CN217207464U - Spring composite structure - Google Patents

Spring composite structure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN217207464U
CN217207464U CN202220477444.4U CN202220477444U CN217207464U CN 217207464 U CN217207464 U CN 217207464U CN 202220477444 U CN202220477444 U CN 202220477444U CN 217207464 U CN217207464 U CN 217207464U
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
spring
plate
accommodating cavity
groove
elastic sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN202220477444.4U
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
汪义奎
李剑
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Zhejiang Yongzhan Automation Equipment Co ltd
Original Assignee
Zhejiang Yongzhan Automation Equipment Co ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zhejiang Yongzhan Automation Equipment Co ltd filed Critical Zhejiang Yongzhan Automation Equipment Co ltd
Priority to CN202220477444.4U priority Critical patent/CN217207464U/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN217207464U publication Critical patent/CN217207464U/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Landscapes

  • Springs (AREA)

Abstract

The utility model discloses a spring combination structure, which comprises an outer splint, an inner splint, a compression spring and a spring protection shrapnel, the outer clamping plate and the inner clamping plate are mutually sleeved together to form a clamping space, a spring accommodating cavity is formed in the inner clamping plate, the spring protection elastic sheet is arranged in the spring accommodating cavity, one end of the spring protection elastic sheet tightly props against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the other end of the spring protection elastic sheet tightly props against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the compression spring is arranged in the spring protection spring sheet, one end of the compression spring is tightly pressed against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the other end of the compression spring is tightly pressed against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity, through the mode of spring protection shell fragment and compression spring combination, compare with the tradition and only use compression spring as the elastic component, can guarantee long-term compression and the in-process that resets, compression spring is difficult to damage to the life of extension double-layered membrane chain.

Description

Spring composite structure
Technical Field
The utility model relates to a spring especially relates to a spring integrated configuration.
Background
The spring is a mechanical part which works by utilizing elasticity, a part made of elastic materials deforms under the action of external force and recovers the original shape after the external force is removed, the spring is widely applied to various occasions, for example, the prior film clamping chain is fully used, for example, the clamping chain disclosed by the patent CN201020688152.2 comprises outer chain plates, inner chain plates, sleeves, rollers and pin shafts, the inner chain plates, the sleeves and the rollers are assembled into chain links, adjacent chain links are connected through the pin shafts, the outer chain plates and outer attached plates, the outer attached plates are connected with connecting attached plates capable of moving up and down through guiding and limiting structures, the connecting attached plates and the outer attached plates are respectively provided with upper clamping teeth and lower clamping teeth of clamping jaws, springs giving the clamping jaws a folding trend are arranged between the connecting attached plates and the outer attached plates, and the outer chain plate on one side is replaced by the outer attached plate on the basis of a common chain, the outer plate is internally provided with the connecting plate, the spring is arranged in the middle of the connecting plate, the tension of the spring is utilized to ensure that the clamping teeth of the connecting plate are tightly attached to the outer plate under normal conditions, the clamping effect is realized, under the action of the chain wheel, the chain runs, the object transfer of a packaged product is realized under the movement of the chain, and the chain is provided with the spring clamping device, so that the functions of clamping (objects) and resetting are realized, but the clamping and loosening force of the existing spring needs to be realized, the spring needs to be repeatedly compressed and loosened all the time, the existing spring is very easy to damage in the long-term use process, the maintenance of a film clamping chain is frequently needed, and the high-durability spring combination needs to be provided.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
The utility model aims at providing a spring integrated configuration in order to solve the existing problem.
A spring combination structure comprises an outer clamping plate, an inner clamping plate, a compression spring and a spring protection elastic sheet, wherein the outer clamping plate and the inner clamping plate are mutually sleeved to form a clamping space, a spring accommodating cavity is formed in the inner clamping plate, the spring protection elastic sheet is arranged in the spring accommodating cavity, one end of the spring protection elastic sheet abuts against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the other end of the spring protection elastic sheet abuts against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the compression spring is arranged in the spring protection elastic sheet, one end of the compression spring abuts against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the other end of the compression spring abuts against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity, the inner top and the inner bottom of the inner clamping plate are both formed with spring limiting blocks, two end sleeves of the compression spring are arranged on the outer side wall of the spring limiting block, a cavity opening of the spring accommodating cavity is provided with a spring protector, and the inner clamping plate and the outer clamping plate are separated under the action of external force through the spring protection elastic sheet, spring protection shell fragment can receive the extrusion earlier to the extrusion force that dispersion compression spring received, thereby prevent that compression spring warp excessively, improve compression spring's durability, compare and only use compression spring as the elastic component with the tradition, through the mode of spring protection shell fragment and compression spring combination, can guarantee at long-term compression and the in-process that resets, compression spring is difficult to damage, thereby the life of extension double-layered membrane chain.
Preferably, the spring stopper is formed at the inner top and the inner bottom of the inner clamping plate, the outer side wall of the spring stopper is sleeved with the two ends of the compression spring, and the spring stopper can be used for preventing displacement by sleeving the two ends of the spring in the spring stopper.
Preferably, the spring protection elastic sheet comprises an upper top plate, a first horizontal bottom plate and a left arc-shaped plate, the upper top plate, the first horizontal bottom plate and the left arc-shaped plate are all integrally formed, the upper top plate is connected with the upper end of the left arc-shaped plate, the first horizontal bottom plate is connected with the lower end of the left arc-shaped plate, the upper top plate and the first horizontal bottom plate are both provided with a first installation through groove, the upper top plate and the first horizontal bottom plate are sleeved on the outer side wall of the spring limiting block through a first mounting through groove, the arc-shaped opening of the left arc-shaped plate faces to the side wall of the compression spring, the spring protection elastic sheet can be arranged in the spring accommodating cavity through the first mounting through groove, the spring protection elastic sheet can deform after being subjected to extrusion force through the left arc-shaped plate, and can reset after losing the extrusion force, the spring protection elastic sheet has elastic force, so that the function of dispersing the extrusion force applied to the compression spring is achieved.
Preferably, the spring protection dome is an elastic material.
Preferably, when adopting left arc also can make interior splint and outer splint carry out the centre gripping, also compression spring resets promptly and transmits power earlier for spring protection shell fragment, later acts on the in-process of interior splint again, transmits power homodisperse again for interior splint through the cambered surface of left arc for the power atress that receives of interior splint is even, firmness when strengthening the centre gripping of interior splint and outer splint.
Preferably, the spring protection shell fragment is still including right arc, second horizontal bottom plate, the upper end of right arc with go up the roof and be connected, the lower extreme of right arc with second horizontal bottom plate is connected, second horizontal bottom plate is located the top of first horizontal bottom plate, go up roof, first horizontal bottom plate and left arc, right arc, second horizontal bottom plate and be integrated into one piece, make spring protection shell fragment both sides all can play the extrusion force that dispersed compression spring received through right arc, strengthen the ability of spring protection shell fragment dispersed force.
