Patent ID: 6334516
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A twin tube shock absorber comprising:an outer tube; an inner tube within the outer tube and an annular reservoir between the tubes; a piston movable within the inner tube, dividing the inner tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; an acceleration sensitive valve assembly mounted in the bottom of the tubes; a conduit interconnecting the valve assembly and the upper chamber; a port in the valve assembly for fluid communication between the lower chamber and the conduit; and an inertial mass blocking the port in a port-closed position and not blocking the port in a port-open position, the inertial mass being normally in a port-closed position in absence of downward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber and biased toward a port-open position upon downward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber; and the inertial mass being adjacent a portion of the valve assembly which prevents movement of the inertial mass to a port-open position in response to upward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber.