Abstract: An earring clip spring assembly has a strip of spring metal which is bent to have a pair of spring arms connected to each other by a closed U-shaped portion. An opening through the omega shaped portion receives a pin which holds the spring to an earring clip. A method of making the bent earring clip has two sets of dies for bending the clip in separate steps into its final shape.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A rotary compressor has a vane slot for slidably supporting a planar vane, and a transverse slot for containing a spring cartridge. The spring cartridge can be a two piece molded structure having an internal support pin for a torsion spring designed to exert a biasing force on the slidable vane. The torsion spring has a relatively large number of coil convolutions, that minimize the unit torsional stress on the spring material.

Abstract: Rubber shock absorber systems for use between the frame and equalizer bar of a construction vehicle usually fail to withstand high temperature environments. A metallic spring assembly is provided which is capable of high flexibility and durability. The spring assembly includes a first arcuate spring member and a second arcuate spring member adjacent to and inverted from the first spring member. First and second arcuate plate members are positioned against the first and second spring members respectively, and have a larger bend radius so that a clearance is created therebetween. A bolt with a plate nut threaded thereon is provided to connect the spring assembly and to provide a preload. During compressive loading, opposing end portions of the first and second spring portions are deformed to provide an energy absorbing system. The flexibility and durability of the spring assembly is controlled by the bend radius, thickness, and length of the plate members.

Abstract: A spring plate for use in a multiple disk friction coupling device, wherein a spring plate is an elastic member formed generally in a dish-like shape; a driving face facing a mating member comprises a side face of an outer diameter end portion, a circular protruding face, and a slant face smoothly continuing to this protruding face. The axial section of the driving face is formed of straight lines and curves which continue. The spring plate, when pushed against the mating member by a piston, is elastically deformed, pressing the driving face against a wide range of the mating member. Therefore the friction coupling member of the friction coupling device will never be locally heated to a high temperature, thus preventing heat distortion and non-uniform seizure of these members and accordingly smooth operation of the friction coupling device for a prolonged period of time.

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 elastic framework for a mattress, chair, upholstery, etc. is disclosed which includes elastic springs made of opposing upper and lower elastic elements, each elastic element having a base portion and a plurality of flexible arms which extend from the base portion and are joined to the flexible arms of the opposing upper or lower element so as to form a closed flexible ring. These flexible rings are joined to top support elements and bottom support elements at the base portion of the upper and lower elastic elements, respectively, and the top support elements as well as the bottom supported elements are respectively interconnected so as to form a spring support.

Abstract: A cushioning assembly comprises a foundation, a plurality of springs mounted on the foundation, and a pad resting on the springs. Each spring is formed of plastic and forms a through-chamber having an axis. The axes of the springs lie in a common plane oriented perpendicular to the loading applied thereto when a user rests on the assembly. Pad-supporting plates are removably attached to the spring bodies, e.g., by clamp members.

Abstract: A circular multi-wave composite compression spring is formed from a carbon fiber reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests and troughs of the waves in adjacent turns of the spring contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis of the spring. The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring 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 offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension device for linking an item of on-board equipment item to the structure of a vehicle, such as a rotary wing aircraft.Advantageously, it comprises first (5) and second (6) elements shaped at least approximately as plates and capable of being fixed respectively to said structure (3) and to said equipment item (2), and suspension means (7) including damping members (14) linked respectively to the first and second elements and capable of acting along the three roll, pitch and yaw reference axes of said aircraft to absorb the linear displacements along said axes, and elastic suspension members (15) linked respectively to the first and second elements and capable of acting around the three reference axes to absorb the angular displacements.

Abstract: A composite brake drum particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The brake drum includes a reinforcement assembly embedded within the cylindrical portion of the drum. The reinforcement assembly is preferably made from steel wire stock and includes a plurality of circular rings or loops spaced axially within the brake drum cylindrical portion. Axially extending locator wires are mechanically fastened to the reinforcing loops and serve to locate the loops. End portions on the locator wires contact only one of the mold halves forming the mold cavity and enable the device to be essentially self-locating without crossing the parting line of the mold. The end portion of the locator wires contacting the radially outer side of the mold cavity is formed with a spring bar to enable the locator wires to move outward as the reinforcing loops are thermally expanded during the casting process.

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: 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 resilient element such as a thin flat plate or disc spring, commonly known as a "Belleville" spring, which is capable of deflecting along an axis normal to its surface is modified to include an amplifying segment disposed in a central aperture in the form of an approximately "W" shaped strip connected at its ends to opposite positions on the inner margin of the central opening. The central portion of the "W" forms an inverted "U" which is subjected, after positioning within the central aperture, to torquing stress in the plane of the material to bring the ends of the open end of the "U" slightly closer together than the inner edges of the "U" nearest its closed end. One of a pair of switch contacts is mounted on the closed end of the "U" shaped portion of the device opposite another contact carried on the switch bases.

Abstract: A resilient support for a suspension system of the type comprising two frameworks (1) capable of being fastened to two assemblies between which the support is intended to be interposed. The support includes, as the main resilient element intended for supporting a load, at least one resilient tubular member (3), the axis (y) of which extends perpendicularly to the main direction (z) in which the load is exerted. An elastic material (2) is bonded or fixed on either side of the tubular member (3) for fastening the tubular member to a respective framework.

Abstract: An attached locking pin for releasably securing adjacent concrete forms used in the formation of poured concrete. Such concrete forms are characterized by having a peripheral rail with apertures therethrough adapted to abut the rail and align the apertures of an adjacent form to hold the cement in its desired shape until the concrete has set. The attached locking pin includes a sleeve with an opening therethrough adapted to interlock within one of the aligned apertures of abutting rails. A pin is provided having a head and an end with an intermediate portion having a slot passing therethrough typically for receiving a locking wedge. The pin is adapted to pass the end and slotted intermediate portion through the sleeve and the adjacent aligned aperture to releasably hold the abutting rails securely together after the wedge is driven into the slot.

Abstract: A vang assembly is provided for manipulating a sailboat boom. The vang assembly includes a mechanical vang in the form of a resiliently flexible elongate column provided with an adjustment means in the form of a soft vang for arcuately flexing the mechanical vang. Opposite ends of the mechanical vang are attached below the boom to a lower portion of the mast and to the boom at a location spaced outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the mast. The adjustment means is attached to opposite ends of the mechanical vang and is movable between a contracted position and an extended position. When the adjustment means is moved to a contracted position, the mechanical vang is bowed arcuately upwardly and the boom is urged in a downward direction. When the adjustment means is moved to extended position, the arcuately bowed mechanical vang straightens and pushes the boom upwardly.

Abstract: The wheel braking device comprises a chassis mounted by a suspension on an axle common to a pair of wheels and a brake member operated by a brake pedal and adapted to brake the rotation of at least one wheel. The brake pedal is mounted for rotation with the axle. The suspension member is mounted near the wheel, about an eccentric fastened to the axle, and is provided with a brake member. The wheel is provided with a brake drum fastened to the wheel and adapted to cooperate by its periphery with the corresponding brake member when the axle is turned in a first direction through action on the brake pedal, thus bringing the brake member towards and into contact with the periphery of the brake drum. The same action is controlled simultaneously on the other wheel on the axle.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly to dissipate heat from electrical components to a housing is disclosed. The housing is formed from a suitable heat sinking material including a body with integral continuous walls extending from the perimeter of the body. A carrier mechanism which retains a plurality of electrical components is positioned within the housing. The electrical components have heat sink tabs which are positioned in the housing such that the tabs are coupled with the housing to dissipate heat from the electrical components to the housing. A resilient biasing member including a plurality of resilient fingers is coupled with the carrier mechanism to retain the carrier and electrical components in position on the housing.

