Particular End Connection Patents (Class 267/179)
  • Publication number: 20040159993
    Abstract: Spring strut unit, comprising a cylinder, with respect to which a spring plate can be shifted axially for the purpose of adjusting the position of the cylinder. The spring plate has a sleeve section, which establishes the connection to the cylinder, where, on the cylinder side of the unit, a chamber is provided, which is at least partially filled with initially formable material, where the sleeve section is in contact with the initially formable material, which, when in the solidified state, transmits supporting forces from the cylinder to the spring plate. In the path of force transmission from the spring plate to the cylinder, a rotation-proof connection is provided, which determines the position of the spring plate with respect to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Alexander Miller, Manfred Schuler, Klaus Stretz
  • Publication number: 20040119216
    Abstract: An antivibration element (1) is especially for a portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw or a brushcutter. The antivibration element includes a coil spring (2) and at least one guide. An end section (7, 8) of the coil spring (2) is fixed to the guide. In order to provide a progressive characteristic line of the coil spring (2) in a simple way, the coil spring (2) has a transition section (11, 12), which borders at the end section (7, 8) and is guided with play on the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Menzel, Gunter Wolf, Helmut Lux, Jens Kutzbach
  • Publication number: 20040104523
    Abstract: A spring device comprising at least one annular support plate defining a ring with a central axis; a plurality of circumferentially spaced, parallel oriented coil springs disposed about the at least one annular plate; and, a plurality of lock assemblies spaced about the plate. Each of the lock assemblies being in position within a spring cavity of one of the coil springs to allow additional springs to be provided on the spring device. In addition, the lock assemblies are dimensioned so that the coil spring is retained in a prestressed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Barnes Group, Inc., a corp. of Delaware
    Inventors: Philip G. Costello, Frank R. Hrovat
  • Patent number: 6742658
    Abstract: In combination, a dump truck mountable particle screener for mounting atop the dump body of a dump truck, and a dump truck. The dump-truck mountable particle screener has a support frame, a screen deck, a plurality of spring assemblies connecting the screen deck to the support frame, and a vibrating mechanism attached to the screen deck for imparting the vibratory motion to the screen deck. The dump truck receives the particle screener atop the dump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bolton, Kenneth D. White, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6733023
    Abstract: A suspension, includes a load-carrying spring having one end indirectly supported via a spring washer by a component of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle and another end indirectly supported via a second spring washer by a wheel support assembly of the motor vehicle. Disposed at the one end of the load-carrying spring is a cup-shaped receptacle, and at the other end an abutment which has a stop surface. A slave spring is arranged in coaxial relationship to the load-carrying spring and has one end received in the receptacle and another end intended for engagement with the stop surface of the abutment. The receptacle and/or the abutment has a radially outwardly extending support ring for at least partially engaging behind the respective one of the spring washers at a side distal to the load-carrying spring to form a pre-fabricated unitary structure with the load-carrying spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Remmert, Andreas Rohde
  • Patent number: 6712346
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide a coil axis to be substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature in the unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil of the spring is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature in the unloaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20040036204
    Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a Mac Pherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The first turn of the spring (24) of the MacPherson strut can be immobilized on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
  • Patent number: 6692012
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Fullenkamp, Sebastian Kaffanke, Piotr A. Kos, Miroslaw Pajak
  • Patent number: 6645079
    Abstract: A damper mechanism 4 is provided to prevent wear and damage to coil springs 21 and spring housing parts thereof. A clutch disk assembly 1 chiefly has an input rotary member 2, an output rotary member 3, and the damper mechanism 4. The damper mechanism 4 elastically couples the input rotary member 2 and the output rotary member 3 together in a rotational direction and includes the coil springs 21 and pairs of spring seats 51 that support end faces of the coils springs 21. Each spring seat 51 has a pair of engaging parts 57 having a pyramidal shape that extends in a direction opposite the coil spring 21, engages with seat bearing parts 86 and 96 formed in the input rotary member 2 such that it cannot rotate, and engages with the circumferentially facing end part of spring housing hole 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinari Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6616131
