Granted Patent B1

US 6,926,264 · App. 10/009,695 · Granted Aug 9, 2005

Abstract

Claims (12)

1. An air spring ( 1 ) for absorbing and transmitting shock loads between parts moveable relative to one another, the air spring ( 1 ) comprising a flexible cylindrical sleeve ( 2 ) which is secured at each end to form a fluid chamber ( 14 ) therein, a piston ( 11 ), the sleeve ( 2 ) being secured at one end ( 6 ) to a retainer ( 8 ) and being secured at the opposing end ( 9 ) by the piston ( 11 ), the air spring being characterized by:

the retainer ( 8 ) being integrally formed with an intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) to strengthen the retainer, allowing for direct mounting of the air spring ( 1 ) to one of the moveable parts, the intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) of the retainer ( 8 ) comprising an outer plate ( 18 ) and an inner plate ( 19 ) which are parallel to each other, and a plurality of ribs ( 17 to 20 ) that extend between the outer plate ( 18 ) and the inner plate ( 19 ).

2. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retainer is further characterized by the ribs ( 17 or 20 ) extending the full width of the intermediate reinforcement structure ( 16 ).

3. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) is further characterized by at two sets of ribs ( 17 or 20 ) extending at angles relative to each other ( 20 or 17 ).

4. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retainer ( 8 ) is further characterized by being formed from a thermoplastic material having a tensile strength in the range of 1965 to 3165 kg/cm 2 (28,000 to 45,000 psi), and a flex strength in the range of 2810 to 4220 kg/cm 2 (40,000 to 60,000 psi).

5. An improved airspring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 4 wherein the retainer ( 8 ) is further characterized by being formed from a material selected from the following group: fiberglass reinforced nylon, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic, and short fiber reinforced thermoplastic.

6. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retainer ( 8 ) is further characterized by air inlet means ( 21 , 23 ) that extends through the intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ).

7. An air spring ( 1 ) for absorbing and transmitting shock loads between parts moveable relative to one another, the air spring ( 1 ) comprising a flexible cylindrical sleeve ( 2 ) which is secured at each end to form a fluid chamber ( 14 ) therein, a piston ( 11 ), the sleeve ( 2 ) being secured at one end ( 6 ) to a retainer ( 8 ) and being secured at the opposing end ( 9 ) by the piston ( 11 ), the air spring being characterized by:

the retainer ( 8 ) formed as a unitary article and comprising a bead seat means ( 12 ) for securing the one end ( 6 ) of the sleeve ( 2 ), mounting means ( 13 ) for direct mounting of the air spring ( 1 ) to one of the moveable parts, and an intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) located between the bead seat means ( 12 ) and the mounting means ( 13 ).

8. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 7 wherein the retainer is further characterized by the intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) comprising a plurality of extending ribs ( 17 or 20 ).

9. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 7 wherein the intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) has ribs ( 17 or 20 ) that extend the full width of the intermediate reinforcement structure ( 16 ).

10. An air spring ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 7 wherein the intermediate ribbed reinforcement structure ( 16 ) has two sets of ribs ( 17 or 20 ) extending at angles relative to each other ( 20 or 17 ).

Assignments (16)