Mark G Trowbridge

US Patent:

6345813, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/928100

Inventors:

Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

F16F 904

US Classification:

267 6427, 267 6424

Abstract:

An air spring wherein the spring constant of the air spring can be readily tuned to achieve a desired ride performance is disclosed. The air spring has a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve, bead plates, and support rings. The sleeve is secured at each end to a bead plate. The support rings are secured to the bead beads, extending radially outward from the bead plates. The support rings have an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and a tracking surface extending between the shoulders. When the air spring is at design height, the sleeve contacts only the inner shoulders of the support rings. By limiting the initial contact of the sleeve with ring and determining where this contact occurs, the movement of the sleeve during jounce can be modified, altering the effective area rate of change.

US Patent:

6402128, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/494416

Inventors:

Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

F16F 904

US Classification:

267 6421, 267 6411, 267 6423, 267 6428, 267 6418

Abstract:

The air spring is comprised of a flexible airsleeve, a retainer, and a main piston. The airsleeve is secured at one end by the retainer and at the opposing end by the main piston. A hollow restraining piston extends from the retainer and into the main piston. The restraining piston acts as a lateral stabilizer, over extension restraint and height control. The hollow region in the restraining piston communicates through at least one passage with an air chamber formed between the airsleeve and the outer surfaces of the restraining piston and the main piston. Fluid is admitted to or exhausted from the air spring through a valve which functions relative to the displacement of the restraining piston and the main piston.

US Patent:

6460836, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Jul 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/116297

Inventors:

Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

F16F 904

US Classification:

267 6427, 267 6421

Abstract:

An improved composite air spring with a simplified construction is disclosed. The piston is has a series of internal floating ribs. The ribs extend from the underside of the piston platform to the lower end of the piston. Circumferential forces acting on the piston when the sleeve rolls down onto the piston are absorbed by the piston and the floating ribs.

US Patent:

6926264, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

10/009695

Inventors:

Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH, US

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

F16F009/05

US Classification:

267 6427, 267 6411, 267122

Abstract:

An air spring () has a cylindrical flexible sleeve () secured at each end to form a fluid chamber (). One end () of the sleeve () is secured to a retainer (). The retainer () has a ribbed reinforcement structure () which allows the air spring () to be directly mounted to a moveable part of a vehicle or other machinery. The retainer () has an extending mounting structure () on one side of the reinforcement structure () and a bead-seating surface () adjacent to the reinforcement structure ().

US Patent:

20060043196, Mar 2, 2006

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927851

Inventors:

Mark Trowbridge - Stow OH, US

International Classification:

G06K 19/00

US Classification:

235487000

Abstract:

An air spring mount assembly includes an identification tag secured to the mount such that it is readily visible in service by inspection. The tag is clamped between an elastomeric member and a support plate that define a pressurizable chamber of the mount. Printed indicia, such as a part number, manufacturer's name, or graphics is disposed on the tag. In one embodiment, the tag is formed from a material comprising polymeric fibers that provide abrasion resistance and durability to the tag.

US Patent:

20060055094, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Sep 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/941423

Inventors:

John Attinello - Uniontown OH, US
David Ball - Canton OH, US
Mark Trowbridge - Stow OH, US
James Woodlee - Kent OH, US

International Classification:

F16F 9/04

US Classification:

267064270, 267163000

Abstract:

An air spring mount includes an elastomeric member coupled to at least one support plate to define a pressurizable chamber. The support plate has a snap-in-place attachment comprising a mounting stud projecting perpendicularly from the plate, and three resilient fingers spaced around the periphery of the stud. Barbs disposed in terminal ends of the fingers are biased outwardly by the fingers to engage a mounting bracket to which the air spring is mounted, when the attachment is inserted through a hole formed in the mounting bracket.

US Patent:

20090278290, Nov 12, 2009

Filed:

May 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/117344

Inventors:

Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH, US
John S. Attinello - Uniontown OH, US

Assignee:

VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Fairlawn OH

International Classification:

F16F 5/00

US Classification:

267120

Abstract:

An air spring generally comprises a first end closure, a flexible member coupled to the first end closure and defining a pressurizable chamber, and a first mounting member projecting from the first end closure in a first direction. The first mounting member has an outer surface with a plurality of barbs projecting outward from the outer surface. The barbs have a spaced arrangement along the first direction.

US Patent:

59346523, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

May 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/085936

Inventors:

Gregory Dean Hofacre - Canton OH
Mark Guy Trowbridge - Stow OH
Carl Kenneth Safreed - North Canton OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

F16M 100
F16M 300

US Classification:

267 6427

Abstract:

An air spring with a pair of spaced end members and a flexible elastomeric sleeve forming a pressurized chamber in combination with the end members is disclosed. The air spring is provided with an internal bumper to absorb impacts and prevent collapse of the air spring when in operation. The bumper is formed with a continuous ledge in the central opening. Securing the bumper to one of the end members is a hollow cup. The cup lip engages the bumper ledge and the cup is attached to the end member.