Paccar Inc.

Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC

Bfs Diversified Products, LLC

Jeffrey T Capek

Daniel J Leonard

Daniel I Levy

Mohamad Taghizadeh

Leo M Schmidt

Michael David

William D Krusel

Stan W DeLizo

Joshua R Leonard

Graham R Brookes

Pradipta N Moulik

Stephen C Street

Jason B Smith

A pressurizable gas reservoir can include a first end member and a second end member that is disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to the first end member. A flexible reservoir member can extend between opposing first and second ends. The first end secured to the first end member and the second end secured to the second end member. The flexible reservoir member at least partially defines a reservoir chamber between the first and second end members that is capable of storing a quantity of pressurized gas for an extended duration of time. The first and second end members can be maintained in substantially-fixed axial position relative to one another. A suspension system including such a pressurized gas reservoir and a method of assembly are also included.

Pressurized gas reservoirs including an elastomeric wall

An air spring ( ) for use in a motor vehicle suspension system is provided. The air spring includes a generally cylindrical flexible bladder ( ) having a circular upper opening ( ), a support unit ( ) sealingly connected to the flexible bladder ( ), and a unitary integrated top assembly ( ) connected to the upper opening ( ) in an air-tight manner. The support unit ( ) further includes an installation fastener ( ) for connection to vehicle support brackets ( ). The top assembly ( ) includes a sealed body ( ) having an interior open volume ( ) and optional attachment components positioned on the body to connect the top assembly to a vehicle main frame. The top assembly further includes an optional connection port ( ) adapted for pneumatic intercommunication with other air springs and an optional fill port ( ) for connection to a pressurized air system.

Integrated air spring

An integral one-piece end plate and bracket combination is formed of a high strength plastic and is mounted in an airtight sealing engagement with an open end of a flexible elastomeric sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of an air spring. The end plate includes a semi-circular wall which extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air spring and a semi-circular opening. The bracket includes an upstanding wall perpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate and a half dome-shaped wall, which together with the upstanding wall, forms an auxiliary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication through the semi-circular opening with the main fluid chamber of the flexible sleeve. The upstanding wall includes attachments for securing the bracket and end plate to a support structure which aligns with a longitudinal axis of the air spring. A fluid inlet conduit extends outwardly from the upstanding bracket wall to provide fluid communication between the auxiliary fluid chamber of the bracket and an external source of pressurized fluid. A plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed on the walls of the bracket and on the end plate to provide a rigid structure.

Integral bracket and end mounting plate for air spring

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Fishers, IN, United States of America

Jeffrey T Capek