US3828651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Column of adjustable length
Assignee: Stabilus Industrie und Handels GmbH
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Filing: 1972-09-27
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1992-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A column of adjustable length for use as a table leg or the like having a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder, a hollow piston rod attached to the piston and axially projecting from the cylinder, and an operating rod axially slidable in the piston rod with ample clearance for operating a first valve which connects the two cylinder compartments on opposite axial sides of the piston is additionally equipped with a second valve which connects one of the compartments with the atmosphere through the clearance space in the piston rod when the operating rod is displaced axially beyond the distance required for operating the first valve.
Inventors
- 👤 N Dorner
- 👤 H Freitag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/02; F16F9/0209; F16F9/0245; A; A47; A47B; A47B9/00; A47B9/10; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/20; A47C3/30; F16F9/32; F16F9/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
In a column of adjustable height including a cylinder member having an axis and defining a cavity normally sealed from an ambient atmosphere, a piston member axially movable in said cavity and axially dividing the same into a first and a second compartment, a piston rod attached to said piston member and extending therefrom axially through said first compartment and outward of said cavity in sealing engagement with said cylinder member, said piston rod being formed with an axially elongated bore having an orifice axially directed to the ambient atmosphere in the portion of said piston rod outside said cavity, an operating member axially movable in said bore inward and outward of said orifice, and first valve means connected to said operating member for movement by said operating member between respective positions in which said valve means connects said compartments and seals the compartments from each other when said operating member moves in said bore between first and second axial positions thereof, the improvement which comprises: second valve means operatively interposed between one of said compartments and said atmosphere, said operating member and said second valve means being operatively connected for opening said second valve means when said operating member moves axially in said bore from said second position away from said first position to a third axial posItion and for thereby opening said one compartment to the atmosphere, and for closing said second valve means when said operating member moves from said third position to the second position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
In a column of adjustable height including a cylinder member having an axis and defining a cavity normally sealed from an ambient atmosphere, a piston member axially movable in said cavity and axially dividing the same into a first and a second compartment, a piston rod attached to said piston member and extending therefrom axially through said first compartment and outward of said cavity in sealing engagement with said cylinder member, said piston rod being formed with an axially elongated bore having an orifice axially directed to the ambient atmosphere in the portion of said piston rod outside said cavity, an operating member axially movable in said bore inward and outward of said orifice, and first valve means connected to said operating member for movement by said operating member between respective positions in which said valve means connects said compartments and seals the compartments from each other when said operating member moves in said bore between first and second axial positions thereof, the improvement which comprises: second valve means operatively interposed between one of said compartments and said atmosphere, said operating member and said second valve means being operatively connected for opening said second valve means when said operating member moves axially in said bore from said second position away from said first position to a third axial posItion and for thereby opening said one compartment to the atmosphere, and for closing said second valve means when said operating member moves from said third position to the second position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a column as set forth in claim 1, said first valve means being closed when said operating member is in said first position thereof, and being open when said operating member is in said second position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a column as set forth in claim 2, releasable blocking means for normally blocking movement of said operating member from said second into said third position thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a column as set forth in claim 3, said blocking means including two cooperating abutments, normally fastened to said operating member and to said piston rod respectively, one of said abutments being releasably fastened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a column as set forth in claim 2, said first and second valve means including respective first and second valve members secured to said operating member for axial movement therewith, and respective first and second valve seats fixedly secured to said piston rod, said first and second valve members being axially offset relative to each other, and said first and second valve seats being axially spaced from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a column as set forth in claim 5, said valve seats axially defining therebetween a chamber, said first valve means being operatively interposed between said chamber and said second compartment, and said second valve means being operatively interposed between said chamber and said orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a column as set forth in claim 6, said chamber permanently communicating with said first compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a column as set forth in claim 5, said second valve member being of generally cylindrical shape, and said second valve seat being annular and coaxially receiving said second valve member therein in the closed position of the second valve means, the second valve member being formed with a recess therein of sufficient axial length to bridge said second valve seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a column as set forth in claim 8, said recess having two bore portions extending radially in said second valve member and being axially spaced, and an axial portion connecting said bore portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a column as set forth in claim 8, said recess extending through said second valve member obliquely to the axis of said second valve member so as to have two axially offset orifices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a column as set forth in claim 2, yieldable resilient means biasing said operating member toward said first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a column as set forth in claim 2, a gas under a pressure substantially higher than atmospheric pressure filling a portion of one of said compartments axially remote from said piston member, the remainder of said one compartment and the other one of said compartments being substantially completely filled by a liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a column as set forth in claim 2, said operating member moving from said first toward said second and third positions thereof in a direction inward of said orifice.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |