Abstract: Provided is a height adjustable suspension unit that can smoothly lift and lower a vehicle body without the need to supply fluid to a shock absorber. The height adjustable suspension unit includes: a shock absorber S having a cylinder 1 and an extensible rod 2 disposed in the cylinder 1 to be able to advance and retract, the extensible rod 2 having an end portion that is coupled to a chassis X; a coil spring 4 mounted around the extensible rod 2, the coil spring 4 having a lower end supported on a spring base 3 that is attached to the upper end of the cylinder 1; and a lifting and lowering mechanism D including a gear mechanism A that is rotationally driven by a power source, a power conversion section B that converts power transmitted from the gear mechanism A into power to move the cylinder 1 up and down, and a guide section C that guides the up and down movement of the cylinder 1.

Abstract: A spring guide is provided between a coil spring and a cylindrical outer shaft member. The coil spring coaxially houses therein a shaft portion of a damper set in which an inner shaft member is fitted in the outer shaft member slidably in an axial direction of the spring guide. The spring guide includes a barrel, at least one first projecting portion, and at least one second projecting portion. The barrel has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction. The at least one first projecting portion is provided at the first end portion of the barrel to project toward an axis of the barrel. The at least one second projecting portion is provided at the second end portion of the barrel to project toward the axis of the barrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the height of the body of a motor vehicle having a bearing spring which is connected between the wheel guiding element of the wheel suspension and the body and which is supported on a spring disk which is vertically adjustable by way of an actuating device, and having an overload spring which limits a defined spring path in the deflection direction. According to the invention, the overload spring is assigned an actuating device with which the overload spring is vertically adjustable, preferably following the vertical adjustment of the spring disk.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a plurality of spring assemblies, each spring assembly including, in combination, a coil spring and an air spring arranged around a common central axis, and being mounted above the rear axle of the vehicle. A method for improving a vehicle's ride, handling, and load-carrying capability includes providing the foregoing suspension system for which respective coil springs are positioned within respective housings; partially inflating respective air springs thereby causing respective coil springs to partially collapse into their housings when improvement to the ride is desired in combination with improvement in load-carrying ability; and completely inflating respective air springs thereby causing respective coil springs of the plurality of spring assemblies to substantially completely collapse into their housings when maximum load-carrying ability is desired.

Abstract: A strut assembly includes a damper having a housing and a rod moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis. The strut assembly includes a flexible membrane configured to receive a pressurized gas to form an air spring. A coil spring defines an inner diameter with the housing disposed within the inner diameter to permit relative movement between the coil spring and the housing. The coil spring is at least partially disposed outside the flexible membrane relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus of a damper (46) for a bicycle comprising a housing defining a chamber, and a piston, movable in the chamber along a first direction. The apparatus further comprises a controllable means to vary the resistance to movement of the piston in the chamber, a sensor (62), and a controller (58) including a timer. Said sensor measures at least one dynamic quantity and produces an output signal based thereon. Said output signal is received by the controller, and said controller controls said controllable means based on said dynamic quantity as a function of time to control the level of damping. The invention further provides means for manually adjusting the level of rebound damping.

Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device comprises a rolling bearing 44 forming an axial stop and a support element 42 for the rolling bearing forming bearing means for a spring, the rolling bearing comprising a bottom ring 48 in contact with the support element, a top ring 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 50 positioned between the rings. The support element 42 comprises a body 60 and a stiffening insert 66 at least partly covered by the body is formed of a rigid material 62 for the transmission of axial forces between the spring and the rolling bearing and a flexible material 64 to provide at least one dynamic seal 84b, 86b inside the device. At least a part of the rigid material is situated radially between the flexible material and the stiffening insert.

Abstract: A spring force adjusting device for a hydraulic shock absorber includes a cover (13) having a tubular shape, which is arranged on an outer side of a rod (12), a suspension spring (2) arranged on outer peripheries of a cylinder (11) and the cover (13), a cam mechanism (3) which adjusts a spring force, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the cover (13), a top cap (5) mounted on a tip of the rod (12), a junction member (4) sandwiched between the top cap (5) and the cover (13), and a means for preventing relative rotations of the top cap (5), the cover (13), and the junction member (4).

Abstract: A suspension stop for a suspension strut of a vehicle equipped with a coil spring (10) comprises a rigid thrust bearing (24) equipped with a lower metal washer (28) rotating with respect to an upper metal washer (26), a synthetic material support part (38) designed to transmit the forces exerted by the spring to the lower washer and a cover (22) covering the upper washer and delimiting together with the support part a housing (54) for the bearing. The cover is equipped with a skirt (22) delimiting with the peripheral area of the support part an annular labyrinth (60), arranged radially outside the housing and connecting the housing to the outside, with the annular labyrinth successively comprising, from the housing towards the outside, an initial annular head loss of radial play P1, a second annular head loss of axial play P2, followed by a third annular head loss of radial play P3.

Abstract: In a spring sheet structure of a hydraulic shock absorber having a sheet rubber seated on a spring sheet and supporting a spring through the sheet rubber, an end coil portion of the spring is stored in the sheet rubber, the spring sheet includes a movement restraint unit for restraining a movement of the sheet rubber, the sheet rubber includes an abutment unit corresponding to the movement restraint unit of the spring sheet, and the abutment unit of the sheet rubber is engaged with the movement restraint unit of the spring sheet while the sheet rubber is seated on a flat sheet surface provided in a circumferential direction of the spring sheet, thereby restraining a movement of the spring relative to the spring sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension or damping system includes a coupling component, a torsion bar, a plurality of lever arms, a fluid based damping device, a coil spring, and an electronically controlled valve-based damping device. The torsion bar converts an external load that is transferred to the torsion bar via the coupling component into a rotational displacement of the torsion bar. Each of the lever arms is adapted to physically move with the torsion bar when said torsion bar experiences a rotational displacement, and each of the fluid based damping device, coil spring and electronically controlled valve-based damping device damps physical movement of its respective lever arm. One or more damping devices can be coupled to each such lever arm. Alternative applications for the disclosed suspension and shock damping systems can include load transferring manufacturing machinery and earthquake damping for buildings and other structures.

Abstract: An improved independent spring cartridge holder apparatus and system for holding an automobile suspension spring in tension while allowing a quick and safe change of the shock absorber and spring. This is especially valuable during a race where change outs need to be done quickly.

Abstract: A height adjustment on a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, having a shock absorber which has a piston rod, which shock absorber is dynamically connected to the vehicle body, and to which shock absorber a helical spring is coaxially assigned which is clamped between two spring plates that can be changed in their active distance and that determine the spring deflection and rebound path relative to a normal level, the body-side end of the shock absorber being assigned a shock absorber cap which influences the free spring path “s” of the helical spring and which is made adjustable at the same time with the adjustable spring plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting the force from a linear extension spring into a constant force. A cable, connected to the spring, rides in a variable radius input pulley groove. A second cable rides in a variable radius output pulley groove. The dual pulley mechanism is smaller than previous spiral pulley mechanisms. The output force and stroke is a function of the sizes of both pulleys. A standardized design enables a small number of input and output pulleys to cover a large range of applications. An end plug in a helical spring can be used to make fine adjustments to the output force. The pulleys can be accurately phased relative to each other with a spline mechanism. The pulley grooves may lie in a plane, or they may advance in an axial direction as the pulley rotates. By continuously varying the rate of axial advance, the tangent to the groove can be aimed or focused at an external point. The focused groove reduces cable friction and wear.

Abstract: A vibration damper is disclosed which includes a damper tube filled with a damping medium; a piston rod which can move in an oscillating and reciprocal manner in the damper tube and one end of which protrudes into the damper tube and which comprises at this end a piston rod extension and a shoulder. A piston divides the interior of the damper tube into a working chamber remote from the piston rod and a piston rod-side working chamber and which is disposed coaxially with respect to the piston rod extension and comprises restrictor openings and at least one spring washer covering these restrictor openings in each working chamber. A buffer spring is disposed in the piston rod-sideworking chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for position sensitive dampening. In one aspect a fluid damper is provided comprising a damper chamber divided by a piston into a primary compression and a primary rebound chamber; a secondary compression chamber in fluid communication with the damper chamber; and an adjustable fluid meter controlling fluid flow out of the secondary compression chamber.

