A vibration isolator can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance, such as in connection with a bicycle saddle. A vibration isolator can be operatively connected to a bicycle saddle. The vibration isolator can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator can include one or more movable body members and one or more super elastic material members.

A pivot unit comprising a linear actuator; a rod assembly driven by the linear actuator; an output shaft driven by the rod assembly; a housing enclosing the rod assembly and a portion of the output shaft, and attached to the linear actuator; a saddle driven by the output shaft; a first stop arm operatively attached to the first arm and a first end of the output shaft; a second stop arm operatively attached to the second arm and a second end of the output shaft; a first shock absorber secured to a first side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the first stop arm; and a second shock absorber secured to a second side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the second stop arm.

A pivot unit comprising a linear actuator; a rod assembly driven by the linear actuator; an output shaft driven by the rod assembly; a housing enclosing the rod assembly and a portion of the output shaft, and attached to the linear actuator; a saddle driven by the output shaft; a first stop arm operatively attached to the first arm and a first end of the output shaft; a second stop arm operatively attached to the second arm and a second end of the output shaft; a first shock absorber secured to a first side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the first stop arm; and a second shock absorber secured to a second side of the housing and constructed and arranged to accept a first end of the second stop arm.

A spring part, in particular for a driving device, includes a spring body extending around a central axis. The spring body comprises several spring windings which run radially around a spring axis and are made of at least a base material. The base material is surrounded at least by a first protective layer, and the spring body is at least partially covered on the outside by a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a spring part includes the steps of providing a spring body with several spring windings made of a base material and coating the base material at least with a first protective layer. The method includes the step of applying a lubricant formed as a silicone-based lubricant to the outside of the coated spring body.

A spring-loaded ball valve includes a spring, a first pin, a second pin, and a handle. The spring is configured to apply pressure to the first pin and second pin when the ball valve is in both the fully open and fully closed positions. The spring applies maximum torque when the ball valve is in the fully open or fully closed position to ensure the valve remains in the fully open or fully closed position.

An annular spring for a bearing assembly of gas turbine engine is provided. The annular spring includes a multiple of ligaments between an inner support and an outer support.

The invention provides a production method for stabilizers which produces with high productivity in a compact production line, without tempering. The production method for stabilizers of the invention includes: forming a steel bar material containing at least C: 0.15 wt % to 0.39 wt %, Mn, B and Fe into a product shape by bending; and quenching the bent steel bar material in a medium having a heat transfer coefficient higher than or close to that of water.

A spring-loaded ball valve includes a spring, a first pin, a second pin, and a handle. The spring is configured to apply pressure to the first pin and second pin when the ball valve is in both the fully open and fully closed positions. The spring applies maximum torque when the ball valve is in the fully open or fully closed position to ensure the valve remains in the fully open or fully closed position.

A canted coil spring includes a core wire 10 formed of steel having a pearlite structure; and a copper plating layer 20 formed of copper or a copper alloy and covering an outer circumferential surface 11 of the core wire 10. The steel contains 0.5 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less carbon, 0.1 mass % or more and 2.5 mass % or less silicon, and 0.3 mass % or more and 0.9 mass % or less manganese, with the balance being iron and inevitable impurities. The copper plating layer 20 has a crystallite size of 220±50 Å.

Embodiments provide a support structure for an article of footwear, which may include upper and lower support elements, upper and lower members, a compression element disposed between the upper and lower members, and a torsion element. A vertical force applied to the upper support element compresses the compression element, rotationally displaces in a first direction the upper member relative to the lower member, rotationally displaces in the first direction a second portion of the torsion element relative to a first portion of the torsion element, deflects a torsion loading portion of the torsion element, and moves the upper member vertically toward the lower member. Upon release of the force, the torsion loading portion rotationally displaces in a second direction opposite to the first direction the second portion of the torsion element relative to the first portion. Embodiments of methods of manufacturing a support structure are also disclosed.