Support Type Patents (Class 267/178)
  • Patent number: 11326721
    Abstract: An apparatus having a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member, and a releasable connector. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The apparatus also includes a shock absorber to configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include elastomeric pads between rigid plates, a rotary dampener, a spring, rod and piston, or an elastic strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: The Metraflex Company
    Inventors: Martin I. Rogin, James D. Clauss, Michael Albert Taylor, Daniel T. Holbach, Daniel R. Kish, James Reynold Richter
  • Patent number: 10253516
    Abstract: A pool cover spring includes a one piece molded spring body having a narrowed midsection, an end with a connector for attaching to a pool deck anchor and another end with slots for receiving a strap of a pool cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Dershem, Deborah L. Dershem
  • Patent number: 9907353
    Abstract: A energy sole including a base structure extending a length of a shoe sole, a flexion extending from the base structure, a toe arm extending forward from the flexion, and a heel arm extend rearward from the flexion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Walter Lester, Brian Dean Owens
  • Patent number: 9782618
    Abstract: A device that exercises the muscles of a person who lays down on a bench (12), by the person shifting his body to counteract a tendency of the bench to tilt to one side or the other. The bench is supported on coil springs (44) that tilt when the person's weight shifts to one side as the person performs exercises while laying on the bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Curry
  • Patent number: 9067093
    Abstract: A hybrid diving board is disclosed. The hybrid diving board may include a primary diving board having a flat skid-resistant top surface and a bottom surface extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the board first end is configured for attachment to a diving stand and the board second end is a free end. A flex spring and/or a torsional control spring may also be provided that has a first end and a second end wherein the spring is adjacent to a surface of the diving board. The flex spring first end may be configured for attachment to the diving stand or to the diving board at a location proximate the board first end. The hybrid diving board may have a spring constant and/or average modulus of elasticity that is higher than a corresponding spring constant or modulus of elasticity of the primary diving board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Skymanor Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: William B. Isaacson, Michael Anthony Fuqua
  • Patent number: 8899540
    Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism including: a housing having a first aligned pair of through holes and a second aligned pair of through holes; a pivot nose having a third aligned pair of through holes, a fourth aligned pair of through holes and an aligned pair of arcuate slots; an energy storage device having first and second spring mounts and at least one spring, the first spring mount having at least one first flange and a pivot flange having a fifth through hole, the second spring mount having at least one second flange and a sixth through hole and the at least one spring includes first and second ends, the first end is secured to the at least one first flange and the second end is secured to the at least one second flange; a first pivot pin disposed in the first aligned pair of through holes and the third aligned pair of through holes; a stop member disposed in the second aligned pair of through holes and the aligned pair of arcuate slots; a second pivot pin disposed in the fourth aligned pair of through holes
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Honsberger, Warren A. Waxham
  • Patent number: 8740196
    Abstract: A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Jay Rodger Elrod
  • Publication number: 20120292876
    Abstract: In a suspension assembling structure, a suspension link has an engagement hole formed in a mounting face for a spring seat. The spring seat has a protrusion formed on the lower face of a seat body and configured to be brought into engagement with the suspension link by insertion into the engagement hole. Also, the spring seat has a flange formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion in a manner so as to radially protrude through a clearance space defined between adjacent wires of a coil spring, and configured to hold the wire of a first turn at the lower end of the coil spring, while being kept in abutted-engagement with the upper face of the first turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: REO KOIDE, KEIICHI NAKAJIMA
  • Patent number: 8251338
    Abstract: A constant bearer having a fastening part, a load-bearing part and a spring system which is arranged between the fastening part and the load-bearing part for generating a carrying force which remains constant over a carrying travel of the load-bearing part with respect to the fastening part, where the spring system has a suspension system for absorbing the load, a compensation device for compensating for changing spring forces of the suspension system over the carrying travel, and a prestressing device for setting a prestressing force of the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LISEGA Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Herlof Hardtke, Heinz-Wilhelm Lange
  • Patent number: 8152126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant bearer for moving loads, especially pipelines and similar, comprising a fastening part, a load-bearing part, and a spring system located between the fastening part and the load-bearing part for generating a constant bearing force, where the spring system displays a main spring assembly absorbing the load and a compensating device to compensate for changing spring forces of the main spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lisega Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Herlof Hardtke
  • Patent number: 8152147
    Abstract: A torsion spring assembly includes a torsion spring body and a fixed base. The torsion spring body has a first coil part and a second coil part. The first coil part connects to the second coil part. The fixed base has a first fixed arm and a second fixed arm. The first coil part is wound around the first fixed arm and the second coil part is wound around the second fixed arm. The winding direction of the first coil part is perpendicular to the winding direction of the second coil part. A portable electronic device with the torsion spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 8083038
    Abstract: A spring loaded spacer for fastening components and control units together with touch control face plates or panels wherein the spacer has a shank portion nested in a barrel portion, one end of the barrel portion being connected to a chassis or the like and its shank portion being connected to one or more printed circuit boards and/or components, and wherein the shank portion is spring loaded within the barrel portion and is adapted to receive one or more printed circuit boards and/or components under tensioned engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Richco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Reisel, Ian Conway, Willim Volker
  • Patent number: 7971846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant bearer for moving loads, especially pipelines and similar, comprising a fastening part, a load-bearing part, and a spring system located between the fastening part and the load-bearing part for generating a constant bearing force, where the spring system displays a main spring assembly absorbing the load and a compensating device to compensate for changing spring forces of the main spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Lisega Aktiensellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Herlof Hardtke
  • Patent number: 7963510
    Abstract: A compression coil spring device suitable for use in a strut wheel suspension system. The device includes a coil wire wound into a coil having an end turn. The end turn of the coil, and only the end turn of the coil, is provided with a plurality of projections along the length thereof, with the remainder of the coil wire being substantially free of projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Umezawa, Tomotake Kato, Toshio Hamano, Masanao Ueda
  • Patent number: 7891645
    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 mechanism 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hayes Bicycle Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20100096894
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device is provided that includes a cylindrical damper, a compression coil spring disposed around the damper having an axis substantially in line with the axis of the damper, and a cylindrical spring guide disposed around the compression coil spring so as to cover the compression coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zenroh Fukai
  • Publication number: 20080290572
    Abstract: A support element for a motor vehicle suspension spring, including a main part and a substantially rigid or semi-rigid insert. The suspension spring bears directly on the substantially rigid or semi-rigid insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Sebastien Desprez, Joel Szymanski
  • Publication number: 20080246202
    Abstract: A spring screw assembly includes a screw, an inner tube having a spring mounted therein, and a retainer tube being covered by a color coat. The inner tube is axially movably assembled into the retainer tube, and the screw may be extended into the retainer tube and the inner tube to extend through the spring with a rack portion near an upper end of the screw tightly engaged with an upper open end of the retainer tube. Therefore, screws of different sizes and retainer tubes with different color coats may be separately kept in stock, and screws meeting customer specifications may be assembled to retainer tubes having colors meeting customer color management system at a later time to complete the desired spring screw assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Ting-Jui Wang, Ming-De Wu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7231702
    Abstract: A connecting structure is provided. The structure includes a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Exhart Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Weiser, Margaret Weiser
  • Patent number: 7197807
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for releasably retaining at least one coil spring. The present invention utilizes a circumferential castellation formed within a housing operable to receive within the notches formed by the castellation a complimentary number of fingers formed from a retainer plate. The retainer plate is operable to hold the coil springs in compression and is fixed in place by an internal snap ring disposed within an inwardly facing circumferential grove formed on the radial inner side of the protruding blocks or dentils formed by the castellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Schoch, William S. Reed
  • Patent number: 7152854
    Abstract: In a cell cover according to the present invention, a compressed coil spring formed by deforming a linear elastic member is fixed to a plate member provided with a raised bent portion as a projection on a first side. The raised bent portion engages with an engagement part comprising a plurality of extended portions and bent portions of the compressed coil. A spring of the compressed coil is formed on a second side of the plate member. A spring seat winding at the bottom of the spring is pressed to the end face of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Uchida
  • Patent number: 6357729
    Abstract: A weight adjusting mechanism is mounted in a suspension seat and includes a lower frame and an upper frame vertically movably mounted on the lower frame via a link mechanism. The upper and lower frames have respective permanent magnets mounted thereon with like magnetic poles opposed to each other. An operation member is pivotally mounted on the upper frame, and a metal spring connected to the link mechanism is also connected to the operation member to produce a lifting force of the upper frame. Weight adjustment is conducted by changing an elastic force of the metal spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhide Takata
  • Patent number: 6341767
    Abstract: A spring system includes an axially moving center attachment located between two static attachments. Bi-directional axial center deflections cause push-pull restoration forces. There is little mechanical fixturing preload stress acting on material also subjected to high cyclic stresses. The spring material includes an unbroken path between the two static attachments, going through the center attachment. In one embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into substantially parallel side-by-side helices clamped statically at the bottom of each helix. A moving attachment grips the center of the wire bridging diagonally between the tops of the helices. In a second embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into end-to-end helices sharing a common axis and clamped statically at the axially opposite ends of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph B. Seale, Gary E. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 6299150
    Abstract: A spring element is made of a spring material and is formed into a generally elliptical shape. Two mounting pins extend in a normal direction through parallel relatively short segments of said elliptically-shaped spring element. The mounting pins are substantially aligned with the shorter of the two axis of the elliptically-shaped spring element so as to extend both inwardly and outwardly of said elliptically-shaped spring element. An elastomeric coating is applied around substantially all of the spring elements and a pair of blocks, each of which surrounds one of the mounting pins receives one of the mounting pins. A number of spring elements are joined together by two parallel, spaced-apart coupling links which contain cavities therein to receive one of the blocks of each of the spring elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Noel L. Allen, Allen L. Arndt, Scott M. Ralston
  • Patent number: 6186488
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for blocking a spring in a spring strut of a motor vehicle. A spacer element for transporting a vehicle consists of at least one segment which can be snapped into the spring and is supported by a lower free end on a stationary spring plate of the spring strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Juergen Lauer
  • Patent number: 6065548
    Abstract: A spring trip standard for a tillage implement includes a coil spring compressed between an upper spring-abutting surface on the mounting bracket and a lower spring abutment surface on a casting which is connected by a transverse pivot to the mounting bracket. The casting includes an integral stop extending forwardly from the pivot and contacting the bottom of the bracket when the shank is in the ground working position so that a tension link between the bracket and casting is eliminated. The casting includes a spring abutment surface having a first portion which extends generally perpendicular to the spring axis to support the lowermost end of the spring when the shank is stopped in the normal working position. The opposite side of the spring abutment surface is angled relative to the first portion, and the lowermost coil of the compressed spring, when the standard is in the tripped position, abuts the opposite side to maintain the spring in a non-buckling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard David Zaun, Richard Wayne Hook
  • Patent number: 5992834
    Abstract: A spring support assembly for preventing compression instability displacement of helically coiled compression springs includes first and second support rings located at axially opposite ends of an arrangement of coil springs, the springs located at equal angular intervals about a longitudinal axis. Each support ring includes a support surface against which an end of each spring is supported, outwardly turned flanges located within each spring coil, and a tab extending partially along the length of the spring having close-fitting contact with the inside diameter of the spring coil. A support ring at the opposite end of the spring pack includes a support surface and tab angularly offset from the support surface, the tabs of each support ring located in adjacent compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Dover
  • Patent number: 5924683
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a spring balance system for sliding windows. The self-contained apparatus comprises a small diameter tube (11) and a larger diameter tube (12). The two tubes are telescopic with respect to one another. A spring (15) extends through the length of both tubes. There is a frictional engagement between the two tubes. At one end there is a means (17) for attaching the apparatus to a sliding window. The other end comprises a support (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Alchin & Long Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Alchin
  • Patent number: 5839963
    Abstract: A play apparatus for children's playgrounds or the like includes a helical spring one end of which is perpendicularly secured to a firm base or ground, and a support member with a seat and a grip is attached to the other end of the helical spring. A base plate is mounted between the base and the helical spring and/or between the support member and the helical spring, wherein the base plate has two grooves with a sector-shaped cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the helical spring, the grooves being arranged offset and spaced from each other on the level of half of the inclination of the helical spring. A clamping plate which can be clamped against the base plate and also has two grooves corresponding to and arranged opposite of the grooves of the base plate can be clamped against the base plate. The free end of the helical spring is clampable essentially without deformation into the grooves between the base plate and the clamping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignees: ABC-Team Spielplatzgerate GmbH, Thema-Federn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Walter Zingel, Manfred Plugge
  • Patent number: 5624104
    Abstract: It is an object to effectively and rapidly damp vibration of a vibrating object. A vibration isolating supporter includes a coil spring (3) interposed between an upper frame (1) and a lower frame (2) which are opposed to one another in a vertical direction, and is characterized in that a partition panel (4) is provided for the lower frame (2) to surround a periphery of the coil spring (3), a damping material (5) is accommodated in a portion surrounded by the partition panel (4), and a resisting member is disposed to be suspended in a hollow hole of the coil spring (3) of the upper frame (1) so as to be immersed in the damping material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Showa Electric Wire and Cable Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koumei Hukuda, Kenji Takuma, Minori Kuriyama, Yoshimitsu Murahashi, Hiroaki Kawakami, Yuji Iida, Kazuki Inaba, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Katsumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5595371
    Abstract: It is an object to effectively and rapidly damp vibration of a vibrating object. A vibration isolating supporter includes a coil spring (3) interposed between an upper frame (1) and a lower frame (2) which are opposed to one another in a vertical direction, and is characterized in that a partition panel (4) is provided for the lower frame (2) to surround a periphery of the coil spring (3), a damping material (5) is accommodated in a portion surrounded by the partition panel (4), and a resisting member is disposed to be suspended in a hollow hole of the coil spring (3) of the upper frame (1) so as to be immersed in the damping material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Showa Electric Wire & Cable
    Inventors: Koumei Hukuda, Kenji Takuma, Minori Kuriyama, Yoshimitsu Murahashi, Hiroaki Kawakami, Yuji Iida, Kazuki Inaba, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Katsumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5468383
    Abstract: This invention is a device for holding a flexible fine mesh fluid filter 30 in a container 12 while a fluid, such as paint, is being drawn from the container by spraying equipment 8. More specifically, the invention comprises a ring of flexible material 20 and a purality, preferably two, of elongate flexible members 18, ends of which are secured to the flexible ring, with their intermediate parts depending from the said ring, and secured together where they cross at their intermediate depending portions, and together with the flexible ring, forming a pocket over which a fine mesh fabric fluid filter is to be positioned and held. When so assembled in use the suction pipe of the spraying equipment with its filter is received within the pocket and held in the container to filter the paint, or other fluids as it is drawn from the container. In the best and preferred form of the invention, all of the parts above mentioned are in the form of coil springs, but it should not be considered so limited thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas J. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 5257762
    Abstract: A unitary helical coil spring assembly is inserted in a tubular body to form a neon tube support. The assembly is molded of plastic using a mold comprised of two planar blocks in each of which there are a series of axially spaced apart recesses configured to form half convolutions of a spring and there are projections having rounded ends projecting from between half convolution recesses on each mold block which interdigitate and project into the half convolution recesses in the opposite mold block when the planar surfaces are interfaced so the rounded ends cooperate to form a circular inside diameter of the spring when plastic is injected in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Everbrite, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Trame, Mark A. Fredricks
  • Patent number: 5213301
    Abstract: A suspension system for isolating a platform from external vibrations includes spring assemblies suspending the platform. In each spring assembly an elongated outer coil spring is suspended at an upper end thereof from a support structure. A tube is disposed loosely within the outer spring and is attached to a lower end of the spring so as to extend upwardly. An elongated inner coil spring is disposed loosely within the tube and is suspended from an upper point of the tube. The inner spring has a lower end attached to the platform. For friction dampening, o-rings are fitted on the inner spring in sliding contact with the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corp.
    Inventors: Masami Taguchi, Timothy P. Sheridan
  • 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: 5156451
    Abstract: An apparatus having a high center of gravity incorporating an energy absorbing device is disclosed. The energy absorbing device includes a rapidly extending shock absorbing device to absorb and thereby dampen the forward motion of an apparatus having a high center of gravity such as a vending machine subjected to a tipping force in the lateral direction. A method of fabrication for example a vending machine having an energy absorbing device is also described. In the vending machine example, the energy absorbing device prevents an individual from using a rocking motion to develop sufficient angular momentum enabling the individual to tip the vending machine into a forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: The Vendo Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5123591
    Abstract: An improvement in devices for the thermostatic control of engine coolant comprises a radiator hose with an internally mounted thermostatic valve. In one embodiment of the improved device, a flexible hose has a radially inwardly projecting annular flange on which the radially outwardly projecting annular flange of a conventional thermostatic valve may seat. In another embodiment, the annular flange of a thermostatic valve is modified to permit it to be clamped onto a coil of a helical spring held coaxially within a flexible radiator hose. The improved thermostatic coolant control devices eliminate the requirement for gaskets, gasket cement, and unbolting and bolting metal parts together heretofore, required for the replacement of thermostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5062617
    Abstract: There is provided a new and useful shock absorbing support post for a bicycle seat comprising a tubular member having top and bottom ends, a shock absorber within the tubular member, an elongated cylindrical stem partially within and in sliding engagement with the tubular member, a first end of the stem engaging the shock absorber and a second end of the stem extending outwardly of the tubular member, a stop limiting the range of sliding movement of the stem relative to the tubular member, and a stop for maintaining a predetermined resting force between the stem and the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Camberfield Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Raymond D. Campbell
  • 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: 4848757
    Abstract: An improved remote center compliance (RCC) device having translational and rotational compliance. The RCC device includes at least two spaced monolithic members having a common axis extending therethrough. Adjacent pairs of monolithic members are interconnected by a stage including at least three discrete coil springs spaced about the axis of the monolithic members. Each spring is axially extensible and laterally deformable for providing both rotational and translational compliance about a center of compliance. The improvement includes providing coil springs that are at least partially coil-bound to increase the ratio of axzial stiffness to lateral stiffness of the springs and increase the projection of the center of compliance away from the RCC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. De Fazio
  • 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: 4830345
    Abstract: A cushion comprising two seat pieces combined with inside faces facing towards each other, and a plurality of coil spring members which connect the two seat pieces. Each of the seat pieces is a shallow circular plate having a smooth central concavity and includes internally a series of concentrically extending walls, a series of radially extending walls, and a plurality of appropriately spaced tubular walls with an upstanding cylinder formed inside. Each of the coil spring members is closely coiled at its two terminals and encompasses corresponding cylinders of the two seat pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignees: Wen Lin Chen, Shih Lin Mar
    Inventor: Shih L. Mar
  • Patent number: 4728087
    Abstract: Adjacent the rigidly anchored end of a vertical coil spring, which carries out transverse oscillations, the spring is subjected to considerable breaking forces which limit the lifetime of the spring. At least one abutment is provided to cooperate with a spring portion slightly spaced from the rigidly anchored spring end such that this spring portion is permitted to carry out only a limited vertical movement, whereby the breaking influence on the spring is largely reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Multikunst Design Aps
    Inventor: Tom L. Wils
  • Patent number: 4692907
    Abstract: A gradiometer array of two or more sensors consists of a closed housing filled with a volume of fluid having a desired specific gravity. The sensors are freely suspended in the housing by flexible tethers. The sensors have different specific gravities such that one always sinks and the other floats. By that means, the sensors are self-aligning along an axis parallel to the gravitational vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Western Geophysical Company of America
    Inventor: Paul Jubinski
  • Patent number: 4685174
    Abstract: A shock absorbing caster wheel in which the wheel support bracket is pivotally mounted on a caster bracket and a spring engages the wheel support bracket and caster bracket to absorb shocks on the caster wheel. Vibration dampening pads on the caster bracket slidably engage wall surfaces on the wheel support bracket to dampen oscillation of the wheel support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Clarence H. Hager
  • Patent number: 4613119
    Abstract: A suspension device for suspendingly supporting loads under a generally constant spring-biasing support force defined by two relatively movable portions, a first of the portions being secured to a support and a second of the portions being secured to a load to be suspendingly supported thereby, a main spring for biasingly mounting the first and second portions relative to each other, the second portion being an elongated member having an upper end portion, at least one compensatory spring adjacent the upper end portion of the elongated member, a pivoted lever between the one spring and the elongated member upper end portion, and a cam and cam follower carried by the lever and its elongated member upper end portion which compensates the tension and/or compression forces of the main spring as the cam and cam follower operate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: LISEGA Kraftwerkstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Herlof Hardtke
  • Patent number: 4497500
    Abstract: An animal-simulating child's ride-on toy has head and foreleg members that are capable of being turned independently of the body, and has a unique suspension system that is accommodated in the body without disfiguring structure, thereby enhancing the lifelike appeal of the toy. The construction consists of relatively few parts which can be assembled with desirable ease, and production is relatively facile and inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Mercurio
  • Patent number: 4400186
    Abstract: A constant tension device is provided for use with a filter bag. The device includes a spring and a linkage assembly for applying tension to the filter bag. The linkage assembly is designed such that a substantially constant tension is applied to the bag regardless of the force exerted by the spring. A pair of lever arms is included within the linkage assembly for applying pressure to a bag cap if the device is used within the filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Albany International Corporation
    Inventors: Carl V. Leunig, Stewart W. Smith
  • Patent number: 4269661
    Abstract: A top nozzle for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly which includes an orifice plate designed to receive control rod guide tubes extending upwardly from the top of the fuel assembly. Nozzle pin extensions connected to the orifice plate are axially coextensive with the guide tubes and project upwardly through a top nozzle hold-down plate, and through openings in the upper core plate in the reactor. The hold-down plate is spring biased into an upper core plate engaging position and since the pin extensions are adapted to move in the core plate and against the action of the springs, the top nozzle thus becomes effective in accommodating upwardly acting hydraulic forces which tend to lift the fuel assembly, and to accommodate differential expansion of parts in the fuel assembly as compared to the core barrel in which the assembly is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Stanley Kmonk, Dennis J. Cadwell, Stephen J. Ferlan