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring for a vehicle suspension to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide an end coil center line connecting the centers of an upper end coil and a lower end coil to be offset to a coil axis of a body portion of the spring. A pitch of the lower end coil is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first predetermined angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of one side of the spring closer to the end coil center line than the coil axis, in an unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of the upper end coil is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second predetermined angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the other side of the spring closer to the coil axis than the end coil center line, in the unloaded state of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 6612553
    Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a McPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The shock strut comprises means capable of blocking the first turn of the spring (24) on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
  • Patent number: 6598365
    Abstract: An impact and energy absorbing product for floors, walls, panels, crash mats and other flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium or steel, to help absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with said flat surfaces. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or metals such as titanium or steel—lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon a flat surface to hold the spring in place. Thus, a floor or wall surface may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventors: Carl J. Abraham, Henry D. Cross
  • Publication number: 20030132561
    Abstract: A spring element comprises an insert (1) of a compact material having a rigidity which is higher than that of the material of which the spring element consists, and comprises a part (2) which acts as an additional spring and a part (3) which acts as a spring pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Burlage, August-Wilhelm Gelmke, Frederic Nyssen, Jan Wucherpfennig
  • Publication number: 20030127787
    Abstract: A method for mutually connecting at least two elongated elements, such as concrete renforcement rods, by means of a connecting member in the form of a winding spring with a center line, which winding spring is screwed on and around the elongated elements at the connecting place between the two elongated elements by rotation on the center line while expanding by contact with circumferential surfaces of the elongated elements, wherein the selected winding spring is a spiral or screw spiral shaped spring, of which at least one winding has a diameter smaller than the largest transverse dimension at the connecting place, determined by the elongated elements to be connected, which winding spring is placed with its center line at an angle with respect to the elongated elements and is screwingly moved from a thus obtained starting position in the direction of the elongated elements, which screwing movement is continued until at least one winding is diametrically expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Konig
  • Patent number: 6575439
    Abstract: A spring device comprising a pair of spaced-apart first and second annular support plates defining a ring with a central axis; a plurality of circumferentially spaced, parallel oriented coil springs disposed between said annular plates; and, a plurality of guide assemblies located at circumferentially spaced positions around said ring, each of the guide assemblies including a first tab extending from one of the plates, a second top extending from the other of the plates to form a generally sliding contact between the first and second tabs as the plates move vertically to compress and/or release the coil springs wherein the first tab has a guide slot extending in a direction perpendicular to the plates and the second tab carries an assembled elongated guide member extending through the slot to guide vertical movement between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Philip G. Costello, Frank R. Hrovat
  • Patent number: 6550755
    Abstract: A coil spring (1) and support bearing (2) arrangement for suspension struts (3) with a shock absorber, supporting a steering knuckle of an automobile has a rolling-contact bearing (7), with an axis (x); a receiving body (6), arranged below the rolling-contact bearing (7) in which the rolling-contact bearing is inserted; and a coil spring (1). The coil spring (1) has a force application line (f), which is offset relative to the axis (x) of the rolling-contact bearing (7) at an angle (a). The coil spring (1) has a first portion (8), which, starting from the winding end (17), winds around the receiving body (6). The first portion (8) abuts the receiving body (6). The winding end (17) of the coil spring (1) is arranged in the area of the plane E1 formed by the force application line (f) and the axis (x).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignees: INA Walzlager Schaeffler OHG, Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Herbert Ehrhardt, Ulrich Grau, Gerhard Meyer, Alexander Zernickel, Vladimir Kobelev, Markus Röhling
  • Patent number: 6543757
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide an end coil center line connecting the centers of an upper end coil and a lower end coil to be offset to a coil axis of a body portion of the spring. A pitch of the lower end coil is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of one side of the spring closer to the end coil center line than the coil axis, in an unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of the upper end coil is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the other side of the spring closer to the coil axis than the end coil center line, in the unloaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 6533259
