The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 10, 1997
Scott Longrod, Lansing, NY (US);
Axiohm Transaction Solutions, Inc., Blue Bell, PA (US);
Abstract
The present invention features a new type of spring-loaded axle. The spring-loaded axle of this invention has a single element. The single component of this invention has a specially-designed spring that acts both as a detent and an axle, all in one. The spring includes an elongated, flexible, coiled, spring portion that has a compressible, coiled midsection that is flanked by a generally non-compressible, coiled section on either side of the compressible, coiled midsection. At the distal end of each of the non-compressible, coiled sections is located a flexible, generally non-compressible, curvilinear, coiled end section. Each of the conically-shaped, coiled end sections acts like a detent; further, because of their conical shape, they can automatically adjust to the bores of the supporting frame. The elongated, coiled spring portion acts like an axle. The compressible, coiled midsection allows the conically-shaped, coiled end sections to axially adjust to the end bores in the support frame by providing an axial spring-biasing to them. The device is inserted into a hollow bore of a roller, thus allowing the roller to rotatively move about the device, as well as the support frame. The conically-shaped, coiled end sections assist in locating and anchoring the roller for rotation about the support frame. The flexibility of the device, as provided by its coiled configuration, allows it to withstand a greater degree of transverse loadings and side forces.