Abstract: A method of producing a spring which reduces time required for a heat treatment step of eliminating a machining strain generated by a forming step is provided. This production method is provided with a forming step (S10) of forming a spring steel material into a spring shape and a heat treatment step (S12) of eliminating a machining strain generated in the spring steel material by the forming step. The heat treatment step is executed by electrically heating the spring steel material by applying a current thereto. The heat treatment step has a first step of heating the spring steel material to a predetermined set temperature and a second step of keeping the spring steel material at the set temperature for a predetermined set time period subsequent to the first step. The set temperature is set to be higher than 430° C. but not higher than 500° C.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve an implantable medical pulse generator for administering electrotherapy via an implantable medical lead having a lead connector end on a proximal end of the lead. The pulse generator may include a can and a header coupled to the can. The header may include a lead connector end receiving receptacle for transmitting electrical pulses from the can to the lead through one or more electrical spring contacts in electrical communication with one or more terminals of the lead connector end. The one or more spring contacts may include a triangular shaped metal spring within a housing that forms an electrical contact with the lead connector end when the one or more terminals of the lead connector end is inserted into the header. Alternatively, the metal spring may take other shapes, such as, for example, circular, elliptical, or rectangular.

Abstract: A torque assembly includes a spindle, a cap mounted on the spindle for rotation about the spindle, and a work-hardened, plastic sleeve inserted between the cap and the spindle for constant rotation of the sleeve and cap with respect to the spindle. The torque assembly may be installed onto a hinged object and fixed object with movement along a single axis. The torque assembly may be formed by: (a) providing a spindle having a base and a rod extending from the base; (b) providing a cap member with an annular section defining an inner diameter; (c) providing an annular plastic sleeve having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; (d) work-hardening the sleeve for a predetermined time period; (e) changing the inner diameter of the sleeve; and (f) inserting the spindle rod through the inner diameter of the sleeve.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly includes an end member, a piston assembly and a flexible sleeve secured therebetween. An end closure secures an end of the flexible sleeve to the piston assembly. A connector fitting connects the end closure to a support post of the piston assembly. The connector fitting includes a fitting passage and a first annular groove. A jounce bumper assembly is supported on the connector fitting. The jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper body and a bumper mount. The bumper mount includes securement pin having a second annular groove. A retaining member is received within the first and second annular grooves such that the jounce bumper assembly can freely rotate relative to the connector fitting while substantially restricting axial displacement of the jounce bumper assembly relative to the piston assembly during such rotation.

Abstract: A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning device (15) for an endless transport belt (14), whereby the tensioning device (15) comprises two tensioning edges (16) around which the transport belt (14) is deflectable, and at least one spring section (26, 26?) integrally formed with the tensioning edges (16) and arranged between the two tensioning edges (16). This tensioning device (15) can be provided with a transport belt (14) and used in an automatic gripper system (1).

Abstract: Various structures, such as microstructures and wall-like structures, can include parts or surfaces that are oblique. In some implementations, a cantilevered element includes a spring-like portion with a uniformly oblique surface or with another artifact of an oblique radiation technique. In some implementations, when a deflecting force is applied, a spring-like portion can provide deflection and spring force within required ranges. Various oblique radiation techniques can be used, such as radiation of a layer through a prism, and structures having spring-like portions with oblique radiation artifacts can be used in various applications, such as with downward or upward deflecting forces.

Abstract: A spring for use in downhole tools delivers a high force over a long deflection in a relatively uniform fashion. The spring is a tubular shape that is preferably metallic and is preferably plastically deformed into an undulating walled tube either before assembly into a downhole tool or downhole after assembly to the downhole tool. Alternatively the shape can be machined. Spacer rings are used inside and outside the tube as it is compressed to obtain the desired corrugated wall pattern and to prevent localized buckling that can cause wall failure. The spring can conduct pressurized fluids and be rotationally locked to transmit torque and to facilitate milling out. Some machining internally and/or externally can assist in forming the desired corrugated wall shape.

Abstract: A wear band for a well drill pipe which is made up of a coil spring sized to fit at the joint of the well drill pipe or casing. The inner surface of the coil spring includes a textured coating such as a carbide. The outer surface includes a plurality of hydrodynamic dimples defined therein, and preferably both the outer surface and the inner surface are adapted to resist corrosion. The abrasive coating preferably consists essentially of 95% tungsten carbide and a binder of 5% cobalt and coats an amount of the inner surface in the range of 50% to 100%. The hydrodynamic dimples are generally tear drop in shape to act as miniature fluid pumps. As a result, the wear band can be mechanically attached to the drill pipe while eliminating the need for metallurgically-welded hardbands and therefore unaffecting the drill pipe properties and dimensions.

Abstract: A method to create a multi-zone microstructure spring includes releasing a buckling layer from a substrate, wherein the buckling layer displaces into a curved shape after the releasing. The buckling layer is displaced, relative to the substrate, through at least one of a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, wherein the buckling layer provides positive stiffness in the first zone, zero stiffness in a second zone, and negative stiffness in a third zone, and the buckling layer must pass through the first zone to reach the second zone and the buckling layer must pass through the second zone to reach the third zone. A multi-zone microstructure spring includes a substrate and a buckling layer. The buckling layer has a surface area. The buckling layer has a positive stiffness in a first zone, zero stiffness in a second zone, and a negative stiffness in a third zone.

Abstract: A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a method of detecting rotation are provided. The gyroscope includes a structure configured to be driven to move about a drive axis. The structure is further configured to move about a sense axis in response to a Coriolis force generated by rotation of the structure about a rotational axis while moving about the drive axis. The structure further includes at least one first torsional spring extending generally along the drive axis and at least one second torsional spring extending generally along the sense axis. The gyroscope further includes an optical sensor system configured to optically measure movement of the structure about the sense axis.

Abstract: An oscillator spring material comprising a mixture of a host material with an additive in proportions which permit the thermal evolution of the material's elastic modulus to be tuned, e.g. to correct or compensate for other thermal changes in an oscillator system. The additive comprises a crystalline material having an abnormal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The host material has a normal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The additive is mixed with the host material before the host material undergoes a phase transformation into its final form. The additive has a phase transformation temperature higher than the host material, so that additive remains in the same state while the host material phase transformation takes place.

Abstract: A clip retains eyeglasses to a cap. The clip includes an inner blade, outer blade, and bottom segment connected to the inner and outer blades. The bottom segment separates the inner blade from the outer blade forming a slot, and biases the inner blade towards the outer blade. An arm connected to the outer blade wedgingly retains a temple arm of eyeglasses. A display device is connected to the outer blade where visible to an observer, and provides promotional emblems, logo, picture, photo, colors, team symbol and the like. The display device may be removable and replaceable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece hairspring (21, 21?) including, a balance spring (25, 25?) coaxially mounted on a collet (27, 27?), made in the same layer of silicon-based material. According to the invention, the hairspring includes an elevation device (2, 2?) for the outer coil of the balance spring above the layer of silicon-based material so as to improve the concentric development of the hairspring. The invention also relates to a timepiece including a hairspring of this type and the method of manufacturing the same. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: A gas spring end member is dimensioned for securement along an associated suspension member having an associated planar surface and at least an associated first side surface. The gas spring end member can include a base wall disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis and a bracket wall that extends longitudinally-outwardly from the base wall. The bracket wall can be adapted for operative connection to the associated suspension member such that the gas spring end member can be supported thereon with the base wall disposed in longitudinally spaced-apart relation to the associated planar surface of the associated suspension member. A gas spring assembly including such an end member can be included. A suspension system and a method of installation including such a gas spring assembly can also be included.

Abstract: A fluid-filled type vibration damping device including a base component and a tubular mating component. The tubular mating component is externally fitted onto the base component by means of a diameter-constricting caulking with a sealing rubber clasped therebetween so as to constitute a mate-fastened portion. The tubular mating component extends axially outward beyond a sealed section of the mate-fastened portion so as to provide a caulking tube portion. A diametrical position of the tubular mating component at the sealed section is determined by contact of the caulking tube portion against an outside peripheral face of a positioning projection provided on the base component so as to define a diametrical positioning portion. The caulking tube portion is constricted in diameter and held in engagement with an axial edge portion of the positioning projection so as to form an axial positioning portion.

