Abstract: A lifting pad is suspended from a traversing member mounted on and movable along a generally horizontal beam. The pad is suspended by a single generally vertical coil spring having predetermined tensile load versus extension characteristics. In order to prevent this spring from extending beyond a predetermined length corresponding to a predetermined design load, the apparatus includes a lanyard having a flexible lower portion with a loop at the lower end and a rigid upper portion threaded at its upper end. At loads above the design load a self-locking nut threaded on the upper end of the lanyard abuts a horizontal surface of the traversing member and the loop at the lanyard's lower end engages a horizontal pin mounted on the lifting pad, whereby the portion of the load in excess of the design load is borne by the lanyard and further extension of the spring is prevented.

Abstract: A coil spring has elliptical openings in the end turns for non-rotatably receiving elliptically shaped studs which are press-fitted into the spring, the ends being respectively attached to a pair of mounting brackets.

Abstract: Adjacent the rigidly anchored end of a vertical coil spring, which carries out transverse oscillations, the spring is subjected to considerable breaking forces which limit the lifetime of the spring. At least one abutment is provided to cooperate with a spring portion slightly spaced from the rigidly anchored spring end such that this spring portion is permitted to carry out only a limited vertical movement, whereby the breaking influence on the spring is largely reduced.

Abstract: A helically-threaded spring holder on which a helically wound spring is mounted has a groove formed in one side of the thread at the end where the spring engages the spring holder. The groove relieves the portion of the side in which it is formed from restricting the spring against axial movement during deflection of the spring. The circumferential length of this groove is chosen to establish the number of spring coils which can be deflected without contacting the side of the thread. The end of the thread is also made rigid to prevent flexing thereof during maximal elongation of the spring.

Abstract: A pressure plate for a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type is provided with angularly spaced integrally cast ears which project inwardly from the inner peripheral edge of the plate, and a recess or dimple is also cast integrally in each ear in the face of the ear adjacent to the braking face. A region of each ear outwardly of the recess or dimple defines an abutment face forming an anchorage for one end of an anchorage portion of a tension return spring with the recess or dimple accommodating the free end of the anchorage portion. In a modification each abutment face may be machined in the respective ear by turning down the ear over an arcuate area passing through the center of the recess or dimple and using the braking face as a datum.

Abstract: A pair of identical rigid arms are each pivotably attached at one end to a pair of identical brackets, one bracket attached to a boat and the other bracket attached to a dock, and an elongated helically wound spring is threaded on to each end of the arms to connect them together. The arms are held in place at the bracket by pins or rods which, particularly at the boat bracket, can be quickly and easily removed to free the boat.

Abstract: A presser foot comprising, a hub having a hollow guide, a plunger having a guide member slidably received in the guide, and a lower portion carrying a sole, with the guide member being biased outwardly in the guide. The presser foot has a guide part secured to the hub guide and having a lower leg directed toward the plunger. The leg and plunger cooperate to prevent rotation of the plunger.

Abstract: A coupler connects end regions of different sizes of coiled tension springs 30 and 40 to components of block and tackle window balance systems 10. Each coupler 15, 20, or 25 has a snug fit within terminal coils 41 of the strongest spring 40 having the smallest inside diameter, and weaker spring 30 with a larger inside diameter has its terminal coils 31 necked down to fit the coupler. The coupler has a notch or opening with an abrupt edge 18, 22, or 28 axially spaced from an end of the coupler so that the notch is at least twice as long as the largest wire diameter used in the coil springs. At least one of the terminal coils of each spring is indented into the notch or opening in the coupler to a depth of more than one-half the wire diameter so that the indented coil interlocks with edge 18, 22, or 28 and keeps the spring from slipping off the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved inherently effectively damped coiled spring construction including a first coiled spring having a pair of ends, and a second coiled spring having a pair of ends, the second coiled spring being in the form of at least one tubular spring, the body of which is disposed about the body of the first coiled spring in operable contact therewith to provide the desired friction therebetween and whose ends are not contiguous with the ends of the first coiled spring and are free of contact with the weight imposed on the first spring and the support of the first spring so that when the first spring is dynamically compressed or expanded, relative twisting movement of the springs is made possible immediately following yielding of static friction force along their contacts, whereby the second spring disengages from the further twisting movement of the temporarily deformed coils of the first spring, thereby creating an effective friction generating and energy dissipating device for

