Patent ID: 9027895
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: F16B,F16M,G01C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A portable support for supporting equipment above a surface having an opening extending to a subsurface space, the support comprising: a head; an elevator mounted on the head, the elevator including a pinion rotatably mounted on the head, and an actuator for rotating the pinion; legs connected to the head for supporting the head above the surface over the opening, each of said legs including a foot for engaging the surface when supporting the head above the surface; an elongate rod vertically mounted on the elevator for vertical movement between a raised position, in which an upper end of the rod extends above the head, and a lowered position, in which a lower end of the rod extends below the feet of the legs to extend through the opening and into the subsurface space, the rod including a rack extending longitudinally along the rod for selective engagement with the pinion to raise the rod in response to the actuator rotating the pinion; and an instrument platform positionable on the lower end of the rod when in the lowered position to support the equipment in the subsurface space when the rod is in the lowered position; wherein the elevator comprises a pawl mounted on the head for selective engagement with the pinion, said pawl being moveable between a locked position, in which the pawl prevents the rod from being lowered relative to the head, and a released position, in which the pawl disengages the pinion to allow the rod to be lowered relative to the head.