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A device particularly adapted to engage an irregular bottom surface of an object and then carry that object includes a support block. In the support block is a set of longitudinally spaced apart upright bores. On each side of the bores in a top wall of the block is a guide channel for a slide bar. E

A device particularly adapted to engage an irregular bottom surface of an object and then carry that object includes a support block. In the support block is a set of longitudinally spaced apart upright bores. On each side of the bores in a top wall of the block is a guide channel for a slide bar. Ends of these bars operatively connect with a reciprocating mechanism attached to one end of the block. In each bore is a sleeve having an inner opening formed with an upper section for a spring. An upper and lower end coil of a coil portion of each spring connects with an arm that projects outwardly. The upper arms fit respectively in upward facing slots in one slide bar while the lower arms fit respectively in downward facing slots in the other slide bar. In the sleeve inner openings and extending respectively through the coil portion of each springs is a support pin. Top ends of these pins fit in openings in a top cover plate fastened to the support block top wall. A bottom end of each pin then seats on one end of a transversely positioned conduit in a top surface of a bottom cover plate fastened to a bottom wall of the support block. Opposite ends of these conduits connect with a distribution channel in the block bottom wall. For use, the device distribution channel is connected to an air supply. At the same time, the reciprocating mechanism is activated to move the slide bars and rotate the end coils of the springs. Movement of the end coils transfers to the remaining coils of each spring to increase a diameter of each spring coil portion and shift each spring from a locking mode to a release mode. Air from the distribution channel then floats the pins upward to selectively engage the bottom surface of the object above. The reciprocating device then is deactivated allowing the springs to return to a locking mode about the pins.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What I claim is:] [1.]1. A device particularly adapted to engage an irregularly configured bottom surface of an object and then support that object, said device comprising:a support block,an upright bore formed in said support block,a spring disposed in said support block bore, said spring having

[ What I claim is:] [1.]1. A device particularly adapted to engage an irregularly configured bottom surface of an object and then support that object, said device comprising:a support block,an upright bore formed in said support block,a spring disposed in said support block bore, said spring having a coil portion comprising a first end coil and a second end coil connected by remaining coils,a pin extending through said spring and held in said spring in a locking mode or a release mode, andair ducting carried by said device, said ducting connecting an inlet of said ducting with said bore below a bottom end of said pin,wherein for use, said spring first end coil may be connected to operative means and said spring second end coil may be connected to said support block, said operative means may be activated to rotate said spring first end coil and said remaining coils to enlarge a diameter of said spring coil portion so that said spring may shift from said locking mode to said release mode about said pin, said ducting inlet may be connected to an air supply to float said pin upward to engage said object bottom surface, and said operative means then may rotate said spring first end coil to return said spring to said locking mode so that said pin supports said object.