Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a gas spring is provided with an emergency exit permitting escape of pressurized gas in the event the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined level or in the event of a dangerously high temperature. The emergency exit includes one or more fluid passages connecting the interior of the gas spring to atmosphere and a cooperating seal member for maintaining the fluid passage or passages closed under normal operating conditions. Upon the occurrence of unduly high pressures or temperatures, a destructible or deformable support for the seal or a fluid passage-bearing member permits relative movement of the seal and the cooperating fluid passage so as to open the fluid passage. As an intermediate step of pressure relief, the structure for mounting the gas spring in its environment of use, e.g. a motor vehicle, may be designed to fail under emergency conditions, e.g., fire, thereby permitting a full extension of the piston rod.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a gas spring is provided with an emergency exit permitting escape of pressurized gas in case of said pressurized gas exceeding a predetermined pressure. The emergency exit is provided by a radial bore through the cylinder. This radial bore is covered under normal conditions by a piston rod seal. This piston rod seal is axially displaceable by said pressurized gas at said predetermined pressure such that the radial bore is opened for escape of pressurized gas.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a cylinder and a piston rod. The piston rod extends through a first end wall of the cylinder in axial direction of the cylinder. A volume of pressurized gas is contained within a cavity defined within the cylinder. The pressurized gas exerts an expelling force onto the piston rod. A sliding tube is slidingly guided on the cylinder. This guiding tube has a bottom wall engageable with a second end wall of the cylinder. The tube is provided with a guiding ring at its end remote from its bottom wall. The guiding ring is slidably guided on the piston rod. A helical compression spring is axially compressable between the first end wall of the cylinder and the guiding ring. One fastening eye is provided at an outer end of the piston rod. A further fastening eye is provided at the bottom wall of the tube.