Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A suspension device for suspendingly supporting loads under a generally constant spring-biasing support force comprising two relatively movable portions, a first of said portions being adapted to be secured to a support and a second of said portions being adapted to be secured to a load to be suspendingly supported thereby, main biasing means for biasingly mounting said first and second portions relative to each other, compensatory spring means for compensating for variations in tension and/or compression forces of said main biasing means, said compensatory spring means including at least one spring mounted between said first and second portions, a lever, means for mounting said lever for pivoting movement relative to and between said one spring and said second portion, and cooperatively engagable cam and cam follower means carried by said lever and said second portion for compensating the tension and/or compression forces of said main biasing means dependent upon the load secured to the second portion and, thus, the relative position of the cam follower means upon the cam means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A suspension device for suspendingly supporting loads under a generally constant spring-biasing support force comprising two relatively movable portions, a first of said portions being adapted to be secured to a support and a second of said portions being adapted to be secured to a load to be suspendingly supported thereby, main biasing means for biasingly mounting said first and second portions relative to each other, compensatory spring means for compensating for variations in tension and/or compression forces of said main biasing means, said compensatory spring means including at least one spring mounted between said first and second portions, a lever, means for mounting said lever for pivoting movement relative to and between said one spring and said second portion, and cooperatively engagable cam and cam follower means carried by said lever and said second portion for compensating the tension and/or compression forces of said main biasing means dependent upon the load secured to the second portion and, thus, the relative position of the cam follower means upon the cam means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam means is carried by said lever and said cam follower means is carried by said second portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever is disposed in a generally upright position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said main biasing means is disposed in a generally upright position and includes upper and lower portions, said cam and cam follower means are disposed generally adjacent said main biasing means upper portion, and said pivot mounting means is located above said biasing means upper portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said main biasing means is disposed in a generally upright position and includes upper and lower portions, said cam and cam follower means are disposed generally adjacent said main biasing means upper portion, and said pivot mounting means is located between said biasing means upper and lower portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the force of said one spring relative to said lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 including means carried by one of said one spring and lever and bearing against another of said one spring and lever for adjusting the force of said one spring relative to said lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam means is carried by said lever and said cam follower means is carried by said second portion, and said cam follower is a roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said one spring is a helical spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said one spring is a leaf spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are movable relative to each other along a generally vertical path of travel established by movement of said second portions, and said one spring creates a line of force generally transverse to said vertical path of travel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are movable relative to each other along a generally vertical path of travel established by movement of said second portions, said one spring creates a line of force generally transverse to said vertical path of travel, and said pivot mounting means includes an axis disposed generally normal to said vertical path of travel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion is a generally upright elongated support member, said main biasing means is a main spring which normally biases said support member in an upward direction, said support member having an upper end portion, and one of said cam and cam follower means being carried by said support member upper end portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion is a generally upright elongated support member, said main biasing means is a main spring which normally biases said support member in an upward direction, said support member having an upper end portion, one of said cam and cam follower means being carried by said support member upper end portion, and said lever is positioned between said support member upper end portion and said one spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion is a generally upright elongated support member, said main biasing means is a main spring which normally biases said support member in an upward direction, said support member having an upper end portion, one of said cam and cam follower means being carried by said support member upper end portion, said lever is positioned between said support member upper end portion and said one spring, and said one spring is a helical spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion is a generally upright elongated support member, said main biasing means is a main spring which normally biases said support member in an upward direction, said support member having an upper end portion, one of said cam and cam follower means being carried by said support member upper end portion, said lever is positioned between said support member upper end portion and said one spring, and said one spring is a leaf spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 15 including means for adjusting the force of said helical spring relative to said lever.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 17 wherein said adjusting means is at least partially within and is carried by said helical spring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 16 including means for adjusting the force of said leaf spring relative to said lever.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The suspension device as defined in claim 19 wherein said adjust means is carried by said lever and bears against said leaf spring.