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).

  • Publication number: 20160108986
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20160101663
    Abstract: An assembly (AS1) in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a gas spring (200), an internally-mounted device (300) and a mounting assembly (400, 500) operatively connecting the internally-mounted device to an end member (202, 204) of the gas spring (200). The mounting assembly (400, 500) can permit at least a portion of the internally-mounted device to undergo 360 degree rotational and pivotal displacement relative the end member (202, 204) of the as spring (200). The mounting assembly (400, 500) can include a device mount (402, 502) that can be operatively secured to the internally-mounted device (300) and a retainer (404, 504) that is secured to the end member (202, 204) and operatively retains the device mount (402, 502) adjacent the end member (202, 204).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9308796
    Abstract: A gas spring assembly that is displaceable between an extended condition and a compressed condition can include a first end member, a second end member, a flexible wall secured between the first and second end members, a spring chamber and a volume-displacing body disposed within the spring chamber. The body can be supported along one of the flexible wall and the first end member such that the body remains in spaced relation to at least the second end member in a compressed condition of the gas spring assembly. A method of adjusting a gas spring assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9296272
    Abstract: 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. At least one of the first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to the first and second end members by way of a low-profile misalignment mount capable of undergoing resilient angular deflection. The second damper element can be operatively supported between the first and third damper elements. A method of assembling a gas spring and gas damper assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9259985
    Abstract: A gas spring and damper assembly can include a first gas spring having a first spring rate and a second gas spring connected in series with the first gas spring. The second gas spring can have a second spring rate that is at least two times the first spring rate of the first gas spring. A damper can be operatively connected with at least one of the first and second gas springs. A suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9261157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20160009156
    Abstract: 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 cable-tensioning assembly can be operatively disposed between the supporting and supported structures. A torsional spring and isolator assembly can be operatively secured to the supported structure. An elongated cable can be operatively connected between the cable-tensioning assembly and the torsional spring and isolator assembly such that associated loads acting on the supported structure displace the cable-tensioning assembly and thereby tension the elongated cable against the torsional spring and isolator assembly to support the load acting on the supported structure while isolating. A suspension system including such a suspension actuation assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Publication number: 20160009159
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20150321530
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9168804
    Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a plurality of reflector surfaces formed along the first end. A first reflector surface can extend from the first end toward the second end. A second reflector surface can extend from adjacent the first reflector surface toward the second end. One or more of the plurality of reflector surfaces can include a plurality of facets or reflector zones. A gas spring assembly including at least one of such end members and a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Graham R. Brookes, Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20150273968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Brian S. DeBruler, Pradipta N. Moulik, Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9127737
    Abstract: A spring wall for securement between associated end members for forming an associated gas spring assembly includes a first wall portion that extends axially along a longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The first wall portion is formed from an unreinforced elastomeric material, and the first wall portion has a first nominal stiffness value. A second wall portion extends along the longitudinal axis and circumferentially thereabout. The second wall portion is disposed in longitudinal relation to the first wall portion and has a second nominal stiffness value that is different from the first nominal stiffness value of the first wall portion such that a non-constant stiffness profile is established along a longitudinal length of the spring wall. A gas spring and a gas spring and reservoir assembly utilizing such a spring wall as well as a method of manufacturing a gas spring are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Patent number: 9120363
    Abstract: A piston assembly including an integral piston chamber with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member such that the piston chamber surrounds at least two sides of the structural member. A gas damping passage is disposed in fluid communication with the piston chamber and is dimensioned such that pressurized gas transferred through the gas damping passage can dissipate kinetic energy acting on the piston assembly. The piston chamber can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring and gas damper assembly utilizing such a piston assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
  • Patent number: 9121452
    Abstract: A torsional coupler can be dimensioned for securement between a rotational motion source and a rotational motion target. The torsional coupler can include a first end component and a second end component that can cooperatively interengage one another such that such that rotational motion imparted on the first end component is transmitted to the second end component. Interposed between the first end component and the second end component is one or more force-transfer elements through which torque and/or other rotational output is transmitted. The one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more pressurizable elements into and out of which pressurized fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) can be transferred. Additionally, or in the alternative, the one or more force-transfer elements can include one or more biasing elements having a positive stiffness and one or more biasing elements having a negative stiffness. A rotary power transmission is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
  • Publication number: 20150217617
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20150102541
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20150008627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Publication number: 20140345450
    Abstract: A piston assembly including an integral piston chamber with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member such that the piston chamber surrounds at least two sides of the structural member. A gas damping passage is disposed in fluid communication with the piston chamber and is dimensioned such that pressurized gas transferred through the gas damping passage can dissipate kinetic energy acting on the piston assembly. The piston chamber can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring and gas damper assembly utilizing such a piston assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
  • Publication number: 20140299215
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Pradipta N. Moulik, Stephen C. Street, Graham R. Brookes, Joshua R. Leonard, Jeffrey T. Capek
  • Patent number: 8801016
    Abstract: A piston assembly (204) including an integral piston chamber (218) with an increased volume that is maximized by providing a mounting arrangement whereby the piston can be mounted to a structural member (stz) such that the piston chamber (218) surrounds at least two sides of the structural member (stz). The piston chamber (218) can therefore utilize space adjacent the structural member (stz) to which it is mounted thereby resulting in a piston chamber of a greater volume than prior art designs. A gas spring assembly (200) utilizing such a piston is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard