Suspension strut assembly

Claim 2

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first elongated tubular member extending through said stack of rubber springs and having support means engaging one end of said stacked rubber springs; a second elongated tubular member disposed in substantially coaxial relationship with said first tubular member and being telescopically movable with respect thereto; friction damping means; and actuating means operative to urge said friction damping means into engagement with one of said first and second tubular members in response to an axially directed loading on said strut whereby said damping means may operate to create a friction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members, said rubber springs being operative to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle so as to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the full vehicle load range.

Claim 3

A strut as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strut further comprises a coil spring serially connected with said stacked rubber springs so as to assist said rubber springs in supporting said portion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 4

A strut as set forth in claim 2 further including means connected to the other end of said stacked rubber springs for supporting one end of said coil spring, said coil spring being positioned substantially coaxially with said rubber springs.

Claim 5

A strut as set forth in claim 3 wherein the other end of said coil spring is operatively connected to said second tubular member.

Claim 6

A strut as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rubber springs are axially movable with respect to said first tubular member.

Claim 7

A strut as set forth in claim 5 further comprising low friction bearing members positioned between adjacent one of said stacked rubber springs and operative to facilitate relative movement therebetween, said bearing members further including an axially extending portion engageable with the outer sidewall of said first tubular member and operative to facilitate relative movement between said rubber springs and said first tubular member.

Claim 8

A strut as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprise first and second relatively movable annular members surrounding one of said first and second tubular members and said damping means comprise a plurality of damping shoes movably positioned between said first and second relatively movable members, compressive loading on said strut being operative to urge said first and second relatively movable members in a converging direction whereby said damping shoes are urged into engagement with said one of said first and second tubular members.

Claim 9

A strut as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said first and second relatively movable members has a generally conical surface engageable with said complimentary shaped surface of each of said damping shoes.

Claim 10

A strut as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second relatively movable members and said damping shoes are fabricated from a polymeric composition.

Claim 11

A strut as set forth in claim 8 wherein one of said first and second relatively movable members engages one end of a third elongated tubular member positioned in telescopic substantially coaxial relationship with said first and second tubular members, the other end of said third tubular member engaging the other end of said rubber springs.

Claim 12

A strut as set forth in claim 10 wherein the other of said first and second relatively movable members is operatively connected to one end of said second tubular member.

Claim 13

A strut as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a coil spring, one end of said coil spring engaging said other of said first and second relatively movable members and the other end supported by an annular flange portion secured to said one end of said second tubular member.

Claim 14

A strut as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a second coil spring positioned in substantially coaxial relationship with said stacked rubber springs and means for connecting said coil spring in series with said stacked rubber springs between said first and second tubular members.

Claim 15

A strut as set forth in claim 13 wherein said connecting means comprise a fourth tubular member disposed in substantially coaxial relationship with said first and second tubular members and having one end connected to said one end of said second tubular member, and a radially extending flange member secured to the other end of said fourth tubular member, said flange member supportingly engaging one end of said second coil spring.

Claim 16

A strut as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first and second relatively movable members and said damping shoes are movably positioned between said second and fourth tubular members.

Claim 17

A strut as set forth in claim 15 further comprising second flange means engaging the other end of said stacked rubber springs and movably surrounding said first tubular member, and coil spring support means secured to said second flange portion, said coil spring support means supportingly engaging the other end of said second coil spring.

Claim 18

A strut as set forth in claim 16 further comprising a jounce pad secured to said second flange portion and engageable with said radially extending flange member so as to limit maximum compressive movement of said second coil spring.

Claim 19

A strut as set forth in claim 10 further. comprising bearing means secured to the other end of said second tubular member and engageable with the inner sidewall surface of said first tubular member so as to guide telescopic movement therebetween.

Claim 20

A strut as set forth in claim 18 further comprising second bearing means secured to one end of said first tubular member and engageable with the outer sidewall surface of said second tubular member so as to guide telescopic movement therebetween, said second bearing means including a resilient rebound pad secured to an axially facing surface thereof and engageable with said first bearing means so as to limit maximum extension of said strut.

Claim 21

A strut as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a generally radially extending flange portion secured to one end of said second tubular member, one of said first and second relatively movable members being supported on said radially extending flange portion.

Claim 22

A strut as set forth in claim 20 further comprising a generally cylindrically shaped elongated member surrounding said first tubular member, said first and second relatively movable members being positioned within said cylindrical member.

Claim 23

A strut as set forth in claim 21 further comprising means resiliently supporting said cylindrical member on the other end of said stacked rubber springs.

Claim 24

A strut as set forth in claim 22 wherein said cylindrical member has a radially extending flange secured to one end thereof, said flange supporting the other of said first and second relatively movable members and said resilient supporting means.

Claim 25

A strut as set forth in claim 23 wherein the other end of said cylindrical member is open and is adapted to telescopically receive said one end of said second tubular member.

Claim 26

A strut as set forth in claim 24 wherein said resilient supporting means includes a coil spring having one end engaging said flange secured to one end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 27

A strut as set forth in claim 23 wherein said first and second relatively movable members are operative to urge each of said damping shoes into engagement with an outer sidewall surface of said first tubular member in response to compressive forces exerted between said first and second tubular members.

Claim 28

A strut as set forth in claim 23 further comprising resilient jounce means for limiting maximum compressive movement of said first and second tubular members and resilient rebound means for limiting maximum extension of said first and second tubular members.

Claim 29

A strut as set forth in claim 27 wherein said jounce means comprise an end plug secured within the other end of said second tubular member and a resilient pad secured to said plug, said pad being engageable with one end of said first tubular member.

Claim 30

A strut as set forth in claim 28 wherein said rebound means comprise an elongated rod member having one end secured to said plug member and extending generally coaxially into said first tubular member, a rebound pad secured to the other end of said rod member, a second plug secured to said one end of said first tubular member, said rebound pad being engageable with said second plug.

Claim 31

A strut as set forth in claim 27 wherein said jounce means comprise a jounce pad means engaging one end of said stacked rubber springs and engageable with said flange secured to said one end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 32

A strut as set forth in claim 27 wherein said rebound means comprise a bearing member secured to one end of said first tubular member and engaging the inner sidewall of said second tubular member and a rebound pad secured to said radially extending flange secured to said one end of said second tubular member, said rebound pad being engageable with said bearing member.

Claim 33

An improved strut for use in a motor vehicle suspension system comprising: a first elongated tubular member having means for securing one end thereof to a portion of a motor vehicle to be supported by said suspension system; a plurality of stacked rubber spring members each having a bore extending therethrough and being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxial relationship, said first tubular member extending through said bores; support means secured to one end of said first tubular member for supporting one end of said rubber springs; coil spring means positioned coaxially with said rubber springs; a second tubular member movably positioned in telescopic relationship with said first tubular member and having one end secured to a road engaging portion of said motor vehicle; coil spring support means secured to said second tubular member and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; and means interconnecting the other end of said coil spring with the other end of said stack of rubber spring members so as to interconnect said coil spring and said rubber springs in series relationship; and friction damping means positioned between said first and second tubular members and operative in response to relative movement thereof to exert a friction drag therebetween.

Claim 34

An improved strut for use in a motor vehicle suspension system comprising: a first elongated tubular member having means for securing one end thereof to a portion of a motor vehicle to be supported by said suspension system; a plurality of stacked rubber spring members each having a bore extending therethrough and being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxial relationship, said first tubular member extending through said bores; support means secured to one end of said first tubular member for supporting one end of said rubber springs; coil spring means positioned coaxially with said rubber springs; a second tubular member movably positioned in telescopic relationship with said first tubular member and having one end secured to a road engaging portion of said motor vehicle; coil spring support means secured to said second tubular member and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; and means interconnecting the other end of said coil spring with the other end of said stack of rubber spring members so as to interconnect said coil spring and said rubber springs in series relationship; and friction damping means positioned between said first and second tubular members and operative in response to relative movement thereof to exert a friction drag therebetween.

Claim 35

A strut as set forth in claim 32 wherein said friction damping means is connected in series operating relationship with said rubber springs and said coil spring.

Claim 36

A strut as set forth in claim 32 wherein said friction damping means is connected in parallel operating relationship with said coil spring and in series operating relationship with said rubber springs.

Claim 37

A strut as set forth in claim 32 wherein said friction damping means comprise first and second axially spaced relatively movable annular members surrounding one of said first and second tubular members and a plurality of circumferentially spaced damping shoes positioned therebetween, said damping shoes being urged into engagement with said one of said first and second tubular members by said first and second relatively movable members in response to compressive loading on said strut.

Claim 38

A strut as set forth in claim 32 wherein said friction damping means comprise first and second axially spaced relatively movable annular members surrounding one of said first and second tubular members and a plurality of circumferentially spaced damping shoes positioned therebetween, said damping shoes being urged into engagement with said other of said first and second tubular members by said first and second relatively movable members in response to compressive loading on said strut.

Claim 39

A strut as set forth in claim 36 further comprising a third tubular member extending between one of said . first and second relatively movable members and the other end of said stack of rubber springs, and a second coil spring resiliently supporting the other of said first and second relatively movable members on the other end of said second tubular member.

Claim 40

A strut as set forth in claim 32 further comprising a jounce pad secured to said interconnecting means and engageable with said coil spring support means to limit compressive movement of said coil spring means.

Claim 41

A strut as set forth in claim 32 further comprising means defining a first stop surface secured to one end of said second tubular member, means defining a second stop surface secured to the other end of said first tubular member, and a rebound pad secured to one of said first and second stop surfaces and engageable with the other stop surface to limit maximum extension of said strut.

Claim 42

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first elongated tubular member extending through said stack of rubber spring members and having support means secured to one end thereof for supporting one end of said stack of rubber springs; a second tubular member telescopically movably receiving said first tubular member; a helical coil spring positioned coaxially with and in part surrounding said rubber springs; support means extending between the other end of said stack of rubber springs and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; a radially extending annular flange member surrounding said first tubular member and supportingly engaging the other end of said coil spring; friction damping means supported within a generally cylindrical housing secured to said annular flange member with said flange member supportingly engaging one end of said friction damping means; said second tubular member engaging the other end of said friction damping means and being movable into said cylindrical housing in response to a compressive loading on said strut whereby said load will be transmitted through said - friction damping means, said coil spring and said rubber spring.

Claim 43

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first elongated tubular member extending through said stack of rubber spring members and having support means secured to one end thereof for supporting one end of said stack of rubber springs; a second tubular member telescopically movably receiving said first tubular member; a helical coil spring positioned coaxially with and in part surrounding said rubber springs; support means extending between the other end of said stack of rubber springs and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; a radially extending annular flange member surrounding said first tubular member and supportingly engaging the other end of said coil spring; friction damping means supported within a generally cylindrical housing secured to said annular flange member with said flange member supportingly engaging one end of said friction damping means; said second tubular member engaging the other end of said friction damping means and being movable into said cylindrical housing in response to a compressive loading on said strut whereby said load will be transmitted through said - friction damping means, said coil spring and said rubber spring.

Claim 44

A strut as set forth in claim 40 wherein said friction damping means include means frictionally engageable with said first tubular member and operative to damp relative movement between said first and second tubular members.

Claim 45

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first elongated tubular member extending through said stack of rubber spring members and having support means secured to one end thereof for supporting one end of said stack of rubber springs; a helical coil spring positioned coaxially with and in part surrounding said rubber springs; support means extending between the other end of said stack of rubber springs and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; a second tubular member positioned coaxially with said first tubular member and adapted to telescopically receive said first tubular member; a radially extending annular flange portion secured to one end of said second tubular member and supportingly engaging the other end of said coil spring; a third elongated tubular member having one end secured to the other end of said second tubular member and extending in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship into said first tubular member; friction damping means positioned between said second and third tubular members and including damping shoe means engageable with the inner sidewall surface of said second tubular member; means interconnecting the other end of said stack of rubber springs with one end of said friction damping means and resilient means interconnecting the other end of said second tubular member with the other end of said friction damping means whereby axial movement of said strut will operate to urge said damping shoe means into engagement with said inner sidewall surface so as to dampen relative movement between said first tubular member and said second and third tubular members.

Claim 46

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first elongated tubular member extending through said stack of rubber spring members and having support means secured to one end thereof for supporting one end of said stack of rubber springs; a helical coil spring positioned coaxially with and in part surrounding said rubber springs; support means extending between the other end of said stack of rubber springs and supportingly engaging one end of said coil spring; a second tubular member positioned coaxially with said first tubular member and adapted to telescopically receive said first tubular member; a radially extending annular flange portion secured to one end of said second tubular member and supportingly engaging the other end of said coil spring; a third elongated tubular member having one end secured to the other end of said second tubular member and extending in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship into said first tubular member; friction damping means positioned between said second and third tubular members and including damping shoe means engageable with the inner sidewall surface of said second tubular member; means interconnecting the other end of said stack of rubber springs with one end of said friction damping means and resilient means interconnecting the other end of said second tubular member with the other end of said friction damping means whereby axial movement of said strut will operate to urge said damping shoe means into engagement with said inner sidewall surface so as to dampen relative movement between said first tubular member and said second and third tubular members.

