Interference Arrangement for Spring

Abstract

A spring system that includes a compressible material that is used to control the speed of the rod movement.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A spring system that includes a compressible material used to affect the operation of the spring system as said spring system is positioned between fully extended and fully retracted positions, said spring system comprising:
 a housing body having a front portion with a front end, a rear portion with a rear end, and an internal cavity;   a rod that is at least partially positioned in said internal cavity and at least partially extending outwardly from said housing body, said rod movable between said fully extended and fully retracted positions, said rod having a front end and a back end;   a first compressible component formed of a compressible and/or deformable material configured to affect movement of said rod within said internal cavity when said first compressible component is exposed to a compression force, said first compressible component configured to move to different portions along a longitudinal length of said rod as said rod moves between said fully extended position to said fully retracted position;   a first stop, said first stop a) connected to said rod and spaced from said front end and said back end of said rod, or b) fixed in position in said internal cavity of said housing body; said first compressible component positioned between i) said first stop and said back end of said rod, or ii) said first stop and said front end of said housing; said first stop configured to limit movement of said first compressible component as said rod moves between said fully extended and fully retracted positions; and,   a compression structure configured to cause said first compressible component to i) compress, ii) decompress and/or iii) deform when said rod moves between said fully extended and fully retracted positions, said compression structure a) positioned or formed on a portion of said rod, and/or b) positioned or formed on an inner surface of said internal cavity.   
     
     
         28 . The spring system as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said compression structure a) forms a variable cross-sectional area and/or variable cross-sectional shape on said rod, and/or b) forms a variable cross-sectional area in said interior cavity and/or a variable cross-sectional shape in said interior cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The spring system as defined in  claim 27 , including a mechanical spring positioned in said internal cavity of said housing, at least a portion of said mechanical spring positioned between a) said back end of said rod and said rear end of said housing body, or b) said front end of said housing body and said back end of said rod. 
     
     
         30 . The spring system as defined in  claim 28 , including a mechanical spring positioned in said internal cavity of said housing, at least a portion of said mechanical spring positioned between a) said back end of said rod and said rear end of said housing body, or b) said front end of said housing body and said back end of said rod. 
     
     
         31 . A method for affecting the compression of the spring system between fully extended and fully retracted positions, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a spring system, said spring system comprising:
 a housing body having a front portion with a front end, a rear portion with a rear end, and an internal cavity; 
 a rod that is at least partially positioned in said internal cavity and at least partially extending outwardly from said housing body, said rod movable between said fully extended and fully retracted positions, said rod having a front end and a back end; 
 a first compressible component formed of a compressible and/or deformable material configured to affect movement of said rod within said internal cavity when said first compressible component is exposed to a compression force, said first compressible component configured to move to different portions along a longitudinal length of said rod as said rod moves between said fully extended position to said fully retracted position; 
 a first stop, said first stop a) connected to said rod and spaced from said front end and said back end of said rod, or b) fixed in position in said internal cavity of said housing body; said first compressible component positioned between i) said first stop and said back end of said rod, or ii) said first stop and said front end of said housing; said first stop configured to limit movement of said first compressible component as said rod moves between said fully extended and fully retracted positions; and, 
 a compression structure configured to cause said first compressible component to i) compress, ii) decompress and/or iii) deform when said rod moves between said fully extended and fully retracted positions, said compression structure a) positioned or formed on a portion of said rod, and/or b) positioned or formed on an inner surface of said internal cavity; and, 
   b. applying a force to an end of said rod to cause said rod to move between said fully extended and fully retracted positions, said movement of said rod causing said first compressible component to compress, decompress and/or deform, said compression, decompression and/or deformation of said first compression sleeve causing increased and/or decreased friction between said first compressible component and a) said rod, b) said inner surface of said interior cavity, and/or c) a structure in said interior cavity.   
     
     
         32 . The method as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said compression structure a) forms a variable cross-sectional area and/or variable cross-sectional shape on said rod, and/or b) forms a variable cross-sectional area in said interior cavity and/or a variable cross-sectional shape in said interior cavity. 
     
     
         33 . The method as defined in  claim 31 , including a mechanical spring positioned in said internal cavity of said housing, at least a portion of said mechanical spring positioned between a) said back end of said rod and said rear end of said housing body, or b) said front end of said housing body and said back end of said rod. 
     
     
         34 . The method as defined in  claim 32 , including a mechanical spring positioned in said internal cavity of said housing, at least a portion of said mechanical spring positioned between a) said back end of said rod and said rear end of said housing body, or b) said front end of said housing body and said back end of said rod.