Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for movable furniture parts, for example for doors or drawers, comprising a piston or plunger which is slidably guided in a hollow body, e.g. a cylinder, with said piston or plunger being impinged upon by spring force into its pushed-out position. According to the invention, the hollow body comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the internal screw thread, and/or the piston or plunger comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the external screw thread. The stays of the screw threads are glidingly supported one on top of the other, or cams or journals of the hollow body or of the piston or plunger are supported on a screw-thread section of the other component. The pitch of the stays of the screw threads is greater than the pitch at which self-locking occurs.

Abstract: A fluid-elastomeric damper assembly operable for damping relative motion between a first structure and a second structure including a housing structure grounded to the first structure and a plurality of elastomer seals coupled to the housing structure, the housing structure and the plurality of elastomer seals defining a fluid-elastomeric chamber operable for containing a fluid. The fluid-elastomeric damper assembly also including one or more piston structures disposed within the housing structure and the fluid-elastomeric chamber, the one or more piston structures grounded to the first structure and driven by the second structure, and the one or more piston structures each including a first substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled chamber in communication via an orifice, the first substantially fluid-filled chamber and the second substantially fluid-filled chamber also in communication with the fluid-elastomeric chamber.

Abstract: A lift spring assembly has a compression spring rod with a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends, and having a rod member coaxial with the axis and having an inner end in the housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of the opposite ends. A guide member is provided on the inner end of the rod member for supporting the rod member during movement of the rod member. A first stage spring assembly extends between one of the opposite ends of the housing and the guide member. A second stage spring assembly extends between the other of the opposite ends of the housing and the guide member. A mounting member extending from one of the opposite ends of the housing for mounting the spring rod assembly to a hood assembly. A locking member is pivotally connected to the mounting member and pivots into locking engagement with one of the ends of the housing.

Abstract: A device for the control of vibrations comprises a retainer resting on a base and a plurality of bearings disposed within the retainer. The bearings are arranged in a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is disposed on the first layer. The first layer comprises three or more bearings and the second layer comprising one or more bearings. Each bearing in the first layer is constrained on its bottom only by a substantially flat portion of the base, on its side by the retainer and is in contact with at least two adjacent bearings in the first layer. The bearings in the first layer support the bearing in the second layer. The retainer has a surface which is in substantially tangential contact with the bearings in the first layer.

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: Mount for a shock absorber includes a cap in working torque-transmitting connection with the entire mount. The twisting surface, which is in working connection with an opposing surface on the vehicle at least during the installation of the shock absorber in a mounting hole in the vehicle. The twisting surface and the opposing surface ensure the rotational alignment of the connecting means on the mount side with the connecting means on the vehicle side.

Abstract: In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve having at least one exhaust valve assembly, at least one spring housing and at least one range spring, the improvement comprising a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities, whereby the device will minimize spring oscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

Abstract: A suspension strut includes a housing assembly including first and second opposed housing members. The first and second housing members are relatively movable along an axis. At least the first housing member includes an engagement surface. At least one compressible spring member is interposed between the first and second housing members. The spring member includes a peripheral portion. The strut is configured such that, when the first and second housing members are relatively displaced along the axis in a prescribed direction, the spring member is axially compressed to provide a spring force opposing further relative displacement between the first and second housing members in the prescribed direction, and the peripheral portion frictionally engages the engagement surface over an area of engagement to provide dynamic damping between the first and second housing members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide a coil axis to be substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature in the unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil of the spring is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature in the unloaded state.

Abstract: Mount for a shock absorber includes a cap in working torque-transmitting connection with the entire mount. The twisting surface, which is in working connection with an opposing surface on the vehicle at least during the installation of the shock absorber in a mounting hole in the vehicle. The twisting surface and the opposing surface ensure the rotational alignment of the connecting means on the mount side with the connecting means on the vehicle side.

Abstract: A vehicle system component is provided with an electrical charge to resist corrosion. Preferably, the electrical charge is generated by movement of components adjacent to the suspension component. Friction surfaces may be placed in contact with each other such that and heat is generated upon movement of the vehicle system components. The heat is transferred into electrical energy. In another embodiment, an electrical coil receives a magnetic member which moves within the coil to generate the current. The charge may be stored in a capacitor and periodically dispatched onto said component. The invention thus provides a low cost and simplistic way of resisting corrosion to vehicle components, and in particular to vehicle suspension components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a one piece, integrally molded, bumper-bellows subassembly for use in vehicles, for example, for use in suspension systems, rack and pinion steering systems and airsprings. The present subassembly prevents the elements from entering the bottom of the subassembly and thus eliminates the possibility of damage to the piston rod and seals of the damper. The present subassembly is cost-effective to produce and can be installed quickly and easily. During operation, the present subassembly is stable and is not affected by a severe drop in the suspension.

