Methods and apparatus for centering spring reactive forces

Abstract

One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for centering the reactive force of a coil spring to an applied load. The method provides a coil spring which defines a spring natural centerline. The spring has opposing ends and at least one end coil with an end coil tip. Opposing loads with parallel load axes and at least one fixed load surface are applied to the opposing ends of the spring. The spring natural centerline is maintained parallel to the applied load axes. The end coil is initially engaged to at least one of the applied loads at a point substantially opposite the end coil tip. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a coil spring and an applied load are combined. A plurality of helically wound coils define a spring with a natural centerline and at least one end coil. The end coil defines an end coil tip. A load with at least one fixed load surface is applied parallel to the natural centerline, wherein the applied load initially engages the end coil at a point substantially opposite the end coil tip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.