Static load compression spring
A locking device including a spring, such as a static load spring, and a locking part, such as a locking pin or a locking disc, for locking two elements to one another includes connecting elements and U-shaped portions in a sequence. The U-shaped portions connect two connecting elements at a first end of said two connecting elements, respectively, wherein the two connecting elements converges towards each other towards a second end of the two connecting elements, respectively, in a non-compressed state, such that the sequence of connecting elements and U-shaped portions form a meandering shape.
1 . A locking device comprising a spring and a locking part, for locking two elements to one another, wherein the spring comprises a U-shaped portion and an adjacent U-shaped portion disposed along a main longitudinal axis of the locking device, each U-shaped portion comprising a pair of opposing legs extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and a bottom extending therebetween, wherein one of the opposing legs of the U-shaped portion is connected to one of the opposing legs of the adjacent U-shaped portion, wherein a first crosscut at the bottom of the U-shaped portion comprises an outer surface which is of a rounded shape and an opposite inner surface which is essentially straight, and wherein a second crosscut at the bottom of the adjacent U-shaped portion comprises an outer surface which is of a rounded shape and an opposite inner surface which is essentially straight, the first and second crosscuts being perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of the locking device.
2 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a connecting element which connects the one of the opposing legs of the U-shaped portion to the one of the opposing legs of the adjacent U shaped portion.
3 . The locking device according to claim 2 , wherein the spring is configured such that in a compressed state, the connecting element is closer to or contacts another connecting element at their respective second ends compared to a non-compressed state.
4 . The locking device according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the connecting element is smaller than a width of the connecting element at its centre portion.
5 . The locking device according to claim 2 , wherein the thickness of the connecting element is smaller than the thickness of the U-shaped portion.
6 . The locking device according to claim 2 , wherein a shape along the spring is such that a surface circumventing an outer part of the connecting element and the U-shaped portion is cylindrical.
7 . The locking device according to claim 6 , wherein a diameter of the cylindrical surface at a non-compressed state is greater than at maximum compression of the locking device.
8 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the one of the opposing legs of the U-shaped portion converges towards the other one of the opposing legs of the U-shaped portion.
9 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured such that the U-shaped portion and the adjacent U-shaped portion are closer to or contact each other in a compressed state compared to a non-compressed state.
10 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped portion is a circle segment extending over more than 180°.
11 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein one end of the spring ends in the U-shaped portion such that the end points in a direction away from the spring.
12 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the locking device comprises a locking pin.
13 . The locking device according to claim 12 , wherein the locking pin comprises an end part in the shape of a truncated cone.
14 . The locking device according to claim 12 , wherein the locking pin comprises a radial recess which extends at least partially through the locking pin.
15 . The locking device according to claim 14 , wherein an opening of the radial recess is larger on one side of the locking pin such that there is an inner sloping surface towards an opposing end opening of the radial recess.
16 . The locking device according to claim 12 , wherein the end part comprises a cut-out segment.
17 . The locking device according to claim 12 ,
wherein a centre portion of a connecting element farthest from the locking pin has two opposed radially projecting parts on its outermost surface.
18 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the first crosscut at the bottom of the U-shaped portion and/or the second crosscut at the bottom of the adjacent U-shaped portion is shaped essentially as a circular segment.
19 . The locking device according to claim 18 , wherein the circular segment comprises rounded corners.
20 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the spring has a length in a range of about 10-40 mm, and is configured such that an outer diameter of the spring does not increase, or increases by less than 0.3 mm, when the spring is compressed.
21 . The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped portion is an arcuate segment extending over more than 180°.