Patent ID: 6234461
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
An adjustable length gas spring comprisinga housing (1), which has a central longitudinal axis (2) and an inside wall (9) and which is filled with pressurized gas and closed in a gas tight manner;a piston rod (7) extended out of the housing (1) concentrically of the central longitudinal axis (2);a piston (6), which is mounted on the piston rod (7) and displaceable in the housing (1), and which divides the housing (1) into a first partial volume (11) and a second partial volume (12), the piston rod (7) passing through the first partial volume (11) and emerging at a first end of the housing (1); anda valve (14) at a second end of the housing (1) for connecting the partial volumes (11, 12) with each other when opened and causing a springiness when closed and dividing the first and second partial volumes from each other;wherein a device (30, 30', 30"" and 30'41 ) for closing the valve (14) is disposed in the second partial volume (12), closing the valve (14) when a predetermined minimum length (a) of the second partial volume (12) is reached by displacement of the piston (6);wherein the device (30, 30', 30"" and 30'41 ) comprises a sealing member which bears elastically tightly against the valve (14) when the predetermined minimum length (a) of the second partial volume (12) is reached and which defines a passageway (35) between the inside wall (9) and the sealing member;wherein the device (30, 30', 30"" and 30'41 ) comprises a soft spring (33, 40, 43) with the sealing member with a seal (37, 4146) which takes its bearing on a sealing face (38) of the valve (14) with a force which is only sufficient to provide a sealing effect between the sealing member and the sealing face (38) but does not substantially influence the springiness even if the valve (14) is opened.