Abstract: A both-side rod type damper (11) is arranged in a storage chamber (40) formed inside an inner tube (2) and an outer tube (3), rods (31) and (32) of the damper (11) are coupled so as to move by the same quantity in accordance with the extending or retracting operation of a front fork, a bearing (5) for slidably supporting the rod (32) is provided at a cylinder end, the bearing (5) is movable by a predetermined quantity in a radius direction and an axial direction of the rod relative to the cylinder, and the bearing (5) moves toward the inside of the cylinder to communicate the oil chamber R2 with the storage chamber (40) when the pressure of the storage chamber (40) is higher than the pressure of the oil chamber R2 in the damper (11), and the communication is shut down when the movement is made to the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: A height adjustment on a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, having a shock absorber which has a piston rod, which shock absorber is dynamically connected to the vehicle body, and to which shock absorber a helical spring is coaxially assigned which is clamped between two spring plates that can be changed in their active distance and that determine the spring deflection and rebound path relative to a normal level, the body-side end of the shock absorber being assigned a shock absorber cap which influences the free spring path “s” of the helical spring and which is made adjustable at the same time with the adjustable spring plate.

Abstract: A strut suspension includes a strut whose upper end is supported by an automobile body and whose lower end is supported by a wheel side member, an upper side spring seat, a lower side spring seat fixed to the strut, and a coil spring arranged between the upper side spring seat and the lower side spring seat so as to surround the strut. In a vehicle standard state where a rudder angle provides a neutral rudder position and a vehicle is stopped. A coil center axis of the coil spring and a kingpin shaft cross each other. The coil center axis of the coil spring and a strut shaft form an angle larger than zero when being seen at a vehicle side view.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder tube connected to one portion of a shock absorbing body, a main piston rod extending from a piston with its extension end being connected to another portion of the shock absorbing body, a sub piston rod extending from the piston, an oil chamber pressurizing device arranged to pressurize a hydraulic oil, and damping force generators arranged to generate a damping force by allowing the hydraulic oil to flow between first and second oil chambers. A sealed space for containing an extension end of the sub piston rod is provided. Gas having a pressure larger than atmospheric pressure and smaller than a pressure applied on the hydraulic oil by the oil chamber pressurizing device is filled in the sealed space.

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: A spring seat of a suspension for an automotive vehicle, which is capable of preventing occurrence of noises and preventing buckling deformations thereof has a spring seat body composed of an elastic rubber body. The spring seat body is interposed and pressed between a coil spring and an opposed member. This spring seat body has a plurality of non-through holes which are formed so as to be directed toward a first surface of the spring seat body from a second surface located on the side of the opposed member, and which have openings on the side of the second surface. In addition, the spring seat body has air passages connecting the non-through holes with the surface of the spring seat body other than the second surface on the side of the opposed member.

Abstract: A wheel suspension has a wheel-guiding McPherson strut unit which includes a helical compression spring and a shock absorber, and which is connected to a vehicle body, on the one hand, and to a wheel on the other, and with a suspension arm wherein the compression spring is provided between an upper spring plate connected to the body and a lower spring plate connected to the shock absorber. The undesired, but unavoidable relative movements between the lower spring end of the compression spring and the lower spring plate connected to the shock absorber have an effect that is less negative than usual due to a coating provided between the lower spring end of the helical compression spring and the lower spring plate connected to the shock absorber protecting the lower spring end of the helical compression spring and/or the lower spring plate connected to the shock absorber.

Abstract: An exercise device having a cushioning mechanism assembly configured to absorb energy during exercise is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the cushioning mechanism assembly comprises a first and second biasing apparatus having a spring element configured to absorb energy by undergoing elastic deformation. According to another aspect of the present invention, a lever cushioning apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the lever cushioning apparatus includes a lever arm and a cushioning element that functions as a fulcrum of the lever arm. In another embodiment, the cushioning element is movable along the length of the elongate member to change the amount of cushioning provided by the cushioning element. By being movable, the cushioning element allows the user to select a desired amount of cushioning during exercise.

Abstract: A MacPherson strut tube having an upper spring seat, a spring, a strut tube, and a ring bearing disposed for engaging the spring seat, the spring and the strut tube. The ring bearing comprises an upper casing, a lower casing, and a plastic ring engaged between the upper and lower casings, thereby forming said ring bearing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accommodating vehicle suspensions that may bottom out. Some embodiments of the present invention include the secondary shock absorber placed within a primary shock absorber. Yet clear embodiments describe a shock absorber having multiple fluid flowpaths during compression, with one of the flowpaths being active near the bottoming-out condition.

Abstract: The invention is a fluidic damper which comprises a closed cylinder (100) containing a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is attached to a piston rod (110), a portion of which (the piston rod) emerges through an opening in one end wall of the cylinder (100). The valve mechanism (90) comprises a disc (10) with an axle (15), a rotatable annular cover piece (20) and an annular turning piece (40). A spring (30) is disposed between the cover piece (20) and the turning piece (40).

Abstract: A wheel suspension comprising a vehicle body, a wheel movably articulated on the vehicle body via a control arm assembly. A wheel carrier and at least one helical pressure spring which is supported on the vehicle body on the one hand and on the wheel carrier or the control arm assembly on the other hand. The spring stiffness of the vehicle body support referred to the wheel contact point of the wheel can be controlled so as to be variable. Use is made of a helical pressure spring assembly whose force action line deviates from the geometric spring center line. Furthermore, there are provided rotational means for the 3-dimensional adjustment of the force action line relative to the geometric spring center line.

Abstract: A string type air damper includes a cylinder formed in a tubular shape, defining a guide hole at one end portion thereof, a piston, which moves in the cylinder, a helical spring for biasing the piston toward the other end portion of the cylinder, and a string member guided from inside of the cylinder to outside thereof through the guide hole. The piston and the string member are integrally formed. Since the string member is formed integrally with the piston, unlike a method according to a related art, it becomes unnecessary to form a loop at the base end portion of the string member with a complicated work and form a hook portion at the piston and hook the base end portion of the string member at the hook portion of the piston. Therefore, the string type air damper can be very easily assembled.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus and method that replaces the existing shock absorber of a road vehicle that works to resist the initiation of body roll during cornering. It seeks to counter act the forces being generated by the vehicle suspension springs that exacerbate the rollover propensity of vehicles during certain steering maneuvers.

Abstract: In a buffer device for an elevator, a hydraulic buffer that alleviates shock generated when a traveling body impacts at the bottom of a hoistway is located at the bottom of the hostway. Provided between the traveling body and the bottom of the hoistway is an elastic member that is elastically deformed and that alleviates the shock generated by the impact of the traveling body with the hydraulic buffer. The elastic member is arranged so that, when elastically deformed, almost fall of the elastic member is positioned within a range of a vertical dimension of the hydraulic buffer.

Abstract: A spring seat of a suspension for an automotive vehicle, which is capable of preventing occurrence of noises and preventing buckling deformations thereof has a spring seat body composed of an elastic rubber body. The spring seat body is interposed and pressed between a coil spring and an opposed member. This spring seat body has a plurality of non-through holes which are formed so as to be directed toward a first surface of the spring seat body from a second surface located on the side of the opposed member, and which have openings on the side of the second surface. In addition, the spring seat body has air passages connecting the non-through holes with the surface of the spring seat body other than the second surface on the side of the opposed member.

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 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 dust cover receiving structure of a hydraulic shock absorber 10 is disclosed in which a cover-receiver 50 receiving an end surface of a dust cover 30 is disposed on an upper surface of a spring seat 21. The cover-receiver 50 is fitted and fixed to an engaging portion 21C provided on the spring seat 21 without holding a damper tube 11.

Abstract: Spring strut 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, by which it is connected to the cylinder, where, on the cylinder side, a chamber is provided, which is at least partially filled with a curable material, where the sleeve section is in contact with the curable material, which, when in the solid state, transmits a supporting force from the cylinder to the spring collar, where 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 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 MacPherson strut tube having an upper spring seat, a spring, a strut tube, and a ring bearing disposed for engaging the spring seat, the spring and the strut tube. The ring bearing comprises an upper casing, a lower casing, and a plastic ring engaged between the upper and lower casings, thereby forming said ring bearing.

Abstract: A wheel-guiding spring strut, optionally with internal level regulation, including a shock strut, optionally constructed as a self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut, a piston rod supported at an upper supporting bearing, and a coil spring which is fixed between the spring strut and the supporting bearing at a spring plate. The spring plate that cooperates with the end of the piston rod is arranged so as to be cardanically movable relative to the piston rod.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber for a vehicle in which a slide pipe is slidably provided within a cylinder tube, and a working fluid chamber is provided within the cylinder tube and the slide pipe, a guide bush coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene and an oil seal sealing the fluid chamber are provided in an inner periphery of the cylinder tube so as to be in slide contact with an outer periphery of the slide pipe. An amorphous hard carbon film is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slide pipe.

