A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.

A gas spring and gas damper assembly (AS1) includes a first end member (300) and a second end member (400) that is spaced from the first end member (300). A flexible spring member (200) is secured between the first (300) and second (400) end members and at least partially defines a spring chamber (202) therebetween. A first damper reservoir (322) has a substantially-fixed volume. An elongated gas damping passage (306) is connected in fluid communication between the spring chamber (202) and the first damper reservoir (322). A suspension system including such a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.

A vehicle height adjustment apparatus according to one embodiment includes a spring, a spring-length changing unit, a first valve, a control valve and a second valve. The spring-length changing unit changes a length of the spring in accordance with an amount of oil in a jack chamber that accommodates the oil. The first valve opens and closes a first communication path in which the oil supplied from a pump is oriented toward a reservoir chamber that stores the oil. The control valve opens and closes a discharge flow path oriented toward the reservoir chamber from a chamber that accommodates the oil to close the first valve. The second valve opens and closes a second communication path in which the oil supplied from the pump is oriented toward the jack chamber when the first valve is closed.

A vehicle height adjustment apparatus according to one embodiment includes a spring, a spring-length changing unit, a first valve, a control valve and a second valve. The spring-length changing unit changes a length of the spring in accordance with an amount of oil in a jack chamber that accommodates the oil. The first valve opens and closes a first communication path in which the oil supplied from a pump is oriented toward a reservoir chamber that stores the oil. The control valve opens and closes a discharge flow path oriented toward the reservoir chamber from a chamber that accommodates the oil to close the first valve. The second valve opens and closes a second communication path in which the oil supplied from the pump is oriented toward the jack chamber when the first valve is closed.

A vehicle height adjustment device includes a spring having one end supported on a vehicle body side and another end supported on a wheel side. An adjustor includes an accommodation chamber accommodating fluid and adjusts a length of the spring in accordance with an amount of fluid in the accommodation chamber. A storage chamber stores fluid. A guide passage guides fluid from the accommodation chamber to the storage chamber. An actuator includes an operation rod to press a push rod. A valve body closes the guide passage when seated on a seat and opens the guide passage when pressed and detached from the seat by the push rod. A press member includes a contact portion and a shaft. The press member presses and seats the valve body on the seat. An accommodation member accommodates the valve body and the contact portion. A support member supports the shaft movably.

A vehicle height adjustment device includes a spring having one end supported on a vehicle body side and another end supported on a wheel side. An adjustor includes an accommodation chamber accommodating fluid and adjusts a length of the spring in accordance with an amount of fluid in the accommodation chamber. A storage chamber stores fluid. A guide passage guides fluid from the accommodation chamber to the storage chamber. An actuator includes an operation rod to press a push rod. A valve body closes the guide passage when seated on a seat and opens the guide passage when pressed and detached from the seat by the push rod. A press member includes a contact portion and a shaft. The press member presses and seats the valve body on the seat. An accommodation member accommodates the valve body and the contact portion. A support member supports the shaft movably.

The present invention provides apparatus for transferring a load, comprising at least one unitary element of adsorptive material that increases an effective working volume of an enclosure for containing a pressurized gas that transfers a load between a first load transfer element and a further load transfer element. Use of at least one unitary element of adsorptive material is also provided to increase an effective working volume of an enclosure for containing a pressurized gas that transfers a load between a first load transfer element and a further load transfer element. A method of transferring a load is also provided.

The present invention provides apparatus for transferring a load, comprising at least one unitary element of adsorptive material that increases an effective working volume of an enclosure for containing a pressurized gas that transfers a load between a first load transfer element and a further load transfer element. Use of at least one unitary element of adsorptive material is also provided to increase an effective working volume of an enclosure for containing a pressurized gas that transfers a load between a first load transfer element and a further load transfer element. A method of transferring a load is also provided.

A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.

A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.