Abstract: A mechanical flexure with two legs in a symmetrical structure that provides straight line motion when a force is applied to one leg end, along an axis through both leg ends. Such a force translates leg ends solely along said axis in a straight line, without deviation in an orthogonal axis. Components attached to flexure leg ends will thus travel in a straight line in a single axis over a useful range. The flexure could also provide rotational translation over small angular ranges when used with appropriate hardware configurations. The flexure is capable of integral manufacture with other components and simultaneously provides alignment and translation functions.

Abstract: The body of a dispenser includes a compartment (C) configured to receive a stack of pellets (P). A dispensing slot (S) is located at one end of the compartment (C). A spring biases the pellets (P) toward the slot (S). A lever (50) has a rest position in which it blocks movement of pellets (P) into the slot (S), and a cocked position in which it allows a pellet (P) to move into the slot (S). The lever (50) is biased into the rest position by a J-shaped leaf spring (64). The spring (64) has a curved end arcing around the pivot axis (X) of the lever (50) and a straight end (68). A stop (70) engages the straight end (68) to allow translation but prevent pivoting of the straight end (68) when the lever (50) is pivoted away from its rest position.

Abstract: A coextruded plastic spring member is disclosed which is bendably disposable between first and second member to create a spring force therebetween. The spring member includes an elongated base formed from a first plastic material which is engageable by the first member. An elongated first spring portion formed from a second plastic material that is resilient and has a predetermined spring characteristic is coextruded with the base member. An elongated second spring portion is coextruded with and extends from the first spring portion and is formed from a third plastic material having a spring characteristic stiffer than that of the first spring portion, with the second spring portion being engageable by the second member. The first and second spring portions are constructed so that the first spring portion is under compressive loading when the second spring portion is bendably engaged by the second member.

Abstract: A leaf type spring is used to hold a heat sink in contact with a chip or other heat-emitting component. Such a component may be mounted on a PCB or other element. A bolster plate is positioned below the PCB and two pins extend up from the bolster plate, through the PCB and through the base of a heat sink. A preferred heat sink has plural fins extending up from the base. In one form of the invention the pins extend above the level of the outer ends of the pins. A spring extends diagonally across the ends of the fins. Slots in the ends of the spring engage necks formed near the ends of the pins. In another form of the invention the fins are milled or otherwise formed with a groove extending diagonally across the heat sink and the spring fits into the slot. The pins extend only a short distance above the base of the heat sink and are necked to receive the slotted ends of the spring. In both forms of the invention intimate contact of the base with the heat emitting component improves heat transfer.

Abstract: A retardation system for adjustably reducing the speed of an object moving relative to the retardation system. The retardation system comprises a retardation mechanism to which is transferred the kinetic energy of the object when the speed of the object is being reduced by the retardation mechanism, and a computing device for computing the kinetic energy to be transferred to the retardation mechanism in the form of retardation forces, calculated over time, of the object during its retardation process.

Abstract: A sheet guide in a feeder of a sheet-fed printing press has lateral guide plates for upper sheets of a sheet pile for laterally aligning the upper sheets with one sheet edge, and at least one deformable leaf spring located at a side of the sheet pile opposite to the side thereof at which the aligned sheet edge is disposed and acting by spring force against the upper sheets transversely to a sheet-feeding direction of the upper sheets of the sheet pile, the leaf spring being re-deformable counter to the spring force to behind a surface of the guide plate.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette reel spring having an elongated lamina of ferromagnetic steel including a base portion adapted to joined to a housing of the magnetic tape cassette and at least one leg portion extending obliquely out of the plane of the base along the longitudinal axis of the lamina, for resiliently engaging a reel of the magnetic tape cassette. The reel spring also includes an impervious coating disposed over an entire outer surface of the spring substantially enclosing and containing contamination from the spring.

Abstract: A sheet film pack has a pack housing containing a plurality of sheet film units in a stack therein, a lid slidable relative to the pack housing to open or close an open top of the pack housing, and a plate spring mounted on an inner bottom surface of the pack housing to urge the stack of sheet film units toward the open top. Each sheet film unit consists of a sheet of photographic film and a plastic film sheath backing and fringing the sheet film. The plate spring has a pair of arched arms which extend parallel to each other along side zones of a bottom one of the sheet film units, such that peak areas of the arms contact the bottom sheet film unit at positions within 15 mm from side edges of the sheet film unit.

Abstract: An interlaced wave spring is formed from two constituent wave springs of similar thickness, amplitude and frequency. The two constituent wave springs are combined together by interlacing them so that the spring turns of each spring abut each other for substantially the entire length of the interlaced spring. This interlacing effectively increases the thickness of the spring turns of the interlaced spring to thereby provide increased loading and greater fatigue resistance characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relatively inexpensive multi-purpose expandable vibration damping material compositions particularly useful in constrained layer applications. The composition essentially includes an elastomeric polymer, plasticizer, thermoplastic polymer, foaming agent, adhesion promoters and filler. In addition to the aforementioned, under certain embodiments, the expandable vibration damping material compositions may also employ rheological modifiers such as cross-linking agents and epoxy curing agents.

Abstract: A fixing structure is provided for an outer ring in an one-way clutch. The fixing structure includes a ring-shaped leaf spring having angular waviness, interposed between an outer side wall of the outer ring and an opposing inner wall of a housing and integrally assembled on a stepped outer peripheral portion of the outer ring. The ring-shaped leaf spring has plural tabs on an inner peripheral edge portion thereof and is fixed by spring forces of the tabs immovably in the direction of an axis of the outer ring. The stepped outer peripheral portion of the outer ring preferably defines a circumferential slot therein and the tabs of the ring-shaped leaf spring are fitted in the circumferential slot, whereby any axial movement of the ring-shaped leaf spring is limited.

Abstract: A telescoping mast with zero clearance which can be used in a fully automatic, relative positioning refueling machine. The telescoping mast consists of a series of nested tubes separated by spacers of unique design. Each spacer consists of an upper spacer assembly attached to the upper end of an inner tube segment nested in an outer tube segment and slidable inside the outer tube segment; and a lower spacer assembly attached to the lower end of the outer tube segment and slidable outside the inner tube segment. The spacer assemblies are preferably made of molded plastic, for example, polyethylene. Each spacer assembly is formed by a spacer ring and a plurality of corrugated members connected at one end to the spacer ring. The distal ends of the corrugated members of the upper spacer assembly contact the distal ends of respective ones of the corrugated members of the lower spacer assembly when the inner tube segment is in an extended position relative to the outer tube segment.

Abstract: A control knob is secured to a D-shaped shaft or lever of a switch or potentiometer which is supported on a control panel. The control panel is molded plastic and is furnished with detent ramps or indentations in its surface adjacent the shaft or lever. A D-spring between the knob and the shaft retains the knob in the shaft and has a laterally extending leaf spring with a detent button formed in the leaf near its free end. The leaf spring biases the detent button against the detent ramps to afford detent action upon rotation of a shaft or linear movement of a lever. The detent ramps are formed in a forward-facing surface of the panel or in a wall formed by a recess or aperture in the panel. The leaf spring is shaped to accommodate the position of the detent ramps.

Abstract: A pivoting lever hand tool is provided with an opening spring which clips onto one of the lever handles and resiliently engages the other to bias the handles open. The spring has a flexible and resilient coupling channel which clips onto one handle and includes a plurality of flat panel sections extending end-to-end of the channel. A bias leaf is unitary with one of the panel sections and projects from one end thereof out of the plane thereof to engage the other handle, and terminates at a distal end which engages the one handle. The bias leaf may be provided along all or part of its length with single or double over layers, either laminated or folded over. The bias leaf may extend either away from the coupling channel or back along its length.

Abstract: A spring force applying blade device for exhibiting a reduced creep rate when bent in a force applying application. The spring force applying device includes a guide member for supporting a blade member. The guide member has a curved portion for supporting a blade member bent thereover for applying a force. The spring force applying blade device also includes a spring blade member that has a first edge that is attached to the guide member, and a second and opposite edge for applying a force when bent over the curved portion of the guide member. The blade member is comprised of a plurality of blade layers for reducing stress and for reducing a creep rate of the blade member when bent over the curved portion of the guide member in a force applying application. The plurality of blade layers are attached together at the first edge of the blade member and are free to slide relative to each other at the second and opposite edge.

Abstract: A reel spring for tape cassettes includes at least two mounting holes which are formed in the base portion at opposite sides with respect to a tape reel centerline connecting reel centers and in such a manner to be spaced in the direction of the tape reel centerline, and which is used for melt-bonding with the cassette housing. The base portion is arranged so as to have a center laid on the tape reel centerlines, respective end portions are arranged so as to have their centerlines passed through respective contact points for urging a pair of tape reels, extended in parallel with each other and deviated with respect to the tape reel centerlines. The width of the base portion is substantially the same as that of the end portions.

Abstract: A spring biased shifter assembly is disclosed for use with a manually operated multi-speed transmission. The shifter assembly includes a shift tower to which a shift lever of a shift mechanism is pivotally mounted. A pair of spaced apart single leaf flat springs continuously downwardly bias a portion of the shift mechanism, thereby biasing the shift lever to a neutral position. The springs are located within slots defined by the shift tower and are further held in place by a cover that is fastened to the shift tower. The particular configuration of the single leaf flat springs provides improved shifter feel, substantially eliminates play in the shifter assembly, and automatically self-centers the shift lever to a neutral position while maintaining a constant downward biasing force thereon. The single leaf flat springs are preferably constructed of a fiber reinforced composite material, thereby providing excellent noise attenuation properties.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette reel spring of ferromagnetic material such as mild steel with yield strength slightly greater than 100,000 psi coated with a impervious layer. Alloy steel and AISI constructional steels are also suitable. The coating inhibits contamination of the magnetic tape and may include nickel plate, zinc plate, lacquer, paint, varnish and polymer coatings. A method includes coating a steel sheet, slitting the sheet and stamping the spring configuration from the slit strips of the sheet.

Abstract: The axes of a first press roll (1) and of a second press roll (3) lie in a press plane (E). Each of the press rolls has a journal pin (2) and (4), respectively. The first press roll is supported in a first bearing pedestal (5). The second press roll rests in a second bearing pedestal (6) which is coupled to the first bearing pedestal (5) by utilizing flexurally soft tension bars (7, 8). In the unloaded condition of the roll press, the second bearing pedestal (6) rests on the first bearing pedestal (5). In the loaded condition, play (p) is established between the bearing pedestals (5 and 6) so that the bearing pedestals (5 and 6) are displaceable axially relative to each other.

Abstract: A control knob is secured to a D-shaped shaft or lever of a switch or potentiometer which is supported on a control panel. The control panel is molded plastic and is furnished with detent ramps or indentations in its surface adjacent the shaft or lever. A D-spring between the knob and the shaft retains the knob in the shaft and has a laterally extending leaf spring with a detent button formed in the leaf near its free end. The leaf spring biases the detent button against the detent ramps to afford detent action upon rotation of a shaft or linear movement of a lever. The detent ramps are formed in a forward-facing surface of the panel or in a wall formed by a recess or aperture in the panel. The leaf spring is shaped to accommodate the position of the detent ramps.

Abstract: A system is described which utilizes two perpendicular four-bar linkages coupled by a common plate to provide a translational-free flexible suspension having two rotational degrees of freedom about a desired point. One of the four-bar linkages is secured to a stationary "ground" structure, and the other linkage is attached to the object to be supported, such as a mirror. In one embodiment, two links of each of the two four-bar linkages are constructed from spring steel flexure elements which are rigid in all directions except about the rotational axis. The flexure elements thus comprise "revolute joints". Because the flexure elements function as spring hinges, no friction is encountered when the suspension is displaced or "pivoted".

Abstract: A pivoting lever hand tool is provided with an opening spring which clips onto one of the lever handles and resiliently engages the other to bias the handles open. The spring has a flexible and resilient coupling channel which clips onto one handle and includes a plurality of flat panel sections extending end-to-end of the channel. A bias leaf is unitary with one of the panel sections and projects from one end thereof out of the plane thereof to engage the other handle, and terminates at a distal end which engages the one handle. The bias leaf may be provided along all or part of its length with single or double over layers, either laminated or folded over. The bias leaf may extend either away from the coupling channel or back along its length.

Abstract: The accumulator regulates changes in the back pressure of an ink-jet pen reservoir so that ink does not leak from the pen print head and so that the print head is able to completely empty the reservoir of ink. The accumulator includes a flexible bag that is mounted to a flat curved spring. The elasticity of the spring tends to contract the bag as the bag expands in response to back pressure reduction in the reservoir.

Abstract: This application concerns a leaf type spring for closing valves in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. Specifically, the leaf spring has an edge base which is attached to the cylinder head and a cantilevered unsupported portion which extends therefrom. The unsupported portion is bifurcated to form two arms, each arm engaging a valve in a manner biasing it towards its closed operative position and yieldably permitting the valve to be moved toward its open operative position.

Abstract: A bicycle seat support comprising a bicycle seat providing a seat surface to support a rider during use. The bicycle seat is coupled at a bottom side to a telescoping shaft for insertion within a larger, hollow shaft forming a part of a bicycle frame. A nonlinear spring member composed of a composite material and including two ends and an intermediate section provides resilient support to the bicycle seat. Attachment clamps are coupled at each of the ends of the nonlinear spring member for enabling attachment of the nonlinear spring member between the bicycle seat and the larger, hollow shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a spring exerting a non-linear force between a contact carrier and a contact blade in a circuit interrupter. The inventive spring includes at least one elongated cantilever. The length of the cantilever has the shape of an arch made with a non-uniform angle and is formed from an elastic material. The cantilever is supported at one end against the carrier with the length of the cantilever positioned parallel to the carrier and the opposite end of the cantilever abutting the contact blade so that the carrier supports more of the length of the cantilever as the displacement between the carrier and the contact blade decreases.The invention also includes a method of operating a circuit interrupter by non-uniformly increasing the force exerted against a movable contact as it engages a stationary contact to complete a circuit.

Abstract: A spring blade made from solid wood layers (11, 12, 13) for seats and beds has a least one and at the most four glue layers or joints (Sa, 8b), which are approximately perpendicular to the lateral surface (5) having the greatest extension and which interconnect the individual solid wood layers. In the individual solid wood layers the annual rings in full- or semi-comb grained cut are inclined to the lateral face.

Abstract: The device prevents any relative translation movement in a first plane between two members moving one with regard to the other in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Two linkages P.sub.1 P.sub.4 and P.sub.2 P.sub.3 are flexibly connected at their middle parts by members F1,F6 and a reinforced part 7. The two linkages have one of their ends connected to the first member by a fixed pivot point P.sub.1 and a movable pivot point P.sub.3, the other end of the two linkages being connected to the second member by a fixed pivot point P.sub.2 and a movable pivot point P.sub.4, the fixed pivot points and the movable pivot points being comprised of flexible portions, F.sub.1 to F.sub.4,8 and 9 of the linkages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grounding ring which may be used in grd adapters. The grounding ring has a structure resembling a miniature box girder with an irregular hexagonal cross section and is bent into a toroidal configuration. The grounding ring is characterized by increased wall areas for establishing electrical contact between a surface of a conductor and a surface of a stuffing tube, grounding conduit, or shield grounding fitting. The grounding ring provides improved EM performance and better capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter mechanism having a shift lever frame including a roller detent, a shift lever shiftable to a plurality of different shift positions and a feel positioner for providing a feel to a vehicle operator for establishing each of the shift positions is provided with an improvement, the improvement being a leaf spring configured in a U-shaped arrangement at one end to quick connect into a pair of spaced apertures in a plate on the shift lever, and configured at the other end with opposing fingers to snappingly quick connect to a roller for rollingly engaging the roller detent. The roller is biased against the roller detent which generates reactive forces on the one end of the leaf spring causing the one end to be securely retained in the spaced apertures in the plate and causing the roller to be securely retained in the opposing fingers on the other end.

Abstract: A springy, low dielectric retainer device in the form of a rod, a triangle, an ellipse or whatever, is used in a compressed condition to hold RF energy absorber blocks in position juxtaposed "energy leaky" RF circuitry. The absorber blocks are held in position due to frictional forces provided by the compressed retainer. In this manner, the absorber blocks can be re-positioned to obtain optimum amplitude/frequency response characteristics from the affected RF circuit.

Abstract: A vibration-damping structural body for a vehicle, which comprises a sublayer sheet composed of a foamed thermoset resin and fusion-bonded onto a vehicle part, and at least one layer, which is fusion-bonded onto the sublayer and is selected from a damping intermediate sheet (2) comprised of a viscoelastic material and restraining sheet (3). The sublayer sheet (1) is formed from a semi-gelled sheet made by heating a forming and thermosetting resin composition comprising (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a coreacting curing agent, (C) a foaming agent, (D) a surface active agent and (E) a rubber-like elastic material or a powdery thermoplastic resin not containing halogen, which is insoluble in the epoxy resin at room temperature, but is miscible with and dispersible in the epoxy resin at 80.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: An arm for suspending a vibrating member is disclosed. The arm has low bending stiffness in two mutually perpendicular first and second directions (x and z), and high stiffness in compression and in traction in a third direction (y) perpendicular to the first and second directions. The arm comprises a blade made of a composite material which is fixed at one end to the vibrating member and fixed at an opposite end to a second member. The cross-sectional area along the length of the blade is constant and rectangular in shape. The opposed fixed ends of the blade are flat and their widths extend in mutually orthogonal planes in the first and second directions (x and z).

Abstract: A broaching device for a silo is comprised of a rotor and at least one broaching arm connected to the rotor. The broaching arm comprises leaf springs that are stacked on top one another to form a leaf spring packet. The broaching arm further comprises brackets for holding the leaf springs together. The broaching arm extends to the wall of the silo and is curved opposite to a direction of rotation of the rotor. A holder is connected to one of the leaf springs arranged in a center position of the leaf spring packet at a free end thereof. Outwardly positioned leaf springs of the leaf spring packet are slidably supported at the holder. A broaching tool is attached to the holder of the broaching arm.

Abstract: A motor-operated actuator has a clutch members are set in slide recesses formed in a drive member which are regulated in movement with a clutch base. A protrusion is formed on each of the clutch members, and a groove is formed around the protrusion. Both end portions of a return spring are placed in the grooves of the clutch members, and fixed there by thermal caulking. Thereby, the clutch member is prevented from being damaged by unsatisfactory disengagement. The clutch members are prevented from being disconnected from the return spring, and the former can be positively connected to the latter with high efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as leaf spring (50) is provided having at least one plate (3) having an irradiation exposed region (R) therein that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending between opposite ends of plate (3) and operative to provide a metallurgical discontinuity extending therealong between opposite ends thereof that is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel to axis ("L/A").

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a leaf spring (50) is provided comprising at least one composite leaf or plate (2) having a second layer (12) sandwiched within a first layer (10) in such a manner as to provide at least one discontinuity therein effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending between opposite ends of plate (2).

Abstract: A pressure control valve having a valve body 2 consisting of metal material and a spring 10 determining the control pressure of the valve and designed as a flat pressure spring with radial arms, the spring being arranged in a chamber 20 of valve body 2 which is connected to the ambient atmosphere or to the inlet of the internal combustion engine. The flat pressure spring 10 is placed under tension between a deformable bead 12 of valve body 2 and a membrane cap 11 and the tension force of the spring is adjusted by deforming the bead 12.

Abstract: A resilient spring defining a platform surface (250) and including a pair of side-by-side spring arms (244) extending in a common axial direction from the platform surface. Each of the spring arms defines an end (252) in an adjacent relationship to the base of the other spring arm, whereby the spring arms (252) extend generally in opposing transverse directions and in the common axial direction to define a pair of bearing surfaces (260) disposed to engage a common support surface (242) of another member (38). Locking lances (258) extend from side walls (254) of the spring in a direction opposed to the axial direction of the spring arms (252) to engage ledges along side walls (262) of a cavity (70) of the other member in a manner permitting only biased movement toward the common support surface (242) when an additional member (52) to be spring biased is placed on and urged against the platform surface (250).

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing bending distortion in base support planes of tray units holding weighted modules. A cut out flap in the base plane is set at an angle to form a deflection spring plate against the module weight. The angle is adjustable to operate for various weight modules, material composition of the tray unit and deflection plate parameters.

Abstract: A damping device is arranged between a surface of a ski and a binding holding a ski boot on the ski surface. The binding has a toe clamping member and a heel clamping member supported on a surface of a respective support portion. The damping device has a respective damping plate having an extension projecting from each support portion, the damping plate extensions extending towards each other in the same plane and having facing end faces defining therebetween at least a small gap. The damping plate extensions overlap in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski and are freely displaceable relative to each other in this direction.

