End connector assembly

The end connector assembly for a gas spring enables the connector body to be connected with and disconnected from a ball on the end of a ball stud by relatively moving the connector body and ball along a path generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gas spring to which the connector body is connected. The ball enters the connector body through an opening in the body's front surface, that is, the surface generally perpendicular to the gas spring's longitudinal axis. A slot in the body's bottom surface, that is, the surface facing the ball, accommodates the shaft portion of the ball stud, adjacent the ball, as the ball moves into or out of the connector body through the opening. A retainer clip is connected with the connector body and is selectively movable between a first or open position where the ball may be admitted into or withdrawn from the connector body and a second or closed position where the ball is secured within the connector body by the retainer clip.