Device and method to hold sound insulation in vehicle hood
First Claim
1. A surface conforming spring for mounting adjacent a spring conformance surface which has two or more mounting points disposed adjacent the spring conformance surface one or both of which mounting points may be comprised of a mounting plate which has a plate thickness, comprising:
- (a) a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(b) at least two mounting engagement structures each of which is disposed at an end of said spring body;
(c) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is designed to be engaged to one of the mounting points;
(d) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(e) wherein portions of said spring body which are designed to be located next to portions of the spring conformance surface which have a relatively large radius of curvature have a relatively high stiffness against bending;
(f) wherein portions of said spring body which are designed to be located next to portions of the spring conformance surface which have a relatively small radius of curvature have a relatively low stiffness against bending;
(g) wherein when said surface conforming spring is properly installed, said mounting engagement structures at said ends of said spring body are engaged to the mounting points, and said spring body of said surface conforming spring is disposed relatively close to the spring conformance surface between the mounting points;
(h) said spring body is comprised of a spring member which extends from one end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, along said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, to an opposite end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(i) said spring member is constructed such that it has cross-sections of different shape and/or size perpendicular to said longitudinal axis at different points along said longitudinal axis;
(j) said spring member is comprised of a sheet with substantially uniform thickness throughout; and
(k) said sheet forms one or more stiffening features which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis and which stiffen said spring body against bending along said longitudinal axis of said spring body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spring designed to be mounted adjacent and in conformance with a convex or concave surface that has varying radii of curvature. The stiffness against bending of the spring varies along its longitudinal axis. The stiffness against bending of various portions of the spring is proportional to the radii of curvature of portions of the surface adjacent which each portion of the spring is to be disposed. The mounting structure for the spring includes female mounting members that are to be engaged to male mounting members. The female mounting members and male mounting members can be engaged to one another by sliding the two components together. The spring and mounting system are particularly well adapted for holding objects adjacent an inner surface of body panels of a vehicle.
19 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A surface conforming spring for mounting adjacent a spring conformance surface which has two or more mounting points disposed adjacent the spring conformance surface one or both of which mounting points may be comprised of a mounting plate which has a plate thickness, comprising:
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(a) a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(b) at least two mounting engagement structures each of which is disposed at an end of said spring body;
(c) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is designed to be engaged to one of the mounting points;
(d) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(e) wherein portions of said spring body which are designed to be located next to portions of the spring conformance surface which have a relatively large radius of curvature have a relatively high stiffness against bending;
(f) wherein portions of said spring body which are designed to be located next to portions of the spring conformance surface which have a relatively small radius of curvature have a relatively low stiffness against bending;
(g) wherein when said surface conforming spring is properly installed, said mounting engagement structures at said ends of said spring body are engaged to the mounting points, and said spring body of said surface conforming spring is disposed relatively close to the spring conformance surface between the mounting points;
(h) said spring body is comprised of a spring member which extends from one end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, along said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, to an opposite end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(i) said spring member is constructed such that it has cross-sections of different shape and/or size perpendicular to said longitudinal axis at different points along said longitudinal axis;
(j) said spring member is comprised of a sheet with substantially uniform thickness throughout; and
(k) said sheet forms one or more stiffening features which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis and which stiffen said spring body against bending along said longitudinal axis of said spring body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
(a) one or both of said mounting engagement structures is comprised of a female mounting member which is comprised of at least two mounting tines;
(b) said at least two mounting tines of each female mounting member are fixedly engaged directly or indirectly to an end of said spring body;
(c) at least two of said at least two mounting tines of each female mounting member are parallel mounting tines which are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that a mounting recess is defined between said parallel mounting tines;
(d) said parallel mounting tines of each female mounting member are separated by a distance such that a mounting recess width of said mounting recess is slightly greater than the plate thickness of the respective mounting plate to which said female mounting member is to be engaged; and
(e) when said surface conforming spring is mounted said mounting recess of each female mounting member receives the respective mounting plate to which said female mounting member is designed to be engaged.
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3. The surface conforming spring of claim 2, further comprising:
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(a) one or more bridges each of which is fixedly engaged to one end of each of said at least two mounting tines of a respective female mounting member;
(b) wherein each of said at least two mounting tines, of said respective female mounting member, extends in a substantially common direction from said bridge.
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4. The surface conforming spring of claim 3, wherein:
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(a) one or more of said female mounting members is an integral extension of said spring body;
(b) a spring body engagement end of a spring body engagement tine of each respective female mounting member that is an integral extension of said spring body is fixedly engaged to an end of said spring body;
(c) a bridge engagement end of said spring body engagement tine of each respective female mounting member that is an integral extension of said spring body is fixedly engaged to a first end of each respective bridge of each respective female mounting member which is an integral extension of said spring body;
(d) a second end of each respective bridge of each respective female mounting member that is an integral extension of said spring body is fixedly engaged to a bridge engagement end of an outer mounting tine; and
(e) each spring body engagement tine and each outer mounting tine of each respective female mounting member that is an integral extension of said spring body extend in a substantially common direction and in a substantially parallel manner from said bridge such that said mounting recess is defined between said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine of each respective female mounting member that is an integral extension of said spring body.
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5. The surface conforming spring of claim 4, wherein:
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(a) a first portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a first stiffness against bending;
(b) a second portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a second stiffness against bending;
(c) a portion of the spring conformance surface, adjacent which said first portion of said spring body is to be disposed when said surface conforming spring is mounted, has a radius of curvature which is a first radius of curvature;
(d) a portion of the spring conformance surface, adjacent which said second portion of said spring body is to be disposed when said surface conforming spring is mounted, has a radius of curvature which is a second radius of curvature;
(e) a ratio of said first stiffness against bending to said second stiffness against bending is similar to a ratio of said first radius of curvature to said second radius of curvature;
(f) when said surface conforming spring is mounted adjacent said spring conformance surface said first portion of said surface conforming spring readily assumes a radius of curvature similar to said first radius of curvature; and
(g) when said surface conforming spring is mounted adjacent said spring conformance surface said first portion of said surface conforming spring readily assumes a radius of curvature similar to said first radius of curvature.
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6. An assembly which may be intended for use as an outer body panel for a cabin or an engine compartment hood of a vehicle, comprising:
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(a) a spring conformance component which defines a spring conformance surface;
(b) wherein said spring conformance surface is of either a concave or convex nature and different portions of said spring conformance surface may have different radii of curvature;
(c) mounting points fixedly engaged either directly or indirectly to said spring conformance component and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(d) a surface conforming spring engaged to said mounting points and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(e) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(f) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of two mounting engagement structures;
(g) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures are engaged to an end of said spring body;
(h) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is also engaged to one of said mounting points;
(i) wherein said surface conforming spring is maintained in a stable manner between said mounting points and adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(j) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(k) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively large radii of curvature have a relatively high stiffness against bending;
(l) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively small radii of curvature have a relatively low stiffness against bending; and
(m) wherein said spring conformance component is of a relatively rigid construction such that said spring conformance surface is deformed substantially less from its free state than said surface conforming spring is deformed from its free state. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
(a) said spring body is comprised of a spring member which extends from one end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, along said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, to an opposite end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring; and
(b) said spring member is constructed such that it has cross-sections of different shape and/or size perpendicular to said longitudinal axis at different points along said longitudinal axis.
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8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein:
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(a) a first mounting engagement structure, which is fixedly engaged to a first end of said spring body, is comprised of one only of a first male mounting member and a first female mounting member;
(b) a first mounting point, which is fixedly engaged to said spring conformance component, is comprised of whichever of said first male mounting member and said first female mounting member which said first mounting engagement structure is not comprised of;
(c) said first male mounting member is engaged within a mounting recess defined by said first female mounting member;
(d) said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member are constructed and engaged to one another such that relative rotation between said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member is prevented about a moment support axis;
(e) said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member are engaged to other components of said assembly in an orientation such that said moment support axis is disposed parallel to said spring conformance surface and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said spring body such that an internal moment, which is present in said spring body about an axis which is parallel to said spring conformance surface, is transferred from said spring body through said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member to said spring conformance component.
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9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein:
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(a) said spring member is comprised of a sheet with substantially uniform thickness throughout; and
(b) said sheet forms one or more stiffening features which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis and which stiffen said spring body against bending along said longitudinal axis of said spring body.
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10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein:
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(a) said first female mounting member is comprised of at least two mounting tines which are fixedly engaged directly or indirectly to either said first end of said spring body or to said spring conformance component;
(b) at least two of said at least two mounting tines of said first female mounting member are parallel mounting tines which are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that said mounting recess is defined between said parallel mounting tines;
(c) said first male mounting member is comprised of a mounting plate which is fixedly engaged directly or indirectly to whichever of said spring conformance component and said first end of said spring body which said at least two mounting tines are not engaged to;
(d) said mounting plate is disposed within said mounting recess defined between said parallel mounting tines; and
(e) said parallel mounting tines are separated by a distance such that a mounting recess width of said mounting recess is slightly greater than a plate thickness of said mounting plate.
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11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein:
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(a) said first female mounting member is further comprised of a bridge which is fixedly engaged to one end of each of said at least two mounting tines of said first female mounting member; and
(b) wherein each of said at least two mounting tines, of said first female mounting member, extends in a substantially common direction from said bridge.
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12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein:
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(a) said first mounting engagement structure is comprised of said first female mounting member and said first mounting point is comprised of said first male mounting member;
(b) said first female mounting member is an integral extension of said spring body;
(c) a spring body engagement end of a spring body engagement tine of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to said first end of said spring body;
(d) a bridge engagement end of said spring body engagement tine of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a first end of said bridge of said first female mounting member;
(e) a second end of said bridge of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a bridge engagement end of an outer mounting tine of said first female mounting member; and
(f) said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine extend in a substantially common direction and in a substantially parallel manner from said bridge such that said mounting recess is defined between said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine of said first female mounting member.
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13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein:
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(a) said spring conformance component is a component designed to be used on the vehicle; and
(b) an object which is disposed between said surface conforming spring and said spring conformance surface is maintained adjacent said spring conformance surface by said surface conforming spring.
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14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein:
(a) said spring conformance component is designed to be included as one of the outer body panels of the cabin of the vehicle or a portion of the hood of the vehicle.
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15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein:
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(a) the engine compartment hood of the vehicle is comprised of said spring conformance component;
(b) said spring conformance surface is defined on an underside of said spring conformance component;
(c) said spring conformance surface has a side portion which is substantially vertical and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(d) said spring conformance surface has an upper portion which is substantially horizontal and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(e) said spring conformance surface has a corner portion which is disposed between said side portion and said upper portion and which has relatively small radii of curvature;
(f) said object which is held adjacent said spring conformance surface is comprised of a flexible sound insulating material;
(g) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said side portion of said spring conformance surface defines a first rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member;
(h) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said corner portion of said spring conforming surface lacks stiffening features; and
(i) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said upper portion of said spring conformance surface defines a second rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member.
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16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein:
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(a) a first portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a first stiffness against bending;
(b) a second portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a second stiffness against bending;
(c) a portion of said spring conformance surface, adjacent which said first portion of said spring body is disposed, has a radius of curvature which is a first radius of curvature;
(d) a portion of the spring conformance surface, adjacent which said second portion of said spring body is disposed, has a radius of curvature which is a second radius of curvature; and
(e) a ratio of said first stiffness against bending to said second stiffness against bending is similar to a ratio of said first radius of curvature to said second radius of curvature.
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17. A surface conforming spring for holding an object such as a sound absorbing liner adjacent an underside of an engine compartment hood which has a side portion which is substantially vertical and has relatively large radii of curvature, an upper portion which is substantially horizontal and has relatively large radii of curvature, and a corner portion disposed between the side portion and the upper portion and which has relatively small radii of curvature and which engine compartment hood also has mounting points which may be mounting plates fixedly engaged to the engine compartment hood adjacent the underside of the engine compartment hood, comprising:
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(a) a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(b) at least two mounting engagement structures each of which is disposed at an end of said spring body;
(c) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is designed to be engaged to one of the mounting points which are fixedly engaged to the engine compartment hood;
(d) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(e) wherein when said surface conforming spring is properly installed, said mounting engagement structures at said ends of said spring body are engaged to the mounting points, and said spring body of said surface conforming spring is disposed relatively close to the spring conformance surface between the mounting points;
(f) wherein said spring body is comprised of a spring member which extends from one end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, along said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, to an opposite end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(g) said spring member is constructed such that it has cross-sections of different shape and/or size perpendicular to said longitudinal axis at different points along said longitudinal axis;
(h) said spring member is comprised of a sheet with substantially uniform thickness throughout;
(i) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is designed to be disposed adjacent the side portion of the underside of the engine compartment hood defines a first rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member;
(j) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is designed to be adjacent said corner portion of the underside of the engine compartment hood lacks stiffening features; and
(k) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is designed to be adjacent said upper portion of said spring conformance surface defines a second rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member. - View Dependent Claims (18)
(a) one or more of said two mounting engagement structures is comprised of a female mounting member which is an integral extension of said spring body;
(b) a spring body engagement end of a spring body engagement tine of each respective female mounting member is fixedly engaged to an end of said spring body;
(c) a bridge engagement end of said spring body engagement tine of each respective female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a first end of a bridge of each respective female mounting member;
(d) a second end of said bridge of each respective female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a bridge engagement end of an outer mounting tine;
(e) said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine of each respective female mounting member extend in a substantially common direction and in a substantially parallel manner from said bridge such that a mounting recess, in which the mounting plate which is fixedly engaged to the engine compartment hood is to be disposed when said surface conforming spring is mounted, is defined between said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine of said female mounting member.
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19. A vehicle, comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a cabin engaged to said frame;
(c) a suspension system for supporting said vehicle engaged to said frame;
(d) an engine compartment hood engaged to said frame and/or said cabin;
(e) wherein said cabin or said engine compartment hood is comprised of a spring conformance component which defines a spring conformance surface;
(f) wherein said spring conformance surface is of either a concave or convex nature and different portions of said spring conformance surface may have different radii of curvature;
(g) mounting points fixedly engaged either directly or indirectly to said spring conformance component and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(h) a surface conforming spring engaged to said mounting points and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(i) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(j) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of two mounting engagement structures;
(k) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is engaged to an end of said spring body;
(l) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is also engaged to one of said mounting points;
(m) wherein said surface conforming spring is maintained in a stable manner between said mounting points and adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(n) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(o) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively large radii of curvature have a relatively high stiffness against bending;
(n) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively small radii of curvature have a relatively low stiffness against bending; and
(o) wherein said spring conformance component is of a relatively rigid construction such that said spring conformance surface is deformed substantially less from its free state than said surface conforming spring is deformed from its free state. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
(a) said spring body is comprised of a spring member which extends from one end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, along said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring, to an opposite end of said longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring; and
(b) said spring member is constructed such that it has cross-sections of different shape and/or size perpendicular to said longitudinal axis at different points along said longitudinal axis.
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21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein:
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(a) a first mounting engagement structure, which is fixedly engaged to a first end of said spring body, is comprised of one only of a first male mounting member and a first female mounting member;
(b) a first mounting point, which is fixedly engaged to said spring conformance component, is comprised of whichever of said first male mounting member and said first female mounting member which said first mounting engagement structure is not comprised of;
(c) said first male mounting member is engaged within a mounting recess defined by said first female mounting member;
(d) said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member are constructed and engaged to one another such that relative rotation between said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member is prevented about a moment support axis;
(e) said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member are engaged to other components of said vehicle in an orientation such that said moment support axis is disposed parallel to said spring conformance surface and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said spring body such that an internal moment, which is present in said spring body about an axis which is parallel to said spring conformance surface, is transferred from said spring body through said first female mounting member and said first male mounting member to said spring conformance component.
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22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein:
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(a) said spring member is comprised of a sheet with substantially uniform thickness throughout; and
(b) said sheet forms one or more stiffening features which extend parallel to said longitudinal axis and which stiffen said spring body against bending along said longitudinal axis of said spring body.
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23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein:
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(a) said first female mounting member is comprised of at least two mounting tines which are fixedly engaged directly or indirectly to either said first end of said spring body or to said spring conformance component;
(b) at least two of said at least two mounting tines are parallel mounting tines which are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that said mounting recess is defined between said parallel mounting tines;
(c) said first male mounting member is comprised of a mounting plate which is fixedly engaged directly or indirectly to whichever of said spring conformance component and said first end of said spring body which said at least two mounting tines are not engaged to;
(d) said mounting plate is disposed within said mounting recess defined between said parallel mounting tines; and
(e) said parallel mounting tines are separated by a distance such that a mounting recess width of said mounting recess is slightly greater than a plate thickness of said mounting plate.
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24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein:
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(a) said first female mounting member is further comprised of a bridge which is fixedly engaged to one end of each of said at least two mounting tines of said first female mounting member; and
(b) wherein each of said at least two mounting tines, of said first female mounting member, extends in a substantially common direction from said bridge.
