Particular End Connection Patents (Class 267/179)
  • Patent number: 5692599
    Abstract: A toggle spring for a circuit breaker operating mechanism which provides better performance and reliability is provided. The toggle spring includes a unique spring eye having a back hook portion extending around a spring shank so as to dramatically increase the force supportable by the spring eye. The toggle spring is provided having a body portion having a first end and a second end. A first spring eye extends from the first end of the body portion and a shank extends from the second end of the body portion. A second spring eye extends from the shank and includes the back hook portion which extends around the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: John M. Winter
  • Patent number: 5676355
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a shock absorber, a coil spring, a tubular dust cover, and an insulator. The shock absorber is provided with a first seat and a second seat at the opposite ends. The insulator is disposed between the first seat and the coil spring, and includes a body for holding the coil spring, and a contact projecting from the body in a centripetal direction and having a portion being brought into contact with one of the opposite ends of the dust cover. The insulator forms a space between the first seat and an outer portion with respect to the portion of the contact. Thus, the insulator reduces the wear of the first seat resulting from the contact with the dust cover, inhibits the first seat from corroding, and keeps the strength of the first seat from decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Hayashi, Yoshikazu Tsukamoto, Hiroyuki Koba
  • Patent number: 5658006
    Abstract: A one-piece cast suspension mounting spring pocket having a circular, radially contoured disk portion and having a plurality of flanges is disclosed. The disk portion serves as a spring pocket and prevents a spring from radial movement. The flanges are parallel to and spaced from one another, and are generally perpendicular to the disk portion of the one-piece cast member. One or more of the flanges intersects a frusto-conical formation which is radially centered in the disk portion, the intersecting flange conforming to and bowing with the frusto-conical formation. The structural integrity of the one-piece cast spring pocket is improved when compared to the currently produced multi-piece spring pockets by having the flange intersect the frusto-conical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Freeman, Mark C. Handley, Donald L. Flagg
  • Patent number: 5653426
    Abstract: A self-centering spring hanger assembly has a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall and a central vertical wall therebetween. A coil spring adapted to receive a hanger rod is mounted on the bottom wall. A spring cap is located on the top of the spring. The spring cap has a plurality of concentric depressions adapted to receive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Kinetics Noise Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul William Meisel
  • Patent number: 5628521
    Abstract: A manually operated leveling system for a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A shoe is mounted to the piston rod of each jack. Two jacks are located adjacent the rear of the vehicle and one jack is located adjacent the front of the vehicle. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle, and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks in order to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A cross-check level or bullseye level is mounted within the interior of the vehicle for viewing by the operator to determine the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A series of control valves are interposed between the jacks and the switches for controlling extension and retraction of the jacks in response to manual operation of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Versa Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schneider, Jon D. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5620171
    Abstract: A spring sheet structure is disclosed which enables the prevention of generation of abnormal sound between a coil spring and a spring sheet. A positioning portion is formed at two regions at predetermined positions of a lower spring sheet. The positioning portion is formed by a first curved surface portion whose radius of curvature is slightly less than a radius of a minimum wire diameter coil spring, and a second curved surface portion whose radius of curvature is slightly greater than a radius of a maximum wire diameter coil spring. Further, an outer diameter dimension E of a base portion is set to be less than inner diameter dimensions F, F' of the coil spring. A wound seat portion of the coil spring can be reliably positioned in a point-contacting state, and generation of abnormal sound can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Wakatsuki
  • Patent number: 5620172
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper for a motor vehicle comprising a longitudinally extending tube and a separately formed spring seat positioned on the tube, wherein the tube is formed from extruded aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the spring seat is formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Delphi France Automotive Systems
    Inventors: Gary C. Fulks, Nicholas Jones, Manuel T. Barbosa, Francisco J. S. Jimenez, Antonio Perez De La Lastra Arjona, Miguel C. Garcia, Jose I. M. Gorostidi
  • Patent number: 5620170
    Abstract: A coil-spring-supporting device includes a tension coil spring which includes two small-diameter portions near both ends which portions are smaller in winding diameter than the remaining portion, and a pair of engaging devices provided at a spring mounting region where the tension coil spring is to be mounted, the engaging devices being engaged with the two small-diameter portions in such a manner that the small-diameter portions are held by the engaging devices. Each of the engaging devices is made up of a pair of supporting cylindrical pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Shibata, Yoshimi Noro, Shouji Kimura
  • Patent number: 5615870
    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: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 5595275
    Abstract: A compact torsion spring assembly is functionally disposed between a first member and a second member. The first member is rotatable relative to the second member and has a first spring engagement notch therein. A bracket fixed relative to the second member has a second notch therein. A tension spring is formed as a continuous coil of steel wire, defining an enlarged diameter first catch plate portion at a first end and a second catch plate portion at a second end. The spring is disposed between the first member and the second member, with the first catch plate portion engaging the notch in the first member and the second catch plate portion engaging the notch in the bracket, wherein the spring rotatively biases the first member relative to the the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel V. Gochenour, Barry T. Adams, Martin E. Kumner, Christopher M. Davis, Steven D. Lepard, Michael L. Bassett, Kevin F. Schlosser
  • Patent number: 5580315
    Abstract: A recreational appliance with springs (1) is provided with a locking element (2-9) which can be inserted in an anchoring element with a receiving flange (4), whereby a recreational appliance can be locked to the fundament in such a manner that it can be removed after it has been unlocked. The lock is preferably configured to have two lock plates (5) which engage bolt retaining edges (15) in the flange (4), which is provided with a recess (14) in which the locking element (2-9) is inserted. A recreational appliance can then function in the same way as an ordinary permanently ground anchored appliance, but the locking element makes it possible to remove the appliance after it has been unlocked, for area maintenance or repairs, or to avoid damage to the recreational appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kompan A/S
    Inventor: Steen Katz
  • Patent number: 5470049
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed for supporting a coil spring, for example for an automobile suspension system. The bearing assembly includes an elastic support having a sloped spring supporting surface corresponding to the pitch of the spring. At the side opposite the spring, the elastic support is supported by a distance element. The distance element and elastic support are geometrically configured so that a uniform axial length of the elastic support member is disposed between the spring and the distance element over a substantial circumference of the coil spring. In certain embodiments, recesses are formed in the elastic support member for engaging with cams at the distance element, with the ends of the cams and the bottoms of the recesses dimensioned so that there is a constant height of the elastic support between the spring and the distance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Hans J. Wohler, Francesco Germano
  • Patent number: 5467851
    Abstract: Shock absorber with adjustable damping force, comprising a cylinder, an axially movable piston rod with a piston connected to it, a number of fluid chambers with capacities which can be changed relative to one another as a function of the movement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder, and fluid connections between at least two of the fluid chambers, whereby at least one of the fluid connections has a check valve module, whereby the check valve module is also designed with at least one valve seat, whereby a valve check element can be elastically applied against the valve seat in a check position, whereby this valve check element can also be adjusted by means of a field coil in opposition to the closing force of at least one spring in a number of positions, whereby the spring(s) is/are a unit of a row inside the check valve module, and possibly an intermediate module, which consists of a control chamber discharge valve body and a supplemental discharge valve body, characterized by a connection (17, 29, 15
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Gunter Handke, Lars Rossberg, Andreas Zietsch
  • Patent number: 5467971
    Abstract: A quarter car vehicle suspension including a wheel, a bearing having an axis of rotation, the piston rod axis aligned at an acute angle with respect to a spring axis of a coil spring of the suspension, and a spring seat integral with the bearing, wherein the bearing is located between the spring seat and the vehicle body, and wherein the axis or rotation of the bearing is substantially aligned with a spring axis and at an acute angle to the piston rod axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Diane M. Hurtubise, Perry K. Arnold, David P. Kudla, Lawrence E. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5464198
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper (1) has an input assembly (2,6,7) and a reactor plate (25) with coil springs (40) circumferentially spaced about a center axis of the damper to absorb vibration between the input assembly and reactor plate. Each coil spring (40) includes a plurality of active coils (50) and partial end coils (44). The active coils have a pitch greater than the diameter (d) of the wire (11) and the partial end coils have a pitch equal to the diameter of the wire. A flattened arcuate surface (42) is formed on the partial end coil which spans less than a full coil turn. A distal tip (46) of the end coil has a thickness that is a fraction of the diameter of the wire that is inversely proportional to the amount of arcuate flattened surface of the end coil section. The gap (66) between the tip and the adjacent coil is also inversely proportional to the amount of arcuate spanning surface of the end coil section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Yanko, David A. Hall
  • Patent number: 5464178
    Abstract: A tubular plastic body of a neon tubing support has a bore terminating in a lower opening and in an opposite internally shouldered upper opening. A helical spring is installed in the bore through the lower opening and retained by a plug in the lower opening at one end of the bore and by the shoulder at the other end. A stem unit includes a shaft having a tubing engaging element on one end, and extends into the bore coaxially with the spring and terminates in an integral bulbous portion. The bulbous portion is axially slotted to define legs which can flex toward each other for clearing through the undersized top opening in the body. The bulbous portion has a shoulder and passes axially through the spring to compress some of the convolutions for developing a force causing the shoulder to engage with the convolutions intermediate of the ends of the spring to create a bidirectionally resilient neon tubing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Everbrite, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Grinwald, Glen R. Blok
  • Patent number: 5431378
    Abstract: A method and an article for assembling a compression die spring in a spring pocket formed in a die member includes a retainer having an outer edge that is larger in width than the diameter of the sidewall of the spring pocket in order to form an interference fit with the sidewall and, thereby, retains a spring, a portion of which is spanned by the member in the spring pocket. The retainer has four legs whose distal ends are on a circle whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the pocket sidewall. At least two of the legs are configured to straddle a turn of the spring to allow the retainer to be juxtaposed with the spring with all four legs extending outwardly from the spring to engage the pocket sidewall. In one embodiment, the outer edge of the retainer is turned in order to accommodate variations in diameter of the pocket sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Ballast
  • Patent number: 5368107
    Abstract: In a portable work machine, such as a chain saw, a vibration preventive coil spring mounting structure is provided which, upon interposition of a vibration preventive coil spring between a main body having a power source and a covering part having handles and adapted to support the main body, can ensure stable, secure and easy fixing of the coil spring to spring mount seats and which is advantageous from the standpoint of cost. Structurally, of a vibration preventive coil spring (10) is interposed between a main body (2) including a power source and a covering part (3) including grip handles (4, 5) and arranged to partially surround the outer periphery of the main body (2) to support same. Opposite ends (LO a, lob) of the coil spring (10) contact spring mount seats (11, 6a) of the main body (2) and the covering part (3), respectively, and cylindrical resilient fixing members (20, 20) are inserted at the opposite ends (10a, 10b) of the coil spring and abut against inner peripheries thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Taomo
  • Patent number: 5326084
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a wheel of a motor vehicle has a bearing unit for a suspension part of a stabilizer which is held on the spring strut. The bearing unit includes a holding element which extends around the cylinder of the spring strut and is connected with it. The holding element has a bearing for the suspension part in a projecting console and has a face that forms a spring plate. The face supports a coil spring which is arranged coaxially with respect to the spring strut. This coil spring is supported on the vehicle by an end which faces away from the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Peter Mevissen, Hans-Jurgen Wohler
  • Patent number: 5306086
    Abstract: A spring assembly particularly adapted for use in vehicular automatic transmissions comprising a pair of annular plates having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced, parallel-oriented compression springs mounted therebetween. The annular plates are interconnected at circumferentially spaced points around their periphery so that the compression springs are held in a precompressed state. The interconnection means are designed so as to permit the overall axial length of the spring assembly to constrict as the springs are compressed. Two alternative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed: a first embodiment wherein the annular plates are made from stamped sheet metal and a second embodiment wherein the annular plates are made from injected molded plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Kuhlman Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Orlowski, Richard Margaritondo
  • Patent number: 5255640
    Abstract: A self-locking valve spring retainer (30) operatively retaining a return spring (28) on the stem (20) of a poppet valve (16) comprises an annular base ring (48) from which three flexible arms (52) upwardly extend. A locking step (66) projects radially inwardly from each of the arms (52) to provide an engaging ledge (70) which interlocks with a corresponding mating projection (68) of the valve stem (20). An annular waisted hinge (86) is formed between the three arms (52) and the base ring (48) to ease stresses on the retainer (30) as the arms (52) are blossomed outwardly during installation and removal. The annular base ring (48) is fabricated from a first organic polymeric material capable of deformation thus permitting the arms (52) to flex outward therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: D.P.I.
    Inventor: Daniel H. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5246215
    Abstract: A spring system for applying an elastic restoring force to a moveable member undergoing a reciprocating movement. This spring system includes a coil spring made of steel and having a moveable end engaged to a moveable member and a fixed end engaged to a fixed member. The moveable end is formed as an open end. A spring seat member is interposed between the moveable end of the coil spring and the moveable member. The spring seat member has a receiving surface contoured to snugly receive the moveable end of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritoshi Takamura, Yuichi Nagase
  • Patent number: 5221071
    Abstract: A seat suspension for resiliently mounting an operator's seat on a vehicle for floating movement in fore-to-aft and vertical directions. The seat suspension includes a base part that has lower front and rear pivot axes and a lower spring end seat; and a support part on which the operator's seat can be mounted with the support part having upper front and rear pivot axes and an upper spring end seat. One of the spring seats has a fulcrum and a lateral movement retainer while the other spring seat has an anchor. Front and rear links pivotally interconnect the upper and lower front pivot axes and the upper and lower rear pivot axes, respectively. Compression springs each having an axis and spaced apart upper and lower end portions that are generally transverse to the spring axis are mounted between the base part and the support part. One transverse end portion of each compression spring is mounted in the anchor and secured thereby against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin E. Hill
  • Patent number: 5219030
    Abstract: An improved method of assembling conventional scales, including bathroom scales, is provided by employing an improved spring for connecting the upper housing to the bottom pan. The upper housing may now be connected to the bottom pan with a simple downward force imposed on the improved spring thereby hooking the bottom of the spring to the bottom pan and mateably engaging the tapered top of the spring in an extruded hole in the upper housing. The improved spring is tapered at the top end to mateably engage the extruded hole in the upper housing and includes only one hook on the bottom end for engagement with the bottom pan. The improved spring enables easier and faster assembly of conventional scales thereby reducing labor and production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: Frank J. Mordick
  • 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: 5193590
    Abstract: In a spring system for dobbies and other weaving mechanisms of the negative type which includes hooking elements, each of the hooking elements includes, parallel to its edges which face the springs, a row of omega-sectioned openings which receive, by a lateral displacement along the axis of the opening, an endpiece of a shape to be seated within the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: S.A. des Etablissements Staubli
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Froment, Andre Fumex
  • Patent number: 5173578
    Abstract: Disclosed is a push button switch assembly which is used in the operation panel of an electronic equipment or in the input device of an office automation apparatus. The assembly comprises a pair of upper and lower contacts, a slider body for pressing said contacts, a button for pressing said slider body, protrusions provided on respective opposing surfaces of the button and the slider body respectively, a coil spring disposed between the button and the slider body and arranged such that is end portions are forced onto and retained on the protrusions respectively, and a casing for retaining the button in a manner such that the button is vertically movable. By providing the protrusions on the back surface of the button and the bottom of the slider body respectively, the coil spring has its end portions forced, respectively, onto the protrusions to firmly hold the slider body in place. Thus, the components involved become easy to be incorporated into the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naotaka Tama
  • Patent number: 5092568
    Abstract: A coil spring device comprises a coil spring formed of a spiral wire having a first end and a second end, a first end support mechanism supporting the first end of the wire, and a second end support mechanism supporting the second end of the wire. The paired support mechanisms are movable relatively to each other in the axial direction of the coil spring. The first support mechanism supports the first end of the wire for rotation only around a first diametrical axis which extends toward a coil central axis. The second support mechanism supports the second end of the wire for rotation only around a second diametrical axis which extends toward the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Tachikawa, Toshio Hamano
  • Patent number: 5090657
    Abstract: The present invention is a cable reinforced mounting system. Springs suspend a motor-compressor within a housing, and coaxial cables extend between the housing and the motor-compressor to dampen vibration and stabilize its position both vertically and horizontally. The cable ends have cable terminators for mounting the cable. The cable terminators are formed by metal injection molding and engage mounting brackets of the housing and on the mounts of the motor-compressor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Nelik I. Dreiman
  • Patent number: 5031982