Abstract: The upper retainer for retaining an upper portion of a valve spring is shaped like a perforated spinning top and is axially dividable into two identical elements which are coaxially disposed about the upper portion of the valve stem when assuming its operative condition. The retainer has, when assuming the operative position, a configuration which comprises a collar portion which is sized to be coaxially disposed within an upper portion of the valve spring, an annular flange portion extending radially outward from the upper end of the collar portion and engaging with the upper end of the valve spring, and means for achieving a spline connection between the central portion of the retainer and the upper portion of the valve stem.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a wheelchair or similar object into a vehicle. When in a stored position, the apparatus and wheelchair are fully contained within said vehicle. A first embodiment illustrates use of the apparatus in a rear compartment of a station wagon, van or similar vehicle in which a pair of motor-driven drive links and a pair of drag links are utilized to lift and rotate a chair rack and wheelchair mounted thereon into said vehicle rear compartment. The drive and drag links connect the rack to a carriage which may then be rolled from a rearwardmost to a forwardmost position for final storage of the apparatus and chair in the vehicle. Latching means is provided to latch the carriage in either its forwardmost or rearwardmost positions. A remote control switch and limit switches are used to control power to the electric motor. A second embodiment of the apparatus is designed for use in the trunk of a typical passenger automobile.

Abstract: A continuous wireform is constructed as the cage (48) for a caged spring (50), these two components serving as the overtravel arrangement in an automatic brake adjuster. The wireform cage has a coil (70) formed at one end of the cage (48) and two limbs (72, 74) extend from the coil (70) and terminate in open ended complementary hook sections (86, 88) which are superimposed when the limbs (72, 74) are yieldably drawn together. A stretched coil spring (50) is then hooked to the integral coil (70) of the wireform and at the other end to the complementary hook sections (86, 88).

Abstract: A suspension system for hermetic motor-compressors in which a motor-compressor unit is located in a casing formed by two superimposed cup-shaped bodies connected together in a frontal mating position. The motor-compressor unit has at least three radial support arms, each with an aperture at its free end which is oriented in an axial direction relative to the casing. Tubular support brackets are fixed to the side wall of that cup-shaped body acting as the lower portion of the casing in positions corresponding to the free ends of the said arms, each of the brackets carrying within it a bush of plastics material with a cavity which is aligned axially with the aperture of the overlying support arm. The bushes house resilient suspension elements, each of which is lodged at its upper end in the aperture of one of the support arms.

Abstract: A vacuum power servo booster having an improved retainer for an annular seat of a control valve body. A spring seat for a compression spring which presses the annular seat against the valve housing is formed at the front end portion of a retainer. A recess is formed on the front side of the spring seat to receive the skirt of the control valve body. The spring seat is formed by bending a smaller diameter portion of the retainer inwardly prior to assembly. In this manner, the longitudinal axis of the retainer is made to substantially coincide with that of the control valve body.

Abstract: A spring cramp for large helical springs, particularly axle springs of motor vehicles, comprises two loose disc-shaped pressure plates having annular contact surfaces serving as abutments for the spring turns and provided each with a central hole, a threaded spindle, and a threaded tube. The threaded spindle is mounted by means of an axial bearing for rotary motion and concentrically in a guide tube on which a shoulder is provided near the head of the spindle, which shoulder is formed with two lug elements for securing a lower one of the pressure plates at the side of the spindle head against rotation. The threaded tube which is threadable onto the spindle may be advantageously telecopically inserted into the guide tube. The threaded tube and the guide tube are non-rotatably connected to each other by two slot-and-feather connections.

