Importance

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Abstract

A stroke-limiting stop for a fluid locking device wherein movement between a piston and cylinder is influenced by fluid in the device, the stop comprising a housing having internal shape and dimension enabling one end of the cylinder to move longitudinally within at least one formation on the inner surface of the housing, and a stop element within the housing and having a portion adapted to engage the formation establishing a fixed position on the stop element along the housing longitudinal axis, the stop element being supported within the housing for movement between positions wherein the portion of the element either engages the formation or is out of engagement therewith with so that the stop element in the first position acts as an abutment to contact the cylinder upon movement into the housing thereby limiting the extent of relative movement between the piston and cylinder. When the stop element is in the second position it can be moved along the housing longitudinal axis to another formation to adjust the stop location. The locking device can be provided with a reserve fluid path and supply to compensate for leakage of working fluid and expansion and contraction of working fluid due to temperature changes. The locking device with the stop arrangement of the present invention can be employed in aircraft and vehicle seats for limiting the degree of rearward tilt of the seat back.

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First Claim