Coil Patents (Class 267/166)
  • Patent number: 6024346
    Abstract: By controlling the thickness of the nitrization layer formed on the surface, the coil spring made of spring steel may be made highly resistant to permanent set and fatigue. By carbonitriding the material of the coil spring to a depth of 20 to 50 .mu.m from the surface thereof so as to have an internal hardness of Hv 540 or higher, the coil spring can be made to endure 10.sup.7 cycles of repeated high stress without suffering any significant permanent set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yabushita, Noritoshi Takamura, Mitsutoshi Kaneyasu, Michihiko Ayada
  • Patent number: 6017641
    Abstract: A coil spring made of an oil-tempered steel wire with internal hardness of more than Hv 550 in cross-section, the surface hardness of the oil-tempered steel wire being determined in an extent between Hv 420 in a minimum value and hardness defined by subtraction of Hv 50 from the internal hardness in a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignees: Chuo Hatsujo Kabshiki Kaisha, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Aoki, Taisuke Nishimura, Takashi Otowa
  • Patent number: 5989732
    Abstract: A stainless steel wire is plated with nickel (Ni) to a thickness of from not less than 1 .mu.m to not more than 5 .mu.m. An inorganic salt coat film mainly composed of at least one of potassium sulfate and borax (borate) and free from fluorine (F) or chlorine (Cl) is then deposited on the nickel (Ni) plate 2 as the substrate. The steel wire is then drawn to a reduction of area of not less than 60% to adjust the surface roughness thereof to a range of from 0.80 to 12.5 .mu.mRz, preferably from 1.0 to 10.0 .mu.mRz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5685525
    Abstract: In a carbon fiber reinforced resin coil spring the carbon fibers A,B are oriented at an angle of .+-.30.about..+-.60.degree. relative to the axis of the cord of the spring. Further, the ratio A/B of the amount of the fibers A oriented in the compression direction and the fibers B oriented in the tension direction lies within the range of;1.1<A/B<4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignees: Toho Rayon Co., Ltd., Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Oguri, Masanobu Wakita, Masahito Yamauchi, Toshio Hisano, Yoshiyuki Takezawa, Masahiro Arai
  • Patent number: 5678809
    Abstract: A spring member made of a carbon fibers/carbon composite material in which carbon fibers are dispersed in a matrix of graphite, The spring member has a spring constant in a range of 0.1 to 25 kg/mm and a density of about 1.5 to 3.0 g/cm.sup.3. For use in high temperature severe conditions a ceramic material is incorporated into the surface of the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Across Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Nakagawa, Masaharu Tachibana, Mihoko Yamashita, Yasuo Nozaki, Toshihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 5672851
    Abstract: An improved gauge, such as a floor scale. The gauge includes a vertically suspended mainspring having a bracket for hanging and providing support to the mainspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventors: Rodney E. Smith, Donald Ivy
  • Patent number: 5622358
    Abstract: A wave spring (10) is formed in which linear relation is retained between a load (P) and a deflection (S). Thereby, the degree of freedom of design of springs is enhanced.In forming a spring structure by coiling a spring material having flat cross section, a clothoid curve is selectively used as a shape-determining factor for the spring structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Suncall Corporation
    Inventors: Syoichi Komura, Hiroyuki Toyofuku
  • Patent number: 5590746
    Abstract: A helical motion dampener to dampen the movement of an attached object, such dampener having a flexible container holding electro-viscous fluid with two electrodes therein such that when electric current passes between the electrodes within the electro-viscous fluid, the fluid becomes more viscous to limit the range of movement of the container and the attached object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Gregory R. Brotz
  • Patent number: 5576081
    Abstract: An elongated structural element includes an external tubular casing (11) with the hollow interior space filled with a polymer binder (12) containing a plurality of elongated parallel continuous strands of fiber reinforcement material (13) extending lengthwise of the element. A method for preparing such an element is provided by filling a preformed tubular casing (11) with a polymer binder (12) in liquid form in which is dispersed the fiber reinforcement material (13) and allowing the polymer binder to solidify. The element may be initially shaped prior to solidification or reheated into another shape such as a helical coil or spring. An internal casing (29) can also be used where the fiber reinforcement strands (13) are between the external and internal casings (11) and (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Hartley Sandt
  • Patent number: 5558393
    Abstract: A circular multi-wave composite compression spring is formed from a carbon fiber reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests and troughs of the waves in adjacent turns of the spring contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis of the spring. The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Proteus Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Hawkins, Michael Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5549285
    Abstract: A wire rope vibration isolator includes a coil of wire rope having a predetermined number of individual consecutive coils, a first crimp bar, and a second crimp bar. Each of the crimp bars is essentially rectangular in shape and has a pair of opposing side surfaces. A series of lateral holes extending from one side surface to the other side surface of each of the bars is provided so that the predetermined number of individual consecutive coils may be threaded through the series of lateral holes of each of the bars. A crimping force is applied to each of the two crimp bars at a point where each of the individual coils passes through a respective bar. The coils are thereby secured in a fixed position relative to one another while remaining elastically deformable. A spring-like quality is thus imparted to the coil of wire rope so that the first crimp bar and the second crimp bar may move relative to each other to dissipate vibrational energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Enidine, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Collins
  • Patent number: 5545842
    Abstract: A mechanism for connecting and disconnecting, locking and unlocking, and holding members to one another, including snap-on fasteners, and at the same time providing mechanical, electromagnetic shielding, electrical conductivity, and thermal dissipation, coupled with environmental sealing, is provided by a cylindrical or elliptical body having a circumferential groove therein and a continuous coil spring disposed therein. A housing, having a bore sized to accommodate the cylindrical, or spherical, body, is provided, and a tapered bottom in the circumferential groove prevents the spring from turning past a vertical line, thus locking or connecting the cylindrical, or spherical, member with the housing or plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 5516085
    Abstract: A helical compression spring which has at both ends terminal rings with the diameter of the flight and is designed as a plastics injection molding. The technical problem is to provide corrosion-resistant and lightweight helical compression springs which are suitable for automatic fitting. The terminal rings of helical compression springs arranged side by side are materially interconnected by bridges to form as strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Friedhelm Piepenstock
  • Patent number: 5507476
    Abstract: An improved shock-absorbing assembly in combination with a bicycle saddle is equipped with a pair of vibration springs having two bell-shaped portions connected end to end and a receving groove is disposed at the junction thereof. A retaining member having a loop at each end thereof is engaged with the receiving groove of the vibration springs respectively. A tong-shaped supporting arm having its end bended into a loop is engaged with the receiving groove of the vibration springs which are securedly mounted onto a pair of fixing poles by nuts and washers. The front end of the supporting arm is inserted into a locking mount secured to the front end of the underside of a saddle so that the supporting arm is easily fixed in place and is dismounted from the saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Attain Lin
  • Patent number: 5482261
    Abstract: The invention is a nested spring assembly. The assembly comprises a first spring and a second spring, and both the first and second springs have an inner and outer surface. The second spring is nested within a cavity formed by the first spring, and the second spring is releasably secured to the first spring by a longitudinal strip of adhesive contacting both the outer surface of the second spring and the inner surface of the first spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Automatic Spring Coiling Co.
    Inventor: Emilio J. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5471063
    Abstract: A fluid disinfection unit comprising a fluid treatment housing, an electrical supply module and electrical connection means connecting the fluid treatment housing and the electrical supply module;the fluid treatment housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in communication with a reaction chamber, an ultraviolet radiation lamp disposed in the reaction chamber and having a first electrical connection receiving means at a first end thereof and a second end thereof being closed, the second end of the ultraviolet radiation lamp being received and held in place by fixture means;the electrical supply module comprising ballast means and a second electrical connection receiving means; andthe electrical connection means comprising lamp receptacle connector means at one end thereof for removable connection to the ultraviolet radiation lamp and electrical connection receiving means for connection to the electrical supply module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart J. Hayes, Richard Pearcey, Philip T. White
  • Patent number: 5454150
    Abstract: A first end surface of a coiled compression spring at its relaxed length is machined to a plane transverse to the spring axis. The spring is then placed in a press structure having first and second opposed planar support surfaces, with the machined spring end surface bearing against the first support surface, the unmachined spring end surface bearing against a planar first surface of a lateral force compensation member, and an opposite, generally spherically curved surface of the compensation member bearing against the second press structure support surface. The spring is then compressed generally to its loaded length, and a circumferentially spaced series of marks, lying in a plane parallel to the second press structure support surface, are formed on the spring coil on which the second spring end surface lies. The spring is then removed from the press structure, and the second spring end surface is machined to the mark plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick T. Hinke, Dwayne M. Benson, Donald J. Atkins
  • Patent number: 5405668
    Abstract: An elongated structural element having an outer tubular casing with the hollow interior space filled with a plastic binder containing a plurality of elongated parallel strands of fiber reinforcement material extending lengthwise of the element; and a method for preparing such an element by filling a preformed tubular casing with a plastic binder in liquid form dispersed in which are parallel strands of reinforcing fibrous material, and allowing the plastic binder to solidify.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Hartley Sandt
  • Patent number: 5310167
    Abstract: A coil spring assembly is disclosed for use with motor vehicle suspension systems in which a portion of the wire coils of the coil spring is covered by a flexible hose or tube. Coil springs which could use such hoses include those having a tapered wire diameter wherein one end of the coil spring's wire has a smaller diameter than at other portions of its length. The flexible hose is made of a material which has sufficient resiliency to first be stretched as it is installed onto the wire of the coil spring, and then will naturally return back to near its original non-stressed diameter to tightly fit around the diameter of the wire at both ends of the hose. The resulting tight fit retains lubricant and anti-corrosive compounds inside the hose, and keeps moisture and dirt from entering the interior of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Hoesch Suspensions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Noll, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5299786
    Abstract: A noise suppression apparatus for use with a spring. The apparatus includes a plurality of circular tubular members having a longitudinal slit in the tube wall and a radial slit. The slits allow the tubular members to be separated and disposed about the spring. Each of said circular tubes is interconnected by a web member. When the apparatus is snapped around the spring and the spring is compressed, any noise resulting from metal to metal contact will be suppressed by the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Roger R. Godin
  • Patent number: 5277394
    Abstract: A coaxial isolator provides for damping in a longitudinal direction. A pair of elongated frame elements have a shockabsorbing element mounted therebetween. The first frame element is provided with a central aperture into which a central pedestal formed in the second element projects. The pedestal is supported by a rod which is mounted in bores through the aperture walls and which extend through one end of the first frame element. The rod may serve as a first point of attachment, while the opposed end of the first frame element serves as the second end of attachment. The isolators may be ganged in series to provide appropriate response curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Arlo Slemmer
  • Patent number: 5259599
    Abstract: A coil spring for a torsion damper in a motor vehicle has a non-circular cross section. The cross section of the wire of the coil spring is generally ovoid in shape, with its narrow end defined by a point directed outwardly of the spring, and two lateral convexities, the profile of the cross section consisting of two symmetrical multi-arc curves in the form of splines (in the mathematical sense) joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Georges Hernandez
  • Patent number: 5259679
    Abstract: A V-shaped spring system has opposite ends formed by first and second arms and a pair of intermediate coil springs joined by a bridge. One of the coil springs pivotally receives a fixed axle, and the first arm extends from each spring. The second arms extends from the other spring. The spring operates to exert a substantially constant and limited force when the first arm is moved through an angle of up to 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Paul C. Hwang
  • Patent number: 5232207
    Abstract: A spring connector accumulator includes a helical compression spring, and a pair of connector body members that extend in opposite directions through the spring for maintaining the same in a predetermined preloaded partially compressed condition. The body members include first end portions adapted for connection with cable end fittings, respectively, intermediate portions that extend through the spring, and second end portions that abut opposite ends of the spring. In a first embodiment, the body members include main abutment surfaces that are snapped into abutting engagement to maintain the spring in a preloaded partially compressed condition. In a second embodiment, the spring is partially compressed to the desired preloaded condition between a pair of opposed spaced hook portions on each of the body members, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Orscheln Co.
    Inventors: Larry B. Champ, Martin J. Wortmann
  • Patent number: 5203849
    Abstract: A spring assembly includes a plurality of coils interconnected with one another in a spaced-apart relationship for causing the spring assembly to exert as force in a loading direction approximately normal to a tangent to a centerline of the plurality of coils in response to deflection of the spring assembly along the loading direction. An elastic material is provided which is disposed around and between the plurality of coils, but either not bonded to or partially bonded to the coils, modifying the force exerted by the spring assembly in response to the deflection of the spring assembly along the loading direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 5203546
    Abstract: A window noise attenuation device that keeps window balance springs from ratting against the inside of the spring covers when the balance spring is caused to vibrate. The apparatus is designed to be slipped over the window balance spring during the construction of the window. The device can be installed either by hand or by machine. The apparatus features a positioning section that keeps the device substantially fixed in position on the balance spring during use. An offset section holds the balance spring fimly in position away from the walls of the spring cover and jamb liners when the balance spring is caused to vibrate by rapidly closing or opening the window or from other jarring such as slamming a door. The low cost device is designed to last as long as the window spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Alfred Amadore
  • Patent number: 5171000
    Abstract: An adjustable rocker spring apparatus for adjustably positioning a rocker block of a rocking chair relative to a stationary base of the chair. The apparatus generally comprises an L-shaped upper bracket and an L-shaped lower bracket each having forward, central and rearward portions. Each such forward, central and rearward portion include a plurality of apertures therein. A pair of independent coil springs are disposed between portions of the upper and lower brackets and secured thereto by tabs. The independent coil springs are alignably maintained and positioned by slot openings in lip portions of each of the L-shaped upper and lower brackets. The plurality of independent apertures in each of the forward, central and rearward portions of the upper and lower brackets enable the apparatus to be adjustably secured with conventional fasteners to a rocker block and stationary base of a rocking chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Company
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Karl J. Komorowski, Jr., Judy E. Fay
  • Patent number: 5111849
    Abstract: Extruded pipes of thermoplastically processable polymers are wound cold around a mandrel and thereafter subject to thermal fixing. During or before winding, the pipe is twisted in a direction opposite to that of the helix formation, about its longitudinal axis, preferably through angles of 5.degree. to 360.degree. per coil. The resilience of the coiled pipe is surprisingly improved to the point where the resilience factor R approaches 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: EMS-Inventa AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Zeh
  • Patent number: 5041315
    Abstract: A flexible member capable of withstanding a high temperature environment and/or a corrosive atmosphere or media is formed of a component in a desired shape and of a ceramic material having a modulus of elasticity of 150,000 to 200,000 MPa and a flexural strength of more than 400 MPa. The component is provided with at least one reduced thickness portion to impart to the component a desired degree of flexibility and/or elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Zircoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Searle, Hans Leistner, Raimund Bruckner, Ibrahim Mentesh, Edward Levadnuk
  • Patent number: 5033375
    Abstract: An improved can crusher device including a coil spring, forming a chamber, attached at its upper end to a substantially flat disk. When force is applied to the disk a can placed within the chamber is crushed. Preferrably, the coil spring is flared progressively toward its lower end to confer stability to the device during the can crushing operation and promote optimal can compression. The preferred disk has a peripheral edge and annular wall on its lower surface which work with the coil spring to hold the can in place. One preferred embodiment has gaps in the annular wall to release accumulated air pressure. When not in use, the can crusher may be compacted for storage or transportation with holders positioned through the disk and under the coil. The device is light-weight, yet durable, promotes quick, efficient can crushing, and enhances the economic virtues associated with recycling empty cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Rudolph E. Reeves
  • Patent number: 5020189
    Abstract: A door closure mechanism for use upon a door of a cabinet includes a housing formed from two co-mating first and second members, a drive cam rotatably mounted within the housing, a cam follower mounted within the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the drive cam, and a coil spring mounted within the housing for resiliently biasing the cam follower in a reciprocal manner against the drive cam. The drive cam is formed with cam surfaces which radially engage the cam follower so as to control the relative reciprocal movement of the cam follower with respect to the drive cam. As a safety feature, ther is provided a set of spring pre-load clips which engage the ends of the coil spring so as to prevent full decompression of the coil spring in the event of a housing failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Grome, Kurt H. Lundstedt, William Olson
  • Patent number: 4993376
    Abstract: A spring system for applying a restoring force to a reciprocating member such as an exhaust or intake valve of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a helical spring having open ends and consisting of titanium or an alloy thereof; and a spring seat supporting one of the two ends of the helical spring. Since this helical spring is provided with open ends, mutual striking of the coil wire can be avoided and, thereby, the durability of the helical spring can be ensured in addition to the advantage obtained from the low-mass and high transverse elastic modulus of titanium or its alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taizo Fukutome, Atsushi Ishida, Akihiko Inooku, Noritoshi Takamura, Kaoru Hatayama, Yuichi Nagase, Toyoyuki Higashino, Hideo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4983144
    Abstract: In a tensioner in which a tension rod advances from a casing to provide a tension to a chain or the like, the advancement of the tension rod is locked by inserting a pin into a hole formed in a portion where the rod is drawn out and further the drawn out portion of the tension rod is supported by a bearing portion formed at the bottom of the casing to stabilize the advancement of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juji Ojima
  • Patent number: 4970997
    Abstract: A valve operating mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a valve disposed in an intake port or an exhaust port of a combustion chamber and being openable by a rotatable cam and cam follower in synchronism with the engine crankshaft rotation. The valve is normally urged toward the closed position by a spring means encircling the valve. Various embodiments are disclosed for varying the resilient force urging the valve toward the closed position during different engine operating conditions, such as, increasing the resilient valve closing force during high-speed operation for ensuring proper valve operation and decreasing the resilient valve closing force during low-speed operation for reducing friction in the valve operating mechanism. The valve operating mechanism includes means for switching between actuation by a low-speed cam or a high-speed cam. One form of the spring means includes a mechanism for increasing the spring force on the high-speed cam follower only during high-speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Inoue, Takashi Hanaoka, Tsuneo Konno
  • Patent number: 4957278
    Abstract: A coil spring has a strand having a width w and a thickness t, such that 1.1.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.1.7, where c is a ratio determined according to c=w/t. Further, the strand has a cross-sectional shape defined by a plurality of partial curves, which are portions of a clothoid, a curve whose radius varies inversely in proportion to its length. Further, the partial curves are combined to form a closed loop. The tangent lines of any adjacent two of the partial curves of the coil spring, at their boundaries where they are combined, are oriented in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Sanko Senzai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Syoichi Komura, Hiroyuki Toyofuku
  • Patent number: 4953835
    Abstract: Wire of an oval type cross sectional shape having a surface formed of a semicircle and semiellipse tangent to each other has been used for coiled springs. Stress distribution in wire of such a shape can be improved by increasing the dimension of the spring wire in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the spring. One such cross sectional shape is formed by semicircle and semiellipse portions connected by straight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Murata Hatsujo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Matsumoto, Horiyuki Saito, Kuniki Morita
  • Patent number: 4924755
    Abstract: A hydraulic booster in which the booster piston return spring is formed as a tubular conduit to conduct hydraulic supply pressure to a closed center valve. Upon actuation, the valve opens to permit supply pressure to flow into the power chamber and by valving action controls the exhaust of pressure from the power chamber so as to establish the desired actuating pressure therein. The tubular conduit forming the power piston return spring and transporting the supply pressure to the closed center valve permits a shorter overall axial length of the hydraulic booster by accommodating the movement of the supply pressure chamber at the closed center valve. It also permits less charged supply pressure leakage by accommodating a better pressure seal arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald M. Flory
  • Patent number: 4909866
    Abstract: A high strength spring is made of steel of which composition consists of 0.6 to 0.7 wt % of C, 1.2 to 1.6 wt % of Si, 0.5 to 0.8 wt % of Mn, 0.5 to 0.8 wt % of Cr, 0.05 to 0.2 wt % in total of one or more than one of V, Mo, Nb and Ta and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel is limited in particle size of non-metallic inclusions in such a way that the maximum particle size of the non-metallic inclusions is equal to or smaller than 15 .mu.m. The spring is applied at a portion adjacent the outer surface thereof with a residual compression stress in such a way that the maximum of the residual compression stress ranges from 85 to 110 Kgf/mm.sup.2. The spring is further process so as to have such a surface roughness that is equal to or smaller than 15 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Abe, Tetsuyuki Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Kuriki, Noritoshi Takamura, Naoki Terakado, Kaoru Hatayama
  • Patent number: 4901987
    Abstract: A multiturn, crest to crest, waved compression spring is formed with flat circular shim end portions which form load support surfaces at opposite ends of the spring which are generally perpendicular to the spring longitudinal axis. The compression spring includes three distinct wave regions in which the first distinct wave region has a constant, preselected amplitude, the second distinct wave region has a gradually and incrementally diminishing amplitude and the third distinct wave region has a constant zero amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Smalley Steel Ring Company
    Inventors: Charles Greenhill, Michael Greenhill
  • Patent number: 4869471
    Abstract: A length of hose made out of an elastic material that readily recovers its shape, especially intended for covering the coiled section of a helical compression spring with a progressive characteristic of the type employed in motor vehicles and similar machines. At least one terminating section of the length of hose has a shorter inside diameter and communicates with the remaining, cylindrical, section of the length of hose through an intermediate section that tapers conically at least inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignees: Altenkirchener Kunststoff GmbH, Hoesch Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Schwarz, Ulrich Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 4862983
    Abstract: A spring-loaded mount for connecting a truck body to a truck chassis which permits articulation comprising outwardly extending gungeon pin means attached to the chassis and cooperable spring means attached to the body; said spring means comprising a housing surrounding said gungeon pin means and containing a pair of springs acting on opposite sides of said gungeon pin means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce W. Kreft
  • Patent number: 4856765
    Abstract: A spring apparatus has a spring body including a plurality of elastic longitudinal beam members and a coupling beam member for holding the elastic longitudinal beam members at a predetermined interval. The apparatus further has a pair of spring retaining members for supporting the both ends of the spring body, and a rotary member rotatable provided around the central axis of the spring body as a center at least one one spring retaining member. At least one of the elastic longitudinal beam member is provided at one end of the rotary member. This spring apparatus is a tightly wound coil and made of the elastic longitudinal beam members in fully compressed state. When extended, each elastic longitudinal beam member is sequentially spirally deformed at larger pitch from the end. The twisting deformation of the elastic longitudinal beam member is released by rotation of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignees: Masahiro Kohno, Japan Aircraft Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kohno, Akira Obata, Takayuki Kitamura, Kakuma Okazaki
  • Patent number: 4854558
    Abstract: A window counterbalance spring (10, 30) enclosed within a spring cover (35) or tube (25) is sound deadened against rattling by having its outer surface (16) coated with a hot melt adhesive (11). Hot melt (11) is preferably sprayed on outer surface (16) of the spring, at it is wound; and for rotationally tensioned springs (10) surrounding twisted rods (20), some hot melt is deposited on the interior (17) of the spring to cushion its vibration against the twisted rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William P. Newton
  • Patent number: 4838395
    Abstract: An improvement to a torsion damping device, especially a double damped flywheel, for eliminating contact between the springs and one of the rotatable parts of the device when the springs tend to deform under the effect of centrifugal force. According to the invention, the springs, which are conventionally mounted between two pivoted thrust members, are each replaced by a damping device comprising two springs with a central insert between them, the insert being so shaped as to make contact with the inner surface of the spacing ring. The invention is applicable to an automobile transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Gustave Chasseguet, Jacky Naudin, Pierre Casse
  • Patent number: 4836514
    Abstract: A closely wound, coil type tension spring of one hand having an initial tension exceeding that obtainable by prior spring forming techniques is formed by reverse winding an open-wound compression spring of the opposite hand. Alternative methods and apparatus for forming the tension spring are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Windwinder Corporation
    Inventor: Otmar M. Ulbing
  • Patent number: 4832321
    Abstract: The invention herein is a coil spring assembly for the suspension of a vele including a series of plates whose tapered edges protrude between the coils of the spring. The plates are slideably mounted on bolts parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring, the bolts being moveable toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the spring. The resulting movement of the plates toward or away from the spring causes a thicker or thinner zone of the tapered edge of the plate to be disposed between the spring coils, thereby changing the degree to which the plates stiffen the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James A. Aardema
  • Patent number: 4830348
    Abstract: A noise suppressing device for a coil spring, and the combination of a spring equipped with such a device, in which the noise suppressing device takes the form of at least one spring metal sleeve of arcuate C-shaped cross section extending about and tightly engaging a portion of the spring intermediate the length thereof. A lug portion of the sleeve projects into the spacing between a pair of adjacent coils and limits the extent of sliding movement of the sleeve along such coils as the spring expands and contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Perfection Spring & Stamping Corp.
    Inventor: Peter G. Seyler
  • Patent number: 4818036
    Abstract: The present invention is a braking value transmitter with a pedal to modulate the braking pressure. The pedal is braced against a spring. The force exerted by the pedal or the position of the pedal is sensed by an electronic sensor. The output signal of the sensor is fed to an electronic system, which transforms the approximately linear characteristic of the sensor into a progressive characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Reinecke
  • Patent number: 4779854
    Abstract: A vibration damper for bodies which extend substantially parallel to one another, consisting of a clip made of a permanently elastic material and adapted to be slipped undislodgeably onto one of the bodies, and of at least two lugs projecting therefrom in the direction of at least one further body which clasp the latter with elastic initial tension, permitting relative displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Werner Idigkeit, Benno Jorg, Heinz Seifert
  • Patent number: 4778037
    Abstract: An isolator includes a load bearing part arranged for deflection against the action of a series of compression springs and tension springs whose axes are pivotal with respect to the axis of deflection. The arrangement is such that the isolator can operate in a range in which an incremental increase in deflection causing compression of springs is such as to result in an incremental decrease in the restoring force of springs resolved along the deflection axis. The tension springs produce an increasing restoring force throughout this range, and the net result is a load/deflection performance in which a region of zero or near zero stiffness of the entire system, along the deflection axis, is provided, bounded by regions of positive stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Demetrios G. Papadopoulos