Abstract: A suspension member for a bicycle is set forth which includes a strut telescopically received into a cylinder. A head assembly extends from the cylinder through a piston defined at the end of the strut and into the strut. Mounted to the assembly is a valve member which forms between it and the piston a volume which increases and decreases as the suspension telescopes. In response to a bump, the suspension collapses against a bias. The bias urges the member to rebound. When rebounding the valve member acts to define a restriction to exhaust air from the volume to dampen removed. Also set forth are elastomer pads and couplers which can be removed from the suspension member as a unit for replacement.

Abstract: A prosthesis with double damper performing the function of intervertebral stabilizer which comprises at least two identical elements assembled together and comprising elastic bodies for regulating the bending-stretching movement between two vertebrae so as to approach as closely as possible the physiological course of a discal movement.

Abstract: An improved damper, of the type comprising elements for progressively resisting, in exponential manner, the advance of a piston under the effect of a force of axial compression, which functions as a stop opposing any displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined value, in an intervertebral stabilization device.

Abstract: An upper mounting structure for a strut-type wheel suspension is of a so-called concentrated input type which includes a coil spring and a strut assembly arranged in parallel to each other between a strut mounting insulator and an unsprung mass of a suspension. The structure further includes a hydraulic mount thorough which a strut assembly is coupled with the coil spring and the strut mounting insulator, whereby coexistence of a comfortable ride feeling of a vehicle and an anti-vibration and noise characteristic can be realized without disappearance of a surge vibration absorbing function to be effected in the vibration concentrated input type structure.

Abstract: The invention has for its object a suspension with dynamically variable flexibility or stiffness. The suspension process uses one or several elastic elements mounted opposite each other, so as to impress on the vehicle suspension a variation of stiffness or of flexibility having two slopes on the curve (shock-relaxation and compression effort) and the use of different stiffnesses or flexibilities is localized during operation of the suspension in the vicinity of the position of the loaded vehicle on its wheels and that the least stiffness is located on the second portion of the course of collapse of the wheel suspension. The invention is applicable to suspensions particularly for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A damper for a flapdoor that does not show any damping effect when its movable shaft of the damper is rotated with the door in one sense whereas it effectively damps the rotary movement of the flapdoor when the movable shaft is rotated with the door in the other sense, wherein a one-way clutch for engaging or disengaging the movable shaft with a movable member depending on the sense of rotation of the movable shaft to cause a viscous shearing drag in the viscous fluid contained in the damper and a power source constitute so many integral parts of a coil spring. A damper for a flapdoor having such an arrangement can have a simplified configuration as compared with a damper provided with a separate coil spring as power source and a separate one-way clutch and therefore can be realized with reduced dimensions.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a damper for a flapdoor that does not show any damping effect when its movable shaft of the damper is rotated with the door in one sense whereas it effectively damps the rotary movement of the flapdoor when the movable shaft is rotated with the door in the other sense, wherein a one-way clutch for engaging or disengaging the movable shaft with a movable member depending on the sense of rotation of the movable shaft to cause a viscous shearing drag in the viscous fluid contained in the damper and a power source constitute so many integral parts of a coil spring. A damper for a flapdoor having such an arrangement can have a simplified configuration as compared with a damper provided with a separate coil spring as power source and a separate one-way clutch and therefore can be realized with reduced dimensions.

Abstract: A bellows type shock absorber comprises a sealed bellows, a shock absorbing column which is provided with a chamber around it inside the bellows and which is along the axial line of the bellows and combined with the bellows so that it physically varies in conjunction with expansion and contraction of the bellows. Also, the bellows type shock absorber may have a through hole which communicates the internal chamber and the outside, and preferably the shock absorbing column is made of a kind of gelled material with a penetration value of approximately 50 to 200. This shock absorber is provided with the main bellows and a sub-bellows having a spring constant differing from that of the main bellows and a through hole which communicates the internal chamber of the main bellows and the internal chamber of the sub-bellows.

Abstract: A damping force adjustable hydraulic shock absorber includes a piston rod projecting from a cylinder and an actuator for adjusting the level of damping force generated in the shock absorber, the actuator having a bottom portion and an axially extending outer peripheral portion. The shock absorber further includes a casing and retaining device. The casing has a bottom portion secured to the projecting end portion of a piston rod, a first rising portion which extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion, a flange portion which extends outward from the upper end of the rising portion and on which is placed the bottom portion of the actuator, and a second rising portion which extends upward from the outer edge of the flange portion, the second rising portion receiving at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the actuator to prevent horizontal movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A rate controllable damping mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a chamber disposed within a housing; an element mounted for movement within the chamber; a damping material, preferably a low melting temperature metal alloy, in the chamber for preventing the movement of the element at a first temperature and for damping the movement of the element at a second temperature; and a heater for selectively increasing the temperature of the damping material from the first temperature to the second temperature. Controlled damping is effectuated by heating the fluid material until it reaches a molten state at which the resultant fluid damps the movement of the element in a conventional manner. A novel method is also disclosed for structural stress relief.

Abstract: A coated coil spring wrapped in a coating member prepared from a soft synthetic resin foam, wherein the coating members of the respective coil spring turns constituting at least the effective region of the coil spring are provided with a helical clearance; and the width of said clearance accounts for 0.15 to 0.50 times the width of the adjacent coil spring turns.

Abstract: A mounting system for a vehicle engine including mounting units located at the opposite sides of the engine output shaft. The mounting unit includes a hydraulic chamber filled with hydraulic liquid. The hydraulic chamber of one unit is connected with that of the other unit through a conduit which may be provided with a variable orifice or a valve. The variable orifice or the valve is operated so that the fluid flow through the conduit is restricted or cut-off under a specific rolling frequency range.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly is disclosed having a partition including a hydraulic damping decoupler between two hydraulic chambers. One chamber is formed by an elastomeric member and the other by a resilient diaphragm. During dynamic loading of the mount, fluid passes between the two chambers of the mount causing expansion and contraction of the diaphragm. A pneumatic bladder is positioned to exert external pressure against the diaphragm in order to change the damping characteristics of the mount. As the bladder is expanded, the diaphragm is stiffened and the fluid flow between the two chambers in the hydraulic mount is restricted. When the bladder is deflated, the pressure against the diaphragm is reduced or effectively removed thereby restoring full freedom of movement of the fluid in the hydraulic mount. By actively controlling the diaphragm expansion in this manner, the dynamic characteristics of the mount are varied.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved engine mount which comprises first and second retaining members which are separated from each other, a first shock absorbing elastomer block disposed between the first and second retaining members, a highly magnetic member connected to the first retaining member to move therewith, and a magnet connected to the other of the first and a magnet connected to the second retaining member to move therewith leaving a certain clearance between the magnet and the highly magnetic member. The magnet is arranged and oriented to effectively attract the highly magnetic member thereby to compress the first shock absorbing elastomer block.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-dive braking apparatus which prevents dive and increases suspension damping during braking. A rotatably mounted disc brake causes hydraulic fluid to flow from hydraulic reservoirs upon braking to an anti-dive cylinder, secondary damper cylinder and a bottom casing. Fluid flow to the anti-dive cylinder causes movement of a fork pipe therein to prevent dive while simultaneously causing valves in the secondary damper cylinder and bottom casing to close. The closing valves retain fluid pressure therein and thereby increase suspension damping. The damper in the bottom casing also provides increased suspension damping when a bump is encountered during braking action.

Abstract: An upper mount assembly for a suspension strut which incorporates an elastomer bushing operatively connecting the piston rod to support structure that works in shear over initial travel but has compression load buildup at the limit of mount travel. The mount assembly is a unitized multi-element construction having a jounce bumper to provide a load path for suspension spring assist and a load deflection curve to improve suspension characteristics. In this invention, load buildup is achieved in jounce and rebound with the use of a rate washer which is moved upwardly by the strut in jounce movement. Initial travel works the bushing in shear but the elastomer becomes compressed between the washer and an outside metal wall to provide increasing spring rate. When the rod moves vertically downwardly in rebound, the washer controls the load buildup and compresses the upper portion of the jounce bumper for soft entry into rebound.

Abstract: A fluid filled vibration isolator of the type having upper and lower chambers separated by a partition having an inertia track passageway and a decoupler assembly permitting fluid to bypass the inertia track passageway at certain amplitudes. The decoupler assembly includes a mass of particulate matter loosely contained within a screened cavity in the partition. The particulate matter has a predetermined density and interstitial volume and occupies less than the entire cavity when at rest therein. At low amplitudes of vibration, the particulate matter oscillates in a dispersed condition as the fluid oscillates through the screened cavity essentially bypassing the inertia track passageway between the chambers. As the amplitude of vibrations increases beyond a certain level, the particulate matter compacts alternately against the screens to throttle flow therethrough and thereby cause the fluid to oscillate in the inertia track passageway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering stabilizer which may be used on automobiles, motor homes, trucks, busses or tractor-trailers to provide better steering control by automatically returning the steering wheel to the neutral position after deflection due to a road hazard or a tire blowout.According to the present invention there is provided a steering stabilizer apparatus having a generally tubular outer casing. Compression spring means is disposed within generally tubular outer casing and internal shaft means passes through the central channel formed by the coil of compression spring means. Compression spring means is preferably a single spring, but may consist of two or more compression coil springs disposed in-line with respect to each other.

Abstract: Hydraulic damping single-chamber mounting for motor vehicles with two rigid end walls axially disposed opposite one another, and at least two chambers containing damping fluid disposed axially behind one another. In a first of the two chambers, the damping fluid can be both compressed and decompressed. A rigid partition separates the two chambers. The partition is fixed and rigidly clamped on its outside circumference. The chambers are in communication with one another by means of a circular channel running around a central axis of the rigid partition. The rigid partition is located radially inside an elastic, axially-movable membrane. The membrane is fixed and rigidly clamped on its outside circumference. The rigid partition has at least one overpressure valve which operates for each direction of positive pressure between the chambers to prevent noises during cavitation in the decompression phase and pressure peaks in the compression phase within the first chamber.

Abstract: A suspension device for use in a vehicle such as an automobile includes a hydraulic damper combined with an air spring unit. The air spring unit includes two air chambers, and the communication therebetween is controlled by a rotary flow control valve.

Abstract: A resilient mounting, such as a rubber mounting, with hydraulic damping, in particular for mounting engines of motor vehicles, has two rigid end walls which are disposed opposite to each other in the axial direction, and at least two chambers which are disposed axially one behind the other and which contain damping fluid. The chambers are separated by a rigid partitioning wall. The chambers communicate with each other through a flow passage which extends in an annular configuration around the axis of the mounting, the flow passage being formed in the rigid partitioning wall. The rigid partitioning wall is arranged radially inwardly of, and supported by, an elastic, axially movable diaphragm which is fixedly and sealingly clamped at its outer periphery. At least one of the chambers is defined in part by a rubber-elastic spring member constituting part of the generally peripheral wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulically damped mounting device has two anchor parts, in the form of a sleeve and a tube, connected together by a resilient wall. The resilient wall and the sleeve define a working chamber for hydraulic liquid which is connected to a compensation chamber by a passageway. The passageway may extend directly through the tube or peripherally of the sleeve. The compensation chamber is bounded by a bellows wall, permitting the volume of the compensation chamber to change freely as vibrations of the tube relative to the sleeve change the volume of the working chamber, without the bellows wall being subject to tensile stresses. The sleeve may be formed in two parts which are forced together during manurfacture, enabling a compact construction to be achieved.

Abstract: A shock absorber/coil assembly in a motor vehicle suspension includes a fluid cylinder, a piston rod movable into and out of the cylinder, a vibration isolator mounted on an end of the piston rod, and a coil spring disposed around the fluid cylinder and the piston rod. A mount assembly for mounting the shock absorber/coil assembly includes a retainer adapted to be mounted on the vibration isolator and to be attached to a motor vehicle frame, a spring seat adapted to engage an end of the coil spring, and a thrust bearing interposed between the retainer and the spring seat and adapted to extend around the vibration isolator, the thrust bearing including a pair of first and second races and a plurality of balls rotatably disposed between the first and second races, the first race engaging the retainer and the second race engaging the spring seat.

Abstract: An isolating mount, such as for an engine, comprises a rigid bushing with a resilient rubber block molded around it and cavities formed in the block opening to its exterior on opposite sides of the bushing, preferably located along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bushing. End plates are bonded to the block surrounding the open ends of the cavities, and these plates may have flanges thereon coated with rubber. Optional floor plates may be incorporated in the block at the bottoms of one or both cavities. Covers are held in sealed relation over the cavities, as by forming the flanges around the covers to retain them. A passage is formed between the cavities, and the cavities and passage are filled with a liquid which is confined therewithin. Displacement of the block in response to forces acting on the mount will result in distortion of the cavities and corresponding displacement of the liquid from one of the cavities to the other to damp motion of the block.