Mechanical shock absorber

A shock absorber for attenuating a shock effect between a fixed point and a movable element comprising:

• a casing;
• a threaded element having a longitudinal axis and being mounted for axial movement within said casing;
• a first engagement means being mounted for limited radial movement relative to said longitudinal axis of said threaded element;
• and
• a second engagement means being mounted for rotary movement within said casing and axial movement with said casing relative to said threaded element in response to a shock effect;
• said first engagement means being in normal contact engagement with the threads of said threaded element for converting the axial movement of said threaded element into a rotary movement of the second engagement means and said second engagement means being normally out of engagement with the threads of said threaded element, whereby upon the application of said shocking effect above a predetermined amount, the first engagement means moves radially away from the threads of the threaded member permitting axial movement of the threaded member which abuts against the second engagement means to block further rotational movement of the second engagement means by becoming lockingly engaged with the threads of said threaded element while said shocking force is applied thereto;
• said second engagement means including a body and said first engagement means being mounted in the body of said second engagement means.