Abstract: The trocar is provided with a leaf spring in the housing which abuts a collar on a protective tube which surrounds the sharp tip of the stylet. A spring finger extending from the leaf spring is actuated by a slider when the two housings of the trocar components are squeezed together. The spring finger initially lifts the leaf spring from the collar to release the protective tube for sliding proximally while the collar subsequently lifts the spring finger from the shoulder of the slider to prevent a re-release of the leaf spring when the protective tube 16 is moved back into the extended position.

Abstract: A leaf spring made of a flat, thin, metallic strip comprised of an elongated flexible member with two parallel sides terminating at either end into flat rectangular, cross-like or circular shapes with a width approximately twice the width of the strip at its midpoint. The ends are crimped or cold pressed downward and then outward near their edges to form flanges. The crimped or pressed ends become each foot of the leaf spring.

Abstract: The spring is one piece and elliptical with the working material concentrated nearer the ends than the middle section, leaving the middle section available for deflection limiting stops and for fastening holes. A preferred material is acetal plastic. The spring can be machined, molded or cut from extrusions in widths to suit use requirements. The spring is attached to mounting structure by a fastener which passes through a hole in one leaf and is seated on the other.

Abstract: A leaf spring made of a flat, thin, metallic strip comprised of an elongated flexible member with two parallel sides terminating at either end into flat rectangular, crosslike or circular shapes with a width approximately twice the width of the strip at its midpoint. The ends are crimped or cold pressed downward and then outward near their edges to form flanges. The crimped or pressed ends become each foot of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A spring support system for a compliant hydrodynamic gas lubricated bearing comprises a plurality of cylindrical spring elements that are retained by floating control rods in circumferential and axially extending arrays for the support of a compliant foil.

Abstract: A mechanical spring with negative spring stiffness adapted for use in an electroacoustic transducer unit for reducing the transducer resonant frequency. The mechanical spring with negative spring stiffness comprises two blade springs having both ends coupled to each other and which, under the influence of a compressive force F which acts in a direction along an imaginary line through both ends of the mechanical spring, are each bent in one of two opposite directions.

Abstract: Secure and rapid assembly of magnets or other articles in tubular or other-shaped housings is achieved with bow type compression retainers which are made from reformable spring metal, and are initially formed shorter and higher than their ultimate working dimensions to permit loose or easy manual or automatic assembly in their final working location, after which the retainers can be reformed in place to a reduced height and extended length so as to take up any clearance and to place an initial load on abutting faces of the article to be secured. Then the bow shaped retainer is finally reworked in a comparatively small portion of its length, and in a direction which tends to change the natural curvature and extend the intrinsic unloaded length of the restrained bow, thus off-setting "spring back" type load losses characteristic of normal spring forming, and assuring maximum spring retention forces irrespective of large assembly tolerances and high spring rates.

Abstract: A tape tab forming unit for tape roll holders wherein wear is minimized by distributing stress between a slotted cylindrical spring supporting upwardly extending struts on the one hand and a flexible forward strut on the other hand. The cylindrical spring may be formed as part of a tape roll holder or connected to such a holder. The slot in the spring defines forward and rearward spring edges from which the struts extend upwardly. The spring is strengthened by providing a thickened region between the forward and rearward edges. A tape tab is formed by combined rearward flexing of the forward strut and compression of the slotted spring.

Abstract: A roller retainer for a cam actuated vehicle brake assembly comprising a member preferably formed from spring wire to provide two substantially parallel legs with a tang at the end of each leg and a manual grip intermediate the legs. The tangs are seated in apertures provided to a dual web brake shoe and a portion of the member intermediate the manual grip and the tanged ends extends only partially around the roller so the manual grip and the tanged ends are disposed on the same side of a reference plane parallel to the legs and passing through the axis of the roller. This enalbes the retainer to be rotated about the apertures thereby allowing the roller to be safely removed from the brake shoe while the shoe remains in the assembly without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A linear adjusting device, especially for cryogenic temperatures and under vacuum conditions, having an adjusting body being adjustable on a carrier body along a linear adjusting path and supported by more than one bending springs placed between said carrier body and adjusting body and bent to have a U-like shape, the U-legs of each of the U-shaped bending springs extending longitudinally along the adjusting path, and at their free ends, one of the legs of each bending spring is fixed to said carrier body and the other leg to said adjusting body, said bending springs being arranged in at least two groups of bending springs consisting of at least two bending springs spaced apart by a given distance along said adjusting path, the bending springs of at least one of said groups of bending springs are arranged at oblique angles to the bending springs of another group of bending springs, when seen in a cross section perpendicular to said adjusting path (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In a nuclear fuel assembly spacer providing passages for fuel rods or other elongated elements, a spring component of H-shape including a pair of spaced spring members of hairpin-like configuration connected by a retaining strap wherein an arched side of one of the spring members projects into one of the passages and the arched side of the other of the spring members projects into an adjacent one of the passages for resilient engagement with the fuel rods or other elongated elements extending through the passages.

Abstract: A flow control valve for a power steering system of the kind having a metering pump is provided with a leaf spring device stressed upon rotation of a hand steering wheel to operate a valve sleeve and the metering pump. The spring device provides a force for returning the valve sleeve to neutral position after a steering operation and comprises curved or arched springs between pressure plates. The convex sides are back-to-back between pressure plates and have curved ends supported on and shaped to slide on the pressure plates with minimum friction as the springs are compressed. The pressure plates are uniquely shaped in the central areas for providing flexibility to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies.

Abstract: A tool-loadable biasing spring for a knob retainer plate securing a doorknob on its knob sleeve. The plate is slidable transversely in the sleeve and has a central opening. The biasing spring has a bight with a hook for engagement behind the linear forward border of the opening and with an axial offset for transmitting thrust to such border. Spring legs extend unrestrained across the face of the plate into camming relation with forwardly diverging inner faces of the sleeve, so as to generate forward bias on the spring. The legs have axial offsets with out-turned fingers to lock behind the plate. For loading, the spring is held in resiliently contracted condition across the end of a holder tool, and the tool is inserted into the end of the sleeve until both the bight offset and leg offsets and fingers pass simultaneously through the retainer plate opening. The spring is then released for self-movement into interlocked relation with the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in the spring arrangement of the control valve assembly of a hydrostatic steering unit of the type having a measuring motor and relatively rotatable inner and outer concentric tubular valve members. In this type of unit one of the valve members is connected to the motor and the other valve member is manually rotated for steering purposes. The valve members have axially aligned and diametrically arranged slots for housing the spring arrangement which includes a pair of curved leaf springs and two supporting plates which may also be leaf springs.

Abstract: A safety centering basket for the tubing of bores in mining, oilfield work and the like is of the kind having a number of resilient flat steel springs secured at their ends in respective end rings each having two half shells coupled by hinges, the improvement being that each flat steel spring is formed by a plurality of spring rods coupled together to form a unit, the pack of rods being clad in a layer of a heat stable protective material such as a plastics material.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a backing plate for supporting a pair of brake shoes and a hydraulic actuator which cooperates with the pair of brake shoes to urge the latter into a braking position. A parking lever is pivotally mounted on one of the brake shoes and a strut connects the parking lever with the other brake shoe such that rotation of the parking lever when the parking brake is applied urges the pair of brake shoes into a braking position. In order to connect the strut to the other brake shoe while at the same time eliminating any rattle between the pair of brake shoes and the struts, a spring clip releasably connects with the other brake shoe and resiliently engages the strut to bias the latter toward the one brake shoe. The spring clip is substantially U-shaped with at least one opening for receiving the strut and for maintaining the strut in juxtaposition to the other brake shoe.

Abstract: A spring comprising a first member having an inner and outer end; a second member; and spacer means connecting said first member adjacent its inner end to said second member in spaced generally parallel partially overlapping disposition at rest.