The spring protection elastic sheet is located above the first horizontal bottom plate through the second horizontal bottom plate, so that the spring protection elastic sheet forms an unclosed structure, and when the spring protection sheet receives the extrusion force, the spring protection elastic sheet can deform and can also reset when the extrusion force is lost.
Preferably, the first installation through groove of the first horizontal bottom plate is a semi-through groove, the second horizontal bottom plate is provided with a second installation through groove corresponding to the first installation through groove, the second installation through groove is a semi-through groove, the second installation through groove is opposite to the notch of the first installation through groove, and the second installation through groove and the first installation through groove are both in the semi-through groove, so that the second installation through groove and the first installation through groove can be combined to form a closed installation hole and can be sleeved outside the spring limiting block to prevent the spring protection elastic sheet from shifting.
Preferably, go up the roof and be the arc of upwards hunch-up, right side arc with left side arc passes through go up roof transitional coupling, go up the roof and be the arc of upwards hunch-up and make the power that can homodisperse receive, adopt the arc to also can strengthen the stability of roof simultaneously.
Preferably, the orifice of the spring accommodating cavity is provided with a spring protector, the spring protector comprises a baffle, a bump is formed on the side surface of the baffle close to the compression spring, a compression spring limiting hole penetrates through the upper surface to the lower surface of the bump, the spring protection elastic sheet and the compression spring can be blocked in the spring protection elastic sheet accommodating cavity under the action of the baffle and cannot fall off, the compression spring is further limited through the compression spring limiting hole, the compression spring deforms up and down as much as possible, the situation of dislocation deformation is reduced, and the service life of the compression spring is further prolonged,
preferably, the lateral wall of lug with it holds the chamber to be formed with the spring protection shell fragment between the inner wall in chamber to hold the chamber, prevents that the spring protective equipment from blockking that the spring protection shell fragment is out of shape and is reset.
Preferably, the both sides shaping of baffle has the fixture block, the spring hold the chamber on the accent in chamber the shaping have with the mutually supporting draw-in groove of fixture block, through the cooperation of draw-in groove and fixture block for the orifice in chamber is held at the spring can demountable installation to the baffle.
Preferably, the clamping block is an inclined plane close to the spring accommodating cavity, so that the clamping block can be conveniently clamped into the clamping groove.
Preferably, the bottom both sides of interior splint are formed with oblique angle transition or fillet transition, and the bottom of interior splint is fine with the cooperation of the boss on the sprocket like this to guarantee the centre gripping effect of opening and shutting.
Preferably, the two side arms of the inner clamping plate are provided with elongated grooves, the outer clamping plate is provided with a sliding block capable of sliding on the elongated grooves, the inner top of the inner clamping plate is provided with a connecting pin shaft, the top of the outer clamping plate is provided with a connecting pin hole matched with the connecting pin shaft, and therefore when the inner clamping plate and the outer clamping plate are clamped, the elongated grooves and the sliding block and the connecting pin shaft and the connecting pin hole are matched to achieve the guiding and limiting effects, and clamping is guaranteed to be firm and stable.
The beneficial effects of the utility model reside in that:
1. the utility model discloses a spring protection shell fragment makes interior splint and outer splint receive the effect of external force and carry out the detached in-process, and spring protection shell fragment can receive the extrusion earlier to the extrusion force that dispersion compression spring received, thereby prevent compression spring deformation excessively, improve compression spring's durability, compare with the tradition and only use compression spring as the elastic component, through the mode of spring protection shell fragment and compression spring combination, can guarantee in long-term compression and the process that resets, compression spring is difficult to damage, thereby the life of extension clamp membrane chain;
2. the utility model discloses a accent in spring accommodation chamber is equipped with the spring protective equipment, through the effect of baffle, makes spring protection shell fragment and compression spring can be kept off in spring protection shell fragment accommodation chamber, can not drop, further carries on spacing with compression spring through the spacing hole of compression spring, makes compression spring keep upper and lower deformation as far as possible, reduces the condition that takes place dislocation deformation, further improves compression spring's life;
3. the utility model discloses a left side arc makes spring protection shell fragment can take place deformation after receiving the extrusion force, can reset after losing the extrusion force, make spring protection shell fragment have elastic force, thereby play the effect of the extrusion force that dispersed compression spring received, simultaneously left side arc also can make interior splint and outer splint carry out the centre gripping in time, also exactly compression spring resets and transmits earlier for spring protection shell fragment with power, later the in-process of using interior splint again, cambered surface through left arc transmits the interior splint again to power homodisperse, make the power atress of receiving of interior splint even, firmness when strengthening the centre gripping of interior splint and outer splint.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a general schematic view of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the spring protection spring plate formed with a right arc plate according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the spring protector of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the outer clamping plate and the inner clamping plate of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the long slot and the slider of the present invention;
fig. 6 is a schematic view of a spring protection clip according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;
fig. 7 is a schematic view of a spring protection spring plate according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;
fig. 8 is a schematic view of the spring protector of the present invention;
fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the outer clamping plate and the inner clamping plate according to the present invention;
fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic view of fig. 9A according to the present invention.
Detailed Description
The following specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make modifications of the present embodiments without inventive contribution as required after reading the present specification, but all the embodiments are protected by patent laws and protection within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention will be described in detail by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Example 1:
according to the figures 1 and 6, a spring combination structure comprises an outer clamping plate 1, an inner clamping plate 2, a compression spring 3 and a spring protection elastic sheet 4, wherein the outer clamping plate 1 and the inner clamping plate 2 are mutually sleeved to form a clamping space 5, two sides of the bottom of the inner clamping plate are formed with an oblique angle transition or a fillet transition, a spring accommodating cavity 21 is formed inside the inner clamping plate 2, the spring protection elastic sheet 4 is arranged in the spring accommodating cavity 21, one end of the spring protection elastic sheet 4 props against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity 21, the other end of the spring protection elastic sheet 4 props against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity 21, the compression spring 3 is arranged in the spring protection elastic sheet 4, one end of the compression spring 3 props against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity 21, the other end props against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity 21, and spring limiting blocks 22 are formed on the inner top and the inner bottom of the inner clamping plate 2, the two end covers of the compression spring 3 are arranged on the outer side wall of the spring limit block 22, the spring protection elastic sheet 4 comprises an upper top plate 41, a first horizontal bottom plate 42 and a left arc-shaped plate 43, the upper top plate 41 is connected with the upper end of the left arc-shaped plate 43, the first horizontal bottom plate 42 is connected with the lower end of the left arc-shaped plate 43, the upper top plate 41 and the first horizontal bottom plate 42 are both provided with a first installation through groove 44, the upper top plate 41 and the first horizontal bottom plate 42 are arranged on the outer side wall of the spring limit block 22 through the first installation through groove 44, the arc-shaped opening of the left arc-shaped plate 43 faces the side wall of the compression spring 3, the cavity opening of the spring accommodating cavity 21 is provided with a spring protector 6, the spring protector 6 comprises a baffle 61, the baffle 61 is formed with a convex block 611 near the side surface of the compression spring 3, and the upper surface to the lower surface of the convex block 611 runs through a compression spring limit hole 612, the lateral wall of lug 611 with it holds chamber 64 to be formed with spring protection shell fragment between the inner wall of chamber 21 to hold the spring, the both sides shaping of baffle 61 has fixture block 62, the spring hold the chamber 21 accent on the shaping have with the mutually supporting draw-in groove 65 of fixture block 62, fixture block 62 is close to the spring and holds the one side in chamber 21 and be the inclined plane, the last double-layered tooth 31 and the lower double-layered tooth 76 that press from both sides that set up a clamping jaw on outer splint 1 and the inner splint 2 respectively, press from both sides tooth 76 down and have covered the rubber pad 761, can strengthen the dynamics of centre gripping.
As shown in fig. 5, the two side arms of the inner clamp plate 2 are provided with elongated grooves 122, the outer clamp plate 1 is provided with a sliding block 111 capable of sliding on the elongated grooves 122, the inner top of the inner clamp plate 3 is provided with a connecting pin shaft 123, and the top of the outer clamp plate is provided with a connecting pin hole 112 mutually matched with the connecting pin shaft 123.
The utility model discloses the theory of operation of structure does: according to the drawings 1-9, during assembly, the outer splint 1 and the inner splint 2 are matched, then the spring protection elastic sheet 4 is fixed in the spring accommodating cavity 21 through the spring limiting block 22, then the compression spring 3 is fixed in the spring accommodating cavity 21 through the spring limiting block 22, the spring protector 6 blocks the cavity opening of the spring accommodating cavity 21 through the matching of the clamping groove 65 and the clamping block 62, after the assembly is completed, the spring assembly is put into use, the bottom of the spring assembly is subjected to the force of the gear, the inner splint 2 is separated from the outer splint 1, at the moment, the spring protection elastic sheet 4 is firstly extruded, then the compression spring 3 is extruded, after the extrusion force is lost, because the compression spring 3 and the spring protection elastic sheet 4 have elastic force, during reset, the compression spring 3 transmits the force to the spring protection elastic sheet firstly, then acts on the inner splint 2, the force is uniformly dispersed through the cambered surface of the left cambered plate and then transmitted to the inner splint, the stress on the inner clamping plate is uniform, and the clamping firmness of the inner clamping plate 2 and the outer clamping plate 1 is enhanced.
Whole in-process, make inner splint 2 and outer splint 1 receive the effect of external force through spring protection shell fragment 4 and carry out the detached in-process, spring protection shell fragment 4 can receive the extrusion earlier, thereby the extrusion force that dispersion compression spring received, thereby it is excessive to prevent that compression spring 3 from warping, improve compression spring's durability, compare and only use compression spring 3 as the elastic component with the tradition, through the mode of spring protection shell fragment 4 with compression spring 3 combination, can guarantee at long-term compression and the in-process that resets, compression spring 3 is difficult to damage, thereby the life of extension double-layered membrane chain.
Example 2:
as shown in fig. 2 and 7, the difference from embodiment 1 is that the spring protection elastic sheet 4 further includes a right arc-shaped plate 46 and a second horizontal bottom plate 49, the upper end of the right arc-shaped plate 46 is connected to the upper top plate 41, the lower end of the right arc-shaped plate 46 is connected to the second horizontal bottom plate 49, the second horizontal bottom plate 49 is located above the first horizontal bottom plate 42, the first installation through groove 44 of the first horizontal bottom plate 42 is a semi-through groove, the second horizontal bottom plate 49 is provided with a second installation through groove 491 corresponding to the first installation through groove 44, the second installation through groove is a semi-through groove, the second installation through groove 491 is opposite to the notch of the first installation through groove 44, the upper top plate 41 is an upwardly arched arc-shaped plate, and the right arc-shaped plate 46 and the left arc-shaped plate 43 are transitionally connected through the upper top plate 41.

Claims (9)

1. A spring integrated configuration which characterized in that: comprises an outer clamping plate (1), an inner clamping plate (2), a compression spring (3) and a spring protection elastic sheet (4), wherein the outer clamping plate (1) and the inner clamping plate (2) are mutually sleeved to form a clamping space (5), a spring accommodating cavity (21) is formed in the inner clamping plate (2), the spring protection elastic sheet (4) is arranged in the spring accommodating cavity (21), one end of the spring protection elastic sheet (4) props against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity (21), the other end of the spring protection elastic sheet props against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity (21), the compression spring (3) is arranged in the spring protection elastic sheet (4), one end of the compression spring (3) props against the inner top surface of the spring accommodating cavity (21), the other end props against the inner bottom surface of the spring accommodating cavity (21), and spring limiting blocks (22) are formed on the inner top and the inner bottom of the inner clamping plate (2), the both ends cover of compression spring (3) are established the lateral wall of spring stopper (22), the accent that the spring held chamber (21) is equipped with spring protective equipment (6).
2. A spring pack structure according to claim 1, wherein: spring protective equipment (6) including baffle (61), the side shaping that baffle (61) are close to compression spring (3) has lug (611), the upper surface to the lower surface of lug (611) run through there is spacing hole of compression spring (612).
3. A spring pack structure according to claim 2, wherein: and a spring protection elastic sheet accommodating cavity (64) is formed between the side wall of the bump (611) and the inner wall of the spring accommodating cavity (21).
4. A spring pack structure according to claim 3, wherein: the both sides shaping of baffle (61) have fixture block (62), the shaping has on the spring holds chamber (21) accent with fixture block (62) mutually supporting draw-in groove (65).
5. A spring pack structure according to claim 4, wherein: one surface of the clamping block (62) close to the spring accommodating cavity (21) is an inclined surface.
6. A spring pack structure according to claim 1, wherein: spring protection shell fragment (4) is including last roof (41), first horizontal base plate (42), left arc (43), go up roof (41) with the upper end of left arc (43) is connected, first horizontal base plate (42) with the lower extreme of left arc (43) is connected, it leads to groove (44) all to have seted up first installation on roof (41) and first horizontal base plate (42), it establishes through groove (44) cover through first installation with first horizontal base plate (42) to go up roof (41) the lateral wall of spring stopper (22), the arc mouth of left side arc (43) is towards the lateral wall of compression spring (3).
7. A spring pack according to claim 6, wherein: the spring protection elastic sheet (4) further comprises a right arc-shaped plate (46) and a second horizontal bottom plate (49), the upper end of the right arc-shaped plate (46) is connected with the upper top plate (41), the lower end of the right arc-shaped plate (46) is connected with the second horizontal bottom plate (49), and the second horizontal bottom plate (49) is located above the first horizontal bottom plate (42).
8. A spring pack according to claim 7, wherein: the first installation through groove (44) of the first horizontal bottom plate (42) is a semi-through groove, the second horizontal bottom plate (49) is provided with a second installation through groove (491) corresponding to the first installation through groove (44), the second installation through groove is a semi-through groove, and the second installation through groove (491) is opposite to the notch of the first installation through groove (44).
9. A spring pack according to claim 7, wherein: the upper top plate (41) is an upwards arched arc-shaped plate, and the right arc-shaped plate (46) and the left arc-shaped plate (43) are in transitional connection through the upper top plate (41).
CN202220477444.4U 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 Spring composite structure Active CN217207464U (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202220477444.4U CN217207464U (en) 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 Spring composite structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202220477444.4U CN217207464U (en) 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 Spring composite structure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN217207464U true CN217207464U (en) 2022-08-16

Family

ID=82753584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN202220477444.4U Active CN217207464U (en) 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 Spring composite structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN217207464U (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN105207155A (en) Rigid-collision-free power transmission line spacer wire clamp connection structure
CN217207464U (en) Spring composite structure
CN114476514B (en) Elastic device
HK1121593A1 (en) Arrangement for establishing a connection between two cable support device elements and connection elements
CN218055815U (en) Chain structure of vacuum packaging machine
CN207286017U (en) A kind of flat mop
CN114476513B (en) Press from both sides membrane chain structure
KR100719049B1 (en) Gripper for auto packing machine
CN205503887U (en) Engine and straining device thereof
CN210864128U (en) Extensible fiber optic distribution frame
CN208753828U (en) A kind of electric cable with large cross-section line manually uses the transmission device of hand protection when installing
CN204029942U (en) Battery clamp
CN207291777U (en) A kind of rib limiter of automobile trunk
CN209747265U (en) Resistor of embedded equipment of elasticity
CN202160430U (en) Elastic conveying device
CN201138401Y (en) Glasses frame
CN209986859U (en) Product material loading protection machanism
CN201323938Y (en) Fastener adjusting structure of goggles
CN211808521U (en) Buckle structure for thermal printer
CN217199100U (en) Adjustable outer chain link system
CN217115486U (en) Novel electrical engineering cable protection device
CN215494227U (en) Multiplexer convenient to dismouting
CN220570221U (en) Battery package pencil for automobile
CN215726552U (en) Plastic clamping device for assembly in detection of fuel pipe airtight machine
CN208064619U (en) Seal formula device snak link

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant