Vehicular springing means

Claim 1

A telescopic springing means for a vehicle, comprising: a first and a second telescopic member, said members each having an axis of relative motion and being coaxial, and intended for attachment to respective relatively movable parts of a vehicle, so as to move coaxially relative to one another to one another when the said parts move relative to one another, one of said telescopic members forming an internal fluid-tight chamber including a plunger recess; a plunger attached to the other of said telescopic members projecting into the said chamber and making a sliding sealing fit therewith, said plunger and plunger recess being coaxial with each other and parallel to said axis and forming a first decelerator for deceleration of axial contraction of the springing means as a consequence of the entry of the plunger into the plunger recess; a pneumatic-hydraulic accumulator having a closed pneumatic section adapted to be filled with a gas under pressure, a hydraulic section filled with liquid, and a movable wall separating the sections so as to equalize their pressures; a conduit connecting the hydraulic section to the chamber; and a second decelerator for deceleration of axial extension of the springing means, said second decelerator comprising a valve seat member attached to said one of the telescopic members, and a valving member attached to the plunger inside the chamber, said valve seat member forming a seat and a decelerator recess opening into said chamber, and said valving member being adapted to enter said decelerator recess at least near the end limit of the extension motion, the entry of said valving member into said recess causing expulsion of liquid therefrom, the restriction of which decelerates the extension motion, and whereby pressure in said conduit tends to extend the springing means and resist its contraction, and the decelerators tend to decelerate their respective motions at least near the limit thereof.