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. 04, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2001
Jeffrey T. Capek, Fishers, IN (US);
Daniel Levy, Chigwell, GB;
Daniel J. Leonard, Carmel, IN (US);
Mohamad Taghizadeh, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Stan W. DeLizo, Lynwood, WA (US);
Michael David, Everett, WA (US);
Leo M. Schmidt, Seattle, WA (US);
William D. Krusel, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
BFS Diversified Products, LLC, Carmel, IN (US);
Abstract
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.