Ronald J Powers

US Patent:

59967463, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Mar 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/046300

Inventors:

Paul H. Turner - Boulder CO
Michael L. McAndrews - Santa Cruz CA
Ronald Powers - Santa Cruz CA

Assignee:

Rockshox, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

F16F 914

US Classification:

188269

Abstract:

A shock absorber formed of an inner tubular element telescopingly slidable within an outer tubular element. A piston is mounted on the inner tubular element and is provided with valving that permits adjustability of compression damping separate from rebound damping. Preferably, the piston slides within a glide tube substantially concentrically mounted within the outer tubular and having a highly finished surface along which the piston slides. A first chamber is formed within the glide tube a second chamber is formed between the outer tubular element and the glide tube. Valves are positioned between these first and second chambers to control compression flow and rebound flow separately and independently. A main compression spring is positioned external to and between the inner and outer tubular elements of the shock absorber, and acts to bias the tubular elements away from each other. A gas chamber positioned within the inner tubular element serves to assist the main compression spring in biasing the inner and outer tubular elements, and also acts as part of a volume compensation system when the shock absorber is compressed and expanded.