Patent ID: 8205851

Claim:
A self-adjusting apparatus for holding a substantially cylindrical element in a substantially vertical position with respect to a surface of reference, the self-adjusting apparatus comprising: a base for placement on the surface of reference; a receiving chamber attached to and extending upwardly from the base to define a receiving area for receiving the substantially cylindrical element, the receiving chamber defining an opening at an upper edge thereof; a retaining member for retaining a lower portion of the substantially cylindrical element within the receiving area, the retaining member disposed within the receiving area and below the opening and being vertically movable in response to receiving the substantially cylindrical element; a plurality of clamping mechanisms, each clamping mechanism coupled to the receiving chamber, and including: a clamping arm above the retaining member; and a cable system operatively connecting the clamping arm to the retaining member to automatically move the clamping arm from a rest position to a clamping position in response to downward vertical displacement of the retaining member, to clamp the substantially cylindrical element in the substantially vertical position.