Patent ID: 6957806
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
1. An airspring, comprising: a first end member; a second end member; a flexible sidewall disposed between the first and second end members to define a chamber therebetween having a longitudinal axis, the chamber configured to expand and retract generally along the longitudinal axis, said flexible sidewall extending substantially vertically from the first end and second end members; and a substantially non-load bearing collapsible member having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, and a sidewall support portion, said collapsible member disposed within the chamber and displaceable between an extended state and a collapsed state responsive to expansion and contraction of the chamber, the collapsible member being configured to substantially restrict movement of the flexible sidewall toward the longitudinal axis as the chamber retracts; wherein the sidewall support portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the upper end portion and a diameter of the lower end portion.