US3712604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical spring constant load device
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1971-04-26
•
Granted: 1973-01-23
•
Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A spring member having conically extending resilient fingers which bear against a disc provides a constant load to a shaft coupled to the disc in the presence of movement of the shaft from a fixed axial position. The constant load device can be used in many mechanical applications such as an automobile chassis spring or a spring for a friction clutch. The constant load device can also be used in electronic applications, such as for holding a vidicon in assembled position with an electron intensifier.
Inventors
- 👤 M Nation
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/02; F16F1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for applying a substantially fixed axial load to a shaft which is subject to movement from a fixed axial position, including in combination, means for supporting the shaft and permitting limited axial movement thereof, plate means adapted to be connected to the shaft and extending substantially at right angle thereto, and spring means including a plurality of symmetrically positioned spring fingers forming a concave structure and engaging said plate means, each of said fingers being resilient and extending at an angle with respect to the plane of said plate means at the point of engagement therewith to permit limited lateral movement of said plate means and apply a substantially constant load to the shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for applying a substantially fixed axial load to a shaft which is subject to movement from a fixed axial position, including in combination, means for supporting the shaft and permitting limited axial movement thereof, plate means adapted to be connected to the shaft and extending substantially at right angle thereto, and spring means including a plurality of symmetrically positioned spring fingers forming a concave structure and engaging said plate means, each of said fingers being resilient and extending at an angle with respect to the plane of said plate means at the point of engagement therewith to permit limited lateral movement of said plate means and apply a substantially constant load to the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plate means is a disc having a circular edge, and said spring means is of conical cantilever beam spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plate means is formed of plastic material and said spring means is formed of beryllium copper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said fraMe means forms a portion of a chassis of an automobile, and said shaft is adapted to be connected to the suspension of the automobile, with said spring means and said plate means forming a resilient support for said chassis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A spring mounting device including in combination, frame means, a shaft supported for limited axial movement with respect to said frame means, a conical cantilever beam spring having a circular edge secured to said frame means and resilient spring fingers, and plate means connected to said shaft and extending at substantially right angles thereto, said plate means having a circular edge engaging said spring fingers on the concave side of said spring, with said fingers applying spring pressure thereagainst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A spring mounting device including in combination, frame means, a shaft supported for limited axial movement with respect to said frame means, a conical cantilever beam spring having a circular edge secured to said frame means and resilient spring fingers, and plate means connected to said shaft and extending at substantially right angles thereto, said plate means having a circular edge engaging said spring fingers on the concave side of said spring, with said fingers applying spring pressure thereagainst.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said frame includes a gear portion and a clutch portion and said shaft has a flange having a clutch portion adapted to engage said clutch portion of said frame means, with the spring pressure between said spring fingers and said plate means holding said clutch portion of said flange into engagement with said clutch portion of said frame means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A spring mounting device in accordance with claim 5 wherein, said shaft is a vidicon tube, and said plate means is an insulating resilient button having center portion adapted to engage the end of said vidicon tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A spring mounting device in accordance with claim 5 wherein, said frame means includes a housing having means therein defining a surface, said shaft is a vidicon tube having a surface adapted to be held flush with said surface within said frame means and an opposite end, and said plate means is an insulating button having a center portion in engagement with said opposite end of said vidicon tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said circular edge of said spring is substantially flat and said spring fingers extend at an angle of the order of 45* from said edge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3235049A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |