Patent ID: 9469513
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: B66F

Claim Text:
1. A ratcheting, self-aligning, load-support device which comprises: a housing having a base for stable placement of said device, said housing containing an elongated ram having a plurality of rack teeth along the length thereof and a keyway slot, offset from said rack teeth, and also extending a predetermined length along said ram, said housing having an apical opening for vertical extension of said ram; a reservoir for containment of a medium in communication with said housing; a means attached to said reservoir for pressurizing said medium; upper and lower ring assemblies, mated to allow rotation between said assemblies, and wherein said lower ring assembly is attached to said housing at said apical opening; at least one pawl positioned within said upper ring assembly biased to engage with said rack teeth; a plunger radially positioned within said upper ring assembly for engagement with said keyway slot after said ring assemblies have been rotated to disengage said pawl from said rack teeth, thus permitting lowering of said ram; a set screw radially positioned within said lower ring assembly for continuous engagement with said keyway slot to maintain alignment of said teeth on said ram with said pawl on said upper ring assembly; and, a biasing means attached to and positioned between said upper and lower ring assemblies biased to urge said upper ring assembly to rotate when said ram has been fully lowered, thereby re-engaging said pawl with said rack teeth.