Extension Springs

1 Introduction
2 Materials
3 Application 1: Trampolines
4 Application 2: Toys
5 Application 3: Prison Springs
6 Find Out More

[edit] Introduction

A wide range of springs are available for use in a huge number of applications, many which are not obvious. Extensions springs are just one of the types of springs that are used in everyday objects.

Extension springs are wound particularly tightly, meaning that they are loaded in tension. On each end of the spring, there is a hook or a loop, so when something is attached to each end of the spring, tension is applied and the spring attempts to bring the two items back together.

When pressure is applied to either end of the spring, the spring extends with differing tension dependent on the manipulation of the tension of the wind.

[edit] Materials

Just as with other types of springs, extension springs can be made from a range of materials including:

High carbon steel.
Stainless steel.
Alloy steels.
Non-ferrous alloys.
High-temperature alloys.

These materials have different properties, so will be chosen according to the requirements of the spring.

[edit] Application 1: Trampolines

Extension springs are commonly used in trampolines due to their energy-storing properties. As the net of the trampoline has pressure applied by the weight of a person, tension is applied to the spring which then attempts to snap back into its original position. This allows for the action of bouncing on the trampoline.

[edit] Application 2: Toys

Very small extension springs may be used in toys that feature a throwing mechanism. The mechanism may allow for a part of the toy to be pulled back, with the release expelling enough energy to launch the item thrown by the toy.

[edit] Application 3: Prison Springs

A slightly different form of extension spring is the drawbar spring. This spring has three parts with two ‘U’ shaped wire forms being inserted into the middle of the extension spring. If the two ends of the wire forms are pulled apart, the spring is compressed. This means that there is a limit to the compression, thus making it a particularly safe spring to use in applications where this must be limited. For example, they may be used to hold safety netting between landings in prisons. The design of the spring means that should someone fall onto the netting, there would be enough movement in the spring to allow for some movement, but the spring could not extend completely which could cause the netting to collapse.