Patent ID: 7891643

Claim:
A multiple stop gas compression spring for use in combination with a vehicle liftgate, the multiple stop gas compression spring comprising: a gas compression strut assembly comprising: a gas chamber configured to provide a repulsive force; and an extension rod slidably disposed at least partially within the gas chamber and configured to receive the repulsive force; an indicator visible to a user on a lower casing, the indicator informing a user one of a plurality of predetermined settings indicative of the length to which the extension rod is extended by the repulsive force within the gas chamber, and further indicative of a specific height to which the vehicle liftgate is opened; a selection handle, the selection handle being grasped by a user and matched to the indicator and visible to the user on the lower casing; a strut override assembly, the strut override assembly providing the user with an ability to override any earlier setting chosen on the indicator sleeve, as identified the indicator, and thus open the vehicle liftgate to a greater height than that which the multiple stop gas compression spring was originally set; an override sleeve, the override sleeve being substantially cylindrical and being disposed about a lower casing of the multiple stop gas compression spring; a plurality of spring pins; a plurality of pin holes located on the override sleeve and in which the plurality of spring pins are disposed while the multiple stop gas compression spring is at a non-override static position; a plurality of pin retaining springs, the plurality of spring pins and the plurality of pin retaining springs providing the tension between the override sleeve and the lower casing of the multiple stop gas compression spring; an override attachment collar, the override attachment collar disposed about the extension rod and providing a stop for the override sleeve on the extension rod; and wherein the multiple stop gas compression spring is configured to selectively adjust to a desired height to which the vehicle liftgate opens.