WO2012096996A1

WO2012096996A1 - Flexible sleeve, gas spring assembly and method

Info

Publication number: WO2012096996A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/020826
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul P. Koeske
Original assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, Llc
Priority date: 2011-01-10
Filing date: 2012-01-10
Publication date: 2012-07-19

Abstract

A gas spring sleeve (112) includes a flexible wall (154) that is at least partially formed from elastomeric material and has a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall extends between a first open end (158) and a second open end (156). An annular reinforcing element (172) is embedded within the flexible wall along the first open end. The annular reinforcing element is formed as an endless ring of solid material and has a plurality of discrete sides such that the annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. A gas spring assembly and methods are also included.

Description

FLEXIBLE SLEEVE, GAS SPRING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

BACKGROUND

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the art of spring devices and, more particularly, to a flexible sleeve that includes a solid bead wire (e.g., non-woven and/or non-wound) having a plurality of discrete sides (e.g., a substantially square cross-section) embedded therein along an open end thereof. The subject matter of the present disclosure also relates to a gas spring assembly and a method of assembling a gas spring that includes such a flexible sleeve.

[0002] The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particular application and use in conjunction with suspension systems of wheeled vehicles, and may be described herein with specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the subject matter of the present disclosure is also amenable to broad use in a wide variety of applications and environments, and that the specific uses shown and/or described herein are merely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the present disclosure could be used in connection with spring devices for support structures, height adjusting systems and actuators associated with industrial machinery, components thereof and/or other such equipment.

[0003] Wheeled motor vehicles of most types and kinds include a sprung mass, such as a body or chassis, for example, and an unsprung mass, such as two or more axles or other wheel-engaging members, for example, with a suspension system disposed therebetween. Typically, a suspension system will include a plurality of spring devices as well as a plurality of damping devices that together permit the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to one another. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward one another is normally referred to in the art as jounce motion while movement of the sprung and unsprung masses away from one another is commonly referred to in the art as rebound motion.

[0004] In many applications and uses associated with wheeled motor vehicles, the suspension system of the vehicle is adapted and arranged such that there are substantially no operating conditions, during normal usage, under which the plurality of spring devices would be tensioned or otherwise undergo a tension load. That is, the configuration and/or use of conventional suspension systems is often such that the spring devices are not tensioned during rebound motion and are generally used in compression under normal operating conditions. In such operating environments, it is possible to utilize a gas spring assembly that has a simplified construction and minimal retention of the flexible wall on the piston of the gas spring assembly in the rebound direction,

[0005] As a more-specific example, a construction can be used in which an open end of the flexible wall thereof is "snapped-on" or otherwise press-fit onto the piston of the gas spring assembly. It will be appreciated that such "snap-on" constructions can result in lower cost gas spring assemblies, at least in part, because a reduced number of components can be used and also because simplified assembly and other manufacturing techniques can be employed.

[0006] This "snap-on" interengagement between the open end of the flexible wall and a portion of the piston normally provides sufficient retention for handling and installation purposes. It will be recognized, however, that such constructions are often deemed to be poorly suited for applications in which the gas spring assembly could be stretched or otherwise placed in tension, as this could generate an undesirable separation between the flexible wall and the piston of the gas spring assembly.

[0007] It is believed desirable to develop a flexible sleeve, as well as a gas spring assembly and method of assembly including the same, that are capable of providing improved retention of the flexible wall on the gas spring piston during use of the gas spring assembly under tension conditions and/or overcoming other disadvantages of known constructions while maintaining a relatively low cost of manufacture and ease of assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] One example of a gas spring sleeve in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a flexible wall that is at least partially formed from elastomeric material and has a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall can extend circumferentially about the axis and between a first open end and a second open end that is spaced longitudinally from the first open end. An annular reinforcing element can be embedded within the flexible wall along the first open end. The annular reinforcing element can be formed as an endless ring of solid material and can have a plurality of discrete sides such that the annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross- sectional shape.

[0009] One example of a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include an end member and a gas spring sleeve. The gas spring sleeve can include a flexible wall that is at least partially formed from elastomeric material and has a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall can extend circumferentially about the axis and between a first open end and a second open end that is spaced longitudinally from the first open end. An annular reinforcing element can be embedded within the flexible wall along the first open end. The annular reinforcing element can be formed as an endless ring of solid material and can have a plurality of discrete sides such that the annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In some cases, the end member can include an outer side wall that extends longitudinally between opposing first and second ends of the end member. An end wall can be disposed along the first end and can extend transverse to the longitudinal axis. An inner side wall can extend longitudinally from the end wall. The first open end of the flexible wall can be received along the inner side wall such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween and such that the flexible wall can form a rolling lobe along the outer side wall of the end member.

[0010] One example of a method of manufacturing a gas spring sleeve in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include providing an annular reinforcing element formed as an endless ring of solid material and having at least four sides such that the annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross- sectional shape. The method can also include providing at least one uncured layer of elastomeric material and extending the at least one uncured layer of elastomeric material around at least three of the at least four sides of the annular reinforcing element to form an uncured flexible wall. The method can further include curing the uncured flexible wall to form the gas spring sleeve.

[0011] One example of a method of assembling a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include providing an end member including an outer side wall, an end wall extending transverse to the outer side wall, and an inner side wall extending from the end wall in a direction opposite the outer side wall. The method can also include providing a gas spring sleeve that includes a flexible wall that is at least partially formed from elastomeric material and has a longitudinal axis. The flexible wall can extend circumferentially about the axis and between a first open end and a second open end that is spaced longitudinally from the first open end. An annular reinforcing element can be embedded within the flexible wall along the first open end. The annular reinforcing element can be formed as an endless ring of solid material and can have a plurality of discrete sides such that the annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The method can further include urging the first open end of the gas spring sleeve into abutting engagement with the end member along the inner side wall such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween and such that the flexible wall is in abutting engagement with the end wall and a rolling lobe is formed by the flexible wall along the outer side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view, in partial cross section, of one example of a gas spring assembly that includes a flexible sleeve in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of the flexible sleeve and piston in identified in Detail 2 of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Turning, now, to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure and which are not intended as a limitation of the same, FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a gas spring assembly 100 in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure that is disposed between opposing structural components, such as, for example, upper and lower structural components USC and LSC of an associated vehicle (not shown). Gas spring assembly 100 is shown as having a longitudinal axis AX and including a first end member, such as a top or bead plate 102, for example, that is adapted for securement on or along one of the structural components (e.g., upper structural component USC). It will be appreciated that the first end member can be secured along the structural component in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by using one or more threaded mounting studs 104 that extend through corresponding mounting holes HLS in one of the associated structural components (e.g., upper structural component USC).

[0015] Gas spring assembly 100 also includes an opposing second end member, such as a piston 106, for example, that is longitudinally spaced from the first end member and that is adapted for securement on or along a different one of the structural components, such as lower structural component LSC, for example. Again, it will be appreciated that the second end member can be operatively connected to or otherwise secured on or along the structural component in any suitable manner, such as by using one or more threaded fasteners 108 to extend through mounting hole HLS in the associated structural component (e.g., lower structural component LSC) and threadably engage a corresponding mounting feature in the second end member, such as a threaded passage 110, for example.

[0016] Gas spring assembly 100 also includes a flexible sleeve or bellows 112 that is operatively connected between the first and second end members and at least partially defines a spring chamber 114 therebetween. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, piston 106 extends longitudinally between a first or upper end 116 and a second or lower end 118. First end 116 is adapted to receive and form a substantially fluid-tight seal with an open end of flexible sleeve 112. Second end 118 of piston 106 is adapted to abuttingly engage an associated structural component, such as lower structural component LSC, for example. Additionally, as discussed above, piston 106 can be secured on or along the associated structural component in any suitable manner, such as by using threaded fastener 108 and threaded passage 110 in combination with one another, for example.

