GB2505738A - A spring actuator - Google Patents

A spring actuator Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2505738A
GB2505738A GB1306857.2A GB201306857A GB2505738A GB 2505738 A GB2505738 A GB 2505738A GB 201306857 A GB201306857 A GB 201306857A GB 2505738 A GB2505738 A GB 2505738A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
spring
slider
free end
guide member
actuator according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1306857.2A
Other versions
GB2505738B (en
GB201306857D0 (en
Inventor
Roger David Boulton
Jeannette Schaefer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SPRINGTHING LIMITED
Original Assignee
SPRINGTHING Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SPRINGTHING Ltd filed Critical SPRINGTHING Ltd
Priority to GB1306857.2A priority Critical patent/GB2505738B/en
Publication of GB201306857D0 publication Critical patent/GB201306857D0/en
Priority to US14/422,804 priority patent/US20150225166A1/en
Priority to EP13767054.3A priority patent/EP2890622A2/en
Priority to PCT/GB2013/052208 priority patent/WO2014029997A2/en
Publication of GB2505738A publication Critical patent/GB2505738A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2505738B publication Critical patent/GB2505738B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
    • F16F1/04—Wound springs
    • F16F1/10—Spiral springs with turns lying substantially in plane surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
    • F16F1/04—Wound springs
    • F16F1/06—Wound springs with turns lying in cylindrical surfaces
    • F16F1/065—Wound springs with turns lying in cylindrical surfaces characterised by loading of the coils in a radial direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
    • F16F1/04—Wound springs
    • F16F1/12—Attachments or mountings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
    • A47K10/426—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the front or sides of the dispenser
    • A47K10/427—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked dispensing from the front or sides of the dispenser with means for urging the whole stack towards the dispensing opening, e.g. a spring

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)

Abstract

A spring actuator 1 is provided. Spring actuator 1 comprises: a constant force spiral extension spring 2 having a central coil end 2A and a free end 2B; a guide member 5A,5B,6,6A,6B with means to secure the spring free end 2B in a fixed position and to allow the spiral spring 2 to unwind along the guide member away from the free end 2B and to wind up along the guide member towards the free end 2B; and a slider 7 to slide along the guide member and connected to spring central coil end 2A. The slider 7 is biased towards the spring free end 2B when the spring is unwound. In use the slider 7 is engageable with an object to provide a spring bias on the object as the slider is biased toward the spring free end 2B.

Description

Title: Spring Actuator The present invention relates to a spring actuator, and especially to a spring actuator which delivers a constant force.
According to the present invention there is provided a spring actuator comprising: a) a constant force spiral extension spring having a central coil end and a free end, b) a guide member with means to secure the spring free end in a fixed pdsition and to allow the spiral spring to unwind along the guide member away from the free end and to wind up along the guide member towards the free end, and c) a slider to slide along the guide member and connected to the spring central coil end, whereby the slider is biased towards the spring free end when the spring is unwound, in use the slider being engageable with an object to provide a spring bias on the object as the slider is biased toward the spring free end.
Preferably the spring central coil end is connected to rotate about an axis connected to the slider.
Preferably the spring central coil end is connected to a spool which rotates about a spindle forming said axis.
Preferably the slider has a cavity between its ends to house the spring central coil end.
Preferably the guide member includes a pair of guide rails on which the slider slides.
Preferably the guide member is part of a rectangular housing with the spring free end secured to one end of the housing.
In one embodiment the slider includes a projection for engagement with an object which extends through a slot in an elongate side wall of the housing.
In another embodiment the slider is connected to at least one rod, and the or each rod extends through an end wall in the elongate housing.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment with the spring wound up, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment with the spring unwound, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a spring actuator 1.
Actuator 1 has a constant force spiral extension spring 2 having a central coil end 2A and a free end 2W The spring central coil end is connected to a spool 3 to rotate about an axis formed by a spindle 4. A bearing may be provided between the spool 3 and the spindle 4.
A guide member includes a pair of guide rails SA,5B which extend between a pair of rectangular end walls 6A,68 and inside of a rectangular housing 6 (shown removed). Free end 2B of spring 2is secured adjacent end wall LA to secure the spring free end in a fixed position and to allow the spiral spring to unwind along the guide member away from the free end (see Figure 1) and to wind up along the guide member towards the free end 2B (see Figure 2).
A slider 7 is provided with linear bearing 8A,88 to slide along the guide member rails 5A,5B.
Slider 7 has a cavity 9 between its ends to accommodate the coil end 2A of spring 2, and slider 7 is connected to spring central coil end 2A on spool 3 through spindle 4. Slider 7 is biased towards the spring free end 2B when the spring is unwound (see Figure 2).
Slider 7 includes a projection 7A for engagement with an object. Projection 7A extends through a slot 6C in an elongate side wall of the housing 6.
In use the slider is engageable with an object to provide a spring bias on the object as the slider is biased toward the spring free end.
Referring now to Figure 3, instead of a projection 7A, one or two rods 7B,7C could be connected to slider 7 and extend through apertures IOA,1QB in end walls 6A,6B. In use the rods 7B and/or 7C could be engageable with an object to provide a spring bias on the object as the slider is biased toward the spring free end. The rods 7B or 7C could provide a "push" or "pull" bias on an object.
The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above For example the spring 2 could be connected to the slider other than in a cavity in the slider, e.g. the central coil end could be connected to one end of the slider 7.
Furthermodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

  1. CLAIMSI. A spring actuator comprising: a) a constant force spiral extension spring having a central coil end and a free end, b) a guide member with means to secure the spring free end in a fixed position and to allow the spiral spring to unwind along the guide member away from the free end and to wind up along the guide member towards the free end, and c) a slider to slide along the guide member and connected to the spring central coil end, whereby the slider is biased towards the spring free end when the spring is unwound, in use the slider being engageable with an object to provide a spring bias on the object as the slider is biased toward the spring free end.
  2. 2. A spring actuAtor according to claim 1, wherein the spring central coil!ã.. end is connected to rotate about an axis connected to the slider.
  3. 3. A spring actuator according to claim 2, wherein the spring central coil end is connected to a sleeve which rotates about a spindle forming said axis.
  4. 4. A spring actuator according to any preëeding claim, wherein ihe slider has a cavity between its ends to house the spring.
  5. 5. A spring actuator according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide member includes a pair of guide rails on which the slider slides.
  6. 6. A spring actuator according to any preceding claim wherein the guide member is part of a rectangular housing with the spring free end secured to one end of the housing.
  7. 7. A spring actuator according to claim 6, wherein the slider includes a projection for engagement with an object which extends through a slot in an elongate side wall of the housing.
  8. 8. A spring actuator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the slider is connected to at least one rod, and the or each rod extends through an end wall in the elongate housing.
  9. 9. A spring act dtor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB1306857.2A 2012-08-21 2013-04-16 Spring Actuator Expired - Fee Related GB2505738B (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1306857.2A GB2505738B (en) 2013-04-16 2013-04-16 Spring Actuator
US14/422,804 US20150225166A1 (en) 2012-08-21 2013-08-21 Spring actuator and wipe dispensing container
EP13767054.3A EP2890622A2 (en) 2012-08-21 2013-08-21 Spring actuator
PCT/GB2013/052208 WO2014029997A2 (en) 2012-08-21 2013-08-21 Spring actuator and wipe dispensing container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1306857.2A GB2505738B (en) 2013-04-16 2013-04-16 Spring Actuator

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201306857D0 GB201306857D0 (en) 2013-05-29
GB2505738A true GB2505738A (en) 2014-03-12
GB2505738B GB2505738B (en) 2014-08-06

Family

ID=48537299

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1306857.2A Expired - Fee Related GB2505738B (en) 2012-08-21 2013-04-16 Spring Actuator

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2505738B (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1526238A2 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-04-27 ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Ltd Actuator assembly
EP1650626A1 (en) * 2004-10-20 2006-04-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Neutral position returning mechanism and input device using the same
WO2010016984A1 (en) * 2008-08-07 2010-02-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Viscous strand damper assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1526238A2 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-04-27 ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Ltd Actuator assembly
EP1650626A1 (en) * 2004-10-20 2006-04-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Neutral position returning mechanism and input device using the same
WO2010016984A1 (en) * 2008-08-07 2010-02-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Viscous strand damper assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2505738B (en) 2014-08-06
GB201306857D0 (en) 2013-05-29

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application

Owner name: SPRINGTHING LIMITED

Free format text: FORMER OWNERS: ROGER DAVID BOULTON;JEANNETTE SCHAEFER

732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20170105 AND 20170111

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190416