Patent ID: 6352145
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A two-stage shock absorber comprising:a pressure tube defining a chamber; a piston rod disposed within said chamber; a valve assembly fixably attached to said piston rod and slidably engaging said pressure tube within said chamber, said valve assembly dividing said chamber into an upper and a lower working chamber, said valve assembly providing a first and a second fluid flow path between said upper and lower working chambers completely through said valve assembly, said first and second flow paths of said valve assembly being totally separate from one another; and a sleeve slidably disposed on said valve assembly, said sleeve being operable to progressively close a third separate and distinct flow path extending between said upper and lower working chambers when movement of said valve assembly exceeds a specified distance, said progressive closing of said third flow path providing a progressively higher resistance to the movement of said valve assembly.