Spring devices – Vehicle – Comprising compressible fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-04-24
Graham, Matthew C. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Comprising compressible fluid
C074S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220582
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for triggering a gas spring with an actuating device and an actuating member that is operatively connected to the actuating device and directly acts upon a terminal trigger of the gas spring.
Gas springs are known from practice in a great variety of types. Numerous gas springs comprise an integrated valve system, whereby the gas spring is infinitely variable and lockable in any position. In this instance, a piston is sealed against a pressure cylinder, and it separates two gas chambers from each other. When the valve is closed, the gas spring is locked and facilitates a blocking in the desired position. By actuating a trigger, which is usually constructed as a triggering stem, the valve is opened, and the gas spring can be positioned continuously. The extension speed and cushioning can be correspondingly varied by the selection of the nozzle in the piston.
Gas springs of the type under discussion may be used in many ways. Known from practice is the use of such gas springs in desk chairs. It is likewise possible to use gas springs for adjusting automobile seats or for moving solaria. Even desks can be vertically adjusted by gas springs.
The gas springs known from practice require an actuating member which operatively connects to an actuating device and directly acts upon a trigger provided on the end side of the gas spring. For example, in the case of desk chairs actuating members are used which are constructed in the form of simple levers that normally push directly on a trigger in an end region. Such a configuration of the actuating member has the enormous disadvantage that nonetheless substantial forces are required for triggering the gas spring. Added to this is the further disadvantage that the triggering is only difficult to regulate proportionally, so that in the case of considerable triggering forces an adjustment of the gas spring speed is practically not possible.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to design and construct as well as further develop a device for triggering a gas spring in such a manner as to permit a simple and reliable actuation with reduced triggering forces and with an infinitely variable regulation of the extension speed and the extended position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages are achieved by the provision of a device for triggering a gas spring which is designed and constructed such that the actuating member is realized as a force and/or distance reducing or multiplying lever arrangement, and that one of the levers—triggering lever—directly pushes the trigger.
In accordance with the invention it has been recognized to depart from the triggering by means of a simple lever and design and construct instead the actuating member such that a force and/or distance reduction or multiplication is obtained. To this end, a very special lever arrangement is provided, wherein one of the levers—triggering lever—pushes the trigger. In other words, it is possible to regulate with the lever arrangement the actuation of the trigger proportionally, so as to permit a regulation of the gas spring speed on the one hand and of the extended position on the other hand with the smallest possible trigger forces of the gas spring.
In an especially advantageous manner, in particular with respect to especially favorable conditions for reducing or multiplying force and/or distance, the lever arrangement comprises an adjustment mechanism. In concrete terms, the lever arrangement may comprise an eccentric, a cam disk or cam, or a gear, or even a gearing. In any event, it is possible to design and construct the lever arrangement for a force and/or distance reduction or multiplication in any desired manner. What matters primarily is that the trigger forces are reduced.
In concrete terms, the triggering lever could be jointed at its one end for pivotal movement about a stationary axis of rotation. At its other end, it could be connected to a second—connecting lever—for rotation about the end thereof. The connecting lever again could be connected at its other end for rotation to a third lever—actuating lever. This actuating lever could again be jointed at its one end for pivotal movement about a stationary axis of rotation and be operatively connected at its other end with the actuation device. As a whole, within the scope of such a configuration three levers are provided, which favor a reduction of the trigger force at a corresponding ratio of the lever sections of the triggering lever on the one hand and the actuating lever on the other hand. More specifically, it would be possible to predetermine the extent of the force and/or distance reduction or multiplication based on the ratio of the lever sections, namely on the one hand of the triggering lever between the stationary axis of rotation and the trigger as well as between the trigger and the pivotal connection with the connecting lever, and on the other hand of the actuating lever between the stationary axis of rotation and pivotal connection with the connecting lever, as well as between the pivotal connection with the connecting lever and the free end or operative connection with the actuating device.
As regards a concrete arrangement of the actuating member, same may be aligned with the gas spring and arranged in a frame adjacent the trigger. The frame itself could comprise a total of four, in this instance preferably freely extending frame posts for receiving in pairs the stationary axes of rotation.
Furthermore it will be especially advantageous, when the frame is dimensioned such that it is inserted together with the gas spring in a preferably tubular casing. At the free end of the frame, a cover could close the casing, so that the entire casing is closed on the actuation side.
As previously mentioned, the actuating device acts upon the trigger, directly or indirectly, via the actuating member. Within the scope of a first possible configuration, the actuating device could act upon the actuating member electrically, preferably via a miniaturized servomotor or stepping motor. Within the scope of a second possible configuration, the actuating device could act upon the actuating member by induction. According to a third possible configuration, the actuating device could act upon the actuating member via a magnet, such as an electrically operating lifting or printer magnet. Likewise, it would be possible within the scope of a further possible configuration to cause the actuating device to act upon the actuating member hydraulically or pneumatically. Finally, with respect to a particularly simple configuration of the device in accordance with the invention, it will be of advantage, when the actuating device acts upon the actuating member via a cable line or Bowden cable.
Should a Bowden cable be provided, same could be jointed at its end to the actuating lever. When being pulled, the cable could pivot the actuating lever in direction of the trigger, extend through the frame, preferably inside the casing along the gas spring, emerge from the casing at the end opposite to the trigger, and finally extend via guide elements to the actuating device.
For a simple release, the actuating device comprises a lever, knob, or the like. Should a Bowden cable be used, the actuating device could comprise a lever that receives the Bowden cable at its end. In any event, it is easy to engage the actuating member via such a lever, so that complicated constructions are not needed.
There exist various possibilities of improving and further developing the teaching of the present invention. To this end, one may refer to the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction of the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, also generally preferred configurations and further developments of the teaching are explained.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2667788 (1954-02-01), May et al.
patent: 3490294 (1970-01-01), Antrim
patent: 3858457 (1975-01-01), Mathues
Alston & Bird LLP
Graham Matthew C.
Wandschneider Ingeborg
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