Spring devices – Vehicle – Comprising compressible fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-02
2001-07-03
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Comprising compressible fluid
C188S282700, C188S299100, C188S314000, C188S318000, C188S322200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254067
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a fluid regulating device, more particularly to a fluid regulating device for use with a hydraulic cylinder device to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A hydraulic cylinder device is generally installed in a bicycle to serve as a shock absorbing apparatus to absorb shock which results when the bicycle travels along an uneven road surface. Although, there are different types of shock absorbing apparatus, such as a spring-type or hydraulic type or a combination of both types, presently available in the market, they are not adjustable in order to provide variable shock absorbing effect so as to conform with the road conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of this invention is to provide a fluid regulating device for use with a hydraulic cylinder to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect.
Accordingly, the fluid regulating device of the present invention is used together with a hydraulic cylinder device which includes a hydraulic cylinder body filled with hydraulic fluid, and a piston. The hydraulic cylinder body includes a first end portion formed with a fluid port, and in a second end portion. The piston is slidingly and sealingly disposed in the second end portion, and is movable in a first direction toward the first end portion to cause the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the fluid port, and in a second direction away from the first end portion in response to return flow of the hydraulic fluid into the fluid port. A piston rod has a connecting end connected to the piston, and a coupling end that extends out of the second end portion of the hydraulic cylinder body. The fluid regulating device includes a regulator housing, a pneumatic cylinder device, a regulating valve unit, and a valve actuator. The regulator housing confines a valve receiving chamber and a fluid chamber adjacent to the valve receiving chamber. The regulator housing is formed with a fluid opening that is in fluid communication with the valve receiving chamber and that is adapted to be connected fluidly to the fluid port. The fluid chamber is filled with the hydraulic fluid. The pneumatic cylinder device includes a cylinder housing with a piston member slidingly and sealingly disposed therein. The piston member divides an interior of the cylinder housing into a volume-variable gas compartment and a volume-variable fluid compartment on opposite sides of the piston member. The gas compartment is filled with a pressurized gas therein. The cylinder housing is formed with a fluid aperture that maintains fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the fluid compartment. The regulating valve unit is disposed in the valve receiving chamber to control flow rate of the hydraulic fluid between the fluid opening and the fluid chamber. The regulating valve unit includes a valve body mounted in and in sealing contact with the valve receiving chamber. The valve body is formed with a plurality of valve channels for fluid communication between the fluid opening and the fluid chamber. Each of the valve channels is formed with a respective rate control passage. The rate control passages of the valve channels have different diameters. A plurality of valve members are disposed respectively in the valve channels. Each of the valve members is capable of being actuated to move from a normal blocking state, where fluid communication between the fluid opening and the fluid chamber is interrupted in the respective one of the valve channels, to an unblocking state, where fluid communication between the fluid opening and the fluid chamber is permitted in the respective one of the valve channels. The valve actuator is associated with the regulating valve unit and is operable so as to actuate a selected one of the valve members to move from the blocking state to the unblocking state.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3062330 (1962-11-01), Lyon, Jr.
patent: 4153237 (1979-05-01), Supalla
patent: 4491207 (1985-01-01), Boonchanta et al.
patent: 4546959 (1985-10-01), Tanno
patent: 4872537 (1989-10-01), Warner
patent: 4936424 (1990-06-01), Costa
patent: 5351790 (1994-10-01), Machida
Foley & Lardner
Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Oberleitner Robert J.
Sy Mariano
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