Coil Patents (Class 267/166)
  • 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: 20110303818
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable lift strut includes a support tube, a guide rod fixedly attached at the support tube, an extension tube that is extendable and retractable relative to the support tube and guide rod, and a biasing element that biases or urges the extension tube towards an extended position relative to the support tube. The biasing element may be a compression spring having a coiled wire formed of a shape memory alloy material. The biasing element provides a substantially constant biasing force over substantially the entire range of extension and retraction of the extension tube relative to the support tube. A locking mechanism may be disposed in the extension tube and may be selectively actuatable to lock relative to the guide rod to limit movement of the extension tube relative to the support tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GRAND RAPIDS CONTROLS CO., LLC
    Inventors: James W. Bach, Mark G. Tomandl
  • Publication number: 20110291338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dual-spring assembly that may be employed in cooperation with a damper unit to form a shock absorber. The spring rate of at least one of the springs is adjustable with a preload mechanism, which in turn is movable relative to the damper unit. Further, the dual-spring assembly includes two compression springs arranged in series and each having selected, but different spring rates. The first spring primarily absorbs the energy of applied loads that are below a first amplitude or threshold of applied load. Once the applied loads exceed the first amplitude of applied load, the dual-spring assembly operates with an effective spring rate to absorb the energy of applied loads that exceed the first amplitude of applied load. After a second spring of the dual-spring assembly achieves a desired amount of deflection, the first spring continues to absorb energy from the applied loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8061696
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing spring for vehicles has a deformed egg-shaped cross section different from a conventional round cross section. In comparison to the conventional spring under a same length, the invention has a lighter weight and a longer spring travel. Moreover, stress can be uniformly distributed toward two sides of the cross section of the invention so that the invention can bear more stress and lengthen its service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Yang Min Enterprise Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Liang Liu
  • Publication number: 20110268376
    Abstract: A sliding apparatus includes a first sliding member and a second sliding member slidably relative to the first sliding member. A resilient member is connected between the first and second sliding members. The resilient member appears as though it is two coil springs overlapped with each other to provide a better sense of damping for operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Bin SHEN
  • Publication number: 20110253714
    Abstract: A lift assist mechanism is provided for assisting lifting of a movable component that can move between lowered and raised positions relative to a fixed structure. The lift assist mechanism includes a lift assist spring connected to a spring shaft, and an elongated track in which an end of the lift assist spring or an end of the spring shaft are movably engaged. A spring lock restrains movement of the spring shaft when a lift assist is not required, and releases the spring shaft when a lift assist is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: BE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Clarence IVESTER, Erik E. S. NILSEN, Robert K. BRAUER
  • Publication number: 20110233836
    Abstract: A spring structure (20) includes a clockwise spring (21) and a counterclockwise spring (22) that are coaxially arranged under a state in which a spring seat (23) is interposed between a lower end portion of the clockwise spring (21) and an upper end portion of the counterclockwise spring (22). An upper end portion of the clockwise spring (21) is supported on an upper spring seat portion (15), and a lower end portion of the counterclockwise spring (22) is supported on a lower spring seat portion (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Sawai
  • Publication number: 20110226086
    Abstract: An actuation system for a clutch-by-wire system includes, but is not limited to a clutch pedal, at least one position sensor sensing the actual position of the clutch pedal and providing a position signal, and at least one spring providing a load, against which the clutch pedal is movable. The spring characteristic of the at least one spring is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eckhard Kirchner
  • Patent number: 7997397
    Abstract: A one-way roller clutch includes an outer ring, and an inner ring mounted inside the outer ring and having an outer cylindrical surface. The outer ring has on its inner periphery a plurality of cam surfaces each defining a wedge-shaped space in cooperation with the cylindrical surface of the inner ring. Rollers are each mounted between one of the cam surfaces and the cylindrical surface. Each roller is biased by a coil spring toward a narrow portion of the corresponding wedge-shaped space. Each coil spring has at its end facing the roller a radially outwardly extending spiral roller abutment portion. The roller abutment portion prevents the end of the coil spring from slipping along and separating from the roller, thus stabilizing the attitude of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Akiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20110148017
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjusting device. It is used a adjusting unit to be set in advance if a stiffness demanded is known and to adjust appropriately if the stiffness demanded is unknown or changed. A changed stiffness system which can be actively or passively adjusted can be achieved by the adjusted device. Based on the above conception, the adjusting device includes a first resilient unit and the adjusting unit, wherein the first resilient unit has a characteristic gap between one end thereof and the adjusting unit. In addition, the adjusting device further includes a connecting resilient unit, wherein the length thereof is a sum of lengths of the first resilient unit and the characteristic gap. It is the present invention to adjust the length of the characteristic gap by the adjusting unit to adjust the stiffness of the adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: JIUN-YIH KUAN, Han-Pang Huang
  • 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: 20110124243
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Sang Yang Park
  • Publication number: 20110074079
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a coil spring for an automobile suspension includes forming a material into a coil shape; performing a heat treatment step on the material; performing a warm shot peening step on the material, and performing a hot setting step on the material. By performing the warm shot peening step prior to the hot setting step, a stronger compressive residual stress is imparted in a direction along which a large tensile stress acts during actual use of the coil spring, thereby improving sag resistance and durability of the coil spring. A coil spring is also manufactured according to this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakano, Takayuki Sakakibara, Takanori Kuno, Shingo Mimura, Masami Wakita
  • Publication number: 20110074076
    Abstract: A high-strength spring steel and a spring are provided that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in mass percent, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr, and at least one of 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo and 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Kuno, Tomohiro Nakano, Takayuki Sakakibara, Masami Wakita, Shingo Mimura
  • Publication number: 20110074078
    Abstract: A spring steel and spring having superior corrosion fatigue strength and a strength on the order of HRC 53 to HRC 56 are disclosed. The spring steel comprises a tempered martensite and 2.1 to 2.4% Si in terms of percent by mass of the total mass of the spring steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakano, Takanori Kuno, Takayuki Sakakibara, Masami Wakita, Shingo Mimura
  • Publication number: 20110074077
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Kuno, Tomohiro Nakano, Takayuki Sakakibara, Masami Wakita, Shingo Mimura
  • Publication number: 20110062640
    Abstract: A canted coil spring includes a plurality of canted coils generally canted relative to a centerline extending through the coils. At least one coil when viewed in the direction of the centerline appears to have a non-elliptical shape and a non-circular shape when the at least one coil is in the unbiased state. The plurality of coils is generally canted at a first coil angle relative to the center line. The at least one coil includes at least one section canted at a second coil angle relative to the centerline. The second coil angle is different from the first coil angle when the at least one coil is in an unbiased state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Gordon Leon
  • Publication number: 20110031666
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for metallurgical heat treatment of coil springs, or similarly shaped workpieces and articles of manufacture, by electric resistance heating along the entire length of the workpiece so that the ends of the workpiece can be heat treated to the same degree and quality as the section of the workpiece between its two ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Jerry G. Warner
  • Patent number: 7857294
    Abstract: Composite springs and methods of manufacture are described. The composite springs include a flexible core supporting multiple layers of a cured, resin-impregnated composite fiber wherein resin-impregnated composite fiber is wound or braided over the flexible core and cured on a helical mold to form a spring having a desired helical pitch, diameter and spring rate. The multiple layers of resin-impregnated composite fiber are wound or braided at ±5-90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the flexible core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Spencer Composites Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E Spencer, Zachary B Spencer
  • Publication number: 20100295223
    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 being wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Publication number: 20100257752
    Abstract: A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a forefoot portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and one or more springs for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. A device for a shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are installable in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and an energy return member positioned between the first plate and the second plate. A method of using a shoe includes applying, with a foot, a force on at least one of two plates that is positioned in a forefoot portion of a shoe, so as to move the two plates together and increase a loading of a spring, and launching the foot due to the two plates being moved apart by the spring as the foot is being lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Goldston, Adam Goldston, Ryan Goldston, Jon Bemis
  • Patent number: 7793923
    Abstract: A wave coil spring includes: a spring main body which has a spiral structure of a wave-shaped spring material, the spring main body bearing an axial compressive load in such a state that surfaces of the spring main body which face each other are brought into contact with each other at a plurality of contact portions, the plurality of contact portions including: a first contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the coil main body is wound spirally; and a second contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the spring main body is unwound spirally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • 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: 7753581
    Abstract: The balance spring is made from a photostructurable glass plate by UV irradiation, thermal treatment and etching, said glass having a Young's modulus thermal coefficient CTE0. The value CTE0 of selected zones of the balance spring are altered to a value CTEi by UV irradiation through one or several masks, possibly completed by a thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Thierry Hessler, Joachim Grupp
  • Publication number: 20100171249
    Abstract: The invention provides a spring, which has multiple continuously arranged loops. The first and second loops of at least one of the two ends of the spring are fixedly connected with each other. Accordingly, when the first loop of the spring sustains a force, the first loop will not be outward swiveled or laterally displaced. Therefore, the action force applied to the spring can be effectively converted into elastic energy of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Chih-Ching HSIEH
  • Patent number: 7731562
    Abstract: Toy helices each having a variable rate of movement. The toy helices, such as springs and coils, for example, may be formed of at least two different types of material each having different properties such as elasticity, flexibility, and attraction. In one embodiment, a first portion of a toy helix may be constructed of a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion of a toy helix may be coupled to the first portion and constructed of a second material having a second elasticity. The first elasticity and second elasticity are not identical and, thus, have different restoring forces acting to return the toy helix to its original shape. After such a toy helix is stretched, for example, the helix has a variable rate of movement during return to the compressed state because the first portion returns to its original shape at a different rate than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Virgil D. Huber
  • Patent number: 7717411
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: 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: 20100090384
    Abstract: A coil spring has a spring wire wound in a coil shape having an outer diameter side portion and an inner diameter side portion on a peripheral shape in a cross section thereof, one of the outer diameter side portion and inner diameter side portion formed in a semi-circular shape expressed by x2+y2=b2, the other thereof formed in a non-circular shape with a long diameter “a” and a short diameter “b” expressed by (x/a)?+(y/b)?=1, and value of the “?” set in a range of 1.85 to 2.45, and contact faces provided between the inner diameter side portion and the outer diameter side portion on the peripheral shape in the cross section such that each contact face comes into contact with a contact face of an adjacent coil in an axial direction along an axis line of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Fenioux, Nobuharu Kato, Takeshi Yabushita
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100052231
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Eto
  • Publication number: 20100037976
    Abstract: There are provided: a seamless steel pipe formed from a cylindrical steel material billet through a hot isostatic extrusion step, wherein a depth of a contiguous flaw formed on an inner periphery surface and an outer periphery surface of the steel pipe is 50 ?m or less; a hollow spring obtained by forming a hollow body in a shape of a coil or a bar or a bar with curved part from the seamless steel pipe made of spring steel and applying a surface treatment to the hollow body so that the hollow body has compressive residual stress; and a method for producing seamless steel pipe including: a billet molding step; a first heating step; a hot isostatic extrusion step; a second heating step; an extension step; a third heating step; and a pickling step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicants: Shinko Products Co., Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Toyotake, Koji Iwaya, Tomoyuki Minami, Noritoshi Takamura
  • Patent number: 7648563
    Abstract: A method of assembling a baghouse bag filter tensioning assembly is provided. The assembly includes a compressible spring having a progressively increasing spring rate. The spring rate facilitates induction of a substantially constant spring tension over a range of pre-determined operating conditions. The method includes coupling the spring to a bag filter support frame and a bag filter. The method also includes compressing the spring into a pretensioned condition. The method further includes coupling a bag filter to a baghouse floor. The method also includes decompressing the spring such that a tension induced in the bag filter is substantially similar to the spring tension induced over a range of pre-determined operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Roy Doehla, John V. Pepka
  • Patent number: 7631882
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device has an adjustment bolt (30) rotatably supported by or fixed to a wheel-side member or a vehicle-body member, and a spring seat member (10) threadedly engaging with the adjustment bolt. Rotation of the spring seat member is limited by a bump rubber pedestal (41) (or a coil spring bracket (9)). Displacement of the spring seat member occurs in an axial direction of rotation of the bolt, in accordance with rotation of the bolt. According to the present invention, rotation of the spring seat involved in rotation of the bolt for adjusting the vehicle height can be restricted, and a construction of a vehicle height adjustment mechanism can be simplified so that the number of parts or members of the device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirao, Susumu Kawahata
  • 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: 20090299343
    Abstract: A stiffenable structure is made of longitudinal beams that are positioned around a longitudinal axis. In one state, the longitudinal beams are bendable so that the structure is bendable. As the structure bends, the longitudinal beams slide longitudinally with reference to one another. In a second state, the beams are clamped in a fixed position relative to one another so that the structure is stiffened. In some aspects the longitudinal beams are made of two or more longitudinal laminar elements. As each beam bends, the laminar elements slide longitudinally with reference to one another. Each beam, and accordingly the structure, is stiffened by preventing the laminar elements from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
    Inventor: THEODORE W. ROGERS
  • Publication number: 20090261518
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include innerspring assemblies or innerspring cores for use with cushioning articles such as mattresses. The innerspring core may have one or more coil springs formed from a high-carbon steel wire alloyed with one or more suitable alloying elements such as titanium and copper and capable of imparting greater strength and durability to the innerspring core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, William Jud Ready, Jeremy Lynn
  • Publication number: 20090243174
    Abstract: Composite springs and methods of manufacture are described. The composite springs include a flexible core supporting multiple layers of a cured, resin-impregnated composite fiber wherein resin-impregnated composite fiber is wound or braided over the flexible core and cured on a helical mold to form a spring having a desired helical pitch, diameter and spring rate. The multiple layers of resin-impregnated composite fiber are wound or braided at ±5-90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the flexible core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Spencer Composites Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. SPENCER, Zachary B. SPENCER
  • Patent number: 7527252
    Abstract: A spring spacer is provided to improve the durability of a spring, which is made of Ti or the like and low in surface hardness, by preventing abrasion With the spring spacer placed between a first turn and a second turn of a Ti spring, the spring spacer prevents an end of the first turn from contacting the second turn. The spring spacer includes a contact preventive portion that is interposed between the first turn and the second turn of the Ti spring to prevent the end of the first turn from contacting with the second turn. A holding portion holds the contact preventive portion on the spring or the spring bearing surface. The spring spacer can be used in a variety of applications, including on vehicle suspension springs, engine valve spring, and similar lightweight springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Oohashi
  • Patent number: 7523924
    Abstract: Devices and systems for reinforcing a construction medium, which is generally of some finite length, width, and depth. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises one or more linear reinforcing coils that can be of any desired length and dimension in combination with one or more vertical load carrying coils. Preferably, the linear reinforcing coils comprise a plurality of coil wires that have been braided or interwoven with a strand of synthetic fiber. More preferably, the linear reinforcing coils and the vertical load carrying coils include one or more load transfer tabs disposed along all or some portion of the length of each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Melancon
  • Patent number: 7494037
    Abstract: A fastener driving device is disclosed. The device includes a housing assembly, and a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly. The device also includes a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners that are provided to the nose assembly, a fastener driver, and a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke. The spring includes a composite material. The device also includes a motor for moving the fastener driver through a return stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: David Simonelli, Charles Hewitt
  • Patent number: 7404223
    Abstract: Innerspring coils for innersprings for mattresses and other reflexive support structures, have generally helical coil bodies and at least one non-helical segment or step which extends between one or both axial ends of the coil body and one or both of the coil ends. The step or steps may be linear or non-linear, and parallel to or angularly disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the coil body. When located proximate to a coil end, the step extends out of the plane in which the coil end lies. One or more steps may alternatively be formed intermediate to helical turns of the helical coil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sealy Technology LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Manuszak, Larry K. DeMoss, James A. Beamon
  • Publication number: 20080099968
    Abstract: An adjustable coil spring system placed within a leg of a vehicle such as a mountain bicycle fork. The spring system comprises an adjustable first soft spring seated on top of a second firm spring having greater length than the first soft spring. A coupler assembly is positioned between two springs comprised of a threaded bolt threadedly received within a coupler. A spring adjustment means may comprise a knob connected to the threaded bolt through a non-round shaped shaft, wherein the threaded bolt is disposed within the first soft spring. As the knob rotates, the coupler is moved up along the threaded bolt, decreasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing firm spring characteristics of the spring system. As the knob rotates in an opposite direction, the coupler moves down, increasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing soft spring characteristics of the spring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20080047144
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Kwang-Koo JEE, Yoon-Bae KIM, Jun-Hyun HAN
  • Publication number: 20080023896
    Abstract: A pre-compressed vibration damper is provided for inhibiting transfer of vibration to an apparatus during the evacuation thereof by a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Barrie Dudley Brewster
  • Patent number: 7311124
    Abstract: Method of producing spring wires shaped as a cylinder. The wire includes at least one first plurality of layers of wound fibres, the layers being disposed on top of one another and impregnated with a matrix. The first plurality of layers includes at least two stacked layers of fibres which are wound in opposing directions along two coaxial helices around the same axis to the left and right thereof respectively. The tangents to the two helices together with the axis (10) form respectively two angles having values ?x-1 and ?x which are respectively equal to ?+k? and ??? k?, ? being a function of the value of the modulus of elasticity for the spring to be produced and k being a factor of between 0 and 1. The method is suitable for the production of helical cylindrical-type spring wires for the suspension systems of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Max Sardou
  • Patent number: 7274964
    Abstract: A medically implantable electrical connector includes a housing having a bore with an internal groove therein along with a pin sized for insertion into the housing bore. A film removing spring is disposed in the housing groove dynamic loading of the spring in the groove by the pin causing scraping of film from the groove and pin surfaces to provide lowered electrical resistance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 7270320
    Abstract: An antivibration element (1) is especially for a portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw or a brushcutter. The antivibration element includes a coil spring (2) and at least one guide. An end section (7, 8) of the coil spring (2) is fixed to the guide. In order to provide a progressive characteristic line of the coil spring (2) in a simple way, the coil spring (2) has a transition section (11, 12), which borders at the end section (7, 8) and is guided with play on the guide. When the coil spring is under load, the turns of the transition section come at least in part into contact engagement with a helically-shaped slot in the guide so that the spring stiffness of the antivibration unit increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Menzel, Günter Wolf, Helmut Lux, Jens Kutzbach
  • Patent number: 7083040
    Abstract: A tensioner comprises inner and outer collars engaging a blade holder and a housing. A torsion spring between the collars tensions a blade. One of the collars engages the housing, such as by a locking handle, for fixing the spring tension. The housing may serve to shield the tensioner from debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E Finger, George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 7077562
    Abstract: The invention relates mainly to a hairspring intended to equip the balance wheel of a mechanical timepiece. It is in the form of a spiraled rod (10) cut from an {001} single-crystal silicon plate. Its structure and its dimensions are calculated so as to minimize the thermal drift of the hairspring/balance-wheel assembly by means of the first and second thermal coefficients of its spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Claude Bourgeois, André Perret, Arnold Christiaan Hoogerwerf
  • Patent number: 7055414
    Abstract: A wire stripper has a pair of elongated frames pivotably joined together by a pivot pin and defining handles and jaws. The handles are covered by sleeves which include thumb wells which cover the ends of the pivot pin. A mechanical interlock is provided between the handles and the sleeves. The sleeves have slots for receiving the handles. The slots are offset so the front and rear surfaces of opposite sleeves are coplanar. The sleeves have a core and cushion grip overmolded on the core. A molding projection on the core allows precise placement of the core in a mold during formation of the cushion grip. A spring biases the frames to an open position. Legs of the spring are fastened to the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce P. Konen