FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is related to automotive technology in particular but not exclusively to a quick release damper or shock absorber changing system for testing different damper/spring combinations under testing, practice and racing conditions.

BACKGROUND OF ART

Prior art installation of damper or shock absorber units to vehicles is in variably by clevis mounting brackets on the chassis that hold the damper or shock absorber units by eyelets at either end of the damper or shock absorber units wherein a through-bolt passes through the eye-hole and through the clevis brackets that is then secured by a castellated nut and split pin assembly or a lock nut device.

In conditions where vehicle damper or shock absorber/spring combinations are required to be interchanged or replaced rapidly such as during testing, or practice or during racing, the time taken to remove the damper mounting through-bolts are a disadvantage.

Specialised tools are often required due to the constrained spaces of the relevant suspension assemblies and usually two sets of the same tools are necessary as changes to spring/damper unit combinations are usually made concurrently for both sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, in respect of the removal of the through-bolts, nuts and washers, these items can also be easily lost in a rushed and often frantic pit-stop operation. In such circumstances, specialised tools themselves can also be misplaced causing further delays. After the changing of the damper/spring combination has been affected, installation of the top and bottom eyelets of the damper between the mounting clevises can be very difficult because clearance or tolerances between the relative parts need to be precise and tight. The alignment of the eyelets and the clevis holes can also be very difficult and usually requires specialised tools. Finally, the through-bolt, nuts and washers need to be installed wherein the nuts are tensioned to the required tightness and the overall installation checked.

Due to the exacting procedures herein mentioned, the overall processes can be time consuming whereby the time taken varies dramatically depending on the efficiency of the mechanics or pit-crew involved.

Such unpredictability invariably results in hesitation in making decisions on set up changes as there is a probability of losing too much time, especially during race conditions.

Due to testing restrictions, relevant rules and very limited time to practice at race meetings, making as many changes as is possible to the initial set -up of the car to improve its performance and to gain important data is a crucial and vital strategy. Where time is limited, even changes which are optimum in terms of car set up are often not possible due to the time required to make the alterations in the case of prior art suspension systems.

There is therefore a need for a system to be designed that can allow trialing of a new damper/spring combination an option at any time during testing or practice. The present invention is also especially intended to allow changes to be made during racing such as when weather or track conditions have altered considerably. OBJECT OF INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a quick release damper or shock absorber mounting assembly to accommodate the rapid alteration of damper/spring combination, or to at least provide the public with an alternative and useful choice.

STATEMENTOFTHE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention resides in a quick release damper or shock absorber mounting assembly including in combination,

first damper mounting means located at one or both ends of the damper or shock absorber unit;

second damper mounting means adapted to releasably engage with said first damper mounting means;

the second damper mounting means further adapted to be attached to existing shock absorber mounting points on a vehicle, wherein the engagement and disengagement of the first and second damper mounting means can be rapidly performed entirely by hand operation and without the need to use tools.

Preferably the first damper mounting means comprises a ball member with a region of reduced diameter where the ball member is joined to the damper unit.

Suitably the second damper mounting means comprises a socket to engage the ball member, the socket having a quick release detent mechanism biased to secure the ball member when the ball member is inserted into the socket and wherein disengagement and removal of the ball member from the socket is against the biasing of the detent mechanism. Preferably, the detent mechanism comprises one or more spring-loaded elements located in the socket; the spring-loaded elements biased to clasp the ball at the region of reduced diameter and wherein removal of the ball member requires force against the bias.

Preferably, the second damper mounting means is of an eyelet configuration design adapted for attaching to existing shock absorber mounting points on vehicles.

In another aspect the invention resides in a method of interchanging damper units on a vehicle by the quick release mounting assembly as hereinbefore described including the steps of:

1) removing first damper units by disengaging the ball member comprising the first damper mounting means from the sockets comprising the second damper mounting means;

2) insertion of the ball members of replacement damper units into the socket members; and

3) repeating steps 1 and 2 for further changes of damper units.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a vehicle having a quick release damper mounting assembly as herein before described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect reference is made to the following drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred quick release damper or shock absorber mounting assembly according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows detail of the ball member and socket of the embodiment of Figure 1 , and

Figure 3 shows cross sectional detail of the socket and ball member of Figure 1 and Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to Figure 1 , there is showing an exploded view of a preferred quick release damper or shock absorber mounting assembly according to the invention.

The damper or shock absorber unit 10 is shown with a preferred first damper mounting means in the form of ball members 12, 14 having a region of reduced diameter 12a, 14a. The second damper mounting means in this version comprise sockets 16, 18 into which the ball members 12, 14 are inserted. Detent mechanisms in the form of spring loaded collars (not shown in this view) engage the region of reduced diameter 12a, 14a of the ball members thereby captively locating the damper or shock absorber unit between the opposed sockets 16, 18. The sockets have eyelets 16b, 18b for attaching between existing clevis mounting brackets of the vehicle chassis. Figure 2 shows details of the ball member 12 and socket 16 of Figure 1. The ball member has a region of reduced diameter 12a, which is clasped by the spring loaded collar 16a having internal detent elements typically collets (not shown) adapted to engage the reduced region 12a of the ball member. The eyelet 16b, is adapted to fit in a clevis mounting bracket attached to the vehicle (both not shown).

Figure 3 shows cross sectional detail of the socket 16 comprising the second damper mounting means engaging a ball member 12 of the first damper mounting means.

Figures 3a and 3b show cross-sectional detail of the engagement of the ball members 12, 14 of the damper 10 with the socket members 16, 18 comprising of the second mounting means.

The ball member 12 located at the top of the damper is shown inserted into the quick release socket 16. The quick release action is activated by sliding the sockets outer sleeve 16a in the direction of arrow 17 compressing the coil spring 16c. By compressing the coil spring, the collets 16c, 16e are released from gripping the region of reduced diameter 12a of the ball member. On allowing the sleeve to return to its original position under the action of the spring, the collets return to their gripping position thereby captively gripping the ball member.

Similarly as shown in Figure 3b, in the case of the ball member 14 at the lower end of the damper 10, sliding sleeve 18a by hand compresses coil spring 18c thereby releasing the collets 18d, 18e from gripping the region of reduced 14a diameter of the ball member. Allowing the sleeve to return under the spring action enables the collets to return to the gripping position as shown wherein the ball member 14 is firmly clasped by the collets 18d, 18e. VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.