Gas spring curve control in an adjustable volume gas pressurized device

• US 9,802,670 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2015
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Fox, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US14/621,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20150158547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/048 with suspension manual adjustment details
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/08 for front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/068 where the throttling of a gas flow provides damping action
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/43 Filling or drainage arrangements, e.g. for supply of gas filling vessels with, or discharging from vessels, compressed, liquefied, or solidified gases F17C
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/462 Rotary actuation means

Abstract

A gas spring curve control valve for a adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device is described. The valve allows for selection from among at least four spring curves and can be packaged in small spaces/devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotary cam having grooves and lobes that interact with spring loaded ball bearings and an external adjuster knob are used to easily change the gas spring curve “on-the-fly” and with minimal user effort.

Claims

1. An adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a main gas chamber and at least a first auxiliary gas chamber and a second auxiliary gas chamber; and

a rotary disc valve assembly comprising;

a plurality of discrete settings for controlling whether different combinations of said main gas chamber, and said at least said first auxiliary gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber are in fluid communication, said plurality of discrete settings including;

a first discrete setting in which there is fluid communication between said main gas chamber and both of said first auxiliary gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber;

a second discrete setting in which there is fluid communication between said main gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber, and there is no fluid communication between said main gas chamber and said first auxiliary gas chamber;

a third discrete setting in which there is fluid communication between said main gas chamber and said first auxiliary gas chamber, and there is no fluid communication between said main gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber; and

a fourth discrete setting in which there is no fluid communication between said main gas chamber and either of said first auxiliary gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber; and

wherein said rotary disc valve assembly can be adjusted on-the-fly by a vehicle rider.

2. The adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device of claim 1, wherein said rotary disc valve assembly comprises:

a valve plate positioned between said main gas chamber and said at least said first auxiliary gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber, wherein a plane of said valve plate is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device, wherein said valve plate comprises;

multiple valve plate gas flow ports angularly aligned around said axis of rotation, wherein said fluid communication occurs there through.

3. The adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device of claim 2, wherein said rotary disc valve assembly further comprises:

a center; and

a first shape cut out of said center, wherein inside edges of said first shape interact with a second shape of an outer wall of a fastener extension that is positioned between said main gas chamber and said at least said first auxiliary gas chamber and said second auxiliary gas chamber,

wherein a movement of a knob of said adjustable-volume gas-pressurized device causes a movement of said fastener extension, whereby said outer wall of said fastener extension engages with said inside edges of said first shape and causes a rotational movement of said valve plate relative to said axis.