Gas-cushion shock absorber and method of making same

A gas-cushion shock absorber comprising a hydraulic fluid reservoir, cylinder and piston means assembled with said reservoir, valve means for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid between said cylinder and said reservoir, and initially at least partially uninflated gas-cushion means within and partially filling said reservoir, said gas-cushion means comprising an uninflated sealed bag and normally inactive non-pressurized gasifiable means within said bag activatable upon the application of heat thereto for producing a gas within the bag for inflating the bag to a desired super atmospheric pressure, said gasifiable means comprising an initially sealed generally flattened package containing gasifiable chemical material, said package being rupturable upon gasification of said chemical material for pressurizing said sealed bag.