Abstract: The invention relates to a spring system (2) having two spring units (4a, 4b) arranged coaxially with respect to each other. Each spring unit essentially includes a flexible member (6a, 6b) and a roll-off piston (8a, 8b). The two flexible members (6a, 6b), the roll-off pistons (8a, 8b) and a common outer jacket (10) enclose a common pressure space (14) filled with compressible gas or with a hydraulic liquid. A contamination flexible member (16) is mounted between the roll-off piston (8) and the outer jacket (10) in order to prevent a contamination of the flexible member roll-off surfaces. The contamination flexible member (16) is clamped, on the one hand, in the region of the roll-off piston (8) and, on the other hand, on the outer jacket (10). The effective length of the contamination flexible member (16) is somewhat less than the effective length of the shorter of the two work flexible members (6a, 6b). In this way, the contamination flexible member (16) functions additionally as an end stop (pull stop).

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a damping element and an air spring, the damping element having a container tube, a fixing part and a piston rod. The air spring has a spring bellows acting as a rolling bellows, an outer tube connected to a mass to be held with little oscillation, and a rolling tube bearing a rolling profile. The spring bellows bounds a gas chamber provided with a gas filling under pressure, while the rolling tube seals off the gas chamber with respect to the container tube and is fixed to the latter in the axial direction. Between the container tube and the rolling tube there is arranged a compression stop cap having three webs and thickened ends, which serve as a stop on the container tube for the rolling tube and to dissipate the radial force component acting on the latter.

Abstract: A combined spring-and-shock-absorber system for supporting wheel suspensions or axles on a vehicle body has a tubular roll bellows (U-bellows) arranged between a wheel-bearing or wheel-controlling connection and a connection on the vehicle body side, the bellows being arranged between an outer bell and a rolling piston, the outer bell and the rolling piston, in each case, having at least partially varying diameters over the height of the corresponding component, and having walls that contact the tubular roll bellows. Both ends of the tubular roll bellows being sealingly secured on the rolling piston at segments having different diameters, the lower mounting section having a larger diameter than the upper mounting section. For this purpose, a tubular roll bellows is used, which is configured as a differential roll bellows, whose interior is filled with a fluid and communicates with a hydraulic accumulator supported on the chassis and/or vehicle body.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frequency dependent damper (FDD) shock absorber defining a first pressurized working chamber. An air spring assembly defines a second pressurized working chamber. A booster enables pressure communication between the first pressurized working chamber and the second pressurized working chamber.

Abstract: A damping element has a container tube which is connected to a rolling tube of an air spring, the rolling tube being connected via a spring bellows acting as a rolling bellows to an outer tube which is arranged concentrically and such that it can move axially with respect to the rolling tube, the spring bellows and the rolling tube bounding a gas chamber provided with a gas filling under pressure. The rolling tube is sealed off with respect to the container tube by an O ring in a groove in the container tube, while, at another point on the container tube, projections are arranged as a stop for a front end of the rolling tube in order to dissipate the axial component of the gas pressure acting on said rolling tube. The assembly of the rolling tube on the container tube and the associated sealing by means of the O ring are achieved simply in a cost-effective manner by pushing the tubes together, the position of the tubes in relation to each other resulting automatically as a result of the projections.

Abstract: A double rolling-lobe air spring (2) includes an air spring cover (4) and a lower roll-off piston (8). An upper roll-off piston (6) is attached to the air spring cover (4) and the distance between the two roll-off pistons (6, 8) is variable. Respective ends of a double rolling-lobe resilient member (10) are clamped pressure-tight to the lower end of the upper roll-off piston (6) and to the upper end of the lower roll-off piston (8). A foam rubber part (16) is provided between the upper roll-off piston (6) and the rolling-lobe flexible member (10) as a dirt catcher in order to protect the upwardly-directed rolling lobe (10a) of the double rolling-lobe air spring (2) in a simple manner against dirt. The foam rubber part (16) is an insert part between the resilient member (10) and a bracket (18) disposed in surrounding relationship to the resilient member. The bracket (18) is preferably part of a sheet metal assembly of a chassis connection or an roll-off annular member (20).

Abstract: The sleeve-shaped rolling-lobe flexible member (4) of a rolling-lobe spring (2) is made of elastomeric material and is provided with a reinforcement layer. The ends of the sleeve-shaped rolling-lobe flexible member (4) include neither beads nor cores. The rolling-lobe flexible member (4) is attached pressure-tightly to a cover (8) functioning as a connecting part and/or to a roll-off piston (10) of the spring (2). This pressure-tight attachment is achieved in that each clamping region (18, 20) of the connecting part (cover 8 and/or roll-off piston 10) is provided with a drawn-in connecting surface having at least one peripherally-extending raised portion (22, 24). Clamp rings (12, 14) are assigned to corresponding clamping regions (18, 20) of the connecting parts (8, 10). The clamp rings (12, 14) have respective peripherally-extending recesses (26, 28).

Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: A spring arrangement includes two coaxial spring components (4a, 4b) which are mounted so as to oppose each other. Each of the spring components includes a rolling-lobe flexible member (6a, 6b) and a roll-off piston (8a, 8b) corresponding thereto. The two rolling-lobe flexible members (6a, 6b) define a common double rolling-lobe flexible member (6) and the two spring components (4a, 4b) have a common outer jacket (10). A simple assembly and a reliable fixation of the double rolling-lobe flexible member (6) on the outer jacket (10) is provided. For this purpose, the double rolling-lobe flexible member (6) has a clamp ring (18 or 26) mounted internally. The outer jacket (10) includes two parts (10a and 10b) having respective ends. The double rolling-lobe flexible member (6) is clamped between these ends with the aid of the clamp ring (18 and 26). The air spring arrangement is especially applicable in the forward wheel fork (16) of a two-wheel vehicle.

Abstract: A U-type bellows air spring is supported on one side relative to the vehicle frame and on the other side relative to the axle or a longitudinal control arm guiding the latter. The lower end of the U-type bellows is fastened on the longitudinal control arm side in a pressure-tight manner to a flange of a supporting element, and a vibration absorber protrudes through the supporting element. A piston cylinder of the vibration absorber is connected to the longitudinal control arm via a joint, and a piston rod on the longitudinal axis of the air spring is supported relative to the vehicle frame. To keep the amount of sealing for the air spring small even if it is not used very much, the supporting element for the lower end of the U-type bellows is arranged rigidly with respect to the piston cylinder of the vibration absorber. A preferably cylindrical circumferential surface for the U-type bellows to roll along during the compression and rebound action extends from the flange toward the longitudinal control arm.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve for an air spring terminates in end portions which define a pair of open ends. The sleeve has inner and outer layers of a flexible material with a plurality of reinforcement elements disposed within the materials with the reinforcement elements extending throughout the end portions. Inner and outer layers of the end portions are joined to the inner and outer layers of the sleeve, by non-overlapping joints with the inner and outer layers of the end portions having a higher modulus of elasticity than the inner and outer layers of the sleeve.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a shock absorber having a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. An air spring is supported on the shock absorber, and the air spring includes a bladder filled with air. A valve assembly is surrounded by the fluid housing and the bladder. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid and air. The air manipulates the valve and adjusts flow of hydraulic fluid through the shock absorber to adjust damping based upon vehicle load experienced at the air spring. Preferably the valve assembly is located within the inner cylinder head arranged between the piston rod and the outer cylindrical wall of the shock absorber. The valve assembly may include a teeter-totter valve that cooperates with other valves plungers and springs to provide variable damping throughout the vehicle load experienced by the inner spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a air spring (10) having a rolling bellows (12) secured to a rolldown tube (16), one surface of which (rolldown surface) of which rolling bellows (12) comes into contact with an associated surface (contact surface) of the rolldown tube (16) area by area with increasing compression of the air spring (10). The invention is characterized in that the contact surface of the rolldown tube (16) is in the form of a spring element (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-spring system (1), which is at least comprised of a cover (2), a roll-off plunger (3) and air-spring bellows (4) that are made of an elastomeric material and that are in most cases provided with an embedded stabilizing support, the two bellows ends being fastened to the cover and to the roll-off plunger, whereby the air-spring bellows enclose a volume-elastic air chamber while forming two loops (7, 8). The first loop (7) is adapted to glide on the outer wall of the roll-off plunger (3) and the second loop (8) communicates with a roll-off section of the cover (2). The inventive air-spring system (1) is further characterized in that the second loop (8) rests on the cover (2) only on two points (11) and rolls off via said points of support (11) when the angle of the air spring bellows (4) is modified by the deflection and the rebound of the roll-off plunger (3).

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly having a pair of spaced end members which sealingly engage a flexible bladder to form an internal air chamber having an internal volume. One of the end members is a bead plate which has an annular outer end portion which is crimped to the bladder to provide an air tight seal therebetween. The end plate has a recessed portion located between the outer end portion which projects into the air chamber to reduce the volume of the air chamber to change the spring characteristic of the air spring. A plurality of reinforcing gussets extend between the recessed portion of the bead plate and a surrounding upstanding wall which extends between the outer end portion and recessed portion to enable the bead plate to be clamped by fasteners against an adjacent vehicle component and resist deformation when subjected to internal pressure.

Abstract: An air spring strut (4) is arranged between a vehicle axle (8) and a vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle. The air spring strut (4) includes a shock absorber (10) and an air spring (16). The shock absorber (10) includes a cylinder (12) and a piston displaceable into the cylinder (12). The foot point (14) of the cylinder (12) can be articulately connected to a wheel-guiding component (8) and the upper end of the piston can be pivotally connected to the vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle. The air spring (16) includes a resilient member (18) which is clamped between a cover (20) and a roll-off piston (22) while forming a rolling lobe. The cover (20) can be attached to the vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle and the roll-off piston (22) is supported on the cylinder (12) of the shock absorber (10). The resilient member (18) of the air spring (16) is enclosed by a bell (28).

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring system (2) having two spring units (4a, 4b) arranged coaxially with respect to each other. Each spring unit essentially includes a flexible member (6a, 6b) and a roll-off piston (8a, 8b). The two flexible members (6a, 6b), the roll-off pistons (8a, 8b) and a common outer jacket (10) enclose a common pressure space (14) filled with compressible gas or with a hydraulic liquid. A contamination flexible member (16) is mounted between the roll-off piston (8) and the outer jacket (10) in order to prevent a contamination of the flexible member roll-off surfaces. The contamination flexible member (16) is clamped, on the one hand, in the region of the roll-off piston (8) and, on the other hand, on the outer jacket (10). The effective length of the contamination flexible member (16) is somewhat less than the effective length of the shorter of the two work flexible members (6a, 6b). In this way, the contamination flexible member (16) functions additionally as an end stop (pull stop).

Abstract: An air spring (10) for use in a motor vehicle suspension system is provided. The air spring includes a generally cylindrical flexible bladder (12) having a circular upper opening (18), a support unit (14) sealingly connected to the flexible bladder (12), and a unitary integrated top assembly (16) connected to the upper opening (18) in an air-tight manner. The support unit (14) further includes an installation fastener (52) for connection to vehicle support brackets (78). The top assembly (16) includes a sealed body (34) having an interior open volume (23) and optional attachment components positioned on the body to connect the top assembly to a vehicle main frame. The top assembly further includes an optional connection port (28) adapted for pneumatic intercommunication with other air springs and an optional fill port (48) for connection to a pressurized air system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spring system for a vehicle including a two-wheel vehicle. The spring system includes first and second spring units mounted coaxially to each other. The first spring unit includes a first roll-off piston and a first rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the first roll-off piston during operation of the spring system. The second spring unit includes a second roll-off piston and a second rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the second roll-off piston during operation of the spring system.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of end members which are sealingly connected to ends of a flexible sleeve and form an internal fluid chamber. A rigid annular member is located within the fluid chamber and is spaced from one of the end members and clamps the sleeve against a rigid member located outside of the sleeve and fluid chamber. A vibration isolator, such as an annular elastomeric member, is located between the rigid outer member and the adjacent end member to support the sleeve and reduce its tension in order to isolate sleeve vibration from the end member.

Abstract: The sleeve-shaped rolling-lobe flexible member (4) of a rolling-lobe spring (2) is made of elastomeric material and is provided with a reinforcement layer. The ends of the sleeve-shaped rolling-lobe flexible member (4) include neither beads nor cores. The rolling-lobe flexible member (4) is attached pressure-tightly to a cover (8) functioning as a connecting part and/or to a roll-off piston (10) of the spring (2). This pressure-tight attachment is achieved in that each clamping region (18, 20) of the connecting part (cover 8 and/or roll-off piston 10) is provided with a drawn-in connecting surface having at least one peripherally-extending raised portion (22, 24). Clamp rings (12, 14) are assigned to corresponding clamping regions (18, 20) of the connecting parts (8, 10). The clamp rings (12, 14) have respective peripherally-extending recesses (26, 28).

Abstract: A pneumatic-spring wheel-suspension leg for motor vehicles. The leg comprises a bellows (1) that can be rolled up over a jacket (3) and accommodates a pneumatics chamber (9), a hydraulic dashpot inside the bellows or jacket, and a piston rod (5) that travels into and out of the dashpot and is attached axially and resiliently directly or indirectly at one end to the vehicle's chassis. The object is to relieve the dashpot of difficult attenuation tasks when a hard wheel suspension is necessary. The leg accordingly includes another pneumatics chamber (10) and the communication between the two pneumatics chambers can be partly or entirely blocked by a valve.

Abstract: A spring strut comprises a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper and is fitted between a vehicle body and a wheel of a vehicle. The oscillation damper has a piston rod movable on an axis and a container concentric to the axis. The pneumatic spring has a spring chamber delimited by a rolling bellows which is firmly connected to the receptacle and to the container or a rolling-contact piston fixed to the container. An end wall that is in operative connection with the oscillation damper is acted upon on one side by the pressure in the spring chamber and has an effective area that extends obliquely to the axis of the oscillation damper and exerts a transverse force that is dependent on the pressure in the spring chamber and is perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring system, comprising at least the following components, namely air-spring bellows, an air-spring cover, an air-spring piston and an external guide. The inventive pneumatic spring system is characterized in that the external guide consists of a plastic material with a solid support embedded therein.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension, has at least the following components, an air-spring cover, air-spring piston, air-spring bellows in the form of axial bellows or transverse bellows which form a first air-spring loop, a vibration damper and a connection to the chassis. The pneumatic suspension has an articulated component located on the air-spring cover in the vicinity of the air-spring bellows. The component allows pivotal displacements when under pressure and forms a second air-spring loop which extends substantially in a radial direction. It also relates to advantageous variants of the articulated component, both for the axial bellows with an external guide and for the transverse bellows without an external guide. It relates to the use of a supporting bearing with a connection to the axial bellows. The pneumatic suspension is used in particular for the front axle of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring system which comprises a pneumatic spring cap and pneumatic cushioning bellows, a pneumatic spring piston with a lateral rolling surface and a base surface that is designed such that a multi-chamber system protrudes into the interior of the pneumatic spring piston. The aim of the invention is to provide a pneumatic spring piston that can be subjected to eccentric loads at a reduced weight and without a holding plate. The multi-chamber system and the fastening system are mounted in such a position that there is maximally one mirror plane perpendicular to the base surface of the pneumatic spring piston, in relation to the piston center axis, and that an eccentric rest surface of the pneumatic spring piston directly contacts the spring carrier.