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25. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein:
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(a) said first mounting engagement structure is comprised of said first female mounting member and said first mounting point is comprised of said first male mounting member;
(b) said first female mounting member is an integral extension of said spring body;
(c) a spring body engagement end of a spring body engagement tine of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to said first end of said spring body;
(d) a bridge engagement end of said spring body engagement tine of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a first end of said bridge of said first female mounting member;
(e) a second end of said bridge of said first female mounting member is fixedly engaged to a bridge engagement end of an outer mounting tine of said first female mounting member; and
(f) said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine extend in a substantially common direction and in a substantially parallel manner from said bridge such that said mounting recess is defined between said spring body engagement tine and said outer mounting tine of said first female mounting member.
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26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein:
(a) an object is disposed between said surface conforming spring and said spring conformance surface and is maintained adjacent said spring conformance surface by said surface conforming spring.
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27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein:
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(a) said engine compartment hood is comprised of said spring conformance component;
(b) said spring conformance surface is defined on an underside of said spring conformance component;
(c) said spring conformance surface has a side portion which is substantially vertical and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(d) said spring conformance surface has an upper portion which is substantially horizontal and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(e) said spring conformance surface has a corner portion which is disposed between said side portion and side upper portion and which has relatively small radii of curvature;
(f) said object which is held adjacent said spring conformance surface is comprised of a flexible sound insulating material;
(g) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said side portion of said spring conformance surface defines a first rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member;
(h) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said corner portion of said spring conforming surface lacks stiffening features; and
(i) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said upper portion of said spring conformance surface defines a second rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member.
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28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein:
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(a) a first portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a first stiffness against bending;
(b) a second portion of said spring body has a stiffness against bending which is a second stiffness against bending;
(c) a portion of said spring conformance surface, adjacent which said first portion of said spring body is disposed, has a radius of curvature which is a first radius of curvature;
(d) a portion of the spring conformance surface, adjacent which said second portion of said spring body is disposed, has a radius of curvature which is a second radius of curvature; and
(e) a ratio of said first stiffness against bending to said second stiffness against bending is similar to a ratio of said first radius of curvature to said second radius of curvature.
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29. A vehicle, comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a cabin engaged to said frame;
(c) a suspension system for supporting said vehicle engaged to said frame;
(d) an engine compartment hood engaged to said frame and/or said cabin;
(e) wherein said cabin or said engine compartment hood is comprised of a spring conformance component which defines a spring conformance surface;
(f) wherein said spring conformance surface is of either a concave or convex nature and different portions of said spring conformance surface may have different radii of curvature;
(g) mounting points fixedly engaged either directly or indirectly to said spring conformance component and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(h) a surface conforming spring engaged to said mounting points and disposed adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(i) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of a spring body extending along a longitudinal axis of said surface conforming spring;
(j) wherein said surface conforming spring is comprised of two mounting engagement structures;
(k) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is engaged to an end of said spring body;
(l) wherein each of said two mounting engagement structures is also engaged to one of said mounting points;
(m) wherein said surface conforming spring is maintained in a stable manner between said mounting points and adjacent said spring conformance surface;
(n) wherein said spring body is constructed such that a stiffness of said spring body against bending varies along said longitudinal axis of said spring body;
(o) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively large radii of curvature have a relatively high stiffness against bending;
(p) wherein portions of said spring body which are located next to portions of said spring conformance surface which have relatively small radii of curvature have a relatively low stiffness against bending;
(q) wherein said spring conformance component is an outer body panel of either said cabin or said engine compartment hood of said vehicle; and
(r) an object which is disposed between said surface conforming spring and said spring conformance surface and is maintained adjacent said spring conformance surface by said surface conforming spring. - View Dependent Claims (30)
(a) said engine compartment hood is comprised of said spring conformance component;
(b) said spring conformance surface is defined on an underside of said spring conformance component;
(c) said spring conformance surface has a side portion which is substantially vertical and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(d) said spring conformance surface has an upper portion which is substantially horizontal and which has relatively large radii of curvature;
(e) said spring conformance surface has a corner portion which is disposed between said side portion and side upper portion and which has relatively small radii of curvature;
(f) said object which is held adjacent said spring conformance surface is comprised of a flexible sound insulating material;
(g) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said side portion of said spring conformance surface defines a first rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member;
(h) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said corner portion of said spring conforming surface lacks stiffening features; and
(i) a portion of said sheet of said spring body which is adjacent said upper portion of said spring conformance surface defines a second rib which extends along said longitudinal axis of said spring member.
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Specification