Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder in which a piston rod is located so that the piston rod can move axially. A first connection mechanism is connected to the cylinder, and a second connection mechanism is connected to the piston rod. A positioning cylinder, with a pressure medium connection, is effectively connected to one of the first and second connection mechanisms. The distance between the first and second connection mechanisms can be set by the addition or discharge of pressure medium to or from the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder is located in series with the cylinder, and the piston rod forms a guide path or track for the positioning cylinder.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder, inside which a piston is displaced and which defines two chambers. The chambers are communicated through a first conduit passing through the piston and a second conduit at the ends of which there are variable flow valves. The first conduit has an adjustable valve. The load at any air chamber results in a working load which causes contact of the wheel with the ground for a longer period of time. An expansion spring is located at the lower air chamber. The piston is engaged with means for sensing its displacement. The invention could be applied to any kind of vehicle.

Abstract: In a first type, there is provided, inside an inner tube of a twin-tube type of damper, a pressurizing chamber to be defined by a free piston which is slidably fit onto an outer surface of a rod. A fluid pressure from an outside pressure source is supplied to the pressurizing chamber to push down a damper piston via the free piston to thereby forcibly contract the damper. In a second type, there is provided inside an inner tube a cylinder which is slidably fit onto an outer surface of a rod, and a piston mounted on the rod is inserted into the cylinder. A fluid pressure from the pressure source is supplied to the pressurizing chamber inside the cylinder to push down the rod via the piston to thereby forcibly contract the damper. In a third type, a rod is slidably inserted into a partition wall in an intermediate portion of a damper main body of a mono-tube type of damper.

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 piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder in which a piston rod is located so that the piston rod can move axially. A first connection mechanism is connected to the cylinder, and a second connection mechanism is connected to the piston rod. A positioning cylinder, with a pressure medium connection, is effectively connected to one of the first and second connection mechanisms. The distance between the first and second connection mechanisms can be set by the addition or discharge of pressure medium to or from the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder is located in series with the cylinder, and the piston rod forms a guide path or track for the positioning cylinder.

Abstract: The strut comprises a ball bearing (42) located below the lower retainer ) of the spring (4). The ball bearing (42) is centered on an eccentric collar (27) in order to shift the center of the ball bearing (42) by a distance e from the axis of the shock absorber. Rotation between the body (2) of the shock absorber and the hub holder (5) displaces the center of the ball bearing (42), which shifts the lower retainer (41) accordingly. Using a suitable measuring bench, the strut is adjusted precisely upon the assembling thereof.

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: In a height-adjustable shock absorber strut for a vehicle wherein a shock absorber damping cylinder is operatively attached to the vehicle wheels and a piston rod interacting with the damping cylinder extends from the damping cylinder and is provided at its free end with a mounting structure for attachment to a vehicle body and a spring is disposed between the damping cylinder and a spring support disposed on the piston rod, the spring support structure comprises a support member which is axially movably mounted on the piston rod for controlling the support location of the spring and, consequently, the height of the strut under vehicle load.

Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus (10) for moving the work surface (100B) of a work station (100) is described. Preferably, the apparatus includes first and inner tubular members (12 and 20), a spring (70) and a cam follower (50). The first member is mounted to the panel (100A) adjacent the work station. The inner member is mounted with the top end (20A) adjacent the underside of the work surface and the bottom end (20B) extending into the top end (12A) of the first member. The sidewalls (12C and 20C) of the first and inner members have first and inner cam grooves (16 and 26), respectively. A dampener (30) is preferably mounted within the inner member. A threaded rod 36 is mounted on the top end (32A) of the body (32) of the dampener and has an adjustment head (36B) which extends through the work surface. The cam follower having rollers (56 and 58) is mounted at the bottom end (34A) of the piston rod (34) of the dampener such that the rollers extend into the first and inner cam grooves, respectively.

Abstract: A gas charged monotube strut carries the accumulator outside the damper's cylinder tube and within the strut mount. A substantially direct flow path is provided between the damper and the accumulator through the damper's piston rod. Air to oil separation is maintained by a gas cup and a low profile of packaging is provided.

Abstract: A device contains a super absorbent hydrophilic polymer in combination with a compatible liquid to form a thick, viscous gel-like colloidal fluid to provide high durability, low cost, and ready manufacture in footwear, medical applications, including surgical padding, flotation sleeping devices, and other applications for the dissipation of shock or load over time and/or an area.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is disclosed for use with an air damper assembly. The air damper assembly is used for controlling the dampening rate of an openable object and includes a piston head having a molded channel therein and a lip seal member disposed around the connecting member of the piston head to form a continuous seal therebetween. The piston head is formed of a pair of axially spaced-apart first and second circular plate members which are connected by the connecting member. The second circular plate member is formed of a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first circular plate member so as to allow the outer peripheral portion of the lip seal member to collapse and become disengaged from the inner peripheral sidewall of the housing member. The latch mechanism latches the piston at its retracted position within its cylinder or housing.

Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly for coupling to a pedestal for mounting a seat of a boat, the shock absorbing assembly including a shock absorber mounted in a housing, a pair of guide shafts being provided and being slidably mounted through the housing.

Abstract: It is an object to effectively and rapidly damp vibration of a vibrating object. A vibration isolating supporter includes a coil spring (3) interposed between an upper frame (1) and a lower frame (2) which are opposed to one another in a vertical direction, and is characterized in that a partition panel (4) is provided for the lower frame (2) to surround a periphery of the coil spring (3), a damping material (5) is accommodated in a portion surrounded by the partition panel (4), and a resisting member is disposed to be suspended in a hollow hole of the coil spring (3) of the upper frame (1) so as to be immersed in the damping material (5).

Abstract: It is an object to effectively and rapidly damp vibration of a vibrating object. A vibration isolating supporter includes a coil spring (3) interposed between an upper frame (1) and a lower frame (2) which are opposed to one another in a vertical direction, and is characterized in that a partition panel (4) is provided for the lower frame (2) to surround a periphery of the coil spring (3), a damping material (5) is accommodated in a portion surrounded by the partition panel (4), and a resisting member is disposed to be suspended in a hollow hole of the coil spring (3) of the upper frame (1) so as to be immersed in the damping material (5).

Abstract: A helical motion dampener to dampen the movement of an attached object, such dampener having a flexible container holding electro-viscous fluid with two electrodes therein such that when electric current passes between the electrodes within the electro-viscous fluid, the fluid becomes more viscous to limit the range of movement of the container and the attached object.

Abstract: An air damper assembly for controlling the dampening rate of an openable object includes a piston head having a molded channel therein and a lip seal member disposed around the connecting member of the piston head to form a continuous seal therebetween. The piston head is formed of a pair of axially spaced-apart first and second circular plate members which are connected by the connecting member. The second circular plate member is formed of a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first circular plate member so as to allow the outer peripheral portion of the lip seal member to collapse and become disengaged from the inner peripheral sidewall of the housing member.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fork for a bicycle having an air damping feature to rapidly and effectively diminish the cyclical motion of the struts of the fork resulting from the compression and expansion of the resilient shock absorbing pads provided in the struts of the fork when an obstacle is encounter by the front wheel of the bicycle. The struts have an inner cylinder slidably mounted in an outer cylinder with the pads captively mounted between the bottom of the inner cylinder and a member of the outer cylinder. An air chamber within the outer cylinder is contracted by movement of the inner cylinder into the outer cylinder and is expanded by movement of the inner cylinder out of the outer cylinder. The pads, as the inner cylinder is moved into the outer cylinder are compressed to absorb the shock and the air in the chamber is compressed. The compressibility of the air allows the fork to immediately respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A shock absorber adapter kit includes an elongated barrel having a cavity formed therein open at an upper end of the barrel. A conventional shock absorber is modified by removing the lower shock mount and then inserted in the barrel cavity with the shock absorber plunger projecting upwardly out of the barrel. A securement ring with an exterior thread is threaded onto the interior threads formed in the upper end of the barrel cavity to secure the shock absorber receiver tube within the barrel. The shock absorber plunger extends through a central opening in the ring so that the shock absorber upper shock mount may be connected to the vehicle frame. A coil spring is journaled on the barrel and upward against the upper spring seat on the vehicle frame, with a lower spring seat threaded onto exterior threads along the exterior surface of the barrel. A lower shock mount on the lower end of the barrel is connected to the vehicle axle assembly to form a shock absorbing suspension unit on the vehicle.

Abstract: A dampening shock absorber for retrofit or original construction with a conventional gas charged or hydraulic shock absorber having a tubular housing. There is provided a compression coil spring and spring retainer members disposed coaxially relative to the tubular housing. The tubular housing, the compression spring and the spring retainer members are longitudinally moveable relative to one another, and at least partially enclosed by a longitudinally movable outer protective sleeve. The sleeve is closed at one end and secured to the distal end of a piston rod extending outwardly of the shock absorber housing. Longitudinally spaced stops are provided on the tubular housing, and on the outer sleeve to limit the longitudinal movement of the operating and interacting components. Another embodiment of the invention provides an adjustment mechanism on the outer sleeve for adjusting the distance between the longitudinally spaced stops.

Abstract: A tillage implement has its residue incorporating gangs of discs hydraulically adjustable on-the-go to vary the extent of residue incorporation. Cylinders connected with the gangs are of matching volumetric capacities and are connected in a series hydraulic arrangement so that all of the cylinders operate in unison and in equal amounts. Each cylinder has a rod that extends through the entire length of the cylinder and projects outwardly from opposite ends thereof. Each cylinder is also provided with a relief spring coiled about its exterior and trapped between a lower shoulder on the cylinder and an upper slip collar that is trunnion-mounted to the attaching bracket of the implement frame, thus permitting the cylinder to slip upwardly through the collar under the resistance of the relief spring when an obstacle is encountered by the incorporating discs.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fork for a bicycle having an air damping feature to rapidly and effectively diminish the cyclical motion of the struts of the fork resulting from the compression and expansion of the resilient shock absorbing pads provided in the struts of the fork when an obstacle is encounter by the front wheel of the bicycle. The struts have an inner cylinder slidably mounted in an outer cylinder with the pads captively mounted between the bottom of the inner cylinder and a member of the outer cylinder. An air chamber within the outer cylinder is contracted by movement of the inner cylinder into the outer cylinder and is expanded by movement of the inner cylinder out of the outer cylinder. The pads, as the inner cylinder is moved into the outer cylinder are compressed to absorb the shock and the air in the chamber is compressed. The compressibility of the air allows the fork to immediately respond to the impact force.

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 shock absorbing device including a chassis, a frame covering the chassis, and a plurality of supporting devices for resiliently supporting one side of the chassis and the opposing other side of the chassis to the frame, wherein the supporting devices each comprise a rod, a damper formed of a resilient member and having an engagement concave portion into which the rod is fitted, and a coil spring surrounding the rod and being disposed between the chassis and the frame under compressed state, and the coil springs have spring constants of the shearing direction respectively set in response to the position of a gravity of the chassis, and disposed at one side and the other opposing side of the chassis so that the compressing directions of the coil springs are opposed to each other.

Abstract: The spring includes a composite elastomeric body having in one embodiment a closed end and an open end. A coil spring is embedded both within the body wall and the closed end, and provides reinforcement of both the body wall and the closed end. The body may be of cylindrical, conical, or other shape, depending upon the required function of the spring. It may also take an essentially hourglass shape or the shape of a cylinder flanged at both ends. Alternately, the spring may be internally pressurized to provide load leveling or air spring effects in addition to the variable rate load versus deflection curve normally obtained. The body may be attached directly to any surface to create an airtight seal. Alternately, a closure plate may be provided to seal an open end of the coil spring.

Abstract: A moved mass of hydraulic medium is used as a compensating mass at critical frequencies of the suspension system to achieve a frequency-selective dynamic damping, and a suitable hydraulic transmission ratio can ensure that a relatively small quantity of hydraulic medium is moved at high speed in order to achieve a good compensating effect, despite the low mass of moved hydraulic medium. A displacement unit can be connected to the sprung mass via an elastic bearing part and to the associated spring accumulator via a hydraulic line. The spring constant of the bearing part, the mass of that part of the displacement unit or of the spring unit mounted on the bearing part, the cross-section of the hydraulic line and its length, the effective cross-section of the displacement unit and the density of the hydraulic medium are so sized that the resonant frequency of the spring unit is near a critical frequency of the suspension system, for example near the frequency of the axle resonance of a vehicle.

Abstract: On a sprung bicycle (10), provision is made for a rear wheel (26) of the bicycle (10) to be mounted by way of a knee lever (34). A spring mechanism (42) is articulated to the knee lever (34) and exhibits an inhibiting device (50). The locking device (50) is actuated by way of a driving-force sensor (52), which permits automatic locking as increasing force is exerted on the pedals.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a wheel of a motor vehicle has a bearing unit for a suspension part of a stabilizer which is held on the spring strut. The bearing unit includes a holding element which extends around the cylinder of the spring strut and is connected with it. The holding element has a bearing for the suspension part in a projecting console and has a face that forms a spring plate. The face supports a coil spring which is arranged coaxially with respect to the spring strut. This coil spring is supported on the vehicle by an end which faces away from the bearing.

Abstract: A bracket for fixing to a prescribed member a flexible tube, such as the protective boot installed in an automobile suspension device, includes a stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member. A spacer ring is fitted to the stationary ring and provided with resilient supporting arms, and a fastening ring is fitted to the spacer ring for fastening a terminal part of the flexible tube. Alternatively, the stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member is provided with the resilient supporting arms, and the fastening ring is fitted to the stationary ring for fastening the terminal part of the flexible tube.

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: Aircraft supported by rotors have an elastic device (28) that helps to angularly place the body of the aircraft in relation to the rotation axis of the rotor (1). This device has adjusting means (39-40-27) which the pilot can use during flight. The invention is in particular applicable to autogyros.

Abstract: A shock absorber for automobile vehicle suspension comprises a cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid, a piston defining a first chamber and a second chamber in the cylinder, and a rod which extends through the second chamber and is connected to the piston. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is able to communicate with the first chamber via a restriction during a rapid compression movement. A control valve is capable of opening a fluid passage between the first and second chambers. The control valve is subject on one hand to the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the first chamber tending to open the valve and, on the other hand, to the actions tending to close the valve, of a return spring and of substantially constant pressure of a fluid contained in a reference chamber, one wall of which is movable with the control valve. An external compensation casing, integral with the rod, grips the shock absorber in sealed manner, and the compensation casing is connected by a pipe to an external source of variable pressure.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for motor vehicles has a wheel guiding member and a spring strut, the spring element of which has at least two spring parts which are spaced away from one another in a direction of a spring axis. These spring parts form a clearance between one another and are connected with one another by an intermediate element. The spring parts are respectively arranged above and below a ring section of the tire. By means of an intermediate element which is directly adjacent to the section and extends approximately in vertical direction, they are, arranged in series, connected with one another.

Abstract: A device for suspending a mattress or the like within the sleeping compartment of a truck. The device includes a generally elongated frame with a flat support surface for placing the mattress thereon. The frame may be directly suspended from the walls of the sleeping compartment by spring and shock absorbing devices extending at an angle from the frame. The elongated frame may alternatively be suspended from a peripheral base frame within an open space defined thereby.

Abstract: Stabilizer device for motor vehicles including a torsion bar, an actuator having a piston and two cylinder chambers on both sides of piston, a first and a second fluid passages for connecting said two cylinder chambers, respectively, a solenoid changeover valve provided in first fluid passage. A actuator has two openings for communicating with each end of first fluid passage within an area on which piston may not slidably contact. A plate member and a centering spring are provided within each of cylinder chambers in such a manner that each of plate members is to come in contact with a bottom surface of cylinder slightly by virtue of resilience of centering spring when piston is positioned in a neutral position. An opening is provided in each of bottom surface of cylinder chambers within an area on which plate member is to come in contact therewith. Each of openings is communicated with second fluid passage and a check valve may be mounted in each of openings.

Abstract: A spring-loaded dampening actuator includes a cylindrically-shaped body member, a piston rod, a coil spring, and a one-way lip seal member. The lip seal member engages an inner sidewall of the body member only when a force is applied by means of a coil spring so as to push the piston rod out from the body member at a dampened or controlled rate of speed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension device which suspends a vehicle body and a wheel, comprising a coil spring body having a predetermined number of coaxial turns, and a first cylinder and a second cylinder, each including a soft synthetic resin open-cell foam which is treated to be surging-proof and waterproof and which has a wall in which is embedded at least one turn located at each end of said coil spring body.

Abstract: An oil pressurized telescoping actuator for active ride vehicle suspension having a folded dual piston design with an inner piston stroking within the rod of an outer piston to foreshorten overall length. A special universal joint provided for a larger tolerance so that three bearing surfaces encounter will not encounter binding. The upper mount accommodates the upper end of the actuator with extends therethrough to further foreshorten the unit. The entire unit is jacketed to provide a reservoir connected to a drain line so that leakage oil can be pressurized by a pump into the system for pressurized feed into the actuator for powered expansion and contraction of the actuator for level ride for all vehicle maneuvers.

Abstract: A reduced length hydraulic shock absorber, preferably for use in a MacPherson strut, does not sacrifice structural rigidity under radial loads. A circumferential sleeve member is attached to the cylinder adjacent the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod extends. The piston rod extends through an opening in the sleeve end with a bearing therein. The sleeve telescopes axially on the cylinder. The sleeve is spring-biased axially outwardly of the cylinder, and is telescoped outwardly from the cylinder at all times except when the shock absorber is fully or mostly compressed. The sleeve, when telescoped outwardly, thus provides radial load bearing support for the piston rod at a point spaced apart from the cylinder end. This allows the shock absorber to be designed without any piston rod/cylinder overlap, and the piston rod may consequently be made shorter.

Abstract: A safety stabilizer for vehicle steering linkages for connection between a fixed portion of the vehicle and a movable element of the steering linkage comprising an outer cylinder and an inner fluid filled cylinder extending longitudinally through one end of the outer cylinder and movable relative thereto. A coil spring is mounted within the outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder. Two pairs of spaced apart annular stops affixed to the cylinders cooperate to compress the spring upon longitudinal movement of the fluid filled cylinder in either direction relative to the outer cylinder. A piston and piston rod are movable mounted within the fluid filled cylinder. The piston rod extends through the end of the fluid filled cylinder contained within the outer cylinder and is affixed to the outer cylinder.

Abstract: The system includes a hydraulically damped strut and a tubular elastomeric spring. The ends of the spring may be sealed so that the spring can be pressurized internally. An improved bearing, which permits rotative shifting of the spring and strut in response to turning effort, also is disclosed. The suspension is particularly useful in applications which heretofore involved MacPherson struts.

