International Gas Springs
About International Gas Springs Gas Springs and End Fittings Order Gas Springs Gas Springs Technical Information Contact International Gas Springs
 
Locking Gas Springs
Locking Gas Springs

A locking gas spring incorporates a mechanism to enable the rod to be locked at any point in its travel. This mechanism is actuated by a plunger that protrudes from the rod. When this plunger is depressed the rod is free to operate as normal. When the plunger is released, which may be at any point in the stroke, the rod is locked in that position.

IGS offers three types of locking gas springs, which have the following characteristics when locked:

Flexible good resistance to rod being pushed or pulled
Rigid in tension Rigid when rod is being pulled, high resistance to rod being pushed
Rigid in compression High resistance to rod being pulled, rigid when rod is being pushed

All three types of locking springs have the same locking mechanism.

This locking mechanism operates when the plunger rod is depressed by opening a valve in the piston. When the plunger rod is released the valve closes and the passage of oil or gas is prevented, locking the piston in that position.
Release valve: Both flexible and rigid in tension gas springs can be supplied with a release valve, which allows the installer to reduce the force. This release valve also allows IGS to easily and economically recharge the gas spring should too much gas be released.

Comparison chart:

Flexible Rigid in tension Rigid in compression
Rigidity in tension good Fully rigid High
Rigidity in compression good High Fully rigid
Adjustable force option Yes Yes No
Typical applications Chair backs, seat height adjusters and equipment for the physically disabled where the flexing gives a comfortable "bouncy" feel. Further applications are those where no or little extra force is applied once the gas spring has been locked such as VDU height adjustement. Applications for rigid in tension gas springs include hospital beds, aircraft, coach and rail seat back recline control and wheel chair recline and support systems. Applications include operating, massage and veterinary tables and wheel chair recline and support systems.
This type of locking gas spring is always used where no movement can be tolerated when the appartus is in its locked position.
International Gas Springs
sales@internationalgassprings.com
Phone: 800-214-7034
Locking Gas Springs