Patent ID: 7699146
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: B62K,F16F

Abstract:
1. A suspension damper operable between a compressed position and an extended position, comprising: a compression chamber having a volume reducing in response to operation of the suspension unit from the extended position to the compressed position; a reservoir chamber; damping fluid for flowing between the chambers; an inertia valve at least substantially closing a first fluid path between the compression and reservoir chambers when in a closed position and movable to an open position in response to an acceleration of at least a portion of the damper, such acceleration equaling or exceeding a first threshold; a pressure relief valve at least substantially closing a second fluid path between the compression and reservoir chambers when in a closed position and movable to an open position in response to pressure in the compression chamber equaling or exceeding an externally adjustable second threshold, wherein at least one setting of the second threshold is operable so the pressure relief valve opens in response to a severe shock and remains closed in response to a mild shock; a rebound chamber having a volume reducing in response to operation of the suspension unit from the compressed position to the extended position; gas disposed in the reservoir chamber; an upper tube; a damper shaft fixed to the upper tube; a lower tube receiving at least a portion of the upper tube; a cartridge tube fixed to the lower tube; a piston supported by the damper shaft and disposed in the cartridge tube; and a compression valve operable to dampen flow of the damping fluid through the first path from the compression chamber to the reservoir chamber, wherein the piston divides a chamber of the cartridge tube into the compression and rebound chambers.