Abstract: A dry friction shock absorber including a casing having an internal surface, a piston of low coefficient of friction bearing material having an external surface in contiguous relationship with the internal surface of the casing, attachment fittings on the piston and the casing for moving the piston into the casing when the shock absorber is subjected to shock forces, and expanding structure within the piston for tending to move the external surface of the piston outwardly toward the internal surface of the casing to increase the friction therebetween when the shock absorbing force is applied to the shock absorber for moving the piston into the casing. Adjustment structure is provided for varying the expanding force on the piston. A shock absorber of the foregoing type wherein the expanding structure is not activated when the piston moves slowly relative to the casing but which produces an expanding force on the piston when the shock absorber is subjected to shock forces both in tension and compression.

Abstract: A spring consisting of a rope having a plurality of strands each containing a plurality of monofilaments, and a cured binder which has saturated the rope under pressure to cause it to be self-sustaining in spring form. A method of fabricating a spring including the steps of providing a conventional rope composed of a plurality of monofilaments, saturating the rope under pressure with a binder to form a combined rope and binder, forming the combined rope and binder into a predetermined spring shape, and curing the binder to cause the spring to be self-sustaining in the formed predetermined spring shape. A self-damping spring formed by the foregoing method wherein the rope is of the twisted type, and the amount of damping being dependent on the angularity of the twisting. A spring consisting of a first portion of a rope impregnated with binder to hold the spring in a self-sustaining shape and an untreated second rope portion formed integrally with the first portion.

Abstract: A spring consisting of a rope having a plurality of strands each containing a plurality of monofilaments, and a cured binder which has saturated the rope under pressure to cause it to be self-sustaining in spring form. A method of fabricating a spring including the steps of providing a conventional rope composed of a plurality of monofilaments, saturating the rope under pressure with a binder to form a combined rope and binder, forming the combined rope and binder into a predetermined spring shape, and curing the binder to cause the spring to be self-sustaining in the formed predetermined spring shape. A self-damping spring formed by the foregoing method wherein the rope is of the twisted type, and the amount of damping being dependent on the angularity of the twisting. A spring consisting of a first portion of a rope impregnated with binder to hold the spring in a self-sustaining shape and an untreated second rope portion formed integrally with the first portion.

Abstract: A fluid shock absorber of either the pneumatic or liquid type having a frustoconical threaded bleed plug for varying the shock absorbing capacity of the shock absorber. A shock absorber construction utilizing air or liquid having a piston which is expandable whereby expansion to the associated cylinder wall exerts a frictional resistance proportional to the variation in back pressure resulting from the variable restricted flow past the frustoconical bleed plug. A liquid-type shock absorber having a self-contained chamber and a frustoconical bleed plug arrangement wherein liquid from the cylinder is forced into the chamber through the frustoconical bleed plug arrangement. In certain embodiments the bleed arrangement is located in the cylinder wall, and in another embodiment it is located in the piston head.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid amplified shock absorber including a casing having a chamber, a piston rod slidable in the casing, a piston head mounted on the piston rod within the chamber, an adjustable channel located between the piston head and piston rod for providing different levels of fluid amplified flow, the adjustable channel being changed in size by axially moving the piston head relative to the piston rod by a threaded connection therebetween, and serrations on the piston head for engagement with grooves on the casing to hold the piston head against rotation while the piston rod is being turned during adjustment.

Abstract: An energy absorber device including a plastic cylinder having a smaller and larger diameter portion with a shoulder at the junction therebetween, a screw-in plastic seal at one end of the casing surrounding a piston member, a metal housing having smaller and larger diameter portions for sliding engagement with the smaller and larger diameter portions of the casing and having a shoulder for abutting engagement with the shoulder on the casing, and an abutment member carried by the housing for engaging the outer end of the piston member.

Abstract: A fluid energy absorber device, such as a fluid spring or shock absorber, or combination of both, having a composite casing, compressible fluid in the composite casing, and a piston in the composite casing, the composite casing including an inner plastic cylinder having an outer surface, and an outer high strength plastic cylinder on the outer surface for reinforcing the inner plastic cylinder, the outer high strength plastic cylinder including fibers of metal or plastic extending longitudinally of the inner cylinder and plastic stretchable fibers extending circumferentially of the inner cylinder so as to permit radial expansion of the inner cylinder to provide a high spring rate as compared to a fluid energy absorber device, such as a fluid spring, having a simple plastic casing, the fibers of the outer cylinder being encased in a resin.

Abstract: A fluid energy absorber device, such as a fluid spring or shock absorber, or a combination of both, having a composite casing of an outer cylinder of molded plastic around an inner high strength plastic cylinder having high strength fibers therein, the high strength fibers extending both longitudinally and circumferentially, with the circumferential fibers preferably being a high strength plastic which will permit the casing to expand radially. The inner cylinder may be a separate plastic cylinder containing the high strength fibers and to which the outer cylinder is bonded, or the inner cylinder may be formed by a matrix of plastic which is a continuation of the outer cylinder. The high strength cylinder may be located between inner and outer plastic cylinders which are fused to each other to encapsulate the high strength cylinder.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly including a valve member maintained on a seat by a tensioned wire or filament which is heated to permit the valve member to move off of its seat. A piston and cylinder assembly including a conduit therein for permitting pressurized fluid to actuate the piston when an electrically operated valve of the type described above is actuated. A self-contained system including a reservoir, compressible liquid in the reservoir, a squib for pressurizing the compressible liquid, a piston and cylinder, a conduit between the reservoir and the cylinder, and a valve of the above-described type in the conduit for selectively admitting pressurized compressed liquid to the cylinder. A piston and cylinder system including a plurality of the above-described valve assemblies and associated conduits for selectively admitting hydraulic liquid to opposite sides of the piston to move it in opposite directions.

Abstract: A liquid spring unit operable in both tension and compression including a cylinder, compressible liquid in the cylinder, a piston and a seal for the piston, a first sleeve mounted for telescopic movement with respect to the cylinder, a collapsible housing consisting of a second sleeve mounted about the first sleeve and a third sleeve mounted on the second sleeve, a first attachment member mounted relative to the first sleeve for attachment to a first external member, a second attachment member on the third sleeve for attachment to a second external member, a stop for preventing the second and third sleeves from extending beyond a predetermined length when tension forces are applied to the first and second attachment members, a slidable connection between the second and third sleeves for permitting the housing to collapse when compressive forces are applied to the first and second attachment members, and a connection between the piston and the housing for driving the piston into the cylinder when both tension

Abstract: A liquid shock absorber device including a plastic cylinder having first and second ends, a piston rod having a first end within the cylinder and a second end externally of the cylinder, a plastic seal formed integrally with the cylinder at the first end and defining an opening for receiving the piston rod in sealing relationship, a closure for closing the second end of the cylinder, and fluid in the cylinder. The closure on the second end may have a piston associated therewith for preloading the fluid.

Abstract: A liquid spring unit operable in both tension and compression includes a liquid spring having a cylinder, a piston, a seal between the cylinder and piston, and compressible liquid in the cylinder. A cylinder extension has diametrically opposed slots therein. A sleeve slidably mounts the cylinder and has diametrically opposed slots in alignment with the slots in the cylinder extension. A link is attached to the piston and has pintles received in the pairs of aligned slots. A first load-receiving member is attached to the sleeve and a second load-receiving member bears on the link to force the piston into the cylinder when the load-receiving members are moved toward each other and causes the cylinder to be moved onto the piston when the load-receiving members are pulled away from each other.

Abstract: A molded plastic cylinder for an energy absorber, fluid cylinder, or the like, which includes a main body portion having a first outer diameter and a first thickness, and an end portion formed integrally with the main body portion and having a second outer diameter which is less than the first diameter and also having a second thickness which is not substantially greater than the first thickness, an internal shoulder located substantially at the junction of the main body portion and the end portion, and an external thread on said main body portion in a low stressed area of said cylinder for attaching said cylinder to an external structure.

Abstract: A pressure accumulator including a plastic cylinder having first and second cylinder ends, a piston in the cylinder, a bore in the first cylinder end, a piston rod attached to the piston and extending through the bore, a cylinder cap at the second end, a fluid inlet at the second cylinder end for conducting fluid into the cylinder, an external portion on the piston rod located outside of the cylinder, and a composite helical spring encircling the cylinder and having a first end attached proximate the cap and a second end attached to the external portion of the piston rod.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly including a valve member maintained on a seat by a tensioned wire or filament which is heated to permit the valve member to move off of its seat. A piston and cylinder assembly including a conduit therein for permitting pressurized fluid to actuate the piston when an electrically operated valve of the type described above is actuated. A self-contained system including a reservoir, compressible liquid in the reservoir, a squib for pressurizing the compressible liquid, a piston and cylinder, a conduit between the reservoir and the cylinder, and a valve of the above-described type in the conduit for selectively admitting pressurized compressed liquid to the cylinder. A piston and cylinder system including a plurality of the above-described valve assemblies and associated conduits for selectively admitting hydraulic liquid to opposite sides of the piston to move it in opposite directions.

Abstract: A shock absorber which can be used in tension or compression and which is adjustable in either mode of operation including a casing having first and second ends, a piston rod extending through the first end and having a piston head mounted thereon within the casing, a reversible check valve structure mounted in a cartridge for insertion into the second end, a spring within the cartridge, an adjustable member for exerting a force on one end of the spring, and a check valve member biased by the opposite end of the spring.

Abstract: A liquid shock absorber device including a plastic cylinder having first and second ends, a piston rod having a first end within the cylinder and a second end externally of the cylinder, a plastic seal formed integrally with the cylinder at the first end and defining an opening for receiving the piston rod in sealing relationship, a closure for closing the second end of the cylinder, and fluid in the cylinder. The closure on the second end may have a piston associated therewith for preloading the fluid.

Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle having a vehicle frame, a high strength bumper having a central portion and outer end portions, a first energy absorber unit coupled between the vehicle engine and the central portion of the bumper, additional energy absorber units coupled between the frame and the outer end portions of the bumper, and pivotal connections between the energy absorber units and the bumper to permit the bumper to swing to a deflecting position upon engagement with an obstruction such as a pole while the energy absorber units absorb the shock of impact.

Abstract: An energy absorber unit including a cylinder, liquid in the cylinder, a piston for movement into the cylinder for providing a liquid energy absorbing capability, and relatively movable parts associated with the cylinder and having frictional engagement for additionally providing a dry energy absorbing capability. An energy absorbing unit including a tubular cylinder, a first tubular member slidable on the cylinder for carrying a force receiving member, and a second tubular member mounted on the first tubular member for mounting the first tubular member on a supporting member. An energy management system for a vehicle having a frame, an engine mounted on the frame and a bumper, including a first energy absorber unit mounted between the engine and the bumper and a plurality of second energy absorber units mounted between the bumper and the frame.

Abstract: A liquid spring shock absorber is provided with an improved piston head-piston rod assembly free of stress force concentrating design features. The shock absorber assembly further includes a slidably extending member for the accomodation of tension loads.