X-shaped elastomeric spring
AssigneeMiner Elastomer Products Corporation
InventorMichael Molitor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A one-piece elastomeric spring having four spaced end portions all joined to and extending from a common body portion. Two end portions are commonly disposed to each side of an axis of the spring such that each end portion can independently deflect when a force is applied thereto. The one-piece spring is formed from a preform formed from an elastomer which is normally free of spring-like characteristics. The elastomer from which the preform is created has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1. The molecular structure of the preform is oriented in at least one direction so as to allow a predetermined spring rate to be imparted to the preform whereby transmuting the preform into an elastomeric spring.
Claims19
A one-piece elastomeric spring having four spaced free end portions all joined to and radially extending from a common body portion, with two free end portions being disposed to each side of a centerline of said spring such that each end portion can independently deflect when a force is applied thereto, and with said one-piece spring being formed from a preform formed from an elastomer which is normally free of spring-like characteristics, and wherein the elastomer from which said preform is created has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1, and with the molecular structure of said preform being oriented in at least one direction so as to allow a predetermined spring rate to be imparted to said preform whereby transmuting said preform into said elastomeric spring.
A one-piece generally X-shaped elastomeric spring including four spaced free ended portions all joined to and extending from a common body portion, with each free ended portion defining an aperture having a closed margin, and with two free ended portions being disposed to each side of a centerline of said spring such that each end portion can radially and flexurally deflect independent of each other when a force is applied thereto, and with said one-piece spring being formed from a preform formed from an elastomer which is normally free of spring-like characteristics, and wherein the elastomer from which said preform is created has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1, and with the molecular structure of said preform being oriented in at least one direction so as to allow a predetermined spring rate to be imparted to said preform whereby transmuting said preform into said elastomeric spring.
A one-piece elastomeric spring created from an elastomeric preform which is normally free of spring-like characteristics, with said preform having a generally X-like shape including a series of arms radially projecting from a central body portion, with said preform having an initial predetermined width defined by a first distance between distal and free ends of two of said arms disposed to a common side of said central body portion, and with said preform having an initial predetermined height defined by a second distance between distal and free ends of two of said arms disposed to opposite sides of said central body portion, and with said preform having an initial predetermined length defined by a third distance between opposed sides of said preform, and wherein th4e elastomer forming said preform has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1, and wherein the molecular structure of at least a portion of said preform is oriented as a result of working the initial predetermined width and the predetermined height of said preform greater than 30% to 35% thereby allowing said preform to transmute into said elastomeric spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.