Patent · US Expired

Garage-door spring reinforcement and repair kit

US5490662A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
11References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 1995
Grant dateFeb 13, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05Y2900/106
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The invention is a kit of parts to be retrofitted to a type of garage-door spring that functions in extension and may break near its retention hook, which may be an integral hook formed by bending of the spring material itself. The kit of this invention improves safety by reducing the chance of the spring-retention hooks' breaking. The kit has two major parts which are easily assembled together and attached to an existing spring without the use of tools. A disk-shaped centering clement contacts the spring coils at least at three positions on its rim, thereby distributing stress over a significantly larger area than the conventional integral retention hooks. The disk has an aperture, a notch, and a flat. A hook element fits through the notch and aperture, and a dogleg portion of the hook element extends beyond the disk's rim contacting the spring's end to help prevent the spring from turning. For reinforcing a normal garage door installation, four spring reinforcement and repair kits arc required (two for each spring). The kit is also used for repair of springs that have broken at or near their integral hooks, without requiring replacement of the entire spring. The safety of a garag…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.