Stem Deflector

Abstract

A stem deflector is provided. The stem deflector includes an arm and a shoe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the shoe is coupled to the arm with a suitable fastener. At least one torsion spring is active between the arm and the shoe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stem deflector comprising:
 a mounting arm element including a first spring holder;   a shoe, coupled to the mounting arm element, having an outer side, an inner side, a first end, a second end and a middle portion, the middle portion including a second spring holder on the inner side; and   a compression spring having a first end coupled to the first spring holder and a second end coupled to the second spring holder,   wherein the first spring holder and the second spring holder are substantially aligned along a same axis.   
     
     
         2 . The stem deflector of  claim 1  and wherein the first spring holder and the second spring holder are substantially aligned along the same axis when the spring is in at least one of a fully compressed state, a fully extended state, or an intermediate state along a travel path between a fully extended state and a fully compressed state. 
     
     
         3 . The stem deflector of  claim 2  and further comprising a containing chain having first and second ends and a length therebetween, the first end of the chain is coupled to the mounting arm element and the second end of the chain is coupled to the shoe, wherein the fully extended state of the spring is defined by the length of the containing chain. 
     
     
         4 . The stem deflector of  claim 1  and wherein the same axis is aligned with a central axis of the compression spring. 
     
     
         5 . The stem deflector of  claim 1  and wherein the compression spring compresses linearly along the central axis. 
     
     
         6 . The stem deflector of  claim 1  and wherein the mounting arm element is a single piece. 
     
     
         7 . The stem deflector of  claim 1  and wherein the mounting arm element includes an arm and a mounting bracket that is a separate piece from the arm. 
     
     
         8 . The stem deflector of  claim 7  and wherein the arm includes a first end coupled the mounting bracket, and wherein the first end of the shoe is coupled to the mounting bracket, and wherein the first spring holder is spaced apart from the first end of the arm. 
     
     
         9 . The stem deflector of  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the arm is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket along a pivot axis, and wherein the arm is pivotal in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . The stem deflector of  claim 9  and further comprising an adjustment means for pivotally adjusting a position of the arm relative to the shoe in the plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The stem deflector of  claim 10  and wherein the adjustment means comprises:
 an array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes in a pair of opposing flanges of the mounting bracket, the adjustment holes being parallel to the plane perpendicular to the pivot axis; 
 at least one bore that extends through in the arm, wherein the bore is substantially parallel to the pivot axis, and wherein the bore is in a portion of the arm that is between the opposing flanges; and 
 a pin that extends through the bore and through any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
 
     
     
         12 . The stem deflector of  claim 11 , wherein the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes comprises a plurality of columns of aligned pairs of adjustment holes, and wherein the at least one bore comprises a plurality of bores with each of the plurality of bores corresponding to a different one of the plurality of columns of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
     
     
         13 . The stem deflector of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of columns of aligned pairs of adjustment holes comprises a first column of aligned pairs of adjustment holes and a second column of aligned pairs of adjustment holes proximate the first column of aligned pairs of adjustment holes, and wherein the plurality of bores comprises a first bore corresponding to the first column of aligned pairs of adjustment holes and a second bore corresponding to the second column of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
     
     
         14 . The stem deflector of  claim 9  and wherein the shoe is connected to the mounting bracket along a different pivot axis than the pivot axis along which the arm is connected to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The stem deflector of  claim 9  and wherein the shoe is connected to the mounting bracket along the pivot axis along which the arm is connected to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         16 . A stem deflector comprising:
 an arm;   a shoe having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the shoe is coupled to the arm with a first fastener; and   at least one torsion spring active between the arm and the shoe.   
     
     
         17 . The stem deflector of  claim 16  and wherein the at least one torsion spring has a helical coil through which the first fastener extends to support the torsion spring in a position that enables the torsion spring to be active between the arm and the shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The stem deflector of  claim 17  and wherein the at least one torsion spring includes an anchor arm that has a first end coupled to a first end of the coil and a second end that is fixed to the arm in a stationary position with a second fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The stem deflector of  claim 18  and wherein the torsion spring further comprises a working arm that has a first end that is coupled to a second end of the coil and a second portion that is in contact with an inner surface of the shoe. 
     
     
         20 . The stem deflector of  claim 19  and wherein the shoe pivots relative to the arm about a pivot axis defined by the first fastener. 
     
     
         21 . The stem deflector of  claim 20  and wherein the working arm moves to twist the coil when the shoe pivots about the pivot axis. 
     
     
         22 . The stem deflector of  claim 20  and wherein the fastener extends across a width of the arm and includes at least one extended portion that extends beyond the width of the arm. 
     
     
         23 . The stem deflector of  claim 22  and wherein the helical coil of the at least one torsion spring is positioned around the at least one extended portion of the fastener. 
     
     
         24 . The stem deflector of  claim 23  and wherein the at least one extended portion of the fastener includes a first extended portion that extends beyond the width of the arm on a first side of the arm and a second portion of the fastener that extends beyond the width of the arm on a second side of the arm. 
     
     
         25 . The stem deflector of  claim 24  and wherein the at least one torsion spring includes a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring, and wherein a helical coil of the first torsion spring is positioned around the first extended portion of the fastener, and wherein a helical coil of the second torsion spring is positioned around the second extended portion of the fastener. 
     
     
         26 . The stem deflector of  claim 20  and wherein and wherein the shoe is pivotal in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         27 . The stem deflector of  claim 18  and further comprising a containing chain having first and second ends and a length therebetween, the first end of the chain is coupled to the arm and the second end of the chain is coupled to the shoe, wherein a fully extended state of the stem deflector is defined by the length of the containing chain. 
     
     
         28 . The stem deflector of  claim 16  and wherein the at least one torsion spring has a helical coil through which a fastener, other than the first fastener, extends to support the torsion spring in a position that enables the torsion spring to be active between the arm and the shoe. 
     
     
         29 . The stem deflector of  claim 28  and wherein the shoe pivots relative to the arm about a pivot axis defined by the first fastener. 
     
     
         30 . The stem deflector of  claim 29  and wherein the fastener, other than the first fastener, that supports the torsion spring defines an axis that is parallel to the pivot axis.