US4473216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension strut
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-02-17
•
Granted: 1984-09-25
•
Expires: 2002-02-17
Abstract
Abstract The strut includes a reciprocative load bearing assembly and one, two or more sets of springs, either elastomeric or coil type, which operate either singularly, in parallel or in series to provide a variable rate spring force. A frictional or "coulomb" damper is operated by one or more of the spring sets to provide a variable rate damping force. The strut provides a substantially constant ride frequency over a wide range of load conditions and is especially adapted for rubber tired vehicle application.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Neil Paton
- 👤 John B. Skilling
- 👤 Jeffery P. Sandys
- 👤 E. Frederick Gylland, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G15/00; B60G15/02; B60G15/06; B60G15/062; B60G15/065; B60G15/04; F; F16; F16F; F16F3/00; F16F3/08; F16F3/087; F16F3/0873; F16F3/0876; F16F7/00; F16F7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A suspension strut for providing a substantially constant ride frequency over a predetermined load range, comprising: a telescoping load bearing assembly; variable rate load bearing spring means; and variable rate frictional damping means operated by said spring means; said spring means and said damping means together controlling telescopic movement of said load bearing assembly by respectively applying a variable rate spring force and a variable rate damping force to said load bearing assembly such that said ride frequency remains substantially constant when the strut is subjected to an axial load within said predetermined load range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A suspension strut for providing a substantially constant ride frequency over a predetermined load range, comprising: a telescoping load bearing assembly; variable rate load bearing spring means; and variable rate frictional damping means operated by said spring means; said spring means and said damping means together controlling telescopic movement of said load bearing assembly by respectively applying a variable rate spring force and a variable rate damping force to said load bearing assembly such that said ride frequency remains substantially constant when the strut is subjected to an axial load within said predetermined load range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The strut of claim 1, wherein said spring means include two sets of springs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The strut of claim 2, wherein one of said spring sets is made up of at least one elastomeric spring and the other of said spring is made up of a coil spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The strut of claim 1, wherein said spring means include a single spring set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The strut of any of claims 1-4, wherein said spring means and said damping means further control telescopic movement of said load bearing assembly such that said ride frequency increases near the upper end of said load range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A suspension strut, comprising: an elongated load bearing assembly adapted to extend and contract reciprocatively along its longitudinal axis from a design position toward a rebound position and a jounce position, respectively; load bearing spring means surrounding said load bearing assembly providing a variable rate spring force for supporting said load bearing assembly; and a frictional damping assembly including damping means, and operator means surrounding said load bearing assembly for receiving said spring force and applying a component of said spring force to said damping means as a normal force urging said damping means inwardly into contact with said load bearing assembly so as to apply a frictional damping force to said load bearing assembly during extension and contraction thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A suspension strut, comprising: an elongated load bearing assembly adapted to extend and contract reciprocatively along its longitudinal axis from a design position toward a rebound position and a jounce position, respectively; load bearing spring means surrounding said load bearing assembly providing a variable rate spring force for supporting said load bearing assembly; and a frictional damping assembly including damping means, and operator means surrounding said load bearing assembly for receiving said spring force and applying a component of said spring force to said damping means as a normal force urging said damping means inwardly into contact with said load bearing assembly so as to apply a frictional damping force to said load bearing assembly during extension and contraction thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said spring force is directed generally parallel to said axis, and wherein said operator means include two spaced apart relatively movable wedge rings adapted to clamp said damping means therebetween while urging said damping means inwardly generally transverse to said axis in response to said spring force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The strut of claim 7, wherein said damping means include two contact surfaces respectively engageably with said wedge rings and inclined with respect to said axis at respective angles selected to control said frictional damping force depending upon whether said load bearing assembly is moving toward its rebound position or its jounce position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The strut of claim 7, wherein said damping means include two contact surfaces respectively engageable with said wedge rings and having coefficients of friction selected to control said frictional damping force depending upon whether said load bearing assembly is moving toward its rebound position or its jounce position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The strut of any of claims 6-9, wherein said damping means include a plurality of damping elements spaced apart circumferentially about said bearing assembly in end-to-end relation so as to apply frictional damping forces to said load bearing means simultaneously at spaced apart locations along the periphery thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing spring means comprise a plurality of generally tubular elastomeric springs stacked end-to-end in coaxial alignment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The strut of claim 11, wherein said elastomeric springs are of generally ellipsiodal cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The strut of claim 12, further including spacers interposed between said elastomeric springs, each of said spacers surrounding said load bearing assembly and including an inner lip slidable along the exterior surface thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The strut of claim 13, further including a thrust washer adjacent each end of the spring stack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The strut of claim 13, wherein each of said spacers is adapted to engage an adjacent spacer upon a predetermined compression of the intervening elastomeric spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The strut of claim 12, wherein the spring stack includes a plurality of concentrically spaced apart parallel cooling passages extending the height of the spring stack.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The strut of claim 11, wherein said load bearing spring means further comprise a coil spring operative in series with said spring stack.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The strut of claim 17 including means for transmitting forces between said spring stack and said coil spring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing spring means comprise a coil spring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The strut of claim 19, wherein said coil spring is a variable rate coil spring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The strut of claim 20, wherein said coil spring is the sole course of spring force supporting said load bearing assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing spring means comprise an elastomeric spring assembly including a tubular elastomeric body and means for reinforcing said body against buckling.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The strut of claim 22 wherein said reinforcement means include a coil spring embedded in said body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The strut of claim 22, wherein said elastomeric spring assembly is the sole source of spring force supporting said load bearing assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing assembly includes means forming a chamber which varies in volume during extension and contraction of said load bearing assembly, and means for admitting a fluid into said chamber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The strut of claim 25, wherein said admitting means include a filter for allowing passage of ambient air into said chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The strut of claim 25, wherein said admitting means include means communicable with an external source of fluid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The strut of claim 27, wherein said load bearing assembly includes means for sealing said chamber, and wherein said admitting means include means for introducing said fluid under pressure so as to pressurize said chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing assembly includes stop means for terminating extension and contraction of said load bearing assembly at its rebound and jounce positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing assembly includes two spaced apart mounting assemblies respectively adapted to mount and apply loads to the two ends of said load bearing assembly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The strut of claim 30, wherein one of said mounting assemblies includes means for selectively positioning said one mounting assembly with respect to the other mounting assembly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing includes means forming a low friction surface so located that said damping means contacts said surface at a predetermined position of said load bearing assembly.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The strut of claim 6, including viscous damping means for damping high velocity applied loads without operation of said frictional damping means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The strut of claim 33, wherein said viscous damping means include a pad composed of a high viscosity elastomer compressible by said operator means in response to said spring force.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said load bearing assembly includes two telescopically movable sections, and spaced apart bearings interposed between said sections.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
90 words
The strut of claim 35, wherein one of said sections includes two elongated tubular members in spaced apart parallel relationship, the outer of which is secured to said operator means, and the other of said sections includes a single elongated tubular member adapted to slide between said two members and to receive said frictional damping force, one of said bearings being located adjacent one end of the inner of said two members and another of said bearings being located adjacent the end of said single member opposite said one end.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
54 words
The strut of claim 36, including jounce stop means and rebound stop means secured to said one end, means fixed with respect to said single member forming opposed spaced apart stop surfaces respectively engageable with said rebound stop means, and said jounce stop means as the rebound and jounce positions of the strut, respectively.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The strut of claim 36, further including another bearing adjacent said operator means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
57 words
The strut of claim 35, wherein said section respectively include an elongated tubular outer member secured to said operator means and an elongated tubular inner member adapted to recieve said frictional damping force, said outer member including at least one opening which registers with and through which said damping means project for contact with said inner member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The strut of claim 39, wherein said outer member includes means for reinforcing said outer member adjacent each said opening.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The strut of claim 39, including means secured to one end of said inner member forming two opposed stop surfaces, and means fixed with respect to said outer member providing jounce stop means and rebound stop means respectively engageable with said stop surfaces at the jounce and rebound positions of the strut, respectively.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The strut of claim 6, wherein said operator means include means for indicating wear of said damping means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The strut of claim 7, wherein one of said wedge rings includes a portion which progressively overlaps the other of said wedge rings in response to wear of said damping means to provide an indication of wear thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
116 words
A frictional damping assmebly for a suspension strut having an elongated load bearing assembly adapted to extend and contract reciprocatively along its longitudinal axis from a design position toward a rebound position and a jounce position, respectively, and load bearing spring means surrounding the load bearing assembly, the frictional damping assembly comprising: damping means; and operator means surrounding said load bearing assembly for receiving a force from said spring means and applying a component of said spring force to said damping means as a normal force urging said damping means inwardly into contact with said load bearing assembly so as to apply a frictional damping force to said load bearing assembly during extension and contraction thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
116 words
A frictional damping assmebly for a suspension strut having an elongated load bearing assembly adapted to extend and contract reciprocatively along its longitudinal axis from a design position toward a rebound position and a jounce position, respectively, and load bearing spring means surrounding the load bearing assembly, the frictional damping assembly comprising: damping means; and operator means surrounding said load bearing assembly for receiving a force from said spring means and applying a component of said spring force to said damping means as a normal force urging said damping means inwardly into contact with said load bearing assembly so as to apply a frictional damping force to said load bearing assembly during extension and contraction thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly of claim 44, wherein said spring force is directed generally parallel to said axis, and wherein said operator means include two spaced apart relatively movable wedge rings adapted to clamp said damping means therebetween while urging said damping means inwardly generally transverse to said axis in response to said spring force.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly of claim 45, wherein said damping means include two contact surfaces respectively engageable with said wedge rings and inclined with respect to said axis at respective angles selected to control said frictional damping force depending upon whether said load bearing assembly is moving toward its rebound position or its jounce position.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly of claim 45, wherein said damping means include two contact surfaces respectively engageable with said wedge rings and having coefficients of friction selected to control said frictional damping force depending upon whether said load bearing assembly is moving toward its reboound position or its jounce position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of any of claims 44-47, wherein said damping means include a plurality of damping elements spaced apart circumferentially about said load bearing assembly in end-to-end relation so as to apply frictional damping forces to said load bearing means simultaneously at spaced apart locations along the periphery thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 44, wherein said operator means include means for indicating wear of said damping means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 48, wherein one of said wedge rings includes a portion which progressively overlaps the other of said wedge rings in response to wear of said damping means to provide an indication of wear thereof.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly of claim 48, wherein one of said wedge rings is secured to said load bearing assembly, and including means acting between said one wedge ring and said damping means for restraining said damping means against rotative shifting about said axis.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
The strut of claim 7, wherein one of said wedge rings is secured to said load bearing assembly, and including means acting between said one wedge ring and said damping means for restraining said damping means against rotative shifting about said axis.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
180 words
An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the whole vehicle load range, said strut comprising: rubber spring means; a first elongated tubular member extending through said rubber spring means; 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; spring compression means supported from said first tubular member engaging one end of said rubber spring means; and actuating means supported from said second tubular member engaging the other end of said rubber spring means, said actuating means being operative in response to compression of said rubber spring means to urge said friction damping means into engagement with one of said first and second tubular members during an axially directed loading on said strut, whereby said rubber spring means can operate to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle and said friction damping means can operate to create a friction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
180 words
An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the whole vehicle load range, said strut comprising: rubber spring means; a first elongated tubular member extending through said rubber spring means; 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; spring compression means supported from said first tubular member engaging one end of said rubber spring means; and actuating means supported from said second tubular member engaging the other end of said rubber spring means, said actuating means being operative in response to compression of said rubber spring means to urge said friction damping means into engagement with one of said first and second tubular members during an axially directed loading on said strut, whereby said rubber spring means can operate to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle and said friction damping means can operate to create a friction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
A strut as set forth in claim 53, wherein said strut further comprises a coil spring serially connected with said rubber spring means so as to assist said rubber spring means in supporting said portion of said motor vehicle.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
A strut as set forth in claim 54, wherein said coil spring is positioned substantially coaxially with said rubber spring means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
A strut as set forth in claim 53, wherein said rubber spring means include a plurality of rubber spring members positioned in a stacked relationship, each of said rubber spring members being axially movable with respect to said first tubular member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
65 words
A strut as set forth in claim 56, further comprising low friction bearing members positioned between adjacent ones of said rubber spring members and operative to facilitate relative movement therebetween, said bearing members further including axially extending portions engageable with the outer side wall of said first tubular member and operative to facilitate relative movement between said rubber spring members and said first tubular member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
87 words
A strut as set forth in claim 53, 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 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
A strut as set forth in claim 58, wherein each of said first and second relatively movable members has a generally conical surface engageable with a complementary shaped surface of each of said damping shoes.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
A strut as set forth in claim 59, wherein said first and second relatively movable members and said damping shoes are fabricated from a polymeric composition.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
42 words
A strut as set forth in claim 59, 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 66
Dependent Claim
109 words
An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass, comprising: 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; rubber spring means having a bore extending therethrough, one of said tubular members extending through said bore; and means supported from said first and second tubular members to exert a compressive loading on said rubber spring means whereby said rubber spring means may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
109 words
An improved strut for use in supporting a sprung mass upon an unsprung mass, comprising: 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; rubber spring means having a bore extending therethrough, one of said tubular members extending through said bore; and means supported from said first and second tubular members to exert a compressive loading on said rubber spring means whereby said rubber spring means may operate to resiliently support said sprung mass.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
141 words
An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the whole vehicle load range, said strut comprising: spring means; a first elongated tubular member extending through said spring means; 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 means operative to exert a compressive loading on said spring means while urging 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 spring means can operate to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle and said damping means can operate to create a frction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
141 words
An improved strut for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle to provide a desired ride frequency over substantially the whole vehicle load range, said strut comprising: spring means; a first elongated tubular member extending through said spring means; 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 means operative to exert a compressive loading on said spring means while urging 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 spring means can operate to resiliently support a portion of said motor vehicle and said damping means can operate to create a frction drag resisting telescopic movement of said first and second tubular members.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
18 words
A strut as set forth in claim 63, wherein said spring means comprise at least one rubber spring.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
A strut as set forth in claim 64, wherein said spring means further comprise a coil spring operative serially with said one rubber spring.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
A strut as set forth in claim 63, wherein said spring means comprise a coil spring.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
29 words
A strut as set forth in claim 63, wherein said spring means comprise a reinforced elastomeric spring composed of a tubular elastomeric body with buckling reinforcement means embedded therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |