Abstract: A cylindrical body, a plurality of grooves formed on an inner wall surface of the cylindrical body, and a device main body provided with an adjusting body disposed in the cylindrical body and rotatable in an inner circumferential direction of the cylindrical body can be provided. Further, the grooves can be formed continuously or intermittently along a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. A plurality of control members can be disposed along a longitudinal direction of the adjusting body. The control member can be provided with a ball projected from a side surface of the adjusting body and urged to engage with the grooves. At least one ball provided for one control member can be located between adjacent grooves and a ball provided for another control member can be engaged with one of the groove.

Abstract: A bicycle component actuating device is provided with a base member, a first user operating member, a locking member and a second user operating member. The first user operating member rotates between first and second operating positions about a rotational axis in a first operating plane that intersects with the rotational axis. The locking member is moves between a locking position to lock the first user operating member in the second operating position and a releasing position to release the first operating member from the second operating position. The second user operating member moves from a non-releasing position to a releasing position for releasing the first user operating member. One of the locking member and the second user operating member is movably along an operating path that intersects with the first operating plane of the first user operating member.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to generate a stable damping force and enhance durability of a main valve in a hydraulic shock absorber in which valve opening of the main valve is controlled by an inner pressure of a backpressure chamber. A first piston 3 and a second piston 4 coupled to a piston rod 10 are fitted in a cylinder 2 such that a piston chamber 2C is defined between the first and second pistons 3, 4. An extension-side main valve 18 and a compression-side main valve 23 are provided in the piston chamber 2C. Valve opening of the main valves is controlled by an extension-side backpressure chamber 19 and a compression-side backpressure chamber 24. A compression-side check valve 13 and an extension-side check valve 16 are provided at the first piston 3 and the second piston 4. During an extension stroke of the piston rod 10, the compression-side check valve 13 is closed, whereby action of a pressure of a cylinder upper chamber 2A on the compression-side main valve 23 is prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damping method and device for a roll stand to reduce the sensitivity to chatter thereof. In the method of the invention the absorption is conducted by a chatter mass (8) situated above each post (2) forming the roll stand (1) and the vibration energy is dissipated in a mattress (83) of an incompressible fluid forming a direct link between each post (2) and the chatter mass (8) According to the invention the fluid mattress is kept in a steady flow by supply means (91) and exhaust means of adjustable caliber (92). The frequency response of the system and its damping coefficient are set by the dimensioning of the chatter mass (8), the control of the thickness (h) of the fluid mattress and its flow rate via the calibrated orifice (92).

Abstract: The multifunctional portable pneumatic exercise device is a muscular exercise and training device that may be used for a multiplicity of exercises and with a wide variety of muscle groups. The exercise device includes a telescopic tube that is sealed at a distal end thereof and has a valve mounted on the proximal end thereof. In operation, the user compresses the telescopic tube and the increased air pressure within the telescopic tube causes fluid resistance, providing the user with muscular exercise. The user controls the fluid resistance through selective adjustment of the valve, which controls the volume of air escaping from the telescopic tube. Further, a pair of straps are releasably secured to either end of the telescopic tube, allowing the telescopic tube to be secured to a selected body part. The exercise device is portable, easy to operate and provides a wide range of muscular exercises for the user.

Abstract: A telescopic fork leg with damping system comprising piston and piston rod arrangements. The arrangements perform longitudinal shift motions in a medium-containing chamber. The chamber is situated in a tubular part belonging to the damping system. The piston rod arrangement is designed so as in the chamber, with its parts present therein, to have substantially constant volume regardless of the shift motions. Substantial displacement creation is thereby prevented. Moreover, the medium strives to assume and maintain a particular pressure, preferably a positive pressure, on the low-pressure side of the piston arrangement. Positive pressure build-up is therefore present in the damping system and the pressure on the low-pressure side does not need to be lower than the system pressure. A valve arrangement for handling a displacement can therefore be eliminated and the telescopic fork leg can be given an advantageous and easy-to-use structure with, for example, adjustment facilities for leak flows.

Abstract: Shock absorber components, such as a radial bypass damper, an anti-cavitation valve (ACV) and an incremental flow metering valve IFMV. The damper is of a continuous, unitary construction with a main hole and auxiliary holes interconnected by passageways. The ACV has openings that angle obliquely relative to entry surfaces of valving shims and extend at an incline continuously through the valving shims. The metering valve linearly regulates flow, substantially independent of piston displacement.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle suspension includes a pneumatic actuator that is fluidly connected to a compressed air source in the vehicle suspension, such as a suspension air bag. The pneumatic actuator cooperates with an adjustment mechanism housed within the shock absorber to adjust damping. The shock absorber includes a main rod that supports a piston for axial movement within a cylinder body. The piston separates the cylinder body into first and second fluid chambers. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment rod that is received within an axial bore formed within the main rod. The adjustment rod is axially moved within the axial bore by the pneumatic actuator to uncover and cover a plurality of bores that are in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second fluid chambers. The pneumatic actuator includes a plunger having a tapered surface that engages the adjuster rod to move the adjuster rod in a desired direction to adjust damping.

Abstract: A shock absorber that combines both the suspension function and the shock absorbing function in one unit. It has an elongated shock body filled with hydraulic fluid and a piston mounted on a piston rod that reciprocally travels within the shock body. The shock body is telescopically received in a bypass cylinder body having a greater diameter that produces an annular chamber between the outer surface of the shock body and the inner surface of the bypass cylinder body. A coil spring is mounted on the outside surface of the bypass cylinder body to provide a suspension function by the shock absorber. A plurality of bypass tubes are associated with longitudinally spaced ports in the shock body. Adjuster rods are telescopically received inside the respective bypass tubes for controlling whether the individual ports are closed, partially open, or fully open. These adjuster rods would be manipulated externally of the shock absorber assembly.

Abstract: A cable guide routing a control cable that extends between an actuator and a suspension system having a crown connecting two parallel tubular bodies to a steerer tube. The cable guide includes a housing formed on the crown and having a bore extending therethrough for receiving the control cable. The suspension system includes a spool located on an end of one of the tubular bodies for winding and unwinding the control cable. The housing is configured on the suspension system such that a portion of the control cable extending between the housing and the spool lies substantially in a plane of the spool. So configured, friction is minimized.

Abstract: A shock absorber (1) includes a compression chamber (2) in which a piston (3) moves along a path of travel from a near end to a far end. The chamber includes a constant force mode bleed orifice (10) adjacent the far end and a series of progressive force bleed orifices (9a–9e) at spaced intervals between the near and far ends. An adjustment cylinder (12) has sloping arcuate apertures (13a–13e). As the cylinder (12) is rotated, one of the arcuate apertures aligns with the constant force orifice or the apertures align with the progressive force orifices in full or in part.

Abstract: A suspension device includes a cap connected to a seal member on the inner tube of the front fork. A cable has one end fixed to a rod and the other end extends through the cap and is connected to a switching device on the handlebar. The rod has an end section which is connected to a frame and the frame is fixed to the suspension device. The rod is lifted by operating the switching device to pull the cable so as to set the suspension device at a locked status.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber for applying a force to a moving member so as to decelerate the member. The present invention provides a cylindrical outer tube having a plurality of circular, angular grooves formed in the inner surface of the tube. A cylindrical inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube and is engageable with the moving member. The piston moves between a compressed position and an extended position. The inner tube has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. A screw thread is formed in the outer surface of the inner tube and is fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube rotate with respect to each other to adjust the level of fluid communication between the rearward end and the forward end of the shock absorber to adjust the level of force applied to the moving member.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a shock rod and piston which are disposed within a fluid chamber within a shock body. The piston separates the shock body fluid chamber into a compression fluid chamber and a rebound fluid chamber. A reservoir fluid chamber accommodates the entry of the shock rod into the fluid chamber as the shock absorber compresses under shock forces. The compression fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir fluid chamber through a third chamber or passage. A first valve may control passage of fluid from the compression fluid chamber into the passage. Second and third valves may be disposed within the passage in parallel with each other and in series with the first valve. The third valve may include an easily accessible knob disposed outside the shock body.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber for applying a force to a moving member so as to decelerate the member. The present invention provides a cylindrical outer tube having a plurality of circular, angular grooves formed in the inner surface of the tube. A cylindrical inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube and is engageable with the moving member. The piston moves between a compressed position and an extended position. The inner tube has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. A screw thread is formed in the outer surface of the inner tube and is fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube rotate with respect to each other to adjust the level of fluid communication between the rearward end and the forward end of the shock absorber to adjust the level of force applied to the moving member.

Abstract: A bicycle front suspension system includes two cylinders on the front fork and each cylinder includes an outer tube and an inner tube which is movably received in the outer tube. A cap is rotatably connected to the inner tube and connected to a rod. A control cable is connected between the cap and a lever which is rotatably engaged in a collar on the handlebar of the bicycle. The lever is rotated to operate the control cable so as to rotate the cap and the rod. The rotation of the rod controls the communication between two chambers in the inner tube so that the hydraulic fluid is controlled to make the cylinder to be locked or operative.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension system that includes an indicator for displaying the travel of a bicycle suspension system in response to an applied load. The system includes an inner tube telescopically engaging with the outer tube along an axis. A biasing mechanism biases the inner and outer tube apart from each other along the axis. The indicator is disposed along a length of the inner and outer tubes. The indicator may include a plurality of markings on the inner tube and a pointer on the outer tube. Each marking corresponds to a distance that the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other. The suspension system may include an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other in response to an applied load. The rider may select the desired travel by actuating the adjustment mechanism to align the marking corresponding to the desired travel with the pointer.

Abstract: A shock absorber (1) includes a compression chamber (2) in which a piston (3) moves along a path of travel from a near end to a far end. The chamber includes a constant force mode bleed orifice (10) adjacent the far end and a series of progressive force bleed orifices (9a-9e) at spaced intervals between the near and far ends. An adjustment cylinder (12) has sloping arcuate apertures (13a-13e). As the cylinder (12) is rotated, one of the arcuate apertures aligns with the constant force orifice or the apertures align with the progressive force orifices in full or in part.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1) full of shock-absorbing fluid, with a piston (3) mounted on the end of piston rod (2), traveling back and forth inside the cylinder, separating the cylinder into two compartments (4 & 5), and provided with ports and shock-absorption valves, and with a variable bypass system accommodated in an axial bore (13) in the piston rod provided with lateral radial openings (11 & 26) extending through the rod. The object is to allow fixed independent establishment of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the suction phase and of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the compression phase.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping adjustment mechanism that can easily be incorporated into a twin cylinder design. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder mounted within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is spaced apart from the outer cylinder to define a gap. A piston is mounted within a fluid filled chamber formed within the inner cylinder to dampen vibrations. Holes are drilled into the wall of the inner cylinder to provide fluid ports that can communicate with the gap to form a bi-directional fluid path as the piston moves back and forth within the chamber to dampen vibrations. To provide variable damping, the outer cylinder includes an eccentric inner diameter to outer diameter profile that allows damping adjustment between high and low damping forces. The damping force is adjusted by rotating the outer cylinder relative to the inner cylinder to vary the size of the gap with respect to the ports.

Abstract: A vibration damper, particularly a mono-tube vibration damper, has a cylinder in which a piston rod is arranged together with a piston so as to be axially movable, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into two work spaces filled with a work medium, the vibration damper having at least one deaerating device at the outer surroundings of the vibration damper for the areas filled with the work medium.

Abstract: An off-road bicycle suspension fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs and includes a cartridge tube connected to the lower leg and a piston connected to the upper tube by a shaft. The piston is telescopingly engaged with the cartridge tube to define a compression chamber below the piston. A control assembly is located at a top portion of the upper leg and is in communication with the compression chamber via a central passage of the shaft. A reservoir is defined between at least a portion of the lower tube and the cartridge. During compression of the suspension fork, fluid flows from the compression chamber, upward through the central passage of the shaft, through the control assembly and to the reservoir.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder in which a piston is guided so as to be displaceable axially, wherein the piston separates the cylinder into two work spaces which communicate via at least one bypass groove in the cylinder depending on the stroke position of the piston, wherein the cylinder is formed of multiple parts and a portion of the cylinder with the at least one bypass groove is displaceable axially relative to at least one further portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1) full of shock-absorbing fluid, with a piston (3) mounted on the end of piston rod (2), traveling back and forth inside the cylinder, separating the cylinder into two compartments (4 & 5), and provided with ports and shock-absorption valves, and with a variable bypass system accommodated in an axial bore (13) in the piston rod provided with lateral radial openings (11 & 26) extending through the rod. The object is to allow fixed independent establishment of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the suction phase and of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the compression phase.

Abstract: A vibration damper with adjustable damping force, having a cylinder in which a piston is guided with a piston rod so as to be axially movable. The piston divides the cylinder into a first and a second work space. At least one damping valve is arranged in a flow connection of one of the two work spaces and is adjustable via an external adjusting device. The damping valve has a sleeve-shaped housing in which a valve body is arranged so as to be movable. The housing of the damping valve is closed at the end by a cover which has, on the outer side, an engagement for the adjusting device which can be mounted separate from the damping valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a housing, a piston slidable in the housing, a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston, a cup-shaped stop cap secured to the free end of the piston rod, and an adjusting ring which protrudes from the end of the housing and can be rotated to adjust the damping coefficient by adjusting the open cross-section of throttle openings through which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the piston. When a load pushes against the stop cap, the maximum travel is limited by the stop cap bearing directly against a rigid end ring of the housing. The load forces are introduced directly from the stop cap into the housing, without applying any loads onto the adjusting ring or other components. The adjusting ring and a return spring coaxially on the piston rod are accommodated within the stop cap in the fully retracted position.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises an adjustment component movable in two degrees of freedom. When the adjustment component is adjusted within one of its degrees of freedom of movement, a characteristic, such as the compression damping, is adjusted and when the adjustment component is adjusted within the other of its degrees of freedom of movement another characteristic, such as the rebound damping, is adjusted. The invention extends to a method of adjusting the operation of a shock absorber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustment device for a hydraulic shock absorber. This hydraulic shock absorber device is characterized in that it comprises a monoblock head (1) designed to be fitted with a removable shock absorber cylinder, a fluid reservoir and adjustment device (2, 3, 6) for high shock absorber piston displacement speeds and adjustment device (2, 3, 4) for low shock absorber piston displacement speeds, the monoblock head (1) comprising a duct enabling fluid circulation between the shock absorber and the reservoir, in which the high and low speed adjustment device (2, 3, 4, 6) are assembled such that their axes of symmetry are coaxial with the duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydropneumatic shock absorber. This new telescopic system comprises an outer sliding tube, an inner sliding tube and structure for adjusting the braking level of the shock absorber in expansion. Fastened on the base of the outer sliding tube is the bottom of a barrel on which rests an elastic structure, such as a counter-acting spring, which pushes on the inner sliding tube in the expansion stroke. The inner sliding tube carries at its internal end a bell which cooperates with a stop spring when in the expansion stroke. The liquid filled barrel contains an axially movable piston connected to the closure plug assembly with the piston contains a first valve, which opens only in the compression phase, and a second valve, which acts as variable throttle and is controlled by the padded end of a screw axially placed within the support tube. By acting on a screw, the expansion braking level of the shock absorber can be adjusted.

Abstract: A safety device to arrest movement of an elevator car guided by non-metallic guide rails employs a friction surface mounted on a wedge. The wedge is located in proximity to an angular horizontal locator when in the unengaged position. Upon activation of the wedge during an overspeed condition the horizontal locator urges the friction surface of the wedge into contact with the guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorber having improved damping. On the base of the shock absorber there is fastened the bottom of a barrel on which rests the counter-acting spring which urges in expansion the piston of the shock absorber. The barrel contains damping fluid and has a piston which is axially movable with lateral seal. The shock absorber also has an external secondary flow dampening device which is connected to the base of the shock absorber via a tube. In the strut base, and the connecting appendage there is a plug adjustment which moves laterally and limits an alternative path of flow for the liquid through the base flow damper and the piston flow damper respectively. By acting on the plug adjustments it is possible to adjust the braking level in expansion of the strut. Each flow damper also is affixed with a shim. The shim on the piston flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the expansion phase, thereby damping the reaction of the strut to expansion.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension fork for use on a bicycle, and preferably a road bicycle. The suspension fork has a preload adjuster that is designed and formed such that it is readily usable in the front fork of a bicycle without adding undue weight to the bicycle. The preload adjuster has interengaging preload elements that, instead of having a bulky adjustment mechanism typically provided for preload adjustment. Preferably, the preload elements have interengaging ribs and grooves, the relative position of which are adjustable to adjust preload on the suspension biasing element in the fork. Additionally, a lockout mechanism is provided for adjusting the compressibility of the suspension fork by rotating no more than about 60° during use of the bicycle. The lockout mechanism preferably has first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication and a fluid circulation control unit. Fluid flows between the chambers during compression and expansion of the suspension fork.

Abstract: An adjustable damping valve in a damping valve housing for a vibration damper includes a valve unit with an inlet opening in the region of a valve seat face. A valve disk is supported on the valve seat face. The valve disk is pretensioned on its rear side by a spring, wherein the pretensioning of the spring is adjustable for changing the damping force in that a supporting surface of the spring is displaceable. The supporting surface is in a working connection with a catch device, wherein the catch device can be locked by steps in that the spring which acts on the valve disk applies force to the locking bodies of the catch device in a catch profile for resiliently holding the supporting surface in a locked position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydropneumatic shock absorber. This new telescopic system comprises an outer sliding tube, an inner sliding tube having an adjustable braking level of the shock absorber in expansion. Fastened on the base of the outer sliding tube is the bottom of a barrel on which rests counter-acting spring, or other elastic device, which pushes on the inner sliding tube in the expansion stroke. The inner sliding tube carries at its internal end a bell which cooperates with a stop spring when in the expansion stroke. The liquid filled barrel contains an axially movable piston connected to the closure plug assembly of the inner sliding tube by a support tube. The piston contains a first valve, which opens only in the compression phase, and a second valve, which acts as variable throttle and is controlled by the padded end of a screw axially placed within the support tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder control unit for gait control of a prosthetic limb which features two cylindrical tubes that are eccentric with respect to each other. The inner tube houses hydraulic fluid and the gap between the two tubes serves as a displacement chamber as a piston, mounted on a piston rod, moves through the fluid in the inner tube. When the outer tube is rotated about the inner tube, the gap between the tubes changes which either increases or decreases the flow allowed between the tubes. This changes the resistance which controls the rate of swing of an artificial limb. The resistance is easily adjustable by a simple rotation of the outer cylindrical tube. A floating sealed piston is additionally provided at the bottom of the inner tube. The sealed piston moves upwards or downwards depending on the balance of forces between the fluid force above the piston and the stored energy force below the sealed piston.

Abstract: An adjustable rebound damping shock absorber (10) has an inner cylinder (14) disposed within and spaced radially from an outer cylinder (13) to form a reservoir (20) therebetween, a piston assembly (15) slidably disposed within the inner cylinder, a piston rod (16) extending from the piston assembly through a first end (11) of the inner and outer cylinders, and a closure (17). The closure has a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between a rebound chamber (36) and the reservoir. The fluid flow path has a variable jet (88), a variable orifice (85) and a variable spring (86) actuated damping valve (87) for controlling fluid flow from the rebound chamber and the reservoir. The jet, the orifice, the spring rate and damping valve are simultaneously adjustable by an adjusting pin (73). The variable spring has a tapered portion which varies in outside diameter from one end of the portion to the other end of the portion, creating a variable spring rate.

Abstract: An improved shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system that incorporates an internal damping arrangement that permits a smooth transition between first and second damping rates. The mechanism includes a metering rod that is mounted in such a way that it will self-adjust in its position relative to a bore extending through the piston rod. An arrangement is disclosed for mounting the pistons on the piston rod so as to permit control of their positions without necessitating threaded adjusting devices.

Abstract: A double-acting hydraulic cylinder for use in an exercising apparatus to provide a resistance to a user of the exercising apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic controllable vibration absorber for an automotive vehicle has a power cylinder that is divided a vibration absorber piston into a first power chamber, which is configurated above the vibration absorber piston, and a second power chamber, which is configurated beneath the vibration absorber piston. These configurations allow both chambers to be brought into connection with a balancing chamber. The vibration absorber is equipped with a sensor arrangement which affords a recognition of the direction of movement of the vibration absorber piston. The sensor arrangement is inserted between the second power chamber and the balancing chamber.

Abstract: Snubbers are useful in dampening inertia loads at the end of stroke movement of hydraulic cylinders. The known snubbers have one part attached to a piston rod assembly and another part on the cylinder assembly thereby any misalignment between the piston rod and cylinder assembly will produce inconsistent snubbing action. The subject snubber mechanism of the invention is attached to the cylinder assembly and includes a sleeve position around a stem, the sleeve is moved from a first position to a second operative position by contact with the piston rod assembly. The stem defines a variable rate flow path continuously communicating an actuating chamber with a pressure source as controlled by movement of the sleeve relative to the stem.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system comprises four tunable dual-axis hydraulic inertial isolators, an array of accelerometers, and a controller. The controller inputs signals from the accelerometers and outputs signals to tune the isolators to minimize the vibration transmitted from a vibrating body to an isolated body. The isolators are tuned by varying the dimensions of their tuning passages or by application of magnetohydrodynamic force to the liquid within the tuning passages.

Abstract: Snubbers are useful in dampening inertia loads at the end of stroke movement of a hydraulic motor. Known snubbers usually have a spear type annular orifice with an associated plunger which usually restrict fluid flow in the non-snubbing mode thereby slowing response in the opposite direction. The subject snubber includes a snubber stem which is moved to contact the end of a tubular hydraulic cylinder so that all fluid from an actuating chamber must pass through a circular orifice which will build up pressure in the actuating chamber to provide a dampening effect on a piston rod assembly. When fluid is directed into the actuating chamber the snubber stem will move away from the end of the tubular hydraulic cylinder to allow free flow into the actuating chamber to provide quick response for extension of the piston rod assembly.

Abstract: A damping device adapted for use in exercise apparatus includes a cylinder with internally threaded front and and rear end portions, a front cylinder cover and a rear cylinder cover, each of which has a threaded raised portion for engaging the internal threads of the cylinder and a central through hole as well as a valve hole in an upper side thereof; two valves respectively disposed in the valve holes of the cylinder covers; two C-clips for positioning the valve bodies inside the valve holes; a piston located inside the cylinder; a tube fixedly secured to the upper sides of the cylinder covers; a regulating rod disposed inside the tube and provided with valves for cooperating with vents in the bottom side of the tube, spring being fitted to a rear end thereof; and a stop element for controlling the displacement of the regulating rod inside the tube. The damping device does not require damping oil and permits regulation of the desired damping force.

Abstract: A method for making a hydraulic door closer includes the steps of molding material to form an elongated single-piece housing having a longitudinal cylindrical bore extending from a first open end thereof to a closed second end, a transverse intersecting bore, and mounting feet; installing a spring within the cylindrical bore at the closed end of the housing; installing a piston within the cylindrical bore in contact with the spring, the piston having a toothed rack thereon and an opening in each end to permit passage of fluid therethrough; installing a pinion gear in the transverse intersecting bore in meshed engagement with the toothed rack; installing an endplug with a port in the first end of the longitudinal cylindrical bore; and inserting a valve device through the port, for controlling flow of fluid through the piston, and for thereby controlling closing speed of the door. The single-piece housing as well as other components may be molded from metal or polymeric materials.

Abstract: An optical tabletop which has dampers located in the corners of an optical tabletop are each a suspended mass through which passes threaded rods. The suspended mass is submerged in a viscous liquid. Adjustment of the rods allows the optical tabletop to be tuned.

Abstract: An improved bicycle suspension system and method are disclosed which provides a fully, or rear wheel only, suspended bicycle having improved shock absorbing characteristics. The system utilizes a portion of the hollow, horizontally disposed linear main frame member which extends from just below the seat to the handle bar assembly as an integral part of a hydraulic or pneumatic shock absorber. The portion is sealed against fluid leakage and has a piston assembly slidably positioned therein, the piston assembly being linked by a single link unit to a rear wheel supporting framework which is also pivotably connected with the main frame above the chain line at a structural support joined to the two lower structural main frame members adjacent to the foot crank assembly. A load adjustable spring assembly is positioned in the portion and connected with the piston assembly, with spring preload being adjustable from the exterior of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A piston in cylinder shock absorber having a hollow piston rod attached to the piston and a central pipe extending within the piston rod and piston receiving limited flow upon stroking of the piston. A first damper valve creates a variable flow resistance from a reservoir when the piston moves outwardly and a second damper valve creates a variable flow resistance of flow through the piston when the piston is displaced inwardly. A regulating mechanism controls each damper valve by control over the limited flow through the central pipe including an electrically operated servo valve varying outflow from the central pipe to the reservoir.

Abstract: An electromagnetic strut comprises a coil assembly including a plurality of coils arranged along a predetermined axis, and a magnetic device movable relative to the coil assembly along the predetermined axis. The magnetic device includes a magnetic circuit which produces two magnetic fields spaced at a distance along the predetermined axis, Each of the plurality of coils has an axial dimension less than the distance at which the two magnetic fields of the magnetic circuit are spaced.