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US 9,458,905 B2Granted
Spring assembly and method
AssigneeSteelcase Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, David Allen Bodnar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assembling a spring inside of a tube includes providing a coil spring and a tube having a first retaining structure at a first end of the tube. The method includes positioning a rod in the tube. The spring is positioned in the tube, and a second retaining structure is attached to the rod with the spring positioned between the first and second retaining structures. A force is applied to the spring, and the second retaining structure is fixed at a position wherein the spring provides a desired preload.
Claims9
A method of assembling a spring assembly;
- the method comprising:
- providing a coil spring having first and second opposite spring ends and an axis;
- providing a tube having an interior space and a first retaining structure at a first end of the tube such that the coil spring transmits force to the tube upon insertion of the coil spring into a second end of the tube;
- providing an elongated rod having first and second rod ends;
- positioning the rod in the tube with the first rod end toward the first tube end and the second rod end toward the second tube end;
- positioning the spring in the tube with the first end of the coil spring engaging the first retaining structure;
- providing a second retaining structure;
- attaching the second retaining structure to the second end of the rod such that the second retaining structure moves with the rod, and wherein the coil spring is positioned at least partially inside the tube between the first and second retaining structures;
- axially compressing the coil spring;
- measuring an axial force acting on the coil spring as the coil spring is axially compressed utilizing an assembly tool having a force sensor;
- followed by fixing a stop on the second end of the tube such that the stop retains the second retaining structure at a position wherein the magnitude of the measured axial force acting on the coil spring is at a predefined magnitude or is within a predefined range;
- removing the spring assembly from the assembly tool whereby the force sensor of the assembly tool is no longer capable of measuring an axial force acting on the coil spring.
9 more elements
A method of assembling a spring assembly;
- the method comprising:
- providing a coil spring having first and second opposite spring ends and an axis;
- providing a tube having an interior space and a first retaining structure at a first end of the tube such that the coil spring transmits force to the tube upon insertion of the coil spring into a second end of the tube;
- providing an elongated rod having first and second rod ends;
- positioning the rod in the tube with the first rod end toward the first tube end and the second rod end toward the second tube end;
- positioning the spring in the tube with the first end of the coil spring engaging the first retaining structure;
- providing a second retaining structure;
- attaching the second retaining structure to the second end of the rod such that the second retaining structure moves with the rod, and wherein the coil spring is positioned at least partially inside the tube between the first and second retaining structures;
- axially compressing the coil spring;
- measuring an axial force acting on the coil spring as the coil spring is axially compressed utilizing an assembly tool having a force sensor;
- followed by fixing a stop on the second end of the tube such that the stop retains the second retaining structure at a position wherein the magnitude of the measured axial force acting on the coil spring is at a predefined magnitude or is within a predefined range;
- removing the spring assembly from the assembly tool whereby the force sensor of the assembly tool is no longer capable of measuring an axial force acting on the coil spring;
- the tube defines an axis;
- the stop comprises an integral flange that extends inwardly in a direction that is transverse to the axis of the tube, wherein the flange is formed at the second end of the tube.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.