Patent ID: 8061691

Claim:
A gas spring assembly adapted for securement between first and second associated structural components of an associated vehicle, said gas spring assembly comprising: a spring sleeve having a longitudinal axis and including a flexible wall extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends; an end member adapted for securement along the first associated structural component, said end member secured along said first end of said flexible wall such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therewith; and, a piston adapted for securement in an offset mounting condition along the second associated structural component, said piston disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to said end member and including: opposing first and second piston ends, a midplane, an outer side wall extending longitudinally between said first and second piston ends, first and second securement features, and a plurality of support walls; said plurality of support walls including a first support wall extending between said outer side wall and said first securement feature, a second support wall extending between said outer side wall and said second securement feature, a third support wall extending between said first and second support walls, a fourth support wall extending between said outer side wall and said third support wall, a fifth support wall extending from said first securement feature to said third support wall, and a sixth support wall extending from said second securement feature to said third support wall; said first piston end operatively connected to said second end of said flexible wall; said second piston end including an end wall having a mounting section and an offset section, said mounting section adapted to abuttingly engage the second associated structural component for securement of said piston thereon, at least some of said offset section diametrically opposed from said mounting section and disposed in laterally-spaced relation to the second associated structural component along a distal portion of said piston; said first and second securement features positioned on said piston such that said first and second securement features are accessible from along said mounting section and such that said first and second securement features are disposed on opposing sides of said midplane; and, said first support wall extending from a distal point along said distal portion of said piston to said first securement feature, said second support wall extending from approximately said distal point along said distal portion of said piston to said second securement feature, said third support wall extending between and terminating at said first and second side walls, and said fourth support wall extending in approximate alignment with said midplane from a proximal point generally opposite said distal point and terminating at said third support wall.