Abstract: A gas spring assembly is used to control movement of a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a rod and piston that are received within a tube or cylinder. A first rod end is coupled to the piston to move the piston back and forth within the cylinder. A second rod end is mounted to one of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The cylinder is mounted to the other of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a resilient cover that covers the rod and cylinder and extends from the second rod end to a distal cylinder end. The resilient cover extends and retracts with rod movement and is sealed at each end of the resilient cover to provide a completely sealed gas spring assembly.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly is used to control movement of a vehicle body panel. The gas spring assembly includes a magnetic collar that allows an end user to position an intermediate stop position at a desired location. The magnetic collar is externally supported on a tube of the gas spring assembly. The end user selectively adjusts the intermediate stop position by moving the magnetic collar relative to the tube. The gas spring assembly includes a piston that is received within the tube and connected to a rod. The rod moves relative to the tube between a fully extended position and a fully compressed position. The magnetic collar includes a magnet that cooperates with the piston assembly to stop and hold the vehicle body panel at the intermediate stop position as the rod moves from the fully compressed position toward the fully extended position.

Abstract: An example valve for controlling airflow to an engine includes an actuator with an actuator arm that moves between extended and retracted positions, and a valve housing defining an airflow passage extending between a first housing opening and a second housing opening. The airflow passage has an axis X. The example valve also includes at least one finger within the valve housing. Movement of the actuator arm causes radial movement of the finger relative to the axis X, and the finger moves between a position that provides a restricted flow of air through the airflow passage, and a position that provides a greater flow of air through the airflow passage.

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 temperature responsive valve assembly for a gas spring includes a valve body, a seal, a bi-metal valve and a locking member. The valve body includes a flexible radial member defined along the outer periphery of the valve body. Each radial member includes a radially inward extending tab which engages the outer diameter of the locking member. The construction allows the temperature responsive valve assembly to be essentially “snapped” together. The locking member further includes axial spring feet which provide axial pressure upon the bi-metal valve to maintain engagement with the valve seat.

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 temperature responsive valve assembly for a gas spring includes a valve body, a seal, a bi-metal valve and a locking member. The valve body includes a flexible radial member defined along the outer periphery of the valve body. Each radial member includes a radially inward extending tab which engages the outer diameter of the locking member. The construction allows the temperature responsive valve assembly to be essentially “snapped” together. The locking member further includes axial spring feet which provide axial pressure upon the bi-metal valve to maintain engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A one-piece drive gear including an enlarged bearing part and a forward gear end is journaled directly in the sleeve and held axially between a retaining ring engaging the rear of the enlarged bearing part and a ball engaging the forward gear end. A one-piece driven gear is journaled solely in a cap which is press fit in the head bore The driven gear is engaged and driven by the drive gear. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube and a lower gear part. The gear part of the driven gear rests on the ball, and is restrained from axial movement by the cap and the ball, which forms a thrust bearing for the driven gear. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.