Abstract: A squeeze-openable device applied near the opening of a sleeve-like bag snaps back upon its release to close the bag and prevent the bag's contents from spilling. The device has opposing strips connected to one another at each end. Each strip has a structure that assists the strips in snapping back to its original position to close the bag. The device can be placed on the outside of the bag or within the bag's throat. The device can have a latch to secure one strip to the other.

Abstract: Various arrangements are disclosed based on springs formed from a plurality of individual resilient arms, including a spring having a substantially planar form in an unloaded state and rotational symmetry of at least order two about a symmetry axis perpendicular to the plane of the spring, said spring comprising: an inner hub and an outer hub, said inner hub being radially inward with respect to said outer hub; a plurality of resilient connecting arms each connected at an inner end to said inner hub and at an outer end to said outer hub, said plurality of resilient connecting arms being configured to provide a restoring force parallel to said symmetry axis when said inner and outer hubs are displaced relative to each other along said symmetry axis; wherein said inner hub, said outer hub and each of said plurality of resilient connecting arms are formed as physically separate elements and are connected to each other during assembly to form said spring.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an initial tension by changing a wound direction of a coil spring. A large and precise initial tension is provided to the coil spring. An actuator having an excellent function is prepared by using a shape memory alloy. Each shape of the coil spring at high and low temperatures can be controlled by a flexible shape memory effect.

Abstract: The anti-trip balance-spring for a timepiece escapement which has no stop member is intended to oscillate between two extreme positions, passing through a position of equilibrium. It includes a plurality of coils and further includes means for locking at least two consecutive coils when the amplitude of rotation from the position of equilibrium to at least one of the end positions, reaches a determined angle ?.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a filling material, characterised in that it consists at least in providing cylindrical foam springs (14) between two support layers (2,9) and in fixing them to the latter, for example by gluing the crosscut ends (15) to the support layers (2,9), after which the thus obtained double-coated layer (16) is cut, through the support layers (2,9), in two single-coated layers which each mainly consist of a single support layer (2, 9) with shorter foam springs (14) connected thereto.

Abstract: A ring spring for use in a roller bearing assembly includes one or more inner rings and an outer ring operatively connected to the inner rings. Axial compression of the inner rings displaces the outer ring radially to secure bearings in the roller bearing assembly.

Abstract: A sign assembly includes a base, a pair of spring members, and a panel. The spring members include a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of the spring member to the base. The spring members also include a generally straight rod that extends from a second end of the resilient portion. The panel defines a pair of openings at a lower edge configured to slidably receive the rod of the spring members. The amount by which the rod slides into the panel is configured to secure the panel in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a coil spring using a helicoid reduction mill, which can greatly decrease the weight of a coil spring at the time of manufacturing a coil spring requiring uniform strength, which can manufacture a coil spring in an environment-friendly manner, and which can manufacture spring coils having various material diameters using one coil spring material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hairspring for a timepiece hairspring-balance oscillator, which can be produced, in particular, from a low-density material such as silicon, diamond or quartz, and to a method of manufacturing such a hairspring. According to the invention, this hairspring comprises at least one leaf (2) the cross section of which has a thickness and a height and its characterizing feature is that the leaf (2) comprises a plurality of apertures (3) extending in the heightwise direction of the leaf and alternating with bridges (5). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a hairspring.

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.

Abstract: Method of fabricating a balance spring assembly in silicon including a hairspring made in a wafer of given crystalline orientation, in a plane. The volume of the assembly is broken down into sub-components, inscribed in parallelepiped prisms, in secant pairs, at the junction areas, perpendicular to each other, each made in a wafer selected for the thickness or crystalline orientation thereof. A terminal curve is made in an orthogonal plane to that of the hairspring joining it directly to a point in space, the projection of which into the plane is located external to the hairspring. The sub-components are assembled at the junction areas by assembling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overcoil balance spring (1) including a hairspring (3) formed in a single silicon part, coaxially with a collet (5), the balance spring including a silicon terminal curve (7) and a silicon elevation device (9) between the outer coil (15) of said hairspring and said terminal curve so as to form a Breguet® overcoil balance spring. According to the invention, the elevation device (9) has a cross-shaped mechanical fastener (17) including at least two opposite arms (12, 12?, 14, 14?), which cooperate with clamping means (23, 25) respectively secured to the terminal curve (7) and the outer coil (15) of said hairspring.

Abstract: The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring.

Abstract: A resonant inertial force generator for controlling vibrations of a structure includes a compliant spring comprising a stack of flexures and elastomeric shims in alternating arrangement, a driven inertial mass coupled to the compliant spring to generate a vibration controlling force.

Abstract: A compression spring assembly can include a compression spring core and a compression spring shell that can be assembled onto the compression spring core. The compression spring core can include a core body with an outer core wall. The compression spring shell can include a shell body having an inner shell wall. The compression spring shell can be supported on the compression spring core such that the inner shell wall extends along at least a portion of the outer core wall. A method of manufacturing a compression spring assembly is also included.

Abstract: A spring including a wire having an elasticity by which the wire is compressible by an external force to a first position at which first and second ends thereof of are separated by a first distance and when the force is removed or an electrical current applied, the wire is extensible in response to an internal spring force to a second position at which the wire is substantially straight. A spring assembly is disclosed including a plurality of inventive wires cross-coupled with a support structure consisting of a plurality of coaxial rings. In the assembly, the wires extend parallel to an axis through a center of the rings.

Abstract: A seal includes a polymeric jacket defining a seal surface and an inner cavity extending within the polymeric jacket along a length of the polymeric jacket. The seal further includes a spring extending within the inner cavity and including a plurality of laser cut spring elements. The seal can be disposed between a static component and a rotatable component.

Abstract: A power, motor, or clock spring featuring an integral retainer that prevents the spring from returning to its relaxed state. The integral retainer includes at least two of the coils of the spring being bonded together either through direct bond or via a welding material. The formation of an integral retainer in which the bonded coils of the spring itself acts as the retainer, creates a power spring that is easier and safer to handle and less expensive to create. The bond can be located only at the outermost point of the spring bonding the two outermost coils together adjacent an outer hook of the power spring.

Abstract: Interlocking clips are provided to assemble structures without the need for conventional fasteners. Structures such as fences, which may be assembled in situ, include the cooperating clips designed to provide a controlled amount of “play” between the pickets and rails of the fence to enable adjustment when racking the fences to accommodate sloping terrain. The clips are provided to interlock rails to cross members. The clips are preferably formed of a single sheet of a springy metallic material. The clips may be advantageously used to couple other types of apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously creating a pair of stacks of nested sinuous spring strips. This apparatus includes first and second generally circular forming drums onto which a feeder mechanism is operable to sequentially and alternately pass each of the spring strips from over a forming mandrel onto the top surface of the first and second generally circular forming drums. A first stripper mechanism is then operable to strip a first one of the strips onto a first stacking drum and for stripping a second following one of the strips onto a second stacking drum. A second stripper mechanism is then operable to strip those stacks from the stacking drums onto a pair of discharge chutes.

Abstract: A coil spring, a pogo pin having the coil spring, and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The method for manufacturing a coil spring includes i) preparing a metal strip 200 with a periodically repeated U- or S-shape pattern, and ii) bending the metal strip 200 at one or more inward bending points 210 and at one or more outward bending point 220, which are formed on the metal strip 200, in opposite directions, the inward bending point and the outward bending point being spaced apart from each other. The coil spring and the pogo pin may be manufactured to be small in size and low in manufacturing costs as compared with conventional ones. Further, the coil spring and the pogo pin may provide a sufficient maximum range of motion and spring force of a probe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a pocketed spring unit, the method comprising the steps of compressing and feeding a plurality of springs (42) into troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations in opposed conveyor belts (2, 4), moving said springs (42) from said troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations to a position between upper and lower layers of fabric or other material (16A, 18A), step-wise advancing said material (16A, 18A) and said springs (42) in the direction of the output of the apparatus and welding together said lengths of fabric or other material (16A, 18A) at each step-wise advancement by a plurality of sequentially controlled welding anvils (10) so as to form a plurality of discrete pockets (46) each containing a spring (42). Apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for pre-loading a shape memory alloy coil spring wound in a first direction after a shape-setting treatment, the method comprising inverting the coil spring by attaching one end of the coil spring to a core and unwinding it while winding it around the core in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heater having a heating element, an insulator and a spring is disclosed. The method includes forming a spring from an annealed superalloy material, heat treating the spring after forming, positioning the heating element in contact with the insulator, and biasedly engaging the spring with the insulator to maintain contact between the insulator and the heating element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interposer including a body and a plurality of probes connected to said body is disclosed. The method includes a step of manufacturing said body including the sub-steps of preparing a first substrate having one surface side and the other surface side and being capable of being processed by dry etching, forming a plurality of through holes in said first substrate by dry etching, and making said through holes into conductive holes capable of conducting electricity through a bottom-up fill process. The method also includes a step of manufacturing said plurality of probes and connecting the ends of said plurality of conductive holes on one surface side of said first substrate and a plurality of first probes on said second substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial bearing for absorbing high axial loads of a shaft, comprising a bearing ring which comprises a central bore for leading through the shaft and which rests on a fixed base; a plurality of spring elements which are made of an elastic material and are applied to the bearing ring; a load transfer device for transferring the load from the shaft to the spring elements. The invention is characterized by the following features: the spring elements are elastic bodies which can be joined onto each other and/or into each other in an interlocking way in the manner of a puzzle; the contours of the spring elements are arranged in such a way that at least from a certain loading state no gap remains between mutually adjacent spring elements.

