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Title:
SEALED HANDLE WITH INTEGRATED SHOCK ABSORBER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/078669
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A shock absorber assembly (10) is provided for use with a self-retracting lifeline (12) and includes first and second connection features (30,32), a textile shock absorber unit (34) operably attached to the first and second connection features (30,32), and an elongate housing (36) extending between the first and second connection features (30,32) and defining an interior chamber (38) that encloses the textile shock absorber unit (34). The housing (36) is defined by housing pieces (40,42) connected to each other by a separable joint (44) having a joined condition wherein the housing pieces (40,42) are connected to each other with the textile shock absorber unit (34) in a stored condition and enclosed within the housing (36) and a separated condition wherein the joint (44) is separated and the textile shock absorber unit (34) is in a deployed condition.

Inventors:
DOUELLE JULIEN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2015/058601
Publication Date:
May 11, 2017
Filing Date:
November 02, 2015
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
HONEYWELL INT INC (US)
International Classes:
A62B35/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO1998041284A11998-09-24
WO1998041284A11998-09-24
WO1998041284A11998-09-24
Foreign References:
US5174410A1992-12-29
EP0496028A11992-07-29
US6533066B12003-03-18
US20060055545A12006-03-16
US5400868A1995-03-28
KR101396599B12014-05-16
US20120205478A12012-08-16
US20080121170A12008-05-29
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BEATUS, Carrie (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS 1. A shock absorber assembly (10) for use with a self-retracting lifeline (12), the assembly (10) comprising:

first and second connection features (30,32), each connection feature configured to receive a connector for connecting the assembly (10) to a user or a lifeline (12);

a textile shock absorber unit (34) operable attached to the first and second connection features (30,32) and having a stored condition wherein the unit (34) can absorb a shock load of a falling user connected to the assembly (10) and the first and second connection features (30,32) are spaced from each other by a fixed distance, and a deployed condition wherein the unit (34) has absorbed the shock load of a falling user and the first and second connection features (30,32) are spaced by a distance greater than the fixed distance; and

an elongate housing (36) extending between the first and second connection features (30,32) and defining an interior chamber (38) that encloses the textile shock absorber unit (34), the housing (36) defined by housing pieces (40,42) connected to each other by a separable joint (44) located between the first and second connection features (30,32), the separable joint (44) having a joined condition wherein the housing pieces (40,42) are connected to each other with the textile shock absorber unit (34) in the stored condition and enclosed within the housing (36) and a separated condition wherein the joint (44) is separated and the textile shock absorber unit (34) is in the deployed condition. 2. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein the elongate housing (36) is a sealed housing (36) that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber.

3. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claims 1 or 2 wherein the housing pieces (40,42) comprise a first housing piece (40) fixed to the first connection feature (30) and a second housing piece fixed to the second connection feature (32), with the first housing piece (40) having a first joint structure (48) and the second housing piece (42) having a second joint structure (50), the first and second joint structures (48,50) being releasably engaged to define the separable joint (44) in the joined condition. 4. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 3 wherein the first joint structure (48) is located on an end (52) of the first housing piece (40) and surrounds an opening (54) to a cavity (56) in the first housing (36) that receives a portion of the textile shock absorber unit (34), and the second joint structure (50 is located on an end (58) of the second housing piece (42) and surrounds an opening (60) to a cavity (62) in the second housing (36) that receives another portion of the textile shock absorber unit (34). 5. The shock absorber of claims 3 or 4 wherein the first joint structure (48) comprises a groove (54) that opens in an axial direction, the second joint structure (50) comprises a tongue (66) that extends axially into the groove (64) with the separable joint (44) in the joined condition, and the separable joint (44) further comprises a rib (68) that projects from one of the first and second housing pieces (40,42) into an interference fit with the other of the first and second housing pieces (40,42). 6. The shock absorber assembly (10) of any preceding claim wherein the textile shock absorber unit (34) comprises at least one length (80) of textile material (82) and a link component (84) extending through the textile shock absorber unit (34) from the first connection feature (30) to the second connection feature (32), the link component (84) is operably connected to the at least one length (80) of textile material (82) to transfer a shock load from the first and second connection features (30,32) to the at least one length (80) of textile material (82), and the link component (84) is configured to separate into at least two pieces (84a,84b) in response to a predetermined shock load. 7. The shock absorber assembly (10) of any preceding claim wherein the textile unit (34) comprises:

at least one length (80) of textile material (82); and

first and second ridged end portions (86,88) spaced axially from each other and operably connected to the at least one length (80) of textile material (82) to transfer a shock load from the first and second connection features (30,32) to the at least one length (80) of textile material (82). 8. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 7 wherein the first and second ridged end portions (86,88) have a sealed engagement with the housing (36) that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber of the housing (36). 9. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claims 7 or 8 wherein the interior chamber (38) of the housing (36) comprises:

a first cavity (100) that receives the first ridged end portion (86) and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the first ridged end portion (86); and

a second cavity (102) that receives the second ridged end portion (88) and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the second ridged end portion (88). 10. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claims 7, 8, or 9 wherein the first ridged end portion (86) defines a first opening (104), the first connection feature (30) comprises the first opening (104), the second ridged end portion (88) defines a second opening (106), and the second connection feature (32) comprises the second opening (106).

11. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 10 wherein:

the first ridged end portion (86) comprises annular ribs (108,110) that surround the first opening (104) and project into sealed engagement with the housing (36); and

the second ridged end portion (88) comprises annular ribs (108,110) that surround the second opening (106) and project into sealed engagement with the housing (36). 12. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 11 wherein:

the first ridged end portion (86) comprises oppositely facing surfaces (92) and the annular ribs (108,110) of the first ridged end portion (86) project outwardly from the oppositely facing surfaces (92); and

the second ridged end portion (88) comprises oppositely facing surfaces (92) and the annular ribs (108,110) of the second ridged end portion (88) project outwardly from the oppositely facing surfaces (92) of the second ridged end portion (88). 13. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claim 10 wherein the first connection feature (30) further comprises a first pin (120) received in the first opening (104) and a first connector (122) fixed to the first ridged end portion (86) by the first pin (120); and the second connection comprises another pin (124) received in the second opening (106) and a second connector (126) fixed to the second ridged end portion (88) by the second pin (124). 14. The shock absorber assembly (10) of claims 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 wherein the first and second ridged end portions (86,88) are integral portions of the link component (84) extending through the textile shock absorber unit (34) from the first connection feature (30) to the second connection feature (32), and the link component (84) is configured to separate into at least two pieces (84a,84b) in response to a predetermined shock load.

15. The shock absorber assembly (10) of any preceding claim wherein the housing (36) comprises an exterior surface (45) configured as a handle that can be engaged by a user's hand.

Description:
SEALED HANDLE WITH INTEGRATED SHOCK ABSORBER

FIELD [0001] This invention relates to fall protection equipment, and more particularly, to shock absorbers that are used in connection with other fall protection equipment.

BACKGROUND [0002] It is known for users of self-retracting lifelines (SRL's) to utilize some form of shock absorber when they are working on a roof or other elevated platform. In some cases, it is only possible to connect the SRL to an anchorage point on the floor or at other foot level of the user. In such situations, in the event of a fall, the cable or line of the SRL will often come in contact with the edge of the roof or other elevated work surface. One known and suitable type of shock absorber for such situations is a textile shock absorber that is located external of the SRL, such as is disclosed in WO 98/41284 A1 published September 24, 1998, with another suitable form of textile shock absorber being sold by Honeywell under the SofStop Shock Absorber trademark. While such devices are suitable for their intended purpose, there is always room for improvement. For example, the textile material of some conventional textile shock absorbers is subject to potential performance degradation resulting from environmental exposures to sunlight, water, dust, and other contaminants.

SUMMARY [0003] In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a shock absorber assembly is provided for use with a self-retracting lifeline. The assembly includes first and second connection features, each connection feature configured to receive a connector for connecting the assembly to a user or a lifeline. The assembly further includes a textile shock absorber unit operably attached to the first and second connection features and having: a stored condition wherein the unit can absorb a shock load of a falling user connected to the assembly and the first and second connection features are spaced from each other by fixed distance; and a deployed condition wherein the unit has absorbed the shock load of a falling user and the first and second connection features are spaced by a distance greater than the fixed distance. The assembly further includes an elongate housing extends between the first and second connection features and defining an interior chamber that encloses the textile shock absorber unit. The housing is defined by housing pieces connected to each other by a separable joint located between the first and second connection features. The separable joint has: a joined condition wherein the housing pieces are connected to each other with the textile shock absorber unit in the stored condition and enclosed within the housing; and a separated condition wherein the joint is separated and the textile shock absorber unit is in the deployed condition.

[0004] As one feature, the elongate housing is a sealed housing that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber.

[0005] In one feature, the housing pieces comprise a first housing piece fixed to the first connection feature and a second housing piece fixed to the second connection feature, with the first housing piece having a first joint structure and the second housing piece having a second joint structure, the first and second joint structure being releasably engaged to define the separable joint in the joined condition.

[0006] According to one feature, the first joint structure is located on an end of the first housing piece and surrounds an opening to a cavity in the first housing that receives a portion of the textile shock absorber, and the second joint structure is located on an end of the second housing piece and surrounds an opening to a cavity in the second housing that receives another portion of the textile shock absorber. [0007] As one feature, the first joint structure includes a groove that opens in an axial direction, the second joint structure includes a tongue that extends axially into the groove with the separable joint in the joined condition, and the separable joint further includes a rib that projects from one of the first and second housing pieces into an interference fit with the other of the first and second housing pieces.

[0008] In one feature, the textile shock absorber unit includes at least one length of textile material and a link component extending through the textile shock absorber unit from the first connection feature to the second connection feature, the link component is operably connected to the at least one length of textile material to transfer a shock load from the first and second connection features to the at least one length of textile material, and the link component is configured to separate into at least two pieces in response to a predetermined shock load.

[0009] According to one feature, the textile unit includes at least one length of textile material, and first and second ridged end portions are spaced axially from each other and operably connected to the at least one length of textile material to transfer a shock load from the first and second connection features to the at least one length of textile material.

[0010] As one feature, the first and second ridged end portions have a sealed engagement with the housing that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber of the housing.

[0011] In one feature, the interior chamber of the housing includes a first cavity that receives the first ridged end portion and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the first ridged end portion and a second cavity that receives the second ridged end portion and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the second ridged end portion.

[0012] According to one feature, the first ridged end portion defines a first opening, the first connection feature includes the first opening, the second ridged end portion defines a second opening, and the second connection feature includes the second opening.

[0013] As one feature, the first ridged end portion includes annular ribs that surround the first opening and project into sealed engagement with the housing and the second ridged end portion includes annular ribs that surround the second opening and project into sealed engagement with the housing.

[0014] In one feature, the first ridged end portion includes oppositely facing surfaces and the annular ribs of the first ridged end portion extends outwardly from the oppositely facing surfaces and the second ridged end portion includes oppositely facing surfaces and the annular ribs of the second ridged end portion extends outwardly from the oppositely facing surfaces of the second ridged end portion.

[0015] According to one feature, the first connection feature further includes a first pin received in the first opening and a first connector fixed to the first ridged end portion by the first pin, and the second connection includes another pin received in the second opening and a second connector fixed to the second ridged end portion by the second pin.

[0016] As one feature, the first and second ridged end portions are integral portions of the link component extending through the textile shock absorber unit from the first connection feature to the second connection feature, and the link component is configured to separate into at least two pieces in response to a predetermined shock load.

[0017] In one feature, the housing includes an exterior surface configured as a handle that can be engaged by a user's hand.

[0018] Other features and advantages will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a self-retracting lifeline and a shock absorber assembly according to this disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a view taken from line 2-2 in Fig. 1 and showing a somewhat diagrammatic cross section of the shock absorber assembly of Fig.1 together with a connection component;

[0021] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the shock absorber assembly and associated components of Figs.1 and 2;

[0022] Fig.4 is a perspective view of the shock absorber assembly of Figs.1- 3, with the shock absorber assembly in a deployed state after having absorbed the shock of a fall, and with certain connection components not shown;

[0023] Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the shock absorber assembly of Figs.1-4 with a housing component not shown for purposes of illustration;

[0024] Fig.6 is an elevational view taken from line 6-6 in Fig.5;

[0025] Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing only one selected component of the shock absorber assembly of Figs.1-6;

[0026] Fig.8 is an elevational view taken from line 8-8 in Fig.7;

[0027] Fig. 9 is an isometric view of one housing component of the shock absorber unit of Figs.1-4;

[0028] Fig.10 is an isometric view of another housing component of the shock absorber unit of Figs.1-5;

[0029] Fig.11 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by line 11-11 in Fig. 2; and

[0030] Fig.12 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by line 12-12 in Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0031] With reference to Fig. 1, a shock absorber assembly 10 according to this disclosure is shown for use with a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) 12 that includes a housing 14, a connection feature 16 for connecting the SRL 12 to an anchor or other suitable fall protection equipment (not shown), a lifeline 18 that is configured to extend and retract from the SRL 12 to allow a user to move freely about an elevated worksite, an internal brake mechanism shown schematically at 20 that serves to restrict the movement of the lifeline 18 from the SRL 12 in the event of a fall by a user connected to the SRL 12, and a connector 22 for connecting the lifeline 18 to the shock absorber assembly 10. It should be understood that there are many known and suitable SRL's that can be utilized with the shock absorber assembly 10 of this disclosure and that the details of such SRL's are not critical to an understanding of the shock absorber assembly 10 of this disclosure. Accordingly, further details of the SRL 12 of Fig.1 will not be discussed herein.

[0032] The shock absorber assembly 10 includes first and second connection features 30 and 32, with each connection feature 30 and 32 configured to receive or attach a connector of another fall protection component, such as the SRL 12 or a harness worn by a user; and a textile shock absorber unit 34 operably attached to the first and second connection features 30 and 32 and having a stored condition (shown in Fig. 2) wherein the unit 34 can absorb a shock load of a falling user connected to the assembly 10 and wherein the first and second connection features 30 and 32 are spaced from each other along an axis 35 by a fixed distance, and a deployed condition (shown in Fig. 4) wherein the unit 34 has absorbed the shock load of a falling user and the first and second connection features 30 and 32 are spaced by a distance greater than the fixed distance. The shock absorber assembly 10 further includes an elongate housing 36 extending along the axis 35 between the first and second connection features 30 and 32 and defining an interior chamber 38 that encloses the textile shock absorber unit 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 36 is a sealed housing that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber 38, thereby protecting the textile shock absorber unit 34 from the potential performance degradation that could result from overexposure to moisture and other contaminants. Furthermore, the elongate housing 36 protects the shock absorber unit 34 from overexposure to UV light.

[0033] The housing 36 is defined by first and second housing pieces 40 and 42 connected to each other by a separable joint 44 located between the first and second connection features 30 and 32. The separable joint 44 has a joined condition (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) wherein the housing pieces 40 and 42 are connected to each other with the textile shock absorber unit 34 in the stored condition and enclosed within the housing 36, and a separated condition (shown in Fig. 3) wherein the joint 44 is separated and the textile shock absorber unit 34 is in the deployed condition. It should be understood that while the housing 36 is shown in the figures as being a two-piece housing that is defined by only two pieces 40 and 42, which is advantageous because it minimizes the number of components of the assembly 10 as well as the number of potential leak paths for contaminants to enter the interior chamber 38, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the housing 36 to be defined by more than two pieces, with at least two of the pieces being joined by a separable joint 44. The housing pieces 40 and 42 can be made from any suitable material. In this regard, in many applications, it would be desirable to mold the housing pieces 40 and 42 from a suitable plastic, rubber, or composite material, such as for example, polyamide type 6, that will provide the housing 30 with a relatively rigid structure. In this regard, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some applications it will be desirable for the housing 36 to have an exterior surface 45 that is configured as a handle, such as is provided by the alternating annular ribs and grooves 46 defined by the exterior surface 45 so as to provide a grip for the hand or hands of a user as best seen in Fig.1.

[0034] As best seen in Fig. 2, the housing piece 40 is fixed to the first connection feature 30 and the housing piece 42 is fixed to the second connection feature 32. As best seen in Figs. 2, 9, 10 and 16, the first housing piece 40 has a first joint structure 48 and the second housing piece 42 has a second joint structure 50, with the first and second joint structures 48 and 50 being releasably engaged to define the separable joint 44. The first joint structure 48 is located on an end 52 of the first housing piece 40 and surrounds an opening 54 to an interior cavity 56 in the first housing piece 40 that defines approximately half of the interior chamber 38 and receives a portion (approximately half) of the textile shock absorber unit 34. The second joint structure 50 is located on an end 58 of the second housing piece 42 and surrounds an opening 60 to a cavity 62 in the second housing piece 42 that defines approximately half of the interior chamber 38 and receives another portion (approximately half) of the textile shock absorber unit 34.

[0035] As best seen in Figs. 2, 9 and 12, the first joint structure 48 includes a continuous groove 64 that extends continuously around the opening 54 and opens in an axial direction. The second joint structure 50 includes a tongue 66 that extends continuously around the opening 60 and projects axially into the groove 64 with the joint 44 in joined condition. As best seen in Fig.12, the joint 44 further includes a rib 68 that, in the illustrated embodiment, extends continuously around the tongue 66 and projects outwardly from the tongue 66 into an interference fit with the other housing piece 40, and more specifically, projects in a radially outward direction from an outwardly facing surface 70 of the tongue 66 into an interference engagement with an inwardly facing, continuous surface 72 in the groove 40. The interference fit of the rib 68 with the surface 72 creates a seal that blocks entry of water and other contaminants into the interior chamber 38 of the housing 40. In this regard, it should be appreciated that there are other suitable structures contemplated within the scope of this disclosure that can provide a similar seal and may be desirable according to the requirements of the particular application for the assembly 10. For example, an interference fit can be provided between the mating surfaces of the groove 64 and the tongue 66 when the tongue 66 is inserted in the groove 64. By way of further example, the rib 68 could be located on the surface 72 for interference engagement with the surface 70, or more than one rib 68 could be provided. As yet another example, an independent, O-ring seal, could be provided in place of the rib 68. Additionally, a so-called "snap fit" connection is provided by a radially inwardly projecting rib 73 that extends continuously around an inwardly facing surface 74 adjacent the opening 60 and into engagement with outwardly opening grooves 75 (four, but only two can be seen in Fig.9) located on outwardly facing surfaces 76 on a plurality (four) of tongues 78 that project axially from the groove 64. The resiliency of the tongues 78 allows for the rib 73 to be "snapped" into the grooves 75 thereby allowing the separable joint 44 to be moved from the joined and separated conditions. It should be appreciated that there are other suitable structures that can provide a similar "snap-fit" connection that are contemplated within the scope of the disclosure and that may be desirable depending upon the requirements of any particular application. For example, while the disclosed structure provides for the snap-fit connection to be "protected" by the seal formed between the rib 68 and the surface 72, in some applications it may be desirable for the structure to be positioned on an exterior side of the seal structure. By way of further example, it may be desirable in some applications for the rib 73 to be replaced by a groove and for the grooves 75 to be replaced by ribs that can be "snapped" into the groove.

[0036] As best seen in Figs. 4-6, the textile shock absorber unit 34 includes one or more lengths 80 of textile material 82 (shown diagrammatically in Figs.2, 3, 5 and 6) and a centrally located link component 84 extending along the axis 35 through the textile shock absorber unit 34 from the first connection feature 30 to the second connection feature 32. In many applications, it will be desirable for one or more lengths 80 to be made of a suitable textile webbing material. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more lengths 80 of textile material 82 are folded over each other, with a connection formed between at least some portions of the lengths 80 in a suitable fashion, such as by stitching, so that shock is absorbed by the breaking of the connection when a shock load is placed on the unit 34 via the connection features 30 and 32. In this regard, the details of how to construct a suitable shock absorber from lengths of textile material are known, and shown, for example, in WO 98/41284 A1 published September 24, 1998, and can also be found in commercially available textile shock absorbers sold by Honeywell International Inc. under the SofStop Shock Absorber trademark. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, portions of the lengths 80 of textile material 82 are positioned on both sides of the link component 84, with at least portions 85 of the lengths 80 of textile material 82 extending around rigid end portions 86 and 88 of the link component 84 to operably connect the lengths 80 of textile material 82 to the link component 84. This allows the link component 84 to transfer a shock load from the first and second connection features 30 and 32 to the one or more lengths 80 of textile material 82, with the link component 84 being configured to separate into at least two pieces 84A and 84B (as shown in Fig. 4) in response to a predetermined shock load, which separation then allows the lengths 80 of textile material 82 to further absorb the shock load as previously discussed and again as is further detailed in the previously mentioned PCT publication WO 98/41284 A1.

[0037] The first and second rigid end portions 86 and 88 are spaced axially from each other by a fixed distance with the textile shock absorber unit 34 in the stored condition and transfer a shock load to the lengths 80 of textile material 82 as the textile shock absorber unit 34 transitions from the stored condition to the deployed condition. As best seen in Figs.7 and 8, each of the end portions 86 and 88 includes a pair of walls 91, with each wall 91 having an outwardly facing surface 92 that is inclined relative to the central axis 35 and an inwardly facing surface 94 that is parallel to the central axis 35. A channel 96 is defined between the walls 91 and surface 94 to receive the portions 90 of the lengths 80 of textile material 82 that extend around the rigid end portions 86 and 88.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, and as best seen in Fig.11, the rigid end portions 86 and 88 have a sealed engagement with the housing 36 that blocks moisture and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber 38 of the housing 36. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 56 in the housing piece 40 includes a smaller cavity 100 that receives the first rigid end portion 86 and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the first rigid end portion 86, and specifically, has a shape that conforms to the shape of the oppositely facing surfaces 92 of the end portion 86. With reference to Fig.2, similar construction is provided in the housing piece 42, with the cavity 62 of the housing piece 42 further including another smaller cavity 102 that receives the second rigid end portion 88 and has a shape that conforms to an exterior shape of the second rigid end portion 88, and more specifically that conforms to the oppositely facing surfaces 92 of the end portion 88. As best seen in Figs.7 and 8, the first rigid end portion 86 defines a first opening 104 in the form of a cylindrical bore, with the housing piece 40 having corresponding openings 105 that are aligned with the opening 104. Similarly, the second rigid end portion 88 defines a second opening 106 in the form of a cylindrical bore, with the housing piece 42 having a pair of openings 107 that are aligned with the second opening 106 (as best seen in Figs.2, 9 and 10). As best seen in Figs.7, 8 and 11, each of the surfaces 92 of the rigid end portions 86 and 88 includes a pair of outwardly projecting annular ribs 108 and 110 that surround the corresponding opening in the rigid end portions 86 and 88 and extend outwardly into sealed engagement with the housing 36, and in particular into sealed engagement with an inwardly facing, planar surface 112 in the corresponding cavity 100 or 102. It should be appreciated that while the outwardly projecting annular ribs 108 and 110 provide one suitable means of sealing the housing 36 to the rigid end portions 86 and 88 of the textile shock absorber unit 34 to block water and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber 38 of the housing 36, other suitable solutions are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable for the sealing to be provided by an interference fit between the outwardly facing surfaces 92 of the rigid end portions 86 and 88 and the inwardly facing surfaces 112 of the corresponding cavities 100 and 102. By way of further example, it may be desirable in some applications for the ribs 108 and 110 to be provided on the surfaces 100 and 102 to project inwardly into an interference engagement with the corresponding surfaces 92.

[0039] As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the link component 84 includes an elongate, flattened link portion 114 that extends from one end portion 86 to the other end portion 88 to connect the end portions 86 and 88 together. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the link component 84 is a one piece construction with each of the portion 86, 88 and 114 being originally formed as a single part such as by molding. The link component 84 can be selectively weakened in any suitable fashion, such as, for example, by providing selectively sized and positioned openings 116 in order to adapt the link component 84 to provide separation by breaking/fracturing/rupturing into the two parts 84a and 84b at a desired, predetermined shock load. The link component 84 can be made of any suitable material, and in many applications it will be desirable for the link component to be made from a suitable rubber, plastic or composite material (such as for example, polyurethane) that is molded to form the one piece construction, with the portions 86, 88 and 114 all being unitary to that one piece construction.

[0040] The connection feature 30 includes the opening 104 in the rigid end portion 86, and the second connection feature 32 includes the opening 106 in the rigid end portion 88. It should be appreciated that in some applications it may be desirable for the first and second connection features 30 and 32 to be defined entirely by the corresponding openings 104 and 106, while in other applications it may be desirable to provide a suitable alternative or to provide additional components for the first and second connection features 30 and 32. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the first connection feature 30 further includes an elongate, cylindrical pin or other suitable fastener 120 that extends through the opening 104 and 106 in the rigid end portion 86 and the housing portion 40 to connect a first connector 122 in the form of a shackle that is fixed to the rigid end portion 86 by the pin 120. The second connection feature 32 includes another elongate, cylindrical pin or other suitable fastener 124 that extends through the openings 106 and 107 in the rigid end portion 88 and housing piece 42 and another connector 126 that is fixed to the rigid end portion 88 by the pin. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 126 includes a shackle 128 and a hook member 130 that is rotatably connected to the shackle 128. [0041] It should be appreciated that while certain embodiments of the shock absorber assembly 10 have been shown and described herein, alternate structures that provide the features/functions of the assembly 10 are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure and that no limitation to such structure is intended unless expressly recited in an appended claim.