Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber (100) including a cylinder (7), a piston rod (2) and a piston (6) attached to the piston rod (2). The piston (6) is arranged in the cylinder (7) and a damping chamber including a damping media is defined in the cylinder (7). The shock absorber (100) further includes a gas spring in functional connection with the damping chamber and at least one characteristic of the gas spring is adjustable by a user-adjustable feature arranged within the piston rod, wherein the user adjustable feature affects the enclosing area of the damping chamber, thereby indirectly affecting the gas spring through the functional connection.

Abstract: A dual piston system for independently controlling compression and rebound flowpaths therein, the dual piston system comprising: a first adjustable orifice configured for controlling rebound fluid flow, wherein the first adjustable orifice controls the rebound fluid flow through a first pathway associated with a low speed rebound flow and a second pathway associated with a high speed rebound flow; and a second adjustable orifice configured for controlling compression fluid flow, wherein the second adjustable orifice controls the compression fluid flow through a third pathway associated with a low speed compression flow and a fourth pathway associated with a high speed compression flow.

Abstract: A shock absorber and method of controlling a shock absorber, wherein the shock absorber comprises damper body having an inner tube and an outer tube and a piston rod having a main piston arrangement arranged inside the inner tube. The shock absorber further comprises two separate electrical continuously controlled valves (CES1, CES2), one for compression and one for rebound flow, arranged with passive valves coupled in series with and downstream of the electronically controlled valves and with a communication chamber coupling these valves to a pressurizing chamber.

Abstract: A suspension shock absorber for remote control (RC) cars includes an inner tube and an outer tube coaxial with each other. The hollow area inside the inner tube defines a hollow chamber where a piston and a piston rod slidably moves. A shock cap seals the top of the inner tube and the outer tube. The space between the coaxial inner tube and outer tube is used as an inter-tube bypass route through which bypass oil flows. The shock cap has a bypass passage connecting the inter-tube bypass route with the upper portion of the hollow chamber. A bypass valve in line with the co-axis of the inner tube and the outer tube is disposed on top of the shock cap and used to regulate the amount of oil flow through the bypass passage.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system having a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor, and a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of an object from the sensor. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment is also provided, as well as a shower control system, methods for controlling water flow based on sensing of the presence and location of an object, and methods for reducing water consumption.

Abstract: An upper support for a suspension including: a main body; a lower bracket including a press-fit tube part to which an outer tube member of the main body is secured by being press-fitted; and an upper bracket covering an upper opening of the press-fit tube part such that the main body is disposed between the lower and upper brackets. The outer tube member includes at its upper end a press-fit operator projecting to a radial outside or a radial inside. A sealing rubber is bonded to the press-fit operator and projects upward, and an upper surface of the press-fit operator is partially exposed from the sealing rubber. The sealing rubber contacts the upper bracket about an entire circumference in a compressed state so as to provide a fluid-tight sealing between the press-fit operator and the upper bracket.

Abstract: A front fork shock-absorbing device includes a front fork and a shock-absorbing unit is located in the first space in the front fork. The shock-absorbing unit includes a driving unit and a spring rate adjustment device. The driving unit contacts an operation end of the spring rate adjustment device. A DC power unit is located in the second space of the front fork and electrically connected to the driving unit. The shock-absorbing unit provides shock-absorbing features to the front fork. The spring rate adjustment device is adjusted according to the road condition to provide comfortable riding to the users.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber improves operability of a piston rod by providing an initial set load to the shock-absorbing rubber of a vehicle, and improves ride quality of the vehicle. The hydraulic shock absorber includes a cylinder, a first support member, a cover member, a main piston rod extending through the first support member, a sub piston rod, and a piston between the two piston rods. The hydraulic shock absorber further includes a free piston slidably fitted in the cylinder so that a pipe extends through the free piston. A first oil chamber and a second oil chamber on the two sides of the piston communicate with each other via a valve. A second support member partitions a second oil chamber and a third oil chamber, and the free piston partitions the third oil chamber and a gas chamber.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system having a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor, and a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of an object from the sensor. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment is also provided, as well as a shower control system, methods for controlling water flow based on sensing of the presence and location of an object, and methods for reducing water consumption.

