End members for rail spring assemblies and suspension systems including same

摘要

End members (202, 204) dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible wall (206) of a rail spring assembly (200) can include an end member body formed from a polymeric material and can have a longitudinal axis (AX). The end member body can include an end wall (232) that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. An outer side wall (234) can extend longitudinally from along the end wall. An outer peripheral wall (264) can extend from along the outer side wall and can be dimensioned to abuttingly engage the associated flexible wall. A plurality of support walls (272) can extend between and operatively interconnect the outer side wall and the outer peripheral wall and thereby buttress at least the outer peripheral wall against loads applied by the associated flexible wall. Gas spring assemblies including one or more of such end members and suspension systems for rail vehicles including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

主权项

1. An end member dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible wall to at least partially form an associated rail spring assembly, said end member comprising:
an end member body formed from a polymeric material and having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second body ends, said end member body including:
an end wall disposed along said first body end and extending transverse to said longitudinal axis, said end wall including an interior end surface and an exterior end surface facing away from said interior end surface;an outer side wall extending longitudinally from along said end wall toward said second body end, said outer side wall including an interior side surface and an exterior surface facing away from said interior side surface with said interior end surface and said interior side surface at least partially defining an end member chamber and with said exterior end surface and said exterior side surface at least partially forming an exterior of said end member body;an outer peripheral wall extending radially outward from along said outer side wall toward an annular outermost peripheral edge of said end member body, said outer peripheral wall dimensioned to abuttingly engage the associated flexible wall; and,a plurality of gusset walls disposed along said exterior of said end member body, said plurality of gusset walls extending between and operatively interconnecting said outer side wall and said outer peripheral wall and thereby buttressing at least said outer peripheral wall against loads applied by the associated flexible wall.