Particular End Connection Patents (Class 267/179)
  • Patent number: 11885596
    Abstract: A hybrid-layered cell for a bulletproof structure includes a viscous absorber layer, a first elastic metal layer, a viscous-elastic foundation layer and a second elastic metal layer, orderly arranged in a lamination manner. The viscous absorber layer contains a semi-liquid viscous material. The first elastic metal layer, laminated fixedly to the viscous absorber layer, has a first predetermined toughness. The viscous-elastic foundation layer, laminated fixedly to the first elastic metal layer by opposing the viscous absorber layer, has predetermined elasticity and compressibility. The second elastic metal layer, laminated fixedly to the viscous-elastic foundation layer by opposing the first elastic metal layer, has a second predetermined toughness. In addition, the first predetermined toughness is higher than the second predetermined toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Zhenkun Wang
  • Patent number: 11415192
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring package (2) for use in a clutch and/or in a transmission, comprising a first supporting ring (4), a second supporting ring (6) which is arranged spaced apart (parallel) from the first supporting ring (4) in the axial direction, and a plurality of coil springs (8) arranged between the first supporting ring (4) and the second supporting ring (6) in distributed manner across the circumference thereof, wherein at least one of the supporting rings (4, 6) is formed from a sheet-metal strip (22) which is stamped and then bent into a ring shape and the ends of which are permanently connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SCHERDEL INNOTEC FORSCHUNGS-UND ENTWICKLUNGS-GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Doetterl, Franz Andritzky, Alexander Schraml
  • Patent number: 11384745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear compressor. The linear compressor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spring axially elastically supporting a driving assembly. The spring includes a spring body axially extending, a front spring link forming an end of the spring body by extending from a side of the spring body, and a rear spring link forming the other end of the spring body by extending from the other side of the spring body. Any one of the front spring link and the rear spring link is fixed to the driving assembly and the other one is fixed to a supporting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyosang Yu, Sanga Park
  • Patent number: 11185165
    Abstract: An armchair includes a base, a backrest pivotally connected to the base by a first rotating shaft, an armrest connected to the base and an elastic assembly fixed on the armrest. The backrest and the elastic assembly are pivotally connected by a second rotating shaft. The elastic assembly is configured to provide elastic force when the backrest swings around the first rotating shaft. The elastic assembly arranged between the backrest and the armrest permits the backrest to be able to swing relative to the base. In use, the elastic assembly controls the swing amplitude of the backrest according to the pressure exerted by the user's back on the backrest. When the user reclines backward, the elastic assembly acts as a cushion to support the backrest to slowly swing backward due to the elastic force. When the user rises, the elastic force of the elastic assembly urges the backrest to reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Libin Chen
  • Patent number: 11109682
    Abstract: A folding chair frame, a folding recliner and a folding chair frame are provided. A foot tube assembly includes a front foot tube and a rear foot tube hingedly connected at a top, the rear foot tube is provided with a first connector, the front foot tube is provided with a seat tube, which has one end hinged to the front foot tube and another end hinged to the first slider, and the first slider is hinged to a backrest tube; two sets of the foot tube assemblies are oppositely provided, each rear foot tube is respectively provided with a second connector connected to a connecting tube having one end hinged thereto and another end hinged to one front foot tube, the front end of each seat tube is respectively provided with a front cross tube having one end hinged thereto and another end hinged to a bottom end of the foot tube of the other set of the foot tube assembly opposite to the foot tube assembly in which the seat tube is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Zhejiang Topsun Creative Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Baoqing Yang
  • Patent number: 11000127
    Abstract: An armrest device for adjusting an inclination angle of a backrest. The armrest device includes a side connecting bracket and an armrest. A lower end of the side connecting bracket is fixedly connected with a seat cushion. Right ends of the side connecting bracket and the armrest are rotatably connected with the backrest. An upper end of the side connecting bracket is fixedly connected with a positioning seat. An upper end of the positioning seat extends to an inner cavity of the armrest. The positioning seat shifts the inclination angle of the backrest and limits a position of the backrest through a positioning mechanism. A first spring limiting a movement of the armrest in an X direction and a second spring limiting a movement of the armrest in a Z direction are disposed between the positioning seat and the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NINGBO KAIMENG ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiquan Wu, Jingwen Chen
  • Patent number: 10969731
    Abstract: To achieve reliable electrical connection, a width of a ring shape portion becomes narrower toward a side closer to a compression spring portion in an axis direction of the compression spring portion, and an end portion of a winding start portion is located closer to a second end portion of the ring shape portion on a side opposite to the compression spring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Emi Machii, Masaki Seto, Takashi Yano
  • Patent number: 10266027
    Abstract: An end turn portion of a coil spring includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is always in contact with a spring seat irrespective of the magnitude of a load applied to the coil spring. The second portion contacts the spring seat when the load applied to the coil spring is large, and is separated from the spring seat when the load is small. The third portion is always separated from the spring seat irrespective of the magnitude of the load. An insulating sheet made of a material having rubber elasticity is attached to a lower surface of a wire at the end turn portion by means of adhesive bonding. The insulating sheet is provided on a lower surface of a region including at least the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Enomoto, Jun Umeno, Ken Okura, Shuji Ohmura
  • Patent number: 10267368
    Abstract: A torque transmitting device having a spring pack assembly, includes a first spring retainer ring abutting the hydraulically actuated piston, a second spring retainer ring abutting the piston housing, and a plurality of coiled springs biasing the first spring retainer ring apart from the second retainer ring, thereby urging the hydraulically actuated piston slideably apart from the fixed piston housing. The first and second spring retainer rings includes a plurality of radially extending spring support surfaces defining center openings and a plurality of axially extending tabs. The first and second spring retainer rings are coaxially disposed such that the plurality of tabs of one spring retainer ring extends through the opening of the other spring retainer ring. The tab includes a width sufficiently wide to support the inner diameter of the coiled spring to prevent the spring from bowing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Deneszczuk, Joaquin J. Affonso, III, Douglas J. Dwenger
  • Patent number: 9909630
    Abstract: A clutch includes a piston, backing plate, spring, and spring retainer. The piston and the backing plate define a balance chamber therebetween. The piston has a protrusion that extends into and defines a pocket in the chamber. The spring is disposed within the pocket and is configured to disengage the piston from a clutch pack. The spring retainer is disposed between the spring and the backing plate. The retainer extends from the backing plate and into the chamber beyond an end of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon David Lint, Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Patent number: 8995867
    Abstract: An electrode for an image forming apparatus, the electrode including: an elastically deformable spring portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape by spirally winding a wire; a ring portion that is an electrical contact portion having an annular shape and provided to one end side of the spring portion in an axial direction of the spring portion, the ring portion being formed by winding the wire around a center line, which intersects with the axial direction of the spring portion, at least twice; an inner portion that is formed by the wire forming the ring portion and is positioned at an inside of the ring portion; and an outer portion that is formed by the wire forming the ring portion and is positioned at an outside of the ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Souda
  • Patent number: 8919753
    Abstract: A spring plate, especially for a MacPherson strut unit, having an axial support surface for the final turn of a helical spring. The helical spring is centered by radial centering surfaces in the area of the circumferential contour of the final turn. The centering surface is divided into individual, partial centering surfaces, which come to rest against the circumferential contour of the helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ZH Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bruno Deigner, Günther Handke, Frank Hassmann, Jörg Hermes, Joachim Koberstein, Alexander Miller, Jörg Pagel, Josef Renn, Manfred Schuler, Klaus Stretz, Andreas Zietsch, Gottfried Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20140353892
    Abstract: A spring retainer for a torsional vibration damper, including: first and second oppositely facing sides; at least one curved portion forming at least part of a radially outermost portion of the spring retainer and including: at least a portion of the first side enclosing at least one space and including at least one indentation extending in a circumferential direction; and at least a portion of the second side including at least one protrusion extending in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Wolf, Rolf Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140230222
    Abstract: A spring restraining clip mounts the axial terminus of a coil spring on the chassis via a spring seat. At least two of three spring restraining members that are circumferentially spaced on the spring restraining clip are the open type of spring restraining member so configured as to clasp and hold coil springs inserted in the axial direction, and one of the spring restraining members is a closed spring restraining member that receives the tip of a coil spring when the coil spring is rotated in the circumferential direction after having been inserted in the open type spring restraining members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Suguru MIZUKOSHI, Seiya ENDO
  • Patent number: 8807547
    Abstract: A spring housing unit connected to a switch actuator for a switchgear, which is compact and easily installed, the spring housing unit comprises a main spring housing configured as a hollow cylinder, having a flange portion formed at one end portion thereof to support one end portion of a spring, and accommodating the spring therein such that the spring is compressed or elongated; a sub-spring housing connected to the other end portion of the main spring housing such that it is separated therefrom; and a compressing cover insertedly positioned in the main spring housing and compressing the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Woong Jung
  • Publication number: 20140225319
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement and a method for forming a bearing arrangement for a spring, in particular for a spring of a vehicle chassis, having at least one spring insert in which at least part of a spring coil of the spring is accommodated. The spring insert is an elastomer and is flexible. The spring insert is configured to be movable with a moving of the spring coil. An adhesive is introduced between the spring and the spring insert, with the result that the connection of the spring insert to the spring has a bonded connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP FEDERN UND STABILISATOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Schüssler, Dieter Lechner
  • Patent number: 8800976
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CVG Management Corporation
    Inventors: Raju Bethina, Anurag Sharda, Andrew Schultz
  • Publication number: 20140159296
    Abstract: A spring system includes at least one spring and at least one spring receiver including at least one lug head to which the spring is attachable or is attached, wherein the lug head includes a thread onto which the spring can be screwed on or is screwed on, and the thread includes at least one thread portion including a thread pitch in the range of an operating pitch of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LIEBHERR-AEROSPACE LINDENBERG GMBH
    Inventor: Viktor Kast
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8740198
    Abstract: A spring guide is provided between a coil spring and a cylindrical outer shaft member. The coil spring coaxially houses therein a shaft portion of a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in the outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction of the spring guide. The spring guide includes a barrel, at least one first projecting portion, and at least one second projecting portion. The barrel has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction. The at least one first projecting portion is provided at the first end portion of the barrel to project toward an axis of the barrel. The at least one second projecting portion is provided at the second end portion of the barrel to project toward the axis of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Oishi, Kazuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8740199
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a spring assembly includes: a substrate; a coil spring having an end turn portion fixed to the substrate; an inner wall provided at an inner peripheral side of the coil spring; and an outer wall provided at an outer peripheral side of the coil spring, wherein one of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a spring fixing wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from coming off in an axial direction of the coil spring, and wherein the other of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a support wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from moving in a radial direction of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Kensuke Takeda, Yasutaka Uematsu, Toshie Fueki
  • Patent number: 8733745
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ravindra P Patil, Robert T. Jane, Michael A. Ray, Robert L. Geisler, Joseph A. Schudt
  • Patent number: 8646762
    Abstract: A spring installation mechanism includes a bracket fixed against displacement, a spring that extends along an axis and includes first and second ends, the second end being fixed against displacement, a retainer secured to the first end and including helical threads, and a screw including a shank having helical threads engaged with the threads of the retainer, axial displacement of the screw toward the retainer limited by contact with the bracket, said contact permitting rotary displacement of the screw relative to the retainer and the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard, Edward L. Schulte
  • Patent number: 8636271
    Abstract: A damper is shown for damping the movements of a valve spring in an engine. The valve spring can be housed within the damper or the damper may be located inside of the valve spring. The damper is made from a suitable polymer and has one or more tabs or slots located radially to a central axis and one or more helical springs, rings or bands housed in the slots or between the tabs. The helical springs, rings or bands are located on the outer surface of the damper where the valve spring is housed within the damper. The cross section, number and location of the tabs, slots, helical springs, rings or bands can be adjusted depending on the particular application of the damper and the amount of damping that is desired for the particular application. The damper can also incorporate a hub or stem seal and ports for receiving oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald N. Check, Jonathan E. Slade, Jason B. Youd
  • Publication number: 20130334750
    Abstract: A supporting projection is formed on a resin base plate on which a seat winding portion of a coil spring is fitted. The supporting projection has such rigidity that a distal end portion does not deflect against a spring force applied radially inwards from the seat winding portion of the coil spring. On the other hand, an elastic deflectable area which deflects elastically by the spring force applied radially outwards from the seat winding portion of the coil spring is formed in an area which extends from a proximal end to the distal end portion of the supporting projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Toshie Fueki
  • Patent number: 8602950
    Abstract: A spring connector that includes a loop is used in an exercise apparatus that has one or more springs fastened between a movable member and a stationary member. The connector of this disclosure includes a handle to aid a user to fasten one end of a spring to a stationary hook or post. The handle is a solid body generally symmetrical about a central axis, and has a large diameter base end and an opposite small diameter end, the base end having a transverse slot therein intersecting an axial bore through the solid body. The transverse slot has a curved bottom shape receiving a bottom portion of the connector loop. A user can grip the handle and install the loop over a hook or post without putting a finger in the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Savarino
  • Patent number: 8590870
    Abstract: A retraction ball and a system made of a retraction ball and an elastic element for a hydrostatic piston machine is provided, having at least one recess for accommodating an elastic element, and at least one structural element being disposed in the recess for locking the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dino Mueller
  • Patent number: 8573619
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Keiichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8561330
    Abstract: A mounting system and method for tautly mounting a flexible material sign includes a plurality of mounting springs affixed to an associated sign structure. Each of the plurality of mounting springs includes a base portion, a grasping portion and a spring portion. The base portion is adapted to be secured to an associated sign structure, such as a structure to which the flexible material sign is to be mounted, a frame or similar structure surrounding the flexible material sign, etc. The grasping portion includes a finger adapted to be received within an aperture of the flexible material sign. The spring portion is disposed between the base portion and the grasping portion for applying a tension to the flexible material sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Lind Media Company, Supro Spring & Wire Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Siegenthaler, Kevin Provagna
  • Patent number: 8556241
    Abstract: A damper is shown for damping the movements of a valve spring in an engine. The valve spring can be housed within the damper or the damper may be located inside of the valve spring. The damper is made from a suitable polymer and has one or more slots located radially to a central axis and one or more rings or bands. The rings or bands are located on the outer surface of the damper where the valve spring is located within the damper. The rings or bands are located on the inner surface of the damper where the valve spring surrounds the damper. The cross section, number and location of the slots, rings or bands can be adjusted depending on the particular application of the damper and the amount of damping that is desired for the particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald N. Check, Jason B. Youd, Jonathan E. Slade
  • Publication number: 20130200557
    Abstract: End mounts are used to secure a helical tension spring to end fixtures with various shapes and sizes. These end mounts contain an inner hole to encase the inner spring end mount and secure the end mount making it like a cap. There is also a keyhole created in the top surface that goes through the end mount allowing it to fit over the fixtures but not over the inner end mount, holding it in place. Grooves are machined in a helical pattern on the cylindrical side wall of the end mount. The spring is wound onto the grooves of the end mount. A friction-resistant coating is applied between components of the assembly to mitigate wear and to prevent bending and twisting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Renton Coil Spring Company
  • Patent number: 8490285
    Abstract: Compression springs, such as helical compression springs, include end portions with selectively contoured inner contact surfaces. The selective contours of the inner contact surfaces may take the form of planar, grooved, concave, or other shaped, non-circular surfaces. In addition, enough of the inner contact surface is contoured to reduce the contact stress and/or stress concentration effects on the adjacent coils when the compression spring is placed under load and the adjacent coil engages or contacts the respective end portion. The selective contouring of the end portions may be accomplished by holding the spring in a holder and moving a cutter relative to the end portion of the spring to remove the desired amount of material from the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renton Coil Spring Company
    Inventors: Andy Knebel, III, Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8459621
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of bonding suspension components which creates strong and durable bonding layer by using a chemical coating compatible with MCU. The bonding material uses coating materials to form an intermediated property bonding layer. This bonding layer prevents corrosion on the metal suspension components. The coating has the correct chemical activity to chemically bond MCU at the molecular level during the standard curing reaction. The coating provides an intermediated property layer to improve cyclic fatigue bonding performance, and bond effectively during molding and manufacturing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Trelleborg Automotive USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Cook, Wade J. Singler, Troy Molesworth
  • Patent number: 8414004
    Abstract: A spring seat is mounted to a suspension arm to receive a coil spring of a suspension, a spring seat body is provided with a receiving part for receiving the coil spring and a locking protrusion, which projects from the spring seat body to the side opposite to the receiving part so as to be locked in a locking hole formed in the suspension arm, are formed integrally using an elastic member, and a core material harder than the elastic member is incorporated in the spring seat body and the locking protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Onda
  • Patent number: 8376329
