# US 8,740,198 B2 · Spring guide and cushion device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,198 B2 - Document ID: US8740198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/028,141 - Filed: 2011-02-15 - Published: 2011-08-25 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-24 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Akiko Oishi; Kazuo Yamamoto - Inventors: Akiko Oishi; Kazuo Yamamoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740198B2 ## CPC - F16F 1/128: {with motion-limiting means, e.g. with a full-length guide element or ball joint connections; with protective outer cover (F16F1/121 takes precedence)} - B62K 25/283: {for cycles without a pedal crank, e.g. motorcycles} - B62K 2202/00: Motorised scooters - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE ## Abstract A spring guide is provided between a coil spring and a cylindrical outer shaft member. The coil spring coaxially houses therein a shaft portion of a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in the outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction of the spring guide. The spring guide includes a barrel, at least one first projecting portion, and at least one second projecting portion. The barrel has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction. The at least one first projecting portion is provided at the first end portion of the barrel to project toward an axis of the barrel. The at least one second projecting portion is provided at the second end portion of the barrel to project toward the axis of the barrel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spring guide to be provided between a coil spring and a cylindrical outer shaft member, the coil spring coaxially housing therein a shaft portion of a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in the outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction of the spring guide, the spring guide comprising: a barrel having a substantially cylindrical shape and including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction; a plurality of first projecting portions provided at the first end portion of the barrel to project toward an axis of the barrel, the plurality of first projecting portions are provided to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the barrel; and a plurality of second projecting portions provided at the second end portion of the barrel to project toward the axis of the barrel, the plurality of second projecting portions are provided to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the barrel, wherein the barrel includes a plurality of slits penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface of the barrel in a radial direction of the barrel, and wherein the plurality of slits are formed at positions that are in phase in the circumferential direction with at least one of the plurality of first projecting portions and the plurality of second projecting portions, respectively, wherein between the first end portion and the second end portion, the plurality of first projecting portions and the plurality of second projecting portions are formed at such positions as to appear to be disposed alternately when viewed from a direction along which the axis of the barrel extends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits are formed adjacent, in a longitudinal direction of the barrel, to at least one of the plurality of first projecting portions and the plurality of second projecting portions, respectively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first projecting portions provided in phase with the plurality of slits respectively are provided to the first end portion which is closer to a middle portion of the coil spring in a longitudinal direction thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first projecting portions and the plurality of second projecting portions are formed at such positions as to appear not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the barrel when viewed from the direction along which the axis of the barrel extends. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cushion device for a vehicle, comprising: a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in a cylindrical outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction thereof, a coil spring which coaxially houses the damper set and which is disposed across the outer shaft member and the inner shaft member, the spring guide according to claim 1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The spring guide according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of first projecting portions provided in phase with the plurality of slits respectively are provided to the first end portion which is closer to a middle portion of the coil spring in a longitudinal direction thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A cushion device for a vehicle, comprising: a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in a cylindrical outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction thereof, a coil spring which coaxially houses the damper set and which is disposed across the outer shaft member and the inner shaft member, the spring guide according to claim 2. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of ridges provided on an outer surface of the barrel and that project away from the axis of the barrel, the plurality of ridges longitudinally extending in a longitudinal direction of the barrel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The spring guide according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of ridges are provided to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the barrel at locations in between the plurality of slits. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits are adjacent to and aligned with the plurality of first projecting portions in a longitudinal direction of the barrel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The spring guide according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of slits are not aligned with the plurality of second projecting portions in the longitudinal direction of the barrel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The spring guide according to claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of ridges provided on an outer surface of the barrel and that project away from the axis of the barrel, the plurality of ridges longitudinally extending in the longitudinal direction of the barrel, and wherein the plurality of ridges are aligned with the plurality of second projecting portion in a radial direction of the barrel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The spring guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first projecting portions abut a first end surface of the first end portion of the barrel, and wherein the plurality of second projecting portions abut a second end surface of the second end portion of the barrel.