Elastomeric damped shock absorber

Claim 1

A shock absorber comprising a casing with wall means defining a chamber having a first volume and an axis with said first volume being completely open and unobstructed within the confines of said wall means, elongated elastomeric means of substantially solid cross sectional configuration in said chamber extending lengthwise of said axis and having first and second ends, said elongated elastomeric means being of a second volume which is less than said first volume, said elongated elastomeric means being of undulating shape with first substantial spaced portions extending lengthwise of said axis for frictional engagement with said wall means and with second substantial spaced portions extending lengthwise of said axis located between said first substantial spaced portions and located in spaced relationship to said wall means, piston means in said chamber proximate said first end, a piston rod forming an extension of said piston means and including a portion located externally of said chamber for receiving an external force for transmittal to said piston, holding means in said chamber proximate said second end for holding said second end against movement out of said chamber under all conditions of operation of said shock absorber, and mounting means for mounting said piston rod for moving said piston means into said chamber to move said first end of said elongated elastomeric means toward said second end thereof to thereby tend to compress said elongated elastomeric means in addition to effecting distortion thereof and thus cause said first substantial spaced portions to provide substantial frictional rubbing engagement with said wall means as they are caused to travel lengthwise of said axis as said elongated elastomeric means is distorted by said piston means, said elongated elastomeric means returning to the condition it occupied before said piston moved into said casing when said external force is removed from said piston rod.