Abstract: A shock absorbing system for a bicycle front fork includes an outer tube and an inner tube which includes a piston located therein, and the lower end of the inner tube is movably inserted into the outer tube. A piston tube is connected between the lower end of the outer tube and the piston. The inner tube includes a first chamber and a second chamber formed therein with the piston located between the first and second chambers. A path formed between the piston and the piston tube. A manual valve is located in the piston tube and includes a rod and a movable part. The rod includes an extension section protruding beyond the outer tube. When the extension section is pushed, the rod moves upward to switch the path from a sealed status to an opened status, and the first chamber communicates with the second chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle body reinforcement device includes a housing including a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion each disposed at an inner portion of the housing, the inner portions that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the axial direction, a first shaft member, a second shaft member, a first biasing member, a second biasing member, and a pressing member supported on the first shaft member so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the first shaft member within the housing and to be contactable with an inner surface of the housing, the pressing member pressing the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for adjusting the height of vehicles that have coil spring suspensions. The invention may be added to existing vehicle suspensions without the need to remove and replace the existing vehicle suspension components. The invention includes cylinders, pistons, seals, dust shields, pressure pump(s) and storage tank(s). It also may optionally include electronic hardware, such as, an electronic controller and software, to control the functions of the system and sensor(s) which detect ground clearance and speed. The invention may be operated manually by a vehicle driver through push buttons, which may operate through the vehicle's existing cruise control buttons. Alternatively, the system can be automated through an electronic control unit (ECU) to avoid collision with obstacles in the vehicle's path.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for adjusting the height of vehicles that have coil spring suspensions. The invention may be added to existing vehicle suspensions without the need to remove and replace the existing vehicle suspension components. The invention includes cylinders, pistons, seals, dust shields, pressure pump(s) and storage tank(s). It also may optionally include electronic hardware, such as, an electronic controller and software, to control the functions of the system and sensor(s) which detect ground clearance and speed. The invention may be operated manually by a vehicle driver through push buttons, which may operate through the vehicle's existing cruise control buttons. Alternatively, the system can be automated through an electronic control unit (ECU) to avoid collision with obstacles in the vehicle's path.

Abstract: A rotatable wheel having a rotary shock absorber coupled on an axle and between a disc brake rotor and the rotatable wheel, for providing enhanced suspension. The rotary shock absorber consists of an air-tight hollow disc structure filled with lubricant, the disc structure further having a central circular opening, a sealing plate coupled to and sealing the central circular opening on one side, a sealing boot portion coupled and sealing the central circular opening on the other side, and a circular hub portion nesting inside the hollow disc structure. The hub portion further has six circular through holes, one or more identical helical springs nested firmly inside each of the six circular through holes, and six lug bolts each having two threaded ends and a smooth body. Each of the six lug bolts is further coupled rigidly and perpendicularly at the center of each of the two corresponding helical springs and secured on both ends at each side of the hollow disc structure.

Abstract: An adjustable coil spring system placed within a leg of a vehicle such as a mountain bicycle fork. The spring system comprises an adjustable first soft spring seated on top of a second firm spring having greater length than the first soft spring. A coupler assembly is positioned between two springs comprised of a threaded bolt threadedly received within a coupler. A spring adjustment mechanism may comprise a knob connected to the threaded bolt through a non-round shaped shaft, wherein the threaded bolt is disposed within the first soft spring. As the knob rotates, the coupler is moved up along the threaded bolt, decreasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing firm spring characteristics of the spring system. As the knob rotates in an opposite direction, the coupler moves down, increasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing soft spring characteristics of the spring system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling relative movement between two interconnected bodies includes a first end cap, a second end cap having an opening, a sleeve interconnecting the end caps to define a chamber between the sleeve and the end caps, a piston assembly including a piston rod extending through the opening of the second end cap, a piston connected to the piston rod, received in the chamber to define at least two fluid chambers on opposed sides of the piston, and a plurality of rollers carried by the piston for rolling engagement with the sleeve. A fluid flow path provides communication between the fluid chambers and provides a restricted fluid flow rate therethrough to control the rate of fluid transfer between the fluid chambers and permit fluid pressure to increase in a chamber into which the piston is being moved to provide a force on the piston opposing its movement.

Abstract: A rotary shock absorber coupled on an axle between a disc brake rotor and a rotatable wheel of equipment, bicycle or motor vehicle, for providing enhanced suspension. The rotary shock absorber consists of an air-tight hollow disc structure filled with lubricant, the disc structure further having a central circular opening, a sealing plate coupled to and sealing the central circular opening on one side, a sealing boot portion coupled and sealing the central circular opening on the other side, and a circular hub portion nesting inside the hollow disc structure. The hub portion further has six circular through holes, two identical helical springs nested firmly inside each of the six circular through holes, and six lug bolts each having two threaded ends and a smooth body. Each of the six lug bolts is further coupled rigidly and perpendicularly at the center of each of the two corresponding helical springs and secured on both ends at each side of the hollow disc structure.

Abstract: A damper for a torque converter, including: a cover plate for a damper; a turbine hub with a surface; and a pilot element rotationally connected to the cover plate and having a surface slidingly engaged with the surface for the turbine hub. The respective surfaces for the turbine hub and the pilot element are at least partially radially aligned and the pilot element is arranged to center the damper with respect to a longitudinal axis for the torque converter. In some aspects, the pilot element includes at least one axial protrusion engaged with the cover plate. In some aspects, the pilot element is formed of stamped metal. In some aspects, the pilot element is axially stabilized with respect to the turbine hub and the cover plate. In some aspects, the pilot element includes at least one radial protrusion slidingly engaged with a radial surface for the turbine hub.

Abstract: A spring element with a hydropneumatic strut are positioned between the bogie and the body of a rail car, with the strut having a sliding piston in a cylinder, whereby the piston or the cylinder can be connected with the bogie and the other component can be connected with the body, and the piston area of the cylinder is connected with a hydraulic accumulator. A strut that is easy to service and maintain and does not accumulate any appreciable amount of dirt is created by virtue of the fact that the hydropneumatic strut has a hydraulic height regulator valve or a height sensor connected or connectable with a feedback loop, whereby the position of the piston in the cylinder can be adjusted or determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (19) for coupling a frictional damper with a middle longitudinal axis (21), which is coupled to an oscillatory washing unit with a drum axis, to a machine frame of a washing machine with a spin gear. The coupling device has a first bending axis, which runs vertically to the central longitudinal axis (21) and parallel to the drum axis, a second bending axis (33) which runs vertically to the central longitudinal axis (21) and to the first bending axis and intersects both at one point, a first connecting element for connecting the coupling device (19) to the frictional damper, a second connecting element for connecting the coupling device (19) to the machine frame and a spring element (24) that is located between the first connecting element and the second connecting element and is connected to both, the flexural strength of the coupling device (19) about the second bending axis (33) being greater than the flexural strength about the first bending axis.

Abstract: A suspension rod assembly for a resiliently supporting a moving system of a washing machine. The suspension rod assembly includes a rod having an upper end engaging a stationary support structure and a lower end. An end cap including a washer and an annular retainer is mounted to the lower end of the rod. A friction tube is disposed about the lower portion of the rod and has a flanged bottom edge captured between the annular retainer and the washer. The friction tube extends upwardly from the end cap about the rod and a tubular cup is provided about the friction tube. The cup includes a cylindrical wall forming an elongated annular cavity between the friction tube and the cylindrical wall. A compressible friction member is disposed within the elongated annular cavity and is radially compressed between the cylindrical wall and friction tube for frictionally engaging the friction tube.

Abstract: A frictional damper for spinner-type washing machines comprises a housing and a tappet, which is coaxially displaceable within the latter and the inner end of which is provided with a damping piston. The damping piston is disposed on a piston-bearing section of the tappet to be displaceable between biased compression springs bearing against stops, and provided with a friction lining elastically pressed against the inside wall of the housing.

Abstract: A suspension system for isolating a platform from external vibrations includes spring assemblies suspending the platform. In each spring assembly an elongated outer coil spring is suspended at an upper end thereof from a support structure. A tube is disposed loosely within the outer spring and is attached to a lower end of the spring so as to extend upwardly. An elongated inner coil spring is disposed loosely within the tube and is suspended from an upper point of the tube. The inner spring has a lower end attached to the platform. For friction dampening, o-rings are fitted on the inner spring in sliding contact with the tube.