Patent ID: 6974002

Claim:
An adjustable shock absorber for applying a force to a moving member so as to decelerate the member comprising: an outer tube having a substantially cylindrical configuration and a plurality of substantially circular, angular grooves formed in an inner surface of said outer tube; an inner, substantially cylindrical tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube, and said inner tube having a closed rearward end and an open forward end; a piston rod having a rearward end slidably disposed within said inner tube and a forward end extending outward from said forward end of said inner tube and engageable with said member, and said piston rod movable between a compressed position, wherein said piston rod is furthest toward said rearward end of said inner tube, and an extended position, wherein said piston rod is furthest toward said forward end of said inner tube; said inner tube having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and fluidly communicatable with said grooves in said outer tube; a screw thread formed in an outer surface of said inner tube, and said screw thread fluidly communicatable with said grooves in said outer tube; and said inner tube and said outer tube rotatable with respect to each other to adjust the level of fluid communication between a rearward end and a forward end of said shock absorber by adjusting the flow of fluid between said apertures of said inner tube and said grooves of said outer tube and between said grooves of said outer tube and said screw thread of said inner tube to adjust the force applied to said moving member.