Bendable Along Flat Surface (e.g., Leaf Spring) Patents (Class 267/158)
  • Publication number: 20130021784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceiling-mounted light fixture configured to be embedded in the ceiling. The ceiling-mounted light fixture comprises: a cylindrical light fixture body having a screw thread formed on the lower end of the outer surface thereof; a light source unit which is accommodated inside the light fixture body and which has a light-emitting element; and a ring-shaped cap which has a screw thread formed on the inner surface thereof to be coupled to the screw thread of the light fixture body. According to the present invention, a ceiling-mounted light fixture is provided, wherein the diameter of the cylinder of the light fixture is increased to achieve improved light distribution efficiency and enable easy assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: EFIDEA
    Inventors: Chul-Ho Jang, Sung-Han Kim
  • Publication number: 20130001845
    Abstract: A leaf spring made of a fiber composite material having integrated bearing holes and a method for producing is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of cutting prepreg strips of a predetermined length from a prepreg strand, removing cut-outs from the particular prepreg strip in the axial ends where a bearing hole should be formed, laying a plurality of prepreg strips one over the other in a prepreg stack in alternation so that the surfaces of the prepreg strips are flush to form a raw leaf spring forming a bearing hole by deforming an axial end of the prepreg stack in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (L) and perpendicular to the transverse extension (B) of the prepreg stack, setting the raw sheet spring to form the finished leaf spring in a mold with a suitable setting pressure and a suitable setting temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Matthias Voigt, Maik Schreier, Heiko Kempe, Dirk Neyer
  • Publication number: 20120318574
    Abstract: A complex wave spring, or Beer Spring™, for electrically coupling opposed electrical contact surfaces or generating a relatively constant force. The spring includes a first wave portion shaped to define a first upward undulation and a first downward undulation, and a second wave portion fixedly arranged relative to the first wave portion. The second wave portion is shaped to define a second upward undulation proximate to the first downward undulation, and a second downward undulation proximate to the first upward undulation. The spring may be formed of electrically conductive material suitable for electrically coupling electrical contact surfaces when the spring is in contact between the surfaces. The complex spring provides unusually constant spring forces over a relatively wide range of compression distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT C. BEER, MARK A. EBENHART
  • Patent number: 8328169
    Abstract: The present application provides a high strength spring steel and a high strength spring that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in terms of percent by mass, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr and at least one element selected from 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being at least substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Kuno, Tomohiro Nakano, Takayuki Sakakibara, Masami Wakita, Shingo Mimura
  • Publication number: 20120308368
    Abstract: A biasing means is provided for securing a plurality of sealing components which are arranged to seal gaps between adjacent structural components in a turbine, the biasing means having three foot regions joined in a substantially linear fashion by two resilient curved arms, wherein each arm has securing means for securing the biasing means to one of said structural components such that when the biasing means is secured to said one of said structural components, each of said foot regions contacts one of said sealing components and the curved arms urge the sealing components towards one of said structural components so that the sealing components collectively create a seal over the gap between said structural components. An apparatus for sealing gaps between adjacent structural components which includes the biasing means is also provided as is a method of sealing gaps in a turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Caner H. HELVACI
  • Publication number: 20120256361
    Abstract: Disclosed is steel for a leaf spring with high fatigue strength containing, in mass percentage, C: 0.40 to 0.54%, Si: 0.40 to 0.90%, Mn: 0.40 to 1.20%, Cr: 0.70 to 1.50%, Ti: 0.070 to 0.150%, B: 0.0005 to 0.0050%, N: 0.0100% or less, and a remainder composed of Fe and impurity elements. Also disclosed is a high fatigue-strength leaf spring part obtained by forming the steel. The steel for a leaf spring is prepared to have a Ti content and a N content to satisfy a relation of Ti/N?10. Preferably, the leaf spring part is subjected to a shot peening treatment in a temperature range of the room temperature through 400° C. with a bending stress of 650 to 1900 MPa being applied to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Kiyoshi Kurimoto, Akira Tange, Yurika Goto, Mamoru Akeda
  • Publication number: 20120211931
    Abstract: A composite leaf spring having a central section with opposed ends, and optionally end sections connected thereto, and including a fiber reinforced body composed of a fiber reinforcement embedded within a cured resin. The fiber reinforcement is formed from layers of a web having strands extending longitudinally in the direction of the length of the leaf spring and further having a plurality of transverse elements extending transversely relative to that length. The fiber reinforcement is impregnated with the resin upon molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Rupert S. Fane De Salis
  • Publication number: 20120188194
    Abstract: A spring component used in an electronic device provides a preload force used to urge a touch input component against a force transducer. The spring also provides an electrostatic grounding between the touch input component and other components of the electronic device. The use of the spring in an electronic device achieves both grounding and preloading and provides improvements in touch sensitive electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Firmansyah Kuncoko Sulem, James Carl Infanti
  • Publication number: 20120182672
    Abstract: An elastic module for a portable electronic device includes at least one elastic element. The at least one elastic element is an integral type element forming a plurality of linear springs and including two connecting ends. The springs are substantially arranged on a plane and are converged with the connecting ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHAO DUAN, CHIA-HUA CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120128490
    Abstract: A prestressing device extending about an axis between a first plane and a second plane, the first plane being located at a predetermined distance from the second plane, each plane being perpendicular to the axis. The device includes at least three deformation areas. The deformation areas extend in the first plane. The device further includes, between each deformation area, a planar contact surface extending in the second plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Boston, Michel André Bouru, Laurent Jablonski, Philippe Gérard, Edmond Joly
  • Publication number: 20120113522
    Abstract: A monolithic frame for optics used in interferometers where the material of the monolithic frame may have a substantially different coefficient of thermal expansion from the beamsplitter and compensator without warping, bending or distorting the optics. This is accomplished through providing a securing apparatus holding the optics in place while isolating the expansion thereof from the expansion of the frame. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring a single material or materials of essentially identical coefficients of thermal expansion. The present invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FTRX LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Jacobson, Zvi Bleier
  • Publication number: 20120106943
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a lens case on which a lens is installed; a columnar member having a central axis coincidental with a rotational axis of the lens case and formed on a lateral surface of the lens case, the rotational axis extending in a tilt direction being an in-plane direction perpendicular to a horizontal direction; a base supporting the lens case so as to be turnable in the tilt direction; and a plate spring secured to the base and pressing a circumferential surface of the columnar member toward the base by elastic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Takanori MUKAI
  • Publication number: 20120105817
    Abstract: A leaf spring to be mounted between two objects, the leaf spring configured to have a high stiffness in two orthogonal directions, and a relative low stiffness in other degrees of freedom, wherein the leaf spring has a substantially panel-shaped body, the leaf spring including a first mounting location at or near the center of the panel-shaped body to mount the leaf spring to a first of the two objects, wherein the leaf spring includes one or more second mounting locations at or near the circumference of the panel-shaped body to mount the leaf spring to the second of the two objects, and elongate grooves and/or slits in the panel shaped body between the first mounting location and the second mounting location, the grooves and/or slits running in at least two non-orthogonal directions in the plane of the two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Christiaan Alexander HOOGENDAM, Martinus Agnes Willem Cuijpers, Bart Friso Riedstra, Ronald Cornelis Gerardus Gijzen, Maikel Cornelis Andreas Bruin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120060604
    Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Udo-Martin Gomez, Kersten Kehr
  • Publication number: 20120056363
    Abstract: A leaf spring formed of sheet elastic material comprises a plurality of at least three elastic structures connecting a central and peripheral portions of the leaf spring to one another, wherein each elastic structure is substantially identically shaped, and is azimuthally equiangularly spaced and equiradially located around and relative to a center of the central portion of the leaf spring. Each elastic structure incorporates at least one pair of serpentine profiles, wherein each serpentine profile of the pair defines a corresponding edge of a common portion of the sheet elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Greg Alan RITTER, Dominique Claire FOURGUETTE, Liane Marie LAROCQUE
  • Patent number: 8104290
    Abstract: The present invention are directed towards a system and method for providing a way of reducing the vibrations and wear between mating components of a gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor includes a flow sleeve having a plurality of liner stops and a combustion liner located radially within the flow sleeve. Spring dampers are positioned between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve to restrict the relative movement between the flow sleeve and the combustion liner and dampen vibrations at their assembly location. The spring dampers are capable of compressing to permit thermal growth between the combustion liner and flow sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, Carlos Calderon
  • Patent number: 8080321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rust-preventive metallic component part in which a steel wire to which wire-drawing processing is performed is adapted into a substrate and which comprises a rust-preventive coating film being free from chromium on a surface of the substrate, and to a manufacturing method for the same; and its object is to provide a rust-preventive metallic component part whose rust-preventive coating film exhibits such good adhesiveness to substrate that it is not come off by elastic deformations in service, by sliding contacts at the time of transportation, and the like, and to provide a manufacturing method for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20110273778
    Abstract: A monolithic frame for optics used in interferometers where the material of the monolithic frame may have a substantially different coefficient of thermal expansion from the beamsplitter and compensator without warping, bending or distorting the optics. This is accomplished through providing a securing apparatus holding the optics in place while isolating the expansion thereof from the expansion of the frame. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring a single material or materials of essentially identical coefficients of thermal expansion. The present invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: FTRX LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Jacobson, Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 8007602
    Abstract: Spring element, in particular spring rail for wipers, in particular of motor vehicles, with a low tendency to vibrate or a high attenuation, made from a ferritic chromium steel comprising 0.03 to 0.12% of carbon, 0.2 to 0.9% of silicon, 0.3 to 1% of manganese, 13 to 20% of chromium, 0.1 to 2.0% of molybdenum, 0.05 to 1.0% of copper, 0.02 to 0.05% of nitrogen, less than 0.01% of titanium, 0.01 to 0.10% of niobium and 0.02 to 0.25% of vanadium, remainder iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stahlwerk Ergste Westig GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Pacher, Gisbert Kloss-Ulitzka, Victor Castro
  • Publication number: 20110205646
    Abstract: A leaf spring supports a pillar shaped movable portion disposed in a center portion with respect to a cylindrical fixed portion disposed around the movable portion in the direction of a center axis shiftably so as to position the movable portion in a radial direction. The leaf spring is made of a material having Vickers hardness which is not less than 500 (HV).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Keiichi SATO, Takashi Uemura, Tomohiko Osaka
  • Publication number: 20110205647
    Abstract: A leaf spring supports a pillar shaped movable portion disposed in a center portion with respect to a cylindrical fixed portion disposed around the movable portion in the direction of a center axis shiftably so as to position the movable portion in a radial direction. The leaf spring is made of stainless steel having relative magnetic permeability which is not less than 1.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko OSAKA, Keiichi Sato, Takashi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20110169348
    Abstract: A flat spring for a voice coil motor includes an curved internal flat spring, an outer flat spring placed outward the internal flat spring, a first connection body folded at least twice and interposed between the internal flat spring and the outer flat spring, a second connection body placed between the internal flat spring and the outer flat spring in parallel with the first connection body and having an identical shape with the first connection body, and a connection flat spring including a connecting part connecting adjacent ends of the first and the second connection body, where an end of the first connection body which has no connection with the connecting part is connected to the internal flat spring, and an end of the second connection body which has no connection with the connecting part is connected to the outer flat spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: SANGOK PARK
  • Publication number: 20110133377