    Abstract: This invention relates to a resilient return having a fixing seat, and to an elongate body fitted with such resilient return. The resilient return, particularly a spring in accordance with the invention, comprise a seat (9) capable of fitting into a receiving cavity, made in at least one wall (10) of an elongate element (29), typically in the radially-inner face of the wall of a tubular element, of a sleeve or similar. The present invention mainly applies to the motor car industry and especially to the design and manufacturing of braking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Devambe
  • Publication number: 20030020221
    Abstract: A spring perch assembly for automatically centering a load applied to a spring is provided. The assembly includes a body portion and a base portion which form a hollow cavity when engaged and may tilt relative to one another. When disposed between a spring and an applied load, the assembly automatically centers the load along the spring's centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Pare
  • Patent number: 6508461
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved arrangement for the operation of an overhead garage door that comprises an adapter utilized for installation and periodic maintenance of the support arrangement. Also disclosed is an adapter for use with existing garage door structures, improved wrenches for use in tensioning coil springs usually found in such arrangements and a method for tensioning such coil springs when they are originally installed or during periodic maintenance of the springs. The adapter comprises a body that may be mounted upon a rotatable shaft that supports the coil springs and be non-rotatabley attached to an end of the coil spring and the rotatable shaft. The attachment to the shaft is a releasable connection and the body has splines or projecting abutment surfaces so that two of the improved wrenches according to the present invention may have their jaws closely surround and engage the splines on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Safe Ratch, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P Trevorrow, Ben D. Yoder, Albert E Zuccolotto, Thomas P Trevorrow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6485004
    Abstract: This invention is a lift kit for conventional trailers which include a foldable tailgate or trailer ramps mounted for pivotal movement about a gate or ramp axis from a transport position wherein the gate or ramps are elevated for transport to an unload position wherein the gate is lowered to permit removal of objects carried on the trailer, which incorporates a heavy duty helical elongated spring having a plurality of coils with one end fixedly mounted at the trailer end, and at the other end of the spring an adjustment which resists the force of gravity as the gate or ramps move from its upper travel position to its lower unload position which is fixedly mounted to the trailer gate or trailer ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth Rocco Licata, Cheryl Lynn Licata
  • Patent number: 6460840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring has a coil axis that is substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt the end plane of the lower end coil at a first predetermined angle to the lower seat in the direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil is set to tilt the end plane of the upper end coil at a second predetermined angle to the upper seat in the direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature. The coil axis of the spring may be substantially curved in accordance with at least two radius of curvature in the unloaded state of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Cho Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Imaizumi, Toshiho Aoyama, Shuji Kamiya, Takashi Gotoh, Koichi Irie
  • Patent number: 6461243
    Abstract: Coil spring assemblies 9 are provided for a damper mechanism of a clutch disk assembly 1 that has an increased life span. The clutch disk assembly 1 includes an input rotary member 2, an output rotary member 3 and an elastic coupling portion 4. The elastic coupling portion 4 includes a plurality of the coil spring assemblies 9. The input rotary member 2 basically includes a clutch disk 11, a clutch plate 12 and a retaining plate 13. The output rotary member 3 basically includes a hub flange 6, a hub 7 and a low-rigidity damper 8. The coil spring assemblies 9 are configured to elastically couple plates 12 and 13 to the hub flange 6 in the rotating direction. Each coil spring assembly 9 includes a coil spring 41 and a pair of spring seats 42 and 43. The spring seats 42 and 43 are engaged with the wire end surfaces of the coil spring 41, respectively, such that the coil spring 41 cannot rotate around its central axis P—P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 6457704
    Abstract: A noise reduction assembly includes a substantially annular isolator and a substantially annular noise guard extending therefrom. The isolator and the noise guard sandwich a first convolution of a vehicle suspension coil spring. The noise guard is aligned to the coil spring such that the noise guard extends between the first and second convolutions between 1.0 and 1.4 turns of the coil spring to prevent contact in this area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Van Eerden, Chris Galea, Anthony VanRoon
  • Patent number: 6450315
