Patent ID: 9541150
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: B60G,F16F

Claim:
1. An end member dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible wall for forming an associated gas spring assembly, said end member comprising: an end wall having a longitudinal axis and extending outwardly to an outer peripheral edge; an outer crimp wall extending axially from along said end wall and including an outer surface dimensioned to receive a portion of the associated flexible wall; an inner crimp wall disposed radially inward from said outer crimp wall such that a gap is formed between said inner crimp wall and said outer crimp wall, said gap having a circumference extending substantially-entirely about said longitudinal axis, said inner crimp wall extending axially from along said end wall in a common direction with said outer crimp wall such that at least a portion of said inner crimp wall is co-extensive with said outer crimp wall; and, a plurality of pairs of first and second connector walls extending between and operatively interconnecting said outer crimp wall and said inner crimp wall across said gap therebetween, each of said plurality of pairs of first and second connector walls having an associated radial reference line with said first connector wall disposed at a first angle relative to the associated radial reference line and said second connector wall disposed at a second angle relative to the associated radial reference line that is approximately equal but opposite to said first angle such that a first cavity is formed between said first and second connector walls and at least one of said inner and outer crimp walls; said plurality of pairs of first and second connector walls disposed in circumferentially-spaced relation to one another about said longitudinal axis such that a plurality of first cavities are disposed in spaced relation to one another about said longitudinal axis with a second cavity formed by said first connector wall of one pair and said second connector wall of an adjacent pair together with at least the other one of said inner and outer crimp walls such that a plurality of second cavities are disposed about said longitudinal axis, said plurality of first cavities having an approximately common size and shape and said plurality of second cavities having an approximately common size and shape that is different from said size and shape of said plurality of first cavities with said pluralities of first and second cavities being interleaved with one another about said longitudinal axis and substantially-entirely along said circumference of said gap such that adjacent cavities have alternating sizes and shapes.