Torsion spring winding tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a torsion spring winding tool, and in particular to a tool having two bars that are joined with a connector. Each bar can have a shaft with two ends. Two collars are connected to each shaft, generally near the second end of the shafts. The collars separate the bars into three sections, namely a handle, a seat and a lug. A connector is provided and connects the bars together in the seats. The connector can be a spring that is covered with a cover. A user can use the handles to manipulate the bars. The lugs can be inserted into pockets of a spring cone to wind and unwind a torsion spring.

Claims

1. A tool for winding and unwinding a torsion spring via a spring cone having a plurality of pockets, said tool comprising: a first bar, said first bar has a first bar shaft with a first bar shaft first end and a first bar shaft second end, said first bar further having a first bar first collar and a first bar second collar, said first bar first collar and said first bar second collar separating said first bar shaft into a first bar handle at said first bar shaft first end, a first bar lug at said first bar shaft second end, and a first bar seat between said first bar handle and said first bar lug; a second bar, said second bar has a second bar shaft with a second bar shaft first end and a second bar shaft second end, said second bar further having a second bar first collar and a second bar second collar, said second bar first collar and said second bar second collar separating said second bar shaft into a second bar handle at said second bar shaft first end, a second bar lug at said second bar shaft second end, and a second bar seat between said second bar handle and said second bar lug; a connector, said connector has a first loop at a connector first end, a second loop at a connector second end, and a spring between said first loop and said second loop, said first loop being connected to said first bar seat and said second loop being connected to said second bar seat; and a cover surrounding said spring, said cover having a first end with a first end edge and a second end with a second end edge, said connector penetrates said first end of said cover interior of said first end edge, and said connector penetrates said second end of said cover interior of said second end edge, wherein each of said first bar lug and said second bar lug are selectably insertable into and removable from one of the plurality of pockets.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein: said first loop is rotationally and longitudinally movable relative to said first bar seat; said second loop is rotationally and longitudinally movable relative to said second bar seat.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein: said cover serving as a spring expansion limit, said cover having a longitudinal penetration separation distance between where said connector penetrates said first end of said cover and where said connector penetrates said second end of said cover, and said spring is selectably extendable along a spring longitudinal axis to a distance equal to said longitudinal penetration separation distance.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said connector biases said first bar seat towards said second bar seat when said connector is extended with a connector force, said connector force holding one of said first bar lug of said first bar and said second bar lug of said second bar in one of the plurality of pockets of the spring cone when a user is handling the other of said first bar and said second bar when winding and unwinding the torsion spring.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein: said first bar second collar is a depth indicator of said first bar lug; and said second bar second collar is a depth indicator of said second bar lug.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein: said first bar first collar is parallel to said first bar second collar, and said first bar lug is perpendicular to said first bar second collar; and said second bar first collar is parallel to said second bar second collar, and said second bar lug is perpendicular to said second bar second collar.

7. A tool for winding and unwinding a torsion spring via a spring cone having a plurality of pockets, said tool comprising: a first bar having a first bar shaft with a first bar shaft first end and a first bar shaft second end, said first bar further having a first bar first collar and a first bar second collar, said first bar first collar and said first bar second collar separating said first bar shaft into a first bar handle at said first bar shaft first end, a first bar lug at said first bar shaft second end, and a first bar seat between said first bar handle and said first bar lug, said first bar first collar being parallel to said first bar second collar, and said first bar lug being perpendicular to said first bar second collar; a second bar having a second bar shaft with a second bar shaft first end and a second bar shaft second end, said second bar further having a second bar first collar and a second bar second collar, said second bar first collar and said second bar second collar separating said second bar shaft into a second bar handle at said second bar shaft first end, a second bar lug at said second bar shaft second end, and a second bar seat between said second bar handle and said second bar lug, said second bar first collar being parallel to said second bar second collar, and said second bar lug being perpendicular to said second bar second collar; and a connector connected to said first bar seat and to said second bar seat, wherein each of said first bar lug and said second bar lug are selectably insertable into and removable from one of the plurality of pockets.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein said connector is a spring made of wire that is extendable along a connector longitudinal axis.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein: said connector has a first loop at a connector first end and a second loop at a connector second end; said first loop is rotationally and longitudinally movably connected to said first bar seat; and said second loop is rotationally and longitudinally movably connected to said second bar seat.

10. The tool of claim 9 wherein: said tool has a cover with a cover first end with a first end edge, and a cover second end with a cover second end edge; said connector penetrates said cover first end at least one time interior of said first end edge; said connector penetrates said cover second end at least one time interior of said second end edge; said cover serves as a spring expansion limit, said cover having a longitudinal penetration separation distance between where said connector penetrates said first end of said cover and where said connector penetrates said second end of said cover; and said cover surrounds said spring, said connector being selectably extendable along said connector longitudinal axis to a distance equal to said longitudinal penetration separation distance.

11. The tool of claim 7 wherein: said first bar seat is separated from said first bar lug with a first bar lug depth indicator; and said second bar seat is separated from said second bar lug with a second bar lug depth indicator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is an alternative side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view taken along Circle-5 in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4, but instead illustrates the connector in an expanded state.

(7) FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view taken along Circle-7 in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a reverse side view of the view illustrated in FIG. 6

(9) FIG. 9 is a close-up view taken along Circle-9 in FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a close-up view taken along Circle-10 in FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a garage door and two torsion springs.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side view of a spring cone.

(13) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

(14) FIG. 14 is a side view showing a user using the present invention with one bar inserted into a winding cone and the second bar aligned with an adjacent pocket.

(15) FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, but shows the second bar received within the adjacent pocket.

(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the second bar being retained within a pocket due to spring force.

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

(18) FIG. 18 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 shown with the connector in a retracted position.

(19) FIG. 19 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 shown with the connector in an expanded position.

(20) FIG. 20 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 showing a user using the present invention with one bar inserted into a winding cone and the second bar aligned with an adjacent pocket.

(21) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 showing the second bar being retained within a pocket due to spring force.

(22) FIG. 22 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a user using the present invention with one bar inserted into a winding cone and the second bar aligned with an adjacent pocket.

(23) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22 showing the second bar being retained within a pocket due to spring force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(24) While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(25) Turning first to FIGS. 11-13, it is seen that an overhead door 10 is provided. The door 10 can be deployed against a wall 5, or retracted to a storage positon adjacent the ceiling. A lift 12 can cause the door 10 to retract upon rollers housed within rails 11. A spring support 15 can support a torsion spring 20. A bearing plate 25 is fixed to the wall 5. One end of the torsion spring can be fixed with respect to the bearing plate. A spring cone 30 is also provided.

(26) The spring cone 30 has a center 35 and a hole 36 therethrough. The spring cone 30 also has a perimeter 40. Four pockets 41, 42, 43 and 44, respectively, are preferably generally equally spaced about the perimeter 40. The pockets are open to the perimeter. Two screw holes 45 is also provided for receiving screws 46. The screw holes 45 are open to the center hole 36 and to the perimeter. While two holes 45 are shown, it is appreciated that more or fewer holes could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

(27) The spring cone 30 is concentric with the spring support 15. An end of the torsion spring 20 can be fixed to the spring cone 30. When the torsion spring has been set to a desired tension, the screw 46 can be advanced through the hole 45 until it contacts the spring support 15. This locks the torsion spring 20 in place with a desired spring load.

(28) In some situations, a second torsion spring 20A and spring cone 30A are provided, depending on factors such as spring capacity, door weight and possibly other variables.

(29) Turning now to FIGS. 1-10, it is seen that a first preferred embodiment of a tool 60 is illustrated. Tool 60 has a first bar 70, a second bar 90, a connector 110 and a cover 130. Each of these components are described below.

(30) Bar 70 has a shaft 71 having a first end 72 and a second end 73. The shaft can be made of any material that is strong. Metal is a preferred material. Shaft 71 is preferably about in diameter and about 18 inches in length. These dimensions are illustrative and not limiting. Two collars 75 and 76 are provided near the second end 73 of the shaft. The collars are spaced apart a selected distance. The collars 75 and 76 segregate the shaft 71 into three portions, namely: a handle 80, a seat 81 and a lug 82. The handle 80 is at the first end 72 of the shaft 71. The lug 82 is as the second end 73 of the shaft 71. The seat 81 is in between the handle 80 and the lug 82. The bar has a longitudinal axis 85. The shaft can have a generally round profile. It is appreciated that other profiles could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

(31) Bar 90 has a shaft 91 having a first end 92 and a second end 93. The shaft can be made of any material that is strong. Metal is a preferred material. Two collars 95 and 96 are provided near the second end 93 of the shaft. The collars are spaced apart a selected distance. The collars 95 and 96 segregate the shaft 91 into three portions, namely: a handle 100, a seat 101 and a lug 102. The handle 100 is at the first end 92 of the shaft 91. The lug 102 is at the second end 93 of the shaft 91. The seat 101 is in between the handle 100 and the lug 102. The bar has a longitudinal axis 105. The shaft can have a generally round profile. It is appreciated that other profiles could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

(32) Bar 70 and bar 90 can be identical to each other.

(33) A connector 110 is further provided. The connector 110 has first end 120 and a second end 125 at opposite ends of a body. A first loop 121 is at the first end 120 of the body 115. A second loop 126 is at the second end 125 of the body 115. The connector 110 is preferably resilient and can be extended along its longitudinal axis. One preferred resilient member is a spring. The spring can be a wound spring with a preselected spring force. Loop 121 can be wrapped around shaft 71 in seat 81. Loop 126 can be wrapped around shaft 91 in seat 101.

(34) A cover 130 having ends 131 and 132 is provided. The cover 130 is a shear-resistant sleeve through which loop 121 penetrates at penetration 133 (FIG. 10) before encircling seat 81. Likewise, loop 126 penetrates cover 130 at penetration 134 (FIG. 9) before encircling seat 101. The respective penetrations are through the ends of the cover interior of the end edges. The distance between sleeve penetrations 133 & 134 (longitudinal penetration separation distance) limits the maximum extension of the spring. It is appreciated that the cover 130 can limit the spring extension to a length sufficient to allow the bar to reach the adjacent pocket and a margin of error.

(35) It is appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, that the loop 126 can penetrate cover 130 three times in the same manner and nearby to penetration 134. Likewise, it is appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, that the loop 121 can penetrate cover 130 three times in the same manner and nearby to penetration 133. Penetrating the cover more than one time at each end, the respective loops act as a draw string to cinch the ends of the cover around the connector ends. It is appreciated that, since the cover end penetrations are similarly located at each end of the cover, that the longitudinal penetration separation distance is the maximum connector extension distance permitted.

(36) It is also appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, that the cover 130 can be removed and the connector 110 can operate without it.

(37) Turning now to FIGS. 14-16, it is seen how the tool 60 is used to wind spring 20. In this example, the spring has a diameter of approximately 2 inches. A user 50 can use their hands 51 and 52 to manipulate the tool 60 to wind the spring 20. Hand 51 can insert lug 82 of bar 70 into pocket 41 of the spring cone 30. The user can wind the spring 20 until the bar longitudinal axis 85 is close to or approximately horizontal. The second bar 90 can be aligned with the adjacent pocket 42. The user's hand 52 can aide in this alignment as the bars can be separated by resiliently expanding the connector 110. Then, when bar 90 is aligned, the generated spring force can move the lug 102 of bar 90 into the pocket 42. Bar 90 stays in place due to the spring force. The user can switch hands at this point if desired. Once bar 90 is firmly engaged by the user (to start winding), the user can remove bar 70 from pocket 41. Once bar 90 is moved to approximately being horizontal (approximately turn), then bar 70 can be aligned with and inserted into pocket 43. This process can be repeated a successive number of times by alternating the lug insertion into adjacent pockets until a desired spring tension is set. Then, screw or screws 46 can be used to lock the torsion spring 20 in place upon the spring support 15.

(38) The torsion spring 20 can be unwound in a generally opposite manner. When the user has a firm grip on bar 70, which is received within a pocket 41, and bar 90 is received in pocket 42, the user may firmly grip either bar 70 or bar 90, then unsecure the screw 46. After a few degrees of rotation, bar 90 will rest against door 10 and resist rotation. The user can lift bar 70 to allow removal of bar 90 from pocket 42 so that bar 90 can be placed into pocket 44. Both bars can be rotated turn to release tension from torsion spring 20. When a user has a firm grip on bar 90, which is received in pocket 44, bar 70 can be removed from pocket 41 and inserted into pocket 43 and another turn of tension can be released from torsion spring 20. This process is repeated until all of the spring tension is released.

(39) Turning now to FIGS. 17-21, it is seen that an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the tool 160 is larger than tool 60. More specifically, the tool 160 has shafts that are approximately inch in diameter and approximately 24 inches in length. The tool 160 can be used with torsion springs having a four inch diameter. The method of operation of tool 160 in both winding and unwinding is the same as tool 60.

(40) Turning now to FIGS. 22-23, it is seen that an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the tool 260 is larger than tool 60. More specifically, the tool 260 has shafts that are approximately inch in diameter and approximately 24-36 inches in length. The tool 260 can be used with torsion springs having a six inch diameter. The method of operation of tool 260 in both winding and unwinding is the same as tool 60.

(41) Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a torsion spring winding tool that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.