Patents by Inventor Joshua R. Leonard
Joshua R. Leonard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9764614Abstract: A suspension actuation assembly can include first and second support assemblies that are displaceable relative to one another in a first direction of travel. A connector assembly can extend between and operatively connect the first and second support assemblies. An actuator assembly can be displaceable between collapsed and extended conditions. The actuator assembly can be oriented transverse to the first direction of travel and can be operatively associated with the connector element such that displacement of the actuator assembly generates displacement of the first and second support assemblies relative to one another along the first direction of travel. A suspension system including such a suspension actuation assembly is also included.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20170248187Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring includes a flexible spring member with opposing end members secured thereto and at least partially defining a spring chamber. The gas damper includes an inner sleeve that is at least partially received within one of the end members and at least partially forms a damping chamber. A damper piston assembly is received within the damping chamber and secured to the other of the end members. An elongated damping passage fluidically connects the damping chamber and the spring chamber. Suspension systems and methods are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20170211649Abstract: Suspension systems include a gas spring and gas damper assembly that is adapted for operation in first and second conditions. In the first condition, the assembly provides spring and damping functionality across a first range of travel. In the second condition, the assembly provides actuator functionality with a second range of travel that is substantially less than the first range of travel. A pressurized gas system is in fluid communication with the assembly. A control system is in communication with the assembly and the pressurized gas system. The control system is operative to actuate one or more control devices to transfer pressurized gas and thereby transition the assembly from between the first and second conditions. Methods of operating such as suspension system are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
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Patent number: 9709079Abstract: Conveyor actuator assemblies include a gas spring assembly and a base element that at least partially defines a channel extending therethrough. The gas spring assembly extends through the channel. A first end element receives part of the gas spring assembly and a second end element receives another part of the gas spring assembly. A piston element is disposed within the channel and projects outward beyond the base element through an open side to a distal end dimensioned for engaging an associated conveyor belt. The gas spring assembly is inflatable between a first condition in which the piston element is disposed in a first position relative to the base element, and a second condition in which the piston element is disposed in a second position relative to the base element that is different than the first position. Conveyor assemblies, conveying systems and methods of assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: J. Richard Myers, Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9701170Abstract: A damper rod bushing operatively connects an end member of a gas spring and a damper rod of a damper to at least partially form a gas spring and damper assembly. The damper rod bushing is constructed for exposure to gas pressure within a spring chamber of a gas spring and damper assembly such that pre-load forces due to gas pressure within said spring chamber act on said damper rod bushing. The damper rod bushing can include an outer support element, an inner support element and an elastomeric connector element operatively connected between the outer and inner support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. A gas spring and damper assembly including such a damper rod bushing, as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: Brian S. DeBruler, Pradipta N. Moulik, Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9695901Abstract: A gas spring system includes: a gas spring assembly including at least one gas damping passage; a reservoir member connected to the gas spring assembly, the gas spring assembly being in fluid communication with the reservoir member by way of the at least one gas damping passage; and a guide member coupled with the gas spring assembly, the guide member at least partially enclosing the reservoir member and being configured for sliding axially relative to the reservoir member.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9689455Abstract: A modular piston assembly is associated with an air spring assembly that has a bellows rolling over a surface of the piston assembly. The modular piston assembly includes a first piston portion adapted to fasten to an associated air spring bellows. A second piston portion separate from the first portion, is adapted to fasten to an associated mounting component. Interlocking members are provided to secure the first and second piston portions together, and/or any desired intermediate piston portions. Discrete air reservoirs may also be included in the modular piston assembly to increase the volume of the air spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9630469Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially form a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first, second and third damper elements that are telescopically interconnected with one another. The first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to the first and second end members. The second damper element can be operatively supported between the first and third damper elements. First and second biasing elements can be operatively interconnected between the second damper element and one of the first and third damper elements. A method of assembling a gas spring and gas damper assembly is also included.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20170058919Abstract: An actuator includes a stiff base member defining a bottom of the actuator; a flexible member connected to the stiff base member and having a sidewall and a contact surface on top of the flexible member, the flexible member and the stiff base member defining a fluid chamber therebetween, the sidewall having a first end connected to the stiff base member and a second end, the second end and the contact surface defining a transition area therebetween, the flexible member being configured to expand when the fluid chamber is filled with fluid; and a reaction feature placed on the transition area that is configured to govern movement of the sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9527358Abstract: A gas spring end member has an end member axis and is dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible spring member. The gas spring end member includes an end member wall with a base wall portion disposed transverse to the end member axis. An outer wall portion extends axially from along the base wall portion. A mounting wall portion is dimensioned to receivingly engage an associated end of the associated flexible spring member. An end wall portion extends peripherally about the end member axis and operatively connects the outer wall portion and the mounting wall portion to at least partially define an end member volume. An inner wall portion separates the end member volume into an end member reservoir disposed outward of the inner wall portion and an end member chamber disposed inward of the inner wall portion. Gas spring assemblies and suspensions systems are also included.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20160369867Abstract: Vibration isolators can be dimensioned for securement between a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target. The vibration isolators can include a first end member and a second end member supported in substantially-fixed axial position but axially-rotatable relative to the first end member. An intermediate member can be disposed between and operatively engaging the first and second end members. A rotational motion-to-axial motion conversion system is operatively disposed between the intermediate member and the first end member such that rotation of the intermediate member and the second end member generates axial displacement of the intermediate member relative to the first and second end members. A biasing element can be operatively disposed between the intermediate member and one or more of the first and second end members to bias the intermediate member in an axial direction. Rotary power transmissions or system are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik
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Patent number: 9499145Abstract: A pressurizable gas reservoir can include a first end member and a second end member that is disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to the first end member. A flexible reservoir member can extend between opposing first and second ends. The first end secured to the first end member and the second end secured to the second end member. The flexible reservoir member at least partially defines a reservoir chamber between the first and second end members that is capable of storing a quantity of pressurized gas for an extended duration of time. The first and second end members can be maintained in substantially-fixed axial position relative to one another. A suspension system including such a pressurized gas reservoir and a method of assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: Pradipta N. Moulik, Stephen C. Street, Graham R. Brookes, Joshua R. Leonard, Jeffrey T. Capek, Jason B. Smith
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Patent number: 9482244Abstract: A pneumatic actuator is operable between an extended condition and a collapsed condition, and is capable of displacing a workpiece during movement between the extended and collapsed conditions. The pneumatic actuator can include a flex member (202) and a mounting base (204). The flex member can include a flexible wall (208) with a mounting bead (222). The mounting base can include a base portion (266) and a bead portion (268), and can be operatively connected along the flex member such the mounting bead is at least partially captured between the bead portion and the base portion. In this manner, a substantially fluid-tight seal can be formed and an actuator chamber can be at least partially defined between the flex member and the mounting base. An actuator support pad can receive and abuttingly engage at least a portion of the pneumatic actuator. A method of assembly is also included.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20160245363Abstract: A mounting assembly (200) includes first and second mounting components (108, 112) that are displaceable relative to one another. At least one positive-stiffness biasing element (236) exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate is operatively disposed between the first and second mounting components. At least one negative-stiffness biasing (288, 290) element exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate is disposed between the first and second mounting components in parallel with the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element. A combined spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element and the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element is less than the positive-stiffness spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element alone. The mounting assembly can exhibit a natural frequency that is less than a natural frequency of a mounting assembly having the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element without the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik
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Publication number: 20160236532Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly (AS1) includes a first end member (300) and a second end member (400) that is spaced from the first end member (300). A flexible spring member (200) is secured between the first (300) and second (400) end members and at least partially defines a spring chamber (202) therebetween. A first damper reservoir (322) has a substantially-fixed volume. An elongated gas damping passage (306) is connected in fluid communication between the spring chamber (202) and the first damper reservoir (322). A suspension system including such a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Pradipta N. Moulik, Joshua R. Leonard, Graham R. Brookes
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Patent number: 9370984Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly (200) can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially forms a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first and second damper elements (278, 280) as well as a damper element assembly that are telescopically interconnected with one another. The damper element assembly can include an outer side wall portion that at least partially defines a cavity and a biasing element extending into the cavity. A suspension system and a method of assembly are also included.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20160167893Abstract: Conveyor actuator assemblies include a gas spring assembly and a base element that at least partially defines a channel extending therethrough. The gas spring assembly extends through the channel. A first end element receives part of the gas spring assembly and a second end element receives another part of the gas spring assembly. A piston element is disposed within the channel and projects outward beyond the base element through an open side to a distal end dimensioned for engaging an associated conveyor belt. The gas spring assembly is inflatable between a first condition in which the piston element is disposed in a first position relative to the base element, and a second condition in which the piston element is disposed in a second position relative to the base element that is different than the first position. Conveyor assemblies, conveying systems and methods of assembly are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: J. Richard Myers, Joshua R. Leonard
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Patent number: 9352632Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially form a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first, second and third damper elements that are telescopically interconnected with one another. The first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to respective ones of the first and second end members. The third damper element includes damper piston having an axial clutch. The second damper element is suspended between the first and third damper elements by biasing elements that engaging the damper piston.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
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Publication number: 20160121682Abstract: An end member assembly (EMI) includes an end member body (400) and a support column (500). The end member body (400) includes an outer side wall and an inner side wall that together at least partially define an end member reservoir. The inner side wall at least partially defines a passage through the end member body. The support column (500) extends into the passage and is accessible from along opposing ends of the passage. A sealing element can be disposed in fluid communication between the end member body and the support column. An elongated gas damping passage can extend through the end member assembly in fluid communication with the end member reservoir. A gas spring assembly can include a flexible spring member (200) that at least partially defines a spring chamber with an end member (900) and the end member assembly (EMI) on opposing ends thereof. A restraining assembly (1000) can be secured within the spring chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Graham R. Brookes, Pradipta N. Moulik, Stephen C. Street, Corey S. Hart, Daniel P. Steele
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Patent number: D784862Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard