Patent ID: 7377504

Claim:
A foldable work piece support assembly comprising: two similar frames pivotally interconnected to each other, each frame incorporating two leg members, upper and lower connecting members connected to frames for maintaining the frames in pre-selectable spaced relationships, the connecting members being lengthwise telescopically extendable and pivotally connected to the frames so that the connecting members are movable between a generally cruciform position permitting use of the assembly as a work piece support and foldable to lie one against the other during stowage and transportation, and at least one rapid locking and quick release article retaining means mounted to a leg member of at least one of the frames, the article retaining means including first and second clamp members, an elongate thrust member supporting the second clamp member for movement in a predetermined direction with respect to the first clamp member to permit variation in separation distance between the clamp members, a manually operable unidirectional drive means for producing relative movement between the first and second clamp members to produce a required relative clamping displacement between the first and second clamp members, including a tiltable element engaged by the thrust member so as to be tiltable relative to said predetermined direction, the tiltable element being arranged for positioning between a thrust member engaging position and a released position relative to the thrust member, spring means urging the tiltable element into said released position, and a manually operable member co-operating with the tiltable element for alternately positioning the tiltable element into the engaging position to cause the thrust member to move by a predetermined extent in said clamping direction and to said released position in which the tiltable element returns to its initial position; a lock for selectively preventing movement of the thrust member, and a lock release for permitting movement of the thrust member, thereby enabling rapid locking and quick release of a work piece required to be supported by the foldable support assembly.