Suspension including coil spring and ambient air cushion

A suspension system, comprising:

• a first tube at least partially defining a first chamber substantially filled with a gas;
• a second tube having a free end interfitted with the first tube and at least partially defining a second chamber substantially filled with the gas;
• a barrier adjacent the free end of the second tube, the barrier including a first substantially one-way valve allowing the gas to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber;
• a hollow rod attached to the first tube and extending through the barrier and into the second tube, the hollow rod having an interior cavity and an open end and defining at least one orifice allowing the gas to flow between the first chamber and the interior cavity;
• a mechanical spring in the second tube;
• an adjustable blocker capable of controlling the rate at which the gas flows through the at least one orifice during movement of the barrier towards the closed end of the first tube;
• and
• a second substantially one-way valve permitting the introduction of additional gas from outside the first and second tubes directly into the first chamber while substantially preventing the venting of gas from the first and second chambers outside the first and second tubes.