Abstract: A cylindrical sleeve is inserted between the body of a competition shock absorber and its adjustable compression spring to protect the body from undue wear created by rubbing of the spring on the threads formed on the external surface of the shock. Different color sleeves can be used on shocks having different performance characteristics to facilitate change out to accommodate varying track conditions.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylindrical shock absorber body, a mounting portion (4) disposed bulgingly in an outer surface of the shock absorber body, and a spring seat (3) inserted into the shock absorber body and engaged with the mounting portion (4), supporting a suspension spring. The mounting portion (4) has, on the top face, a flat face portion perpendicular to an axis of the shock absorber body. The spring seat (3) includes a cylindrical seat body (15), a seat portion (16) projected from an outer side of the cylindrical seat body (15) and an engagement portion (18) projected from an inner side of the cylindrical seat body (15). Further a travel stop device is disposed between the spring seat (3) and the mounting portion (4), thereby to stop relative rotation and upward/downward-direction travel thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorber (1) includes a compression chamber (2) in which a piston (3) moves along a path of travel from a near end to a far end. The chamber includes a constant force mode bleed orifice (10) adjacent the far end and a series of progressive force bleed orifices (9a–9e) at spaced intervals between the near and far ends. An adjustment cylinder (12) has sloping arcuate apertures (13a–13e). As the cylinder (12) is rotated, one of the arcuate apertures aligns with the constant force orifice or the apertures align with the progressive force orifices in full or in part.

Abstract: A gas pressure adjustable aluminum shock absorber to pressurize oil therein mounts between a vehicle and an axle and includes a threaded aluminum shock body tube, a bore therein an aluminum body mounting loop with an internal female thread to couple in threaded engagement with the threaded aluminum shock body tube for fluid tight connection, an aluminum shaft in the bore extends outwardly, and a damper piston is concentrically atop the aluminum shaft for sliding sealing engagement with the bore. Adjustable flow orifices through the damper piston restrains piston and shaft reciprocation therein and co-acting with hydraulic fluid therein and thereabout. An aluminum seal head internally threaded with an internal female to couple in threaded engagement with the threaded aluminum shock body tube for fluid tight connection and seals in the aluminum seal head to engage the aluminum shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber with a self leveling function for a vehicle height is provided to prevent drop of a relief valve even if an excessive impulsive pressure is applied thereto. The relief valve is provided with a tubular valve case which is press-fitted into a press-fit bore of a partition wall member to divide an oil storage and a reservoir, and a valve body opening/closing a valve seat of an end portion of a flow passage formed in the partition wall member is urged toward the direction of the valve seat by a spring and is seated at the valve seat. This prevents an oil pressure in an oil chamber of the reservoir from acting directly on an end face of the valve case.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved shock absorber with guiding system for, for example, racing and Formula cars and such, due to which larger horizontal bend powers F can be taken without considerable wear and further problems, in which the shock absorber consists of a telescopic first or upper tube (15) and second or bottom tube (16) with a damping, for oil bored piston (17), in which the sliding into each other of the mentioned tube parts is executed by means of roller bearings (22, 23), which are adjusted to the radius of the concerned tube, through which in a surprisingly inventive way a very high-quality spring and shock absorber is created for the Formula cars.

Abstract: A position-sensitive shock absorbing device with a single cast body construction is provided. The device has a tubular member, a moveable piston within the tubular member, a first hydraulic fluid chamber defined by an interior volume of the tubular member, a bypass member attached to an outside area of the tubular member. The bypass member surrounds a portion of the tubular member and a second hydraulic fluid chamber is defined by a volume between the tubular member and the bypass member. A first and a second opening in a side of the tubular member are arranged such that the openings are fluidly connected with each other and with both the first and second hydraulic fluid chamber.

Abstract: A damping force-variable shock absorber comprises a cylinder and a piston rod inside the cylinder. The piston rod is linearly moveable relative to the cylinder. An orifice valve plate having a plurality of valve holes is configured and mounted so as to form a circle about the piston rod. A rotary valve plate having a plurality of radially-protruding projections is mounted about the piston rod and is rotatable with respect to the piston rod and the orifice valve plate. The rotary valve plate has a first and at least a second rotating state with respect to the orifice valve plate, wherein the plurality of valve holes respectively define a first opening and at least a second opening. A guide means for rotating the rotary valve plate between the first and the at least second rotating states is located between the rotary valve plate and the cylinder.

Abstract: An activation device for a damper includes a stopping tube adapted to be securely received in the piston rod and having grooves defined in a peripheral edge of the stopping tube and first teeth formed on the peripheral edge of the stopping tube, a driving tube adapted to be movably received in the piston rod and in the stopping tube and having second teeth formed on a peripheral edge of the driving tube and a rotating tube adapted to be movably received in the piston rod and having third teeth engaged with the second teeth so that the movement of the driving tube is able to drive the rotating tube to rotate an angle to selectively allow a corresponding one of the third teeth to be received in the grooves such that communication between the axial passage and the space is selectively plugged.

Abstract: In a mounting structure of a dust cover in a hydraulic shock absorber, a portion continuously provided in an end portion of a portion forming a tubular portion in a metal pipe material of the dust cover is diameter-reduced to an inner diameter side, and an annular diameter-reduced portion including wall portions at both sides is formed. A flange portion obtained by crimping and folding the wall portions at both sides of the diameter-reduced portion in an axial direction according to a press working is formed so as to be continuously provided in an inner diameter side of one end of the tubular portion, and the flange portion is clamped between a mounting bracket and a support member.

Abstract: A double liner gas cylinder with a straight-walled internal gas cylinder, housed inside a longer tube with an extend area housing outer bushing held in position by an outer tube.

Abstract: One-piece knuckle bracket made as a bent-to-shape part, comprising two support bodies a certain distance apart, each with an opening for receiving the external casing of a strut-type shock absorber. A connecting web and tabs for attachment of the shock absorber to a joint are provided between the support bodies, and the connecting web between the separated support bodies and the tabs for the attachment to a joint are connected to each other in such a way as to form an overall U-shape.

Abstract: A shear mount assembly and a compression mount assembly are combined to control ride harshness of a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a body and a shock rod having a hydraulically sealed portion within the body and a distally extending free portion. A mount assembly is connected at the free portion having both a compression mount and a shear mount therein. The shear mount absorbs low-input vertical loads transferred from the shock rod, and the compression mount limits vertical displacement of the shear mount and absorbs a medium-input vertical load. The shear mount and the compression mount are tuned by selecting the durometer, dimensions, and physical configuration of each mount.

Abstract: A cylinder and piston assembly having damping orifices disposed on a wall of the cylinder is used for impact energy and force reduction. The damping orifices may be of any shape and, therefore, a cylinder and piston may produce variable damping forces and variable resistive forces. A damping orifice may be positioned at any point or location along the length of the cylinder bore. The damping coefficient of the system begins to change at the location of a damping orifice in the cylinder bore. A desired system response, e.g., progressive, regressive, varying, or any combination thereof, etc., may be advantageously obtained by designing the damping orifices to produce falling-rate and/or rising-rate damping coefficients.

Abstract: A collapsible upright wall extends the height of the sides on the load hauling box on a truck. The collapsible upright wall comprises a fabric which when vertically stretched provides adequate resistance to substantial lateral load. A method of increasing the volumetric capacity of the box on a truck comprises the steps of: a) providing a rectangular frame above, and dimensioned to seat adjacent to an open top side portion of the load hauling box on the truck; b) providing a substantial lift mechanism to uniformly lift the rectangular frame above the box; and, c) providing and attaching an elongate strip of fabric having a top elongate side portion peripherally attached to the rectangular frame, and a bottom elongate side portion peripherally attached to the open top side portion of the box. Then when the rectangular frame is lifted to an upper operable position the fabric is stretched taut and is thereby able to sustain significant lateral load.

Abstract: Suspension strut unit comprising a cylinder, with respect to which the axial position of a spring collar can be adjusted, where the spring collar has a sleeve section which is received in a chamber provided on the outside of the cylinder. The chamber is at least partially filled with a curable material, and the sleeve section is in contact with the curable material, which, in the solid state, transmits a supporting force from the cylinder to the spring collar. The chamber has at least one isolating sleeve with a radial guide surface, by which the sleeve is in contact with the sleeve section of the spring collar.

Abstract: A piston, which has a piston rod, is guided with freedom of axial movement in a cylindrical pressure tube. At one end of the pressure tube, the piston rod passes through an opening in an end wall, which closes off the end of the pressure tube. The pressure tube is surrounded by a heat-shrink sleeve, which, at the exit end of the piston rod, extends more-or-less radially inward and has a pass-through opening through which the piston rod extends. The ring-shaped end surface at the piston rod exit end of the pressure tube is enclosed by the heat-shrink sleeve.

Abstract: Suspension strut comprising a cylinder and a spring perch which is axially displaceable relative to the cylinder for adjustment of the position, wherein the spring perch has a sleeve portion by which the connection to the cylinder is carried out. A chamber is arranged on the cylinder side which is at least partly filled with a moldable material. The sleeve portion contacts the moldable material, which in a solid state transmits a supporting force from the cylinder to the spring perch.

Abstract: This invention provides a mono-tube type shock absorber comprising: a spring receiver that holds a lower end of a suspension spring, the suspension spring urging the mono-tube type shock absorber in a direction of extending the mono-tube type shock absorber; a cylinder constituting the mono-tube type shock absorber; and a guide member to which the spring receiver is fixed, the guide member being fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, wherein: the guide member is disposed with a predetermined gap being provided between the guide member and the cylinder; an upper end portion of the guide member is fixed to an upper end portion of the cylinder; a lower end portion of the guide member is open with respect to the cylinder; and the spring receiver is fixed to the lower end portion of the guide member.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an outer shell unit (10) provided with a cylindrical outer shell (3) housing a damping force generating mechanism and a knuckle bracket (7) mounted on the outer shell (3) to connect a knuckle. The knuckle bracket (7) is fixed by welding to the outer shell (3) after closing the bottom (31) of the outer shell (3) with a closing process. Consequently productivity is increased due to the fact that the number of processing operations for cutting an inlay and the number of operations for assembling the lower cap are reduced because the bottom is formed using a closing process. Furthermore productivity is increased since it is not necessary to seal the bottom by welding since the sealing characteristics of the bottom of the outer shell are ensured by the closing process.

Abstract: A shock absorber preferably used for an automobile aims at inhibition of noise caused by self-induced vibration. The shock absorber includes a piston, a working cylinder for housing the piston; and a rod one end of which is attached to the piston and the other end of which projects from the working cylinder; wherein a friction coefficient &mgr; between the piston and the working cylinder is represented by the formula &mgr;≦3h2/rl (where, r is the radius of the piston; 2h is the height of the piston; and l is the length of a portion of the rod, which portion is stored in the working cylinder when the piston is neutral).

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock damping device for bicycles for damping mechanical impacts especially with respect to the bicycle handle bar or the bicycle seat, whereby a twist stop portion (16) includes sliding blocks, for example in the form of balls (28) so that an axial movement of a first connecting portion (12) in relation to a second connecting portion (14) is enabled, but essentially no twisting motion between the first and second connecting portions.

Abstract: In a shaft seal part structure of a hydraulic shock absorber, a diameter of an upper portion of the outer cylinder is reduced toward the tubular portion of the oil seal, and the diameter reduced portion of the outer cylinder presses the tubular portion of the oil seal downward, thereby holding the inner cylinder, the rod guide and the oil seal in an inner portion of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: An oil hydraulic cylinder configured to allow an object to be smoothly and continuously lifted without being clatteringly swayed and unnecessarily rotated by the oil hydraulic while supply of the oil hydraulic remains uninterrupted when an adjusting lever is manipulated for lifting and lowering operations, the cylinder comprising: a cap part protrusively formed thereon with a compression unit for forcibly generating oil pressure, an operation unit fixedly connected to an object for lifting, stopping and lowering the object and an adjusting unit for controlling the lifting, stopping and lowering of the object; a body part connected inside a body case to the compression unit, the operation unit and the adjusting unit and formed with a plurality of cylinders and pistons for carrying out an oil pressing operation; a base part coupled underneath the body part and formed therein with a predetermined flow route; an oil control part for controlling oil flowing in an oil route formed inside the base part; and a manipu

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping adjustment mechanism that can easily be incorporated into a twin cylinder design. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder mounted within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is spaced apart from the outer cylinder to define a gap. A piston is mounted within a fluid filled chamber formed within the inner cylinder to dampen vibrations. Holes are drilled into the wall of the inner cylinder to provide fluid ports that can communicate with the gap to form a bi-directional fluid path as the piston moves back and forth within the chamber to dampen vibrations. To provide variable damping, the outer cylinder includes an eccentric inner diameter to outer diameter profile that allows damping adjustment between high and low damping forces. The damping force is adjusted by rotating the outer cylinder relative to the inner cylinder to vary the size of the gap with respect to the ports.

