Abstract: A spool-shaped damper piston which is slideably mounted on a damper rod and has an external foam friction element engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical damper body. A pair of axially movable limiting disks are spaced from the spool-shaped damper a predetermined distance to allow movement of the damper rod a predetermined amount before the spool-shaped damper is engaged. In one embodiment, the disks include axially extending tabs which extend through slots in the ends of the spool and selectively engage the foam friction element when the motion of the damping rod exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment of the invention, the limiting disks include spring fingers extending between the disks and the spool ends to cushion the initial engagement between the disks and the spool as the free space threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A spool-shaped damper piston which is slideably mounted on a damper rod and has an external foam friction element engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical damper body. A pair of axially movable limiting disks are spaced from the spool-shaped damper a predetermined distance to allow movement of the damper rod a predetermined amount before the spool-shaped damper is engaged. In one embodiment, the disks include axially extending tabs which extend through slots in the ends of the spool and selectively engage the foam friction element when the motion of the damping rod exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment of the invention, the limiting disks include spring fingers extending between the disks and the spool ends to cushion the initial engagement between the disks and the spool as the free space threshold is exceeded.