Compact shock absorption, vibration, isolation, and suspension device

• US 20030230866A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Castershox, LLC
• Original Assignee: Elmer Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Elmer
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/124.165
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/223 Wheel hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/22 having rubber springs only B60G11/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/02 Spring characteristics , e.g. mechanical springs and mechanical adjusting meansB60G17/005, B60G17/015 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/10 Independent suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/14 Plastic spring, e.g. rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/41042 by using internal cam surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/13 Small sized city motor vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/20 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/00 Resilient suspensions for a single wheel pivoted suspensions arms per se, attachment thereof to sprung part of the vehicle, buffer means for limiting movement of arms B60G7/00; rigid axle suspensions B60G9/00; characterised by arrangement, location or type of springs B60G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/3835 characterised by the sleeve of elastic material, e.g. having indentations or made of materials of different hardness F16F1/3807, F16F1/387 take precedence

Abstract

A compact shock absorption, vibration, isolation, and/or suspension device is provided having long life and increased performance in a compact design. The device of the present disclosure is both less expensive and simpler to manufacture. In addition to being able to be used as a shock absorber in the hub of a wheel of an in-line skate, scooter or other small wheeled vehicle, the device of the present disclosure may be used in locations outside a wheel hub as well as in non-wheel devices where there is a need to isolate, damp, and absorb shock and/or vibrations experienced by a component of the device in order to minimize their effect on the entirety of the device.

Claims

1. A shock absorption device comprising:

an outer structural component defining a cavity therein;

a flexure mechanism mounted within said cavity; and

an elastomeric member housed within said flexure mechanism.

2. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 further including an axle member in communication therewith, wherein said flexure mechanism inhibits movement of the axle in a rotational degree of freedom and in a translational degree of freedom.

3. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexure mechanism includes an inner tube and outer tube member and wherein said inner tube member is not concentric with said outer tube member when said shock absorption device is not under a load.

4. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexure mechanism includes an inner tube and outer tube member and wherein said inner tube member are substantially concentric with said outer tube member when said shock absorption device is under a loaded.

5. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shock absorption device includes a spring stiffness which varies as a function of a load applied thereto.

6. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said inner and outer tube members and flexure mechanism are monolithically formed.

7. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said inner and outer tube members are formed of a different material than said flexure mechanism.

8. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexure mechanism further includes an inner tube spaced from and connected to an outer tube and forming a space therebetween, wherein the space is at least partially filled by a substance having elastic properties.

9. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexure mechanism further includes an inner tube spaced from and connected to an outer tube and forming a space therebetween, wherein the space is at least partially filled by a compressible fluid.

10. A shock absorption device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric member is deflected primarily in shear during the application of a load or shock to said absorption device.

11. A device having a housing component comprising:

an axle member;

a shock absorber in communication with the axle member;

said shock absorber being mounted between the axle and a stationary element surrounding the axle; and

said shock absorber including a flexure mechanism which inhibits movement of the axle member in a rotational degree of freedom and in a translational degree of freedom.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said stationary element surrounding said axle is a portion of the housing.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said stationary element surrounding the axle is a non-rotating hub of a wheel.

14. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said flexure mechanism includes a plurality of flexures.

15. A method of fabricating a shock absorber for use with an axle, the method including the steps of:

forming a flexure mechanism having at least one cavity;

placing an elastic substance into said at least one cavity; and

placing said flexure mechanism in communication with the axle.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said flexure mechanism is placed within the cavity of a tube member.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said flexure mechanism is formed in a concentric position with respect to a center axis of said tube member.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said formed flexure mechanism is deformed into a non-concentric position for insertion of said elastic substance.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein during said forming step, said tube member and said flexure mechanism are molded as a single integrated structure.

20. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein during said forming step, said tube member and said flexure mechanism are separately formed and secured to each tube by a securing means.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said securing means includes at least one of heat staking, ultrasonic welding and securing with an adhesive.

22. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said flexure mechanism and said tube member are formed of different materials.