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strut for a motor vehicle with an axially adjustable spring plate comprising a vibration damper with a cylinder and a piston rod, a support spring which is dynamically connected to the spring plate, a ring electric motor with a rotor and a stator, a ball screw with a threaded spindle which is pivoted on the piston rod, and a threaded nut for translational motion of the spring plate, and a bearing arrangement for fixing the strut on the vehicle body, the bearing arrangement having spherical bearing surfaces which allow at least a pivoting motion of the strut to the vehicle body. The invention is characterized in that in the region of the bearing arrangement the vehicle body is dynamically connected to the strut by way of a radially-stiff and rotationally-stiff component which is axially and cardanically soft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Publication number: 20130038007
    Abstract: The invention essentially relates to an energy-absorbing element (1?) comprising: an absorbing portion (2), a first (3) and second anchoring point (4), a first (2?) and second (2?) distal ends of said absorbing portion (2) being respectively secured to the first and second anchoring points (3, 4), characterised in that it also comprises: a pretensioning flange (12) installed between the first (2?) and second (2?) distal ends, the length (L) of said flange (12) exceeding the gap (E) between the two distal ends (2?, 2?) in order to pretension said absorbing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Vincent Delage, Catherine Sibottier, Julien Dhermand
  • Patent number: 8356721
    Abstract: A spring retention device particularly well suited to use on railcars. The spring retention device has first and second fingers that oppose each other at inclined interior surfaces to define an opening. The interior surfaces overlap and are inclined relative to opposed substantially parallel and planar surfaces with which the first finger is substantially aligned between aside from its terminal end which is bent so the first finger extends outwardly from the first planar surface. The opening terminates in an enlarged portion that has an interior surface defining the perimeter of the enlarged portion. The interior surface of the enlarged portion is substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces. Springs having eyes that have their wire bent in substantially the same plane may be inserted through the opening, then when turned to align with the enlarged portion, the spring contained therein will be prevented from backing out of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Jackson International, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8225913
    Abstract: Disclosed is a damper for continuously variably adjusting a damping force that includes: a cylinder; a piston rod that is inserted into the cylinder and moves back and forth; a piston valve that is coupled to a bottom portion of the piston rod and moves back and forth in the cylinder according to the movement of the piston rod; a MR fluid that fills the cylinder and moves between a tension space over the piston valve and a compression space below the piston valve; and a volume compensation means that is located in the cylinder and compensates for a volume change of an inner space of the cylinder due to the movement of the piston rod, the volume compensation means including: a floating plunger that is configured to be below the piston valve and capable of moving up and down; a coil spring that is coupled to a bottom surface of the floating plunger and supports the floating plunger; and a support cup that is fixed onto the cylinder, coupled to a bottom portion of the coil spring to support the coil spring, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: S & T Daewoo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Rak Lee, Min-Ho Chin
  • Patent number: 8210230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winding shaft for a roller blind device with a winding tube (2) and a torsional tensioning device (7) that, with a first end (7a), is coupled to the winding tube (2) in a manner that enables it to rotate in relation thereto. The torsional tensioning device (7), at least with a second end, is coupled to the winding tube (20 so that it is rotationally fixed and axially displaceable in relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Sebastian Glasl
  • Patent number: 8191692
    Abstract: In a cylinder apparatus in the form of a shock absorber, a spring seat is mounted within a cylinder, and clearance-fitted to a piston rod with a first lateral clearance for moving along the piston rod longitudinally of the cylinder. The spring seat includes a longitudinal extension at one longitudinal end for defining a space between the longitudinal extension and the piston rod. A rebound spring is mounted around the piston rod within the cylinder. The rebound spring has one longitudinal end fixed to another longitudinal end of the spring seat. An elastic member is retained in the defined space by the longitudinal extension of the spring seat, and clearance-fitted to the piston rod with a second lateral clearance for moving along the piston rod longitudinally of the cylinder, wherein the second lateral clearance is smaller than the first lateral clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Satsuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8186489
    Abstract: In a pull arrangement including a housing with a guide structure movably supporting a carrier element which has a park position at one end of the guide structure and a rest position at the other end and a reversing structure is provided at the other end of the guide structure and a tension spring extending around the reversing structure is connected with one end to the carrier element and the opposite end to the housing for moving the carrier element to the end position, the tension spring comprises an area of high spring stiffness where it extends around the reversing structure and an area of low spring stiffness where the spring is connected to the housing away from the reversing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8181947
