HISTORY:
Sustainability is the name of the game! Anything (that has been tested and still functioning properly) should be repurposed creating saving in wasted Ee and reducing the poisoning our environment when items are buried in the earth at the local tip needlessly.
Never heard of Ee? It is a concept that creates a measurement of ALL things (not just electronics) that humans have made and the energy used in obtaining the raw material, processing the materials right through to a finished product and even should include the shipping of the item to the distributors/retailers.
If you would like to know more about Ee values, please take a look HERE
Recently I had an early 1950's Harmour & Heath (NSW) film projector system on the "operating table" and the components extracted were these valve retainer springs.
The idea was that as the equipment was often being transported, a means had to be used which ensured the valves stayed nice and snuggly in their sockets - this was the purpose of the retainer spring.
UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER - Valve Retainer Spring
As the equipment was manufactured just after WWII and it was common to either source components locally or make them yourself, I am pretty sure this retaining clip was Australian made, no idea by whom though.
Material: Spring Steel (confirmed ferrous)
I call this TYPE 3 (types are based on the spring height)
Referring to the "group photograph" of the retaining springs I have, this one is highlighted in Green - note the different heights of each type
DIMENSIONS:
The spring steel is round and 0.75mm diameter
Base has two side pointing hooks, this would fit into corresponding holes in the valve socket
28mm straight up until the "top curve" begins
40mm height at the top of this curve
24mm width of the curve
In the original equipment this was keeping a 7 pin tube secure in the socket
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
Clean
Light oxidisation on the spring in some places, nothing serious though - pretty amazing after 70+ years!
Spring action is very "postive" meaning that it is not easy to alter the shape by force, it is not flimsy! Once the valve is sitting within this clip, it will not go anywhere!
This retaining clip is now within a sealed clear plastic packet awaiting a "new life" in another piece of old gear ...
