Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A force applicator comprising: a hollow housing having an open end and a partially closed end, a shaft retained in said housing and having a head and a foot and a shoulder therebetween with the head and the foot extending from said housing, a collar mounted on said shaft between said shoulder and said foot adapted to travel between said shoulder and said foot, a first spring retained between said shoulder and said partially closed end of said housing and normally holding said head against the said partially closed end of said housing, a second spring retained between said collar and said foot and normally holding said collar against said shoulder, a slot in said housing for permitting access to said collar from the exterior of said housing, and a locking bar adapted to enter said slot and communicate with said collar for limiting movement of said collar with respect to said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A force applicator comprising: a hollow housing having an open end and a partially closed end, a shaft retained in said housing and having a head and a foot and a shoulder therebetween with the head and the foot extending from said housing, a collar mounted on said shaft between said shoulder and said foot adapted to travel between said shoulder and said foot, a first spring retained between said shoulder and said partially closed end of said housing and normally holding said head against the said partially closed end of said housing, a second spring retained between said collar and said foot and normally holding said collar against said shoulder, a slot in said housing for permitting access to said collar from the exterior of said housing, and a locking bar adapted to enter said slot and communicate with said collar for limiting movement of said collar with respect to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The force applicator of claim 1, and further including: biasing means for normally holding said locking bar out of said slot for allowing said collar to move relative to said holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The force applicator of claim 1 and further including: biasing means for normally biasing said locking bar out of said slot for allowing said collar to move relative to said holder and, means for overcoming said biasing means for driving said locking bar into said slot for communicating with said collar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The force applicator of claim 1 where in the spring ratio between said second spring and said first spring is in the range of 10/1to 30/1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
181 words
A reciprocating device for applying a predetermined force at a point of contact on a surface selectively during at least part of one or more of its cycles of operation comprising: a hollow housing, two springs in series arrangement retained therein, one strong and one relatively weak, a shoe guided by said housing and adapted to be acted upon by said springs, selector means operable upon command for causing said shoe to be acted upon the stronger of said springs, carrier means for carrying said housing and adapted for bringing said shoe into contact with said surface and for moving said housing towards said surface a distance beyond the initial point of control of said shoe therewith, and control means adapted to issue command to said selector means whereby when said command has been issued and said shoe contacts said surface and said holder overrides the initial point of contact, the stronger of said springs is compressed against said shoe and the dead pressure exerted by said housing and carrier means is converted to a resilient restraint pressure against said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
A reciprocating device for applying a predetermined force at a point of contact on a surface selectively during at least part of one or more of its cycles of operation comprising: a hollow housing, two springs in series arrangement retained therein, one strong and one relatively weak, a shoe guided by said housing and adapted to be acted upon by said springs, selector means operable upon command for causing said shoe to be acted upon the stronger of said springs, carrier means for carrying said housing and adapted for bringing said shoe into contact with said surface and for moving said housing towards said surface a distance beyond the initial point of control of said shoe therewith, and control means adapted to issue command to said selector means whereby when said command has been issued and said shoe contacts said surface and said holder overrides the initial point of contact, the stronger of said springs is compressed against said shoe and the dead pressure exerted by said housing and carrier means is converted to a resilient restraint pressure against said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A reciprocating device as defined in claim 5 and in which said selector includes, biased-spring-locking means normally biased to permit said shoe to be acted upon by said relatively weak spring and when commanded to limit movement of said strong spring relative to said housing for causing said shoe to be acted upon by said strong spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the spring ratio between said springs is in the range of 10/1 to 30/1.