Self-indexing spacer for air spring assembly

An air spring assembly adapted for use on an associated vehicle component of an associated vehicle, said air spring assembly comprising:

• an air spring including a first end member having a spring structural feature, a second end member in spaced relation to said first end member and a flexible wall secured between said first and second end members;
• and,
• a spacer suitable for supporting said air spring in spaced relation to the associated vehicle component, said spacer including a first side, an opposing second side, a spacer structural feature, a first indexing feature and a second indexing feature complementary to said first indexing feature;
• said first indexing feature being disposed on said spacer toward said first side and in a first predetermined orientation relative to said spacer structural feature, and said second indexing feature being disposed on said spacer toward said second side in a second predetermined orientation relative to said spacer structural feature, said first and second predetermined orientations being substantially similar such that said first and second indexing features are in substantial alignment with one another.

An air spring mounting kit for use in mounting an air spring on an associated suspension component of an associated vehicle and in selectively spaced relation thereto, said air spring mounting kit comprising:

• a first spacer including a first side, an opposing second side, a spacer structural feature, a first indexing feature formed toward said first side and a second indexing feature formed toward said second side, said first and second indexing features being complementary to one another and disposed in a predetermined orientation relative to said spacer structural feature;
• and,
• a second spacer including a first side, an opposing second side, a spacer structural feature, a first indexing feature formed toward said first side and a second indexing feature formed toward said second side, said first and second indexing features being complementary to one another and disposed in a predetermined orientation relative to said spacer structural feature;
• at least one of said first and second indexing features of said first spacer and at least one of said first and second indexing features of said second spacer being adapted to interengage one another and form a common axis therebetween, upon undergoing an axially applied external force therebetween said first and second spacers automatically registering said spacer structural feature of said first spacer and said spacer structural feature of said second spacer in substantial alignment with one another.