[0017] Piston 106 includes a piston body 120 and can also, optionally, include one or more additional components and/or elements, such as one or more threaded inserts, for example. The piston body has a first or outer side wall 122 that extends generally longitudinally between first and second ends 116 and 118. In use, a portion of flexible sleeve 112 forms a rolling-lobe 124 that is displaced along first side wall 122 as the gas spring undergoes changes in overall height, such as, for example, may be due to variations in load conditions applied thereto, as is well understood by those of skill in the art. It will be recognized that a wide variety of shapes, profiles and/or configurations can and have been used in forming the first or outer side wall of the piston assembly. As such, it will be appreciated that the profile of first side wall 122 is merely exemplary in that the same includes a first wall portion 126 having an approximately frustoconical or tapered shape, a second wall portion 128 having a curvilinear shape, and a third wall portion 130 having an approximately cylindrical shape.

[0018] Piston body 120 also includes a first or upper end wall 132 that extends circumferentially around axis AX and in an orientation that is generally transverse to axis AX and/or a portion of first side wall 122. Additionally, first end wall 132 is shown in FIG. 1 as including an approximately planar portion 134 that transitions into first side wall 122 at a curved or shoulder portion 136. It will be understood, however, that first end wall 132 can take any suitable shape, form and/or configuration. For example, shoulder portion 136 could have a larger or smaller radius and/or portion 134 could be at least partially curved or otherwise contoured. Furthermore, the description of first end wall 132 as extending generally transverse to first side wall 122 is to be broadly interpreted. As one example, first end wall 132 could be approximately perpendicular to first side wall 122, such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. Recognizing, however, that the first side wall and first end wall can take a wide variety of shapes, contours, forms and/or configurations, the term "transverse" should be interpreted as including a wide range of relative angular orientations, such as a range of plus (+) or minus (-) 45 degrees from horizontal, vertical or the relative orientation of the referenced feature or component, for example.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, piston body 120 further includes a second or inner side wall 138 that extends circumferentially around axis AX and in an orientation that is generally transverse, as previously defined, to first end wall 132 and/or in an orientation that is approximately aligned with axis AX. Second side wall 138 can take any suitable shape, form and/or configuration. For example, the second side wall can include approximately cylindrical inner and outer surfaces 140 and 142 (FIG. 2). Alternately, the second side wall can have one or more surfaces that are frustoconical, curvilinear and/or otherwise contoured. Additionally, second side wall 138 projects from first end wall 132 in a direction generally opposite second end 118 of piston body 120 and terminates at a second end wall 144 (FIG. 2), which is shown as being approximately planar. However, it will be recognized that any alternate shape, form and/or configuration could be used.

[0020] Piston body 120 also includes a retainment ridge 146 that extends circumferentially around axis AX and projects radially-outwardly from second side wall 138. As identified in FIG. 2, retainment ridge 146 includes an outermost edge 148_» a shoulder surface 150 and an outer surface 152. Shoulder surface 150 extends circumferentially around axis AX and radially outwardly from outer surface 142 of second side wall 138 to outermost edge 148. Additionally, shoulder surface 150 is disposed in facing relation to first end wall 132 and extends radially outwardly in generally transverse relation, as previously defined, to second side wall 138. While shoulder surface 150 is shown as being substantially continuous, it will be appreciated that a discontinuous or segmented arrangement could alternately be used in which a plurality of circumferentially-spaced shoulder portions are provided. Furthermore, outer surface 152 extends generally circumferentially around axis AX and is oriented along retainment ridge 146 in a direction facing radially outwardly and away from first end wall 132. Outermost edge 148 has a maximum cross-sectional dimension, which is identified in FIG. 2 by reference dimension D1.

[0021] Piston body 120 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials for providing the desired strength and retention properties of piston 106. Examples of materials that may be suitable for use in forming the piston body can include fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, such as glass (or other) fiber-reinforced polypropylene and glass (or other) fiber-reinforced polyamide, for example, and high- strength (unfilled) thermoplastics, such as polyester, polyethylene and other polyether- based materials or any combination thereof, for example.

