Multi-stage spring system
First Claim
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1. A multiple-stage spring system, comprising:
- a spring assembly comprising a first resilient element comprising a cantilevered beam with a free end, a second resilient element comprising a cantilevered beam with a free end, and a third resilient element extending from the first resilient element and having a contact end for contacting a contact surface, wherein;
there is a first gap between the first resilient element and the second resilient element,there is a second gap between the contact end of the third resilient element and the contact surface, andthe spring assembly has a first spring constant when the first resilient element is deflected up to a first distance through the first gap bringing the first resilient element into contact with the second resilient element, a greater, second spring constant when the first resilient element is further deflected beyond the first distance and up to a second distance causing the third resilient element to move through the second gap such that the contact end of the third resilient element contacts the contact surface, and a greater, third spring constant when the first resilient element is still further deflected beyond the second distance after the contact end of the third resilient element contacts the contact surface and up to a third distance, and wherein the spring assembly stores mechanical energy that biases the spring assembly away from the contact surface when released.
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Abstract
Embodiments of a multi-stage spring system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a multi-stage spring system includes a spring assembly having at least one resilient element, wherein the spring assembly has a first spring constant when deflected up to a first distance, a greater, second spring constant when deflected beyond the first distance and up to a second distance, and a greater, third spring constant when deflected beyond the second distance and up to a third distance, and wherein the spring assembly stores mechanical energy when deflected towards a contact surface that biases the spring assembly away from the contact surface when released.
27 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A multiple-stage spring system, comprising:
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a spring assembly comprising a first resilient element comprising a cantilevered beam with a free end, a second resilient element comprising a cantilevered beam with a free end, and a third resilient element extending from the first resilient element and having a contact end for contacting a contact surface, wherein; there is a first gap between the first resilient element and the second resilient element, there is a second gap between the contact end of the third resilient element and the contact surface, and the spring assembly has a first spring constant when the first resilient element is deflected up to a first distance through the first gap bringing the first resilient element into contact with the second resilient element, a greater, second spring constant when the first resilient element is further deflected beyond the first distance and up to a second distance causing the third resilient element to move through the second gap such that the contact end of the third resilient element contacts the contact surface, and a greater, third spring constant when the first resilient element is still further deflected beyond the second distance after the contact end of the third resilient element contacts the contact surface and up to a third distance, and wherein the spring assembly stores mechanical energy that biases the spring assembly away from the contact surface when released. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification