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Retractable support assembly

  • US 5,240,218 A
  • Filed: 10/23/1991
  • Issued: 08/31/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A vertically retractable support assembly, comprising:

  • mounting means;

    a first set of three or more laterally spaced guide rods secured to and extending vertically from the mounting means;

    first carrier means transverse to the first set of guide rods for vertically receiving the rods thereof to ride vertically thereon;

    a second set of three or more guide rods secured to and extending vertically from the first carrier means to support and vertically guide a member for selective vertical positioning by the support assembly;

    extension spring means secured to the mounting means and to the first carrier means for continuously urging the first carrier means upwardly toward a vertically retracted position with the second set of guide rods telescoped within the first set of guide rods;

    releasable brake means for normally preventing extension and retraction of the spring means;

    handle means for enabling an operator to exert vertical downward forces on the first carrier means in opposition to the spring means; and

    operator controllable means for selectively releasing the brake means to permit downward movement of the first and carrier means in response to the downward forces exerted by the operator to selectively and exactly position the member upon release of the operator controllable means whereby the member is held in such exact position by the normal operation of the brake means.

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