Vehicle suspension strut

In combination in a suspension device for vehicles having sprung and unspring portions comprising,

• at least one suspension assembly including a telescopic shock absorbing device having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod,
• means for securing one end of said cylinder to one of the vehicle portions and for securing one end of said piston rod to the other of said vehicle portions,
• a conversion assembly which may be installed at will on said suspension assembly without requiring disassembly of said shock absorber other than temporarily disconnecting said last mentioned means, whereby to selectively convert said suspension assembly such that it is adjustable in response to pressurized fluid,
• said conversion assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member in part defining a variable volume gas chamber and including first and second attachment means,
• said first attachment means comprising a portion adapted to be detachably connected adjacent said cylinder of said shock absorbing device and said second attachment means comprising a generally cup-shaped attachment fitting adapted to be detachably connected adjacent the outer end of said piston rod, and
• means for selectively communicating pressurized gas to and from said chamber to effect expansion and contraction thereof.

A suspension system for vehicles having sprung and unsprung portions comprising,

• at least one suspension assembly including a telescopic shock absorbing device having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod,
• an elongated tubular housing adapted to nestingly receive said shock absorbing device, with one end of said housing having a threaded end portion,
• means for securing one end of said cylinder to one of the vehicle portions and for securing one end of said piston rod to the other of said vehicle portions,
• a conversion assembly for selectively converting said suspension assembly such that it is adjustable in response to pressurized fluid,
• said suspension assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member in part defining a variable volume gas chamber and including first and second attachment means,
• said first attachment means comprising a threaded portion adapted to be threadably connected to said threaded portion of said housing and said second attachment means comprising a portion adapted to be detachably connected adjacent said piston rod, and
• means for selectively communicating pressurized gas to and from said chamber to effect expansion and contraction thereof.

A conversion assembly for use with a suspension strut including a telescopic shock absorber having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod,

• said assembly comrising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member and first and second attachment fittings adapted to be mounted adjacent the opposite ends thereof for fixedly securing one end of said diaphragm member to said cylinder and the opposite end of said member to said piston rod,
• said second attachment fitting comprising a generally cup-shaped fitting adapted to be secured adjacent the outer end of said piston rod,
• said attachment fittings being detachable connectable to said suspension strut whereby said diaphragm in part defines a variable volume gas chamber with said shock absorber, and
• means for selectively communicating pressurized gas to and from said chamber to effect expansion and contraction thereof.

A suspension system for vehicles having sprung and unsprung portions comprising,

• at least one suspension strut including a telescopic shock absorbing device having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod,
• an elongated tubular housing adapted to telescopically receive said cylinder of said device,
• said housing having a threaded end portion,
• means threadably engageable with said end portion for retaining said device within said housing,
• means for securing one end of said cylinder to one of the vehicle portions and for securing one end of said piston rod to the other of said vehicle portions,
• a conversion assembly for selectively converting said strut such that it is adjustable in response to pressurized fluid,
• said assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member in part defining a variable volume gas chamber and including first and second attachment means,
• said first attachment means being cooperable with said means for retaining said device within said housing and adapted to be connected adjacent said threaded portion of said housing, and said second attachment means comprising a portion adapted to be detachably connected adjacent said piston rod, and
• means for selectively communicating pressurized gas to and from said chamber to effect expansion and contraction thereof.

A conversion assembly for use with a suspension strut including an elongated tubular housing nestingly receiving a telescopic shock absorber having a cylinder and a reciprocal piston rod,

• said assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular flexible diaphragm member and first and second attachment fittings mounted on the opposite ends thereof for fixedly securing one end of said diaphragm member to said cylinder and the opposite end of said member to said piston rod,
• said attachment fittings being detachably connectable to said suspension strut whereby said diaphragm defines a variable volume gas chamber with said shock absorber,
• means for retaining said shock absorber within said housing and comprising a threaded end portion on said housing, and
• means for selectively communicating pressurized gas to and from said chamber to effect expansion and contraction thereof.