An adapter piece may be employed to connect a damper tube and an air spring piston in a non-positive manner. The adapter piece may comprise a spring region. The adapter piece may also include a first ring region and a second ring region, and the spring region may be positioned between the first ring region and the second ring region. Further, an air spring damper system may utilize the spring region of such an adapter piece to connect a damper tube and an air spring piston in a non-positive connection. The damper tube may include a bulge with a supporting element positioned on the bulge. The adapter piece may lie on the supporting element.

A locking isolator includes one or more joints. The one or more joints are configured to transition between a clearance fit state and an interference fit state in response to a change in temperature. The locking isolator includes a dampener. The dampener is configured to attenuate transmission of vibration through the one or more joints when the one or more joints are in the clearance fit state.

Gas spring end members include an end member wall with a longitudinal axis. End member wall includes an end wall portion and an outer wall portion. Outer wall portion extends peripherally about axis and is dimensioned to receivingly engage a flexible spring member. Rib wall portions are spaced around axis with each of rib wall portions projecting axially from end wall portion toward a rib end surface portion. Rib wall portions also include a rib edge surface portion spaced inward from an inner side surface portion of outer peripheral wall portion such that a gap is formed therebetween. Gas spring assemblies including one or more of such end members, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

Gas spring end members include an end member wall with a longitudinal axis. End member wall includes an end wall portion and an outer wall portion. Outer wall portion extends peripherally about axis and is dimensioned to receivingly engage a flexible spring member. Rib wall portions are spaced around axis with each of rib wall portions projecting axially from end wall portion toward a rib end surface portion. Rib wall portions also include a rib edge surface portion spaced inward from an inner side surface portion of outer peripheral wall portion such that a gap is formed therebetween. Gas spring assemblies including one or more of such end members, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

An end member assembly is dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible spring member. End member assembly includes first, second and third end member sections. First end member section includes a first outer peripheral wall portion. Second end member section includes a second outer peripheral wall portion. Second end member section is positioned in abutting engagement with the first end member section such that a groove extends peripherally around first and second end member sections between first and second outer peripheral wall portions. Third end member section is injection molded in situ with first and second end member sections such that third end member section extends peripherally around first and second end member sections within groove. Gas spring assemblies and vehicle suspension systems are also included.

A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one opening between the first chamber and second chamber to provide restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. An adsorptive material is disposed within the first chamber or the second chamber and works in conjunction with the at least one opening to provide damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Gas spring and gas damper assemblies include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring includes a flexible spring member with opposing end members secured thereto and at least partially defining a spring chamber. An elongated damping passage having a spiral configuration extends through one of the end members. The gas damper includes a damper housing that at least partially defines a damping chamber in fluid communication with the spring chamber through the elongated damping passage. A damper piston assembly is received within the damping chamber and secured to the other of the end members. Suspension systems and methods are also included.

Disclosed are a shock absorber and an automobile. The shock absorber includes a shock absorber cylinder and an air spring arranged around the shock absorber cylinder. The air spring includes a damping spring and a piston. A free end of the damping spring is supported at a free end of the piston. A support is disposed between the piston and the shock absorber cylinder. The free end of the piston is supported on the shock absorber cylinder by the support. In the shock absorber according to the invention, the piston and the shock absorber cylinder can be connected in a simple way.

A spring-damper assembly includes a damper and an adjustable gas spring system coupled to the damper. The spring-damper assembly can be coupled to a vehicle as part of a suspension thereof. The adjustable gas spring system maintains the ride height of the vehicle while absorbing forces from changes in the terrain. The dampers control unwanted movement of the coil spring and dissipate forces from the suspension.

The present invention is directed to an air spring having a flexible member which collapses into the form of a double meniscus under conditions where there is a substantial or a complete loss of air pressure. The double meniscus prevents the flexible member from rolling over the piston and/or chafing against surrounding parts of the vehicle on which the air spring is mounted. This is accomplished by incorporating a flexible member having a top portion, a bottom portion, and an expansion region between the top portion and the bottom portion of the flexible member, wherein the top portion is at least 10% larger in diameter than the bottom portion of the flexible member. The present invention more specifically discloses an air spring comprising a piston, a top plate, and a flexible member which is affixed to the piston and the top plate, wherein the piston, the top plate and the flexible member defines a pressurizable chamber, wherein the flexible member is comprised of a top portion, a bottom portion, and an expansion region extending between the top portion and the bottom portion of the flexible member, wherein the top portion has a diameter which is at least 10% larger than the diameter of the bottom portion.