Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may be responsive to a vertical acceleration sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston rod, a damping piston, at least one cylinder containing a damping liquid, a fixed partition member for partitioning the interior of the damper into two liquid chambers, a pressure source, and a valve in communication with the pressure source which reacts as a function of the pressure. The valve can also be in communication with additional forces, such as mechanical spring forces, which can be adjustable. The valve can include a pressure intensifier. The valve generates fluid flow resistance during flow of liquid in a first direction through the partition member. The fluid flow resistance in the first direction varies according to the amount of force communicated to the valve by the pressure source and any additional forces. The partition member can include means for providing low-resistance return flow of liquid in a second direction.

Abstract: A front bicycle suspension assembly having an inertia valve is described. The front bicycle suspension assembly may include at least upper and lower telescoping tubes defining an interior volume in which a damping tube containing an inertia valve is positioned. During compression, a piston rod of the bicycle suspension assembly occupies a successively greater portion of the damping tube.

Abstract: An integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having a gas spring integrated with a shock absorber (damper) is described. The rigid gas cylinder of the air spring is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. A flow port connects the first and second gas chambers, and can be manually opened or closed by valve and a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the gas spring between two different spring rates. The different spring rates are functions of the separate or combined volumes of the two gas chambers. The integrated suspension assembly is compactly packaged and self-contained, i.e., does not require any externalities, such as gas sources or electricity, to operate.

Abstract: A gas spring capable of having long and short travel modes is described. The gas spring uses liquid in combination with pressurized air to affect the travel length. Unlike conventional gas springs, the gas spring according to the invention may have its travel reduced more than, for example, by 50%.

Abstract: A gas spring curve control valve for a adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device is described. The valve allows for selection from among at least four spring curves and can be packaged in small spaces/devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotary cam having grooves and lobes that interact with spring loaded ball bearings and an external adjuster knob are used to easily change the gas spring curve “on-the-fly” and with minimal user effort.

Abstract: A self-pressurized damper, for example, a pressure-sensitive damper is described. At least one suspension spring is used to pressurize the damping fluid, a task typically carried out by a sealed moveable barrier, such as an internal floating piston (IFP) and a pressurized gas. Thus, stroke length may be maximized. Furthermore, the amount of compression damping force produced by the damper may be a function of the force generated by the at least one suspension spring.

Abstract: A damper including an inertia valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber is disclosed. In these embodiments, the damper has at least one chamber that at least partially surrounds two other chambers.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension assembly including a damper body and having a valve, including a moveable inertia mass, movable between first and second positions to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the bicycle suspension assembly is described. The valve and especially the inertia mass can be substantially isolated from the effects of the rebound and compression fluid flows.

Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature that operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The damper may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature that operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The damper may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: An air spring is optionally integrated with a shock absorber or other damping unit, and has an air cylinder closed at one end, and in axially-slidable engagement with a sealing head at the other end. A sealed partitioning plate is fixed in the cylinder, and divides the cylinder into a primary air chamber and a secondary air chamber. A sealed air passage connects the primary and secondary air chambers, and can be opened or closed by a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the air spring between two different spring rate curves.

Abstract: A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature that operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The damper may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: A dampener including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature which operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The dampener may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to shock absorbers with damping adjusters which vary the damping provided during compression and rebound strokes. The shock absorber includes a cylinder within which a piston is movably mounted for movement within the cylinder. Bypass openings open into the cylinder interior at axially spaced-apart positions. The bypass openings are coupled by a bypass channel. A pressurized gas container is fluidly coupled to the cylinder interior with a movable barrier separating the pressurized gas container and the cylinder interior. Compression and rebound damping adjusters may be used.

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.