Abstract: A vibration damper includes a rebound, in particular a rebound spring. The vibration damper includes a piston which is formed on an axially movable piston rod and which separates two working chambers in a cylinder, the working chamber penetrated by the piston rod being closed off with a lid and containing the rebound. An out-stroke of the piston rod relative to the cylinder includes an idle-stroke which starts at a minimum out-stroke and in which the rebound does not counteract the piston rod movement, a working-stroke which ends at a maximum out-stroke and in which the rebound counteracts the piston rod movement, and a point of application at which the idle-stroke ends and the working-stroke begins. The vibration damper further includes an arrangement configured to adjust the point of application.

Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.

Abstract: A front suspension fork for cycles includes an inverted U-shaped reversed arch having downwardly extending legs that are integral with the upper ends of the outer sections of the telescopic fork, thereby to define a rigid unitary slider component fork. The reversed arch is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the vertical plane of the fork. Strengthening mass portions extend forwardly from the lower ends of the arch between the inner fork sections, thereby to increase the rigidity of the slider component without interfering with brake operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air damper for mobile furniture parts, such as drawers or doors, consisting of a cylinder that is open at one end and a piston with seal that is movable in the longitudinal direction in this cylinder and that is connected to a ram. According to the invention, there is a small drilled hole provided in the outer wall of the cylinder near the closed end section of the cylinder.

Abstract: A pull-in device for a string includes a tubular cylinder, a piston adapted to move inside the cylinder, an urging spring for elastically urging the piston inside the cylinder in the direction of one terminal part of the cylinder, and a string to be pulled in or pulled out with the movement of the piston. The device is characterized by a plurality of hooking parts, each capable of slidably hooking the string, that are formed on the piston as mutually opposed across the center of the piston, a hooking part capable of slidably hooking the string that is formed on a cap adapted to close the other terminal opening part of the cylinder, one terminal part of the string pulled out of the cylinder, intervening points of the whole length of the string hooked serially on the hooking parts and as folded back, and the other terminal part of the string fixed on the cylinder or piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic suspension unit which is arranged in a supporting pipe has a piston arranged in a cylinder and a piston rod which is coupled with the piston and projected from the cylinder and detachably coupled with a slide pipe edge portion. Coil springs for buffering are further built in the cylinder. Thus, the hydraulic suspension unit can be easily exchanged.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing device includes an airtight cylindrical casing; at least one compressible springy ball arranged in the cylindrical casing; a main piston mounted in the cylindrical casing above the at least one compressible springy ball and reciprocated to compress the at least one compressible springy ball, the main piston having a piston rod extended out of the cylindrical casing; a damping substance flowing in the cylindrical casing; and a plurality of main piston valves respectively installed in said main piston for enabling the damping substance to flow between an upper chamber in the cylindrical casing above the main piston and a lower chamber in the cylindrical casing below the main piston.

Abstract: A pull-in device for a string includes a tubular cylinder (1), a piston (2) adapted to move inside the cylinder (1), an urging spring (3) for elastically urging the piston (2) inside the cylinder (1) in the direction of one terminal part thereof, and a string (4) to be pulled in or pulled out with the movement of the piston (2). The device is characterized by a plurality of hooking parts (14) each capable of slidably hooking the string that are formed on the piston (2) as mutually opposed across the center of the piston (2), a hooking part capable of slidably hooking the string (4) that is formed on the cap (6) adapted to close the other terminal opening part of the cylinder (1), one terminal part of the string (4) pulled out of the cylinder (1), intervening points of the whole length of the string (4) hooked serially on the hooking parts (11) and (14) as folded back, and the other terminal part of the string (4) fixed on the cylinder (1) or piston (2).

Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a hydraulic oil cylinder structure with reverse force function comprises of a piston rod with one threaded end and ring base on the other end; the piston rod is housed in order with a elastic cushion, a cover body, a cushioning circle, a spring, a spring fastening member, a tension spring, a cushioning ring and a piston; when the piston rod is stepped downwards for physical exercise, the piston rod can resume automatically by the reverse force function of the tension spring to allow the exerciser to choose to operate by exercising with single foot, both feet up or both feet down.

Abstract: A tubular cylinder has a first end and a second end. A piston is movable in the cylinder. A compressed coil spring resiliently biases the piston toward the first end of the cylinder. A string transmits a damper function, caused by a movement of the piston, to a body to be moved. The string slideably wraps over the piston, and extends the length of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to front suspension fork assemblies for bicycles, and provides an improved suspension fork comprising an adjustable compression system for quick and easy adaptation to various types of terrain. The front suspension fork of the present invention comprises a pair of rigidly connected parallel fork legs, with each fork leg having at its bottom end a dropout for connection to the axle of a wheel. Each fork leg further comprises a shock absorber positioned therein and comprising a helical coil spring to urge expansion of the sliding tubes, flow dampers, and damping fluid within the cavities of the sliding tubes to dampen the movement of the sliding tubes in compression and expansion. Each flow damper comprises a flexible shim which opens in compression or expansion to increase the flow of damping fluid. Varying the flexibility of the shims also varies the damping effect of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A cushioning device for a railcar coupling that operates at a very high impedance when subjected to low level forces to thereby reduce the effect of slack between railcars while still providing an effective cushion for absorbing high levels of shock between the railcars. The cushioning device includes a cylinder containing a fluid of liquid and a gas under pressure for absorbing shock due to buff and draft movement and a piston carried in the cylinder. The gas pressure urges the piston toward the draft end of the cylinder while restoring from a buff shock. An internal positioning spring stops further restoring movement of the piston toward the draft end of the cylinder at a selected neutral position spaced from the draft end of the cylinder. The internal positioning spring allows the piston to move from the neutral position toward the draft end of the cylinder if a draft shock occurs of sufficient magnitude while the piston is in the neutral position.

Abstract: A passive damping for a shock absorber is disclosed. The shock absorber includes a working chamber, and a piston disposed in the working chamber. The piston includes a primary bypass valve for defining an upper fluid portion and a lower fluid portion. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through the top portion of the working chamber. A variable bypass assembly is disposed between a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The variable bypass assembly includes at least one bypass aperture for providing communication of damping fluid between the first and second fluid chambers. The variable bypass assembly also includes a passive control member for varying the size of the bypass aperture, and biasing structure for normally retaining the passive control member in a position which maximizes the size of the bypass aperture.

Abstract: An air damper of the present invention is provided with a cylinder whose one end is closed and other end is open; a piston which is movable along an axial direction of the cylinder within the cylinder in a state where an end of a string is connected to the piston; a recess groove formed in a peripheral surface of the piston; an O-ring seal between the cylinder and the piston and movably fitted to the recess groove; a coil spring butted against one of a pair of flanges defining the recess groove of the piston for biasing the piston toward the one end of the cylinder; a hook provided on one of the pair of flanges, the end of the string being attached to the hook; and opposed notches formed by notching portions of the pair of flanges of the piston corresponding to opposite sides of the hook.

Abstract: A railcar cushioning device with a gas charged cylinder and a piston contained in the cylinder for cushioning buff and draft impacts. An elastomer spring is contained in the cylinder between the piston and an end of the cylinder to locate the piston in a neutral position.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper assembly has a barrel-piston assembly and a spring assembly. The barrel-piston assembly has a barrel with a top portion having an open end, and a piston extending through the open end. The piston has a bottom portion that is located inside the barrel. The piston and the barrel also define an annular space in which is a barrel shoulder and a piston shoulder. The barrel shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the barrel top portion. The piston shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the piston bottom portion. The spring assembly is disposed in the annular space between the barrel shoulder and the piston shoulder. When the piston is extended from the barrel, the shoulders compress the spring assembly and, thereby, reduce the amount of force required to compress the piston which enables the damper to be charged to a higher nitrogen pressure.

Abstract: A suspension system for a bicycle or other vehicle or apparatus, the system including at least one telescoping strut comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopingly and coaxially engaged with each other so that the strut is compressible by relative movement of the telescoping members toward each other and expandable by relative movement of the telescoping members away from each other. A piston may be interconnected with the second telescoping member and slidably positioned within the first telescoping member. The piston separates a primary compression spring chamber into two gas chambers connected by an adjustable port, whereby compression or expansion of the strut creates a damping force that resists such relative movement of the telescoping members, resulting in the primary compression spring having a frequency-sensitive spring rate.

Abstract: A hydraulic damping bearing comprises an inner part, an outer part arranged at a distance from the inner part, and an elastic element inserted therebetween. At least one chamber filled with a damping medium is arranged between the elastic element and the outer part. The outer part includes at least one bore hole in one of the end regions. The elastic element in this region has a recess communicating with the chamber which is alignable with the bore hole when the elastic element is not fully inserted in the outer part. The bore hole is closed by the elastic element when the elastic element is fully inserted.

Abstract: A buffer device has a plurality of positioning seats, a base seat disposed on the positioning seats, and a main cylinder and a plurality of auxiliary cylinders disposed on the base seat. The base seat has a main oil channel, a plurality of oil inlet channels communicating with the main oil channel, and a plurality of oil return channels communicating with the main oil channel. The main oil channel communicates with the auxiliary cylinders. The oil inlet channels communicate with the main cylinder. Each oil inlet channel has a one-way valve. The oil return channels communicate with the main cylinder. A release valve blocks each oil return channel. A compression spring is disposed in the main cylinder. A piston rod extends from the main cylinder. Each auxiliary cylinder has a coiled spring and a piston.

Abstract: A cushioned braking system for cushioning the impact of a moving vehicle for amusement for children. The braking system comprises a double ended air cylinder having a first cylinder end and a second cylinder end. A first head member and a second head member close the first and second cylinder ends, respectively. A first piston rod extends axially outward from the cylinder through the first head member. A first piston is on the first piston rod within the cylinder. A second piston rod extends axially outward from the cylinder through the second head member. A second piston is on the second piston rod within the cylinder. A spring assembly resiliently connects the first piston to the second piston within the cylinder. The spring assembly serves to bias the first and second pistons toward a reference position. The cylinder also has a vent for controlling air flow within the cylinder.

Abstract: A bearing is provided to dampen oscillating/vibrating masses and which comprises a resilient support body (2), an adapter (3) to connect the bearing with the oscillating/vibrating mass and a housing (4) frictionally locking the bearing against a retaining means, the bearing being fitted with a spring system (6) to receive loads substantially applied in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A linear motion absorber for damping linear movement utilizing a cylinder having a reciprocal piston located therein. The cylinder and piston are molded of synthetic plastic and the piston is of an extended length and a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the cylinder as to be self aligning therewith and includes a homogeneous annular lip seal to produce unidirectional sealing. The piston stem or rod is also of a synthetic plastic material and in the rigid stem embodiment homogeneously extends from the piston. The piston rod may also consist of a flexible synthetic strand attached to the piston for transmitting tension forces, and a compression spring within the cylinder acting upon the piston will position the piston to a retracted position. The open end of the cylinder is sealed by a removable cap entirely formed of a synthetic plastic material which may be readily affixed to the cylinder to produce a closed circuit during damping.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner which has a small number of components and hence can be reduced in size. The hydraulic tensioner includes a plunger 3 slidably fitted in a cylinder disposed in a tensioner body, a reservoir chamber formed in the tensioner body in a lower portion of the cylinder, a check valve permitting flow of an oil in a single direction from the reservoir chamber into the cylinder which is formed as a high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber formed in the tensioner body exteriorly of the cylinder, an oil passage connecting a bottom of the low pressure chamber to a position between the check valve and the reservoir chamber, and a spring urging the plunger upwardly, wherein the low pressure chamber contains an air layer formed above a surface of the oil held in the lower pressure chamber. The oil passages and check valve enable the oil to flow into the high pressure chamber in a short time and hence efficiently dampen vibrations of the plunger.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper using a single predetermined mass connected to springs of predetermined stiffness along each of at least two directions to absorb energy from a vibrating structure to which it is attached and damp the vibrations in a rapid and efficient manner with a minimum of weight and volume used.

Abstract: A roll control system with a latchable stabilizer bar actuator includes an anti-roll bar that is mounted to a vehicle's body and includes a pair of ends with one end rigidly connected to the vehicle's chassis and the second end connected to the vehicle's chassis through a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a single cylindrical tube slidably carrying a piston. The piston separates the tube into first and second chambers. The piston carries a solenoid operated valve that effects latching and de-latching of the actuator for selectively effecting operation of the anti-roll bar.

Abstract: A rotational latching device for use with a damper device comprising a cylinder and a piston so as to hold the piston in the closed position includes a rotating latching member and a heart-shaped cam part. The cam part includes a V-shaped portion. The latch member includes a latch guide pin which is retained in a V-shaped portion of the cam part in the closed position and is unlatched therefrom when the front end of the piston is moved slightly into the cylinder. The rotating latch member comprises a one-piece construction, can be easily formed by injection molding, and is readily assembled.

Abstract: A rebound cutoff feature is provided for a strut-type suspension damper which includes a hydraulic stop feature in combination with a mechanical stop to limit rebound travel. The strut's piston rod carries a valve collar which interacts with the sole flow passage between the compression and rebound chambers of the strut to hydraulically decelerate movement as the rebound travel limit of the strut is approached.

Abstract: A hydraulic autotensioner has a cylinder having a closed bottom end, a sleeve mounted in the cylinder and a plunger slidably mounted in the sleeve. The interior of the cylinder is divided into a reservoir chamber and a pressure chamber by the plunger which is formed with a passage through which the reservoir chamber and the pressure chamber communicate with each other. A check valve is provided in the passage to close the passage if the pressure of hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber increases above the pressure of hydraulic oil in the reservoir chamber. A return spring is mounted in the cylinder to bias a rod which is axially movable together with the plunger in such a direction as to protrude from an upper opening of the cylinder. The return spring is mounted in a space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: In a vehicle having a transverse axle and a body, and a shock absorber mounted between the axle and the body to absorb shock from vertical movement of the axle and prevent shock from being transmitted completely to the body of the vehicle, the improvement disclosed involves an apparatus for sensing tilt of the vehicle in combination with apparatus in the hydraulic system of the shock absorber which will prevent further tilt of the vehicle beyond a predetermined point sensed by the sensing unit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle vibration damper having a piston disposed on a piston rod within a cylinder of the damper unit, is provided with a mechanical limit-stop for resisting and limiting movement of the piston rod out of the cylinder. The limit stop can preferably comprise a spring disposed about the piston rod, which spring can have a stop member connected to each end thereof in a reclosable manner. The stop members can comprise a guide surface for guiding movement of the piston rod within the limit stop, and the limit stop, comprising the spring and stop members, can be disposed within the cylinder, about the piston rod, in a free-floating manner.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a cylinder and a piston rod and a seal for the piston rod and a metal bellows fixedly mounted between the cylinder and the piston rod for accepting leakage of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder, and a spring arrangement encircling the cylinder and piston rod, the spring arrangement consisting of two equal length, equal size springs wound in opposite directions with their outer ends fixed to the cylinder and piston rod and having their inner ends bearing against each other to eliminate the application of torque from the springs to the bellows.

Abstract: A hydraulic autotensioner has a cylinder having a closed bottom end, a sleeve mounted in the cylinder and a plunger slidably mounted in the sleeve. The interior of the cylinder is divided into a reservoir chamber and a pressure chamber by the plunger which is formed with a passage through which the reservoir chamber and the pressure chamber communicate with each other. A check valve is provided in the passage to close the passage if the pressure of hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber increases above the pressure of hydraulic oil in the reservoir chamber. A return spring is mounted in the cylinder to bias a rod which is axially movable together with the plunger in such a direction as to protrude from an upper opening of the cylinder. The return spring is mounted in a space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shock absorber which is contained within the head tube of a bicycle. The shock absorber has an outer cylinder that is rotationally received within the head tube and secured at its upper end to a handlebar support member, such as a gooseneck. An inner cylinder is slidably received within the outer cylinder and secured at its lower end to the fork that supports the front wheel. Each of the cylinders has longitudinal grooves, the inner cylinder having longitudinal grooves on its outer surface which align with longitudinal grooves on the inside wall of the outer cylinder. A plurality of bearing balls are received in the tracks which are formed by the longitudinal grooves of the cylinders and a thin-wall bearing retainer is concentrically received between the inner and outer cylinders having a plurality of apertures at predetermined spacing which are aligned along the bearing tracks, each of the apertures capturing one of the bearing balls.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for a bicycle or similar vehicle to allow shock isolation at the location of the seat or handle bar mounting or other locations. The suspension system includes a hydraulically actuated system as well as a variable rate progressive dampening assembly. The hydraulic fluid is also utilized to lubricate the moving portions of the system to promote proper function and extend the useful life thereof. The system also has a variable spring preload to accommodate different sized riders. The system is cost effective and yet extremely durable and may be retrofit for use with existing bicycles.

Abstract: A hydraulic self-adjusting device for clutch control cables has a main housing, where one of the ends thereof is provided with an end cap and the other rear end is formed with an extension for attachment to the pressure plate fork. The main housing has a channel which through a regulator places the two chambers in communication determining the position of the piston and contains a liquid. An adjusting rod, the end of which projecting to the outside, is attached to the cable linking with the clutch pedal, while the other end is attached to the piston formed by a shut-off valve. A control spring permanently pulls against the said cable through the rod. The portion of the rod contained in the main housing compensate in length the wear of the clutch plate lining.

Abstract: For the absorbing of natural frequencies of the vehicle body, a vibration damping supporting strut for a motor vehicle has an axially movable absorber mass in a hollow space of the piston rod extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The absorber mass is in each case supported on its ends by way of a spring element arranged in a clearance of the hollow space. These clearances are filled with a medium and are connected with one another by at least one passage in the absorber mass. This construction results in an absorber effect on the natural torsional frequency of the vehicle body in that an absorbing takes place of the high-energy shock portions which have the same frequency and are introduced from the power section by way of the piston rod, whereby the shocks exciting the vehicle body are then largely absorbed.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a tubular body member provided with an accumulator chamber in one end thereof, and an axially aligned piston chamber in the other end thereof. A combination piston and piston rod member is telescopically mounted in the piston chamber. A check valve assembly is mounted in the tubular body member, which permits a metered flow of shock absorber oil from the piston chamber into the accumulator chamber when the combination piston and piston rod member is moved in an inward direction in the tubular body member, and which allows a free flow of the oil from the accumulator chamber when the combination piston and piston rod member is moved in an outward direction in the tubular body member.

Abstract: The stiffness of the suspension is very much a function of the load in hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspensions. With high loads the vehicle suspension is stiff and with a light load it is relatively soft. In addition, the vehicle suspension of the wheel on the outside of the turn is stiffer than that of the wheel at the inside of the turn. The changes in the stiffness of the vehicle suspension are very disagreeable and can result in dangerous driving conditions. Equalization of the stiffness of the vehicle suspension is provided with the aid of a supplemental force. The supplemental force acts in the same direction as the load force of the vehicle chassis. The vehicle suspension is preferably suited for motor vehicles.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a front fork wheel suspension of a bicycle has two telescoping suspension assemblies, one on each leg of the front fork. Each of the suspension assemblies includes a pair of telescoping tubes having a hydraulic fluid and an airspace therein, as well as a spring-loaded valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the two tubes of the telescoping assembly. To control the point at which the assemblies change from a rigid, locked condition, in which the valve plate is closed, to a shock absorbing, telescopically displaceable condition, in which the valve plate is open, an adjustor rod is provided by which the degree of precompression of the valve spring can be changed.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper is designed, for example, as a piston/cylinder unit. The arrangement has a part (for example, a piston) forming a vibrational system by means of a spring. Vibrations acting on the damper arrangement are greatly attenuated virtually only in the resonant range of this vibrational system, because only in this case can vibrations of high amplitude be excited and a high dissipation of energy by way of hydraulic flows in channels and between cylinder chambers take place.

Abstract: In a hydraulic tensioner, shock absorber or lash adjuster having a plunger in a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid, and having a coiled compression spring acting on the plunger in a pressure chamber on one side of the plunger, air scavenging through the restricted space between the plunger and the cylinder wall is improved by providing radial grooves either on a face of the plunger contacted by the spring, or on the spring-contacting face of a plug which is located between the spring and the plunger. The radial grooves enable air to escape from the interior of the coil spring and move toward the cylinder wall. The grooves increase in depth proceeding from the interior of the spring toward the exterior thereof.

Abstract: A buffer for railway vehicles includes a plunger telescopically received within an outer cylinder. An internal speed control valve, essentially independently of the forces acting on the buffer, causes the buffer to move inwardly at a predetermined initial velocity which is reduced by a uniform deceleration of such a level that the main portion of the plunger stroke is always used. The initial velocity corresponds to the maximum speed allowed during shunting operations, plus a safety margin determined by experience. The buffer has a leakage slot between the plunger and the cylinder to allow fluid flow around a throttling valve when the throttling valve is closed. The area of the leakage slot is dependent on the pressure within the buffer and the position of the plunger relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: An enclosed hydraulic cylinder which may be used as a tension buffer, mainly consists of a body casing having an integrally formed sealed inner passage and a piston stem. The body casing is internally divided into a pressure chamber, a buffer chamber, and a regulation chamber between the pressure chamber and the buffer chamber. When the body casing and the piston stem are subjected to external pulling force in reverse direction, fluid filled in the pressure chamber, being compressed by air coming from an air intake chamber communicable with the pressure chamber and by the piston stem, flows through a flow-limit disposed near outer end of the pressure chamber and into the sealed inner passage before it enters the regulation chamber and thereby adjusts the inner pressure of the cylinder. The buffer chamber adjoins the regulation chamber and the room thereof can automatically adjust to relieve the hydraulic pressure in the regulation chamber and prevent the body casing from excess hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: In a hydraulic telescopic damper with a cylinder (10) and a piston (12) which has a check valve (O-ring 18) and a narrow opening (22), a valve member (30) is mounted on the side of piston (12) away from the pressure side. Valve member (30) is urged by the force of a spring (36) in a locking position of piston (12) and keeps opening (22) closed. The telescopic damper thereby locks automatically. Exerting an additional manual force on the piston rod can release the self-locking action once more.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber with a housing defining a high pressure space and containing a piston adapted to be moved by a mass to be damped. When the piston is moved for damping hydraulic fluid is displaced from the high pressure space so that there is a damping action. There is both a pressure-dependent damping device and also a piston stroke-dependent damping device.

Abstract: A bicycle shock-absorbing apparatus comprises an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube. An upper spring socket and a lower spring socket are disposed in the inner tube and the outer tube separately. A compression spring is disposed between the spring sockets, oil being filled between the spring sockets. The inner tube is fixedly attached to the upper spring socket and corelatedly actuated with the spring to achieve a shock absorbing effect. A hole is formed in the center of the upper spring socket, enabling oil to flow therethrough. An oil seal is disposed inside the top of the outer tube to prevent oil spillage. An air inlet socket is attached inside an upper wall of the inner tube, while an air inlet valve is received by the air inlet socket to enable inflation of the inner tube. The air, in cooperation with the spring and the oil, provide elasticity for the bicycle shock-absorbing apparatus.

Abstract: A limited stroke hydraulic actuator which may be located in the structure of a steered axle in a shallow blind bore. The piston which may be slidably received in the bore is displaced by an adjustable protrusion secured to the steering system. Displacement of the piston causes hydraulic fluid to flow through an orifice from one side to the other. Resistance to flow of fluid through the orifice damps the motion of the piston and consequently the steering system. A spring returns the piston to an initial position when the steering system is removed from end of travel position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a suspension system for a bicycle or similar vehicle to allow shock isolation at the location of the seat or handle bar mounting or other locations. The suspension system as well as a variable rate progressive dampening assembly. The hydraulic fluid is also utilized to lubricate the moving portions of the system to promote proper function and extend the useful life thereof. The system also has a variable spring preload to accommodate different sized riders. The system is cost effective and yet extremely durable and may be retrofit for use with existing bicycles.

Abstract: A pneumatic energy absorbing arrangement, for use between the bumper and the frame of an automobile, includes a piston and cylinder combination which provides for an increasing amount of force or energy absorbed in relation to an increasing amount of travel between the piston and cylinder combination and, therefore, of the automobile itself. Exhaustion of the air within the piston cylinder combination is accomplished by a decreasing area of vent holes as the travel of the piston and cylinder increases. A specific or variable rate spring is provided to bias the piston and cylinder arrangement in an extended before-impact condition and absorb energy. The energy absorption device provided by this invention is reusable in that it is not destroyed during an impact.