[0022] In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, flexible sleeve 112 includes a flexible wall 154 that extends circumferentially about axis AX and longitudinally between opposing first and second open ends 156 and 158. Flexible wall 154 includes an inside surface 160 that is in fluid communication with spring chamber 114 and an outside surface 162 that abuttingly engages piston 106. As can be better seen in FIG. 2_» flexible wall 154 also includes an end surface 164 that extends between and connects the inside and outside surfaces along second open end 158.

[0023] First open end 156 can be secured on or along first end member 102 in any manner suitable for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therewith. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , flexible sleeve 112 can include a mounting bead 166 formed along first open end 156 that can, optionally, include an annular reinforcement member 168, such as a bead wire, for example, substantially fully embedded therein. First end member 102 can be secured along or across the first open end of the flexible sleeve, such as, for example, by capturing at least a portion of the mounting bead using a crimped edge connection 170.

[0024] It will be appreciated that flexible wall 154 can be formed in any suitable manner, such as by using one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers PL1 and PL2 (FIG. 2) and/or one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers (not shown), for example. Typically, one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies and one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies will be used together and formed from a common elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. In other cases, however, a combination of two or more different materials or two or more grades of the same material could be used. In either case, the elastomeric material or materials from which the plies are formed will have certain material and/or mechanical properties, such as a hardness property, for example.

[0025] Flexible sleeve 112 also includes an annular reinforcement member 172, such as a bead wire, for example, that is substantially fully embedded within the flexible wall along second open end 158. In a preferred arrangement, annular reinforcement member 172 is an endless ring that extends circumferentially around axis AX and is substantially fully encapsulated by flexible wall 154 along second open end 158. As such, it will be recognized that reinforcement member 172 is spaced inwardly into flexible wall 154 from inside surface 160, outside surface 162 and end surface 164. Annular reinforcement member 172, differs from conventional constructions in that annular reinforcement member 172 is shown as having a substantially square cross section, rather than having an approximately circular cross-sectional shape, as in annular reinforcement member 168, for example. As such, annular reinforcement member 172 is shown in FIG, 2 as having a plurality of discrete sides with side 174 facing generally toward inside surface 160, side 176 facing generally toward outside surface 162, and side 178 facing generally toward end surface 164. Additionally, side 180 is oriented between surfaces 160 and 162 and facing in a direction opposite side 178.

[0026] What's more, annular reinforcement member 172 is formed from an endless ring of solid material, rather than being formed from a plurality of strands or windings, as in conventional constructions. In a preferred arrangement, such an endless ring is formed from a material having a substantially higher tensile strength than the elastomeric material forming the flexible wall. Examples of suitable materials include metals, such as steel, for example, and thermoplastics, such as fiber-reinforce thermoplastics and high-strength (un-reinforced) thermoplastics, such as have been described above in connection with piston body 120, for example.

[0027] Additionally, gas spring assembly 100 can optionally include a filler element 182 (FIG. 2) that is substantially fully encapsulated within flexible wall 154 along second open end 158. Filler element 182 is shown as including an inside surface 184, an outside surface 186 and a surface 188 disposed in facing relation to side 180 of annular reinforcement member 172. Additionally, surface 188 is disposed in spaced relation to side 180 of annular reinforcement member 172 such that portion or section of material 190 is disposed therebetween.

[0028] In use, annular reinforcement member 172 can function, at least in part, to provide resistance to shear forces, such as are represented by arrows SHR (FIG. 2) as well as an increased resistance to rotation of the flexible wall around a circumferential axis AXC of reinforcement member 172, as indicated by arrow RT (FIG. 2), such as may be due at least in part to an increased moment of inertia and/or other property or characteristic of the annular reinforcement member that may be associated with the substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape of the annular reinforcement member. In this manner, the retainment element can assist in reducing deflection, deformation and/or yielding of second open end 158 of flexible wall 154 while under tension load conditions, such as may act or attempt to separate flexible sleeve 112 from the second end member (e.g., piston 106).

[0029] It will be appreciated that annular reinforcement member 172 can be of any size, shape, configuration and/or arrangement that may be suitable for performing or otherwise providing the foregoing or other functions, benefits and/or features. Additionally, it will be appreciated that any suitable materials or combination of materials can be used for filler element 182. In a preferred arrangement, flexible wall 154 will be at least partially formed from an elastomeric material that has a first hardness property (e.g., durometer) and filler element 182 will be at least partially formed from an elastomeric material that has a second harness property (e.g., durometer) that is greater than the first hardness property of the flexible wall. In this manner, the filler material can act as an additional stiffener and can provide a further increase in resistance to rotation of the flexible wall around circumferential axis AXC of reinforcement element 172.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment shown herein, retainment member 172 takes the form of an annular ring that extends circumferentially about axis AX and has a substantially square cross-sectional shape. As stated above, however, it is to be understood that the substantially square cross-sectional shape is merely exemplary and that any other suitable cross-sectional shape having a plurality of discrete sides could alternately be used, such as trapezoidal or parallelogram, for example. It will be appreciated that a cross-sectional shape having a plurality of discrete sides can be used. In a preferred arrangement, the plurality of discrete sides can include at least three and no more than eight sides. In a more preferred arrangement, the plurality of discrete sides includes at least four sides and no more than six sides.

[0031] As identified in FIG. 2, annular reinforcement member 172 can extend longitudinally between opposing sides 174 and 176. Retainment member 172 is also shown as including side 178 that at least partially defines an inside surface (not numbered) that has a cross-sectional inside dimension D2 (FIG. 2) and including side 180 that at least partially defines an outside surface (not numbered) that has a cross- sectional outside dimension D3 (FIG. 2). It will be recognized from FIG. 2 that inside dimension D2 is shown as being less than outside dimension D1 of retainment ridge 146 and that outside dimension D3 of the retainment member is greater than outside dimension D1 of the retainment ridge.

[0032] During assembly, second open end 158 of flexible sleeve 112 can be position adjacent outer surface 152 of retainment ridge 146. The flexible wall can then be urged, pressed or otherwise forced over the retainment ridge and into abutting engagement with one or more of first end wall 132 and/or second side wall 138 of piston body 120.

[0033] As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, components and/or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality or otherwise identify certain features, elements, components and/or structures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms "transverse," and the like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms "transverse," and the like, can include a wide range of relative angular orientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximately perpendicular angular orientation. Also, the terms "circumferential," "circumferentially," and the like, are to be broadly interpreted and can include, but are not limited to circular shapes and/or configurations. In this regard, the terms "circumferential," "circumferentially," and the like, can be synonymous with terms such as "peripheral," "peripherally," and the like.

[0034] Furthermore, the phrase "flowed-material joint" and the like are to be interpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid or otherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted metal or combination of melted metals) is deposited or otherwise presented between adjacent component parts and operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can be used to form such a flowed-material joint include, without limitation, welding processes, brazing processes and soldering processes. In such cases, one or more metal materials and/or alloys can be used to form such a flowed-material joint, in addition to any material from the component parts themselves. Another example of a process that can be used to form a flowed-material joint includes applying, depositing or otherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent component parts that is operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such case, it will be appreciated that any suitable adhesive material or combination of materials can be used, such as one-part and/or two-part epoxies, for example.

[0035] Further still, the term "gas" is used herein to broadly refer to any gaseous or vaporous fluid. Most commonly, air is used as the working medium of gas spring devices, such as those described herein, as well as suspension systems and other components thereof. However, it will be understood that any suitable gaseous fluid could alternately be used.

[0036] It will be recognized that numerous different features and/or components are presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that no one embodiment may be specifically shown and described as including all such features and components. As such, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass any and all combinations of the different features and components that are shown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitable arrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used. Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any such combination of features and/or components, whether or not specifically embodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure.

[0037] Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the present disclosure and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the subject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A gas spring sleeve comprising:

a flexible wall at least partially formed from elastomeric material and having a longitudinal axis, said flexible wall extending circumferentially about said axis and between a first open end and a second open end spaced longitudinally from said first open end; and,

an annular reinforcing element embedded within said flexible wall along said first open end, said annular reinforcing element being formed as an endless ring of solid material and having a plurality of discrete sides such that said annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

2. A gas spring sleeve according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of discrete sides is one of four discrete sides, five discrete sides and six discrete sides.

3. A gas spring sleeve according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said solid material is one of steel, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and un re info reed thermoplastic.

4. A gas spring sleeve according to any one of claims 1 -3, wherein said flexible wall includes a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments extending along at least two of said plurality of discrete sides.

5. A gas spring sleeve according to any one of claims 1 -4 further comprising a filler element embedded within said flexible wall adjacent said first open end.

6. A gas spring sleeve according to claim 5, wherein said filler element is spaced apart from said annular reinforcing element such that at least a portion of said elastomeric material of said flexible wall is disposed between said filler element and said annular reinforcing element.

7. A gas spring sleeve according to either one of claims 5 and 6, wherein said elastomeric material of said flexible wall has a first hardness property, and said filler element is formed from an elastomeric material having a second hardness property that is greater than said first hardness property such that said filler element has a higher rigidity than said flexible wall,

8. A gas spring assembly comprising:

an end member; and,

a gas spring sleeve according to any one of claims 1-8 operatively secured to said end member.

9. A gas spring assembly according to claim 8, wherein said end member includes an outer side wall extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends of said end member, an end wall disposed along said first end and extending transverse to said longitudinal axis, and an inner side wall extending longitudinally from said end wall, said first open end of said flexible wall received along said inner side wall such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween and such that said flexible wall forms a rolling lobe along said outer side wall of said end member.

10. A gas spring assembly according to either one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said end member includes a retainment ridge disposed circumferentially about said inner side wall, said retainment ridge including an outermost edge having a cross-sectional dimension with a first one of said plurality of discrete sides of said annular reinforcing element at least partially defining an inside surface of said annular reinforcing element, said inside surface having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than said cross- sectional dimension of said retainment ridge.

11. A gas spring assembly according to claim 10, wherein a second one of said plurality of discrete sides of said annular reinforcing element at least partially defines an outside surface of said annular reinforcing element, said outside surface having a cross- sectional dimension that is greater than said cross-sectional dimension of said retainment ridge.

12. A gas spring assembly according to either one of claims 10 and 11 , wherein said retainment ridge includes a shoulder wall disposed between said inner side wall and said outermost edge, a third one of said plurality of discrete sides disposed in approximate alignment with one of said shoulder wall and said end wall of said end member.

13. A gas spring assembly according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein said filler element is spaced outwardly from said outermost edge of said retainment ridge.

14. A method of assembling a gas spring sleeve, said method comprising:

providing an annular reinforcing element formed as an endless ring of solid material and having at least four sides such that said annular reinforcing element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape;

providing at least one uncured layer of elastomeric material and extending said at least one uncured layer of elastomeric material around at least three of said at least four sides of said annular reinforcing element to form an uncured flexible wall; and,

curing said uncured flexible wall to form said gas spring sleeve.

15. A method of assembling a gas spring assembly, said method comprising:

providing an end member including an outer side wall, an end wall extending transverse to said outer side wall, and an inner side wall extending from said end wall in a direction opposite said outer side wall;

providing a gas spring sleeve according to any one of claims 1-8; and,

urging said first open end of said gas spring sleeve into abutting engagement with said end member along said inner side wall such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween and such that said flexible wall is in abutting engagement with said end wall and a rolling lobe is formed by said flexible wall along said outer side wall.