Abstract: A composite leaf spring for a motor vehicle has an elongated body of layers of epoxy coated fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the spring. The composite fiber/adhesive body is formed and cured to provide sufficient strength and flexibility to suspend the vehicle. A synthetic fiber pad is fixed adjacent the end of the spring for engagement with the spring hanger of the suspension system to resist wear of the body at the interface with the hanger. In the preferred embodiment, the pad is a woven fabric of aramid fibers at least some of which extend substantially normal to the wear interface. A specific double plane weave fabric including a warp/fill fiber ratio of approximately 7:1 provides superior results. Epoxy resin is preferred for the adhesive both for the body of the spring and for pre-impregnation of the pad. In the related method, the pre-impregnated pad is applied to the mold contoured to correspond to the shape of the spring and elongated fibers are layered in the mold over the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing between a movable vehicular closure and body, especially adapted for an automobile, is disclosed. A deflatable sealing member forms a weatherstrip to seal the opening in the vehicle body and includes an operable tubular portion and an integral mounting portion. The sealing member is designed for resilient interference engagement between the closure and the body when expanded by the built-in resilient memory. The closure is mounted so as to provide relative transverse movement between the sealing member and one of said closure and said body during closing. In order to deflate the sealing member, a vacuum source, which may be a bellows pump, separate electric pump, engine vacuum, or the like, is connected to the single port of the sealing member and is activated at least during the closing of the closure. After closing, the control valves switch from the vacuum source to a vent to ambient pressure thereby inflating the sealing member.