End closures as well as gas spring assemblies and methods of assembly including same

A gas spring assembly comprising:

• a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis and including a flexible wall extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends and at least partially defining a spring chamber therebetween, said flexible wall being formed from a quantity of elastomeric material that is in an at least substantially-cured condition;
• a first end member dimensioned for securement to an associated first structural component, said first end member extending across said first end of said flexible spring member and secured thereto such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therewith;
• a second end member dimensioned for securement to an associated second structural component and in spaced relation to said first end member, said second end member abuttingly engaging said flexible spring member such that a rolling lobe can be formed by said flexible spring member along said second end member;
• and,
• an end closure secured to said second end member and dimensioned to form a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection with said flexible spring member upon receivingly engaging said second end of said flexible spring member while in said at least substantially-cured condition thereof.

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

• providing a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axis and extending peripherally about said longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, said flexible spring member at least partially formed from an elastomeric material in a substantially-cured condition;
• providing an end closure including a side wall portion dimensioned to receivingly engage said first end of said flexible spring member;
• providing a first end member and securing said end closure on said first end member to form an end member and end closure assembly;
• and,
• displacing said first end of said flexible spring member in said substantially-cured condition and said end member and end closure assembly relative to one another such that said first end is received along said side wall portion and such that a substantially fluid-tight, friction-fit connection is formed between said end closure and said first end of said flexible spring member.