US5137463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clock spring
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-09-09
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2011-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a clock spring used for the steering system of an automobile or the like in which a flexible cable is utilized to make an electrical connection between a fixed member and a movable member. The clock spring includes a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to the stationary housing; the flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between the stationary housing and the rotor; and a cover fixed to the stationary housing so as to cover the opened end of the cable accommodating portion. The improvement of this invention resides in a construction by which ribs are provided in the cable accommodating portion to restrict the flexible cable to a position more in the inner periphery of the rotor than in the outer periphery of the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunihiko Sasaki
- 👤 Masanori Kuramoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/38; B65H75/44; B65H75/48; B65H75/486; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/027; H; H01; H01R; H01R35/00; H01R35/02; H01R35/025; H02; H02G; H02G11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A clock spring comprising: a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted with respect to said stationary housing; a flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between said stationary housing and said rotor; and a cover fixed to said stationary housing so as to cover an opened end of said cable accommodating portion; wherein said flexible cable makes an electrical connection between said stationary housing and said rotor; wherein ribs are provided in said cable accommodating portion; and wherein said ribs are provided in said cable accommodating portion so as to prevent one breadthwise end of said flexible cable from entering a clearance formed between said rotor and said stationary housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A clock spring comprising: a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted with respect to said stationary housing; a flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between said stationary housing and said rotor; and a cover fixed to said stationary housing so as to cover an opened end of said cable accommodating portion; wherein said flexible cable makes an electrical connection between said stationary housing and said rotor; wherein ribs are provided in said cable accommodating portion; and wherein said ribs are provided in said cable accommodating portion so as to prevent one breadthwise end of said flexible cable from entering a clearance formed between said rotor and said stationary housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A clock spring according to claim 1, wherein said ribs are provided on said cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring according to claim 1, wherein said ribs are provided near the outer periphery of said rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clock spring according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the heights of said ribs are set so as to be greater than the width of said flexible cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clock spring according to claim 2, wherein tapers are provided at the ends of said ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
A clock spring comprising: a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to said stationary housing, said rotor having a cylindrical portion having a first end disposed adjacent said stationary housing and a top plate fixedly connected to a second end of said cylindrical portion, said top plate having an outer edge; a flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between said stationary housing and said top cover; a substantially cylindrical cover having a first end fixedly connected to said stationary housing, an internal peripheral surface facing said cable accommodating portion, and a second end disposed adjacent said outer edge of said top plate such that a gap is defined between said outer edge of said rotor and said internal peripheral surface; and a rib disposed between said flexible cable and said cylindrical cover such that said flexible cable is prevented from contacting any portion of said internal peripheral surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
A clock spring comprising: a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to said stationary housing, said rotor having a cylindrical portion having a first end disposed adjacent said stationary housing and a top plate fixedly connected to a second end of said cylindrical portion, said top plate having an outer edge; a flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between said stationary housing and said top cover; a substantially cylindrical cover having a first end fixedly connected to said stationary housing, an internal peripheral surface facing said cable accommodating portion, and a second end disposed adjacent said outer edge of said top plate such that a gap is defined between said outer edge of said rotor and said internal peripheral surface; and a rib disposed between said flexible cable and said cylindrical cover such that said flexible cable is prevented from contacting any portion of said internal peripheral surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A clock spring of claim 6 wherein said rib is fixedly connected to said stationary housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A clock spring of claim 6 wherein said rib is fixedly connected to said top plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4925122A
Cited
US4936782A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |