Patent ID: 7500659
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
1. An air spring piston assembly comprising: an outer shell having a longitudinally extending axis and including a shell wall extending circumferentially about said axis and at least partially defining a shell cavity having an open end, said shell wall including a end wall portion disposed opposite said open end and extending generally transverse to said axis, and said shell wall including a side wall portion extending generally longitudinally from along said end wall portion, said end wall portion including a plurality of clip-receiving openings disposed about said axis; and, a structural insert extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends, said structural insert including a support column, a plurality of support walls extending outwardly from said support column and a plurality of retaining clips projecting from said first end of said structural insert, said plurality of retaining clips including a fixed end connected along said first end of said structural insert and a free end dispose opposite said fixed end, said free end of said plurality of retaining clips including a projection extending generally transverse to said axis for engaging said end wall portion of said oar shell; said structural insert received at least partially within said shell cavity such that (1) said support column is disposed in abutting engagement with said end wall portion of said outer shell, (2) said plurality of support walls are disposed in abutting engagement with said side wall portion of said outer shell, and (3) said free ends of said plurality of retaining clips extend through respective ones of said plurality of clip-receiving openings in said end wall portion such that said projections can abuttingly engage said oar shell and thereby removably secure said oar shell and said structural insert to one another.