    Abstract: The invention relates to mechanical engineering, in particular to spring elements for compliant foil hydrodynamic bearings used in small-size high speed machines. The inventive spring is cut out from a single sheet and comprises a plurality of elementary arc-shaped springs (2, 3). Said springs (2, 3) are arranged in series. The long springs 2 have an equal length between the supporting edges. The short springs 3 also have an equal length. The elementary springs (2, 3) are interconnected by means of narrow elements (8). The difference in the length of the springs (2, 3) makes it possible to achieve variable bearings stiffness. The variable width of the springs (2) and/or the variable width of the springs (3) makes it possible to achieve variable plate springs stiffness in the direction of the elementary springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Yury Ivanovich Ermilov
  • Patent number: 7922129
    Abstract: A fitting for a cable trough system, the fitting including a bottom wall and side walls extending from at least a first terminal end to a second terminal end and forming a trough therebetween, the side walls being curved in a longitudinal direction, and an end portion formed at each of the first and second terminal ends, the end portion including first and second guiding surfaces defining a space therebetween, and a spring member positioned in the space. The space is sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member of the cable trough system, and wherein the spring member is positioned to engage the terminal end of the trough member to couple the trough member to the fitting. Other cable routing devices can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Rapp, Thomas C. Tinucci, Derek Sayres, Thomas L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7916825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel rod of a nuclear fuel assembly having a vase-like compression spring adapted to increase the internal volume thereof wherein when the vase-like compression spring is inserted into a cladding tube, it has a relatively smaller volume occupied inside the fuel rod when compared with the existing coil type compression spring, such that the vase-like compression spring can ensure a sufficient space portion receiving the fission gases generated during the operation of the fuel rod, thereby increasing the burn-up performance of the fuel rod and the mechanical integrity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kepco Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-ho Lee, Yoon-ho Kim, Kyou-seok Lee, Kyu-Tae Kim, Jung-min Suh, Nam-Gyu Park, Kyong-bo Eom, Joon-kyoo Park, Jin-sun Kim
  • Publication number: 20110043055
    Abstract: A plate spring includes holding section, first attached section, second attached section, first spring section connected between the holding section and the second attached section, and a second spring section connected between the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion. The holding section has a first edge, second edge opposite to the first edge, and a third edge. The first attached section is positioned adjacent to an intersection of the third edge and the second edge. The second attached section is positioned adjacent to an intersection of the third edge and the first edge. The first spring section has a wavy configuration and extends from an end of the first edge to the second attached section. The second spring section also has a wavy configuration and extends from an end of the second to the first attached section. The present disclosure also provides a voice coil motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHUN-FAN CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20100320659
    Abstract: A plate spring includes an internal surrounding portion, an external surrounding portion, and a plurality of suspending arms. The external surrounding portion surrounds the internal surrounding portion and is spaced apart from the internal surrounding portion. The suspending arms interconnect the internal surrounding portion and the external surrounding portion. Each of the suspending arms includes a first connecting segment, a second connecting segment, and a working segment. The first connecting segment is connected to the external surrounding portion and extends inwardly. The second connecting segment is connected to the internal surrounding portion and extends outwardly. The working segment interconnects the first and second connecting segments and is formed with a plurality of hole portions which are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Ying-Jui Chen, Yu-Chun Huang
  • Publication number: 20100295639
    Abstract: A structure of a spring has a supporting member, an actuating member that is rotatably supported to the supporting member by a first supporting axis at a portion near a center, and a plurality of interlocking members that are each provided on both sides of the first supporting axis, that are rotatably supported to the supporting member by a second supporting axis, and that are rotatably coupled to the actuating member. Each point of action of the interlocking members is defined at a portion that is closer to the first supporting axis than to the coupled portion of the second supporting axis and the actuating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawabata, Yusuke Yamaji, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Tomomi Serikawa, Tatsuo Shinoura
  • Publication number: 20100275839
