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  Airspring assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070262500Title: Airspring assembly Abstract: An improved airspring assembly that includes a collapsible support member disposed within the pressurizable chamber of an airspring having a flexible sidewall. The support member is configured such that it extends and collapses along a longitudinal axis of the chamber responsive to pressurization and depressurization of the chamber, respectively. The support member also is configured such that it retains a substantially rigid outer perimeter, thereby restricting movement of the chamber's flexible sidewall toward the longitudinal axis when the chamber is depressurized. The support member also is configured such that it does not interfere with the full stroke of the airspring. (end of abstract) Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski L.l.p - Dallas, TX, US Inventor: Orain Tubbs USPTO Applicaton #: 20070262500 - Class: 267034000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Spring Devices, Vehicle, Compound, Coil And Fluid Pressure The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070262500. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/257,413 filed Oct. 24, 2005, which is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/317,648 that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,806 on Oct. 25, 2005, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] I. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is related generally to airspring suspension systems for vehicles, and, more particularly, to an improved airspring suspension system that reduces the potential for damage to the air bag portion of the airspring due to pinching of the bag portion when air pressure is released. [0004] II. Background [0005] In general, an airspring is a pneumatic spring configured as a column of gas confined within a container. The pressure of the confined gas, and not the structure of the container, acts as the force medium of the spring. A wide variety of sizes and configurations of airsprings are available, including sleeve-type airsprings, bellows-type airsprings, convoluted-type airsprings, rolling lobe airsprings, etc. Such airsprings commonly are used in both vehicular and industrial applications. Vehicular applications include suspension systems for automobiles, light trucks, semi-tractors and trailers, buses, trains, recreational vehicles, etc., while industrial applications include use in vibration isolation systems. [0006] Airsprings, regardless of their size and configuration, share many common elements. In general, an airspring includes a flexible, sleeve-like member made of fabric-reinforced rubber that defines the sidewall of an inflatable container. Each end of the flexible member is closed by an enclosure element, such as a bead plate which is attached to the flexible member by crimping. The uppermost enclosure element typically also includes air supply components and mounting elements (e.g., studs, blind nuts, brackets, pins, etc.) to couple the airspring to the vehicle structure. The lowermost enclosure element also typically includes mounting elements to couple the airspring to the vehicle axle. [0007] In vehicular applications, airspring suspensions offer many advantages over conventional steel spring-type suspension arrangements, particularly with respect to driver discomfort, cargo damage, and vehicle deterioration. For example, the principle drawback of steel spring suspension systems is their degree of stiffness. Because steel springs must be designed to handle the vehicle's maximum load, the suspension system often is too stiff to provide adequate, or any, shock absorption at light or no-load conditions. Airspring suspension systems, on the other hand, can accommodate load changes simply by adjusting the amount of air pressure in the inflatable container. Air pressure adjustments can be performed automatically via appropriate sensor and control arrangements. [0008] However, the ability to pressure and depressurize the inflatable chamber has created a new problem unique to airspring suspensions. In particular, as air is being removed from the inflatable chamber, the top enclosure element begins to move toward the bottom enclosure element of the airspring, and the flexible sidewall of the container has a tendency to collapse inwardly on itself. Such collapse can result in pinching of the flexible material of the sidewall, which eventually can result in wear and tear, leading to perforation or other damage to the airbag. [0009] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved airspring design which restricts inward collapse of the flexible sidewall, thus preventing damage to and prolonging the useful life of the airspring assembly. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide a method whereby the improvement can easily be added to existing airspring designs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention claims an airspring that is comprised of a first end member, a second end member, a flexible sidewall, and a substantially non-load-bearing collapsible member having an arc-shaped coil. The first end member, the second end member, and the flexible sidewall form the chamber that contains the collapsible member having an arc-shaped coil. The collapsible member substantially restricts the inward movement of the flexible sidewall when the chamber contracts. [0011] The present invention also claims a method for manufacturing an airspring assembly that comprises assembling an airspring chamber, inserting a substantially non-load-bearing collapsible member having an arc-shaped coil into the chamber, attaching the collapsible member to the lower enclosure, and attaching the collapsible member to the upper enclosure. The collapsible member substantially restricts the inward movement of the flexible sidewall when the chamber contracts. [0012] The present invention also claims an airspring that is comprised of a first end member, a second end member, a flexible sidewall, and a substantially non-load-bearing telescopic member comprising two or more telescopic components. The first end member, the second end member, and the flexible sidewall form the chamber that contains the telescopic member. The telescopic member substantially restricts the inward movement of the flexible sidewall when the chamber contracts. [0013] The present invention also claims a method for manufacturing an airspring assembly that comprises assembling an airspring chamber, inserting a substantially non-load-bearing telescopic member comprising two or more telescopic components, attaching the telescopic member to the lower enclosure, and attaching the telescopic member to the upper enclosure. The telescopic member substantially restricts the inward movement of the flexible sidewall when the chamber contracts. [0014] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a rolling lobe or sleeve-type airspring having an exemplary sidewall support member. [0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the airspring of FIG. 1 when fully pressurized. [0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the airspring of FIG. 2 when fully depressurized. [0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of an airspring embodiment when fully depressurized. [0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fully pressurized airspring with a sidewall support member with an arc-shaped coil. [0021] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the airspring of FIG. 5 when it is fully depressurized. Continue reading... Full patent description for Airspring assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Airspring assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Airspring assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Valve mechanism for a gas suspension system Next Patent Application: Stopper structure for engine mount Industry Class: Spring devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Airspring assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.06758 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
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