Circular Patents (Class 267/167)
  • Patent number: 11835087
    Abstract: A non-locating bearing assembly includes a bearing unit configured to support a rotating component relative to a stationary component, the bearing unit including a stationary bearing ring and a rotatable bearing ring that are rotatable with respect to each other. The rotatable bearing ring is fixedly connectable to the rotating component, and the stationary bearing ring is mountable in the stationary component in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner. A connector is provided between the stationary bearing ring and the stationary component to connect the bearing ring to the stationary component in an axially displaceable but substantially rotationally fixed manner, and the connection is provided by a combination of a friction fit and an interference fit acting in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Sebastian Kraus, Helmut Hauck, Juergen Barthelme, Andreas Herbert Kraus, Hans-Juergen Friedrich, Alexander Dilje, Alfred Radina, Stefanie Seufert
  • Patent number: 11035397
    Abstract: A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, a circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 10948042
    Abstract: A shock or vibration absorption device, comprising: (1) a housing comprising a spring-guiding surface; (2) a piston positioned within the housing and comprising a spring-engagement surface, wherein the piston is configured to move relative to the housing in response to an applied force; and (3) a closed-loop resilient element positioned between the spring-engagement surface of the piston and the spring-guiding surface of the housing such that a ring axis of the resilient element is substantially parallel to a direction of the applied force; wherein the resilient element is configured to absorb kinetic energy as the piston moves relative to the housing in response to the applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Evgeny Orlov
  • Patent number: 10668521
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10634181
    Abstract: An asymmetrical-force connector system includes a socket having a longitudinally-oriented shaft bore defining a bore axis. A spring-receiving cavity is coaxial with the bore axis and extends laterally around the shaft bore. The spring-receiving cavity has an inner circumference that is open to the shaft bore. A toroidal canted coil spring is located at least partially within the spring-receiving cavity. The toroidal canted coil spring has an inner spring circumference. A connector pin including a maximum shaft circumference is configured for selective sliding insertion into the shaft bore longitudinally from the front housing face. A v-groove extends laterally inward from the maximum shaft circumference toward the pin axis and defines a minimum shaft circumference. The connector pin is located in a maintenance position within the shaft bore when at least a portion of the toroidal canted coil spring laterally extends into the v-groove beyond the maximum shaft circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederick W. Montague, Jr., Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 10535945
    Abstract: Connector assemblies formed by attaching two stamped housing sections to form a connector housing having a housing groove with a groove bottom and two side walls are disclosed. Using stamped housing sections can reduce manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly, among other things. The connector housings with a canted coil spring can be used as a mechanical connector and/or as an electrical connector for numerous applications and across numerous industries. The canted coil springs can have complex shapes, with optional dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri, Lluis Soler, Derek Changsrivong
  • Patent number: 10270198
    Abstract: Connector assemblies formed by attaching two stamped housing sections to form a connector housing having a housing groove with a groove bottom and two side walls are disclosed. Using stamped housing sections can reduce manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly, among other things. The connector housings with a canted coil spring can be used as a mechanical connector and/or as an electrical connector for numerous applications and across numerous industries. The canted coil springs can have complex shapes, with optional dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri, Lluis Soler
  • Patent number: 10061222
    Abstract: A coil spring includes a resilient portion having a first diameter defined by a first central axis that is hypothetical and an end coil abutting on one end of the resilient portion in an axial direction of the resilient portion. The end coil has a second diameter defined by a second central axis that is hypothetical and shifted from the first central axis of the resilient portion in parallelism with the first central axis of the resilient portion by a predetermined shift amount. A coupler has a first width that is smaller than the first diameter of the resilient portion and greater than a second width obtained by subtracting the predetermined shift amount from the first diameter of the resilient portion. The coupler is inserted into the end coil to secure the end coil to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Sato
  • Patent number: 9958101
    Abstract: A quick-fit coupling (1) for pressurized fluid, comprising a hollow longitudinal valve body (3) having at least a first valve body part (4) and a second valve body part (5) that is coaxially movable with respect to the first valve body part (4), a shutter stem (6) positioned in the valve body (3) coaxially to the longitudinal axis (L) of the valve body (3), a longitudinal hollow body (7) for containing the valve body (3), disposed coaxially to the valve body (3) and defining, with the valve body (3), a hollow space (8), a drive sleeve (9) for driving the second part (5) of the valve body (3) and disposed in the hollow space (8), the second valve body part (5) being movable with respect to first valve body part (4) in contrast and by action of a first helical spring (10) positioned in the hollow space (8), the sleeve (9) being movable with respect to the valve body (3) in contrast and by action of a second helical spring (13) positioned in the hollow space (8), at least one helical spring (10, 13) having coils
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA GOMMA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Gennasio, Stefano Mazzoli, Rinaldo Doi
  • Patent number: 9463676
    Abstract: A knee-action-type suspension is provided with an arm member, a compression coil spring, and a shock absorber. The coil spring is extended and retracted between a full-rebound state and a full-bump state in accordance with the magnitude of a load applied to a vehicle body. A wire of the coil spring includes a large-diameter wire portion, a small-diameter wire portion, and a wire diameter varying portion. The large-diameter wire portion is provided in a first portion of the coil spring, which is on the side near to a pivot. The small-diameter wire portion is provided in a second portion of the coil spring, which is on the side far from the pivot. A wire diameter of the large-diameter wire portion is greater than a wire diameter of the small-diameter wire portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamamotoya, Hideto Enomoto, Ken Takahashi, Toshiaki Sato, Mitsuhiro Sugiyama, Yoshio Kobayashi, Taichi Inage, Tomotake Kato, Akihiko Nishikawa, Masahiro Umezawa, Michihiko Ayada, Suguru Kajigaya
  • Patent number: 9296314
    Abstract: A spiral spring for a reclining adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat in which ridges are formed on both ends in a direction perpendicular to a coiling direction of a surface of a spring plate member formed by a band-like steel plate having high hardness so that the ridges project from the surface, projected surfaces of the ridges are curved, and the spring plate member is spirally formed into a coil. The spring plate member has a pitch coiled structure in which a gap between an intermediate spring plate member and an inner spring plate member is formed to be smaller than a gap between an outer spring plate member and the intermediate spring plate member. An engagement piece bent in the radial direction is formed at the end of the outer spring plate member, and an engagement coiled core section is formed in the inner spring plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NIHON TECHNICA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 9273742
    Abstract: Coil springs with a plurality of interconnected coils each being defined by a wire path that results in a coil cross section that, when viewed along the coil axis, has at least two differentiated spaces each confined by the wire. Assemblies using such coil springs are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Richard Dawson
  • Patent number: 9010740
    Abstract: Coil, tube, and other structures configured with a plurality of individual coils, internal structures, legs or extensions with each having multiple cants per coil, internal structure, leg or extension, and wherein the cants formed therein allow for a load-deflection force when each is compressed. In addition, any horizontal or moment forces are substantially reduced and/or eliminated when a downward vertical force is applied, as minimal or no torsion is created in the individual coils, legs or extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Veloce Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Mark L. Jaster
  • Patent number: 8876095
    Abstract: A coil spring has a spring wire that is wound in a coil shape and whose sectional outer basic shape is circular and flat faces are formed between coil inner and outer diameter sections of a sectional outer shape of the spring wire, wherein a flattening T/W of the sectional outer shape with the flat faces in the coil axis direction is set so that a stress ratio is equal to or lower than a stress ratio of a coil spring whose sectional outer shape is circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kato, Hirotaka Yamada, Jinetsu Kano, Takeshi Yabushita
  • Publication number: 20140259617
    Abstract: A coil spring for use in a cavity, such as in a groove of a pin, a housing, or both. The cavity can also be part of a seal assembly. The coil spring can have a longitudinal component positioned within the plurality of interconnected coils that runs along the spring coil axis in order to increase rigidity of the coil spring. The longitudinal component applies a load against the coil spring and/or provides restriction against the coil spring taking a shape or size different than that of the coil spring retaining groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Kompa, Farshid Dilmaghanian, Daniel Poon
  • Publication number: 20140219713
    Abstract: Coil springs with a plurality of interconnected coils each being defined by a wire path that results in a coil cross section that, when viewed along the coil axis, has at least two differentiated spaces each confined by the wire. Assemblies using such coil springs are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Richard Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140131932
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8695956
    Abstract: Bending deformation exceeding a yield stress is applied by winding a material on a mandrel. Coiling is performed simultaneously with the application of the bending deformation, and the load is removed after the coiling. This spring includes an outside surface region having a compressive residual stress and a compressive stress reduction region in which the compressive residual stress is reduced from the outside surface region toward the center of the material. A stress change portion at which a change from the compressive residual stress to a tensile residual stress occurs exists between the outside surface region and the center of the material. The spring further includes a tensile stress peak portion, tensile stress reduction region, and inside surface region. The inside surface region has the tensile compressive residual stress having an absolute value smaller than that of the outside surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Hamano, Hideki Okada, Kenji Yamamotoya
  • Patent number: 8641946
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing an extrudate product including a plurality of capillary channel. The apparatus comprises an extruder having an inlet, a die including an orifice having a predetermined outer shape and a plurality of needles each having a body including an internal conduit for fluid flow. Each needle further comprises an outlet from the internal conduit at an outlet end. The outlet end of each needle is arranged in a predetermined pattern substantially within the orifice of the die and the conduit of each needle is fluidly connected to a fluid source. In use extrudable material is fed into the extruder through the inlet. The extruder forces the extrudable material around the bodies of the needles towards the die and through the orifice in the die to produce an extrudate having substantially the predetermined outer shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm R. Mackley, Bart Hallmark
  • Patent number: 8561274
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 8490285
    Abstract: Compression springs, such as helical compression springs, include end portions with selectively contoured inner contact surfaces. The selective contours of the inner contact surfaces may take the form of planar, grooved, concave, or other shaped, non-circular surfaces. In addition, enough of the inner contact surface is contoured to reduce the contact stress and/or stress concentration effects on the adjacent coils when the compression spring is placed under load and the adjacent coil engages or contacts the respective end portion. The selective contouring of the end portions may be accomplished by holding the spring in a holder and moving a cutter relative to the end portion of the spring to remove the desired amount of material from the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renton Coil Spring Company
    Inventors: Andy Knebel, III, Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8460140
    Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity and an arm pivotally attached to the support housing. A spring is located in the spring cavity and is operatively connected to the arm and the support housing to bias the arm about a pivot axis toward an unloaded position relative to the support housing. A damping member includes a hub and deflectable, force-applying elements that are connected to and spaced apart about a periphery of the hub. The force-applying elements are biased toward a contact surface of the arm to apply a frictional force between the contact surface and the force-applying elements to impede rotation of the arm relative to the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Joslyn, James G. Quintus, Randy C. Foster
  • Patent number: 8398060
    Abstract: A dynamic vibration absorber for a vehicle suspension system includes a spring elastically supporting a vehicle body on a vehicle frame, the spring including multiple coils, an isolator secured to at least one of the coils, at least a portion of the isolator being elastically displaceable in response to movement of one of the coils, and a mass formed as unit with the isolator portion, and supported on the isolator for elastic movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kyle W. Stanforth, Steven M. Kline
  • Patent number: 8393602
    Abstract: A coil spring with irregular cross section according to the present invention is made by subjecting a coil wire having an irregular cross section to a fatigue-strength improving treatment including a shot peening treatment after coiling the coil wire into a spring configuration, and the coil spring with irregular cross section has a vertical cross sectional profile whose coil inner-peripheral-side section is expressed by following Equation (1) and Equation (2) in a polar coordinate system and orthogonal coordinate system: x=(LR??b)cosnxr ?+?b??(1) y=SR sinnyr ???(2) wherein ? is a deflection angle in said polar coordinate system; and 0°??<90°, 270°??<360°, 0.7?nxr?0.9, 0.8?nyr?1.0, and 0.1SR??b?0.3SR; in said Equation (1) and Equation (2). In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a coil spring with irregular cross section that exhibits more uniform and higher fatigue strength along a cross-sectional peripheral direction of the coil wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Isobe, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8375543
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 8336864
    Abstract: A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn Noh
  • Patent number: 8297662
