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 of 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 lockable gas 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.
Locking Gas Spring Comparison Chart:
Flexible
Rigid in Tension
Rigid in Compression
Rigidity in Tension
Good
Fully Rigid
High
Rigidity in Compression
Good
High
Fully Rigid
Release Value 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 adjustment.
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.
