brass, Alfred Maier
-
Patent number: 6068250Abstract: A circular multi-wave composite compression spring (10) is formed from a carbon fiber (58) reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring (10) is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers (58) encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests (14) and troughs (16) of the waves in adjacent turns (12) of the spring (10) contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis (30) of the spring (10). The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring (10) under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring (10) offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Proteus Engineering Inc.Inventors: James T. Hawkins, Michael Hawkins
-
Patent number: 6059481Abstract: A device for the guidance, in rectilinear translation in a given direction, of an object that is mobile in relation to a fixed object, comprises a first parallelogram, called an intermediate parallelogram, and a second parallelogram, called a guidance parallelogram, opposite the first parallelogram. The guidance device comprises a motion reduction lever that is fixed at a first end to the fixed base by a first flexible reduction band; at a second end to the rigid guidance element by a second flexible reduction band; in its middle to the intermediate rigid element by a third flexible reduction band. The disclosed device can be applied to objects in rectilinear translation.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.Inventor: Pierre-Marcel Genequand
-
Patent number: 6049976Abstract: A method for manufacturing raised contacts on the surface of an electronic component includes bonding one end of a wire to an area, such as a terminal, of the electronic component, and shaping the wire into a wire stem configuration (including straight, bent two-dimensionally, bent three-dimensionally). A coating, having one or more layers, is deposited on the wire stem to (i) impart resilient mechanical characteristics to the shaped wire stem and (ii) more securely attach ("anchor") the wire stem to the terminal. Gold is one of several materials described that may be selected for the wire stem. A variety of materials for the coating, and their mechanical properties, are described. The wire stems may be shaped as loops, for example originating and terminating on the same terminal of the electronic component, and overcoated with solder. The use of a barrier layer to prevent unwanted reactions between the wire stem and its environment (e.g., with a solder overcoat) is described.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.Inventor: Igor Y. Khandros
-
Patent number: 6003538Abstract: A drain valve providing a drain sleeve having a first end, a second end and a flow-chamber therebetween. The first end includes a first diameter being smaller than a second diameter of the second end. The first diameter and the second diameter cooperate to define an annular shoulder therebetween. The first end is threadingly received by an air conditioner outlet and the drain sleeve has at least one drain hole therethrough near the shoulder for draining condensation from the air conditioner outlet. An outer cap is provided having an outer wall and an annular side wall projecting perpendicularly from an outer periphery of the end wall. The side wall is the outer cap is threadingly engageable with the drain sleeve second end. A sealing assembly is fixedly connected at a first end thereof to the end cap end wall and includes a second end thereof projecting inwardly from the end cap end wall towards the shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Inventor: Robert A. Smith
-
Patent number: 5984381Abstract: A locking device for opening or closing a door comprising a lock housing having a pair of holes; a slider slidable within the lock housing; a pair of clamps, the base end being pivotally mounted on the front end of the slider, and the other end having a spring force acting outward; a spring member for the clamp attached to the front end of the slider; rails each provided on the outside of the pair of clamps in the lengthwise direction; a pair of rollers each having a circular shape, which can be fitted with each of the rails, and are supported to be revolved in adjacent to the holes of the lock housing; a spring member for the slider which is intervened between the lock housing and the slider and which applies a spring force to the slider in the direction forward to the hole of the lock housing; a heart-shaped groove carved in one side of the slider, having a plurality of differences in depth, and a recess provided on the bottom portion thereof; a projecting member, one end being slidable in the groove only iType: GrantFiled: January 29, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Tokyo Magnet Ohyo Seihin Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Yamagishi
-
Patent number: 5984285Abstract: A plastic spring consists essentially of a spring support, a web rigidly supported on the spring support, a first spring tongue attached to the web, and at least one auxiliary spring tongue extending from the web between the first spring tongue and the spring support, the spring tongues being parallel to each other. The spring characteristic of such a plastic spring may be adapted to different conditions independently of the material.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Haas Beteiligungsgesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Helmuth Konig, Gunther Leitner
-
Patent number: 5948226Abstract: An oxygen concentration detector easily assembled without producing conducting malfunctions at an external electrode includes a cylindrical housing and a detecting element being inserted into and disposed inside the housing. Powdery seal materials made of ceramic power are filled under pressure between a top portion of the detecting element and the housing. The detecting element has the external electrode at an external surface thereof and a lead portion extending upwardly from the external electrode. A ring-shaped conducting member is installed between the lead portion of the detecting element and the housing as a ground to conduct electricity therebetween and has a resilient contacting piece in contact with the lead portion at an inner peripheral portion of the ring-shaped conducting member.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1996Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiro Sakawa, Taiji Yokoyama, Michihiro Yamakawa
-
Patent number: 5926986Abstract: A non-sliding spring mechanism for picture and poster frames. A flat metal spring biasing member having a pair of opposed sawtooth or irregular edges is positioned between a rotating cover member and a stationary base member in each section of the frame device. The projections on the irregular edges of the spring members are preferably pointed and embed in the metal channels of the cover and base members and dig grooves therein, preventing the cover member and base member from sliding longitudinally relative to one another. Various configurations of toothed and pointed members can be utilized on the opposed irregular edges of the spring biasing member. Preferably, the irregular edges have one or more flat areas in order to prevent the spring members from embedding too deeply in the channels in the cover and base members.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.Inventor: Ralph W. Dingle
-
Patent number: 5913392Abstract: An active vibration canceler, including a canceler mass that is attached by a spring device to a supported bearing. The canceler mass is movable by a plunger coil arrangement and a permanent magnet so as to result in at least partial suppression of relative movements of the supported bearing in at least one frequency range. The spring device joins the canceler mass and the supported bearing for relative movement in one direction. The spring device includes at least three leaf springs arranged in at least two planes, which leaf springs, in the idle position, extend circumferentially in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Firma Carl FreudenbergInventors: Hans-Gerd Eckel, Anja Kunkel
-
Patent number: 5897173Abstract: A parking brake control assembly for a motor vehicle is provided which includes a housing, a movable actuator disposed in the housing which is operable to apply or release parking brakes, and an actuator spring pivotably mounted in the housing. The actuator spring pivots in response to the movement of the movable actuator. A portion of the actuator spring is biased to a first position by a predetermined force, and if the force applied on the portion exceeds the predetermined force, the portion moves to a second position. The housing also houses a switch actuatable by movement of the movable actuator for indicating desired position of the parking brakes, and a piston in fluid communication with a source of fluid. The piston is positioned adjacent the portion of the actuator spring, and the piston is movable by the pivoting movement of the actuator spring to cause fluid to be ejected such that the ejected fluid indicates desired position of the parking brakes.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Brake Parts, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Hardin