Spring assembly

Abstract

A method of assembling a spring inside of a tube includes providing a coil spring and a tube having a first retaining structure at a first end of the tube. The method includes positioning a rod in the tube. The spring is positioned in the tube, and a second retaining structure is attached to the rod with the spring positioned between the first and second retaining structures. A force is applied to the spring, and the second retaining structure is fixed at a position wherein the spring provides a desired preload.

1 . An energy mechanism, comprising:
 a spring generating a spring force upon deformation of the spring;   an enclosure housing at least a portion of the spring therein;   an actuator having a first portion disposed inside the enclosure and operably engaging the spring, and a second portion extending out of the enclosure to transmit a spring force outside the enclosure, the actuator being movable in a first direction from an initial position wherein the spring is deformed an initial amount and generates an initial spring force acting on the actuator, to a second position wherein the spring is deformed a second amount and generates a second spring force that is greater than the initial spring force;   a stop that prevents movement of the actuator in a second direction that is opposite the first direction when the actuator is in the initial position; and   wherein the spring is supported in a partially stressed condition within the enclosure after being prestressed to deform the spring to the initial amount of deformation to generate the initial spring force, such that an applied force acting on the actuator must be at least as great as a predetermined initial force to shift the actuator in the first direction from its initial position.   
     
     
         2 . The energy mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stop comprises a fitting disposed at an end of the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The energy mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the enclosure defines first and second opposite ends;   the second portion of the actuator extends out of the first end of the enclosure; and   the fitting is disposed at the second end of the enclosure.   
     
     
         4 . The energy mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the fitting includes an inner portion that is disposed inside the enclosure;   the enclosure defines an axis that extends through the first and second opposite ends of the enclosure; and   the second end of the enclosure comprises a flange that extends inwardly in a direction that is transverse to the axis;   the flange engaging the inner portion of the fitting and retaining the inner portion of the fitting inside the enclosure.   
     
     
         5 . The energy mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the flange is non-movably fixed with respect to the enclosure.   
     
     
         6 . The energy mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the housing includes a sidewall extending parallel to the axis, and wherein the flange is integrally formed with the sidewall.   
     
     
         7 . The energy mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the enclosure comprises a tubular member having generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces.   
     
     
         8 . The energy mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the enclosure comprises a tubular member having first and second opposite ends, the first end being at least partially closed by a spring-engaging structure; and   the actuator includes an elongated rod having a spring-engaging flange at an inner end of the actuator, and wherein the spring is disposed between the spring-engaging structure and the spring-engaging flange.   
     
     
         9 . The energy mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the initial spring force is fixed such that the initial spring force cannot be adjusted.   
     
     
         10 . An energy mechanism, comprising:
 a spring;   an enclosure housing the spring;   an actuator movable in a first direction from an initial position to at least one displaced position, the actuator extending to the coil spring to transmit a spring force outside of the enclosure; and   the spring being supported in a preselected preloaded state within the enclosure after being preloaded to a predetermined spring force, such that an initial spring force required to move the actuator from the initial position correlates to the predetermined force amount, and wherein the initial spring force is fixed such that the initial spring force cannot be adjusted.   
     
     
         11 . The energy mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the enclosure includes a stop that prevents movement of the actuator in a second direction that is opposite the first direction when the actuator is in the initial position.   
     
     
         12 . The energy mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein:
 a portion of the enclosure is deformed to retain the spring in the preselected preload state.   
     
     
         13 . The energy mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the spring is retained at the initial position unless a force exceeding the initial spring force is applied to the actuator.   
     
     
         14 . The energy mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the enclosure is deformed to form a stop such that the actuator cannot move in a direction opposite the first direction when the actuator is in the initial position.