Patent ID: 6105946
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B23Q,F02B

Abstract:
In an apparatus for supporting and lifting a workpiece of the type including a base; an upright column fixed to said base; a screw rotatably mounted on said base, said screw extending parallel to said column; a motor operatively connected to said screw for rotating said screw; a carriage adapted for travel relative to said column, said carriage having a screw engaging portion threadedly engaging said screw and a column engaging portion slidably engaging said column; support means for supporting said workpiece; and coupling means connecting said support means and said carriage for removably coupling said support means to said column engaging portion; the improvement wherein:said coupling means includes a cooperating projecting member extending from said support means, a sleeve extending from said carriage, and a coupling pin, said projecting member slidably received in telescoping relation within said sleeve, said projecting member including a first coupling pin aperture therein, said sleeve including a second coupling pin receiving aperture therein, said first and second coupling pin receiving apertures aligned with said coupling pin received therein; andsaid support means further comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart, horizontally-extending forks secured to said projecting member, each said fork including a horizontally-extending fork member having a substantially flat upper surface, a horizontally-extending clamping member adjustably secured to said fork member and having a substantially flat lower surface, said fork member and said clamping member proportioned to releasably clamp a portion of said workpiece between said upper surface and said lower surface.