Compression Spring and Pump for Dispensing Fluid
AssigneeDdps Global, LLC
InventorMartin S. Laffey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Springs having various configurations include upper and lower connecting members and spring elements extending therebetween. The configurations of the springs may enable them to be formed of polymeric material such as by injection molding. Pumps for pumping fluid or adapted for other uses may include such springs and may include interfacing arrangements with the springs.
Claims21
A spring comprising:
- a first spring element extending between first and second ends of the spring on a first side of the spring, the first spring element defining a first concave segment opening in a first direction;
- a second spring element extending between the first and second ends of the spring on a second side of the spring, the second spring element defining a first concave segment opening in a second direction generally opposite the first direction.
A spring comprising:
- upper and lower support members defining respective upper and lower bearing surfaces;
- at least first and second spring elements extending between the upper and lower support members;
- and
- at least one brace connecting the first spring element to the second spring element.
A pump for dispensing fluid, the pump comprising a spring and structure which houses the spring, the spring including spring elements having side engagement surfaces, and the structure having corresponding engagement surfaces for engaging respective engagement surfaces of the spring elements for substantially preventing the spring elements from bulging radially outward when the spring elements are compressed.
A spring including a generally cylindrical hollow body having hinges about which opposite vertical sections of the body are pivotable toward each other to form the generally cylindrical shape of the body.
A method of forming a spring such as those claimed above using a single close-and-open injection molding step.
21-22. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.