Shock absorber and air spring assembly

Claim 1

An integral shock absorber and spring assembly for remotely adjusting the amount of damping on a down stroke of the shock absorber comprising: (a) a first base; (b) a rod projecting from said first base; (c) a second base; (d) a cylinder projecting from said second base, said cylinder containing a first bore having a first end and a second end, the first end being closed by a cap through which said rod slidingly projects; (e) a piston carried by said rod within said first bore; (f) a reservoir for hydraulic fluid; (g) a first path of fluid communication from the first end of said first bore to said reservoir; (h) a second path of fluid communication from the second end of said first bore to the first end of said bore, said second path including, a first longitudinal bore in said second base in communication with said first bore, a radial bore in said second base in communication with said first longitudinal bore and said second base, a remotely adjustable flow control valve within said radial bore in said second base, a second longitudinal bore in said second base in communication with said radial bore, a one-way valve contained in said second longitudinal bore which permits fluid flow towards the first end of said first bore but prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction, and a conduit in said cylinder in fluid communication between said second longitudinal bore in said second base and said first bore on the first side of said piston; and (i) a spring surrounding said rod and said cylinder and being connected at one end to said first base and at the other end to one of said second base or said cylinder.