DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“AN APPARATUS FOR FILLING GAS IN SHOCK ABSORBER OF A VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF”

Endurance Technologies Limited
E-92, M.I.D.C. Industrial Area, Waluj,
Aurangabad – 431136, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling gas in a shock absorber of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a full proof apparatus for filling gas in the shock absorber and a method of filling the gas in said shock absorber.

Background of the Invention

[002] In general, a vehicle is provided with shock absorbers between a vehicle frame and an axle to enhance driving comfort by absorbing / damping the impact and/or vibrations transmitted by the irregularity of the road during running condition of the vehicle. Generally, the shock absorbers of the two wheeled vehicles are filled up either with the oil or gas or in some cases combination of both oil and gas to improve damping force and better comfort and ride at the rider’s end.

[003] Conventionally, the gas is filled inside the shock absorber through a gas injection hole which is formed by drilling at one end of an outer tube of the shock absorber assembly. Once the gas is filled inside the shock absorber, the gas injection hole is welded and sealed at the same time. However, this method of gas filling has a requirement of drilling a separate gas injection hole for injecting gas (damping fluid) into one end of the outer tube which not only causes the problem of damage to the outer tube thereby reducing the life of the shock absorber but increases the cost of the shock absorber and assembly thereof as well.

[004] To overcome the limitations of an above mentioned conventional method of gas filling in the shock absorbers, a gas-filling devices were developed that fill the gas inside the shock absorber without having a drilling operation. As far as the method of filling the gas by this device is concerned, the shock absorber is vertically positioned in the fixture and a jig of the gas filling machine is used to press the oil seal lip from the top end. When the oil seal lip is pressed, a passage is formed in between the oil seal lip and the top inner surface of the outer tube, and through this passage, gas is filled inside the shock absorber. The jig of the gas filling device is removed after filling of the gas and then the oil seal lip moves to its original position due to spring force so that the formed passage is closed. The advantage of this method of gas filling it that it avoids the requirement of drilling a hole in outer tube for gas injection, but at the same time this method leads to another limitation of seal lip damage and inaccurate filling of gas inside the outer tube. Further, this method of gas-filling not only requires bulky fixtures and hydraulically operated jigs for gas filling making the set-up non portable but also requires a skilled operator for the same.

[005] Therefore, to address the limitations and/or drawbacks of the conventional gas filling set-ups in shock absorbers and their associated methods, there is a long pending unmet need to provide an intelligent solution for filling gas in the shock absorber that won’t need any drilling operation, won’t damage the seal lip and at the same time it is portable set-up filling the gas accurately without requiring any skilled human resource for the same.

Objectives of the Invention

[006] The main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber of a vehicle and the method of filling the gas in shock absorber using the said apparatus.

[007] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber and its associated method wherein it does not require a skilled person to fill the gas.

[008] Yet, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber and its associated method wherein said apparatus is quite compact and portable making its handling very easy and safe.

[009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber and its associated method wherein the said apparatus is configured to fill gas in the shock absorber accurately and does completely eliminate the requirement of any gas injection hole / drilling on the body of the shock absorber and pressing of the oil seal leap therefor.

[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber and its associated method wherein the gas filling unit is intelligently configured to indicate the gas filled position in the shock absorber through audio, visual output on the user interface.

[0011] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for filling gas in shock absorber and its associated method wherein the gas filling set-up is configured to fill gas in the multiple shock absorbers simultaneously.
Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters / numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiment/s herein and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description when read with reference to the following drawings, wherein

[0013] Figure 1 discloses an isometric view of the gas filling apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 presents sectional view of the gas filling apparatus with the shock absorber placed therein in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 discloses the cut view of the shock absorber with the half locator of the invention fitted with it as per the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 shows the enlarged sectional view of the shock absorber with the half locator fitted over the outer periphery of the piston rod in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 shows the enlarged sectional view of the shock absorber with the half locator fitted over the outer periphery of the piston rod in engaged mode of gas filling that opens the lip of the seal in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Figures 6a and 6b disclose the different cut views of the uniquely profiled half locator disclosing its features used filling of the gas in shock absorber in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 presents sectional view of the gas filling apparatus with the shock absorber placed therein in accordance with the present invention disclosing the completely gas filled condition of the shock absorber as per the invention.

[0020] Figure 8 presents sectional view of the gas filling apparatus with two shock absorber (disclosing gas un-filled condition) placed therein in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

[0021] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which must not be viewed as restricting the scope and ambit of the invention. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus (100) for filling the gas in a shock absorber (30) of two and three wheeled vehicles comprises of a cylindrical body (10), a half locator (20), a display unit (40), a base plate (B), a lid (12), a flange (13), a load cell (10L), a fastening means (10F) and a washer (W). The lower end of the cylindrical body (10) is rigidly fitted with the base plate (B) by the suitable fastening means selected from welding and adhesives. The upper end of the cylindrical body (10) has an opening (11) for receiving the shock absorber (30) to be filled with gas. The opening (11) of the cylindrical body (10) is configured to be covered by the lid (12). The lid (12) is fastened with the cylindrical body (10) through the flange (13) and said flange (13) fitted over said cylindrical body (10) with the fastening means (10F) selected from bolt, screw, rivets, etc. A washer is provided between the lid (12) and the flange (13) of the cylindrical body (10) for avoiding the leakage of the gas, if any, from the cylindrical body (10).

[0022] Further, the lid (12) is configured to have a gas inlet (10GI) for receiving pressurized gas through a gas pipe; and the cylindrical body (10) is configured to have a gas outlet (10GO) for removing extra gas from said cylindrical body (10). A handlebar (14) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body (10) and said handlebar (14) is integrated with the cylindrical body (10) and is integral part of it. The handlebar (14) facilitates the lifting and easy movement of the gas filling apparatus (100) from one place to another making it portable in nature.

[0023] The cylindrical body (10) at its lower end (10a) is houses a resting block (10R) having U-shaped profile for the placement of the shock absorber (30) to be filled with gas. The resting block (10R) mounted on the adjustable scissor lift mechanism (35) and said lift mechanism (35) is fitted on the base plate (B). The scissor lift mechanism (35) is adjustable according to the size of shock absorber (30) and said adjustment system is either manual by rotating the knob from outside the cylindrical body (10) or electrically operated by pressing a push button on the cylindrical body (10). The resting block (10R) is mounted on the adjustable scissor lift mechanism (35) in such a way that the said resting block (10R) and the load cell (10L) mounted on the inner surface of the lid and housed inside the top end of the cylindrical body (10) are exactly concentric and opposite to each other.

[0024] The load cell (10L) is mounted on the inner surface of the lid (12) which gets housed in suspended condition within the cylindrical body (10) at its top end (10b). The said load cell (10L) is fitted with the lid (12) by a suitable fastening means selected from bolts, screws, rivet, adhesives, etc. and is in electric communication with the display unit (40) via a cable (25) through the controller (M).
[0025] The display unit (40) has a controller unit (M) embedded with it which is configured to receive the input from the load cell (10L) through the cable (25) in the form of an electrical signal. The controller unit (M) is configured to receive electrical input from the load cell (10L), process it, and pass on the processed data in the digital form so as to display on the screen (40D) of the display unit (40). The controller unit (M) is in wired communication with the screen (40D) of the display unit (40) and is parallelly in communication with the audio output (A) and visual output (V). Said display unit (40) along with the controller unit (M), display screen (40D) and audio / visual output means (A, V) is mounted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body (10). However, the audio/visual output means (A, V) can be put at any suitable remote location for the convenience of supervision. In that case said controller unit (M) is connected to the audio/visual output means (A, V) through GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) module. In this case the output details gas filling apparatus (100) about the gas pressure inside the shock absorber (30) can be taken up on any compatible remote devices such as mobile phones, smart watch or any other such devices.

[0026] Referring figures 3 and 4, the shock absorber (30) comprises an outer tube (31), an inner tube (32), a piston rod (30R), a rod guide (30G), an oil seal (30S), a washer (30E) and a dust seal (30D). The outer tube (31) is configured to have an upper end (31U) and a bottom end (31B). The said bottom end (31B) of the outer tube (31) is sleeved over the bottom cap (33) and is fitted there with threaded joint or welded joint. The said bottom cap (33) is configured to have a bowl-shape. The base of the bowl-shape bottom cap (33) is fixed with the eye-bracket (34) by the fixing technique viz. welding, threading, etc. The said eye-bracket (34) is used to connect the shock absorber (30) with the wheel axle of the vehicle. Further, a spring seat (31F) is welded over the outer surface of the outer tube (31) and near to the bottom end (31B) of the outer tube (31).

[0027] The said inner tube (32) is configured to have an upper end (32U) and a bottom end (32B). The said bottom end (32B) is press fitted over a base valve assembly (BV). The outer diameter of the inner tube (32) is less than the inner diameter of the outer tube (31). Further, the length of the inner tube (32) is also less than the length of the outer tube (31). The inner tube (32) having base valve assembly (BV) in the bottom end (32B) is concentrically positioned inside the outer tube (31) from the upper end (31U) so as to abut over the bowl-shape bottom cap (33). Due to difference in the diameter of the outer tube (31) and the inner tube (32), a chamber (G1) is being created along the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube (32) and the inner peripheral surface of outer tube (31) and said chamber (G1) is the gas chamber wherein the pressurized gas is filled for the functioning the shock absorber.

[0028] One end of the piston rod (30R) is rigidly fitted with an eyelet bracket (30EB) and the other end of the piston rod (30R) is configured to have a piston and rebound assembly (30PS). The said end of the piston rod (30R) having piston and rebound assembly (30PS) is slideably positioned inside the inner tube (32) forming a working chamber (G2). After positioning the piston and rebound assembly (30PS), the assembly of the rod guide (30G), the oil seal (30S), the washer (30E) and the dust seal (30D) are positioned inside the outer tube in the between the top end (32U) of the inner tube (32) and the top end (31U) of the outer tube (31) in a given order so that the these gets concentrically sleeved over the piston rod (30R) making free sliding movement of said piston rod (30R).
[0029] After positioning the said sealing assembly, the top end (31U) of the outer tube (31) is crimped inwardly by a crimping set up so as to lock the position of said sealing assembly. The oil seal (30S) is used eliminate / avoid the leakage of the working fluid from the working chamber (G2) and the dust seal (30D) is provided for preventing the ingressment of the dust and foreign particles inside the working chamber (G2) of the shock absorber (30). The dust seal (30D) is configured to have an upper lip (30DL), which rests over the outer periphery of the piston rod (30R).

[0030] Referring to Fig. 5, the half locator (20) is configured to have half cylindrical profile with an outer periphery (21) and an inner periphery (22). The outer periphery (21) of the half locator (20) is configured to have a head portion (20U), a body portion (20M) and a tail portion (20L). The head portion (20U) of the half locator (20) is configured to have a radial flange (20F) which facilitate for have better grip during placement of the half locator (20) on the piston rod (30R) of the shock absorber. The body portion (20M) of the outer periphery (21) of the half locator (20) has a plain surface and it merges with head portion (20U) at its one end and with the tail portion (20L) at its other end. The outer diameter of the body portion (20M) is less than the diameter of the radial flange (20F) of the head portion (20U) but greater than the inner diameter of the dust seal (30D). The tail portion (20L) of the half locator (20) merges with the body portion (20M) and is configured to have a taper profiled surface (20C) throughout the outer periphery of the tail portion (20L). The taper profile (20C) of the tail portion (20L) makes an angle (a) with the body portion (20M) and said angle (a) is in the range of 30 to 45 degrees.

[0031] The inner periphery (22) of the half locator (20) is configured to have at least one axial groove (20G) throughout the axial length of the half locator (20). The cross sectional profile of the axial groove (20G) may be semi-circular, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular and like any of the symmetric profiles. The most preferred profile of said axial groove (20G) is semi-circular being efficient in passing any damping fluid (gas in this case) having least frictional resistance. The half locator (20) is made up of plastic for avoiding damage of the upper lip (30DL) of the dust seal (30D) and prevent the scratches on the periphery of the piston rod (30R).

[0032] As far as the method of filling the gas in shock absorber as per the invention is concerned, the half locator (20) is positioned on the outer surface of the piston rod (30R) in such a way that the tapered profile (20C) of the tail portion (20L) of the half locator (20) is near to the upper lip (30DL) of the dust seal (30D). Then, the half locator (20) is pressed down by applying a defined force on the radial flange (20F) of the head portion (20U) so that the tapered profile (20C) of the half locator (20) is slidably inserted in between the upper lip (20DL) of the dust seal (20D) and the outer periphery of the piston rod (30R). The groove (20G) on the inner periphery of the half locator (20) forms a passage (S) between the inner periphery (22) of the half locator (20) and the piston rod (30R) for the transfer of pressurized gas from cylindrical body (10) of the apparatus (100) to the gas chambers (G1, G2) inside the shock absorber (30).

[0033] Thus, the shock absorber (30) fitted with the half locator (20) is placed inside the cylindrical body (10) on the resting block seat (10R). The height of the said resting block (10R) is adjustable according to the size of the shock absorber (30) by using the scissor lift mechanism (35). The lift mechanism (35) may also selected from lead screw mechanism, hydraulic or pneumatic lift mechanism, etc.
[0034] Once the shock absorber (30) is positioned on the resting block (10R), then the opening (11) of the cylindrical body (10) is closed by the lid (12). The lid (12) is then fastened with the flange (13) of the cylindrical body (10) using a fastening means (10F) such as a bolt, screw, etc. It is then ensured that the gas outlet (10GO) valve is in the closed position. The gas inlet (10GI) on the lid of the apparatus (100) is then connected with the pressurized gas source, followed by setting the gas pressure to be filled in the shock absorber. Then the pressurized gas is supplied through the gas inlet (10GI) inside the cylindrical body (10).

[0035] As the gas pressure inside the cylindrical body (10) gradually increases and approaches to the set gas pressure for a specific shock absorber, the pressurized gas in the cylindrical body (10) makes its way through the grooved passage (S) of the half locator (20) to pass inside the gas chambers (G1, G2) of the shock absorber (30). Due to the pressure of the gas coming through the grooved passage (S), the lips (30SL) of the oil seal (30S) gets opened and the gas enters in the sub chamber formed between the rod guide (30G) and the oil seal (30S). From this sub-chamber, the gas passes to the gas chamber (G1) via a dedicated passage (30GP) provided on the road guide (30G). Parallelly, the gas from the sub-chamber passes the working chamber (G2) via a clearance (30GC) formed between the outer surface of the piston rod (30R) and inner peripheral surface of the rod guide (30G).

[0036] As the gas gets filled up the shock absorber (30), particularly the in the gas chambers (G1, G2), the piston rod (30R) moves up due to the increase in pressure in the gas chamber (G2). The gas chamber (G1) is in fluid communication with the gas chamber (G2) through the base valve (BV). Once the gas is completely filled inside the chambers (G1 and G2) of the shock absorber (30), the eyelet bracket (30EB) attached to the top end of piston rod (30R) of the shock absorber touches the load cell (10L) and apply the force on the load cell (10L) mounted on the inner surface of the lid (12).