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a friction clutch for a motor vehicle includes a cover and a ferrule. The cover has a ferrule aperture passing therethrough from an outer side to a inner side. The ferrule is a one piece unitary structure and is disposed in the ferule aperture. The ferrule has a spring receiving portion and a base portion and axis of orientation passing through both the spring receiving portion and the base portion. The spring receiving portion projects from the ferrule aperture beyond the inner side. The spring receiving portion has a spring aperture. The base portion has a pilot portion disposed within the ferrule aperture. The pilot portion is of a size complementary to the ferrule aperture. The size of the pilot portion is selected to enable the ferrule to be positively positioned within the ferrule aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Blessinger, John David Conrad, G. Andrew Pepple
  • Publication number: 20020113353
    Abstract: A coil spring (1) and support bearing (2) arrangement for suspension struts 3 with a shock absorber, supporting a steering knuckle of an automobile has a rolling-contact bearing (7), with an axis (x); a receiving body (6), arranged below the rolling-contact bearing (7) in which the rolling-contact bearing is inserted; and a coil spring (1). The coil spring (1) has a force application line (f), which is offset relative to the axis (x) of the rolling-contact bearing (7) at an angle (a). The coil spring (1) has a first portion (8), which, starting from the winding end (17), winds around the receiving body (6). The first portion (8) abuts the receiving body (6). The winding end (17) of the coil spring (1) is arranged in the area of the plane E1 formed by the force application line (f) and the axis (x).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Herbert Erhardt, Ulrich Grau, Gerhard Meyer, Alexander Zernickel, Vladimir Kobelev, Markus Rohling
  • Patent number: 6382424
    Abstract: A truck mounted particle screener for mounting atop the dump body of a dump truck having a support frame, a screen deck, a plurality of spring assemblies connecting the screen deck to the support frame, and a vibrating mechanism attached to the screen deck for imparting the vibratory motion to the screen deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bolton, Kenneth A White
  • Patent number: 6382607
    Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Precision Products Group
    Inventors: David A. Meier, Dean A. Pranger, Jerry Lee Wigren, Ken Eugene Simons, Norman Edward Bradshaw, John R. Smith, Russell D. Sugarbaker
  • Patent number: 6375171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper between a housing (4), which holds an internal combustion engine, and a handle (3) fixed on the housing (4). The handle (3) is for holding and guiding the motor-driven chain saw (2) during use thereof. The vibration damper (1) is a coil spring (5) which is fixed at a first end (10) thereof with an attachment element (7) to the handle (3) and, at a second end (20), the coil spring is fixed with a further attachment element (30) to the housing. A part turn of the end (10, 20) of the coil spring (5) is held form-tightly to the attachment element (7, 30) in the direction of its longitudinal center axis (25). To provide a torsion-free assembly of the coil spring, it is provided that the coil spring (5) can be assembled from one of its ends (20) between the handle (3) and the housing (4) and be secured at least at one of its ends (20) to the attachment element (30) against a rotational movement in the peripheral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Zimmermann, Horst Otterbach, Bernhard Dürr, Manfred Rabis, Karl-Heinz Klöpfer, Klaus Martin Uhl, Günter Wolf, Rebekka Helfen
  • Patent number: 6328290
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring has a coil axis that is substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt the end plane of the lower end coil at a first predetermined angle to the lower seat in the direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil is set to tilt the end plane of the upper end coil at a second predetermined angle to the upper seat in the direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature. The coil axis of the spring may be substantially curved in accordance with at least two radiuses of curvature in the unloaded state of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Imaizumi, Toshiho Aoyama, Shuji Kamiya, Takashi Gotoh, Koichi Irie
  • Patent number: 6308974
    Abstract: A suspension system 10 has one or more protrusive seating portions 21L;22L, on which a coil spring 13 is situated, and is formed in a partly circumferential portion of a spring seat 14L supporting the coil spring 13, and a tapered surface 23L for preventing body warp or bending of the coil spring 13 in a circumferential portion of at least one protrusive seating portion 22L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hashirayama, Yoshihisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6283462
    Abstract: A helical spring end retainer and tension adjuster is formed by a centrally apertured relatively thin wall shallow cup-like member having a hexagonal nut axially secured in the aperture for threaded engagement with a spring surrounded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond L. Emmert
  • Patent number: 6264183
    Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Products Group
    Inventors: David A. Meier, Dean A. Pranger, Jerry Lee Wigren, Ken Eugene Simons, Norman Edward Bradshaw, John R. Smith, Russell D. Sugarbaker
  • Patent number: 6260836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber loaded therearound with a compression coil spring so improved that a side force generated by the compression coil spring can be effectively alleviated by making both or any one of an upper sheet 13 mounted to an absorber rod 3 and a lower sheet 16 mounted on an absorber tube 2 so as to be loaded therebetween with the compression coil spring 17 free to rock relatively to each other in a predetermined direction or in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Chuohatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiho Aoyama, Takashi Goto
  • Patent number: 6260833
    Abstract: This disclosure sets out an improved coil spring responding in compression to a tensile load. The load is applied by load engaging equal and oppositely deployed hooks wherein both hooks have a load engaging throat at the lower end connected with a pair of parallel legs. One leg terminates in a hanger having the form of a J-shaped hook and the other leg terminates in a protruding eyelet sized to engage a tang at the end of the spring. The two hooks are maintained at approximate right angles with respect to each other to distribute the forces more evenly in the coil spring to avoid spring bowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Barry Drager
  • Patent number: 6253634
    Abstract: An opener device having an operation lever rotatably supported so as to open a lid member through a remote operation, and a spring hooked at one end to spring hooking member of the operation lever so as to elastically urge the operation lever, and hooked at the other end to a fixing member. The opener device is improved such that the spring hooking member includes: a recess located at the base end of the operation lever; and a hook-receiving portion provided in the recess, while being located in an internal position of the thickness direction of the operation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., LTD
    Inventor: Katsumi Nakagome
  • Patent number: 6237268
    Abstract: A sign stand having an improved resilient member to dissipate the torque-moment created by wind forces acting against a sign stand. The resilient member includes a coil spring, at least one plug having a helical protrusion and at least one mounting bracket. The plug is threaded into an end of the coil spring and the mounting bracket is fastened to the plug. A locking tab on the mounting bracket engages a flat ridge machined into at least one coil of the coil spring. This configuration eliminates relative rotation between the coil spring and the mounting bracket and as such, permits the effective transmission of torque into the coil spring while eliminating the potential for failure at the spring/bracket joint due to fatigue, fracture or mechanical loosening. The design of the resilient member also permits the servicing of each component as well as substantial weight reductions in the base of the sign stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Marketing Displays International
    Inventor: Yevgeniy M. Levin
  • Patent number: 6199843
    Abstract: A spring assembly 12 for an electromagnetic actuator 10 is provided. The actuator 10 has an armature 18 mounted for movement between two electromagnets 14 and 16 and a shaft 22 operatively associated with the armature. The spring assembly 12 includes a housing 34 having a surface feature 52 therein and is coupled to the actuator. A helical spring 32 is disposed in the housing 34 so as to be compressed and allowed to expand. The spring 32 has first and second ends with the second end biasing the shaft 22. A spring retainer 38 engages the first end of the spring 32. The spring retainer 38 has a surface feature 48 therein. A ball bearing 40 is received by the surface feature 52 of the housing 34 and the surface feature 48 of the spring retainer 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Louis G. DeGrace
  • Patent number: 6112712
    Abstract: A motorcycle engine comprising an engine housing, a crankshaft mounted for rotation within the housing, a camshaft mounted for rotation within the housing, a flexible element (e.g., a chain) coupling the camshaft to the crankshaft, and a tensioner mounted adjacent the flexible element. The tensioner includes a support member, a shoe made of a polyimide polymer (e.g., Vespel), and a biasing member biasing the support member so that the shoe is in contact with the flexible element. The biasing member is made from a wire having a quadrangular (e.g., square) cross section. Preferably, the camshaft is supported by a cam support plate, and the support member is pivotally mounted to the cam support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: David A. Safarik, Jeffrey P. Coughlin, Marc D. McAllister
  • Patent number: 6109599
    Abstract: A flexible connector which is a combination of a coil spring and an elastomeric sleeve is disclosed. This combination allows for greater strength and resistance to exceeding the strain limit of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: George N. Kringel
  • Patent number: 6098970
    Abstract: A spring having a helical body with opposed ends and two flexible safety cables each of which is coupled to one of said opposed ends, with the two flexible cables extending in opposite directions pass the center of the helical body, terminating in an attachment thereto. The helical body includes a plurality of coils with one end of each of the cables being coupled to one of the plurality of coils. The attachment includes an elliptically shaped journal through which one of the plurality of coils passes, thereby pivotally attaching the cable thereto. In one embodiment, a threaded boss is disposed at each end of the helical body. The threaded boss has a plurality of recesses, each of which is adapted to receive on of the plurality of coils. In this fashion, the threaded boss threadably engages the helical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Winston Lowe
    Inventor: Winston H. H. Lowe
  • Patent number: 6062157
    Abstract: A spring apparatus for use with hauling elements such as mooring ropes. The apparatus has a spring element (1) in the shape of a tension screw spring which has an intermediate section having a diameter considerably larger than that of its end sections (3). A certain predetermined maximal tension load, and a certain predetermined maximal stretch of the spring element are positioned at the intermediate portion, which, due to its larger diameter, has a lower spring constant, while the end-sections with their smaller diameters and larger spring constants are not stretched. The apparatus also comprises an attachment element (6) attached to an end section and preferably attachment elements attached to each of the end sections. The attachment elements are designed to hold sections of the hauling elements (10). In addition, the hauling element acts as a stretch limiter which prevents the spring from being deformed by overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Ewes Stalfjader AB
    Inventor: Karl-Gustaf Derman
  • Patent number: 5957442
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device to cancel the turn signal of an automobile when it fails to cancel due to a defect in the turn signal switch or the turn signal canceling cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph Hensley
  • Patent number: 5947498
    Abstract: A modular telescopic front fork assembly which is adaptable to a wide range of applications is disclosed. The modular telescopic front fork assembly is utilized for a front of a vehicle having at least one front wheel. The modular telescopic front fork assembly includes a removable self-contained damper cartridge. This removable self-contained damper cartridge includes a housing and a reciprocating piston rod axially extending from the housing. A first securing mechanism steerably secures the housing of the self-contained damper cartridge to the front of the vehicle. A second securing mechanism secures the piston rod of the self-contained damper cartridge adjacent to the front wheel of the vehicle. This provides a removable self-contained damper cartridge which damps the movement of the front wheel relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Babak Rajaee
  • Patent number: 5911295
    Abstract: A compression coil spring is used as a return spring which is stored in the housing of a clutch to urge the clutch piston in its returning direction. The effective number of turns of the compression coil spring is two or less, and the number of turns at an end-turn portion thereof is more than 0.45 and not more than 0.7. The compression coil spring is used in the compressed state throughout the operating stroke of the clutch piston. The number of turns at the end-turn portion is desirably within the range of 0.5 to 0.65, more desirably within the range of 0.55 to 0.62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignees: F.C.C. Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itonaga, Jun Tokumasu, Kenjiro Kawanabe, Yutaka Nishida, Ichiro Sasuga
  • Patent number: 5906362
    Abstract: To avoid an increase of the number of steps for assembling a coil spring and seat members and a reduction in mechanical strength of the coil spring or the like, a coil spring assembly 20 is provided with the coil spring 25 and the seat members 26. Each seat member 26 has receivers 27 for contacting both ends of the coil spring 25 and projections 28 extending into the coil spring 25 from the receivers 27. Ribs 29 are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the projections 28 for engagement with the coil spring 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Takehira
  • Patent number: 5829773
    Abstract: A modular telescopic front fork assembly which is adaptable to a wide range of applications is disclosed. The modular telescopic front fork assembly is utilized for a front of a vehicle having at least one front wheel. The modular telescopic front fork assembly includes a removable self-contained damper cartridge. This removable self-contained damper cartridge includes a housing and a reciprocating piston rod axially extending from the housing. A first securing mechanism steerably secures the housing of the self-contained damper cartridge to the front of the vehicle. A second securing mechanism secures the piston rod of the self-contained damper cartridge adjacent to the front wheel of the vehicle. This provides a removable self-contained damper cartridge which damps the movement of the front wheel relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Babak Rajaee
  • Patent number: 5722645
    Abstract: For changing the spring rate of a coil spring in a simple manner, a spacing element is screwable into the coil spring and can be locked in different positions with respect to the coil spring by way of a fixing device. The spring element can, for example, be screwed into the spring via its receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Horst Reitter
  • Patent number: 5709371
    Abstract: Spring apparatus is provided which includes coil springs having intermediate and end coils suitable for interconnection in order to form a continuous spring which maintains a constant load-deflection characteristic over all intermediate coils unaffected by the joint end coils. This configuration therefore finds particular utility in providing bias without compromise of sealing, electromagnetic shielding and/or conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 5692737
    Abstract: A helical spring device used for amusement or for stress relief having a plurality of concentrically positioned helical coil springs each extending between two endpieces. The helical coil springs each are highly flexible with a low spring stiffness to mass ratio, and each have a different diameter. The endpieces have an internal member and an external member, with the internal piece having a slit extending through it. The ends of the helical coil springs are inserted through the slits in the internal members in such a manner that they are positioned between the internal and external members. The ends are secured in place by a fastener such as a screw which extends between the internal and external members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Leon Perlsweig