Appeal 2007-1793
Application 10/911,196
having a lower end positioned in said internal chamber
and an upper end axially positioned outwardly of said top
end,
a guide member positioned in said internal
chamber and secured to said spring rod so as to at least
partially support said spring rod for reciprocation axially
in said housing between retracted and extended positions
relative thereto, and
a locking arrangement designed to releasably lock
said spring rod to inhibit or prevent axial movement of
said spring rod, at least a portion of said locking
arrangement positioned outwardly of said top end of said
housing, said locking arrangement including a locking
sleeve that comprises a one piece upper section, a lower
section and a cavity axially positioned in said upper and
lower sections, said cavity of said locking sleeve having
a shape and size that enables at least a portion of said
spring rod to move in said lower section of said locking
sleeve, said lower section of said locking sleeve
including a plurality of movable legs designed to
movably engage at least a portion of said spring rod to at
least partially inhibit or prevent axial movement of said
spring rod.
43. A method of releasably locking a spring rod of a
spring system comprising:
providing a housing having a longitudinal axis and
an internal chamber that includes axially opposite bottom
and top ends;
providing a spring rod coaxial that is positioned at
least partially in said internal chamber of said housing,
said spring rod having a lower end positioned in said
internal chamber and an upper end positioned outwardly
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