Patent ID: 6457702
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
An annular bellows unit for converting a vehicle suspension having a coil spring enclosing a telescopic element, the bellows unit comprising:(a) an outer bellows having first and second ends; (b) an annular first flange member sealingly connected at the first end of the outer bellows; (c) an annular second flange member sealingly connected at the second end of the outer bellows; (d) an inner bellows sealingly connected between the first and second flange members within the outer bellows member, a closed chamber being formed between the outer and inner bellows; (e) a fill passage extending through the second flange member in fluid communication with the chamber and having a fill port for pressurizing the chamber; and (f) a tubular mandrel, wherein the inner bellows comprises a facing pair of bellows elements and a neck portion joined at inner peripheral extremities of the bellows elements, the neck portion being reinforced by the mandrel, the bellows elements tapering axially inwardly toward opposite ends of the neck portion in an extended condition of the bellows unit and tapering axially outwardly toward the ends of the neck portion in a compressed condition of the bellows unit.