US4475722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension strut
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-02-17
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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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
2026-10-23 20:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/08; B; B60; B60G; B60G15/00; B60G15/02; B60G15/04; B60G15/06; B60G15/062; B60G15/065; F16F3/00; F16F3/08; F16F3/087; F16F3/0873; F16F3/0876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A suspension strut, comprising: an elongated tubular 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; first load bearing spring means surrounding said load bearing assembly providing a first spring force for supporting said load bearing assembly; second load bearing spring means within said load bearing assembly providing a second spring force in parallel with said first 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 first spring force and applying a component of said first 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 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A suspension strut, comprising: an elongated tubular 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; first load bearing spring means surrounding said load bearing assembly providing a first spring force for supporting said load bearing assembly; second load bearing spring means within said load bearing assembly providing a second spring force in parallel with said first 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 first spring force and applying a component of said first 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 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The strut of claim 1 wherein said second load bearing spring means are made up of a plurality of elastomeric springs stacked end-to-end along the length of said load bearing assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The strut of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric springs are generally ellipsoidal and are stacked with their major axes in coaxial relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The strut of claim 3, further including spacers interposed between said elastomeric springs, a thrust washer adjacent each end of the spring stack, and means operatively connected with said load bearing assembly for exerting a precompression force on the spring stack, each of said spacers registering with the interior of said load bearing assembly, one of said spacers being secured to internal tube means slidable with respect to the interior of said load bearing assembly, and the remaining spacers each including an outer lip slidable upon the interior of said load bearing assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The strut of any of claims 1-4 wherein said first load bearing spring means are a coil spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The strut of claim 1 wherein said first load bearing spring means have a constant spring rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The strut of claims 1 or 6 wherein said second load bearing spring means have a variable spring rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The strut of claim 1 wherein said load bearing assembly includes two telescopically movable sections and spaced apart bearings interposed between said sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The strut of claim 8 wherein said sections include an elongated tubular inner member adapted to receive said frictional damping force and an elongated tubular outer member telescopically disposed with respect to said inner member, one of said bearings being located adjacent one end of said inner member and another of said bearings being located adjacent said operator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The strut of claim 9, including jounce stop means fixed with respect to said inner member for engaging said operator means at the jounce position of the strut, and rebound stop means fixed with respect to said outer member for engaging said outer member at the rebound position of the strut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The strut of claim 1 wherein said first spring force is directed generally parrallel 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 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The strut of claim 11 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 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The strut of claim 11 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 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The strut of any of claims 11-13 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.
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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) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |