Linkage rod with shock absorbing

A linkage rod for absorbing shocks and vibrations, comprising:

• an elongated cylinder having a central bore open at an open end of the cylinder;
• means fixed to the cylinder for mounting one end of the linkage rod;
• a resilient member positioned in the central bore;
• a snubber cap secured to the cylinder adjacent the open end, the snubber cap having a central opening with an inwardly-directed wall having axially opposed faces;
• a piston assembly slidably positioned in the central opening of the snubber cap and axially biased by said resilient member, the piston assembly being capable of limited axial movement relative to the snubber cap and the cylinder when the rod is placed in compression and in tension, the movement being limited in one direction by said piston assembly abutting one of said axially opposed faces and in the other direction by said piston assembly abutting the other one of said axially opposed faces of the inwardly-directed wall, to limit deflection of said resilient member caused by compression or extension of said rod so that when said piston assembly abuts either of said axially opposed faces, axial loads are transferred directly between said cylinder, snubber cap and piston assembly;
• and
• means fixed to said piston assembly for mounting the other end of said linkage rod.