Displacement indicator means for coil springs

Claim 2

In combination with a coiled spring having a plurality of convolutions, a displacement indicator means for said spring which comprises a flexible tube closed at one end, situated between adjacent convolutions of said spring and in an abutting relationship therewith; a liquid in said flexible tube, filling at least a portion of said flexible tube between said convolutions and forming a meniscus; and a scale means mounted adjacent to said meniscus for determining change in position of said meniscus in response to a change in spacing between adjacent convolutions of said spring.

Claim 3

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said convolutions of the coiled spring are provided with opposed substantially flat faces.

Claim 4

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said convolutions of the coiled spring have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

Claim 5

The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said convolutions of the coiled spring are provided with opposed grooved faces for receiving said flexible tube.

Claim 6

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coiled spring is enveloped by a flexible boot for retaining said flexible tube between said convolutions.

Claim 7

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coiled spring is a compression spring.

Claim 8

The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible tube is transparent.

Claim 9

In a band saw including a base means, a support frame means connected to and extending upwardly from said base means, a drive wheel rotatably Mounted on said support frame means, a pair of spaced guides on said support frame means, a mounting block slidably mounted between said guides, a coiled compression spring having a plurality of convolutions situated on said support frame and abutting said mounting block, an idler wheel rotatably mounted on said mounting block and substantially coplanar with said drive wheel, an endless band saw blade operably stretched over said drive wheel and said idler wheel, and screw adjustment means threadedly engaging said support frame means and urging said compression spring against said mounting block thereby tensioning said band saw blade, a blade tension indicator means comprising a transparent flexible tube closed at one end, situated between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring and in an abutting relationship therewith; a liquid in said flexible tube, filling at least a portion of said flexible tube between said convolutions and forming a meniscus; and a scale means mounted on said support frame means and adjacent to said meniscus for indicating change in position of said meniscus in response to a change in spacing between adjacent convolutions of said spring as tension of said band saw blade is changed.

Claim 10

In a band saw including a base means, a support frame means connected to and extending upwardly from said base means, a drive wheel rotatably Mounted on said support frame means, a pair of spaced guides on said support frame means, a mounting block slidably mounted between said guides, a coiled compression spring having a plurality of convolutions situated on said support frame and abutting said mounting block, an idler wheel rotatably mounted on said mounting block and substantially coplanar with said drive wheel, an endless band saw blade operably stretched over said drive wheel and said idler wheel, and screw adjustment means threadedly engaging said support frame means and urging said compression spring against said mounting block thereby tensioning said band saw blade, a blade tension indicator means comprising a transparent flexible tube closed at one end, situated between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring and in an abutting relationship therewith; a liquid in said flexible tube, filling at least a portion of said flexible tube between said convolutions and forming a meniscus; and a scale means mounted on said support frame means and adjacent to said meniscus for indicating change in position of said meniscus in response to a change in spacing between adjacent convolutions of said spring as tension of said band saw blade is changed.

Claim 11

The blade tension indicator means in accordance with claim 8 wherein said convolutions of the coiled spring have a substantially rectangular cross-section and wherein said coiled spring is enveloped by a flexible boot for retaining said flexible tube between said convolutions.

Claim 12

In a spring-actuated weighing device including a base plate, a coiled compression spring having a plurality of convolutions and situated substantially upright on said base plate, and weight-bearing means in abutment with said compression spring and urging said compression spring against said base plate, compression indicator means for said spring comprising a transparent flexible tube closed at one end, situated between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring and in contact therewith; a liquid in said flexible tube, filling at least a portion of said flexible tube between said convolutions and forming a meniscus; and scale means mounted adjacent to said meniscus for indicating change in position of said meniscus in response to a change in spacing between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring.

Claim 13

In a spring-actuated weighing device including a base plate, a coiled compression spring having a plurality of convolutions and situated substantially upright on said base plate, and weight-bearing means in abutment with said compression spring and urging said compression spring against said base plate, compression indicator means for said spring comprising a transparent flexible tube closed at one end, situated between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring and in contact therewith; a liquid in said flexible tube, filling at least a portion of said flexible tube between said convolutions and forming a meniscus; and scale means mounted adjacent to said meniscus for indicating change in position of said meniscus in response to a change in spacing between adjacent convolutions of said compression spring.

Claim 14

The indicator means in accordance with claim 10 wherein said weight-bearing means comprises a platform means bearing against said compression spring; wherein a portion of said flexible tube is mounted contiguous with said platform; wherein said scale means is mounted on said platform; wherein at least three tubular upstanding guides are provided on said base plate and wherein a corresponding number of downwardly depending leg members are provided on said platform means and are slidably received within said guides.

Claim 15

The indicator means in accordance with claim 10 wherein said base plate is provided with a central opening; wherein a housing integral with said base plate substantially envelops said compression spring; wherein said weight bearing means comprises a disk means in abutment with said compression spring and a hook means connected to said disk means, said hook means depending downwardly from said disk means along the longitudinal axis of said compression spring and extending through the central opening in said base plate; wherein a portion of said flexible tube is mounted contiguous with said housing; and wherein said scale means is mounted on said housing.