Patent ID: 7134648

Claim:
An interlocking disc spring assembly comprising: a first conically-shaped disc spring having a first radial inner portion and a first radial outer portion, said first radial inner portion having an opening defining portion defining a first opening and said first radial inner portion having an upwardly-extending portion having a radially innermost surface, said radially innermost surface spaced from said first opening, said opening defining portion and said upwardly-extending portion being at different heights relative to each other, and said first radial outer portion having a downwardly-depending portion; a second conically-shaped disc spring having a second radial inner portion and a second radial outer portion, said second radial inner portion defining a second opening and having a downwardly-depending portion, said downwardly-depending portion avoiding extending into said first opening; and wherein said second radial outer portion of said second disc spring is received on a radially interior side of said downwardly-depending portion of said first radial outer portion of said first disc spring when said first disc spring is stacked on said second disc spring; and wherein said downwardly-depending portion of said second radial inner portion of said second disc spring is located between said radially innermost surface and said opening when said second disc spring is stacked on said first disc spring.