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US 9,038,272 B1Granted
Variable force spring tapes and method of manufacture
AssigneeVulcan Spring & Mfg. Co.
InventorAlexander Rankin, VI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring tape suitable for use in spring motor applications where reactive torque varies with rotational deflection. An elongate elastic element is advanced lengthwise and is laser cut into longitudinally complementary shapes which are separated and subsequently pre-stressed into rolls which are cut to length for assembly into a spring motor.
Claims16
A method of making a flat rolled spring element capable of providing a reactive force that varies with extension tangentially from its rolled state, comprising the steps of:
- providing an indeterminate length of flaccid tape having a pair of parallel edges defining therebetween a constant widthwise dimension of the tape,
- advancing said tape lengthwise, and while said tape is advancing,
- cutting said tape lengthwise and partially widthwise between said edges to form an undulating cut and cutting said tape to form a running cut extending in substantially parallel relation to said edges and intersecting said undulating cut such that a complementary pair of separate co-extending tape strips is formed, and thereafter
- separating one of said tape strips from the other for coiling about a tool to form said flat rolled spring element.
1 more element
A method of making a flat rolled spring element, comprising the steps of:
- providing an indeterminate length of a flaccid metal tape capable of being pre-stressed into a rolled coil and having a pair of parallel edges defining therebetween a constant widthwise dimension of the metal tape;
- advancing said metal tape lengthwise;
- during said advancing step, cutting said metal tape lengthwise and partially widthwise between said edges by directing a laser beam through said metal tape to form an undulating cut such that a complementary pair of separate co-extending first and second metal tape strips is formed, wherein, during said cutting step, said laser beam is directed to cut said metal tape to form a running cut extending in substantially parallel relation to said edges and intersecting said undulating cut;
- and
- after said cutting step, separating the first metal tape strip from the second metal tape strip, coiling the first metal tape strip about a coiling tool, and thereafter severing the first metal tape strip completely widthwise after said coiling step to form a flat rolled spring element capable of providing a reactive force that varies with extension tangentially from its rolled state.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.