    Abstract: To provide a spring assembly whose production cost is low. It includes a coil spring 1, and a pair of retainers 2 disposed respectively at opposite end portions of the coil spring 1, and the retainer 2 includes a plate member 3 abutting against the end portion of the coil spring 1 and depressed at a central portion thereof toward the inside of the coil spring 1, and a hook member 4 fixed to the plate member 3 so as to hold a free length of the coil spring 1 shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Akahori
  • Patent number: 8136801
    Abstract: An adjustable tension spring anchor with rotatable head. A flanged head is rotatably mounted to a threaded cylinder mounted to a first element. The rotatable head is connectable to one end of a tension spring having its opposite end attached to a second element. A pair of mutually opposed flat surfaces on the cylinder and a socket at the end of the cylinder allows the cylinder to be rotated to adjust tension without twisting of the attached spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Accurate Manufactured Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8113496
    Abstract: Annular bearing member for supporting a support element that comprises elastic material and that when installed is under pressure and that is in the area of a suspension strut, whereby the bearing member comprises a material that has a greater hardness than the material of the support element and whereby the bearing member includes a bearing surface upon which the support element with a counter-surface is supported, whereby elevations are arranged encirclingly on the surface of the bearing surface and concentric to one another and form an integral component of the bearing member, whereby every two adjacent elevations limit an encircling receiving space for elastic material of the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fritz
  • Patent number: 8109490
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spring structure having a contact-preventing and rigidity-reinforcing function for a bed mattress in which the structure of a connection end portion for connecting a body spring and an exposure wire spring to each other is improved such that the connection end portion is not in close contact with an uppermost winding and/or a lowermost winding of the body spring and such that when a load is exerted to an exposure wire spring a displacement is prevented from being generated in which the exposure wire spring is leaned to one side, and rigidity of the spring is reinforced so that the exposure wire spring ascends/descends vertically only, thereby easily preventing the lateral displacement and deformation of the spring along with a prevention of a noise due to a frictional contact to prolong the lifespan of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ace Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoo Soo Ahn
  • Patent number: 8052129
    Abstract: A damper is shown for damping the movements of a spring. The spring is housed within the damper. The side walls of the damper have inverted T-shaped cutouts and hinge members resulting in flexure of the side walls when the spring is compressed or released. A steel band can be housed on the outside surface of the side walls providing biasing of the inside of the side walls against the outside of the spring thereby damping movement of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Jason B. Youd, Ronald N. Check, Jonathan E. Slade
  • Publication number: 20110204550
    Abstract: End mounts are used to secure a helical tension spring to end fixtures with various shapes and sizes. These end mounts contain an inner hole to encase the inner spring end mount and secure the end mount making it like a cap. There is also a keyhole created in the top surface that goes through the end mount allowing it to fit over the fixtures but not over the inner end mount, holding it in place. Grooves are machined in a helical pattern on the cylindrical side wall of the end mount. The spring is wound onto the grooves of the end mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Renton Coil Spring Company
    Inventor: Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 7972231
    Abstract: A pulley assembly having first and second members. The first member is capable of cooperating with a power transmission belt to drive/be driven by the belt. The first member is movable guidingly relative to the second member around a first axis. A coil spring has a length and a circumference and a first portion attached to the first member and a second portion attached to the second member so that a force tending to move the first/second member around the first axis is transmitted through the coil spring to the second/first member. At least one of the first and second members has a groove bounded by a surface into which the respective portion of the coil spring is fit. The respective portion of the coil spring is clamp fit within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kawamoto, Takeo Shimizu, Tomokazu Ishida
  • 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: 7959171
    Abstract: A lower spring seat mounting structure in a suspension of a vehicle, including a spring mounting portion to which a lower end portion of a coil spring is mounted, the spring mounting portion being disposed on a lower link, an elastic lower spring seat including one side surface that is in contact with the spring mounting portion and the other side surface that is in contact with the lower end portion of the coil spring, and a seat mounting portion at which the lower spring seat is connected to the spring mounting portion. The seat mounting portion is arranged within a range defined between two straight lines which extend through a center of the lower spring seat and form an angle of ±45 degrees with respect to an axis of the lower link in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuomi Takahashi, Yunosuke Yamada