Patent ID: 8365876
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: B60T,B61K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A guide and stroke limiting arrangement for an air bladder actuator, adapted to be mounted between the upper and lower end plates of and inside the air bladder which is attached at opposite ends to the peripheral edges of the end plates, the arrangement comprising: a guide rod attached to and extending downwardly from the upper end plate on the axis thereof; a tubular guide sleeve attached to and extending upwardly from the lower end plate coaxially therewith and adapted to slidably receive the guide rod; one of the guide rod and the guide sleeve carrying a diametrical cross pin attached to a free end and extending perpendicular to the axis; the other of the guide rod and the guide sleeve having an axially elongated through slot through which said cross pin extends and slides vertically with respect thereto in response to inflation and deflation of the air bladder; the slot having an end stop position adapted to be engaged by the pin in response to inflation to provide a maximum stroke length stop; and, a tubular stop sleeve attached to one of the end plates coaxially with and surrounding the guide rod and the guide sleeve, the stop sleeve having a free edge positioned to engage the other of the end plates to provide a minimum stroke length stop.