    Abstract: Lens holders are disclosed that clasp the lens using rubberized paddles to reduce scratching and which include legs that are shaped to enable visual inspection of a lens without removal of the lens from the lens holder. One embodiment includes a lens holder body including a clip and a leg, and a spring fixed to the lens holder body. In addition, the leg includes a ledge, the spring includes two flexible arms terminating in paddles, the paddles are configured to clasp a lens resting on the ledge, at least the portion of each of the paddles that contact a lens clasped by the paddles is constructed from a resilient non-abrasive material, and the leg is formed so that a lens clasped by the springs and resting on the leg can be visually inspected without removing the lens from the lens holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: I-Coat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Velasquez, Hamlet Joe Avetisian, SR., Joey Dee Ochoa, Timothy George Stephan, Arman Bernardi
  • Publication number: 20100194008
    Abstract: A micromechanical spring including at least two bar sections which, in the undeflected state of the spring, are oriented substantially parallel to one another or are at an angle of less than 45° with respect to one another, and one or more connecting sections which connect the bar sections to one another, wherein the bar sections can be displaced relative to one another in their longitudinal direction, and wherein the spring has, in the direction of its bar sections, a substantially adjustable, in particular linear force-deflecting behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Stefan Günthner
  • Publication number: 20100140858
    Abstract: A method of forming spring structures using a single lithographic operation is described. In particular, a single lithographic operation both defines the spring area and also defines what areas of the spring will be uplifted. By eliminating a second lithographic operation to define a spring release area, processing costs for spring fabrication can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Hantschel, David K. Fork
  • Patent number: 7717410
    Abstract: The invention solves the problem of designing and manufacturing springs made of elastic materials, particularly steel springs, with prescribed characteristic (dependence of flex on external load) given by a smooth (i.e. differentiable) non-linear function. The method according to the invention consists in forming an elastic body with suitably shaped regions of diversified stiffness and (possibly) diversified initial internal stresses (this suitable shape of the regions lies at the hart of the invention and is covered by separate patent claims).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Wieslaw Julian Oledzki
  • Patent number: 7699296
    Abstract: A micromachined actuator including a body or platform mounted to a suspension system anchored to a substrate. In one embodiment, the suspension system is comprised of a set of one or more spring flexures connecting the actuator body to the substrate with strain relief provided via connecting torsional elements. In another embodiment, the suspension system includes a first set of one or more spring flexures each with one end anchored to a largely rigid intermediate frame and the other end attached to the body. A second set of one or more flexures is attached between the intermediate frame and the substrate. A third actuator embodiment maximizes force electrode area to minimize voltage required for electrostatic actuation. A fourth embodiment provides electrical interconnect to an actuator or an actuator array using polysilicon with silicon nitride isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Iris AO, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford F. Knollenberg, Michael Albert Helmbrecht
  • Publication number: 20100065252
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a connecting arrangement for an optical device, such as in microlithography. The connecting arrangement includes a first body, a second body and a connecting device. The first body contacts the second body in a laminar manner in a contact region. The connecting device is connected to the second body and contacts the first body via at least one contact unit. The connecting device is configured to generate a predefinable contact force in the contact region between the first body and the second body. The contact unit includes a plurality of separate contact elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Heiko Methe, Willi Heintel, Sascha Licht
  • Patent number: 7651071
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that includes a flowbody, a valve element movably disposed within the flowbody, and a flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism. The flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism includes a wiper seal carried by one of the flowbody and the valve element and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The wiper seal includes a wave contour defining at least one seal wave. A flat beam spring is disposed in alignment with the at least one seal wave and configured to move the wiper seal toward the extended position when a force is exerted upon it by the at least one seal wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Tanner, Albert Kang, Dave Tornquist, David P. Gentile
  • Patent number: 7647733
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a building and a reinforcing member used for the structure, where the structure has excellent anti-vibration characteristics and quake resistance. The reinforcing structure and member for a building are capable of reducing the deformation of structural members of the building caused by vibration and removing the deformation so that the original form is restored. A reinforcing member (1) is provided and fixed at a corner portion where structural members (11, 12) of a building intersect. The reinforcing member (1) is formed such that a first spring member (third leaf 33) and a second spring member (layered leaf (5)) are combined, and a damper (4) and a synthetic resin foam body (2a) are arranged in a space between the first and second spring members. A synthetic resin foam body (2b) is filled in a space surrounded by the structural members (11, 12) and the reinforcing member (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nakamura Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuzo Nakamura, Kiyotaka Nanama, Takaaki Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20090152782
    Abstract: A spring-return-to-null assembly, which may be used with various types of hand controllers or other human-machine interfaces, includes a cantilever spring and a pivot assembly. The cantilever spring is adapted to be coupled to a shaft and is configured to supply a torque thereto. The pivot assembly engages the cantilever spring and is configurable to exhibit either equal or dual spring rates, depending on the direction in which the torque is supplied to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Larson, Joseph M. Walling
  • Publication number: 20090089935
    Abstract: A inflatable product for an inflatable body includes a casing with an airway adapted to communicate with an interior of the inflatable body, a resilient element movably positioned inside the casing to define with the casing a space therebetween, an on/off switch adapted to connect to an air pump, a driving element movably positioned inside the casing to be in response to the movement of the resilient element so as to selectively activate the on/off switch to activate the air pump and a recoil element positioned around the driving element and a distal end of which is abutted against the resilient element, wherein the spring is compressed/decompressed when the resilient element moves in response to pressure inside the inflatable body so that activation/deactivation of the on/off switch is controlled via the movement of the resilient element as well as the compression of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090025465
    Abstract: A miniaturized spring element is intended to be particularly suitable for use as a beam probe or cantilever for detecting atomic or molecular forces, in particular in an atomic force microscope, and, to this end, is intended to make it possible to detect its deflection in a particularly reliable manner and with high resolution. For this purpose, the spring element contains a basic body which is formed from a matrix containing embedded nanoparticles or defects. The spring element is produced using the principle of local deposition with focused energetic particles or electromagnetic waves or by pyrolytically induced deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicants: NANOSCALE SYSTEMS, NANOSS GMBH, JOHAN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITäT
    Inventors: Alexander Kaya, Michael Huth
  • Publication number: 20080282697
    Abstract: A tandem master cylinder (1) with central valves has ball-shaped valve members (25, 40) with leaf springs (26, 41) serving as valve springs. The ball-shaped valve members (25, 40) can be manufactured of a plastic material, coated with an elastomer. The size of the balls is preferably adjusted to the size of the pistons (4, 5) to allow a maximum flow while ensuring at the same time that the piston walls retain a thickness. The leaf springs (26, 41) have a bowl-shaped body (61), which is shaped like a partial sphere. To avoid an entrapment of brake fluid or a vacuum between the balls (25, 40) and the leaf springs (26, 41), respectively, a central hole (62) has been provided in the bowl-shaped body (61). The leaf springs (26, 41) are equipped with a plurality of tongue-shaped extremities (63) extending radially outward with end portions (64) bent toward the axial side on which the valve members (25, 40) are located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Milan Klimes
  • Patent number: 7445193
    Abstract: A valve seat section is formed on a valve body having first and second ports. A plate-like movable iron core is provided so that the movable iron core is capable of being seated on the valve seat section. Springs, which press the movable iron core toward the valve seat section, are provided between the movable iron core and a solenoid section. When the movable iron core is seated on the valve seat section, the movable iron core is pressed toward the valve seat section by the resilient forces of the springs in addition to the pressing force of the pressure fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Noriya Sasaki, Masato Hosoi
  • Publication number: 20080258366
