Rockshox, Inc.

Michael L McAndrews

Paul H Turner

Ricardo R Baldomero

Ronald J Powers

A suspension system for a bicycle or other vehicle or apparatus, the system including at least one telescoping strut comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopingly and coaxially engaged with each other so that the strut is compressible by relative movement of the telescoping members toward each other and expandable by relative movement of the telescoping members away from each other. A piston may be interconnected with the second telescoping member and slidably positioned within the first telescoping member. The piston separates a primary compression spring chamber into two gas chambers connected by an adjustable port, whereby compression or expansion of the strut creates a damping force that resists such relative movement of the telescoping members, resulting in the primary compression spring having a frequency-sensitive spring rate. The crack force, spring rate and other characteristics of the suspension system may be adjusted using a piston location adjuster to adjust the piston height, and/or a negative preload spring to apply a compressive preload force to the telescoping strut.

Adjustable gas spring suspension system

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.

Adjustable twin tube shock absorber

A temperature compensating system for a closed system, such as a damping system, in which fluid is subject to temperature increases and accompanying volume increases. The temperature compensating system provides a compressible member within a temperature compensation volume, and a barrier restricting the entry of fluid to the volume. When the fluid volume increases as a result of temperature increases, fluid seeps past the barrier into the temperature compensation volume to compress the compressible member and thus increase the total volume available to the fluid in the closed system. The increased volume reduces pressure buildup that would otherwise occur, and thereby tends to maintain a steady pressure within the closed system. Dynamic or high speed fluid flows are restricted by the barrier or other restriction, inhibiting such flows from passing into the volume. The barrier or other restriction thus tends to prevent the temperature compensating system from interfering with normal functioning of the system while maintaining a steady internal pressure therein.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Michael L McAndrews