Leaf spring tip insert with semi-liquid or thermally deformable retention pin

A vehicular suspension leaf spring assembly comprising:

• at least a first spring leaf;
• at least a second spring leaf adjacent the first spring leaf;
• said second spring leaf having an opening and a vehicular leaf spring tip insert, said insert including:
• a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent spring leaf tips;
• at least one shank portion extending from said pad portion to a free end, said shank portion having a generally axial bore, said shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward said pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, said protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that said protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of said shank portion therethrough;
• and
• a pin for insertion into said shank bore, said pin retaining said shank protuberance in a position to extend said protuberance radially outward to enable said shank leaf spring engagement surface to become engageable with said leaf spring, said pin being provided by a semi-liquid material which is filled into said shank portion axial bore and is solidified and/or cured to a state having sufficient rigidity to resist inward deflection of said protuberance.

A vehicular suspension leaf spring assembly comprising:

• at least a first spring leaf;
• at least a second spring leaf adjacent the first spring leaf;
• said second spring leaf having an opening and a vehicular leaf spring tip insert, said insert including:
• a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent spring leaf tips;
• at least one shank portion extending from said pad portion to a free end, said shank portion having a generally axial bore, said shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward said pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, said protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that said protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of said shank portion therethrough;
• and
• a pin formed by thermally contacting said protuberance and deforming the same, said pin retaining said shank protuberance in a position to extend said protuberance radially outward to enable said shank leaf spring engagement surface to become engageable with said leaf spring.