Patent ID: 9707815
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: B60G,F16F,Y10T

Claim:
1. A gas spring assembly comprising: a first end member; a second end member disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to said first end member such that a longitudinal axis is formed therebetween, said second end member including an end wall, a side wall projecting longitudinally from said end wall in a direction toward said first end member, and a retainment ridge projecting radially outward from said side wall, said retainment ridge including a shoulder surface disposed in facing relation to said end wall and an outer edge having an outer cross-sectional dimension; a flexible sleeve operatively connected between said first and second end members and at least partially defining a spring chamber therebetween, said flexible sleeve including a flexible wall and an annular reinforcement member, said flexible sleeve extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis and axially between opposing first and second ends, said annular reinforcement member being substantially-fully embedded within said flexible wall adjacent said second end and including an inner cross-sectional dimension, said flexible wall including an inside surface portion at least partially defining said spring chamber, an outside surface portion facing opposite said inside surface portion and an end surface portion disposed between said inside and outside surface portions adjacent said second end, said first end secured to said first end member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween, said second end received along said side wall of said second end member such that said inside surface portion of said flexible wall is disposed toward said shoulder surface of said retainment ridge, said outside surface portion of said flexible wall is disposed in abutting engagement with said end wall and said end surface portion forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with said side wall of said second end member; and, at least one retainment element separate from said second end member and said flexible sleeve, said at least one retainment element disposed between said shoulder surface of said retainment ridge and said inside surface portion of said flexible wall, said at least one retainment element including an inner cross-sectional dimension and an outer cross-sectional dimension, said inner cross-sectional dimension of said at least one retainment element being less than said outer cross-sectional dimension of said retainment ridge, and said outer cross-sectional dimension of said at least one retainment element being greater than said inner cross-sectional dimension of said annular reinforcement member.