Suspa Gmbh

Ryan T Anderson

Glen R Wilkinson, Iii

D Stuart Atwater

Rainer Knapp

Kevin Thomas Braat

Kevin T Braat

Tyler S Hernden

Paul N Wise

Troy A Waterman

Dennis R Baker

A temperature compensating valve assembly is provided that includes a bimetallic spring that deforms from a closed position to an open position in response to temperature, and a single-piece valve body having an aperture therethrough and having an open end for receiving the bimetallic spring. The single-piece valve body includes integral retainers for retaining the bimetallic spring in the open end in a location such that the aperture is blocked by the bimetallic spring when in the closed position and is not blocked by the bimetallic spring when in the open position.

Temperature compensating valve for gas springs

A fluid strut includes a frangible locking member including a generally cylindrical locking pin mounted to an outer cylindrical housing of the strut and extending radially inwardly toward a gas spring cylinder. The locking pin is movable between operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position, the spring-loaded frangible locking pin extends into engagement with the gas cylinder and can advance radially to a locking position once the outer housing extends beyond the location of the gas cylinder. In an inoperative position, the locking pin is held in a retracted position. The end of the locking pin has a reduced diameter, such that, if a purposeful force is placed upon the strut when in a locked position, the pin can shear, allowing the rod to be retracted within the cylinder and the closure member to be closed without damage.

Lockable fluid strut with frangible lock

A spring assist raising assembly includes a pivot pin with a noncircular cross section which is mounted to either a pivoted panel, such as a tailgate, or a stationary member, such as a vehicle body adjacent the tailgate. A spring-loaded rotatable socket is rotatably mounted to the other of the panel or member section and is keyed to receive the pivot pin and rotate with the rotation of the tailgate by such interconnection. The socket is coupled to a spiral torsion spring, in one embodiment of the invention, such that, as the panel or tailgate is lowered, the spiral torsion spring is loaded to provide a restorative force for assisting in the raising of the panel or tailgate.

Tailgate spring assist assembly

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Ryan T Anderson