Brakes – Internal-resistance motion retarder – Having a thrust member with a variable volume chamber
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-09-11
Oberleitner, Robert L. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Internal-resistance motion retarder
Having a thrust member with a variable volume chamber
C188S269000, C188S282400, C188S304000, C188S313000, C188S315000, C188S299100, C280S284000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286642
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a fluid regulating device, more particularly to a fluid regulating device for use with a shock-absorbing cylinder to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A 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 a 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 shock-absorbing cylinder to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect.
Accordingly, the fluid regulating device of the present invention is used together with a shock-absorbing cylinder to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect. The shock-absorbing device includes a cylinder body and a piston. The cylinder body has a first end portion formed with a fluid port, and a second end portion. The piston is slidingly and sealingly disposed in the second end portion of the cylinder body, and is movable in a first direction toward the first end portion to cause fluid in the cylinder body 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 fluid into the fluid port. The shock-absorbing cylinder further includes a piston rod that has a connecting end connected to the piston, and a coupling end extending out of the second end portion of the cylinder body. The fluid regulating device includes a valve housing, a fluid regulating rod, and a control device. The valve housing is formed with a piston receiving chamber and a regulator receiving chamber. The piston receiving chamber has a piston member slidingly and sealingly disposed therein. The piston member divides the piston receiving chamber into a volume-variable gas compartment and a volume-variable fluid compartment on opposite sides of the piston member. The gas compartment stores pressurized gas therein. The regulator receiving chamber has a large-diameter rod receiving section that extends in a longitudinal direction, and a small-diameter fluid channel with a rate control section that is aligned with and that extends from the rod receiving section. The fluid channel interconnects fluidly the rod receiving section and the fluid compartment. A fluid opening is disposed adjacent to the rate control section of the fluid channel. The fluid opening is in fluid communication with the rod receiving section and is adapted to be connected fluidly to the fluid port. The fluid regulating rod is disposed inside the regulator receiving chamber, and includes a slide portion slidingly and sealingly disposed in the rod receiving section, and a passage-forming portion that extends from the slide portion and that has a cross-section smaller than that of the slide portion. The passage-forming,portion is disposed adjacent to the fluid opening and defines a fluid passage inside the regulator receiving chamber to communicate fluidly the rate control section of the fluid channel and the fluid opening. A fluid-controlling portion extends from the passage-forming portion and is extendible into the rate control section of the fluid channel to control rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. An actuated portion extends from the slide portion and outwardly of the regulator receiving chamber. The control device includes a driving motor with an output shaft, and a cam member mounted on the output shaft. The cam member has a cam surface that abuts against the actuated portion of the fluid regulating rod. The cam member is rotated by the driving motor to cause the cam surface thereof to push the fluid regulating rod and move the slide portion of the fluid regulating rod inside the rod receiving section so as to vary degree of extension of the fluid-controlling portion of the fluid regulating rod into the rate control section of the fluid channel in order to control the rate of the fluid flow through the fluid channel for achieving the variable shock absorbing effect.
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Christie, Parke & Hale, LLP
Giant Mfg. Co., LTD
Oberleitner Robert L.
Pezzlo Benjamin A
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