Adjustable torsion spring
AssigneeBarry Wright Corporation
InventorRomulus Racca
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between two members which are pivotal relative to each other. The spring comprises a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings (30). A locking ring (34) is secured to and separates adjacent torsion rings, one locking ring being associated with each torsion ring. The assembled stack is firmly attached to one of the pivotal members (14). There is connecting sleeve (46) engageable selectively with each locking ring and with the other relatively pivotal member. The number of torsion rings exposed to pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring is determined by engagement between the connecting sleeve and selected locking rings.
Claims14
A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between two members which are pivotal relative to each other, comprising:
- a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings, each torsion ring having an internal aperture,
- axially aligned locking rings firmly secured to and separating adjacent torsion rings, there being one locking ring associated with each torsion ring, each locking ring having an internal aperture,
- the stack of torsion rings and locking rings being firmly attached to a first pivotal member,
- an elongate connecting means slidable into and out of the aperture in the stack,
- at least one axially extending slot in the connecting means,
- at least one tang on each locking ring projecting into the aperture in the stack and aligned with and engageable within the slot in the connecting means,
- means preventing the connecting means from rotating relative to the second pivotal member and
- means for positioning the connecting means at predetermined axial positions relative to the stack to engage the slot in the connecting means selectively with the tangs of one or more locking rings to selectively change the number of torsion rings exposed to the pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring.
A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between two members which are pivotal relative to each other, comprising:
- a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings, each torsion ring having an internal aperture,
- axially aligned locking rings firmly secured to and separating adjacent torsion rings, there being one locking ring associated with each torsion ring,
- one end of the stack of torsion rings and locking rings being firmly attached to a first relative pivotal member,
- a connecting sleeve slidable into and out of the aperture in the stack,
- at least one axially extending slot in the connecting sleeve,
- at least one tang on each locking ring projecting into the aperture in the stack and aligned with and engageable within the slot in the sleeve,
- means preventing the sleeve from rotating relative to the second relative pivotal member and
- means for positioning the sleeve at predetermined axial positions relative to the stack to engage the slot in the sleeve selectively with the tangs of one or more locking rings to selectively change the number of torsion rings exposed to the pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring.
A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between a fixed member and pivotal member comprising:
- a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings, each torsion ring having an internal aperture,
- axially aligned locking rings firmly secured to and separating adjacent torsion rings, there being one locking ring associated with each torsion ring, each locking ring having an internal aperture,
- one end of the stack of torsion rings and locking rings being firmly secured to the pivotal member,
- a rod passing through the internal aperture in the stack of aligned torsion rings and locking rings, the rod being firmly secured to the fixed member,
- a connecting sleeve slidable on the rod into and out of the aperture in the stack,
- at least one axially extending slot in the connecting sleeve, and
- at least one tang on each locking ring projecting into the aperture in the stack and aligned with and engageable within the slot in the connecting sleeve and
- means for positioning the sleeve at pre-determined positions on the rod to engage the slot in the sleeve selectively with the tangs of one or more locking rings to selectively change the number of torsion rings exposed to the pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.