Gkn Technology Limited

Barry J Marsh

An assembly of a leaf spring of composite, fibre reinforced resin, material, and a component secured to the spring by clamping means, wherein the relative positions of the spring and component are determined by a locating element with a head engaging in a shallow, sloping walled, recess in the spring, and a body which engages the component, e.g. with an aperture therein. An element of resilient material, e.g. a polyurethane rubber, may be positioned adjacent the spring surface to prevent abrasive wear thereof.

Composite leaf springs

A method of making leaf springs from fibre reinforced resin composite material, wherein a resin impregnated fibre assembly of a number of individual springs adjacent one another is moulded and treated to cure the resin and then cut into individual springs. The assembly is formed with depressions in the surface thereof along the lines where it is to be cut so the surface fibres remain undisplaced by the moulding process and hence undisturbed by cutting. The invention also provides a mould for treatment of the assembly of resin impregnated fibres including elements which form the surface depressions therein.

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Penkridge, United Kingdom

Barry J Marsh