[0037] The said load cell (10L) sends this input to the controller unit (M) of the display unit (40) via the cable (25). Further, the controller (M) converts the received electrical input from the load cell (10L) into a digital signal and displays the output on the display screen (40D) along with the audio / visual outputs (A, V) indicating the gas filled condition of the shock absorber (30) as per the desired / set gas pressure value. It also generates visual output (V) in the form of light and audio output (A) in the form of a voice massage or a beep. Further, the controller unit (M) is configured to get connected to a remote display through a GSM Module and sends information of the gas filled condition of the shock absorber (30) to the remote compatible gadgets viz. mobile phone, smart watch and like.

[0038] After receiving the notification of the gas is completely filled inside the shock absorber (30) as per the set gas pressure for a specific shock absorber, the gas inlet (10GI) of the gas supply will be closed and excess gas inside the cylindrical body (10) will be drained out via the gas outlet (10GO) valve. After that, the lid of the apparatus (100) is opened up and the gas filled shock absorber (30) is taken out of the cylindrical body (10). The inserted half locator (20) is removed from the piston rod of the shock absorber (30) and as a result of this the upper lip (30DL) of the dust seal regains its original closed position with the outer periphery of the piston rod (30R) due to its elastic properties so that filled gas will not leak from the shock absorber (30). The gas pressure inside the gas chamber (G2) pushes the lips the oil seal (30S) upward making intact connect with the piston rod and thereby eliminating the chances of gas leakage therefrom.

[0039] In another embodiment, referring Fig. 08, the aforementioned gas filling apparatus and the method thereof is not limited to filling the gas only in one shock absorber (30) at a time. The apparatus of the present invention is customizable within the scope of the invention without any major modification so that the plurality of shock absorbers (two, three, and like) can be gas charged simultaneously by using the method and system discussed and disclosed above and in the accompanying figures. Therefore, in accordance with this customization, the gas filling apparatus (100) is configured to have two resting blocks (10R) for receiving two shock absorbers (30) at the same time for filling the gas therein. In case of three shock absorbers getting gas charged simultaneously, the cylindrical body (10) of the gas filling apparatus (100) will house three resting blocks (10R) mounted on the scissor lift mechanism (35) and like.

[0040] The apparatus for filling the gas in shock absorbers and method thereof of the present invention do provide the following technical advantages that contribute to the technical advancement in the domain of gas charging the shock absorbers (30) for two and three-wheeled vehicles:
- It provides a reliable and accurate method and a system that fills the gas without any leak problems.
- It provides a portable gas filling unit that can be carried by anyone and it is easy to transport.
- It eliminates the requirement of heavy machinery, extra fixtures, and skilled operator for filling gas inside the shock absorber.
- The method and system of this invention can fill the gas inside the shock absorber without the requirement of a gas injection hole on the body of the shock absorber and damage to the seal.
- The gas filling apparatus is integrated with a gas filled position indicator unit which helps the user / operator to fill the gas inside the shock absorber in a precise manner and also reduces the losses of the gas.
- The system of filling gas of this present invention does not require high maintenance.
- It can fill the gas inside multiple shock absorbers at the same time.
- The simple construction and low maintenance of the gas-filling apparatus make it economical.

[0041] The foregoing description of the specific embodiment of the invention will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. ,CLAIMS:We Claim

1. An apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) of a two wheeled vehicle comprising of a cylindrical body (10), a half locator (20), a display unit (40), a base plate (B), a lid (12), a flange (13), a load cell (10L), a fastening means (10F) and a washer (W); wherein
- the cylindrical body (10) at its lower end (10a) is rigidly fitted with the base plate (B) by the fastening means selected from welding and adhesives; and the upper end (10b) of said cylindrical body (10) has an opening (11) for receiving the shock absorber (30) to be filled with gas;
- the opening (11) of the cylindrical body (10) is configured to be covered by the lid (12) and said lid (12) is fastened with the cylindrical body (10) through the flange (13) wherein said flange (13) is fitted over said cylindrical body (10) with the fastening means (10F) selected from bolt, screw and rivets;
- the washer (W) is sandwiched between the lid (12) and the flange (13) of the cylindrical body (10) and is configured to eliminate the leakage of the gas from the cylindrical body (10);
- the lid (12) is configured to have a gas inlet (10GI) for receiving pressurized gas through a gas pipe; and the cylindrical body (10) is configured to have a gas outlet (10GO) for removing extra gas from said cylindrical body (10); and
- the cylindrical body (10) is configured to have a handlebar (14) on its outer peripheral surface, said handlebar (14) is integrated with said cylindrical body (10) forming an integral part of it; and said handlebar (14) is configured to facilitate the lifting and easy movement of the gas filling apparatus (100) from one place to another making it portable in nature.

2. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the cylindrical body (10) at its lower end (10a) is configured to house a resting block (10R) having U-shaped profile for the placement of the shock absorber (30) to be filled with gas;
- said resting block (10R) is mounted on the adjustable scissor lift mechanism (35) and said lift mechanism (35) is fitted on the base plate (B);
- said scissor lift mechanism (35) is adjustable in adherence to the size of the shock absorber (30) and said adjustment system is selected from the manual adjustment by rotating the knob from outside the cylindrical body (10) and an electrically operated adjustment by pressing a push button on the cylindrical body (10), lead screw mechanism, hydraulic lift mechanism and pneumatic lift mechanism; and
- the resting block (10R) is mounted on the adjustable scissor lift mechanism (35) in such a way that the said resting block (10R) and the load cell (10L) mounted on the inner surface of the lid (12) and housed inside the top end (10b) of the cylindrical body (10) are concentric and exactly opposite to each other.

3. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the load cell (10L) mounted on the inner surface of the lid (12) is configured to get housed in suspended condition within the cylindrical body (10) at its top end (10b) and is fitted with said lid (12) by a fastening means selected from bolts, screws, rivet and adhesives; and said load cell (10L) is in electric communication with the display unit (40) via a cable (25) through the controller (M).

4. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- the display unit (40) has a controller unit (M) embedded with it and said controller (M) is configured to receive the input from the load cell (10L) through the cable (25) in the form of an electrical signal, process it, and pass on the processed data in the digital form so as to display on the screen (40D) of the display unit (40);
- said controller unit (M) is in wired communication with the screen (40D) of the display unit (40) and is parallelly in communication with the audio output (A) and visual output (V); and
- the display unit (40) along with the controller unit (M), display screen (40D) and audio / visual output means (A, V) is mounted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body (10).

5. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 4, wherein
- the audio/visual output means (A, V) are configured to be at remote location for the convenience of supervision;
- the controller unit (M) is in communication with the audio/visual output means (A, V) through GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) module; and
- the output details gas filling apparatus (100) indicating the gas pressure inside the shock absorber (30) is taken up on compatible remote devices selected from mobile phones, smart watch, and like devices.

6. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the half locator (20) is configured to have half cylindrical profile with an outer peripheral surface (21) and an inner peripheral surface (22);
- said outer peripheral surface (21) of the half locator (20) is configured to have a head portion (20U), a body portion (20M) and a tail portion (20L);
- the head portion (20U) of the half locator (20) is configured to have a radial flange (20F) facilitating to have better grip during placement of the half locator (20) on the piston rod (30R) of the shock absorber;
- the body portion (20M) of the outer periphery (21) of the half locator (20) has a plain surface and it merges with head portion (20U) at its one end and with the tail portion (20L) at its other end; and
- the tail portion (20L) of the half locator (20) merges with the body portion (20M) and is configured to have a taper profiled surface (20C) throughout the outer periphery of the tail portion (20L).
7. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 6, wherein
- the half locator (20) is made up of plastic configured to avoid damage of the upper lip (30DL) of the dust seal (30D) and prevent the scratches on the peripheral surface of the piston rod (30R);
- the taper profile (20C) of the tail portion (20L) of the half locator (20) is configured to make an angle (a) with the body portion (20M) and said angle (a) is in the range of 30 to 45 degrees; and
- the outer diameter of the body portion (20M) is less than the diameter of the radial flange (20F) of the head portion (20U) but greater than the inner diameter of the dust seal (30D).

8. The apparatus (100) for filling gas in shock absorber (30) as claimed in claim 7, wherein
- the inner periphery (22) of the half locator (20) is configured to have at least one axial groove (20G) throughout the axial length of the half locator (20);
- said groove (20G) on the inner periphery of the half locator (20) is configured to form a passage (S) between the inner periphery (22) of the half locator (20) and the piston rod (30R) for the transfer of pressurized gas from cylindrical body (10) of the apparatus (100) to the gas chambers (G1, G2) inside the shock absorber (30); and
- the cross sectional profile of said axial groove (20G) is selected from semi-circular, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular and like symmetric profiles.
9. The method of filling the gas in shock absorber (30) with the apparatus (100) for filling the gas as claimed in claims 5 and 8 comprises a set of sequential steps of
- positioning the half locator (20) on the outer surface of the piston rod (30R) in such a way that the tapered profile (20C) of the tail portion (20L) of the half locator (20) is near to the upper lip (30DL) of the dust seal (30D);
- pressing the half locator (20) down by applying a defined force on the radial flange (20F) of the head portion (20U) so that the tapered profile (20C) of the half locator (20) is slidably inserted in between the upper lip (20DL) of the dust seal (20D) and the outer periphery of the piston rod (30R);
- forming the passage (S) by the groove (20G) on the inner periphery of the half locator (20) between the inner periphery (22) of the half locator (20) and the piston rod (30R) for the transfer of pressurized gas from cylindrical body (10) of the apparatus (100) to the gas chambers (G1, G2) inside the shock absorber (30);
- placing the shock absorber (30) fitted with the half locator (20) inside the cylindrical body (10) on the resting block seat (10R);
- adjusting the height of the said resting block (10R) in adherence to the size of the shock absorber (30) by operating the scissor lift mechanism (35);
- closing the opening (11) of the cylindrical body (10) with the lid (12), flange and washer (W);
- closing the gas outlet (10GO) valve on the cylindrical body (10);
- connecting the gas inlet (10GI) on the lid of the apparatus (100) with the pressurized gas source and setting the gas pressure (15) to be filled in the shock absorber;
- supplying the pressurized gas through the gas inlet (10GI) inside the cylindrical body (10);
- the pressurized gas in the cylindrical body (10) making its way through the grooved passage (S) of the half locator (20) to pass inside the gas chambers (G1, G2) of the shock absorber (30); and
- upward movement of the piston rod (30R) due to the increase in pressure in the gas chamber (G2) followed by impacting of the eyelet bracket (30EB) attached to the top end of piston rod (30R) on the load cell (10L) indicating the complete filling the gas in the shock absorber (30) as per the set pressure (15).

10. The method of filling the gas in shock absorber (30) with the apparatus (100) for filling the gas as claimed in claim 9, wherein
- the said load cell (10L) sending input to the controller unit (M) of the display unit (40) via the cable (25), followed by the controller (M) converting the received electrical input from the load cell (10L) into a digital signal to display the output on the display screen (40D) along with the audio / visual outputs (A, V) indicating the gas filled condition of the shock absorber (30) as per the desired / set gas pressure value;
- closing the gas inlet (10GI) of the gas supply and draining out the excess gas inside the cylindrical body (10) via the gas outlet (10GO) valve;
- opening the lid of the apparatus (100) and taking out the gas filled shock absorber (30) out of the cylindrical body (10); and
- removing the inserted half locator (20) from the piston rod of the shock absorber (30) making the shock absorber (30) ready for use on the two wheeler.

Dated this 29th day of May 2024

Sahastrarashmi Pund
Head – IPR
Endurance Technologies Ltd.

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai.