Patent ID: 7810190

Claim:
A split-apart basket stretcher having a first unit rigidly connectable to a second unit, each unit constructed of at least one longitudinal member having a generally U-shaped construction forming separated leg sections connected by a middle section and of at least one lateral structure extending between and connected at its opposite ends to the separated leg sections, the leg sections of the longitudinal member of the first unit being alignable with and attachable to the leg sections of the at least one longitudinal member of the second unit, the improvement to which comprises: (a) a first strut fixed to extend vertically upward from one of the first unit leg sections; (b) a second strut fixed to extend vertically upward from the other of the first unit leg sections; (c) a third strut fixed to extend vertically upward from the first unit middle section; (d) a first plate fixed to extend vertically upward from one of the second unit leg sections and shaped to attach to the first strut when the first unit and second unit face one another and are separated by a predetermined distance; (e) a second plate fixed to extend vertically upward from the other of the second unit leg sections and shaped to attach to the second strut when the first and second units face one another and are separated by the predetermined distance; (f) a third plate fixed to extend vertically upward from the second unit middle section and shaped to attach to the third strut when the first and second units face one another and are separated by the predetermined distance (g) a first attaching means for connecting the first strut to the first plate; (h) a second attaching means for connecting the second strut to the second plate; and (i) a third attaching means for connecting the third strut to the third plate.