US4921231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torsion spring cartridge assembly
Assignee: Reynolds Torsion System Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-18
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2006-07-18
Abstract
Abstract The torsion spring cartridge assembly disclosed herein is adaptable for use in practically any environment where oscillating motion is encountered. The assembly provides axle support for a rotating member as well as spring suspension for the axle. Dampeners can be provided to damp motion in one direction of oscillation or rotation. Serviceability is simplified since the entire assembly is removable for repair or replacement. The spring rate can be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate environmental changes such as load, road conditions and weather. The torsion bars are protected from overstressing and possible distortion by a torsion limiter.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman Reynolds
- 👤 Wilbur C. Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/02; F16F1/14; F16F1/16; B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/18; B60G11/184; B60G11/185; B60G11/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A torsion spring cartridge assembly for an open ended axle tube, said cartridge assembly comprising a bearing assembly adapted to be removably mounted in a non-rotating relation in the open end of the axle tube, a torque assembly including a torque hub mounted for rotary motion in said bearing assembly and a draw bar having a screw thread at the inner end, a counter-torque hub adapted to be positioned in the axle tube in a spaced relation to said torque hub and in a non-rotating relation to the axle tube, said counter-torque hub including a threaded bore corresponding to said screw thread on said draw bar, two or more torsion bars connected between said torque hub and said counter-torque hub for biasing said torque assembly to a neutral position, said bearing assembly, torque assembly, torsion bars and counter-torque hub being removable as a unit from the axle tube for service, replacement or repair, whereby the distance between said torque hub and said counter-torque hub can be varied by rotating said counter-torque hub relative to said draw bar to change the bias force of said torsion bars.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A torsion spring cartridge assembly for an open ended axle tube, said cartridge assembly comprising a bearing assembly adapted to be removably mounted in a non-rotating relation in the open end of the axle tube, a torque assembly including a torque hub mounted for rotary motion in said bearing assembly and a draw bar having a screw thread at the inner end, a counter-torque hub adapted to be positioned in the axle tube in a spaced relation to said torque hub and in a non-rotating relation to the axle tube, said counter-torque hub including a threaded bore corresponding to said screw thread on said draw bar, two or more torsion bars connected between said torque hub and said counter-torque hub for biasing said torque assembly to a neutral position, said bearing assembly, torque assembly, torsion bars and counter-torque hub being removable as a unit from the axle tube for service, replacement or repair, whereby the distance between said torque hub and said counter-torque hub can be varied by rotating said counter-torque hub relative to said draw bar to change the bias force of said torsion bars.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, including means mounted in said axle tube connecting said axle tube to said draw bar for dampening the return motion of said torque assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
The cartridge assembly according to claim 2 wherein said dampening means comprises a housing, a bore in said housing, a friction ring positioned in said bore, a slip ring positioned in said friction ring, a rotor connected to said torque assembly and positioned in said slip ring, and means operatively connecting said rotor to said slip ring in one direction of motion, whereby the rotary motion of said torque assembly in said one direction is dampened by the frictional resistance of the friction ring to movement of said slip ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly according to claim 3 wherein said dampening means includes means for adjusting the frictional resistance of the friction ring to movement of said slip ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The cartridge assembly according to claim 2 wherein said dampening means comprises a rotor operatively connected to said draw bar, a spline ring mounted on said rotor, means for operatively connecting said rotor to said spline ring in one direction of motion, and means for frictionally engaging said spline ring to dampen the motion of said rotor in said one direction of movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cartridge assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torsion bars are spaced symmetrically about the axis of said torque assembly and said counter-torque hub.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cartridge assembly according to claims 1, or 6, including means mounted on said torsion bars in a position to engage said housing for limiting the rotary motion of said torque assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A torsion spring cartridge assembly for supporting a wheel on the end of an open ended square axle tube, said assembly comprising a bearing assembly having an outer configuration corresponding to the inner configuration of the axle tube and adapted to be mounted in the end of the axle tube, a torque assembly operably connected to the wheel and mounted for rotary motion in said bearing assembly, a counter-torque hub having an outer configuration corresponding to the inner configuration of the axle tube and adapted to be mounted in the axle tube in a spaced relation to the torque assembly, and two or more torsion bars connecting said torque assembly to said counter-torque hub whereby the rotary motion of the torque assembly is restricted by the counter-torque hub.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A torsion spring cartridge assembly for supporting a wheel on the end of an open ended square axle tube, said assembly comprising a bearing assembly having an outer configuration corresponding to the inner configuration of the axle tube and adapted to be mounted in the end of the axle tube, a torque assembly operably connected to the wheel and mounted for rotary motion in said bearing assembly, a counter-torque hub having an outer configuration corresponding to the inner configuration of the axle tube and adapted to be mounted in the axle tube in a spaced relation to the torque assembly, and two or more torsion bars connecting said torque assembly to said counter-torque hub whereby the rotary motion of the torque assembly is restricted by the counter-torque hub.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly according to claim 8 including means connecting said torque assembly to said counter-torque hub whereby the distance of the counter-torque hub from the torque assembly can be adjusted to vary the spring rate of the torsion bars.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly according to claim 8 including means mounted in said axle tube for dampening the rotary motion of said torque assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said dampening means includes a housing having an outer configuration conforming to the inner configuration of said axle tube, a spline ring, a rotor mounted in said spline ring and operatively connected to said torque assembly, means on said rotor for engaging said spline ring in one direction of motion, and friction means positioned to resist rotary motion of said spline ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said friction means comprise an annular friction pad mounted between said spline ring and said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said friction means comprises a radial friction pad mounted on each side of said spline ring and means for biasing said pads into engagement with the sides of said spline ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly according to claim 8, including means for limiting the rotary motion of the torque assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
176 words
A cartridge-type torsion spring unit that can be removably mounted in the end of a square axle tube, said unit comprising a bearing assembly, a torque hub supported for rotary motion in said bearing assembly, a torque member connected to said torque hub, said torque member being adapted to be connected to an oscillating member, a draw bar connected to said torque hub, a counter-torque hub mounted on said draw bar in a spaced relation to said torque hub, said draw bar being rotatable with respect to the said counter-torque hub to vary the spaced relation betwen said counter-torque hub and said torque hub, a number of torsion bars connecting said torque hub to said counter-torque hub, and a torsion limiter mounted for rotary motion on said draw bar and operatively connected to said torsion bars for limiting the motion of said torque assembly, and said limiter comprising a square plate having a portion of each corner cut off whereby said plate will rotate with the torsion bars within the limits of the cut off corners.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
176 words
A cartridge-type torsion spring unit that can be removably mounted in the end of a square axle tube, said unit comprising a bearing assembly, a torque hub supported for rotary motion in said bearing assembly, a torque member connected to said torque hub, said torque member being adapted to be connected to an oscillating member, a draw bar connected to said torque hub, a counter-torque hub mounted on said draw bar in a spaced relation to said torque hub, said draw bar being rotatable with respect to the said counter-torque hub to vary the spaced relation betwen said counter-torque hub and said torque hub, a number of torsion bars connecting said torque hub to said counter-torque hub, and a torsion limiter mounted for rotary motion on said draw bar and operatively connected to said torsion bars for limiting the motion of said torque assembly, and said limiter comprising a square plate having a portion of each corner cut off whereby said plate will rotate with the torsion bars within the limits of the cut off corners.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The unit according to claim 15 wherein said counter-torque hub is movable on said draw bar to vary the spring rate of said torsion bars.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The unit according to claim 15 or 16 including dampening means mounted on said draw bar and being operatively positioned to engage said axle tube to dampen the rotary motion of the torque hub.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The unit according to claim 17 wherein said dampening means comprises a spline ring, a rotor mounted on said draw bar within said spline ring, means for connecting said rotor to said spline ring in one direction of motion, and friction means positioned to resist movement of said spline ring.
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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) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |