Ball joint assembly for gas spring

A ball joint assembly for a gas spring, the ball joint assembly comprising:

• a ball joint comprising a substantially cylindrical inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a cavity having a top opening and a bottom opening;
• a ball stud comprising a support ball and a bolt section,
• the support ball comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a substantially spherical lateral surface, the upper portion being disposed within the cavity and abutting the top opening, at least a portion of the lower portion extending out of the cavity through the bottom opening,
• wherein the lateral surface is disposed at an interval from the inner wall,
• and wherein the bolt section extends from the lower portion;
• and
• a spacing member disposed between and engaging the lateral surface and the inner wall so as to prevent changes in the interval.

A gas spring comprising:

• a cylinder,
• a piston rod inserted into the cylinder,
• a joint coupled to the piston rod, the joint comprising an inner wall that defines cavity having an opening at its bottom;
• a stud comprising a support means, the stud being coupled to the joint such that at least a portion of the support means is disposed within the cavity and at least a portion of the stud extends through the opening at the bottom of the cavity;
• a gap prevention means interposed between the inner wall and the support means to inhibit movement of the support means relative to the inner wall;
• and
• a fixing means secured to the inner wall proximate to the opening at the bottom of the cavity, thereby preventing the gap prevention means from leaving the cavity.