Patent ID: 7128312
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: B61F,F16F

Abstract:
1. An elastomeric spring assembly for a railcar, said spring assembly comprising: an elongated body of elastomer which is permanently deformed as a result of precompression of a preform having a precompressed height, said elongated and permanently deformed elastomer body defining an elongated axis and axially spaced ends for said spring assembly; and a series of axially spaced members coaxially and centrally arranged and wholly embedded within said permanently deformed elastomer body, with each member being configured to resist radial outward movement of said elastomer body relative to said axis while causing said elastomer to react in an axial direction between confronting surfaces defined by said members upon axial deflection of said elastomeric spring assembly whereby said spring assembly has a repeatable force/deflection curve following precompression of said elastomer body, and with said repeatable force/deflection curve having a substantially increasing rate which persists between initial columnar deflection and about 90% columnar deflection of said spring assembly, and wherein said permanently deformed elastomer body has an outer surface with generally evenly spaced radially bulging permanent ridges formed thereon without any columnar loading being applied to the ends of the elastomer body such that said spring assembly has an operational height of about 80% of the precompressed height of said preform and before being arranged in operable combination with said railcar.