Garter Springs Nomenclature

Definition: Garter springs are long length extension springs with ends which are modified in different manners in order to make them connect and form a garter belt.

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Garter Belt

    Other term for garter springs.


Wire Diameter

    Measurement of wire thickness.


Outer Diameter

    Measurement of the thickness of the coils that make up the extension spring’s body.


Garter Spring Outer Diameter

    Measurement of the thickness of the garter spring/belt once the ends are connected.


Inner Diameter

    Measurement of the hole inside the spring’s coils formed by its helical shape.


Garter Spring Inner Diameter

    Measurement of the hole inside the garter spring/belt once the ends are connected.


Mean Diameter

    The medium or intermediate diameter between the outer and inner diameter. Calculated by adding one wire diameter to the inner diameter or subtracting one wire diameter from the outer diameter.


Spring Index

    The proportional ratio between a spring’s wire diameter and mean diameter. It describes the tightness of the spring’s coils.


Body Length

    The extension spring’s body is the section where you have the coils so the body length is the measurement of the body’s length.


Active Coils

    The active coils that make your garter spring function.


Loop Connections

    Hooks which are made from the ends of the extension spring that’ll hook with each other in order to connect the garter spring.


Connector Ends

    One of the spring ends is tapered so that it may be inserted into the other end thus making male and female connecting parts.


Rate (Constant)

    The constant amount of force it will take the spring to travel a certain amount of distance.


Initial Tension

    Additional force to the one already listed in rate. This force is energy already gathered in between the coils and is released when the tension spring is extended just enough so that you may see light in between the coils.


Travel (Deflection)

    The motion in which an extension spring is pulled or extended. The distance traveled is calculated by subtracting the length inside hooks from the extended length.


Load (Force)

    The weight being applied on the spring’s hooks in order for it to reach an extended length.


Maximum Safe Travel Considering Hook Stress

    The maximum amount of travel your spring is able to achieve considering the strength of its hooks.


Maximum Load Possible Considering Hook Stress

    The maximum amount of load your spring is able to undergo considering the strength of its hooks.


Endurance Limit

    Maximum Stress at which your garter spring will perform indefinitely without failure for a given minimum stress limit.


Permanent Set

    The product of exceeding the elastic properties of an extension spring thus keeping it from returning to its original unloaded length once the load has been released.


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Garter Springs Physical Dimensions Nomenclature

garter springs physical dimensions nomenclature