Shock absorbing elastic block and shock absorber using the same

Details Shock absorbing elastic block and shock absorber using the same Shock absorbing elastic block and shock absorber using the same

1999-06-29

2001-03-20

Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)

Spring devices

Vehicle

Elastomeric

C267S153000, C267S140000, C267S141000, C267S276000, C267S258000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202995

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shock absorbing block, more particularly to a shock absorbing block which provides an excellent shock-absorbing effect and which has a prolonged service life.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate a conventional shock absorbing elastic block
13
and a shock absorber
10
incorporating a plurality of the blocks
13
. The shock absorber is generally mounted on a front fork (not shown) of a bicycle frame for absorbing shock acting on the front wheel of the bicycle. As shown, the blocks
13
are sleeved on a shaft
12
, and are disposed inside a tube
11
to form the shock absorber
10
. The shock absorbing elastic blocks
13
are made integrally from a single rubber material. When a compression force (F) is applied to the shock absorber
10
along two opposite axial directions, an intermediate section of each of the elastic blocks
13
produces larger deformation along radial directions relative to two end portions of the elastic block
13
such that an outer peripheral face of the block
13
at the intermediate section is in frictional contact with the tube
11
. Thus, the shock absorbing elastic blocks
13
easily wear out, which necessitates frequent replacement of the blocks
13
. In addition, since the blocks
13
abut against an inner surface of the tube
11
after deformation, sliding movement of the blocks
13
with respect to the tube
11
is retarded. The conventional shock absorbing effect achieved by the shock absorber
10
is thus reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved shock absorbing elastic block that overcomes the aforesaid disadvantages.
According to one aspect of the invention, a shock absorbing elastic block, which is adapted to be sleeved around a shaft inside a tube to form a shock-absorber, includes inner and outer tubular parts. The inner tubular part is made from a first rubber material and adapted to be sleeved around the shaft. An outer tubular part is wrapped around the inner tubular part and is made from a second rubber material which has a degree of stiffness lower than that of the first rubber material. A flexible plastic wrapping is disposed around the outer tubular part. The inner tubular part has a plurality of indentations spaced apart axially and extending thereabout substantially along circumferential directions. The outer tubular part has complementary protrusions mating with the indentations.
According to another aspect of the invention, a shock absorber comprises an outer tube; an inner tube connected telescopically to the outer tube, the inner tube having a proximal end sleeved into the outer tube and a distal end extending away from the outer tube; a shaft disposed inside the inner tube and connected integrally to the distal end of the inner tube for simultaneous movement; and a plurality of shock absorbing elastic blocks which are mounted on the outer tube for positioning resiliently the distal end away from the outer tube and which are sleeved around the shaft inside the inner tube without contacting the inner tube, each of the blocks having an inner tubular part sleeved around the shaft, and an outer tubular part wrapped around the inner tubular part, the inner and outer tubular parts being made of rubber materials having different degrees of stiffness, the inner tubular part having a stiffness higher than that of the outer tubular part to resist and limit impact pressure on the outer tubular part, thereby reducing deformation of the outer tubular part along radial directions and preventing the blocks from contacting the inner tube upon shock.


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