Control device for a lockable gas spring

Claim 1

Control device for a lockable gas spring having two end comprising a closed enclosure and a movable rod which projects tightly from the said enclosure and which bears a piston which divides the enclosure into two chambers and means for selectively connecting the two chambers, the device comprising a tubular connector which is designed so as to be fixed onto a fixing connector provided at one of the ends of the gas spring, and through which a sliding control finger whose head projects outside the fixing connector passes axially; an actuating lever which includes a wide part flanked by two parts with a smaller cross-section; two diametrically opposed windows provided in the tubular connector, said windows, at least in their section furthest from the gas spring, having a cross-section such that the parts of the said lever with a small cross-section, but not the side part of this lever, can engage therein, at least one of the windows, in its section nearest the gas spring, having a larger cross-section so that the wide part of the lever can pass through; the actuating lever, in its operative position, being mounted in the tubular connector with the two sections with a smaller cross-section engaged in the said windows and the wide part being in contact with the head of the said control finger so as to displace the control finger axially when the said lever pivots in a plane containing the axis of the spring by bearing against an edge of one of the said windows; and means which, after mounting the connector on the gas spring, prevent the said wide part of the said lever from entering the said window section with a larger cross-section.