Abstract: A gas spring with end positions damping has a cylindrical housing filled with a fluid under pressure, in which a piston rod, sealingly extending from one end of the housing, is disposed to be coaxially slideable and on the inner end of which a piston is attached. To create an end position damping that is simple in structure, and which can be used purely pneumatic, purely hydraulic or hydropneumatic, an auxiliary piston in the form of a throttle piston is slidingly disposed on the piston rod, which is supported via an energy accumulator towards the end of the housing where the piston rod exits. The piston abuts against this auxiliary piston at the end of the extension movement of the piston rod. Its throttle effect is larger during movement in the direction toward the end where the piston rod exits than in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A structure for supporting with a car body a suspension having a shock absorber and a coil spring disposed to surround the shock absorber includes a first support having an elastic body and a spherical bearing and fixed to the car body, a spring seat fixed to the first support at the inside thereof for receiving an upper end of the coil spring and a second support fixed to the spring seat at the inside thereof and coupled with a piston rod of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A dampening shock absorber for retrofit or original construction with a conventional gas charged or hydraulic shock absorber or strut having an annular sleeve telescoped in sliding engagement over an inner sleeve to provide therewith a spring biasing to return the shock absorber to a null state after a displacing force has been removed therefrom.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a tubular main body, a piston rod slidably extending through one end of the tubular main body, an annular seat member secured to an outer peripheral wall of the tubular main body, a biasing device such as a coil spring or an air spring acting between the seat member and the tip end of the piston rod for biasing the piston rod in the extending direction, and a supporting member constituting a part of the biasing device and having a tubular portion which is slidingly fitted on the seat member. A resilient retaining member is provided on the seat member for engaging with a retaining recess formed in the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the supporting member, thereby preventing the supporting member from escaping from the seat member.

Abstract: The invention provides a manually held leash, lead, line or the like for large and strong animals which incorporates a shock absorbing device for diminishing the effect of the force or strain transmitted when the animal suddenly and forcibly pulls, lunges, bolts, jumps, etc. The shock absorber incorporated resilient shock absorbing elements automatically operative to oppose the force exerted by the animal and diminish its effect on the manually held leash. The device is constituted of a pneumatic cylinder the piston of which is connected to the animal and normally is retained in a retracted position by a compressive spring against which the animal pulls. In addition to the restraining force imposed by the spring, compressed air also is utilized to absorb the shock of the animal's pulling force. A command sound, such as a recorded voice, buzzer, or the like, actuated under controlled circumstances and operative to order the animal to halt or obey, may be included.

Abstract: A construction for coupling a car body with a shock absorber having a piston rod comprises a valve base coupled with the piston rod and having a hole extending from an upper end surface to an intermediate portion axially of the piston rod for inserting a valve body, a first path consisting of a plurality of path portions extending from the hole to an outer peripheral surface and having different bores and a second path spaced axially from the first path and extending from the hole to the outer peripheral surface, a bushing having a first fluid chamber communicating to the first path and second fluid chamber communicating to the second path and disposed radially outward of the valve base, a connecting member for coupling the bushing with the car body, the valve body having a third path capable of affording and interrupting communication for the first and second paths and disposed rotatably in the hole of the valve and an actuator for operating the valve body.

Abstract: A gas spring-assisted counterbalance system for a closure member, e.g., the rear door of a hatchback automobile, includes a mechanical spring connected in series with a gas spring. The system is arranged so that the gas spring reaches its fully retracted position before the door is fully closed, after which the door is closed against the force of the mechanical spring. Longitudinal vibrations or short movements of the system which otherwise would impart undesired short stroke cycles to the gas spring are absorbed by the mechanical spring, thereby enhancing the operating lifetime of the gas spring.

Abstract: A spring load adjusting device for cushioning equipment including a pressure chamber which hydraulically controls a spring load of a coil spring.A hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically connected to the pressure chamber, a piston is slidably fitted in the cylinder, an adjust screw is provided for sliding the piston, and a protection member is provided for protecting a threaded portion of the adjust screw.The threaded portion of the adjust screw is protected from exposure to the outside and is thus protected from dust and the like, while the appearance is improved.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring for motor vehicles which includes a closed spring volume and two spring surfaces of different sizes adapted to be subjected to pressure acting in opposite directions. The two spring surfaces each have an effective spring surface which is variable in size as a function of travel of the pneumatic spring. A separate support arrangement is provided for each of the spring surfaces for supporting the spring surfaces so as to be coaxial with respect to one another. A linking construction is provided for elastically linking the two support arrangements with one another so as to enable an axial distance between the support arrangements to be variable within predetermined limits as a function of a pressure of the closed spring volume.