Extension Spring

EXTENSION SPRINGS are attached at both ends to other components. When these components move apart, the spring tries to bring them together again. Extension springs absorb and store energy as well as create a resistance to a pulling force. It is initial tension that determines how tightly together an extension spring is coiled. This initial tension can be manipulated to achieve the load requirements of a particular application. Extension Springs are wound to oppose extension. They are often tightly wound in the no-load position and have hooks, eyes, or other interface geometry at the ends to attach to the components they connect. They are frequently used to provide return force to components that extend in the actuated position.

Extension spring ends include threaded inserts, extended twist loops, crossover center loops, hooks, expanded eyes, reduced eyes, rectangular ends and teardrop-shaped ends, which can all be produced to vary in distance from the spring body. At the design stage of Custom Extension Springs, the length of the hooks at each end of the spring can be adjusted in order to precisely obtain the required spring load at any extended position.

Another common type of extension spring is the drawbar spring. In a drawbar, the load is applied at the ends of long steel loops which pass through the spring's center and are hooked around the opposite end, thus compressing the spring upon loading. Drawbar springs are excellent for use in potential overload situations and offer a built-in definite stop that will continue to carry a static load after reaching the maximum extended length. A common application of the drawbar spring is used when supporting a porch swing.

Applications: Applications for extension springs include automotive interiors and exteriors, garage door assemblies,carburetors, trampolines, washing devices, farm machinery, vise-grip pliers, toys as well as thousands of other uses. Extension springs are available in wide variety of sizes, from small medical devices to off-road machinery brake springs.