Spring damper apparatus

A piston apparatus includes a housing containing a piston, a first spring assembly arranged about a portion of the piston, a damping assembly including a hydraulic damper reset spring assembly arranged inside the piston, and cooperating structure on the housing and piston for actuating the damping assembly arranged inside the piston to slow motion of the piston when inside the housing. The housing includes a first end having a stop element with an axial stem portion. The spring assembly contains a spring captured between annular end members and is disposed between the exterior of the piston and the interior of the housing. The piston is supported for motion relative to the housing, and includes a hollow shaft having a first end extendable from the housing and bearing coupling means for attaching the piston to an object, a second end adapted for engagement with the axially extending stem portion, and a slotted portion disposed between the one end and the second end for communicating the interior of the hollow shaft with the interior of the housing.