Abstract: A spring retainer for retaining a compression spring within a spring pocket formed in the bed of a press includes a circular base of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the pocket and a circumferentially spaced series of radially flexible tangs around the perimeter thereof. Each tang includes a retention wall with a radially inwardly extending bias portion spaced from the base so as to form a helically rising angle with the other bias portions so that the lower coil of the spring may be threaded onto the retainer with the bias portions engaging a helically rising upper surface of the lower coil. Each tang also includes a radially outwardly extending pointed barb. After threadably attaching the spring, it is inserted down into the pocket with the pointed barbs on the tangs lightly engaged with the wall of the spring pocket. The spring may be further threaded to more tightly engage the barbs with the wall as the tangs flex to maintain the spring within the pocket.

Abstract: A pneumatic positioner with a casing composed of a shell-like bottom part and a shell-like cover part. A membrane plate, is connected through a gas-tight membrane with the side walls of the casing so as to be movable back and forth in the casing in the direction of a drive spindle which is disposed in sealing relationship through the bottom part of the casing. In the bottom part and/or in the cover part, there are arranged one or more gas-conducting connecting pieces. In the casing there are arranged coil springs for producing biasing or restoring forces. These springs abut, on the one hand, the membrane plate and, on the other hand, the bottom part or cover part. On the membrane plate of one embodiment there is provided for each coil spring at least two supporting surfaces which present different spacings from a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion of the drive spindle and upon which the coil springs are replaceably disposed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an air circuit breaker including a compression coil; a second spring holder to compress the compression coil in the axial direction thereof; and a first spring holder which is subjected to the compression force of the compression coil, the second spring holder being constructed in such a manner that it is formed of a plate material in a rectangular shape, a pair of projected pieces are provided on both sides of the plate material, and a pin is held to pass between the pair of projected pieces in the direction of thickness of the plate so as to be able to support one end of the energy accumulating spring at four points with the pair of projected pieces and the pin in a compressible manner. After compression of the energy accumulating spring by pressure application thereto, its pressure application is released to stretch the energy accumulating spring so as to close a pair of contact points through the first and second spring holders.

Abstract: An infants' carriage of the "stroller" type comprises a chassis consisting of two pairs of crossing bars which carry wheels at their lower ends. These wheels are connected to the bars via a cushioning member which consists of a sleeve closed at one end and containing a helical spring against which abuts the end of one of the crossing bars extending into the sleeve.

Abstract: A suspension spring assembly for a motor vehicle includes a helical spring having an end coil and a support of elastic material having a helically ascending seating face receiving the end coil. The slope of the ascending seating face at least equals that of the end coil in the unloaded state of the helical spring and further, the seating face is adjoined by a stepped portion for abruptly terminating the seating face.

Abstract: Skip stitch mechanism for a sewing machine is provided with a coiled cushioning spring which mounts on the upper arm of a movable gate, and limits upward movement of a needle bar when disconnected from needle bar reciprocating mechanism to provide for a skipped stitch.

Abstract: An axially aligned presser bar collar and presser bar bushing in a sewing machine are connected by a helical spring having one end portion affixed to the collar and having the opposite end portion threaded onto a resilient split ring which is located in an annular groove in the bushing.

Abstract: An improved drum brake (10) is provided with an improved retaining spring (28) which passes over or close to the axis of the brake anchor structure (18). The improved retaining spring is a one-piece coil tension spring comprising a coil portion (46) and an attachment portion (50) extending axially from the opposite ends of the coil portion. Each attachment portion comprises a downwardly extending first section (52), an upwardly and outwardly extending second section (56), a downwardly extending third section (62) and an axially extending fourth section (64).

Abstract: An improved spring and expander cap assembly and method of attaching such expander caps to the opposite ends of a coil spring is disclosed wherein the expander cap is provided with a plurality of fingers which are deflected over the end coil of a helical coil spring. In a preferred embodiment substantially identical end caps are simultaneously secured to opposite ends of the spring.

Abstract: One or more of the springs supporting the bolster of a railway car truck is a two stage spring group comprising an outer coil and an inner coil disposed within and coaxial with the outer spring. A retainer is provided to hold the inner spring in relation to the outer spring. The retainer has helically arranged lugs or a flange in engagement with the outer coil at the lower end, and the retainer also includes a support surface for supporting the lower end of the inner coil.

Abstract: A method of forming fixing heads on both ends of tension springs which are made from coiled spring wire, in particular for precision apparatus. A continuous coil of spring wire is expanded over at least two turns at the area of the ends to be formed. The expanded turns are provided with an envelope of a synthetic material by molding.

Abstract: A variable venturi type carburetor is provided having a vacuum generated in the venturi portion in accordance with the throttle valve opening. The vacuum is transmitted into a suction chamber through a vacuum passage so as to balance the force which is the sum of the force exerted by a suction spring and the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure introduced from an atmospheric pressure chamber. The suction piston is set to provide a cross-sectional area of the venturi portion corresponding to the intake air flow rate. The suction piston is provided with a guide groove receiving a guide roller which is rotatably mounted on a guide pin provided on the carburetor casing to oppose to the guide groove. The guide roller is adapted to roll along the guide groove to smooth the movement of the suction piston and prevents the suction piston from being rotated.

Abstract: In a highway type motor vehicle, a Multiple Stage Flexible Bumper comprising in combination a bumper bar mounted transversely across the front of the motor vehicle, multiple stage coil compression springs, a pair of spring seats to secure the ends of the springs, retainer bolts for securing the ends of the springs in the seats, longitudinal bolts, rivets or welds for securing the seats on one end of the springs to the vehicle frame, longitudinal bolts, rivets or welds for securing the seats on the other end of the springs to the vehicle bumper bar to form a completely flexible, 360.degree.

Abstract: A device permitting converting a rectilinear motion into a linear force and ice-versa consists of a helical spring having a retainer to hold the last two loops at each end relatively stationary. The immobilization is achieved either by wedges inserted between the last two loops at each end or by cups shaped so as to receive the ends of the spring. The invention is applicable in regulatory systems.

Abstract: A supportive spring system particularly adaptable to vehicles such as railway cars that are operated with widely variable loads from empty to fully loaded condition. Such a spring system utilizing a plurality of helical spring units comprises multiple nested springs with primary springs having greater axial length than one or more secondary springs so that the primary springs alone provide the necessary supportive capacity to yieldingly support the weight due to an empty or slightly loaded car. When cars are heavily loaded, the secondary springs also become supportive and all sets of springs act in unison. To prevent the secondary springs from bouncing and becoming misaligned due to the vehicle's movement on the track, the lower coterminating end coils of the primary and secondary springs are yieldingly bonded together by an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A knockdown spring unit for seating furniture has lift springs connectible to a rail of a frame of the furniture and releasably attachable to a suitable platform arrangement forming a seating surface. The platform arrangement can either be fastened directly to the frame at points opposite connection of the lift springs to the frame, or the platform arrangement can be supported entirely by the lift springs for indirect attachment to the frame. Each of the lift springs has a coil portion which terminates at a one end thereof in an eye and at the other end thereof in a stem disposed extending transversely from the turns of the coil portion and forming a hook provided with a substantially V-shaped bend the vertex of which is normally disposed adjacent the eye of the spring when the spring is in an undeflected state.

Abstract: A clamping or calibrator device for a coil spring of a weighing scale is described. The clamping device features a block and a pair of shims that sandwich a coil of the spring in a fixed location in the block. A first shim of the pair is contiguously disposed to an inner arcuate surface of the coil. A second shim of the pair is contiguously disposed to an outer arcuate surface of the coil. Each shim conforms to the respective arcuate surfaces of the coil. Each shim comprises a pair of lips that prevent transverse movement of the shims with respect to the block. This prevented movement insures that the coil will be properly located and fixed in position with respect to the block.

Abstract: A spring supported device such as especially a playground toy comprising a heavy coil spring the opposite ends of which are affixed to mutually movable parts such as a seat element and a support element anchored to the ground, respectively, so as to enable said parts to be moved resiliently by compressing, expanding or bending the spring, the spring at least at one end being wound and shaped in such a manner that the outermost winding has a small pitch and defines a support surface substantially normal to the axis of the coil spring, this outermost winding continuing, towards the opposite end of the spring, in a winding portion of increased or increasing pitch; for eliminating the jamming hazard in the narrow wedge shaped space between the outer winding portions there is mounted, at some point or area in this space, a distance piece between the windings, and connector means are provided for clamping the windings against the distance piece in order to lock the windings rigidly together at a place where the dis

Abstract: A tension spring arrangement in which a coil-type tension spring has a plurality of turns and two off-center hook portions joining, respectively, the two turns at the opposite ends of the spring body. When the spring is in its non-installed state, the inclination of the hook portions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring is different from the inclination of the hook portions when the spring is in its installed state, the difference in inclination being such that when the spring is in its installed state, there is applied to the spring body a resultant bending moment which, in magnitude and direction, is at least approximately equal to the bending moment which would be applied to the spring body were the hook portions arranged not off-center but in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the spring.

Abstract: An adjustable chair as a seat, a backrest pivoted on the seat for movement between an erect and an reclined position, and a leg rest mounted on the seat for movement between a retracted and an extended position. The seat is mounted on lateral portions of a frame for pivoting so that the angular position of the backrest relative to the frame may be changed either by pivoting the backrest relative to the seat, or by pivoting the seat relative to the frame. A damping arrangement damps the movement of the backrest relative to the frame at least between some of the angular positions of the backrest, and an arresting arrangement including interengaging teeth is accommodated in an armrest pivoted on the backrest, which arrangement permits arresting the backrest in a selected one of the angular positions thereof.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring wind velocity, utilizing impact wind pressure against a movable vane. A spring is used as a mechanical reference and, as such, balances the impact wind force generated against the vane. Flexible means are used to transfer vane motion to a circular indicator disc, which is calibrated in wind speed. Design of kinematic geometry, as well as a unique, non-linear, spring arrangement are employed to counter the square law wind force. Such employment is essential to prevent crowding at the low end of the speed-indicating scale, while maintaining practical full scale values, in a highly sensitive instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable tension spring anchor adapted to be mounted to a moving or a substantially stationary member comprising an elongated threaded cylindrical body member having at least one distal end thereof formed with an extending flat head member, the head member being provided with a central aperture in which one end of a tension spring is received therein. Various uses are contemplated wherein a plurality of anchors can be arranged in several ways to be interconnected to respective tension springs, the anchors being either positioned in axial alignment with each other or at various angular arrangements thereto, depending on the use and location of the tension spring. An alternative embodiment is also included wherein the threads on the body member are substituted for annular grooves adapted to receive removable snap rings therein.

Abstract: Improved multiple mode dampers for damping Aeolian vibrations of electrical cables are provided which employ a single mass and two resilient support members that are respectively connected between separate points of the mass and separate points of the cable. The modes of vibration of the damper are made interdependent by utilizing springs having different moments of stiffness with respect to the center of gravity of the mass. The mass is made of concrete. The improvement comprises the use of springs which are independently connected to the cable at different points permitting the spreading of the springs which can be accomplished economically and yet permit an increase of the rotational torque exerted on the damper by the cable. This facilitates concentration of damper vibration resonance frequencies at critical wind speeds which would ordinarily induce great dynamic mechanical stress in electrical cables.