Patent GB-673931-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to suspension springs for vehicles
IPC: B60G11/16
Filed: 1948-04-15
Abstract: 673,931. Springs; spring suspensions. SOC. DES BREVETS J. A. GREGOIRE. April 15, 1948 [April 15, 1947], No. 10475/48. Classes 108(ii) and 108(iii) A helical suspension spring for operating in tension or compression is provided with means for adjusting both its flexibility and the overall length between its terminal attachments or abutments, either under 10 load or a defined load. comprising at one or each end thereof a correspondingly threaded ferrule to be screwed thereinto or thereover. the projecting threads of which ferrule have a thickness which is sufficiently large to hold the helical turns of the spring with which they engage, spaced apart and out of contact. In the arrangement according to Fig. 1 the flexibility of a tension spring 1 is adjusted by means of a ferrule 2 which is screwed into or out of each end of the spring. A screw-eye 8 associated with each ferrule 2 is adjustable to vary the overall length of the spring in its unstressed state. The ferrule is locked by a brake member 10. In another arrangement. Fig. 4. (not shown). the screw-eye at one end of the spring is replaced by an eye integral with the ferrule, the length of the spring being adjustable from the other end only. In a similar arrangemnt. Fig. 5, (not shown), length and flexibility adjustments are both effected from the one end of the spring including the screw-eye. In another arrangement. Fig. 6, (not shown), a ferrule is screwed over each end of the spring, a screw-eye being associated with each ferrule. In a similar arrangement, Fig. 7. (not shown), the screw-eyes are replaced at each end of the spring, by a pair of bearing members screwed to the ferrule and disposed transversely of the axis of the spring. In the arrangement according to Fig. 8, (not shown), in which a ferrule .is screwed over one end of the spring and includes an integrally formed eye, a bracing member projects from the ferrule inwardly of the spring. In a similar arrangement, Fig. 9, (not shown), the eye is replaced by a pair of bearing members screwed to opposite sides of the ferrule. In a further arrangement, Fig. 10, (not shown), the ferrule and screw-eye shown in Fig. 1, is replaced at one end of the spring, by a spring-attaching member pivoted transversely of the spring axis within a ferrule screwed into the spring. In similar arrangements, Figs. 11 and 12, (not shown), the pivotal bearing for the attaching member is adjustable within the ferrule, axially of the spring. In the arrangements according to Figs. 8 to 12, (not shown), the other end of the spring is fitted with the ferrule and screw-eye of Fig. 1. In the arrangements according to Figs. 13 and 14, (not shown), for a coil spring operating under compression, one end of the spring bears in a flat cup member and the other end carries a screwed ferrule which is engaged by an adustable screw ball-joint member or centering plates. The ferrule and ball-joint member or centering plate may be provided at both ends of the spring which may be applied to a road-vehicle independent front suspension, Fig. 15, (not shown). Specification 644,851 is referred to. The Specification, as open to inspection under Sect. 91 also includes a helical suspension spring, Fig. 13, (Cancelled) (not shown), into which the ferrules. 2 of the Fig. 1 construction are replaced by strap pieces which are arranged to lock a certain number of the spring coils. This subjectmatter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.