The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 1990
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1988
Keith E Hoffman, Atlanta, IN (US);
Wayne H Geno, Cicero, IN (US);
David A Weitzenhof, Akron, OH (US);
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
An air spring formed by an axially spaced end member and a piston member with an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a recess on the inner diameter thereof coacts with a corresponding annular projection on the outer diameter of the rigid piston member to positionally locate the ring on the piston member. A pair of clamping surfaces are located on opposite sides of the projection and are separated therefrom by expansion grooves. The projection and clamping surfaces form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The expansion grooves receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. Another radially extending groove traps a partially compressed end of the sleeve therein and provides an additional material expansion area. The clamp ring seats upon a shoulder of the piston member to reduce movement of the ring during operation of the air spring. The positioning of the ring proximate to the edge of the piston member provides a substantially continuous surface on which the sleeve rolls during operation of the air spring to reduce wear on the sleeve.