US4218599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymer spring
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1977-11-30
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1997-11-30
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a polymer spring including an elongated shank having a first end with a longitudinal slit and an enlarged portion, an integral enlarged head at a second end of the shank opposite from the first end, and an integral, cupped flange for providing a biasing force surrounding the shank and opening toward the first end. Deflection of the flange creates a biasing force tending to cause the flange to return to an undeflected state.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry W. Garn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/52; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/036; H01H2221/044; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/42; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
337 words
An electrical contact switching device comprising: a support board for supporting a switch button; an aperture in said board; electrical contacts on one side of said board adjacent said aperture; an integrally molded polymer contact button including a shank projecting through said aperture, conductive means on said shank adjacent said electrical contacts; said shank having a first end with an adjustment means for reducing the circumference of said first end for passage through said aperture and for increasing the circumference of said first end for resisting removal from said aperture; said shank including an integral head at a second end of said shank, opposite said first end, said head being located on the same side of said support board as said integrally molded flange means whereby said head serves as the point at which pressure is applied to said electrical contact button; and integral resilient flange means of a cupped configuration with the cup opening towards said support board and projecting radially relative to said shank and engaging said support board on the side thereof opposite said electrical contacts; said polymer contact button being molded of a flexible resilient polymeric material so that deflection of said flange means creates a biasing force tending to cause said flange to return to an undeflected state whereby one can close a circuit through said electrical contacts by depressing said polymer contact button and open said circuit by releasing pressure on said polymer contact button; said flange means being attached to the periphery of said head and a portion of said head extending along, spaced from and generally parallel to said shank thereby forming an annular opening between said shank and said portion of said head, and said flange means extending generally radially outwardly from the bottom of said head and at least partially toward said adjustment means so that said flange means can be deflected away from said adjusting means and a biasing force created tending to move said contact button so that said flange is in an undeflected state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
337 words
An electrical contact switching device comprising: a support board for supporting a switch button; an aperture in said board; electrical contacts on one side of said board adjacent said aperture; an integrally molded polymer contact button including a shank projecting through said aperture, conductive means on said shank adjacent said electrical contacts; said shank having a first end with an adjustment means for reducing the circumference of said first end for passage through said aperture and for increasing the circumference of said first end for resisting removal from said aperture; said shank including an integral head at a second end of said shank, opposite said first end, said head being located on the same side of said support board as said integrally molded flange means whereby said head serves as the point at which pressure is applied to said electrical contact button; and integral resilient flange means of a cupped configuration with the cup opening towards said support board and projecting radially relative to said shank and engaging said support board on the side thereof opposite said electrical contacts; said polymer contact button being molded of a flexible resilient polymeric material so that deflection of said flange means creates a biasing force tending to cause said flange to return to an undeflected state whereby one can close a circuit through said electrical contacts by depressing said polymer contact button and open said circuit by releasing pressure on said polymer contact button; said flange means being attached to the periphery of said head and a portion of said head extending along, spaced from and generally parallel to said shank thereby forming an annular opening between said shank and said portion of said head, and said flange means extending generally radially outwardly from the bottom of said head and at least partially toward said adjustment means so that said flange means can be deflected away from said adjusting means and a biasing force created tending to move said contact button so that said flange is in an undeflected state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer contact button is formed of an acetal copolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first end of said shank includes an enlarged portion which extends radially outward of the circumference of an undeflected shank and lies within the circumference of the undeflected shank when said shank is in a deflected state, said enlarged portion being generally tapered toward the extremity of said first end so as to facilitate insertion of said polymer contact button into said aperture and resist removal from said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein said adjustment means includes a longitudinal split in said first end and an enlarged portion of said shank adjacent said longitudinal split so that portions adjacent said split can be compressed toward each other for passage through said aperture, said first end of said shank being sized so as to be larger than said aperture when said shank is undeflected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
203 words
A polymer spring including: an enlongated shank having a first end with an adjustment means for reducing the circumference of said first end for passage through an aperture and for increasing the circumference of said first end for resisting removal from the aperture, and having an integral head at a second end of said shank, opposite from said first end; an integral resilient flange means for providing a biasing force, said flange extending radially outward with respect to said shank; and said polymer spring being molded of a flexible, resilient, polymeric material so that deflection of said flange creates a biasing force tending to cause said flange to return to an undeflected state; said flange being attached to the periphery of said head and a portion of said head extending along, spaced from and generally parallel to said shank thereby forming an annular opening between said shank and said portion of said head, and said flange extending generally radially outward from the bottom of said head and at least partially toward said adjustment means so said flange can be deflected away from said adjustment means and a biasing force created tending to move said spring so said flange is in a undeflected state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
203 words
A polymer spring including: an enlongated shank having a first end with an adjustment means for reducing the circumference of said first end for passage through an aperture and for increasing the circumference of said first end for resisting removal from the aperture, and having an integral head at a second end of said shank, opposite from said first end; an integral resilient flange means for providing a biasing force, said flange extending radially outward with respect to said shank; and said polymer spring being molded of a flexible, resilient, polymeric material so that deflection of said flange creates a biasing force tending to cause said flange to return to an undeflected state; said flange being attached to the periphery of said head and a portion of said head extending along, spaced from and generally parallel to said shank thereby forming an annular opening between said shank and said portion of said head, and said flange extending generally radially outward from the bottom of said head and at least partially toward said adjustment means so said flange can be deflected away from said adjustment means and a biasing force created tending to move said spring so said flange is in a undeflected state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A polymer spring as recited in claim 5 wherein said spring is formed of an acetal copolymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer spring of claim 6 in which said shank includes conductive means thereon whereby said polymer spring can be used as an electrical contact button.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A polymer spring as recited in claim 5 wherein said first end of said shank includes an enlarged portion which extends radially outward of the circumference of an undeflected shank and lies within the circumference of the undeflected shank when said shank is in a deflected state, said enlarged portion being generally tapered toward the extremity of said first end so as to facilitate insertion of said polymer spring into the aperture and resist removal from the aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer spring of claim 5 in which said shank includes conductive means thereon whereby said polymer spring can be used as an electrical contact button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a case and drawer assembly, an anti-rebound means for a drawer for preventing rebound when the drawer is closed, said anti-rebound means comprising: a polymer spring secured to one of said case and drawer along a longitudinal side of said drawer and a projecting detent on the other of said case and drawer for cooperating with said polymer spring; said polymer spring including integral head means contacting said detent when aligned therewith and integral flange means for providing a biasing force, said flange means extending radially outward relative to said head means and engaging said case, said polymer spring being made of a resilient material so that deflection of said flange means creates a biasing force on said polymer spring tending to cause said flange means to return to an undeflected state, said detent being behind said polymer spring when said drawer is closed whereby the engagement of said polymer spring by said detent tends to hold said drawer closed, said detent abutting said head means and deflecting said flange means when said drawer is opened or closed to allow said detent to move past said polymer spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a case and drawer assembly, an anti-rebound means for a drawer for preventing rebound when the drawer is closed, said anti-rebound means comprising: a polymer spring secured to one of said case and drawer along a longitudinal side of said drawer and a projecting detent on the other of said case and drawer for cooperating with said polymer spring; said polymer spring including integral head means contacting said detent when aligned therewith and integral flange means for providing a biasing force, said flange means extending radially outward relative to said head means and engaging said case, said polymer spring being made of a resilient material so that deflection of said flange means creates a biasing force on said polymer spring tending to cause said flange means to return to an undeflected state, said detent being behind said polymer spring when said drawer is closed whereby the engagement of said polymer spring by said detent tends to hold said drawer closed, said detent abutting said head means and deflecting said flange means when said drawer is opened or closed to allow said detent to move past said polymer spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 10 in which said flange means is cup-shaped, with said cup opening away from said head.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 11 in which said polymer spring includes a shank integrally molded with said head means extending therefrom and being secured to said case.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 12 in which said shank includes coupling means at an end opposite said head means for coupling with said case.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly of claim 13 in which said case includes an aperture therein and said coupling means comprises an enlarged end inserted in said aperture, said enlarged end including a slit therein whereby it can be compressed to facilitate insertion into said aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 14 in which said polymer spring is made of an acetal copolymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 10 in which said polymer spring includes a shank integrally molded with said head means extending therefrom and being secured to said case.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
109 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said flange means is integrally attached to said spring adjacent said head and is generally cup-shaped surrounding said shank; said head includes a portion extending along, spaced from and generally parallel to said shank thereby forming an annular opening between said shank and said head portion, and said flange means extending generally radially outward from the termination of said head portion and at least partially toward said first end of said shank so said flange means can be deflected away from said adjustment means and a biasing force created tending to move said spring so said flange means is in an undeflected state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly of claim 17 wherein said shank includes an aperture and said elongated shank has a first end with an adjustment means for reducing the circumference of said first end for passage through said aperture and for increasing the circumference of said first end for resisting removal from said aperture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The assembly of claim 18 wherein said adjustment means includes a longitudinal split in said first end and an enlarged portion of said shank adjacent said longitudinal split so that portions adjacent said split can be compressed toward each other for passage through said aperture, said first end of said shank being sized so as to be larger than said aperture when said shank is undeflected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
The assembly of claim 19 wherein said shank and said head have a generally circular transverse cross-section, said head is enlarged with respect to said shank, said flange means extends radially outward beyond the periphery of said head and toward said first end a sufficient distance to permit sufficient movement of said head so that said emboss can pass said enlarged head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |