US3848710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shock absorber, piston and valve structure
Assignee: Bobrick Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-16
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A shock absorber, in an exemplary embodiment, especially suited for motorcycles and the like characterized as being fabricated of a minimum number of components assembled in a manner which permits rebuilding of worn components and wherein selected variable damping is obtained through the provision of external adjustment means for varying the degree of dampening. The adjustability features allow for variable jounce and rebound factors to accommodate both normal and severe driving conditions and to permit compensation thereof, all without dismantling or demounting of the shock absorber from the vehicle with which it is associated. Adjustment in one instance comprises metering the hydraulic fluid and in the other instance varying the disposition of the main compression spring. Means on the body of the shock absorber are provided to dissipate heat thereby increasing the quality of performance of the shock absorber during jounce and rebound conditions. Also disclosed is a piston having novel orifice and valve arrangement through which hydraulic fluid flows. In other embodiments a compensator means within the cylinder of the shock absorber prevents aeration and hence viscosity variation of the hydraulic fluid. Other unique features are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thompson
- 👤 A Cowan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/32; F16F9/42; F16F9/44; B; B60; B60G; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/30; B60G2202/31; B60G2202/312; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/12; B60G2204/124; B60G2204/1242; B60G2204/128; B60G2204/61; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7859; Y10T137/7869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a hydraulic shock absorber, the combination of: a pressure tube having closed radial walls and a reciprocable piston assembly therein dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers; a single flow path connecting said chamber for fluid flow during jounce and rebound conditions; said assembly having at least first and second fluid passageways communicating to said single flow path through and from one side of said assembly to the other side open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions, said at least first fluid passageway and said single flow path being centrally located in said assembly; and a single valve member controlling said hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions and restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said other side of said assembly to said one side; and a body of shock absorbing fluid positionable on one side of said piston assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a hydraulic shock absorber, the combination of: a pressure tube having closed radial walls and a reciprocable piston assembly therein dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers; a single flow path connecting said chamber for fluid flow during jounce and rebound conditions; said assembly having at least first and second fluid passageways communicating to said single flow path through and from one side of said assembly to the other side open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions, said at least first fluid passageway and said single flow path being centrally located in said assembly; and a single valve member controlling said hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions and restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said other side of said assembly to said one side; and a body of shock absorbing fluid positionable on one side of said piston assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said assembly is annular in configuration and said at least second fluid passageway is outwardly spaced from said first fluid passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 2 which additionally includes spaced second fluid passageways perimetrically positioned with respect to said assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said valve member is a poppet valve adapted to seat on said at least second fluid passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 4 wherein said poppet valve is annular in configuration and a plurality of second fluid passageways are perimetrically positioned in spaced relationship with said assembly and communicating to said single flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 5 wherein said poppet valve is normally spring biased into the unseated position with respect to said second fluid passageways.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 6 wherein said piston assembly is annular in configuration and said poppet valve is captiveLy associated therewith for limited movement therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 7 wherein said piston assembly includes a hollow piston rod secured to an annular piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 8 wherein said poppet valve is axially movable between said piston rod and the interior of said piston.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 9 wherein a piston return spring is positioned within the interior and bottom wall of said pressure tube to engage the lower surface of said piston upon high jounce impacts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 10 wherein a top-out spring is positioned within the interior and upward portion of said pressure tube to engage the upper surface of said piston upon rebound impacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 11 wherein said pressure tube is adapted for rapid heat dissolution of temperatures generated therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a hydraulic shock absorber, the combination of: a pressure tube having a reciprocable piston assembly therein and dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers above and below said assembly respectively, said assembly having a single flow path therethrough for passage of hydraulic fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber during jounce and rebound conditions, said assembly having at least first and second fluid passageways communicating to said single flow path and being open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions said at least first fluid passageway and said single flow path being centrally located in said assembly; a single valve member controlling said hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path between said first and second chambers and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions and restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said first chamber to said second chamber, a captively contained body of shock absorbing fluid within said pressure tube positionable on one side of said assembly for displacement between said first and second chambers through said single flow path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a hydraulic shock absorber, the combination of: a pressure tube having a reciprocable piston assembly therein and dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers above and below said assembly respectively, said assembly having a single flow path therethrough for passage of hydraulic fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber during jounce and rebound conditions, said assembly having at least first and second fluid passageways communicating to said single flow path and being open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions said at least first fluid passageway and said single flow path being centrally located in said assembly; a single valve member controlling said hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path between said first and second chambers and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions and restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said first chamber to said second chamber, a captively contained body of shock absorbing fluid within said pressure tube positionable on one side of said assembly for displacement between said first and second chambers through said single flow path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 13 wherein said valve member is a poppet valve having a peripheral lower edge portion aligned to seat on said at least second fluid passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shock absorber in accordance with claim 14 wherein said poppet valve is annular in configuration and a plurality of second fluid passageways are perimetrically positioned in spaced relationship with said assembly and communicating to said single flow path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
238 words
A hydraulic fluid shock absorber comprising the combination of: a. a pressure tube; b. a reciprocally movable piston assembly in said pressure tube dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers above and below said assembly, respectively, and having a single flow path therethrough for passage of hydraulic fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber during jounce and rebound conditions; c. said assembly having at least a first centrally located and a second perimetrically spaced fluid passageway formed in the bottom wall of said assembly and communicating to said single flow path and being open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions; d. a movable valve member comprising an annular poppet valve having a central bore and being captively retained within said assembly and adapted to control hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path between said first and second chambers and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure between said chambers to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions by its lower most peripheral edge seating on said perimetrically spaced second fluid passageway and to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said first chamber to said second chAmber, and e. a body of hydraulic fluid within said pressure tube positionable on one side of said assembly for displacement between said first and second chambers through said single flow path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
238 words
A hydraulic fluid shock absorber comprising the combination of: a. a pressure tube; b. a reciprocally movable piston assembly in said pressure tube dividing said pressure tube into first and second chambers above and below said assembly, respectively, and having a single flow path therethrough for passage of hydraulic fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber during jounce and rebound conditions; c. said assembly having at least a first centrally located and a second perimetrically spaced fluid passageway formed in the bottom wall of said assembly and communicating to said single flow path and being open to hydraulic fluid flow during normal and jounce conditions; d. a movable valve member comprising an annular poppet valve having a central bore and being captively retained within said assembly and adapted to control hydraulic fluid flow through said single flow path between said first and second chambers and being responsive to hydraulic fluid differential pressure between said chambers to close said at least second fluid passageway during rebound conditions by its lower most peripheral edge seating on said perimetrically spaced second fluid passageway and to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid in said pressure tube through said single flow path from said first chamber to said second chAmber, and e. a body of hydraulic fluid within said pressure tube positionable on one side of said assembly for displacement between said first and second chambers through said single flow path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |