The most well known helical spring is in fixed form, cylindrical shape with variable winding diameter and direction. It is used to store the applied force as energy through compression, to apply the force (load) at the desired position, and to damp the incoming pulses.

To solve the blockage problem, to reduce block size and excessive vibration or to obtain nonlinear load (force) properties; conical, barrel, hour glass, and progressive  types can be produced. The spring can be wound as right helix or left helix.