US1204876A - Leaf-spring. - Google Patents

Description

W. S. HOPKINS.

LEAF SPRING.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1915- 1,204,876. Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

2 SHEETS--SHEET amen W01,

l/VINFIELD S. HOPKINS, F SELMA, CALIFORNIA.

MAE-SPRING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916,

Application filed November 6, 1915. Serial No. 60,098.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVINriaLn S. Hoe- KINS, a citiien of the United States, residing'at Selma. in the county of Fresno and State of California. have invented new and useful Improvements in Leaf Springs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in leaf springs of the type employing. antifriction balls between the leaves, and has particular application to a retainer for such balls.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a retainer of the class described whereby the ballsmay be held in proper relative positions between the leaves of the spring so as to reduce the friction between such leaves to a minimum in the use of the. spring, thereby enabling the spring to yield to its fullest extent so as to eliminate the transmission of shocks and jars to'the body of the vehicle equipped with the spring when the. wheels encounter obstructions and depressions in'the roadway. It is also my purpose to provide a retainer of the classdescribed which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efficiency and durability, which will operate effectively for its intended purposes under all conditions and which may be manufactured and marketed at small cost.

With the above recited objects in view and others of a similar nature the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of one member of a leaf spring constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view therethrough. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the retainers removed from the spring. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view through the same. Fig. 6 is a view in side elevatlon of a modified form of the retainer. Fig. 7 is an end view ofthc same. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a further modified form of the invention. Fig. 9 is a mentary' side elevation of a leaf spring equipped with a modified form of'niy invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a leaf spring of suitable con- .jacent edges struction embodying leaves 2, placed one upon another in face to face contact and secured together in spring formation by means of clips or analogous fastening devices 3.

interposed between the confronting faces of adjoining leaves-are ball retainers 4 spaced apart appropriate distances longitudinally of the spring and each extending transversely of the spring. In the present instance, each retainer icomprises a. stri 5 constructed of any suitable material and formed with a longitudinal slot 6 opening on to one end of the strip with grooves 8 respectively. Disposed within the slot 6 and the grooves 8,--in the side walls of theslot are balls 9 projecting above and below the strip and heldwithin the slot by means of the grooved side walls thereof. Threaded into the open end 7 of each slot is a plug 10 acting to hold the balls against accidental dislodgnient from the slot. These balls 9 engage the confront ing surfaces of the adjacent leaves of the spring and such leaves in the use of the Spring so as to reduce friction between the individual leaves and enable the spring to yield readily and to its fullest extent. In this instance, the opposite ends of the strip 5 of each retainer are formed with lugs 11 respectively arranged at right angles to the strip and engaging the opposite edges respectively of an adjacent leaf and formed in these lugs 11 are axial alining openings 12 throu h which is passed a bolt 13 engaging t e lower side of the particular leaf of the spring and acting to hold the retainer securely in place.

In the modified construction illustrated in Fig. 6 the lugs 11 are dispensed with and each end of the strip is formed with an upturned lip 1 and adownturned lip 15. The upturnedilips bind against the adof the upper leaf while the downturned lips engage the corresponding edges of the bottom leaf and cotiperate with the upturned lips to hold the retainer in proper position between the leaves of the spring. I p

If desired, the balls 7 may beset into a slot in each retainer in individual cages 16, as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, these cages serving to hold the balls of each retainer spaced apart from one another so asati'andhaw' mg the opposite longitudinal walls formed permit relative movement of that the same may act independently of.

nates all friction between the leaves and permits the leaves to act individually as well as collectively.

I claim 1. A ball retainer of the class described, comprising a strip formed with a longitudinal slot opening on to one end thereof,

the opposite side Walls of said slot being formed with grooves, balls Within said slot and grooves and held Within the slot by means of the grooves and-a plug closing the open end of said slot.

2 'A ball retainer of the class described, comprising a strip formed with a longitudinal slot opening on to one end thereof, the opposite side walls of said slot being formed with grooves, balls Within said slot and grooves and held within the slot by means of the grooves, a plug closing the open end of said slot, and retaining means on the ends of said strip.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

- WINFIELD S. HOPKINS.

. Witnesses:

E. E. SHEPARD, M. F. GOULARTE.

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