Abstract: Disclosed is an adjusting device for raising a hinged lid from a lowered, closed position into a raised, open position, especially for a motor vehicle, with a cylinder closed at one end, a piston, which divides the interior space of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, and which is installed with freedom to move axially back and forth in the cylinder, a piston rod, attached to the piston, the rod extending axially through the first working chamber and projecting through a seal to the outside, one or more flow connections connecting the first working chamber to the second working chamber, and a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element, wherein the first and second adjusting elements are designed to telescope into and out of each other and have guide devices, which make it possible to open the hinged lid into a partially opened position or into a completely opened position.

Abstract: An air spring for use with a closure of a vehicle is disclosed. The air spring includes a rod and a tube axially slidable in the rod. The rod may include a housing having tube slots defining flexible arms with rod cam extensions extending therefrom. The rod cam extensions may have an extension rod cam surface that has a smaller angle than a retraction rod cam surface, with a rod peak between the two. The tube may include a tube cam extension having a tube peak with a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod peak. The tube cam extension may include an extension tube cam surface that has a smaller angle than a retraction tube cam surface.

Abstract: An air spring for a vehicle suspension includes a resilient spring body that is partially surrounded by a protective cover. The protective cover protects the resilient spring body from rupturing when used in harsh vehicle conditions. The protective cover is comprised of a rigid or flexible armor material that is resistive to munitions, such as projectiles and razor wire, for example.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first cylinder having a first fluid port and a second cylinder having a second fluid port. A response adjustment mechanism is connected in fluid transmission relation between the first and second fluid ports. The response adjustment mechanism includes three adjustable valves for controlling the operation of the shock absorber. One of the adjustable valves has a stem that is rotatable by a tool during operation. The remaining adjustable valves each have a shaft that is rotatable by a tool during operation. The adjustable valves of the response adjustment mechanism are coaxially positioned so that a first valve is coaxially positioned within a second valve, and the first and second valves are coaxially positioned within a third valve.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly includes a first end member, a piston assembly and a flexible wall extending therebetween. The piston assembly includes a piston body receiving a portion of the flexible wall and a retainment ring for retaining the flexible wall on the piston body. A method of assembly is also included.

Abstract: A gas spring capable of having long and short travel modes is described. The gas spring uses liquid in combination with pressurized air to affect the travel length. Unlike conventional gas springs, the gas spring according to the invention may have its travel reduced more than, for example, by 50%.

Abstract: An integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having a gas spring integrated with a shock absorber (damper) is described. The rigid gas cylinder of the air spring is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. A flow port connects the first and second gas chambers, and can be manually opened or closed by valve and a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the gas spring between two different spring rates. The different spring rates are functions of the separate or combined volumes of the two gas chambers. The integrated suspension assembly is compactly packaged and self-contained, i.e., does not require any externalities, such as gas sources or electricity, to operate.

Abstract: A directional stabilizer ring includes a first or mounting surface and a second or biasing surface that faces away from the first surface and extends at an included angle relative thereto. The second surface is configured to abuttingly engage the flexible wall of a fluid spring assembly and to bias at least a portion thereof in a preferred direction. A fluid spring assembly and a suspension system that utilize such a directional stabilizer ring as well as a method of biasing a flexible wall using such a directional stabilizer ring are also included.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a low-maintenance bladder actuator for a low-profile railroad retarder. The actuator has an internal guide mechanism and internal limit stops. The guide mechanism has a concentric, telescoping guide rod and guide sleeve that are removably bolted to upper and lower plates. An integral cast head forms the upper plate and a stop sleeve that absorbs the cyclical 20,000 pound loads of the actuator. This enables the guide rod to remain concentricly aligned. The guide mechanism has sufficient stroke length (SL) and includes a long internal bushing with a low wear rate. The stop sleeve engages the lower plate to form the lower limit stop. The stop sleeve includes an inwardly extending flange that engages an outwardly extending flange of the guide sleeve to form an upper limit stop. The stop sleeve and guide sleeve form a cam lock connection for easy assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut and air spring combination having a simplified means of attaching and sealing the upper end of the air suspension sleeve around the strut is provided, wherein an inner ring is placed within the upper end of the resilient air spring sleeve, and a cap for attaching the air spring sleeve to the extendable strut rod receiving the inner ring and upper end of the spring sleeve. The cap is subsequently crimped, retaining and sealing the upper end of the air spring sleeve between the inner ring and the cap. The sealed assembled end yields fewer parts for assembly as well as a clear upper outer surface of the cap, decreasing the risk for sources of corrosion to collect.

Abstract: A protective curtain assembly for an associated fluid suspension system of an associated vehicle includes a section of curtain material and a first securement device securing the second of material along at least a portion of the associated suspension system. A suspension system including a protective curtain is also described.

Abstract: A gas spring with a piston rod assembly received for movement between retracted and extended positions in a casing defining a main gas chamber. The piston rod assembly when in its extended position cooperates with a portion of its retainer and the casing to at least in part provide a secondary gas chamber separate from the main gas chamber and having gas trapped therein at a higher pressure than that of gas in the main gas chamber to reduce the force required to initially move the piston rod assembly from its fully extended position toward its retracted position.

Abstract: In a central fastening element for an axially symmetric, vehicle gas spring, which includes a bellows that has central bores or cutouts in the region of its end faces, the fastening element being fixed to the vehicle body, protruding from the surroundings of the attachment point in a direction normal to it, and being encompassed by the bores or cutouts. The fastening element includes a shaped stud or a shaped cap, the maximum outer diameter of the stud or the cap being at least less than one fifth of the maximum outer diameter of the gas-spring bellows. A device may be provided which allows a gas spring to be installed in a simple manner and allows the spring bellows to rotate with respect to the suspension and/or the vehicle body during the initial installation and/or the initial operation.

Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: an elastic body connecting a first and a second mounting member, defining a pressure receiving chamber undergoing pressure fluctuation during input of vibration; an equilibrium chamber defined by a flexible layer for permitting its volume change; an orifice passage connecting the pressure receiving chamber and equilibrium chamber; a movable member; and a short passage for connecting two chambers with a length smaller than that of the orifice passage. When pressure in the pressure-receiving chamber increases, the movable member is displaced or deformed toward to close the equilibrium-chamber-side opening of the short passage to have the short passage substantially closed, while when pressure in the pressure-receiving chamber decreases, the movable member is displaced or deformed to have the short passage operative.

Abstract: A gas spring that has particular advantage in a vehicle safety system which is infrequently used, includes a safety switch to monitor pressure of compressed gas within a cylinder. Should the pressure in the cylinder drop below a predetermined minimum, a switch component moves to break an electric circuit. A control can then determine that the pressure is insufficient and a warning can be actuated.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder device includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder unit, a piston unit, and a control valve. The inner cylinder unit includes an inner cylinder, and a flow passage formation plate disposed between the inner and outer cylinders. The flow passage formation plate cooperates with a groove bottom wall to define a flow passage communicated with first and second air-guiding holes in the groove bottom wall. The first and second air-guiding holes are communicated respectively with first and second chamber parts of an air chamber in the inner cylinder. The control valve is disposed between the first air-guiding hole and the first chamber part.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for a gas spring suspension system that equalizes the gas between positive and negative gas chambers when the pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the pressure in the positive gas chamber. The suspension system includes a tube, a piston assembly slidably displaceable along the tube and a valve mechanism. The piston assembly separates the tube into the positive gas chamber and the negative gas chamber. The valve mechanism is configured to permit gas flow between the positive and negative gas chambers when the gas pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the gas pressure in the positive gas chamber.

Abstract: A gas spring for a pressing tool. A cylindrical chamber is divided by a piston into a first space and a second space. The piston is attached to a piston rod, which is axially moveable in the cylindrical chamber. The gas spring is designed with an opposing force to counteract a movement that is produced by forces acting axially on the piston rod in that the first space and the second space are pressurized with a gas. Passages connect the first space and the second space and permit a flow of gas between the first space and the second space. The passages occupy an area that is greater than 5% of the area of the piston in order to reduce the amount of heat generated in the gas spring. The area of the piston is the difference between the cross-sectional areas of the cylindrical chamber and the piston rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air suspension piston, with the air suspension piston being tube shaped and being made of aluminium. The air suspension piston is formed by a longitudinal-seam welded tube made from an aluminum alloy, and the tube has been longitudinal-seam welded without any weld metal.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring pot has a pot wall and a bottom connected to the pot wall and also an annular flange connected, opposite the bottom, to the pot wall and intended for the fastening of, for example, a pneumatic spring concertina, the annular flange having a smaller diameter than the largest diameter of the pot wall. The bottom, pot wall and annular flange are formed in one piece with one another by sheet metal forming from a sheet part, in such a way that the annular flange is formed from the outer edge region of the sheet bar. Furthermore, a method for producing the pneumatic spring pot is described.

Abstract: A gas spring suspension system that adjusts the spring rate as the travel is adjusted. The suspension system includes a frame, a pressure chamber, a compression piston assembly, an adjustment assembly, a piston tube, and a shaft. The piston tube is operatively connected to the adjustment assembly and the compression piston assembly, and the compression piston assembly is configured to slidably displace along the piston tube to change the pressure in the pressure chamber. The adjustment assembly is associated with the frame and is operable to axially position the piston tube and, in turn the compression piston assembly, relative to the frame to adjust the travel of the suspension system. The shaft is configured to be variably positionable within the pressure chamber in response to axial displacement of the piston tube and the compression piston assembly by the adjustment assembly, the variable positioning of the shaft within the pressure chamber changing the pressure therein.

Abstract: A quick change shock absorber for providing for the quick and easy removal of a shock absorber from a fixture of an industrial machine. The quick change shock absorber provides a housing having a smooth, outer bore and a blind bore adaptable to hold a fluid. A piston is slidably disposed within the bore of the housing and is engageable with a driver for movement between an extended position, wherein the piston has a portion extending outwardly from the housing, and a retracted position, wherein the piston is disposed within the housing. The outer periphery is receivable by the fixture which has a bore for complementarily receiving the outer periphery of the housing. A rubber retaining ring seated within a recess of the housing of the shock absorber creates a level of friction between the outer periphery of the housing and the fixture that constitutes a snug fit for quick change removal and replacement of the housing from the fixture.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a compact and lightweight hybrid pneumatic-magnetic isolator-actuator capable of large force, substantial stroke and bandwidth actuation with near frictionless operation and vibration isolation with very low break frequency. Pneumatic and magnetic forces are applied to a single carriage comprised primarily of a coaxially arranged air piston and coil. The carriage is driven relative to a frame or housing including an internally mounted cylindrical piston sleeve and magnetic actuator body. A combination of air bearings and air bearing piston construction provide for frictionless motion of the carriage relative to the frame. The pneumatic piston provides the actuation force for both static loads and low frequency dynamic loads. An integrally mounted sensor and control unit determine the pressure error resulting at the pneumatic piston.

Abstract: A gas spring has a cylinder body, a rod member internally slidably fitted in the cylinder body, and a gas chamber which is formed inside the cylinder body and filled with compressed gas. The seal members for sealing between the cylinder body and the rod member are disposed at both sides of the gas chamber, while ring members for partitioning the gas chamber are disposed at the end portions of the gas chamber close to the seal members, and accordingly, annular grease chambers for grease between the seal member and the ring member are formed, and it is possible to prevent grease shortage by the grease in the grease chambers.

Abstract: High frequency shock absorber/accelerator built in at any or both end of conventional air cylinder that includes piston moving axially inside cylinder body and sealed against inner surface of body by sealing structure. Cylinder piston rod protrudes outside thru cylinder front-end block Shock absorber/accelerator comprises piston with sealing structures moving axially in inner chamber, which communicates with outer chamber thru aperture(s). Air cylinder piston meets the protruded rod of the shock absorber/accelerator piston and starts to move it thus pushing volume of compressed air through provided aperture from inner chamber to outer chamber. Piston sealing structures seal air coming through the aperture thereby isolating compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. Compressed air coming through the open venting valve forces pistons to move in opposite direction.

Abstract: A suspension strut (10) for a vehicle including a compressible fluid (20), a hydraulic tube (22,22?) and displacement rod (24) adapted to cooperate with the compressible fluid (20) to supply a suspending spring force that biases the wheel toward the surface, a cavity piston (26,26?) separating the inner cavity (30) into a first section (32) and a second section (34) and defining a first orifice (36) adapted to allow flow of the compressible fluid (20) between the first section (32) and the second section (34) of the inner cavity (30), and a first variable restrictor (28) adapted to variably restrict the passage of the compressible fluid (20) through the first orifice (36) based on the velocity of the cavity piston (26,26?) to the hydraulic tube (22,22?).

Abstract: A quick change shock absorber for providing the quick and easy removal of a shock absorber from a fixture of an industrial machine. The quick change shock absorber provides a housing having a bore adaptable to hold a fluid therein. A piston is slidably disposed within the bore of the housing and is engageable with a driver for movement between an extended position, wherein the piston has a portion extending outwardly from the housing, and a retracted position, wherein the piston is disposed within the housing. A connecting member extends from the housing and is engageable with a fixture having a bore therein for releasably connecting and locating the housing to the fixture.

Abstract: A damper includes a cylinder, and a piston rod inserted into the cylinder through an opening portion of the cylinder. The piston rod includes front and base ends, and a frictional engaging member provided on an outer surface along a longitudinal direction thereof extending from a front end side toward the base end. A resistance device is disposed at the opening portion of the cylinder. The resistance device contacts the frictional engaging member and deforms elastically to provide frictional resistance to the piston rod as the piston rod is withdrawn from the cylinder.

Abstract: A column unit includes a fixed upright tube with a bottom upright-tube end and a top upright-tube end and a telescopic tube axially displaceably guided in the upright tube. A cylinder of a pneumatic spring is axially displaceably guided in the telescopic tube. A piston rod projecting out of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring has a free end fastened on the upright tube proximate the bottom upright-tube end. A carry-along stop of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring allows the telescopic tube to be carried along out of the upright tube when the pneumatic spring is moved axially. A securing element limits an axial movement of the telescopic tube out of the upright tube. The securing element is arranged on the upright tube and abuts the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the telescopic tube with radially inwardly directed resilient prestressing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a damping device for damping the kinetic energy of movable cabinet components, which has a first damping element with a first cylinder that has a first piston, which slides lengthwise in it, and at least one more (second) damping element with a second cylinder that has a second piston, which slides lengthwise in it. Both damping elements are located one behind the other in a serial arrangement and form an integral system. The invention is characterized by the fact that each of the two damping elements are each designed as pneumatic (air) dampers, and a compression chamber and an expansion chamber respectively contain variable volumes; whereby, the damping effects of the damping elements are affected by the guide canals, which control the air distribution and air flow within and between the compression chambers and/or expansion chambers.

Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.

Abstract: An air spring (1) has a cylindrical flexible sleeve (2) secured at each end to form a fluid chamber (14). One end (6) of the sleeve (2) is secured to a retainer (8). The retainer (8) has a ribbed reinforcement structure (16) which allows the air spring (1) to be directly mounted to a moveable part of a vehicle or other machinery. The retainer (8) has an extending mounting structure (13) on one side of the reinforcement structure (16) and a bead-seating surface (12) adjacent to the reinforcement structure (16).

Abstract: Pneumatic spring with at least one control valve inside the pneumatic spring with control positions for feeding, blocking, and discharging compressed air, which valve is actuated by a control element also installed inside the pneumatic valve. The control element acts on one of the two pneumatic spring assemblies which can move relative to each other, namely, either on the outer tube or on the roll tube, where the control element has a working length which is shorter than the stroke length of the pneumatic spring and is pretensioned by a first spring against one of the pneumatic spring assemblies which can move relative to each other. The control element is supported in a floating manner relative to the pneumatic spring assemblies, and a second spring, the force of which is directed against the first spring, co-determines the position of the control element.

Abstract: A unitized seal for use in a gas spring seal assembly. The unitized seal includes a rigid thermoplastic insert having an elastomeric sealing layer surrounding the insert and bonded to the insert. The insert provides rigidity to the seal and includes a central, axial opening that receives and guides a rod slidably engaged with the insert. The sealing layer engages the interior surface of the gas spring cylinder to prevent the pressurized gas contained within the gas spring from escaping around the seal. The sealing layer also includes a central, axial opening aligned with the passage in the insert that slidably engages the rod and further prevent gas from escaping the gas spring cylinder. The unitized seal may be formed in a single or two-step process. In the single step process, the insert and sealing layer are formed by injection molding processes in a single mold and are bonded to one another by a subsequent covulcanization process.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprising a damper having a lower mount end and an upper mount end and a spring having a lower end and an upper end positioned around the damper. The spring and the damper have a common central axis. An adjustment assembly is operably attached at the lower mount end of the damper and the lower end of the spring is operably attached to and supported by the adjustment assembly thereby allowing the position of the lower end of the spring to continuously vary along the central axis of the damper. The method comprising supporting a lower end of a spring positioned around a damper and moving the end of the spring for adjusting vehicle ride height.

Abstract: High frequency shock absorber/accelerator built in at any or both end of conventional air cylinder that includes piston moving axially inside cylinder body and sealed against inner surface of body by sealing structure. Cylinder piston rod protrudes outside thru cylinder front-end block Shock absorber/accelerator comprises piston with sealing structures moving axially in inner chamber, which communicates with outer chamber thru aperture(s). Air cylinder piston meets the protruded rod of the shock absorber/accelerator piston and starts to move it thus pushing volume of compressed air through provided aperture from inner chamber to outer chamber. Piston sealing structures seal air coming through the aperture thereby isolating compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. Compressed air coming through the open venting valve forces pistons to move in opposite direction.

Abstract: A machine spindle includes a rotatable casing in which a clamping device is mounted. The clamping device includes a drawbar for securing a cutting tool. The drawbar is axially displaced by a gas spring which includes a chamber in which a lubricant-containing gas medium is confined. A piston includes a head slidable within a cylindrical upper portion of the chamber, and a rod extending through a lower portion of the chamber and connected to the drawbar. The lower portion of the chamber is non-cylindrical and widens upwardly to promote the upward travel of lubricant toward the piston and upper seals under the effects of centrifugal force during rotation of the spindle.

Abstract: A double liner gas cylinder with a straight-walled internal gas cylinder, housed inside a longer tube with an extend area housing outer bushing held in position by an outer tube.

Abstract: A machine tool main spindle balancer wherein the annular sealing members of a gas spring that supports the main spindle unit to reduce the load of an elevating mechanism are easily replaceable. A gas spring of a machine tool main spindle balancer comprises a cylinder body, which is filled with a compressed gas, a rod that extends downward from the inside of cylinder body, a head-side end wall member of cylinder body having a filling valve, a sleeve member forming a circumferential wall around a rod insertion hole mounted hermetically and detachably on a rod-side end wall member, and annular sealing members and mounted on said sleeve member, so that annular sealing members can be replaced easily by discharging the compressed gas, and removing only sleeve member while holding rod on head-side end wall member.

Abstract: A novel type of customizing kit for a vehicle air suspension system, comprising an additional air spring volume with a connecting line which can be connected to a vehicle main air spring volume, and with a switching device for selective connection or disconnection of the additional air spring volume. The switching device is arranged in the area of the connecting line and is designed such that when it is in an open position, it releases the cross section of the connecting line virtually completely for flow to pass through in both directions and when it is in a closed position, reduces the cross section to a specific residual opening cross section, such that this results in effective closure of the connecting line by use of a Helmholtz effect in a specific region of an excitation frequency of the oscillating air volume.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle has an upper control arm and an associated lower control arm for mounting a wheel on the vehicle body. A hydro-pneumatic spring is connected between one of the control arms and the vehicle body. A compensating spring is associated with the hydro-pneumatic spring and is operable to act in opposition to the force exerted by the hydro-pneumatic spring as the hydro-pneumatic spring approaches full extension.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounting system for a drawer slide system comprising a fixed drawer slide member fixedly attached to a furniture frame, a moveable drawer slide fixedly attached to a drawer and slideably attached to the fixed slide member for guiding the drawer in and out of a furniture frame, a shock absorber comprising a cylinder and a piston wherein the piston is operable to slide in and out of the cylinder and wherein air is controllably allowed to enter or escape the cylinder in response to movement of the piston, a retainer clip comprising a central aperture for receiving and retaining the shock absorber and a base portion comprising means for engaging a mounting bracket, and a mounting bracket comprising means for retaining the retainer clip and shock absorber and wherein the mounting bracket is fixedly attached to the fixed drawer slide.

Abstract: A front suspension device includes an inner tube fixedly connected to the crown portion of the front fork and movably inserted in an outer tube. A valve member is received in the inner tube and connected to a sleeve which extends from the inner tube and an adjusting member is connected to the sleeve and the outer tube. An end cap is fixed to the first end of the inner tube and connected to a hollow tube which is mounted by a ring member engaged with an inner periphery of the inner tube. A spring is mounted to the hollow tube. A core is movably received in the hollow tube and has a first end connected to an adjusting switch. A head is connected to the second end of the core and movably seals paths defined through the ring member. The spring is not compressed when the paths are sealed by the head. When a large pressure is applied to the head, the ring member is moved upward to compress the spring to re-activate the suspension device.

Abstract: An air spring strut is mounted between a chassis of a motor vehicle and a wheel support of a wheel suspension and takes up wheel transverse forces. The air spring strut includes: an air spring including an outer hollow cylinder (8) and an inner hollow cylinder (9). A piston is arranged within the inner hollow cylinder (9) and is connected to the outer hollow cylinder (8). A first rolling-lobe resilient member (10) is arranged between the outer hollow cylinder (8) and the inner hollow cylinder (9) so as to seal off an outer air chamber. A second rolling-lobe resilient member (11) is arranged between the inner hollow cylinder (9) and the piston (2) so as to seal off an inner air chamber (7). The inner hollow cylinder (9) is articulately connected to the wheel support (3). The inner hollow cylinder (9) and the outer hollow cylinder (8) are arranged eccentrically to each other.

Abstract: A column unit includes a fixed upright tube with a bottom upright-tube end and a top upright-tube end and a telescopic tube axially displaceably guided in the upright tube. A cylinder of a pneumatic spring is axially displaceably guided in the telescopic tube. A piston rod projecting out of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring has a free end fastened on the upright tube proximate the bottom upright-tube end. A carry-along stop of the cylinder of the pneumatic spring allows the telescopic tube to be carried along out of the upright tube when the pneumatic spring is moved axially. A securing element limits an axial movement of the telescopic tube out of the upright tube. The securing element is arranged on the upright tube and abuts the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the telescopic tube with radially inwardly directed resilient prestressing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an airspring having an airsleeve comprising an elastomeric liner; a reinforcing layer overlaying the liner; and a colorable elastomeric cover overlaying the reinforcing layer; the cover comprising: 100 parts by weight of elastomer comprising from about 30 to about 50 parts by weight of natural rubber, from about 10 to about 30 parts by weight of polybutadiene, and from about 30 to about 50 parts by weight of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM); from about 20 to about 60 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of silica; and from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of an organosilane polysulfide.

Abstract: A gas spring provides a first chamber that communicates with a piston rod chamber of a hollow piston rod through an internal aperture. A second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a piston mounted to the piston rod. The piston moves within the gas spring body to vary the volume of the first chamber and the second chamber such that the gas spring operates as a counterbalance. A relatively greater volume of gas may be contained within the gas spring as compared to a conventional gas spring which includes a solid rod, as the first chamber and the piston rod chamber operate as a single relatively larger chamber through communication through the internal aperture.

Abstract: A grease filling chamber to be filled with grease for a seal member which seals compressed gas can be easily formed in order to prevent grease shortage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a damping device for damping the kinetic energy of movable cabinet components, which has a first damping element with a first cylinder that has a first piston, which slides lengthwise in it, and at least one more (second) damping element with a second cylinder that has a second piston, which slides lengthwise in it. Both damping elements are located one behind the other in a serial arrangement and form an integral system. The invention is characterized by the fact that each of the two damping elements are each designed as pneumatic (air) dampers, and a compression chamber and an expansion chamber respectively contain variable volumes; whereby, the damping effects of the damping elements are affected by the guide canals, which control the air distribution and air flow within and between the compression chambers and/or expansion chambers.

Abstract: A gas spring (7) comprises a cylinder main body (20); a rod member (21) slidable to cylinder main body; a gas filled chamber (23) filled with compressed gas and urging the rod member in a first direction; a rod inserting hole (32) inserting the rod member (21); an annular collar (24) slidable on the rod member at a position apart from the rod inserting hole in the second direction opposite to the first direction; an annular groove (24a) on the annular collar which is open toward the second direction; and a lock ring (26) engaging with an annular ring mounting groove (25) on the rod member (21). In assembling, the lock ring (26) is moved in the first direction together with the rod member, to thus engage with the annular groove (24a) on the annular collar, so that the annular collar for stopping the rod member and the lock ring is stopped by an end wall of the cylinder main body.