    Abstract: A filament (36) of a material having resilient springlike characteristics is helically wound to form a hollow tubular guide (34) for an optical fiber (14) dispensed from a wound stack (37). The guide can have a constant diameter (34) or, alternatively, include portions of a different diameter (44, 50, 52). A further embodiment especially advantageous for use in a helicopter (10) positions a rigid tube (58) around the guide (56) leaving a portion of the guide extending from the rigid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Gary R. Redford
  • Patent number: 5004216
    Abstract: A spring connection assembly for a bouncing toy to connect a seating platform to a support includes an elongated support member, an eyelet mounted to the support member for rotation about the member axis, a coil spring having an end hook hooked through the eyelet and a clip having a clip portion extending parallel to the spring hook but in the opposite direction and a base portion retained within the end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Hedstrom Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Boudreau
  • Patent number: 4962834
    Abstract: An interchangeable end mount system for stabilizer shock absorbers. Two types of end mounts are described, an eye ring end mount and a stud end mount. In one preferred embodiment, the eye ring end mount includes an eye ring, a threaded sleeve with a shoulder, and a washer. The end mount is removably screwed onto a threaded piston rod. An improved spring seat provides a bottom support for the shock absorber spring. A stud end mount embodiment includes an internally and externally threaded stud with a shoulder, and a washer. Another embodiment of the stud end mount does not have a shoulder or washer but uses cup washers and urethane doughnuts to retain the shock absorber spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignees: Walter K. Napoleon, Lewis B. Miner
    Inventor: Lewis B. Miner
  • Patent number: 4959511
    Abstract: This invention relates to an expansion device to permit the conductor to be extended beyond its normal operational length without breaking the electrical connection between the objects. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a spring maintains the conductor at a predetermined length. The spring permits the conductor to be moved away from one of the objects for a predetermined distance without breaking the electrical connection between the objects. Preferably, the spring itself is conductive and connects two portions of the conductor which are relatively non-expandable. Alternatively, the spring in its relaxed state may merely maintain some slack in the conductor, the slack being taken up when the spring is compressed. In either embodiment, the spring tensioning mechanism may be contained entirely within one of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Grid Systems
    Inventors: Graham P. Lloyd, Dennis R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4956884
    Abstract: A modular box spring mattress includes two flexible plate units each of which consists of a plurality of plate subunits. The plate subunits of either of the plate units include a plurality of annular flanges which extend toward the adjoining plate unit. The annular flanges of one of the plate units respectively oppose the annular flanges of the adjoining plate unit so that the end turns of the compression springs are received within the annular flanges. Each of the annular flanges includes a plurality of flexible retaining arms extending obliquely and inwardly therefrom in a plane generally parallel to the plate subunits. The end portions of the retaining arms are spaced apart from the corresponding plate subunits so that the end turns of the compression springs can be respectively retained between the retaining arms and the plate subunits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Dye-Shuh Hwang
  • Patent number: 4934081
    Abstract: A retainer for a revolver yoke stud includes a screw portion with spring and pin detent carried thereby in a unitary assembly. The yoke stud includes an angular groove with a chamfered surface adapted to be engaged by the tapered end of the pin. The frame of the revolver is provided with a threaded bore and a hole in its plate aligned with the chamfer of the stud when the yoke is disposed in operative position in the revolver. The screw serves the dual function of a fastener for the side plate and as the base or mounting member for the spring detent assembly. The screw and pin include oppositely opening tubular recesses and the pin is adapted for axial movment with respect to the screw member. The outer ends of the spring are enlarged to be captured and retained in the opposed tubular recessed of the screw and pin, thereby forming a unitary assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Mooney
  • Patent number: 4930605
    Abstract: A parking brake assembly of the blind-cable-connection type including a backing plate containing an opening, a helical guide spring arranged to guide a flexible resilient inner cable member toward a ramp surface on a parking brake lever for the blind connection to the inner cable member to the lever, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the ramp surface relative to the cable axis is contained in a plane that is both parallel with the longitudinal axis of the lever and that is inclined at an acute angle relative to the axis of the inner cable member. This construction permits the parking brake lever to be simply and economically formed from a blank of flat metal stock, the cable-retaining slot being defined by a slot contained between bifurcated portions of the ramp surface. The helical guide spring includes portions having tightly wound turns, thereby to assist in connecting the spring with the backing plate and/or with the parking brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Orscheln Co.
    Inventors: Billy G. Boyer, Lloyd M. Nelson, Wayne L. Soucie, William K. Hayes
  • Patent number: 4881725
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is an accumulator for suppressing an abrupt rise in and suppressing the pressure of a fluid. In this accumulator, a coil spring for urging a piston fitted in a cylinder in the axial direction thereof is secured on the pistion by securing it on one side of a plate and by securing the plate on the piston. The plate is formed with a cylindrical nub, on which is fitted on turn of the coil spring. This coil spring is secured on the plate by deforming the nub radially outward to trap that one turn of the coil spring. The plate in turn is secured in a bottomed cylindrical hollow portion which is formed in the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shioda, Shinya Nakamura, Makoto Funahashi, Seitoku Kubo
  • Patent number: 4875665
    Abstract: In an accumulator including a piston which slides freely in a cylinder and a spring which presses the piston, a hole of the piston end where, at the bottom, a large diameter section is made, and small diameter section whose diameter is smaller than that of the large diameter section is located at another side of the large diameter section is located at another side of the large diameter section against the bottom of the hole is provided, and the spring assembly having the retaining member and the coil spring whose one end is fixed to the retaining member and another end is free is provided, and the snap ring is provided to hold the retaining member between the bottom of the hole and the snap ring which is installed in the large diameter section with radial expansion force, so that the spring assembly is installed in the hole of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co. Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Kato, Masanori Kadotani, Yoshikazu Sakaguchi, Seitoku Kubo, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Hiroji Taniguchi, Yoshihara Harada
  • Patent number: 4869473
    Abstract: The device comprises two rods which are each intended to be connected to one of the structural elements, and at least one helical spring whose ends are connected to two discs, each associated with one of the rods, so as to oppose the movement apart of the rods through the discs. The latter are mounted for axial sliding relative to the associated discs and are formed in such a way that their movement both towards and away from each other causes tensioning of the spring from its undeformed rest condition. The device acts as a rigid connecting element when thestresses applied to it are less than a predetermined threshold. When the stress exceeds the threshold, however, it deforms resiliently to limit the amount of stress transmitted to the members between which it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Industrie Magneti marelli S.r.l.
    Inventor: Sesto S. Giovanni
  • 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: 4817927
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel anchor cone and winding cone apparatus and method for mounting a coil torsion spring to an overhead door. Indicia are provided on the cones to assure proper orientation of the cones to the spring and the cone/spring assembly to the overhead door. The winding cone includes arrow indicia to clearly indicate the direction of rotation for the winding cone to increase tension on the coil torsion spring. A groove break is provided in each cone to substantially reduce chafing and wear of the corresponding coil of the coil torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Martin Door Manufacturing
    Inventor: David O. Martin
  • Patent number: 4807859
    Abstract: A die spring retainer for vertically affixing a die spring to a die set is configured as a generally circular blank defining a central opening adapted to receive a pilot screw therein. The blank includes a major portion having a first diameter and a minor portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter. The minor portion constitutes approximately 30 degrees to 120 degrees of the external circumference of the blank. The blank is fabricated from a deformable material and deforms under compression to the configuration of the first coil of the spring, thus securely affixing the die spring to a die set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Robert Bolthouse
  • Patent number: 4793597
    Abstract: Two support assemblies for respectively supporting the tapered end and the cylindrical end of an elongated tubular elastomeric spring between two opposed spring seats are disclosed. The support assembly for the tapered end is made up of an elongated retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the tapered end. This retaining member includes two inclined portions which bear down upon the inside of the tapered end when pulled in an outward direction by a bolt thredably secured to a convetional spring seat. The support assembly for the cylindrical end is made up of a second retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the cylindrical end. The second retaining member includes a plurality of expandable flange portions which engage the inside of the cylindrical portion as the retaining member is pulled in an outward direction by a second bolt threadably secured to the second spring seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: The Paton Corporation
    Inventor: Frank F. Smith
  • Patent number: 4778161
    Abstract: Securing device for concentrically mounting a helical spring on a rod having a transverse abutment surface and a groove, the securing device being elastic and capable of being mounted on the rod and comprising a part intended to be received in the groove and an inclined surface forming an apex which, when the securing device is mounted on the rod, defines a point at a maximum distance from a longitudinal axis of the rod and is located at a predetermined distance from the abutment surface, the spring having an internal radius less than the maximum distance and being made from a substantially cylindrical wire, the radius of which is less than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventor: Christian Douillet
  • Patent number: 4772164
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism for clamping an object to a structural member. The clamping mechanism is particularly adapted for clamping a wheelchair wheel to a loading rack of a wheelchair loader. The clamping mechanism comprises a mounting bracket used for attachment to the structure, such as the wheelchair loading rack, and has a pivot pin fixedly attached thereto. Pivotally mounted with respect to the pivot pin is a handle assembly including a hollow handle with a spring biased actuation plate positioned therein. An actuation button is attached to the plate. The pivot pin extends through a transverse hole in the handle and has a key portion which lockably engages a keyway in the actuation plate. By depressing the actuation button, the keyway in the plate is moved with respect to the key on the pivot pin to an unlocked position so that the handle assembly may be pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Robert E. McFarland
  • Patent number: 4757853
    Abstract: A safety device for use with an overhead garage door assembly which includes elongated coil springs on either side of the door counterbalancing the door weight for assisting in the opening and closing of the door. The safety device includes an elongated flexible member extending longitudinally through each of the coil springs and being secured at its ends to fixed supports. Each end of each spring is substantially surrounded by a substantially tubularly shaped member which includes an end cap. The ends of each spring are secured to their respective supports through holes in the end caps and additional holes allow the elongated flexible members to pass therethrough. Whereby broken portions of a spring will be retained either on the elongated flexible member or within the tubular members in the event of breakage of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignees: Frank S. Price, Elizabeth Price
    Inventor: Frank S. Price
  • Patent number: 4756071
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing spring assemblies, in which a spring is fixed to a hole formed in a linear or an annular metal plate by compressing side edges of the plate to collapse the hole after inserting an end of the spring therethrough. The process is simple, and the obtained spring assemblies have excellent durability because there are not any projecting parts for installing springs on the metal plate, which are otherwise a factor in fatigue failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Chuohhatsujo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 4756070
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing spring assemblies, in which a spring is fixed to a hole formed in a linear or an annular metal plate by compressing side edges of the plate to collapse the hole after inserting an end of the spring therethrough. The process is simple, and the obtained spring assemblies have excellent durability because there are not any projecting parts for installing springs on the metal plate, which are otherwise a factor in fatigue failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Chuohhatsujo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 4753327
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization of the same of a brake spring support. The support of the present invention provides a head for locating and supporting the spring along with a fixably connected curved tang which is inserted into an aperture of the brake shoe and is cammingly locked to the brake shoe after attachment of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald L. Shellhause
  • Patent number: 4750786
    Abstract: A brake pressure control system for a wheeled vehicle includes a swingable lever pivotally mounted at a first end portion thereof to a sprung mass of the vehicle such as a body frame, a first tension coil spring connected at a first end thereof to the sprung mass and at a second end thereof to a second end portion of the swingable lever to bias the lever toward the sprung mass, a second tension coil spring connected at a first end thereof to an unsprung mass of the vehicle such as a wheel axle and at a second end thereof to the second end portion of the swingable lever to bias the lever against the biasing force of the first spring, a bushing rotatably mounted on the second end portion of the swingable lever, the bushing being formed with a first support portion for retaining the second end of the first spring and a second support portion for retaining the second end of the second spring, and a modulator valve secured to the sprung mass and incorporated in a hydraulic connection between a master cylinder and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Adachi, Takashi Nagashima, Kiyonobu Nagamori, Masuo Yamashita, Harumi Ohori, Ryuichi Sakakibara