Abstract: A very compact and cushioned narrow front assembly for a high crop spray vehicle. A U-shaped and generally horizontal pivoting frame is connected to the lower end of a steering yoke for rocking about a first axis. A ground wheel is carried on the side legs of the U-shaped frame for rotation about a second axis offset in the rearward direction slightly from the first axis. A pair of shock absorbers extend downwardly from the upper portion of the steering yoke to pivotal connections with each of the side legs just behind and above the second axis. The forward ends of the side legs, which terminate rearwardly of the forwardmost extremity of the ground wheel, are each pivotally connected to the eye-end of a tension link which extends upwardly through a spring abutment bracket fixed to the lower end of the corresponding side of the yoke. A spring is compressed between the upper end of each of the links and the corresponding spring abutment bracket to provide balanced shock-absorbed cushioning.

Abstract: A limited stroke hydraulic actuator which may be located in the structure of a steered axle in a shallow blind bore. The piston which may be slidably received in the bore is displaced by an adjustable protrusion secured to the steering system. Displacement of the piston causes hydraulic fluid to flow through an orifice from one side to the other. Resistance to flow of fluid through the orifice damps the motion of the piston and consequently the steering system. A spring returns the piston to an initial position when the steering system is removed from end of travel position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a suspension system for a bicycle or similar vehicle to allow shock isolation at the location of the seat or handle bar mounting or other locations. The suspension system as well as a variable rate progressive dampening assembly. The hydraulic fluid is also utilized to lubricate the moving portions of the system to promote proper function and extend the useful life thereof. The system also has a variable spring preload to accommodate different sized riders. The system is cost effective and yet extremely durable and may be retrofit for use with existing bicycles.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a piston/tube shock mechanism provided with adjustment devices permitting variation of the effective length and thus operating parameters, of a coil spring surrounding the shock mechanism. Adjustment is obtained by the vertical displacement of a member surrounding a body sleeve disposed exteriorly of the shock mechanism and wherein this vertical displacement alters the elevation of one end of the coil spring. A lock nut secures the obtained adjustment and both the member and nut may be manipulated with a simple tool cooperating with a specific configuration on the periphery of the member and nut.

Abstract: A pneumatic energy absorbing arrangement, for use between the bumper and the frame of an automobile, includes a piston and cylinder combination which provides for an increasing amount of force or energy absorbed in relation to an increasing amount of travel between the piston and cylinder combination and, therefore, of the automobile itself. Exhaustion of the air within the piston cylinder combination is accomplished by a decreasing area of vent holes as the travel of the piston and cylinder increases. A specific or variable rate spring is provided to bias the piston and cylinder arrangement in an extended before-impact condition and absorb energy. The energy absorption device provided by this invention is reusable in that it is not destroyed during an impact.

Abstract: A shock absorber according to the present invention for use in a vehicle for cushioning a vibration generating between a vehicle body and an axle, in which a suspension spring is disposed between one member which may serve as a mass below the spring and the other member which may serve as a mass above the spring, has an apparatus for adjusting the height of vehicle permits its mounting length to be adjusted without changing an initially set load of the suspension spring while being relatively displaced with respect to the one member so that a stroke of the shock absorber may be changed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a vehicle body subframe, a wheel with a tire mounted upon a wheel hub assembly having a wheel spindle inside the wheel bearing. A wheel damping mass of ogival shape surrounds the outer race of the wheel bearing and is formed with a vertical slot whose length is perpendicular to the major diameter of the ogival cross section. The damping mass is formed with a pair of openings on each side of the vertical slot that accommodates a support assembly including a vertical shaft held by a shaft retainer intermediate the shaft ends, upper and lower bearings and centering springs located between the shaft retainer and each of the latter bearings. Damping fluid dissipates vibrational energy and may comprise a major component of the damping mass.

Abstract: A camber control system varies the camber of a wheel of a motor vehicle. The camber control system includes a detector for detecting a direction in which front wheels are steered, a controller for producing a control signal in response to a signal produced by the detector, an actuator operable in response to the control signal from the controller, and a rear wheel camber varying mechanism actuatable by the actuator for varying the camber of rear wheels. The controller is arranged such that the control signal produced thereby enables the actuator to operate the rear wheel camber varying mechanism so that the camber of outer and inner rear wheels with respect to a motor vehicle turning direction corresponding to the direction in which the front wheels are steered, is rendered negative and positive, respectively.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper has an oil lock mechanism for preventing bottoming when the hydraulic damper is fully compressed. The hydraulic damper also includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a cylinder movable with the inner tube, a piston rod movable with the outer tube, a piston fixed to a distal end of the piston rod, and a coil spring disposed in the inner tube. The oil lock mechanism comprises an oil lock piece mounted on an upper end of the cylinder, and an oil lock tube disposed concentrically between the cylinder and the inner tube and having a larger-diameter portion which can be spaced from the oil lock piece when the hydraulic damper is extended and a smaller-diameter portion which can be held in sliding contact with the oil lock piece when the hydraulic damper is compressed.

Abstract: An interchangeable end mount system for stabilizer shock absorbers. Two types of end mounts are described, an eye ring end mount and a stud end mount. In one preferred embodiment, the eye ring end mount includes an eye ring, a threaded sleeve with a shoulder, and a washer. The end mount is removably screwed onto a threaded piston rod. An improved spring seat provides a bottom support for the shock absorber spring. A stud end mount embodiment includes an internally and externally threaded stud with a shoulder, and a washer. Another embodiment of the stud end mount does not have a shoulder or washer but uses cup washers and urethane doughnuts to retain the shock absorber spring.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a wheel damper in combination with a nonlinear active dynamically controlled system for vehicle suspension.

Abstract: A spring-loaded dampening actuator includes a cylindrically-shaped body member, a piston rod, a coil spring, and a one-way lip seal member. The lip seal member engages an inner sidewall of the body member only when a force is applied by means of a coil spring so as to push the piston rod out from the body member at a dampened or controlled rate of speed.

Abstract: An independent suspension for a motor vehicle includes a wheel carrier with a spindle for rotatably mounting a road wheel, a telescoping strut having a lower end rigidly attached to the wheel carrier and an upper end attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle. A control arm is interposed between the wheel carrier and the chassis, and a torsional unloading device is interposed between the control arm and the telescoping strut such that the torsional unloading device will impose a force upon the telescoping strut tending to counteract an opposing bending moment imposed upon the strut by the wheel carrier.

Abstract: In a suspension leg for a motor vehicle a bracket surrounds the lower end of the container on a major part of the circumference thereof. Two legs of the bracket define a gap between each other adjacent to the container. A U-shaped insert member is inserted into the gap. An interspace is defined between the bottom of the U-shaped insert and the container. This interspace is dimensioned such that it can be subjected to a surface treatment such as phosphatizing or varnishing.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot comprising a cylinder, a piston separating the cylinder into a pair of chambers, a rod connected to the piston and projecting outwardly of the cylinder, a storage chamber for compensating hydraulic fluid, and a passage for conducting compensating fluid between the storage chamber and the pair of chambers. A first valve is provided in the passage for controlling fluid flow between the passage in at least one of the pair of chambers with the first valve being accommodated in a first valve body. A second valve is immediately upstream of the first valve body and closes fluid communication through the passage in a direction away from the storage chamber in automatic response to the removal of the first valve body from the passage.

Abstract: A steering stabilizer is connected between a fixed point on a vehicle frame and a moving point in the steering linkage which connects the vehicle's steerable wheels to the steering gears. The stabilizer includes a single coil spring and two pairs of connecting rods. One of the pairs of rods is secured to the fixed point of the vehicle frame and the other pair is connected to the vehicle steering linkage. The rods have left and right arms positioned adjacent opposite ends of the spring so that the connecting rods can transmit movement of the steering linkage (relative to the fixed point) to the spring to compress the spring when the steering linkage moves both away from as well as towards the fixed point on the frame. The spring is dimensionally sized and the left and right arms are selectively spaced so that the stabilizer is self centering in the absence of external forces acting on the steering linkage.

Abstract: The fluid circuitry connecting variable volume chambers of the semiactive damper includes valve assemblies which collectively effect mechanical implementation of a preselected damper control policy that is based in part upon changes in the sign of the absolute velocity of a supported member of the system of which the damper forms a part. One of the valve assemblies has an inertial body which is connected to a movable system member but which remains substantially stationary during system operation. The inertial body and a valve member of the assembly are interconnected by a linkage which in one embodiment includes a frictional type connector, and which in another embodiment includes a dashpot.

Abstract: Operation of a continuously variable semiactive damper of the system is modified so as to reduce generation in the system of undesirable shocks and noise. The modifications include delaying some or all of the changes in the on/off states of the damper, and/or limiting the rate and/or extent of changes in the damping coefficient of the damper at certain of the times when the damper is in an on state.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension device which suspends a vehicle body and a wheel, comprising a coil spring body having a predetermined number of coaxial turns, and a first cylinder and a second cylinder, each including a soft synthetic resin open-cell foam which is treated to be surging-proof and waterproof and which has a wall in which is embedded at least one turn located at each end of said coil spring body.

Abstract: A reduced length hydraulic shock absorber, preferably for use in a MacPherson strut, does not sacrifice structural rigidity under radial loads. A circumferential sleeve member is attached to the cylinder adjacent the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod extends. The piston rod extends through an opening in the sleeve end with a bearing therein. The sleeve telescopes axially on the cylinder. The sleeve is spring-biased axially outwardly of the cylinder, and is telescoped outwardly from the cylinder at all times except when the shock absorber is fully or mostly compressed. The sleeve, when telescoped outwardly, thus provides radial load bearing support for the piston rod at a point spaced apart from the cylinder end. This allows the shock absorber to be designed without any piston rod/cylinder overlap, and the piston rod may consequently be made shorter.

Abstract: A damper device comprises damping structure and a spring device and is advantageously used for a door swingably supported by a shaft to be opened and shut between a totally shut position and a totally opened position and opened under the influence of its own weight at least from a position intermediate of the aforementioned two positions to the totally opened state. The damper element acts against the motion of the door. The spring element biases the door in the shutting direction at least from the intermediate position to the totally opened position.

Abstract: A ski suspension strut for a snowmobile comprises: upper and lower telescopically arranged members guided for a predetermined range of relative axial movement but constrained against relative rotation. The lower member is of cylindrical profile and is rotatably supported in a fixed generally upright orientation by mounting means in the snowmobile. One end of the lower member is connected to a snowmobile ski and the second member is connected to a steering mechanism in the snowmobile to be rotated thereby in effecting steering movement of the ski. Damper means is located interiorly of the lower member and operatively connected to both members to dampen relative axial movement thereof. Linear bearing means are mounted in the lower member in sliding engagement with a section of the upper member that is of constant square profile over a suitable length.

Abstract: A damper assembly comprises a cylinder enclosing a plunger mounted on a piston rod and associated with an auxiliary plunger which is yieldably held against the main plunger by a spring. Ascent of the cylinder relative to the plunger allows a high damping force to be obtained by causing the damping liquid to pass around the exterior of the main plunger, along a first flow path, whereas descent of the cylinder allows the spring to yield and to open a larger cross-section third flow path between the auxiliary plunger and the main plunger for a lower damping force to be obtained. The damping force exerted in the first-mentioned direction is limited by the effect of a pressure relief valve which opens to allow flow of hydraulic fluid through the auxiliary plunger along a second flow path once a predetermined damper force has been attained. The cylinder is coaxially surrounded by a pre-load spring. The damper is incorporated in an anti-bounce package support in a yarn winder.

Abstract: A safety stabilizer for vehicle steering linkages for connection between a fixed portion of the vehicle and a movable element of the steering linkage comprising an outer cylinder and an inner fluid filled cylinder extending longitudinally through one end of the outer cylinder and movable relative thereto. A coil spring is mounted within the outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder. Two pairs of spaced apart annular stops affixed to the cylinders cooperate to compress the spring upon longitudinal movement of the fluid filled cylinder in either direction relative to the outer cylinder. A piston and piston rod are movable mounted within the fluid filled cylinder. The piston rod extends through the end of the fluid filled cylinder contained within the outer cylinder and is affixed to the outer cylinder.

Abstract: The system includes a hydraulically damped strut and a tubular elastomeric spring. The ends of the spring may be sealed so that the spring can be pressurized internally. An improved bearing, which permits rotative shifting of the spring and strut in response to turning effort, also is disclosed. The suspension is particularly useful in applications which heretofore involved MacPherson struts.

Abstract: An elongation type oil damper includes a cylinder containing oil in the inside, a hollow plunger slidably fitted in the cylinder, containing oil in the inner space thereof and projecting from a rod end of the cylinder for undergoing elongation and contraction strokes, and a floating piston inserted in the inner space of the plunger for axial movement in a state biased toward the end of the plunger projecting into the cylinder. The plunger is provided at the projecting end thereof with communication holes through which the oil in the plunger and the oil in the cylinder join each other and also with a valve capable of being moved axially to close some of the communication holes in the elongation or contraction stroke of the plunger.

Abstract: A structure for supporting with a car body a suspension having a shock absorber and a coil spring disposed to surround the shock absorber includes a first support having an elastic body and a spherical bearing and fixed to the car body, a spring seat fixed to the first support at the inside thereof for receiving an upper end of the coil spring and a second support fixed to the spring seat at the inside thereof and coupled with a piston rod of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A vibration damping and isolation apparatus wherein in damping is obtained by purely viscous fluid shear forces. The fluid is sealed in two chambers divided by a orifice to permit fluid flow. Chamber containment of the fluid and chamber volume change is provided by metal bellows which are arranged to provide a constant overall volume. Coulomb forces are avoided by the elimination of rubbing surfaces.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle shock absorber of the type having an alternately compressible and extendible body adapted to coaxial mounting of an oppositely reactive compression spring. The shock absorber comprises a piston rod, a piston carried thereby and an hydraulic fluid containing cylinder, the piston dividing the cylinder into compression and extension chambers for alternately receiving hydraulic fluid. Response characteristics in the compression and extension modes are widely and independently variable. Structure beyond the hydraulic fluid containing cylinder defines first and second passageways communicating by adjustable valving to chambers in the cylinder in differential compression and extension response.

Abstract: Apparatus for hydraulic damping has a housing (22) having a chamber (30), the chamber (30) dividing the housing (22) into two enclosures (18, 19), between which enclosures (18, 19) fluid may flow through the chamber (30), the chamber (30) having a first port (34) and a second port (36) each being in communication with a respective one of the enclosures (18, 19) and a member (31) arranged inside the chamber (30) such that increase of fluid pressure difference between the ports (34, 36) in either direction causes the member (31) to be deflected elastically so as to allow flow of fluid between the enclosures (18, 19) in the respective direction, the incremental deflection of the member (31) for a particular incremental increase of fluid pressure difference increasing at increasing fluid pressure difference.