Abstract: The invention provides an operating control 28, comprising: a braking body 26 which is adjustable between a braking position, in which the braking body 26 is brought into frictional contact with a braking surface U, and a release position, in which the braking body 26 is pulled back from the braking surface U, a load input portion 22, which is set up to receive a loading force from a user, and a load trigger mechanism 42, 46 which converts a loading force acting on the load input portion 22 into an adjustment movement of the braking body 26 from the release position into the braking position.

Abstract: The invention provides an operating control 28, comprising: a braking body 26 which is adjustable between a braking position, in which the braking body 26 is brought into frictional contact with a braking surface U, and a release position, in which the braking body 26 is pulled back from the braking surface U, a load input portion 22, which is set up to receive a loading force from a user, and a load trigger mechanism 42, 46 which converts a loading force acting on the load input portion 22 into an adjustment movement of the braking body 26 from the release position into the braking position.

Abstract: A support column with a vertical tube has a coaxially installed gas spring including a cylinder divided by a piston into first and second working chambers. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber in a sealed manner to the outside, where it is attached to a bottom support piece of the vertical tube. The cylinder projects out of the vertical tube and is guided with freedom to slide back and forth in a guide sleeve installed in the end of the vertical tube opposite the bottom support piece. A connection between the first and second working chambers can be blocked by a manually actuatable valve. A second valve between the chambers, which is closed when the gas spring is under load, can be switched to the open position after the load on the gas spring has been absent for a certain period of time.

Abstract: A support column with a vertical tube has a coaxially installed gas spring including a cylinder divided by a piston into first and second working chambers. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber in a sealed manner to the outside, where it is attached to a bottom support piece of the vertical tube. The cylinder projects out of the vertical tube and is guided with freedom to slide back and forth in a guide sleeve installed in the end of the vertical tube opposite the bottom support piece. A connection between the first and second working chambers can be blocked by a manually actuatable valve. A second valve between the chambers, which is closed when the gas spring is under load, can be switched to the open position after the load on the gas spring has been absent for a certain period of time.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit, in particular a gas spring, includes a valve device for the operational motion of a piston rod. The valve device is activatable by an activation device, the activation device being connected near an actuation device and being connected to a load contact device, which influences the function of the valve device. The load contact device connects the actuation device to the valve device for the purpose of changing the adjustability of the valve device when the gas spring is loaded.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit, in particular a gas spring, includes a valve device for the operational motion of a piston rod. The valve device is activatable by an activation device, the activation device being connected near an actuation device and being connected to a load contact device, which influences the function of the valve device. The load contact device connects the actuation device to the valve device for the purpose of changing the adjustability of the valve device when the gas spring is loaded.

Abstract: A height-adjustable column has a stationary tube that receives a height-changing mechanism, such as a pneumatic spring having a cylinder and a rod that are axially movable with respect to one another. A transmitting mechanism includes a movable member that is operatively associated with the rod and is movable in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the cylinder upon extension of the pneumatic spring when the pneumatic spring is in a predetermined lift zone.