Patent ID: 7740108
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: B25H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, for supporting a work piece, comprising: an expandable articulated support frame having two or more telescopic columns arranged in one or more rows and operatively interconnected by a connecting rods pivotably connected to the telescopic columns at intersections thereof, for alternatively positioning the frame in either a deployed position or a stowed position of the frame; the telescopic columns each including an inner vertical element, an outer tubular element, an upper pivot cap, and a foot pivot cap, operatively connected to define a respective upper and lower end of each telescopic column; the inner vertical element and the outer tubular element each defining upper and lower ends thereof, with the lower end of the inner vertical element being slidingly disposed within the outer tubular element and the inner vertical element having a length greater than the tubular element such that the upper end of the inner vertical element extends beyond the upper end of the outer tubular element in both the deployed and the stowed positions of the frame; the upper pivot cap being attached to the upper end of the inner vertical element to at least partly define the upper end of the telescopic column, and the foot pivot cap being attached to and extending at least partly across the lower end of the outer tubular element in such a manner that a portion of the foot pivot cap extending at least partly across the lower end of the tubular element forms a stop for the lower end of the inner vertical element when the frame is in the deployed position thereof, with the foot pivot cap at least partly defining the lower end of the telescopic column; the lower end of the inner vertical element resting upon the stop of the foot pivot cap when the frame is in the deployed position thereof in such a manner that a substantially vertically directed load applied to the upper pivot cap of the telescopic column and acting along the vertical element of the telescopic column is supported by the upper pivot cap, the inner vertical element and the foot pivot cap of the vertical element, and not by the outer tubular element, further comprising, a work piece support pad attached to the upper pivot cap of at least some of the upper pivot caps, for supporting the work piece; wherein, the upper pivot cap includes a threaded stud extending substantially upward from the upper end of the upper pivot cap and at least partially through the work piece support pad; the work piece support pad is pivotably secured to the upper pivot cap by a nut threadably engaging a distal end of the threaded stud, wherein the work piece support pad comprises a through hole therein, offset radially from the threaded stud, an attachment from the group consisting of: a hold-down clamp; and a cradle inserted into the through hole; wherein, the work piece support pad has a generally pear-shaped body being larger in periphery about the threaded stud than about the through hole, to facilitate nesting of the support pads with one another when the expandable articulated frame is positioned in a collapsed state thereof.