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove having a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity having a circular radial canted coil spring disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end in sliding engagement with the bore and provided with a circumferential groove for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Publication number: 20120243817
    Abstract: A spring washer is disclosed for axially preloading anti-friction bearings. The spring washer can include an outer ring and an inner ring that is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer ring. An axis is defined by the two rings. Outer and inner rings are connected through several resilient connection rods. Resilient cantilevered rods can be provided which extend from one of the rings in between the connection rods and which have a free end at the opposite positioned ring. Thereby, the cantilevered rods can be axially bent up such that the free end has an axial offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Maxon Motor AG
    Inventor: Arnold TEIMEL
  • Patent number: 8229526
    Abstract: A portable device includes: a first housing; a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing, the second housing being slidable from one end of the predetermined slidable range to the other end thereof via the middle position thereof; a first and second spring members; a first and second arms; a connecting arm connecting the first spring member with the second spring member; wherein when the second housing is slid from the one end to the middle position, the first and second spring members generate a reaction force while the second spring member stays in the initial position, and when the second housing is slid from the middle position to the other end, the first and second spring members move along the sliding of the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Onda, Tomoyuki Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8152147
    Abstract: A torsion spring assembly includes a torsion spring body and a fixed base. The torsion spring body has a first coil part and a second coil part. The first coil part connects to the second coil part. The fixed base has a first fixed arm and a second fixed arm. The first coil part is wound around the first fixed arm and the second coil part is wound around the second fixed arm. The winding direction of the first coil part is perpendicular to the winding direction of the second coil part. A portable electronic device with the torsion spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 8137204
    Abstract: A torque limiter includes a driving bushing, a clutch spring wound around an outer circumference of the driving bushing, and a housing receiving a driving force via the clutch spring. The housing includes a first catch portion engaged with a first end portion of the clutch spring, and a second catch portion engaged with a second end portion of the clutch spring. The second catch portion is movable with respect to the first catch portion to change an angle between the first and second end portions of the clutch spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110263164
    Abstract: A stranded canted coil spring for electrical contact between adjoining elements is disclosed. The spring is formed from a stranded wire having coils that define a toroid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon M. Lenhert, Jay C. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20110198789
    Abstract: A spiral spring for a reclining adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat in which ridges are formed on both ends in a direction perpendicular to a coiling direction of a surface of a spring plate member formed by a band-like steel plate having high hardness so that the ridges project from the surface, projected surfaces of the ridges are curved, and the spring plate member is spirally formed into a coil. The spring plate member has a pitch coiled structure in which a gap between an intermediate spring plate member and an inner spring plate member is formed to be smaller than a gap between an outer spring plate member and the intermediate spring plate member. An engagement piece bent in the radial direction is formed at the end of the outer spring plate member, and an engagement coiled core section is formed in the inner spring plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: NIHON TECHNICA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 7959087
    Abstract: An auxiliary model railroad track connector for adjoining railroad track sections is provided. Each railroad track section including an array of ties and a pair of rails positioned in a spaced apart relationship on the array of ties. The auxiliary model railroad track connector includes a first end section and a second end section. The first and second end sections are coupled to opposing ties of the adjoining track sections. A resilient member is interposed between the first and second end sections. The resilient member has sufficient pulling force to hold and pull the adjoining track sections together. The auxiliary connector prevents longitudinal movement between the adjoining railroad tracks sections and maintains mechanical and electrical connections between the railroad track sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Tarr
  • Publication number: 20100253031
    Abstract: Suspension systems and methods of assembling suspension systems for weight-bearing structures are presented. The suspension system can have linearly translating load-bearing or load support members that confine displacement of a weight-bearing body or member to a longitudinal axis or displacement axis rather than a lateral axis or not coincident with the longitudinal axis, comprising a rail and bridge assembly. The linear bearing assembly can comprise a rail and a bridge slidably movable along the longitudinal axis of the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Longley, Brian R. Boule
  • Publication number: 20100224400
    Abstract: A cross-diametric compression spring includes a conductive ribbon formed into an overlapping helical coil wherein adjacent loops of the conductive ribbon overlap. The conductive ribbon has a width extending substantially parallel to length of the overlapping helical coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon M. Lenhert, Karthik Vaideeswaran, Donald M. Munro
  • Patent number: 7691017
    Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner comprising a piston slidably inserted in a piston bore of a housing having rack teeth on an outer circumference thereof, a piston spring biasing the piston in a protruding direction, a pawl member having teeth engageable with the rack teeth of the piston to permit protruding movement of the piston but to block reverse movement of the piston provided in a pawl hole of the housing, and a pawl spring in a pawl spring hole of a generally elliptical cross-section that biases the pawl member in an engaging direction of the teeth of the pawl member with the rack teeth of the piston. A long axis of the generally elliptical cross-sectional shape of the pawl spring is oriented toward an axial direction of the piston. Wire portions of the pawl spring substantially follow the long axis that contacts an upper surface of the pawl member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner Morse TEC Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Shin Seungpyo, Simon Barrette
  • Patent number: 7628344
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for an emissions-based EMD 710 locomotive dieselengine. The fuel injector assembly includes a needle slidably positioned within a bore of a valve body of the injector assembly, where fuel pressure introduced into a bore chamber causes the needle to open a spray tip. A spring mounted within the bore forces the needle to close the spray tip when the fuel is not being applied. The spring is a dead coil spring including inactive coils where at least portions of the coils at both ends of the spring are in intimate contact with each other so as to reduce spring wear during operation of the assembly. Because the dead coil spring has reduced wear, the VOP set point of the fuel injector assembly can be reduced, which reduces NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Budhadeb Mahakul, Brent J. Valesano, Gary L. Cowden, Mike Smith
  • Publication number: 20090212476
    Abstract: Compression springs, such as helical compression springs, include end portions with selectively contoured inner contact surfaces. The selective contours of the inner contact surfaces may take the form of planar, grooved, concave, or other shaped, non-circular surfaces. In addition, enough of the inner contact surface is contoured to reduce the contact stress and/or stress concentration effects on the adjacent coils when the compression spring is placed under load and the adjacent coil engages or contacts the respective end portion. The selective contouring of the end portions may be accomplished by holding the spring in a holder and moving a cutter relative to the end portion of the spring to remove the desired amount of material from the end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Renton Coil Spring Co.
    Inventors: Andy Knebel, III, Charles F. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20090174129
    Abstract: Provided is a high-strength stainless steel spring exhibiting a good workability and having a high load characteristic. Thus, the high-strength stainless steel spring of the invention has an chemical component containing 0.04 to 0.08% by mass of C, 0.15 to 0.22% by mass of N, 0.3 to 2.0% by mass of Si, 0.5 to 3.0% by mass of Mn, 16 to 20% by mass of Cr, 8.0 to 10.5% by mass of Ni, 0.5 to 3.0% by mass of Mo, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and when the average diameter of the coil is represented by D and further the diameter of the steel wire is represented by d in the case that cross sections of the stainless steel wire are in a complete round form or the value obtained by subtracting the average coil diameter from the outer diameter of the coil is represented by d? in the case that the cross sections of the stainless steel wire are in a form other than the complete round form, the spring has a spring index D/d or D/d? of 2 to 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicants: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO (SEI) STEEL WIRE CORP., NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromu Izumida, Nozomu Kawabe, Shinei Takamura, Teruyuki Murai, Noritoshi Takamura
  • Publication number: 20090127758
    Abstract: A toy rifle (air soft rifle, BB-rifle) backlash vibration structure is disclosed formed of a receiver extension, a weight, a reaction spring and a buttcap spacer The weight has a front extension inserted through the frame of the toy riffle and connected to the rear end of the piston spring at the rear side of the piston so that the component parts of the backlash vibration structure doe not touch the piston during movement of the piston. The buttcap spacer is detachably fastened to the rear side of the receiver extension and mounted with an adjustment screw rod that is rotatable relative to the buttcap spacer to adjust the level of the backlash vibration from zero to the maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Publication number: 20090108511
    Abstract: A variable force spring that includes an elongated, pre-stressed strip of retractable spring material that is formed into coils and having a variation in cross-sectional mass along the length. In one instance, the variation in cross-sectional mass along the length of the retractable spring is achieved by varying the width of the pre-stressed spring along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Donald B. Bivin, Marshall S. Kriesel, Joshua W. Kriesel, Alan D. Langerud
  • Patent number: 7416770
    Abstract: A reinforcement ring, includes an annular coil spring with a core unit arranged inside to prevent deforming or twisting of the ring under load. The core unit is formed from a chain of interlinked elements, each having a male part and a female part; the male parts of each element being engaged with corresponding female parts of an adjoining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Bronnteknologiutvikling AS
    Inventor: Espen Hiorth
  • Patent number: 7392977
    Abstract: A spring is disclosed having a selected number of total turns so that the directions of bending at ends of spring are different when the spring is contracted. In certain embodiments, the directions of bending for the ends are centered within a ±45° span and are located 225° from terminal ends of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shidehiko Miyashiro, Satoshi Oohashi
  • Publication number: 20080099969
    Abstract: A spring employed in a semi-automatic sliding device of a sliding-type portable communication terminal is provided. The spring includes a first spring including a first coil spring having a first end and a first other end connected to the first end by means of a first link spring and arranged at a center of the first coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time, a second spring including a second coil spring having a second end and a second other end connected to the second end by means of the first link spring and arranged at a center of the second coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time and a connector for integrally fixing the first and second coil springs to the connector. The spring assists in the opening and closing of the portable terminal, allows the portable terminal to be made thinner and is simple to manufacture based on having few parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-Su Kim, Jae-Gab Lee
  • Patent number: 7213802
    Abstract: In a coil spring of closed-end type, the coil spring is characterized in that a coupler is fixedly mounted between: an outer peripheral surface of a terminal convolution of a coil element rod; and, an outer peripheral surface of a subsequent convolution subsequent to the terminal convolution of the coil spring of closed-end type, whereby an amount of initial deflection is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Neturen Co., Ltd., Tokyo Hatsujyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Soga, Yoshiaki Arai, Keisuke Yokota, Yasuhiro Saito
  • Patent number: 7055812
    Abstract: A coil spring includes a plurality of primary wire coils and a plurality of secondary wire coils, the primary and secondary coils being contiguous and differentiated from one another by a dimensional size in order to provide variable force and variable deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 6883790
    Abstract: The invention comprises a vehicle strut assembly. A strut has a first seat mounted to the strut and a second seat mounted to a vehicle body. A spring is mounted between the first seat and the second seat and is disposed around the strut. The spring has a compressed state and an uncompressed state. In the compressed state, the spring has a middle portion that defines a spring centerline. In the uncompressed state, the spring has ends portions extending towards opposite sides of the spring centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Marlon V. Bottene, Joseph A. Fader, Steven J. Doyle, Jr., Monte G. Williams, Steven G. Saieg, George N. Lasic, Thomas R. King
  • Patent number: 6811149
    Abstract: Predetermined non-uniform residual compressive stress distributions are induced in the spring wire of metallic coil springs. The residual compressive stress tends to reduce deleterious effects of both fatigue and coil binding impacts on spring performance. Transverse cross-sections of coil spring wire reveal non-uniform distributions of residual compressive stress that exhibit substantial symmetry about various transverse axes, including axes connecting potential or actual opposing coil binding contact points on the spring wire surface. Residual compressive stress in coil spring wire of the present invention may also vary in a predetermined manner when measured longitudinally along the coil spring wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6776401
    Abstract: A helical compression spring for use in a component of a fuel injection system, for example a component in the form of a fuel injection valve, which helical compression spring has a spring wire cross section that corresponds to a rectangle in which the corners are rounded and the inner surface, which constitutes the inside of the helical compression spring, is curved in a sharply convex fashion. This cross sectional contour of the spring wire reduces the shearing stresses when the helical compression spring is loaded, as a result of which the helical compression spring can be embodied as shorter while retaining the same spring constant. The side surfaces of the spring wire, which are oriented toward each other in the helical compression spring, are embodied as at least approximately parallel to each other so that they rest against one another in a flat fashion at the ends of the helical compression spring due to the winding height that is reduced there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Krickau, Gerhard Auweder, Ralf Pfrommer