    Abstract: A spring apparatus comprises a substantially linear first segment and a substantially linear center segment, rotatably connected to the first segment by a first bend. A substantially linear second segment is rotatably connected to the center segment by a second bend and has a terminal end spaced apart from the second bend. The terminal end contacts the first segment in a slidable manner as at least one of the second segment and the center segment rotates relative to the first segment to release stored energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: ERICK TUTTLE
  • Patent number: 7410276
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing a trim frame to a housing member in a recessed lighting fixture. The apparatus includes a spring associated with the trim frame having a top edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a bottom edge, a left portion, a right portion, and a center portion between the left portion and the right portion. The left portion is connected to the center portion along a first bend, and the right portion is connected to the center portion along a second bend. The left portion includes a first lead-in portion formed by a third bend and a first retention portion formed by a fourth bend, and the right portion includes a second lead-in portion formed by a fifth bend and a second retention portion formed by a sixth bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Juno Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Fryzek, Aaron O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7404344
    Abstract: A ratchet device for an electrical component that can be adjusted by rotation, such as a rotary switch or a rotary potentiometer, is provided. The ratchet device includes a leaf spring, resting against a ratchet contour by means of spring pressure, whereby the ratchet contour is applied on an outer side of a symmetrical ratchet disc. The leaf spring substantially encloses the ratchet disc, rests diametrically on the ratchet disc, and the ends of the leaf spring have an essentially radial embodiment, the leaf spring being otherwise free to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Preh GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Erdloff
  • Publication number: 20080128968
    Abstract: A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes at least one spring end with a curved recess. A bushing assembly is attached to the curved recess. The bushing assembly includes a mounting component and a bushing that is attached to the mounting component such that the leaf spring can be pivotally attached to a vehicle frame. The mounting component is formed around an outer periphery of the curved recess to secure the mounting component to the leaf spring such that the bushing is received within the curved recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: David K. Platner, Arnett R. Weber, Rajesh J. Somnay, Holly Ann Giangrande, Tomaz Dopico Varela, Brian J. Knouff, Benjamin R. Reineck, Norman D. Austin, John E. Mutzner
  • Publication number: 20080079207
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a rotary based hand control that provides hysteresis to an operator. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Williams Controils Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Pilon, John Herrick, Tom Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7299960
    Abstract: A miniature spring-actuated stapler includes a tapered, flat power spring to store energy and eject staples. The power spring pivots at a rear of the stapler housing and includes three co-extensive arms terminating near the striker. As the L-shaped handle of the stapler is pressed, it acts on the center arm of the power spring to deflect it downward while the outer arms deflect upward. The arms are integral at a rear end and the outer arms are linked to the striker at the front. A tapered, flat reset spring disposed generally parallel to the power spring is used to reset the internal action. The housing includes open top and rear areas with the handle providing the enclosure thereof. A base assembly is slidably attached at a bottom of the stapler with an open position exposing a staple-loading chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20070267790
    Abstract: A leaf spring assembly for a golf car includes a homogenous spring body having a rolled first end, a curving portion extending away from the rolled first end, a flat portion defining a second end, and a bend portion connecting the curving portion to the flat portion. A pin inserted through the rolled first end rotatably connects the rolled first end to a frame member of the golf car. A U-shaped bracket also connected to the frame member slidably supports the flat portion within the bracket permitting vertical deflections of the leaf spring body to be converted to fore-aft deflections of the flat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Furman, Michael J. Hebert, Mark J. Holloway
  • Patent number: 7284308
    Abstract: Leaf springs have improved durability in spite of using inexpensive spring steel such as SUP9 and SUP11 as materials. While a spring main body, made of the spring steel in which Brinell hardness is under 555 HBW and not less than 388 HBW (corresponding to a diameter of under 2.70 mm of hardness and not less than 3.10mm of hardness on a Brinell ball mark), is maintained at 150 to 400° C., the load is applied in the direction in which the spring main body is to be used, and the first shotpeening is performed at the plane where the tensile stress acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Akeda, Junichi Yano, Isamu Okuyama, Akira Tange