Patent ID: 6454061
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A powerful shock absorber and accelerator device, comprising:an inner chamber containing a gas, an outer storage chamber for containing compressed gas, an inner wall defining a boundary between the outer storage chamber and the inner chamber, the inner wall having an aperture defined therein, a piston and a piston rod, there being a clearance between the piston and the inner wall, the piston, upon the exertion of a force against the piston rod, moving through a retraction stroke and compressing gas in the inner chamber and driving the gas through the aperture to the outer storage chamber, a sealing structure that seals the clearance so that when the piston moves through a portion of the inner chamber during an intermediate portion of the retraction stroke the aperture is sealed, the aperture staying sealed during a remainder of the retraction stroke, a counterforce-generating member for moving the piston an initial distance to initiate an extension stroke, said initial distance being sufficient to release the sealing of the aperture, the piston, upon the release of the sealing of the aperture, being accelerated for a remainder of the extension stroke by compressed gas that rushes in from the outer storage chamber to the inner chamber, and a venting pathway from the inner chamber to an area external to the device for venting gas in the inner chamber at approximately the completion of the retraction stroke.