Abstract: A shock-isolation structure for supporting a relatively light load on a supporting surface and having a plurality of spring units operable in both tension and compression oriented in a truss configuration with first ends of said spring units connected to the supporting surface for universal movement and with second ends of said spring units connected to the load for universal movement, with each of the spring units including a coil spring, an end cap, and a rod which extends outwardly through the end cap with a clearance fit in a nonextended position, a clevis body on the end of each of the rods, a groove in each of the end caps, and a ridge on each of the clevis bodies for mating engagement when the rod is in the nonextended position to thereby center each of the rods in each of the end caps.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension and bearing therefor providing improved slidability of members and torque resistance. The bearing includes a first member with at least one guide track, a second member with rolling element openings and a collar positioned within the second member to rotatably receive rolling elements positioned within the rolling element openings and guided by the at least one guide track. Another embodiment includes rolling element holders.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and a method for modulating fluid flow through the same. The assembly includes a housing including a fluid carried therein. A piston is slidably carried in the housing and includes a ring and a core. At least one gap to allow fluid flow is formed between the ring and core. A rod is operably attached to the piston. The ring moves axially with respect to the core to vary the gap size and modulate fluid flow during operation of the assembly. The method includes axially moving a ring with respect to a core during assembly operation. At least one gap size is varied based on the axial movement, wherein the gap is formed between the ring and core.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.

Abstract: A fluid damped shock absorber comprises an outer tube having a closed end and an open end, and a damper tube disposed within the outer tube. An inner tube is axially slideable within the outer tube and has a closed end and an open end. A sealing piston is attached to the inner tube to provide a seal between the inside of the outer tube and the outside of the damper tube. A sealing device is attached near the open end of the outer tube to provide a seal between the outside of the inner tube and the outer tube. A regulation valve is fixed to the damper tube in a sealed arrangement with the outer tube. The regulation valve is located between the closed end of the outer tube and the sealing piston. The regulation valve is configured to regulate fluid flow of a damping fluid between the outer tube and the damper tube upon axial movement of the inner tube within the outer tube.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a container tube, a piston arranged therein such that it can be displaced in a damping medium, a piston rod connected to the piston, and a fixing component to connect the damping element to one of two masses to be held with little oscillation in relation to each other, the piston rod being connected to the other of the masses. The fixing component, which includes a base with a centering attachment, a stem, and a fork for connecting the fixing component to the first mass, is made as one piece, consists of steel and is preferably a forged component. The fixing component is a multifunctional part whose configuration can be worked into a forged shape in order to facilitate large-scale mass production.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and a method for modulating fluid flow through the same. The assembly includes a housing including a fluid carried therein. A piston is slidably carried in the housing and includes a ring and a core. At least one gap to allow fluid flow is formed between the ring and core. A rod is operably attached to the piston. The ring moves axially with respect to the core to vary the gap size and modulate fluid flow during operation of the assembly. The method includes axially moving a ring with respect to a core during assembly operation. At least one gap size is varied based on the axial movement, wherein the gap is formed between the ring and core.

Abstract: A damping element has a container tube which is connected to a rolling tube of an air spring, the rolling tube being connected via a spring bellows acting as a rolling bellows to an outer tube which is arranged concentrically and such that it can move axially with respect to the rolling tube, the spring bellows and the rolling tube bounding a gas chamber provided with a gas filling under pressure. The rolling tube is sealed off with respect to the container tube by an O ring in a groove in the container tube, while, at another point on the container tube, projections are arranged as a stop for a front end of the rolling tube in order to dissipate the axial component of the gas pressure acting on said rolling tube. The assembly of the rolling tube on the container tube and the associated sealing by means of the O ring are achieved simply in a cost-effective manner by pushing the tubes together, the position of the tubes in relation to each other resulting automatically as a result of the projections.

Abstract: An efficient method of supplying a first series of suspension struts for a first vehicle and a second series of suspension struts for a second vehicle. The method includes providing a first series of pressure vessels for the first vehicle and a second series of pressure vessels for the second vehicle. Each pressure vessel defines an outer cavity with an effective fluid volume. The effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the first series is smaller than the effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the second series. The method also includes providing a series of hydraulic tubes for the first vehicle and for the second vehicle, wherein each hydraulic tube is adapted to be located within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the first series and alternatively within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the second series.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit including a cylinder in which a piston is guided so as to be displaceable axially, wherein the piston separates the cylinder into two work spaces which communicate via at least one bypass groove in the cylinder depending on the stroke position of the piston, wherein the cylinder is formed of multiple parts and a portion of the cylinder with the at least one bypass groove is displaceable axially relative to at least one further portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: An air damper comprises a cylinder having first and second openings at both ends, a piston that moves in the cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the piston and moving in and out at the first opening of the cylinder; and a cap positioned at the second opening of the cylinder. The piston rod has a continuous outer wall and an opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The cross-sectional view of the piston rod taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is an inverse U-shape, an inverse V-shape, a C-shape, or the like. The piston rod has a fixing ring at the leading end. A plane containing the opening is perpendicular to a plane defined by the fixing ring. The piston rod is fixed to a glove box so that the opening faces down.

Abstract: Suspension strut comprising a cylinder and a spring perch which is axially displaceable relative to the cylinder for adjustment of the position, wherein the spring perch has a sleeve portion by which the connection to the cylinder is carried out. A chamber is arranged on the cylinder side which is at least partly filled with a moldable material. The sleeve portion contacts the moldable material, which in a solid state transmits a supporting force from the cylinder to the spring perch.

Abstract: A liquid-sealed vibration-proof device capable of avoiding leakage of liquid upon press fitting of an outer cylinder is provided. An intermediate ring interposed between the outer cylinder and an antivibratory base is formed at its outer circumferential surface with two projecting streaks, the one on liquid chambers side being formed with cutouts. When the outer cylinder is press fitted to an attachment opening of a vehicle body, the liquid confined in a space enclosed between both projecting streaks can escape to the liquid chambers, so that liquid never leaks outside.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a motor vehicle includes an inner tube concentrically aligned within an outer housing. A piston shaft having a piston attached at an end thereof is slidably inserted into the inner housing. A support ring encloses the inner housing defining a pumping chamber inside the inner housing. The piston shaft is inserted through the support ring. The support ring includes a seal cover having an inner surface with a rim. A rod guide is inserted into the seal cover and abuts the rim. The rod guide guides the shaft through the support ring and provides lateral support to the shaft. A retainer sleeve is secured to the rod guide having the rim disposed between the rod guide and the retainer sleeve securing the rod guide to the retainer sleeve.

Abstract: An improved magneto-rheological (“MR”) fluid damper includes a damper cylinder containing a volume of MR fluid. The cylinder includes an inner surface. A piston assembly is disposed in the cylinder and has an outer surface in slidable contact with the cylinder inner surface. The piston assembly includes a flow gap formed thereabout and an external coil surrounding a portion of the cylinder, the external coil capable of generating a magnetic field across at least a portion of the flow gap.

Abstract: A surface effect damper comprising a housing having a wall that defines a chamber, the housing having a first end, a second end and an axis; at least one contact element movable through the chamber between the housing ends in a first direction and in a second direction; and at least two damping elements substantially surrounding each contact element, each of the at least two damping elements being movable away from the axis and into frictional engagement with the wall as the at least one contact element is moved in a first direction and each of the at least two damping elements being movable toward the axis as the at least one contact element is moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A spring carrier includes a cylinder tube and a spring plate mounted on a sleeve relative to the cylinder tube. The spring plate is mounted so that the spring plate is vertically adjustable relative to the cylinder tube by changing the effective length of the sleeve.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid device including a housing defining a cavity, a piston slidably disposed in the cavity to divide the cavity into first and second portions, a passage defined on an exterior surface of the piston fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the cavity, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed in the cavity such that motion of the piston is damped by flow of the magneto-rheological fluid through the passage and a magnet disposed to produce a magnetic field within the cavity substantially parallel to the motion of the piston at the exterior surface of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle spring apparatus comprising housing having fluid sealed therein. The housing comprises a cylinder with a slidably fitted piston and a piston rod connected at one end to said piston. The piston rod extends at the other end outside said cylinder and said cylinder is connected via a passage and a first valve to a first accumulator chamber comprising a springing medium. The cylinder is connected via a passage and a second valve to a second accumulator chamber comprising a springing medium, and said accumulator chambers is also connected with each other via at least one controllable pump. The invention also relates to a vehicle height adjusting system and a vehicle comprising the vehicle spring apparatus.

Abstract: An air damper for a movably supported structural part in automobiles comprises a hollow cylinder closed at one end thereof, a closure cap mounted on the other end of the cylinder, a piston slidably guided within the cylinder, an annular recess at the circumference of the piston, and an annular sealing ring in the recess. The block-like sealing ring is made of a thermoplastic elastomer coated with a layer which has the same static and sliding frictions with the inner wall of the cylinder and the bottom of the recess. A coil spring is placed between the closure cap and the piston. A piston rod of the piston has an elongated rib contacting the spring when the spring is in a relieved state.

Abstract: A dashpot with an inner cylinder (3) accommodated in an outer cylinder (1), and a piston (6) traveling back and forth inside on the end of a piston rod (5) and separating the inner cylinder into two chambers (7 & 8). The piston rod enters the cylinders through a hole at one end that seals it off and positions it. The outer cylinder is provided with a base (4) at the end opposite the end with the hole. The inner cylinder is centered along the axis of the outer cylinder at each end. The cylindrical gap (2) between the two cylinders is provided with a fluid-accommodating compartment (11) and, toward the base, a port (13) opening into the adjacent chamber (8). The chamber accommodates, preferably above the port, a vent (12). The mutually contacting ends of the cylinders are hot or cold welded together at the base end or at the end remote from the base.

Abstract: A pressure vessel which is filled with at least one medium which is prestressed by a mass of gas which is enclosed in a variable-shape envelope, in particular for volume compensation in a vibration damper. The envelope includes a wall in which a pressurized gas is enclosed, the wall being at least partially formed from a barrier layer and the envelope being composed of a plurality of individual parts. An outside coating, which seals an end face of the envelope, is present at least at an edge-side contact region of the individual parts of the envelope.

Abstract: A spindle base which constitutes a height regulating device of a chair, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the corrosion resistance, the abrasion resistance, the fatigue strength, and the reverse bending stress of the spindle body by coating a nitration layer of a predetermined thickness on the inner and outer surfaces of the spindle base. A height regulating device gas comprises a spindle base, a cylinder formed in the spindle base, a piston slidably moved in the cylinder, and a spindle having a piston rod having one end connected to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is fixed to one end of an outer case and the spindle is moved upward and downward through the outer case based on the piston rod and the outer case. The spindle base is comprised of a metal and nitration layers are formed on the inner and outer surface of the metal.

Abstract: A dynamic track tension adjuster is connected between the body of a tracked vehicle and an arm-like axle member of the vehicle. The adjuster swings the arm-like member so that a wheel on the axle member engages the vehicle's track with differing force. The adjuster includes a cylinder with two pistons extending therefrom and a compressible fluid between the pistons. A motor fixed to the cylinder drives a gear train that includes a transfer gear connected to one of the pistons. A shaft co-axially fixed to the transfer gear threads with a rod such that the rod translates when the shaft rotates. Translation of the rod swings the axle member.

Abstract: An reusable impact energy absorbing device utilized a liquid filled piston and cylinder assembly whereby upon application of an impact to the piston the piston will move along the length of the cylinder and discharge the liquid outwardly through a sequence of valves into an elastic balloon structure secured to the piston and cylinder assembly to capture the fluid. The valves may be two-way valves which will allow the return of the fluid from the elastic balloon to the cylinder due to the creation of a partial vacuum in the cylinder upon upward movement of the piston when the impact force is removed. Upon discharge of the fluid from the cylinder through each valve, the fluid is forced to travel through a restricted labyrinth to further dissipate the impact energy.