Abstract: Disc springs that are resistant to premature failure caused by friction wear, disc spring assemblies and disc spring stacks comprising said disc springs, and methods of making and using said assemblies and stacks are disclosed.

Abstract: A metal strip 10 is bent to form a ring and end parts 12 and 14 are connected to each other. An electron beam 26 may be defocused and emitted to a welded section 20 along a crosswise direction of the metal strip 10. Next, a focal point 28 of the electron beam 26 may be focused onto a weld-melted portion 25 to execute electron beam welding. Subsequently, the electron beam 26 may be defocused emitted to the welded section 20 along the crosswise direction of the metal strip 10, and the welded section 20 may be further cooled. The average of the dendrite secondary arm spacing of the weld-melted portion may fall within a range of 7 to 30 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1) of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece including the following steps: a) forming (11) a body using first and second metallic materials secured to each other; b) decreasing (15) the section of the body; c) winding (21) the body to form said spring. The invention also relates to the spring obtained via the method. The invention concerns the field of regulating members for timepieces.

Abstract: A spring suitable for use in an acidizing wellbore is disclosed. The spring includes a spring member comprising an Ni-base or a Co-base alloy, the spring member having an outer surface. The spring also includes an acidizing fluid resistant coating layer disposed on the outer surface of the spring member. A method of making a spring suitable for use in an acidizing wellbore environment is also disclosed. The method includes forming a spring member comprising an Ni-base or a Co-base alloy, the spring member having an outer surface. The method also includes disposing an acidizing fluid resistant coating layer on the outer surface of the spring member. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring may include a torsion spring used in a flapper valve.

Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer includes a center assembly having a plurality of bow springs and a pair of generally tubular moving collars secured one to each end of each bow spring, the center assembly formed intermediate a pair of generally tubular stop collars. Each moving collar/stop collar combination forms an interlocking and axially extendable collar. The centralizer is formed from a single tube. The tube is cut using a laser according to a cut pattern that creates interlocked stop collar/moving collar combinations that are rotatably locked but axially movable one relative to the other. Each of the interlocked stop collars and moving collars includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced heads, each head integrally formed on one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced extensions protruding from the stop collar or moving collar. The heads may have a variety of projected shapes, such as a rectangular, arrow or a teardrop shaped.

Abstract: A fluid-filled type active vibration damping device including a vibration damping device main unit, an oscillation member, and an actuator. The actuator is constituted by an electromagnetic actuator having a stator that includes a coil fixed to a second mounting member while having a movable member linearly displaceable relative to the stator when the coil is energized. A shaft member is provided for connecting the movable member and the oscillation member with each other. A connecting portion is provided for attaching the shaft member to the movable member while permitting the shaft member to tilt as well as to undergo displacement in an axis-perpendicular direction with respect to the movable member. A displacement preventing portion is provided for fastening the movable member and the shaft member to each other by preventing tilt as well as displacement in the axis-perpendicular direction due to the connecting portion.