Abstract: A wave spring having uniformly positioned surface projections and predetermined consistent spring tension deflection is disclosed. The wave spring includes; a spring ring having projections in the ring's radial wall at predetermined positions within the wall thereby producing a wave spring having specific predetermined spring tension deflecting in response to specific loads. Deflection capability is maintained due to the position and heights of the projections. A wave spring which can be utilized in bayonet or non-bayonet style electrical connectors to provide a specified and predetermined spring tension deflection is also disclosed. A method of fabrication for a wave spring having uniformly positioned surface projections and predetermined consistent spring tension deflection is also described.

Abstract: A spring contact device consists of an insulative case (6) having at least one pair of slots extending upwardly from a bottom thereof and a contact spring (1) which includes a contact portion (3) made by bending upwardly a thick portion of a profile spring sheet such that the contact portion projects through a top of the case; a terminal portion (4) made from a thinner portion of the profile spring sheet so as to project downwardly from a bottom of the case; a U-shaped leaf spring portion between the contact and terminal portions; and at least one pair of lugs (5) extending upwardly from a lower section (2) of the U-shaped leaf spring portion and press fitted into the slots for securing the spring contact to the case.

Abstract: A damping bearing assembly, in particular a motor bearing for the vibration-insulated mounting of engines in motor vehicles, comprising an approximately annular spring body of fibrous composite materials, the spring body including a coil form of artificial resin impregnated fibers wound in several layers, force introducing elements clamping the coil form on mutually opposite sides, a working chamber for additional hydraulic damping disposed inside the spring body between the force-introducing elements, the working chamber being formed of elastically deformable material having a low degree of stiffness in an operating direction and a high degree of volume stiffness, a conduit hydraulically communicating with the work chamber and a compensating chamber hydraulically communicating with the conduit.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting an electrical socket unit within an electrical outlet box includes elements for realigning the bracket relative to the outlet box and elements for laterally and longitudinally supporting the bracket within the outlet box at any realigned location. Pivot elements for pivotally attaching a cover and lock elements for locking the cover are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved spring is provided which may be used in cushions, mattresses, or box springs which includes a limiting internal member. This limiting member assist in limiting the longitudinal deflection of the springs. Also provided are snapped-fitting connections between the spring and a grid for use within a box spring. Also provided is a "floating" portion of a peripheral border wire, particularly suitable for use in a pair of box springs beneath a king-size mattress unit. Also provided is a corner guard which provided support for upholstered fabric on a box spring. Finally, an improved borderwireless mattress using a peripheral band is provided, which allows the mattress to bend more easily, without disadvantageous setting of its border wires.

Abstract: A suspension system for linear reciprocating device which allows a relatively large axial stroke while also providing long life and high torsional and radial stiffness. The system consists of a grounded ring to which pairs of substantially coplanar cross straps are connected about an axis of symmetry around the ring. The midpoints of the straps are attached to the reciprocating device. In operation the flexing of the straps in combination with the distortion of the grounded ring allows for a greater axial stroke within a smaller perimeter than using flexing straps alone. This allows the suspension device to be utilized in a much smaller area providing further advantages in application.

Abstract: An integrating meter comprising a rotatable masking ring integrally containing elastic members for applying a predetermined thrust pressure to a plurality of less to more significant digit number rings rotatably aligned on a support shaft, the masking ring being positioned to the left of the most significant digit number ring. This construction eliminates the need for a conventional coil spring for pushing the number rings in the thrust direction. With the number of its parts reduced, the integrating meter is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An armature assembly for an electromagnetic coupling includes an armature plate made of a material having low magnetic reluctance and also includes an output hub having angularly spaced and radially extending mounting arms for supporting the armature plate. The armature plate is connected to the mounting arms by angularly spaced leaf springs which couple the armature plate and the output hub for rotation in unison while allowing the armature plate to move axially relative to the mounting arms when the coupling is engaged and disengaged. The leaf springs are made of a material having high magnetic reluctance and are formed with tabs or fingers which are sandwiched between the armature plate and the mounting arms to create a flux barrier for magnetically isolating the armature plate from the mounting arms and the output hub.

Abstract: There are disclosed a spring and its combination with an evaporation cover for a test element, and a station of an incubator. The spring comprises two portions bent to form the letter "J". The longer portion includes means for retaining the spring in the incubator station, and the shorter portion includes means for retaining a cover under the spring.