Buffer structure

Claim 1

A buffer structure for relatively large buffer strokes, which includes: a tubular member having hollow chamber space therein, a plurality of buffer bodies including ends thereof arranged axially one behind the other in said tubular member, said buffer bodies comprising cellular elastic material and when under no load having a radial play with regard to the inner surface of said tubular member so as to be able to radially expand when being subjected to an axial load, closure means including hollow space therewith connected to and closing one end of said tubular member, a plurality of intermediate elements slidably arranged within said tubular member and respectively interposed between each two adjacent ones of said buffer bodies, the other end of said tubular member being open, and push rod means with hollow space at an end thereof slidably guided by said open end of said tubular member and adapted to engage the respective adjacent end portion of the respective adjacent buffer body for elastically compressing the latter and the other buffer bodies in said tubular member in response to an axial load acting upon said push rod means in the direction toward said closure means, said intermediate elements comprising discs with annular flange means slidably engaging the inner wall surface of said tubular member, said ends of the buffer bodies being inserted in the hollow chamber space formed by the discs and flange means as well as in the hollow space of the closure means on one end of said tubular member and into hollow space of the end of said push rod means extending into said tubular member, said annular flange means extending on opposite sides of the pertaining discs.