# US 10,369,685 B2 · Spring compressor and method of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,685 B2 - Document ID: US10369685B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/041,970 - Filed: 2016-02-11 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-11 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: James Armacost; Terry Castle; Nicholaus Rosswurm - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369685B2 ## CPC - B25B 27/304: {by compressing coil springs} - B62D 65/12: the sub-units or components being suspensions, brakes or wheel units - B60G 2206/921: Coil spring compressor - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A spring compressor including a first mating arm in configured to mate with a subframe component of a vehicle, a second mating arm configured to mate with a moveable suspension component of the vehicle, wherein the suspension arm carries a suspension spring, and an actuator configured move the second mating arm toward the first mating arm to compress the suspension spring, so as to facilitate installation of a part, such as a damper. The disclosure also provides a method of joining a damper or similar part with a suspension component, such as a suspension arm, and with a body portion of the vehicle, including mating the first mating arm with the subframe component, mating the second mating arm with the suspension component, actuating the actuator to move the second mating arm toward the first mating arm so as to move the suspension arm, and securing the damper to the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spring compressor, comprising: a first mating arm configured to mate with a subframe component of a vehicle; a second mating arm configured to mate with a moveable suspension component of the vehicle when the first mating arm is mated with the subframe component, wherein the moveable suspension component carries a suspension spring; and an actuator configured to move the second mating arm toward the first mating arm so as to compress the suspension spring when the first mating arm is mated with the subframe component and the second mating, arm is mated with the moveable suspension component, wherein the first mating arm comprises opposing arms defining a receiving area configured to mate with the subframe component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the opposing arms are configured to mate with a bolt of the subframe component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a rod coupled with the first mating arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the second mating arm comprises: a first end coupled with the actuator; a second end opposite the first end; and a projection member extending from the second end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The spring compressor of claim 4, wherein the when the first mating arm is mated with the subframe component, the projection member is aligned with a spring seat of the moveable suspension component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a fluid actuator that comprises: a cylinder; a rod operatively coupled with the cylinder; an inlet/outlet port in communication with the cylinder; and a fluid supply tube in communication with the inlet/outlet port and in communication with a fluid control box. ### Claim 7 A spring compressor, comprising: a first mating arm configured to mate with a subframe component of a vehicle; a second mating arm configured to mate with a moveable suspension component of the vehicle when the first mating arm is mated with the subframe component, wherein the moveable suspension component carries a suspension spring; an actuator configured to move the second mating arm toward the first mating arm so as to compress the suspension spring when the first mating arm is mated with the subframe component and the second mating arm is mated with the moveable suspension component; and a button on the spring compressor configured to actuate the actuator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein when the actuator compresses the suspension spring, the moveable suspension component moves relative to a body of the vehicle, thereby enabling installation of a part therebetween. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The spring compressor of claim 8, wherein the part is a damper. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the subframe component comprises a cross member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The spring compressor of claim 1, wherein the moveable suspension component comprises a lower suspension arm. ### Claim 12 A method of securing a vehicle part between a moveable suspension component and a body portion of a vehicle, the method comprising: mating a first mating arm of a spring compressor with a subframe component of the vehicle, wherein the first mating arm is connected to an actuator of the spring compressor via a rod and w herein the mating of the first mating arm with the subframe component comprises preventing axial movement of the rod; mating a second mating arm of the spring compressor with a moveable suspension component of the vehicle, wherein the moveable suspension component carries a suspension spring; actuating an actuator of the spring compressor to move the second mating arm toward the first mating arm, wherein moving the second mating arm toward the first mating arm compresses the suspension spring and moves the moveable suspension component; and securing the vehicle part between the moveable suspension component and a body portion of the vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first mating arm comprises opposing arms defining a receiving area, and wherein the mating of the first mating arm with the subframe component further comprises mating the opposing arms with the subframe component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second mating arm comprises: a first end coupled with the actuator; a second end opposite the first end; and a projection member extending from the second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the mating of the first mating arm with the subframe component further comprises aligning the projection member with a spring seat of the moveable suspension component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising actuating the actuator to move the second mating arm away from the first mating arm after securing the vehicle part. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the spring compressor comprises a handle having a button, the method further comprising pressing the button to actuate the actuator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle part is a damper.