David U Shirley

US Patent:

6334516, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Apr 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/561408

Inventors:

David A. Shirley - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Donald G. Richardson - Sutter Creek CA
Frank W. Alioto - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

Edelbrock - Torrance CA

International Classification:

F16F 934

US Classification:

188275, 18832214

Abstract:

A twin tube shock absorber having inner and outer tube with an annular reservoir between the tubes. A piston in the inner tube divides the inner tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and valves through the piston control stiffness of the shock absorber. An acceleration sensitive valve assembly mounted in the base valve makes the shock absorber âsoftâ upon downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle in which the shock absorber is mounted. The valve assembly includes a port for fluid communication between the lower chamber and a 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 is normally in a lower port-closed position in absence of downward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber. Upon downward acceleration of the tubes, the inertial mass moves upwardly toward a port-open position where fluid flow through the port is not blocked.

US Patent:

20120139956, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Dec 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/958892

Inventors:

DANIEL M. JOSEPH - LOS ANGELES CA, US
MARK A. REICHOW - VALENCIA CA, US
DAVID A. SHIRLEY - CLERMONT FL, US
JAMES D. MOORE - KISSIMMEE FL, US
EVERETT KEVIN THOMAS - WINTER GARDEN FL, US

Assignee:

DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/10
G09G 3/28
G09G 3/36
G09G 3/20

US Classification:

345690, 345 55, 345 60, 345 87

Abstract:

An apparatus providing a viewer with a blend of displayed and reflected content. The apparatus includes an emissive display device with a display screen operable providing digital content. The emissive display device includes a light source selectively articulating and transmitting light through the display screen at a particular illumination level to display digital content such as text and graphics. The apparatus includes a thematic overlay positioned over the display screen with a front surface configured to provide diffuse reflection of light striking the front surface from a viewer space such that the front surface appears substantially opaque to the viewer and the viewer cannot see the display screen when the light source is inactive or at low brightness. When the light source is in active mode, the displayed content is visible as emissive display content concurrently with the diffuse reflection content but the display screen remains hidden from view.

US Patent:

62538896, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Sep 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/400213

Inventors:

David A. Shirley - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
James L. Kasprzak - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ricor Racing and Development, LP - Sutter Creek CA

International Classification:

F16F 934

US Classification:

188275

Abstract:

An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertial mass in the piston assembly opens the port during downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle for increasing flow between the chambers. A pocket beneath the inertial mass applies sufficient pressure to the inertial mass to retain it in a port-open position during fluid flow after acceleration has decreased. An enlarged diameter relief portion inside the inertial mass minimizes inconsistent performance in mass produced shock absorbers.