Compact shock absorption, vibration, isolation, and suspension device
AssigneeElmer C. Lee
InventorElmer Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compact shock absorption, vibration, isolation, and/or suspension device is provided having long life and increased performance in a compact design. The device of the present disclosure is both less expensive and simpler to manufacture. In addition to being able to be used as a shock absorber in the hub of a wheel of an in-line skate, scooter or other small wheeled vehicle, the device of the present disclosure may be used in locations outside a wheel hub as well as in non-wheel devices where there is a need to isolate, damp, and absorb shock and/or vibrations experienced by a component of the device in order to minimize their effect on the entirety of the device.
Claims12
A shock absorption device comprising:
- an outer structural member;
- an inner structural member having a channel, the channel having a longitudinal axis;
- the outer structural member and the inner structural member forming a cavity therebetween;
- a flexure mechanism directly connected to the outer structural member and-the inner structural member,
- the flexure mechanism having a major transverse dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis, thereby inhibiting movement of the inner structural member relative to the outer structural member, except substantially in the direction of disturbance;
- and
- an elastomeric member housed within said flexure mechanism
- wherein said inner structural member is not concentric with said outer structural member when said shock absorption device is not under a load,
- wherein said flexure mechanism is comprised of individual flexures formed in a shape similar to the letter M or W.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.