Patent ID: 6293534
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: B23Q,B25B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A device particularly adapted to engage an irregularly configured bottom surface of an object and then support that object, said device comprising:a support block,an upright bore formed in said support block,a spring disposed in said support block bore, said spring having a coil portion comprising a first end coil and a second end coil connected by remaining coils,a pin extending through said spring and held in said spring in a locking mode or a release mode, andair ducting carried by said device, said ducting connecting an inlet of said ducting with said bore below a bottom end of said pin,wherein for use, said spring first end coil may be connected to operative means and said spring second end coil may be connected to said support block, said operative means may be activated to rotate said spring first end coil and said remaining coils to enlarge a diameter of said spring coil portion so that said spring may shift from said locking mode to said release mode about said pin, said ducting inlet may be connected to an air supply to float said pin upward to engage said object bottom surface, and said operative means then may rotate said spring first end coil to return said spring to said locking mode so that said pin supports said object.