Patent ID: 8701290

Claim:
A method of making a multi-tiered compression spring assembly including a plurality of axially disposed compressible elastomeric pads and a plurality of separator plates, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming an axial aperture through a thickness of each of said plurality of separator plates along a central axis of said multi-tiered compression spring assembly; (b) positioning a plurality of prongs on or in close proximity to a peripheral edge of said axial aperture; (c) extending said plurality of prongs at an angle relative to each surface of said each separator plate, said each surface being in a juxtaposition to a respective end of each of said plurality of compressible elastomeric pads; (d) providing an axial projection on each end of each of said plurality of compressible elastomeric pads and a groove in each end surface of said each of said plurality of compressible elastomeric pads in abutting engagement with a peripheral side surface of said axial projection; (e) positioning said separator plates and said plurality of compressible elastomeric pads in series with each other to form said multi-tiered compression spring assembly, wherein said each separator plate is disposed between a pair of compressible elastomeric pads; (f) applying an axial force to one end of said multi-tiered compression spring assembly; (g) piercing, with said plurality of prongs and said applied force, an axial end of a respectively juxtaposed compressible elastomeric pad; (h) penetrating, with said plurality of prongs and said applied force, a predetermined distance into said respectively juxtaposed compressible elastomeric pad; and (i) mechanically interlocking, by way of said prong penetration, said plurality of compressible elastomeric pads with said separator plates.