Hourglass-shaped elastomeric compression spring
US5957441A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2236/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compression spring formed from an elastomer member having a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain that is greater than 1.5 to 1 is disclosed. The elastomer spring member defines an elongated axis between opposed ends of the spring and has a molecular structure. A periphery of the elastomer member has a series of axially spaced annular portions of increased cross-sectional area with an annular waistline portion disposed between adjacent annular portions of increased cross-sectional area to provide the elongated member with a series of axially spaced hourglass configurations arranged in end-to-end relation relative to each other. The hourglass configurations along the periphery of the elastomer member allowing the elastomeric spring to collapse upon itself during compression thereof while maintaining a substantially constant outside diameter for the areas of increased cross-sectional area. The internal molecular structure in each annular portion of increased cross-sectional area along with the annular waistline portion being oriented in a predetermined manner during precompression of the elastomeric member to eliminate any compression set characteristic of the elastomer materia…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.