Spring mechanism for rocker assembly and rocker assembly comprising the same

Abstract

A spring mechanism for a rocker assembly is disclosed, the spring mechanism being connected to a rocker mechanism of the rocker assembly to assist a rocker member of the rocker mechanism in returning from a rocking position to a rest position, wherein the spring mechanism comprises two mounting plates opposed at a spacing and two springs connected between the two mounting plates, each of the mounting plates being provided with holding structures for holding each of the springs in place on the mounting plate, wherein a spacer is provided between each mounting plate and each spring to avoid the mounting plate from contacting at least one turn of the spring.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A spring mechanism for a rocker assembly, the spring mechanism being connected to a rocker mechanism of the rocker assembly to assist a rocker member of the rocker mechanism in returning from a rocking position to a rest position, characterized in that the spring mechanism comprises two mounting plates opposed at a spacing and two springs connected between the two mounting plates, each of the mounting plates being provided with two sets of holding structures for holding each of the springs in place on the mounting plate, wherein a spacer is provided between each mounting plate and each spring to avoid the mounting plate from contacting at least one turn of the spring. 
     
     
         2 . The spring mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer takes the form of a plastic washer. 
     
     
         3 . The spring mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein each set of holding structures comprises a clip portion and a locating protrusion formed on the mounting plate, and end turn of the spring is clipped by the clip portion and positioned by the locating protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The spring mechanism according to  claim 3 , wherein each mounting plate is laterally provided with two lateral openings to allow the end turns of the springs and the spacers to at least partially pass therethrough and be held on the mounting plate by the clip portions and locating protrusions. 
     
     
         5 . The spring mechanism according to  claim 4 , wherein the spacer comprises a first portion passing through the lateral opening and positioned by the locating protrusion and the clip portion, and a second portion contiguous to the first portion; and the first and second portions are opposed to each other to form a gap therebetween for receiving an edge of the mounting plate at the lateral opening. 
     
     
         6 . The spring mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the spacer is provided with a notch for receiving the clip portion and a through hole for receiving the locating protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . A rocker assembly, comprising a base and two rocker mechanisms mounted symmetrically at the left and right sides of the base, characterized in that the rocker assembly further comprises two spring mechanisms according to any of  claims 1  to  6 , each of which is connected to the respective rocker mechanism and to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The rocker assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the base comprises two support tubes arranged at a spacing in a horizontal direction and two base plates symmetrically disposed at the left and right sides of the two support tubes, each rocker mechanism being placed on a respective base plate, and each spring mechanism being connected to the respective base plate via a first mounting plate. 
     
     
         9 . The rocker assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein each rocker mechanism comprises a rocker member to which a movable member is attached, wherein the movable member is movable as the rocker member swings on the base plate about a fulcrum. 
     
     
         10 . The rocker assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein each movable member is connected to a corresponding rocker member via an intermediate bracket, and between two symmetrically arranged intermediate brackets, there are connected two connecting rods which are offset both horizontally and vertically; wherein a second mounting plate of each spring mechanism is fixedly connected to an intermediate connecting plate, which is inserted in a horizontal direction between and respectively connected to the two connecting rods. 
     
     
         11 . The rocker assembly according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein a pair of stops is provided symmetrically at the left and right sides of one of the support tubes, intended to abut against the corresponding movable member to limit its further movement.