Abstract: A piston (10) comprises a first pair of passive flow-control valves (18, 20) [namely, a first compensation valve (18) and a first rebound valve (20)], a second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24) [namely, a second compensation valve (22) and a second rebound valve (24)], and a flow-dividing solenoid valve (14) shiftable between a first operating position [in which it allows flow of a damping fluid between an upper chamber and a lower chamber of a shock absorber through the first pair of passive flow-control valves (18, 20) and second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24)] and a second operating position [in which it allows the flow of the damping fluid between the upper chamber and lower chamber through only the second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24)]. The solenoid valve (14) is normally open (i.e., it is normally kept in the first operating position).

Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle has a rear cushion unit that includes a damper cylinder having one end part linked to a swing arm, a sub-tank connected to the damper cylinder and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a damping force in response to operation of the operation element is provided between a vehicle body frame and the swing arm. A cylinder body of the damper cylinder, a bottomed housing tube part housing the adjustment mechanism having on an upper end part an operation face on which the operation element is disposed, and the sub-tank are integrally and connectedly provided. The operation face is inclined obliquely upward so that the operation element that faces a region bounded by the seat frame, the pillion step holder mounted on the seat frame and the swing arm when viewed from the side can be operated from obliquely above on the outside.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber, upper and lower pistons forming upper and lower two stages are fixed to a leading end portion of a piston rod. An intermediate oil chamber is provided between the upper and lower pistons. An intermediate air chamber is provided in such a manner as to compensate an oil amount change in an oil chamber by coming into contact with the intermediate oil chamber and expanding and compressing on the basis of the oil amount change of the oil chamber caused by an extension and compression stroke of the piston rod, and an air compression rate of an upper portion air chamber of the oil reservoir chamber is set to be equal to or more than an air compression rate of the intermediate air chamber, with respect to the extension and compression stroke of the piston rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber 10, a piston holder 41 has an axial side surface 41e formed with an opening of an inclined hole 48b exposed to a rod-side oil chamber 43B. A block ring 71 capable of closing the opening of the inclined hole 48b is provided around a piston rod body 22 at a position between the axial side surface 41e of the piston holder 41 and the upper end of a rebound spring 32.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber in a housing and separated by a piston. The valve has an orifice component and a blocker component, one of which has a permanent magnet, and the other of which has a magnetically permeable material. Upon the application of sufficient fluid pressure, the blocker component is forced away from the orifice component, despite the magnetic bias that tends to attract the two structures. Because the magnetic force decreases as the two components are spaced farther apart, the shock absorber has excellent performance characteristics. Alternatively, a mechanical spring urges the blocker closed, and magnetic attraction between the blocker and a spaced opener mitigates the increased force of the compressed spring tending to close the valve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a damper adjustment assembly that comprises an adjuster having a first detent at a first axial location, and a second detent at a second axial location. The assembly may further comprise a housing having a keeper for engaging the first and second detents. The method may comprise rotating the adjuster within the housing, and engaging the keeper with the first detent at the first axial location. The method may further comprise further rotating the damping adjuster within the housing and engaging the keeper with the second detent at the second axial location on the adjuster.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a vehicle including at least one fluid operated ram having a cylinder and a main piston mounted therein for reciprocating movement, control means for controlling an equilibrium position of the piston in the ram in response to lateral acceleration of the vehicle in order to counter the effects of body roll of the vehicle, and wherein the ram includes shock absorbing means for permitting rapid movement of the piston from the equilibrium position when operating fluid in the ram is subjected to transient increases in pressure.

Abstract: In a front fork which is capable of adjusting a spring force of a suspension spring housed in a fork main body by driving a jack mechanism housed in the fork main body to raise and lower an upper end position of the suspension spring, the jack mechanism defines a pressure chamber by means of a cap member that closes an upper end opening of a vehicle body side tube and a piston member. By supplying and discharging a pressure oil to and from the pressure chamber, the piston member ascends and descends, thereby raising and lowering the upper end position of the suspension spring.

Abstract: A cushion device includes a shock absorber and an accumulator. As a piston moves in a certain direction in a cylinder so that the shock absorber is compressed, oil in an oil chamber is discharged to the accumulator through an oil hose. The compression operation of the piston allows a slide member to slide and the capacity of an oil chamber is reduced. The oil in the oil chamber is discharged to a regulation unit through an oil hose. The regulation unit controls a valve by the pressure of the oil coming in from the oil chamber and applies resistance to the oil discharged from an oil chamber to an oil chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damper having a damper cylinder, in which a piston plunger is guided via a piston rod. For the adjustment of characteristic damper values, the flow of a damper fluid can be controlled via control mechanism disposed inside the damper cylinder, which controls the flow of the damper fluid in a first flow direction using a first adjusting element and in a second flow direction using a second adjusting element. According to the invention, the first and second adjusting elements are provided with at least one spring element. The spring rate of at least one of the spring elements can be adjusted for defining a damping behavior using corresponding defining or predetermining elements.

Abstract: A damper includes a cylinder tube having a first end connected to one portion of a member of an object for damping, and a fixing rod guide arranged to close a second end of the cylinder tube; a movable rod guide fitted on the first end of the cylinder tube; a main piston rod extending from the piston side, the piston fitted in the cylinder tube and passing through the fixing rod guide; a sub-piston rod extending on the piston side and passing through the movable rod guide; and a spring normally biasing the movable rod guide toward the piston. A damping force generation oil passage is arranged to connect first and second oil chambers in a cylinder tube defined by the piston. The number of parts of a through-rod type damper is reduced to simplify a construction thereof and to make the damper compact.

Abstract: An adjustable damping valve including an actuator, which exerts an actuating force on a valve body against the force of a spring to influence the throttle cross section which determines the damping force, where an emergency valve is connected in parallel with the throttle cross section with respect to the flow direction of the damping medium, where the two control surfaces of the valve body move in the axial direction and can thus can come to rest alternately on the two valve seating surfaces, and where the valve body is divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction, and each valve body assembly has its own control surface.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a compression chamber and a rebound chamber in a housing and separated by a piston. The valve has an orifice component and a blocker component, one of which has a permanent magnet, and the other of which has a magnetically permeable material. Upon the application of sufficient fluid pressure, the blocker component is forced away from the orifice component, despite the magnetic bias that tends to attract the two structures. Because the magnetic force decreases as the two components are spaced farther apart, the shock absorber has excellent performance characteristics. Alternatively, a mechanical spring urges the blocker closed, and magnetic attraction between the blocker and a spaced opener mitigates the increased force of the compressed spring tending to close the valve.

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 groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.

Abstract: A telescopic fork (1) for two-wheelers, in particular bicycles, is provided and includes a plunger tube (2) and a fixed tube (3) having a spring element (4), which is impinged by a piston (5) connected to the plunger tube (2), with the piston (5) having a piston rod (6) connected to the plunger tube (2). For adjusting the spring travel, the piston rod (6) is adjustable in height and connected to the plunger tube (2), with an adjustment cylinder (8) being provided for this purpose connected to the plunger tube (2), in which an adjustment piston (9) is guided connected to the piston rod (6) and the cylinder chambers (13, 14) located at both sides of the adjustment piston (9) are filled with fluid and are at least provided with one connecting channel that can be opened and closed for the fluid to flow.

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 groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a multilayer optical articles. A method comprises forming a first multilayer article with a first substrate, first adherent, and second substrate using a first holder and a second holder. The method further comprises forming a second multilayer article with the first multilayer article, a second adherent, and a third substrate using the first holder and second holder to grasp the second multilayer article. After removal of the first and second holders, the first and second adherent maintains the second multilayer article in a posture at which the second multilayer article was held by the first and second holders, wherein the first and second adherent comprise a photopolymer such that the article is capable of storing data in a reflective holographic data storage system.

Abstract: A damper includes a cylinder tube having a first end connected to one portion of a member of an object for damping, and a fixing rod guide arranged to close a second end of the cylinder tube; a movable rod guide fitted on the first end of the cylinder tube; a main piston rod extending from the piston side, the piston fitted in the cylinder tube and passing through the fixing rod guide; a sub-piston rod extending on the piston side and passing through the movable rod guide; and a spring normally biasing the movable rod guide toward the piston. A damping force generation oil passage is arranged to connect first and second oil chambers in a cylinder tube defined by the piston. The number of parts of a through-rod type damper is reduced to simplify a construction thereof and to make the damper compact.

Abstract: A damper for vehicles is arranged with selectable or adjustable damping force characteristics that are essentially independent of other internal or external function factors in the damper. For this, fixing devices and a surrounding arrangement, piston arrangement and piston rod arrangement are utilized. In the event of a damping force arising on the arrangement's piston in a certain direction of the piston, an operating device with valves and pipes is arranged to ensure that there is an increase in pressure on the side of the piston facing towards the direction, while the pressure is essentially maintained on the side of the piston facing away from the direction. In addition, pressure-maintaining devices are included that ensure that the pressure in the arrangement is maintained in the event of the occurrence of pressure-affecting parameters. The damper is preferably arranged with adjusting devices that determine the damping force characteristics according to their setting.

Abstract: A shock absorber has an outer tube, an inner tub, a piston rod, a piston and a damping device. The inner tube is slidably inserted into the outer tube and has an inner space with an inner diameter. The piston is securely mounted on the piston rod, is slidably held inside the inner tube to divide the inner space of the inner tube into two segments and has at least one channel. The damping device has a plug and a sleeve. The plug is securely attached to the piston and has a diameter. The sleeve is securely mounted in the inner tube and has an inner diameter. The diameter of the plug is smaller than the inner diameters of the inner tube and the sleeve. The inner diameter of the sleeve is smaller than that of the inner tube.

Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided with freedom of axial movement, where the piston rod cooperates with a piston arrangement comprising a first, stationary piston and at least one additional piston, which is supported on the piston rod with freedom of axial movement against the elastic force of at least one restoring spring, where the cylinder is divided by the stationary piston and by the minimum of one axially movable piston into a working space on the side of the piston facing the piston rod, a working space on the side of the piston facing away from the piston rod, and a working space between the two pistons, where valve-equipped through-openings control a connection between the working spaces, and where the axial movement of the minimum of one axially movable piston is limited by a hydraulic pressure stop.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided and includes a first end adapted for connection to a vehicle, a second end adapted for connection to the vehicle, a case containing a piston rod and a piston valve and a compression adjustment device disposed exterior to the case, wherein the compression adjustment device includes a movable portion associated with an adjustment rod and wherein the adjustment rod is associated with the piston rod such that a flow of fluid within the shock absorber is affected in a manner responsive to a movement of the movable portion.

Abstract: Vibration damper includes a cylinder filled with a damping medium in which a piston rod with a piston is guided in an axially movable manner, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into a work space on the piston rod side and a work space remote of the piston rod. A bypass connects at least one of the two work spaces with a first work chamber in a housing in which an axially movable separating piston separates the first work chamber from a second work chamber, the bypass being controlled by a switchable valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic stop. The hydraulic stop includes two housings connected together by a spring. At the end of the stroke of the shock absorber, the piston causes the two housings to approach each other thereby causing fluid disposed between the housings to flow through a bleed passage. The size or total area of the bleed passage will determine the amount of hydraulic damping provided by the hydraulic stop.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic stop. The hydraulic stop includes two housings connected together by a spring. At the end of the stroke of the shock absorber, the piston causes the two housings to approach each other thereby causing fluid disposed between the housings to flow through a bleed passage. The size or total area of the bleed passage will determine the amount of hydraulic damping provided by the hydraulic stop.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1), a piston (4), and a bypass. The cylinder is charged with fluid. The piston partitions the cylinder into two compartments (7 & 8), travels back and forth therein on the end of a piston rod (2), and is provided with breaches and valves. The open cross-section of the bypass can be expanded and contracted and fixed in accordance with the direction the piston is traveling in, depending on whether the dashpot is in the compression or in the suction phase. The bypass is provided with an axially displaceable control component. One end of the control component comes to rest against a valve, its displacement being limited by stops. The bypass is accommodated in an axial bore through the piston rod. The bypass operates in conjunction with various outlets that open into the compartments. The control component is provided with at least one lateral flange and travels back and forth in at least one tube. The object is a smooth performance curve and low wear.

Abstract: A motorcycle or bicycle suspension having adjustable side-to-side flexibility. The suspension includes a telescopic fork and a fork bottom which couples the fork to the axle of a wheel. The fork bottom and the fork are stiff in the direction of travel, to avoid flexing under heavy braking. The fork bottom is flexible in the lateral direction, to improve the ability of the tire to stay in contact with the ground when leaned over and cornering over irregular, bumpy ground. The lateral flexibility of the fork bottom is adjustable by tightening or loosening a tension cable which is attached to the ends of the fork bottom and stretched over a fulcrum in the middle of the fork bottom. Tightening the tension cable increases sideways thrust of the fulcrum against the fork bottom, reducing the lateral flexibility of the fork bottom.

Abstract: In a piston-cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder in which a piston rod is installed with freedom of axial movement and which is filled with a blocking medium, a braking device becomes active when the piston-cylinder assembly moves faster than a defined speed and thus limits the speed to a desired extent. A valve body divides the cylinder into two working spaces, which are connected to each other by at least one flow-through opening. As soon as the defined speed is exceeded, the dynamic pressure in the working space elastically deforms a disk, which has the effect of at least partially sealing off the flow-through opening(s) in opposition to the forces trying to keep them open. The elastic deformation of the disk represents a closing movement relative to the cross section of the flow-through opening(s). The disk takes the form of a valve ring, which is installed in a valve ring groove with a certain freedom of axial movement.

Abstract: A front suspension device includes an inner tube fixedly connected to the crown portion of the front fork and movably inserted in an outer tube. A valve member is received in the inner tube and connected to a sleeve which extends from the inner tube and an adjusting member is connected to the sleeve and the outer tube. An end cap is fixed to the first end of the inner tube and connected to a hollow tube which is mounted by a ring member engaged with an inner periphery of the inner tube. A spring is mounted to the hollow tube. A core is movably received in the hollow tube and has a first end connected to an adjusting switch. A head is connected to the second end of the core and movably seals paths defined through the ring member. The spring is not compressed when the paths are sealed by the head. When a large pressure is applied to the head, the ring member is moved upward to compress the spring to re-activate the suspension device.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device is provided to reduce shock that is transmitted to a handlebar of a bicycle, and includes a damping member disposed between a mount and a leg member and having a damping capacity. A driven member is rotatably mounted on the mount and is turned by a twist actuating member which is in synchronized operation with a brake actuating member of the bicycle. A regulating member is disposed to be actuated, in response to the angular movement of the driven member, to vary the damping capacity of the damping member, thereby enhancing the safety and comfort of the rider when the bicycle is braked.

Abstract: Rotation damper (1), for a vehicle that runs on rails, having piston (9) and cylinder parts (2) moving with respect to one another. This damper has a friction characteristics, that is to say the fluid connection over the piston is not a permanently open hole but exclusively comprises spring-loaded valves (11). In order to facilitate the installation of such dampers, it is proposed to make a separate connection between the working cylinder and the reservoir in which a valve that can be manually operated is arranged, which valve, on operation, opens a connection as a result of which the piston and cylinder can be moved relative to one another under manual force.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock absorber body defining a cavity that is at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A piston is slidably arranged within the body and separates the cavity into rebound and compression fluid chambers. A rod is secured to the piston and includes first and second portions that are respectively adjacent to the rebound and compression chambers. A fluid passageway extends between the first and second portions to fluidly connect the rebound and compression chambers. In this manner, fluid is permitted to flow through the rod to provide damping characteristics in addition to those damping characteristics typically provided by the piston. A valve assembly, which may include a one-way check valve, is arranged within the passageway for controlling the flow of fluid between the rebound and compression chambers through the passageway. Preferably, the rod includes a longitudinal bore having an adjustable plunger arranged therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for independent axle control of a variable force damper system by providing at least one axle velocity signal from at least one vehicle sensor. The method then applies an axle control algorithm to the at least one axle velocity signal, thus determining at least one axle damping command as a function of the axle control algorithm.

Abstract: A pilot chamber is formed at the back of a disk valve for each of the fluid flow systems for the extension and compression strokes. Damping force in a low piston speed region is controlled with a pressure control valve. The valve opening pressure of the disk valve is controlled by varying a pilot pressure introduced into the pilot chamber from a cylinder's hydraulic fluid chamber through a cut portion in a piston bolt and an orifice groove formed in a fixed member supporting the disk valve, thereby controlling damping force in a high piston speed region. A sharp pressure change occurring when the stroke direction of a piston rod changes is attenuated by the restricting action of the orifice groove so as not to be readily transmittable to the pilot chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber is made with a bleed function and preferably a non-return valve function associated with the bleed function. The shock absorber has a cylinder (3) and, working in the latter in working medium and arranged on a piston rod (4), a piston arrangement. The latter comprises at least two first and second pistons (5, 6) arranged at a distance from one another on the piston rod. At least one piston (5) can, in connection with an end position, be introduced into a first space so as, depending on its position in or at the space, to bring about a modified or varied damping force relative to when the piston is located outside the space. The piston rod (4) is provided with an inner second space (15) which is arranged so as to contain said bleed and/or non-return valve function. Additionally or alternatively, the piston (6) working outside the first space is provided with a member performing a bleed function and with any associated non-return valve function.

Abstract: A bicycle fork having a damping apparatus that includes a cylinder, a damping fluid and a piston. The cylinder defines a chamber. The damping fluid is located in the chamber. The piston is disposed in the chamber and is positioned adjacent the fluid.

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.