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:
Aug. 12, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2000
Paul J. Griffiths, Chester, GB;
Abstract
A method of retaining a suspension system includes creating a negative pressure within an air spring such that a longitudinal member is retained in a substantially fixed position relative to a chassis component when the longitudinal member is placed in an unloaded condition. When there is no pressure in the air spring, the air cell is deflated and the suspension is mechanically bottomed out. By further introducing a negative pressure into the air cell with the gas feed, a partial vacuum is formed and the air cell collapses in upon itself. The collapsed air cell grips the piston thereby immobilizing the air spring. Accordingly, when the vehicle is lifted and the air suspension becomes unloaded, the longitudinal member is maintained relative to the chassis component by the immobilized air spring to thereby prevent the air cell from being inverted and damaged.