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 suspension strut used in a wheel suspension of an automotive vehicle, includes a shock absorber, a suspension strut bearing, and a coil spring at least partially coaxially surrounding the shock absorber and having one spring end supported by the shock absorber. The suspension strut bearing includes two plastic carrier elements, and a roller bearing positioned between the carrier elements. One carrier element is a guide ring connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle, and the other carrier element is a single-piece housing having incorporated therein plural hollow chambers in partial concentric surrounding relationship to the shock absorber and formed with a guide collar and a support surface for supporting the other end of the coil spring. The guide ring has a radially inner collar and a radially outer collar which together receive the roller bearing and extend at least beyond a midsection of the roller bearing.

Abstract: An extension spring strut comprises a pre-loaded extension spring with a damper disposed therein. An operating element is disposed inside the extension spring, having an actuating tappet that is joined to an end of the extension spring. The actuating tappet is displaceable over a total range of travel that includes a damping range of the piston rod of the damper and a no-load range of the actuating tappet.

Abstract: A coil spring mounting structure for a suspension strut includes a spring bracket secured to a shock-absorber. The spring bracket has a coupling hole, which is configured to receive a screw threaded end of a coil spring. Nuts are screw-coupled to the screw threads of the coil spring, thereby fixing the coil spring to the spring bracket.

Abstract: Fastening element for a shock absorber includes a first part which is fixed to the piston rod of the a shock absorber and is provided with an aperture for a bearing bolt and a second part with a bearing surface for a helical spring surrounding the shock absorber. The second part coaxially surrounds the first part and is held relative to the first part at least in an axial direction by a securing ring.

Abstract: A dust cover receiving structure of a hydraulic shock absorber in which a seat rubber is interposed between a suspension spring and a spring seat. The seat rubber has a spring receiving portion which is arranged between the suspension spring and the spring seat, a centering portion which is fitted to a damper tube and guides an end portion of a dust cover in such a manner as to align the dust cover with an axial center of the damper tube, and a cover receiving portion which is provided between the spring receiving portion and the centering portion, and which receives an end surface of the dust cover.

Abstract: The invention comprises a vehicle strut assembly. A strut has a first seat mounted to the strut and a second seat mounted to a vehicle body. A spring is mounted between the first seat and the second seat and is disposed around the strut. The spring has a compressed state and an uncompressed state. In the compressed state, the spring has a middle portion that defines a spring centerline. In the uncompressed state, the spring has ends portions extending towards opposite sides of the spring centerline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring carrier for the chassis of a motor vehicle. Said carrier is used to support a coil spring (1) which is braced between two spring plates (2, 3). At least one of said spring plates (2) can be axially adjusted by means of a drive unit comprising a gearbox and an electric motor. Preferably, at least one part of the piston rod (6) and/or the shock-absorber tube (5) of a shock-absorber or a suspension strut is arranged inside the coil spring (1). The aim of the invention is to develop one such spring carrier in such a way that the distance between the upper spring end and the vehicle body can be kept small in a cost-effective manner. To this end, the electric motor is embodied in the form of a ring motor having an external stator (15) and an internal rotor (16) which comprises a displacement nut on its inner side, said displacement nut axially displacing a spring plate carrier (21) connected to the spring plate (2) and externally embodied as a threaded spindle.

Abstract: A suspension strut includes a cylinder; a chamber surrounding the cylinder, the chamber being at least partially filled with hardenable material; and a spring collar having a sleeve section which is received in the hardenable material so that said material, in a solid state, transmits a supporting force from the cylinder to the spring collar. The sleeve section has a radial clearance with respect to said cylinder, so that sleeve section can be installed in said chamber at a predetermined angle to said cylinder.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing device includes an outer threaded tube, a threaded rod having a retractable rod, a compression spring, an adjusting nut, and an urging nut. Thus, when the urging nut on the outer threaded tube is unscrewed, the threaded rod can be rotated relative to the outer threaded tube, thereby adjusting the relative distance between the threaded rod and the outer threaded tube, such that the height of the automobile can be adjusted largely. In addition, the scales of the flat surface can be used to indicate the length of the shock-absorbing device, so that the height of the automobile can be adjusted exactly.