A device for use in a shoe includes a first foot, a second foot, a third foot, a fourth foot, a first flexible leg, a second flexible leg, a third flexible leg, and a fourth flexible leg. The first flexible leg extends from the first foot and is curved. The second flexible leg extends from the second foot and is curved. The third flexible leg extends from the third foot and is curved. The fourth flexible leg extends from the fourth foot and is curved. The first flexible leg, second flexible leg, third flexible leg, and fourth flexible leg are joined together with each other at a common area. The first flexible leg, second flexible leg, third flexible leg, and fourth flexible leg are configured to store energy when a force is applied to the common area, and to return energy when the force is removed from the common area.

Wafer cushions for use in wafer carriers include spring beams that include a first arm extending from the frame of the wafer cushion in a first direction and a second arm extending from the first arm in a second direction, and a wafer contact at the end of the second arm opposite where the second arm is joined to the first arm. The wafer cushion may contact a substrate within the wafer carrier only at the wafer contacts during normal conditions. The substrate may also contact secondary contact points on the second arm when a shock event occurs. The wafer contact can be v-groove style wafer contact. The wafer contact may include a contact surface having a convex surface where it is configured to contact the wafer.

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring. The 3D-printed spring may be formed from a plurality of toroidal elements spaced apart from each other and connected with a plurality of connectors. Each connector connects one toroidal element to a directly adjacent toroidal element.

A shaft coupling includes a drive hub that is coupled to a drive shaft to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a driven hub that is coupled to a driven shaft to rotate integrally with the driven shaft, and a rotation transmission portion that transmits rotation between the drive hub and the driven hub. A dynamic vibration absorber is integrally coupled to a section of at least one of the drive hub and the driven hub. The section is an uninvolved section that is not involved in a torsional stiffness of the whole shaft coupling.

Present embodiments provide various open coil spring assemblies which perform like an encased spring assembly. The embodiments have elastic lacings or connections which connect springs to springs or springs to lacings. Various spring embodiments are provided as well as various arrangements for the elastic lacings. All of these features improve compliance and stability while reducing motion transfer.

Present embodiments provide various open coil spring assemblies which perform like an encased spring assembly. The embodiments have elastic lacings or connections which connect springs to springs or springs to lacings. Various spring embodiments are provided as well as various arrangements for the elastic lacings. All of these features improve compliance and stability while reducing motion transfer.

A first shock isolator is provided that includes an axial compression element, a first disc spring, a disc spring system, and an annular stand-off. The first disc spring has a non-linear load-deflection response. The disc spring system is configured to be deflected by the first disc spring and has a linear load-deflection response. A second shock isolator is provided that includes an axial compression element, first and second disc springs and corresponding first and second annular stand-offs. The first and second disc springs have non-linear load-deflection responses. The first and second annular stand-offs hold the first disc and second disc springs in a spaced apart parallel configuration. The second disc spring is configured to be deflected by the first disc spring. The first and second shock isolators exhibit first and second combined load-deflection curves that include a constant load region.

A first shock isolator is provided that includes an axial compression element, a first disc spring, a disc spring system, and an annular stand-off. The first disc spring has a non-linear load-deflection response. The disc spring system is configured to be deflected by the first disc spring and has a linear load-deflection response. A second shock isolator is provided that includes an axial compression element, first and second disc springs and corresponding first and second annular stand-offs. The first and second disc springs have non-linear load-deflection responses. The first and second annular stand-offs hold the first disc and second disc springs in a spaced apart parallel configuration. The second disc spring is configured to be deflected by the first disc spring. The first and second shock isolators exhibit first and second combined load-deflection curves that include a constant load region.

A spring mechanism having at least two wave washers and at least one spring washer between the wave washers. The wave washers are mounted so as to be twistable relative to one another.

A spring mechanism having at least two wave washers and at least one spring washer between the wave washers. The wave washers are mounted so as to be twistable relative to one another.