Abstract: A shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is provided. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber further comprises a reciprocating piston disposed in the working chamber operable to divide the working chamber into first and second portions. An axially extending piston rod is disposed within the working chamber and is connected to the piston. Finally, the shock absorber includes an annular collar and a split ring for controlling the displacement of the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers as disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first valve member disposed within the pressure chamber of the shock absorber for establishing a first plurality of flow passages. The apparatus further comprises a second valve member also disposed within the pressure cylinder of the shock absorber for establishing a second plurality of flow passages. In additon, the apparatus comprises an actuator for providing an accelerating and decelerating force to the second valve member. Control means for controlling the displacement of the second valve member is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for simultaneously producing multiple linear grooves on the internal surface of cylindrical tubes. The apparatus comprises an outer cage assembly with a mandrel assembly axially and slideably disposed therein. Additionally, each assembly is capable of independent nonrotational linear motion. The cage assembly is introduced into the inner diameter of the tube along their common cylindrical axis. A multiplicity of spherical roller elements, retained within circumferentially spaced ports near the entry end of the cage assembly maintain resting contact with the mandrel assembly disposed within the cage assembly. The entry end of the mandrel assembly is conically tapered to define a range of radial motion for the rollers upon linear movement of the mandrel assembly. This linear movement of the mandrel assembly generates radial expansion of the circumferentially spaced rollers into pressing contact with the pressure tube.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure balanced shutter sleeve disposed within the piston rod of the shock absorber. The shutter sleeve has a plurality of flow passages in fluid communication with the lower portion of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises an orifice sleeve disposed within the piston rod and being displaceable with respect to the shutter sleeve. The orifice sleeve has a plurality of flow passages in fluid communication with the upper portion of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises an actuator for applying torque to the shutter sleeve as well as control means for controlling the application of torque by the actuator.

Abstract: A seal is provided for a shock absorber having a housing and a piston rod partially disposed within the damping fluid in the working chamber of the shock absorber. The seal comprises a first surface engaging the housing operable to prevent the flow of damping fluid between the first surface and the housing. The seal further comprises a second surface engaging the piston rod, the second surface operable to prevent the flow of damping fluid between the second surface and the piston rod. The second surface of the seal comprises a first annular recess coaxially disposed on the second surface with respect to the piston rod, as well as a first annular lip coaxially disposed on the second surface. Finally, the second surface comprises a groove which reduces friction between the piston rod and the seal.

Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed which electrically communicates with an external source of electrical potential. The shock absorber comprises a valve for electrically controlling the flow of damping fluid in the working chamber of the shock absorber. The shock absorber further comprises a connector for allowing the valve to be electrically connected to the source of electrical potential. The connector comprises an adapter shaft communicating with the piston rod of the shock absorber, a female connector assembly connected to the adapter shaft, and a male connector assembly connected to the female connector assembly.

Abstract: An improved shock absorbing and leveling system for vehicles or the like is disclosed and includes a shock absorber sub-assembly and an airspring sub-assembly that can be used as either an assist device for a primary spring or as a primary spring itself. The preferred airspring sub-assembly includes a relatively rigid chamber member and a rolling flexible diaphragm member sealingly interconnected to one another, with an electrical inductance height sensor surrounding the shock absorber and contained substantially wholly within the chamber member. The airspring sub-assembly also preferably includes a diaphragm support member that laterally supports the diaphragm member on the shock absorber housing in a laterally spaced-apart relationship at least at two longitudinal positions thereon. Advantageously, the shock absorber sub-assembly and the airspring sub-assembly are independently removable from one another and replaceable as separate sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A tie-down clip is described which is adapted for retaining the rod of a pressurized suspension unit in a retracted position within the suspension unit cylinder thereby protecting the rod from damage during shipping and handling and also reduces the size of the necessary packaging for the suspension unit. The tie-down clip has a hook-shaped end which engages the cylinder of the suspension unit and a top plate which receives the piston rod and engages a stop formed by the rod to retain the rod from extension. Two embodiments are described having differing shapes of apertures in the tie-down clip top plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber is formed as a sealed assembly and subsequently, at a desired time, an opening is non-contaminantly pierced in the outer shell and the shock absorber is pressurized by passing a pressurized fluid through the opening and the opening is then non-contaminantly sealed with a metal ball by welding to make the hydraulic shock absorber permanently gas pressurized. The shock absorber assembly, the method of making it and the apparatus for making it are disclosed in this specification.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber is formed as a sealed assembly and subsequently, at a desired time, an opening is non-contaminantly pierced in the outer shell and the shock absorber is pressurized by passing a pressurized fluid through the opening and the opening is then non-contaminantly sealed with a metal ball by welding to make the hydraulic shock absorber permanently gas pressurized. The shock absorber assembly, the method of making it and the apparatus for making it are disclosed in this specification.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension device comprising a telescopic shock absorber including an elongated tubular housing, a piston reciprocable within the housing and connected to one end of a piston rod extending axially outwardly from one end of the housing, a tubular dirt shield supported on one end of the piston rod and extending coaxially of the rod and the housing, a helical coil spring extending coaxially of the housing and the dirt shield, and first and second support flanges located at the axially opposite ends of the coil spring, with one of the flanges being axially removable from the device by a simple rotative and axial manipulation thereof, whereby to provide for removal, replacement or similar interchanging of the coil spring.

Abstract: A snow vehicle suspension system including a pair of suspension struts associated one with each of the two steerable skis of the vehicle; each of the struts including a first generally tubular shaped housing fixably secured to the underside of the vehicle above the associated of the skis, a second generally tubular housing telescopically disposed within the first housing and connected at the lower end thereof to the associated ski, shock absorbing means within the second housing and including a reciprocable piston mounted on one end of a piston rod extending axially outwardly from the upper end of the first housing, the upper end of the piston rod being secured to a portion of the vehicle above the strut and having a helical coil spring extending coaxially thereof between the upper end of the strut and the aforesaid vehicle portion, a steering arm having a first portion operatively connected to the vehicle steering mechanism and a second portion rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the strut, with a secon

Abstract: A filter unit, and method of assembly thereof, of the type to be used with the circulating lubrication system of an internal combustion engine; the unit including an enclosure having sidewall and end sections, a filter element disposed within the enclosure, an additive body within the enclosure between the end section thereof, and the filter element and means, including a helical coil spring, interposed between the filter element and additive body for preventing relative movement thereof within the enclosure.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling strut of the type comprising a direct-acting hydraulic shock absorber provided with a reciprocable piston rod having a dirt shield mounted thereon, a tubular rolling diaphragm member secured at one end to the shock absorber and at the opposite end to the dirt shield and defining therewith a variable volume chamber adapted to be selectively pressurized and de-pressurized for controlling the distance between the sprung and unsprung portions of an associated vehicle; located interiorly of the pressurizable chamber and fixedly mounted to one wall thereof is a support member which is fabricated of a relatively flexible or compliant material which is provided with solid state electronic sensing means for sensing the relative axial displacement between the shock absorber dirt shield and reserve tube and provide a control signal which is communicated via a connector assembly secured to the support member to an electrical conductor, to effect energization of a suitable source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A windshield wiper construction adapted to provide for longitudinal sliding or shifting movement between the wiper element and associated flexor member relative to the associated superstructure and wiper arm, whereby to accommodate for variations in windshield curvature. The construction may be fabricated of a one-piece monolythic structure, thereby obviating the need for various connecting links and the like which have been utilized in the prior art and thus simplifying the fabrication, construction and assembly time and expenses to the extreme.

Abstract: A connector assembly for operatively connecting a windshield wiper arm to the superstructure of an associated wiper blade having a yoke member comprising a pair of spaced apart side sections and intermediate web section, the connector assembly including an opening formed in the web section and a pair of laterally aligned apertures formed in the side section of the superstructure, the terminal end of the wiper arm defining an opening adapted to be aligned with the apertures of the superstructure, a removable connector pin extending coaxially of the apertures and the opening for connecting the yoke member to the arm, and an insert member received at least in part within the opening of the yoke member and releasably connected to the pin, whereby the pin may be removed from the assembly in order to disconnect the blade from the arm.

Abstract: A shock absorber of the direct acting hydraulic type is disclosed as comprising a reciprocable piston having a piston body, the piston body being formed with first and second sets of spaced flow ports, the sets of flow ports being concentrically oriented with the first set being spaced radially inwardly from the second set; a first valve seat on one end of the piston body adjacent the first set of flow ports; a first valve member engageable with the first valve seat to block fluid flow through the first set of flow ports; first and second sequentially operable springs for resiliently urging the first valve member toward the first valve seat; second and third valve seats on the opposite end of the piston body and located radially inwardly and outwardly from the second set of flow ports; a second valve member in the form of a flat annular valve disc disposed adjacent the second and third valve seats and engageable therewith to block fluid flow through the second set of flow ports; the ends of the second set of

Abstract: A windshield wiper construction adapted to provide for longitudinal sliding or shifting movement between the wiper element and associated flexor member relative to the associated superstructure and wiper arm, whereby to accommodate for variations in windshield curvature. The construction may be fabricated of a one-piece monolythic structure, thereby obviating the need for various connecting links and the like which have been utilized in the prior art and thus simplifying the fabrication, construction and assembly time and expenses to the extreme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling combination shock absorbers and leveling struts of the type comprising a telescopic direct acting shock absorber having a reciprocable piston and piston rod, with the piston rod carrying a cylindrical dirt shield which cooperates with a rolling or flexible diaphragm member extending between the body of the shock absorber and the dirt shield in defining a variable volume pressurizable chamber. The dirt shield is displaced relative to the shock absorber in response to the magnitude of pressure maintained in the chamber whereby to selectively control the attitude between sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle coil spring and shock absorber connected directly to the front wheel by a mounting tube having a removable bottom through which the shock absorber may be removed. .Iadd.