Patent ID: 7441640
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
1. A shock absorber apparatus, comprising: a first cylinder defining a first internal bore closed by a first end wall and an opposite second end wall, and further comprising a first port connected in fluid transmission relation to the first internal bore; a second cylinder defining a second internal bore closed by a first end wall and an opposite second end wall, and further comprising a second port connected in fluid transmission relation to the second internal bore; and a response adjustment mechanism located adjacent to the second cylinder, and connected in fluid transmission relation between the first port and second port, comprising first, second, and third adjustment valves, wherein each valve is operable to direct a flow of fluid between the first port and the second port, and wherein the first valve is coaxially positioned within the second valve, and further wherein the second valve is coaxially positioned within the third valve, and wherein the response adjustment mechanism further comprises: a stem having an outer surface, and a first end, and a second end having a conical shape, and wherein the stem comprises threads formed therein around the outer surface proximate to the second end; and a first shaft located along the longitudinal axis, and having an outer surface, and having a first bore formed there-through, and wherein the first bore defines an inner surface configured to slideably and telescopingly receive the stem in rotatable relation so that the stem is coaxially received within the first shaft, and further wherein the first shaft comprises a second bore formed therein, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the second bore has threads formed therein, and is configured to threadably accept the threads formed proximate to the second end of the stem; and wherein a portion of the outer surface of the first shaft has threads formed therein; a second shaft located along the longitudinal axis having a first end, and an opposite second end, and having an outer surface, and having a bore formed therein, and wherein the bore defines an inner surface, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bore has threads formed therein, and is configured to threadably accept the threads formed in the outer surface of the first shaft; a first spring having a first end and an opposite second end, and positioned around a portion of the outer surface of the first shaft in telescoping relation, and wherein the first end of the first spring is positioned in force transmission relation to the second end of the second shaft; a first base having a first surface, and an opposite second surface, and having a bore extending from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the first surface forms a platform for the second end of first spring; a third shaft located along the longitudinal axis, and having a first and an opposite second end, and having an outer surface, and having a bore formed therein, and wherein the bore defines an inner surface, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bore is configured to slideably and telescopingly receive the second shaft in rotatable relation so that the second shaft is coaxially received within the third shaft, and wherein a portion of the outer surface has threads formed therein; a second spring having a first and an opposite second end, and positioned around a portion of the second shaft in telescoping relation, and further positioned around the first spring in telescoping relation, and wherein the first end of the second spring is positioned in force transmission relation to the second end of the third shaft; a second base having an outer surface, and having a first and an opposite second surface wherein the outer surface is bound by the first and the second surface, and further having a first bore formed between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first surface has a recessed seat formed therein, configured to support the first base in force transmission relation, and further wherein the first surface is configured to support the second spring in force transmission relation, and wherein the second base further comprises a second bore bounded by the first surface, and further comprises a cavity positioned between the first and second surface; a housing configured to threadably and rotatably accept the third shaft, and wherein the housing has a plurality of apertures formed therein; and a third base having a first and an opposite second surface, and having a first cavity having an inner surface bounded by the first surface, and wherein the inner surface is configured to support the outer surface of the second base in force transmission relation, and further having a second cavity bounded by the second surface.