Printed-circuit-like array of springs with non-linear force vs deflection

A cooperative spring arrangement of a plurality of geometrically arranged rows and columns of identical functionally distinct unitary buckling beam deflection springs, said arrangement structured solely by patterning, cutting and folding a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet metal, each spring of said arrangement comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• four upwardly extending generally rectangular side bands, each side band having a proximal end joined to the base by a concave transitional arc, mid-points of the concave arcs all lying in a first plane, each side band having a distal end;
• and
• a generally square top portion joined at a perimeter thereof by two pairs of opposed parallel convex transitional arcs to a distal end of each side band, mid-points of the convex transitional arcs all lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

A unitary buckling beam deflection spring formed of a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet material comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• upwardly extending generally planar side members generally outwardly bowed relative to each other, each side member having a proximal end joined to the base, each side member having a distal end wherein a first side member has a central cut-out region defining two perimeter parallel legs, and wherein a second side member has two perimeter parallel cut-out regions defining a central leg of a width slightly less than a width of the central cut-out region;
• and
• a top portion joining the distal ends of the side members, said top portion being generally planar and generally parallel to the base.

A unitary buckling beam deflection spring comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• upwardly extending side bands generally outwardly bowed relative to each other, each side band having a proximal end joined to the base, each side band having a distal end, wherein a first side band has a central cut-out region defining two perimeter parallel legs, and wherein a second side band has two perimeter parallel cut-out regions defining a central leg of a width slightly less than a width of the central cut-out region;
• and
• a top portion joining the distal ends of the side bands;
• said buckling beam deflection spring formed of a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet material.

A cooperative spring arrangement of a plurality of geometrically arranged rows and columns of identical functionally distinct unitary buckling beam deflection springs, each spring comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• upwardly extending generally planar side bands, generally outwardly bowed relative to each other, each side band having a proximal end joined to the base, each side band having a distal end, wherein a first side band has a central cut-out region defining two perimeter parallel legs, and wherein a second side band has two perimeter parallel cut-out regions defining a central leg of a width slightly less than a width of the central cut-out region;
• and
• a generally planar top portion joining the distal ends of the side bands, the top portion being generally parallel to the base;
• said cooperative spring arrangement formed of a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet material.

A unitary buckling beam deflection spring comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• upwardly extending side bands, each side band having a proximal end joined to the base by a concave transitional arc, mid-points of the concave arcs all lying in a first plane, each side band having a distal end, wherein a first side band has a central cut-out region defining two perimeter parallel legs, and wherein a second side band has two perimeter parallel cut-out regions defining a central leg of a width slightly less than a width of the central cut-out region;
• and
• a top portion joined at a perimeter thereof by a convex transitional arc to a distal end of each side band, mid-points of the convex transitional arcs all lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
• said buckling beam deflection spring formed of a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet material.

A cooperative spring arrangement of a plurality of geometrically arranged rows and columns of identical functionally distinct unitary buckling beam deflection springs, each spring comprising:

• a spring-supporting base;
• upwardly extending side bands, each side band having a proximal end joined to the base by a concave transitional arc, mid-points of the concave arcs all lying in a first plane, each side band having a distal end, wherein a first side band has a central cut-out region defining two perimeter parallel legs, and wherein a second side band has two perimeter parallel cut-out regions defining a central leg of a width slightly less than a width of the central cut-out region;
• and
• a top portion joined at a perimeter thereof by a convex transitional arc to a distal end of each side band, mid-points of the convex transitional arcs all lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
• said cooperative spring arrangement formed of a single sheet of generally planar flexible sheet material.