Shock absorber apparatus

Abstract

A shock absorber includes a first cylinder having a first fluid port and a second cylinder having a second fluid port. A response adjustment mechanism is connected in fluid transmission relation between the first and second fluid ports. The response adjustment mechanism includes three adjustable valves for controlling the operation of the shock absorber. One of the adjustable valves has a stem that is rotatable by a tool during operation. The remaining adjustable valves each have a shaft that is rotatable by a tool during operation. The adjustable valves of the response adjustment mechanism are coaxially positioned so that a first valve is coaxially positioned within a second valve, and the first and second valves are coaxially positioned within a third valve.

1 . A shock absorber apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a cylinder bore enclosed by the housing, and further having a longitudinal axis;   a rod substantially positioned concentric to, and along, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder bore;   a piston fastened concentrically to the rod, and positioned within the cylinder bore in movable relation;   a pressure plate positioned around the rod in sliding relation, and positioned adjacent to the piston;   a plate spring retainingly bourne by the pressure plate in flexing relation;   a helical spring positioned around the rod, and having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end is positioned in stacking relation to the plate spring, and wherein the second end is held in fixed relation to the piston.   
   
   
       2 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the pressure plate comprises:
 a base surface having a center and a perimeter;   a rim extending in a perpendicular direction from the base surface, and around the perimeter of the base surface;   a floor surface formed parallel to the base surface, and bounded by the rim, and formed at a first distance from the base surface;   an aperture formed in the pressure plate, and extending from the base surface through the floor surface; and   a plurality of shelves formed parallel to the base surface, and extending from the rim toward the center, and wherein each shelf has a first surface and an opposite second surface.   
   
   
       3 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , and wherein the plate spring is retained by the pressure plate so that the spring plate is supported by the first surface of one or more shelves, and wherein the plate spring is retained by the second surface of one or more shelves. 
   
   
       4 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , and wherein the plurality of shelves further comprise:
 one or more shelves having of a first length dimension;   one or more shelves having a second length dimension;   and wherein the spring plate is supported by the first surface of the one or more shelves having the first length dimension, and wherein the spring plate is retained by the second surface of the one or more shelves having the second length dimension, and further wherein the first length dimension has a value that is greater than the second length dimension.   
   
   
       5 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , and wherein the plurality of shelves each have a center, and wherein the center of each shelf is positioned at a regular angular interval in angular spaced relation, one to another, so that the plurality of shelves populate are located around the rim, and wherein each shelf that has the first length dimension is positioned in angular order next to a shelf that has the second length dimension. 
   
   
       6 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , and wherein the spring plate comprises:
 a plurality of shims positioned in stacking relation, one to another.   
   
   
       7 . A shock absorber apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a cylinder bore enclosed by the housing, and having a longitudinal axis;   a rod having a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein the rod is substantially positioned concentric to, and along, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder bore, and wherein the first end of the rod is positioned within the cylinder bore;   a piston fastened concentrically to the rod, and movably positioned within the cylinder bore;   a step washer positioned concentrically around the rod in stacking relation, and positioned proximate to the piston;   a pressure plate positioned concentrically around the step washer in sliding relation;   a plate spring positioned concentrically around the rod so that it is borne by the step washer, and further wherein a portion of the plate spring is held in tension by the pressure plate.   
   
   
       8 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , and wherein the step washer further comprises a first thickness dimension; and wherein the pressure plate further comprises an outside diameter, and an aperture formed therein, and wherein the pressure plate has an inner edge defined by the aperture, and wherein the inner edge has a second thickness dimension, and wherein the pressure plate is positioned around the step washer in sliding relation so that the step washer extends through the aperture of the pressure plate; and wherein the plate spring further comprises an outer edge, and having an aperture formed therein, and wherein the plate spring has a first region bounded by the outer edge of the plate spring and extending inwardly by a first distance, and wherein the plate spring has a second region bounded by the aperture and extending outwardly by a second distance; and wherein a portion of the outer region of the plate spring is borne by the pressure plate, and wherein a portion of the inner region of the plate spring is borne by the step washer; and further wherein the first thickness dimension is greater than the second thickness dimension; and further wherein the first distance and the second distance are less than the outside diameter of the pressure plate divided by 6. 
   
   
       9 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , and further comprising:
 a shim positioned on the rod in stacking relation, and positioned between the piston and the pressure plate.   
   
   
       10 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , and wherein the pressure plate is positioned adjacent to the piston in stacking relation, and wherein the step washer is positioned adjacent to the piston in stacking relation. 
   
   
       11 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , and wherein the pressure plate further comprises:
 an outer cylindrical surface defined by the perimeter of the pressure plate;   a first surface extending outwardly from the inner edge of the pressure plate to the outer cylindrical surface, and wherein the first surface is substantially flat;   a second surface oppositely positioned from the first surface, and extending outwardly from the inner edge of the pressure plate to the outer cylindrical surface;   a plurality of ridges, each having a first height dimension, and wherein the first height dimension is defined by a thickness of the pressure plate at the location of the ridge, and wherein each ridge is defined by extending a sector of the second surface from the inner edge of the pressure plate outwardly to the outer cylindrical surface, wherein the sector of the second surface is characterized by a curve forming an apex proximate to the outer cylindrical surface;   a plurality of valleys, having a second height dimension, and wherein the second height dimension is defined by a thickness of the pressure plate at the location of the valley, wherein each valley is defined by extending another sector of the second surface from the inner edge of the pressure plate outwardly to the outer cylindrical surface, wherein the sector of the second surface is characterized by a gradual curve; and wherein each valley is positioned adjacent to each ridge; and wherein the first height dimension is greater than the second height dimension.   
   
   
       12 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , and wherein the first region of the plate spring is borne by the plurality of ridges of the pressure plate. 
   
   
       13 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , and wherein the plate spring further comprises:
 a plurality of shims positioned in stacking relation, one upon another.   
   
   
       14 . The shock absorber apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , and wherein the pressure plate further comprises:
 a third surface interposed between the first surface and the outer cylindrical surface, wherein the third surface has a shape, and wherein the shape of the third surface is curved or stepped.