US3861729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle shock absorber
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-10-30
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1992-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A shock absorber for a vehicle which translates horizontal impact force of the bumper into vertical force with the vertical force being absorbed by compression of coiled springs and lifting of the vehicle body. One embodiment of the shock absorber includes a first fluid cylinder having a movable piston and rod connected to the vehicle bumper. A second fluid cylinder mounted to the vehicle body has a second piston and rod slidably mounted thereon. The second piston rod has a seating plate attached to its distal end for receiving the top end of the vehicle coil spring. The bottom end of the coil spring is received by the device onto which the vehicle wheel is mounted. A shock absorber is positioned within the coil spring. Fluid pressure lines connect the cylinders and shock absorbers together. Inward movement of the vehicle bumper causes the first piston to exert fluid pressure against the second piston thereby causing compression of the coil spring and lifting of the vehicle body. In an alternate embodiment, an expandable gas bag is utilized in lieu of a cylinder piston arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar Stanley Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/32; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/027; B60G17/0272; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/22; B60G2800/222; B60G2800/90; B60G2800/91; B60G2800/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In combination with a vehicle which includes a main frame, a vehicle body mounted on said frame, a wheel supporting device connected to said frame, a coil spring with one end mounted to said device and an opposite end cushily supporting said body with respect to said device, and a bumper mounted to said vehicle, wherein the improvement comprises: a first means connected to said bumper, said body and said spring being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal force through said bumper into downward force compressing said spring and upward force lifting said body; said first means includes fluid cushion means having a fluid output line, said firSt means further includes lifting means connected to said line being operable to lift said body upon receipt of pressurized fluid from said line, said cushion means being connected to said bumper and operable to force pressurized fluid out through said line into said lifting means to lift said body when said bumper moves toward said frame upon impact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In combination with a vehicle which includes a main frame, a vehicle body mounted on said frame, a wheel supporting device connected to said frame, a coil spring with one end mounted to said device and an opposite end cushily supporting said body with respect to said device, and a bumper mounted to said vehicle, wherein the improvement comprises: a first means connected to said bumper, said body and said spring being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal force through said bumper into downward force compressing said spring and upward force lifting said body; said first means includes fluid cushion means having a fluid output line, said firSt means further includes lifting means connected to said line being operable to lift said body upon receipt of pressurized fluid from said line, said cushion means being connected to said bumper and operable to force pressurized fluid out through said line into said lifting means to lift said body when said bumper moves toward said frame upon impact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein: said first means includes a first fluid cylinder with a first piston and a first rod slidably mounted therein, said cylinder being mounted to said body over said coil spring with said rod having an enlarged plate secured thereto positioned between said body and said spring and seatingly receiving said spring, said cylinder being connected to said fluid output line to receive pressurized fluid therefrom to cause relative movement between said cylinder and said piston to compress said spring while lifting said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: said fluid cushion means includes a second fluid cylinder with a second piston slidably mounted therein and connected to said bumper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein: said combination includes a shock absorber mounted to said body and said device and surrounded by said coil spring; and, said second cylinder having a second fluid line connected to said shock absorber to receive pressurized fluid therefrom as said shock absorber contracts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein: said frame includes a lower control arm and an upper control arm pivotally mounted thereto with said spring disposed between said lower control arm and said upper control arm, said frame further includes a steering knuckle mounted to said lower control arm and said upper control arm with a wheel mounted thereto; said first cylinder is mounted directly atop said upper control arm with said first rod extending through said upper control arm, said enlarged plate being positioned between said upper control arm and said coil spring, said first cylinder includes a bottom end plate sealingly closing said first cylinder with said first rod projecting through said bottom end plate; and, said first piston and said second piston each have a hole therethrough to allow passage of fluid through said first piston and said second piston.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for transforming horizontal impact force imparted to a vehicle bumper into force for causing upward movement of a vehicle body supported by a coil spring on a vehicle frame comprising: first means mountable to said bumper, said spring and said body and being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal movement of said bumper into force compressing said spring and force to lift said body; said means includes a first fluid cylinder mountable to said body, said first cylinder includes a first piston slidably mounted therein with a first rod secured to said first piston, said first rod projecting outwardly of said first cylinder and having an outer end with a seating plate mounted thereto which receives one end of said coil spring; and, said first means further includes cushion means connectable to said vehicle bumper and said first cylinder and being operable to direct pressurized fluids against said first piston when said bumper is impacted to cause relative motion between said first piston and said first cylinder compressing said spring and lifting said body.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for transforming horizontal impact force imparted to a vehicle bumper into force for causing upward movement of a vehicle body supported by a coil spring on a vehicle frame comprising: first means mountable to said bumper, said spring and said body and being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal movement of said bumper into force compressing said spring and force to lift said body; said means includes a first fluid cylinder mountable to said body, said first cylinder includes a first piston slidably mounted therein with a first rod secured to said first piston, said first rod projecting outwardly of said first cylinder and having an outer end with a seating plate mounted thereto which receives one end of said coil spring; and, said first means further includes cushion means connectable to said vehicle bumper and said first cylinder and being operable to direct pressurized fluids against said first piston when said bumper is impacted to cause relative motion between said first piston and said first cylinder compressing said spring and lifting said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said cushion means includes a second fluid cylinder with a second piston and second rod slidably mounted therein, said second rod is connected to said bumper with said second cylinder connected to said first cylinder by a pressure line to convey fluid pressure to said first piston as said bumper moves to said second piston during vehicle impact.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for transforming horizontal impact force imparted to a vehicle bumper into force for causing upward movement of a vehicle body supported by a coil spring on a vehicle frAme comprising: first means mountable to said bumper, said spring and said body and being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal movement of said bumper into force compressing said spring and force to lift said body; said first means includes an expandable gas bag mountable to and between said body and said coil spring, said first means further includes cushion means connectable to said bumper and said bag being operable to direct pressurized gas into said bag when said bumper is impacted.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for transforming horizontal impact force imparted to a vehicle bumper into force for causing upward movement of a vehicle body supported by a coil spring on a vehicle frAme comprising: first means mountable to said bumper, said spring and said body and being operable when said bumper is impacted to translate horizontal movement of said bumper into force compressing said spring and force to lift said body; said first means includes an expandable gas bag mountable to and between said body and said coil spring, said first means further includes cushion means connectable to said bumper and said bag being operable to direct pressurized gas into said bag when said bumper is impacted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
The combination of: a vehicle having a vehicle body mounted on a vehicle frame; at least one coil spring having a bottom end seated on said frame and a top end supporting said body; a bumper movably mounted to said vehicle; first means mounted on said frame and connected to said bumper, said first means being operable to assume a first position upon movement of said bumper toward said body; and, second means connected to said first means and mounted on said body, said second means having a movable portion disposed between said main body and said top end of said spring, said second means being operable upon said first means assuming said first position to move said movable portion to compress said spring and lift said body; said movable portion is a piston rod with an enlarged outer end seatingly receiving said top end of said spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
The combination of: a vehicle having a vehicle body mounted on a vehicle frame; at least one coil spring having a bottom end seated on said frame and a top end supporting said body; a bumper movably mounted to said vehicle; first means mounted on said frame and connected to said bumper, said first means being operable to assume a first position upon movement of said bumper toward said body; and, second means connected to said first means and mounted on said body, said second means having a movable portion disposed between said main body and said top end of said spring, said second means being operable upon said first means assuming said first position to move said movable portion to compress said spring and lift said body; said movable portion is a piston rod with an enlarged outer end seatingly receiving said top end of said spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1489336A
Cited
US3689054A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |