Retractable support apparatus and method
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorsJose Barrios, Dennis Hanson, Eric Adamson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A motor vehicle component support and method that includes reciprocating horizontal members that maintain the vehicle component in balance as the support is adjusted according to the component size. With the reciprocating action, the adjustments to one horizontal member are identically and automatically performed on the other horizontal member. In addition, the apparatus includes cushions capable of pivoting to better accommodate components of irregular geometries.
Claims20
A vehicle component support apparatus comprising:
- a base that can be mounted on a surface;
- at least two guide tubes coupled to the base;
- at least two perforated tubes received in the at least two guide tubes;
- a sprocket that interacts with the at least two perforated tubes to allow reciprocal movement of the at least two perforated tubes;
- and
- a pad assembly to support a vehicle component and coupled to the at least two perforated tubes.
A method of securing a vehicle component, comprising:
- positioning the vehicle component on a support apparatus having at least two guide tubes that receive at least two perforated tubes therein, wherein the at least two perforated tubes are coupled to a plurality of pad assemblies;
- and
- adjusting the at least two perforated tubes reciprocally by moving one of the perforated tubes so that a sprocket interacts with the other perforated tube thereby correctly positioning the pad assemblies to support the vehicle component.
A system for supporting a vehicle component, comprising:
- a means for supporting that can be mounted on a surface;
- at least two means for guiding coupled to the means for supporting;
- at least two perforated means for moving a pad assembly that supports the vehicle component, wherein the at least two perforated means for moving are received in the means for guiding;
- and
- a means for reciprocal movement that interacts with the at least two perforated means to move them reciprocally.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.