Abstract: Air spring which includes a flexible member which, on the one hand, is attached to a housing and, on the other hand, to a roll-off piston and which encloses an air volume; the surface of the housing, which faces toward the air volume of the air spring, is charged with the air pressure of the air volume; and, the air spring can be connected to the chassis of a motor vehicle with the interposition of an elastic bearing; the housing including at least two parts of which a first part serves the connection of the air spring to the chassis of a motor vehicle and a second part serves the attachment of the flexible member; and, the elastic bearing is configured to have an annular shape and is mounted between the two parts of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic suspension system (1) comprising at least the following parts: pneumatic suspension bellows (4) made of an elastomer material encompassing a volume-variable air chamber (5); a pneumatic suspension lid (7) to which one end of the pneumatic suspension bellows is fixed by means of a clamping ring (10) or the like; a pneumatic suspension piston (3) to which the other end of the pneumatic suspension bellows (4) is also fixed by means of a clamping ring (10) or the like and on whose outer wall the pneumatic suspension bellows can roll (6) by forming a rolling contour; a wheel guide element (9); a hinge (8) serving as steering means in relation to the wheel guide element (9) and a body (2), wherein the pneumatic suspension parts are disposed in such a way that only one hinge (8) is provided as a steering element in relation to the wheel guide element (9) inside the pneumatic suspension system (1) without requiring any centric restricted guidance.

Abstract: A motor vehicle air spring has an air volume subdivided into an air spring volume and an ancillary volume. The two volumes (4, 6) are connected to each other by a line (8) having a cross section which can be switched or continuously adjusted by a valve (12). The valve (12) has two roll membranes (56, 58) which are arranged in mutual opposition. The intermediate space (60) between the roll membranes (56, 58) preferably communicates with the atmosphere. The two mutually opposingly mounted roll membranes (56, 58) can be joined to form a single double roll membrane (76). Preferably, the valve body (34) as well as the bore (62) of the valve housing (36) is configured so as to be cylindrical so that the constant effective diameter (Dw) of the roll membranes (56, 58) results which is independent of the deflection of the valve body (34).

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. A plurality of axially spaced ribs and intervening grooves are formed on an inner surface of a ring which align with corresponding ribs and grooves formed on an axial sealing surface of one of the end members to form a fluid tight seal with the elastomeric sleeve clamped therebetween. An annular radially extending projection is formed on each of the ring and end member which cooperatively mate with each other to provide a mechanical interlock therebetween which is free of intervening elastomeric material, to securely retain the ring in position with respect to the end member sealing surface.

Abstract: Spring strut with a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper which can be adjusted as a function of the support pressure. The pneumatic spring has a spring space bounded by a U-type bellows, which spring space is pneumatically connected to a damping device which can be adjusted as a function of a support pressure. A component which having a duct connects the spring space and the damping device is embodied without a hose and is integrated in the spring strut in such a way that it does not form any essential surface change in an unrolling piston associated with the U-type bellows and the unrolling piston forms at least a part of this duct.

Abstract: The air spring of the present invention combines both traditional air spring characteristics and components with internal hydro damping. The air spring has an upper retainer, a piston, an elastomeric sleeve secured to the upper retainer at a first end and secured to the piston at the lower end, and a damping device. The damping device has an upper and a lower variable volume chamber and a channel connecting the two variable volume chambers, and a damping fluid contained within the damping device.

Abstract: An integral one-piece end plate and bracket combination is formed of a high strength plastic and is mounted in an airtight sealing engagement with an open end of a flexible elastomeric sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of an air spring. The end plate includes a semi-circular wall which extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air spring and a semi-circular opening. The bracket includes an upstanding wall perpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate and a half dome-shaped wall, which together with the upstanding wall, forms an auxiliary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication through the semi-circular opening with the main fluid chamber of the flexible sleeve. The upstanding wall includes attachments for securing the bracket and end plate to a support structure which aligns with a longitudinal axis of the air spring.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spring system for a vehicle including a two-wheel vehicle. The spring system includes first and second spring units mounted coaxially to each other. The first spring unit includes a first roll-off piston and a first rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the first roll-off piston during operation of the spring system. The second spring unit includes a second roll-off piston and a second rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the second roll-off piston during operation of the spring system.

Abstract: A diaphragm for air spring comprises an outer sleeve provided with a hollow cylindrical body, an inner sleeve and a folded diaphragm connecting the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve to each other, wherein an inner diameter of the diaphragm before the assembling at a region engaged with at least an inner sleeve of the air spring is made equal to or smaller than a minimum outer diameter of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-controlled damper which attenuates the motion of movable components. Sealing between the movable components is effected by a separation means which is fixed to the cylinder and the piston in the hollow space of the cylinder.

Abstract: An air spring strut (4) is arranged between a vehicle axle (8) and a vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle. The air spring strut (4) includes a shock absorber (10) and an air spring (16). The shock absorber (10) includes a cylinder (12) and a piston displaceable into the cylinder (12). The foot point (14) of the cylinder (12) can be articulately connected to a wheel-guiding component (8) and the upper end of the piston can be pivotally connected to the vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle. The air spring (16) includes a resilient member (18) which is clamped between a cover (20) and a roll-off piston (22) while forming a rolling lobe. The cover (20) can be attached to the vehicle body (6) of a motor vehicle and the roll-off piston (22) is supported on the cylinder (12) of the shock absorber (10). The resilient member (18) of the air spring (16) is enclosed by a bell (28).

Abstract: An air spring has a piston formed of a high strength plastic material consisting of a main shell and a bottom end sealing plate extending between a pair of concentric inner and outer annular walls. A pair of internal auxiliary reservoirs or subchambers are formed within the piston and are in fluid communication with each other and with the main air chamber formed by a flexible bellows extending between the piston and an end plate. A plurality of radially extending reinforcing ribs extend between the inner and outer annular walls of the shell and a rigid central post. A central planar support surface having an area approximately 20% than that of the piston base area provides a reduced surface area for mounting the piston on a smaller support surface.

Abstract: An air spring of the type with a sleeve having a first rolling lobe connected at an end to a first piston, a second rolling lobe connected to an end to a second piston, and where the first piston is substantially frustoconical and the second piston is substantially cylindrical and where the minimum effective area of the first piston is less than the minimum effective area of the second piston and where the maximum effective area of the first piston is greater than the maximum effective area of the second piston. The frustoconical first piston allows the air spring to accommodate large angular suspension motion without degrading durability.

Abstract: A dual volume air spring for a truck suspension, which has an air bag chamber providing a variable volume and a fixed volume chamber. The chambers are interconnected by a closable orifice. The air bag is provided with a post-like orifice closer which is pushed into the orifice when the air bag is sufficiently compressed ad withdrawn from the orifice when the air bag is not compressed. In normal operation the orifice is open and the combined volumes of the chambers are available resulting in a low spring rate. The orifice closer has an orifice closing portion which is relatively pliant and a rigid or semi-rigid portion which acts as a bump-stop when the pliant portion is substantially completely compressed. When the orifice is completely closed the spring has a high spring rate.

Abstract: An automotive wheel suspension comprised of a shock-absorbing strut located within a retrofit air spring, which is located where previously a standard coil spring was located. The air spring includes a single, double, or triple convoluted bellow comprised of a rubber bellow and two bead sealing rings mounted eccentrically onto the strut by a fixed lower adapter plate. The strut is also comprised with a rotatable upper adapter plate that allows the air spring to take the place of the previously mounted coil spring in order to allow load and ride height adjustment where beforehand the coil spring allowed none.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spring system for a vehicle including a two-wheel vehicle. The spring system includes first and second spring units mounted coaxially to each other. The first spring unit includes a first roll-off piston and a first rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the first roll-off piston during operation of the spring system. The second spring unit includes a second roll-off piston and a second rolling-lobe resilient member coacting with the second roll-off piston during operation of the spring system.

Abstract: This invention concerns a pneumatic spring consisting of a hose roll bellows of elastomer material which is equipped, in particular, with stiffening supports. The ends of the hose roll bellows are pushed onto a connecting element and attached there by a radially ductile clamping ring particularly made out of metal. According to the invention, the connecting element and/or clamping ring are made thicker with a covering elastomer strip in the area of clamping. The elastomer strip is a component which is separate from the hose roll bellows. Several variants are presented.

Abstract: An air spring wherein the spring constant of the air spring can be readily tuned to achieve a desired ride performance is disclosed. The air spring has a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve, bead plates, and support rings. The sleeve is secured at each end to a bead plate. The support rings are secured to the bead beads, extending radially outward from the bead plates. The support rings have an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and a tracking surface extending between the shoulders. When the air spring is at design height, the sleeve contacts only the inner shoulders of the support rings. By limiting the initial contact of the sleeve with ring and determining where this contact occurs, the movement of the sleeve during jounce can be modified, altering the effective area rate of change.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring having a vibration damper and a rolling bellows which defines a spring chamber. The rolling bellows is actively connected at one end to the vibration damper which has a container pipe which possesses a connecting bearing to a motor vehicle chassis. The connecting bearing is arranged in the region of the outer surface of the container pipe. The connecting bearing is of circular design and possesses a sealing ring which seals the spring chamber. Furthermore, the connecting bearing can be designed as a pivot bearing, having at least one universal ball joint in conjunction with a ball socket. Optionally, an air direction device may be assigned to the pneumatic spring, producing a targeted air flow onto the container pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is an air sleeve that has a tubular shape with opposing sleeve ends. At least one reinforcing ply extends from one sleeve end to the opposing sleeve end; the reinforcing ply has cords encapsulated in a ply coat compound and at least one end of the reinforcing ply terminates in one air sleeve end. According to the present invention, a reinforcement means is spaced from the end of the reinforcing ply by a distance greater than the ply coat compound.

Abstract: A seat support includes first and second link members coupling a seat supporting member to a base. The second link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a first pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a second pivot axis. The first link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a third pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a fourth pivot axis. The distance between the third and fourth pivot axes is greater than the distance between the first and second pivot axes and may be from about twelve percent to about twenty percent greater. The location of the pivot axes may be expressed by the formula L<(S+R−B). In this formula, L is the distance between the first and second pivot axes; S is the distance between the second and fourth pivot axes; R is the distance between the third and fourth pivot axes; and B is the distance between the first and third pivot axes.

Abstract: An improved seat suspension system including, in combination, an air spring and shock absorber, which comprise an air spring member and a shock absorber member, respectively. The air spring member and shock absorber member are longitudinally coupled to provide support and damping along a longitudinal axis. The air spring member and shock absorber member are coupled in a manner that enables them to be readily separated and independently serviced. A seat suspension also comprises a seat moveably coupled to a seat base that has a support structure. The combination air spring and shock absorber is interposed between the seat and the seat base to govern relative motion between the seat and the seat base. The combination air spring and shock absorber is rotationally coupled at each end to allow angular motion between the longitudinal axis of the combination air spring and shock absorber and the centerline of the seat.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring, in particular for rail vehicles, trucks and busses, has a bellows made of elastomer material, if required provided with reinforcing inserts; a pot to whose upper part the bellows are secured, the bellows preferably rolling on the outer wall of the pot; a plate-shaped cover spaced apart from the pot and to which the other end of the bellows is secured; a central rod firmly secured to the cover and which projects out of the lid over a distance extends parallel to the bellows and enters the pot; a ball-and-socket joint located between the pot and the rod and supported against the inner wall of the pot; an air pipe; a slide bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the rod and guided on the outer wall of the rod; and an intermediate bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the slide bush.