Patent ID: 7350628

Claim:
A spring system comprising a housing having an axis and an internal chamber that includes axially opposite bottom and top ends, a spring rod coaxial with said axis and at least partially positioned within said internal chamber and having a lower end positioned in said internal chamber and an upper end axially positioned outwardly of said top end, a guide member positioned in said internal chamber and secured to said spring rod so as to at least partially support said spring rod for reciprocation axially in said housing between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, and a locking arrangement designed to releasably lock said spring rod to inhibit or prevent axial movement of said spring rod, at least a portion of said locking arrangement positioned outwardly of said top end of said housing, said locking arrangement including a locking sleeve that comprises a one piece upper section, a lower section and a cavity axially positioned in said upper and lower sections, said cavity of said locking sleeve having a shape and size that enables at least a portion of said spring rod to move in said lower section of said locking sleeve, said lower section of said locking sleeve including a plurality of movable legs designed to movably engage at least a portion of said spring rod to at least partially inhibit or prevent axial movement of said spring rod.