Abstract: A socket assembly for a ball and socket coupling comprises a socket body having a ball-receiving socket which includes a cylindrical portion. A pair of slots extend through the socket body and open into the cylindrical portion at locations diametrically opposite each other and outwardlyfrom the seated position of the ball. Each slot has a flat surface which generally faces the seated position of the ball and converges inwardly toward the axis of the cylindrical portion of the socket, thus to lie obliquely to the axis of the cylindrical portion. A generally C-shaped spring clip wraps around the socket body. The clip has opposed end portions which extend through the slots and part way into the socket far enough to engage the neck of the ball component. The end portions of the clip are oriented generally obliquely to the axis of the socket.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises an annular oil cushion seal near the main seal end of the cylinder which defines an oil cushion chamber with the main seal. A flow-restricting passage through the oil cushion seal permits controlled flow of gas and oil from the rod chamber to the oil cushion chamber to provide a second phase of damping as the rod nears the fully extended position and bypass communication from the tube chamber to the rod chamber is via the damping passage in the oil cushion seal and the main damping passage which bypasses the piston, which passages are in series at the end of the operating stroke. The second stage of damping essentially eliminates oscillation of the gas spring at the end of the operating stroke.

Abstract: A socket assembly for a ball and socket coupling comprises a socket body having a ball-receiving socket which includes a cylindrical portion. A pair of slots extend through the socket body and open into the cylindrical portion at locations diametrically opposite each other and outwardlyfrom the seated position of the ball. Each slot has a flat surface which generally faces the seated position of the ball and converges inwardly toward the axis of the cylindrical portion of the socket, thus to lie obliquely to the axis of the cylindrical portion. A generally C-shaped spring clip wraps around the socket body. The clip has opposed end portions which extend through the slots and part way into the socket far enough to engage the neck of the ball component. The end portions of the clip are oriented generally obliquely to the axis of the socket.