Claim 47

An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass; a first tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said sprung mass; a second tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said unsprung mass, the other ends of said first and second tubular members being movably disposed in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship; a plurality of rubber spring elements each having a bore extending therethrough, said spring elements being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxially aligned relationship, one of said tubular members extending through said aligned bores; support means secured adjacent said one end of said one tubular member and operative to support one end of-said plurality of spring elements; and means associated with said other tubular member to exert a compressive loading on said plurality of rubber spring elements wherehy said rubber spring elements may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.

Claim 48

An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass; a first tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said sprung mass; a second tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said unsprung mass, the other ends of said first and second tubular members being movably disposed in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship; a plurality of rubber spring elements each having a bore extending therethrough, said spring elements being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxially aligned relationship, one of said tubular members extending through said aligned bores; support means secured adjacent said one end of said one tubular member and operative to support one end of-said plurality of spring elements; and means associated with said other tubular member to exert a compressive loading on said plurality of rubber spring elements wherehy said rubber spring elements may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.

Claim 49

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first tubular member extending through said stack of rubber springs and having support means engaging one end of said stacked rubber springs; a second elongated tubular member disposed in substantially coaxial relationship with said first tubular member and being telescopically movable with respect thereto; friction damping means; and actuating means operative to urge said friction damping means into engagement with one of said first and second tubular members in response to an axially directed loading on said strut whereby said damping means may operate to create a friction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members, said rubber springs being operative to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle so as to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the full vehicle load range.

Claim 50

An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship; a first tubular member extending through said stack of rubber springs and having support means engaging one end of said stacked rubber springs; a second elongated tubular member disposed in substantially coaxial relationship with said first tubular member and being telescopically movable with respect thereto; friction damping means; and actuating means operative to urge said friction damping means into engagement with one of said first and second tubular members in response to an axially directed loading on said strut whereby said damping means may operate to create a friction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members, said rubber springs being operative to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle so as to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the full vehicle load range.

Claim 51

A strut as set forth in claim 44 wherein said rubber springs are axially movable with respect to said first tubular member.

Claim 52

A strut as set forth in claim 45 further comprising low friction bearing members positioned between adjacent one of said stacked rubber springs and operative to facilitate relative movement therebetween, said bearing members further including an axially extending portion engageable with the outer sidewall of said first tubular member and operative to facilitate relative movement between said rubber springs and said first tubular member.

Claim 53

A strut as set forth in claim 44 wherein said actuating means comprise first and second relatively movable annular members surrounding one of said first and second tubular members and said damping means comprise a plurality of damping shoes movably positioned between said first and second relatively movable members, compressive loading on said strut being operative to urge said first and second relatively movable members in a converging direction whereby said damping shoes are urged into engagement with said one of said first and second tubular members.

Claim 54

A strut as set forth in claim 47 wherein each of said first and second relatively movable members has a generally conical surface engageable with said complimentary shaped surface of each of said damping shoes.

Claim 55

A strut as set forth in claim 48 wherein said first and second relatively movable members and said damping shoes are fabricated from a polymeric composition.

Claim 56

A strut as set forth in claim 44 further comprising bearing means secured to one end of said tubular member and engageable with the inner sidewall surface of said first tubular member so as to guide telescopic movement therebetween.

Claim 57

51 . A strut as set forth in claim 50 further comprising bearing means secured to one end of said first tubular member and engageable with the outer sidewall surface of said second tubular member so as to guide telescopic movement therebetween, said bearing means including a resilient rebound pad secured to an axially facing surface thereof and engageable with said first bearing means so as to limit maximum extension of said strut.

Claim 58

An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass; a first tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said spring mass; a second tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said unsprung mass, the other ends of said first and second tubular members being movably disposed in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship; a plurality of rubber spring elements each having a bore extending therethrough, said spring elements being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxially aligned relationship, one of said tubular members extending through said aligned bores; support means secured adjacent said one end of said one tubular member and operative to support one end of said plurality of spring elements; and means associated with said other tubular member to exert a compressive loading on said plurality of rubber spring elements whereby said rubber spring elements may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.

Claim 59

An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass; a first tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said spring mass; a second tubular member having one end fixedly secured to said unsprung mass, the other ends of said first and second tubular members being movably disposed in substantially coaxial telescopic relationship; a plurality of rubber spring elements each having a bore extending therethrough, said spring elements being arranged with said bores in substantially coaxially aligned relationship, one of said tubular members extending through said aligned bores; support means secured adjacent said one end of said one tubular member and operative to support one end of said plurality of spring elements; and means associated with said other tubular member to exert a compressive loading on said plurality of rubber spring elements whereby said rubber spring elements may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.