Patent ID: 6988702

Claim:
A holding device for holding a post-shaped object, comprising: a stand comprising a base plate; a plurality of holding elements disposed about an axis of symmetry or a central axis of the holding device spaced from each other in a circumferential direction and having at radially inward portions thereof engagement surfaces radially spaced from the axis of symmetry or central axis; a tensioning device and, operatively connected thereto, a force transfer device comprising a wire or other rope or other elongated flexible element, the holding elements being adapted to be swivelled to the outside to a release position and to the inside to a fixing position in which the engagement surfaces are adapted to be in contact with the outer periphery of the post-shaped object, fixing the latter; the holding elements together with means defining the pivot axis of each being so mounted that they can be shifted towards or away from the axis of symmetry or central axis; and means for effecting said shifting movement comprising the tensioning device and, acting counter thereto, a spring device.