Patent ID: 7972252

Claim:
An ergonomic lift assist machine for manipulating a milling cutter, comprising: a manually displaceable articulating arm having a fixed end and a free end; a powered vertical lift mechanism coupled to said fixed end of said articulating arm, said vertical lift mechanism for raising and lowering said articulating arm; and a tool holder attached to said free end of said articulating arm, said tool holder having a gripper for grasping and retaining a milling cutter, said tool holder being manually rotatable by an operator of said machine between a pick-up and drop-off position wherein a longitudinal axis of said milling cutter is substantially perpendicular to the ground and an installation and removal position wherein said longitudinal axis of said milling cutter is substantially parallel to the ground; and a position lock associated with said tool holder, said position lock including a retractable spring-loaded pin that extends through a plate attached to the tool holder and enters into a receiving hole in a plate attached to said free end of said articulating arm when said tool holder is in either said pick-up and drop-off position or said installation and removal position, said position lock operable to secure said tool holder in said pick-up and drop-off position or said installation and removal position; wherein said ergonomic lift assist machine allows an operator to manually transfer a milling cutter between said pick-up and drop-off position and said installation and removal position while the weight of said machine tool is supported by said articulating arm.