US5052404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque transmitter
Assignee: Microspring Co LLC
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Filing: 1990-08-17
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Granted: 1991-10-01
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Expires: 2010-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A torque transmitter includes three coaxial helically wound springs of different inner and outer diameters positioned relative to each other such that the inner and outer generally circumferential surface of the center spring form interference fits with, respectively, the outer generally circumferential surface of the inner spring and the inner generally circumferential surface of the outer spring. The inner and outer springs are wrapped in one direction and the center spring is wrapped in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Hodgson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/0043; A61M25/005; F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/02; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09083; A61M2025/09108; F16C2240/00; F16C2240/40; F16C2240/70; F16C2316/00; F16C2316/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20456
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A torque transmitter including three coaxial helically wound springs, an inner spring, a center spring, and an outer spring, said springs having different inner and outer diameters and being positioned relative to each other such that said inner spring is surrounded by said center spring and said center spring is in turn surrounded by said outer spring, and said inner and said outer springs being wrapped in one direction and said center spring being wrapped in the opposite direction, said torque transmitter being characterized in that: the inner generally circumferential surface of said center spring forms an interference fit with the outer generally circumferential surface of said inner spring; and, the outer generally circumferential surface of said center spring forms an interference fit with the inner generally circumferential surface of said outer spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A torque transmitter including three coaxial helically wound springs, an inner spring, a center spring, and an outer spring, said springs having different inner and outer diameters and being positioned relative to each other such that said inner spring is surrounded by said center spring and said center spring is in turn surrounded by said outer spring, and said inner and said outer springs being wrapped in one direction and said center spring being wrapped in the opposite direction, said torque transmitter being characterized in that: the inner generally circumferential surface of said center spring forms an interference fit with the outer generally circumferential surface of said inner spring; and, the outer generally circumferential surface of said center spring forms an interference fit with the inner generally circumferential surface of said outer spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein end portions of said inner, center and outer springs are adjacent and are fixed against rotation relative to each other and portions of said springs intermediate said end portions are moveable relative to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein each of said springs is wrapped from generally flat wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein at least one of said springs is wrapped from a multiple wire strand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the generally circumferential outer surface of said outer spring is not more than about 0.060 in.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The torque transmitter of claim 5 wherein said diameter is not more than about 0.030 in.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein the length of said transmitter is not less than about 100 times the diameter of the generally circumferential outer surface of said outer spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The torque transmitter of claim 7 wherein said length is not less than about 500 times said diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein each of said springs is wrapped from wire having a thickness less than about 0.007 in., said thickness being measured radially of said torque transmitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The torque transmitter of claim 9 wherein said thickness or diameter is in the range of 0.0005 to 0.003 in.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
The torque transmitter of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of said inner coil defines a generally cylindrical hollow cavity, the generally cylindrical surface of said outer spring has a diameter of not more than about 0.060 in., the length of said transmitter is not less than about 100 times the diameter of said generally circumferential outer surface of said outer spring, and each of said springs is wrapped from wire having a diameter less than about 0.007 in.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A medical guide wire assembly comprising: the torque transmitter of claim 1; and, a main portion connected to said torque transmitter and generally axially aligned therewith, said main portion extending from a point proximal to the end of said torque transmitter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-30 | 1995-04-01 | 1995-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-30 | 1999-04-01 | 1999-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-04-01 | 2003-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |