Jack with Self-Adjusting Securement Mechanism

Abstract

Jacks capable of exerting force against building components and other objects are disclosed. The jacks are provided with a self-adjusting securement mechanism capable of securing the jack to different support members that have a range of different thickness dimensions so as to hold the jack in position to exert the force. The securement mechanism secures the jack to a support member so that the force can be exerted. The jacks may have a base, a ram, a ram drive mechanism, and a securement mechanism for securing and clamping the jack to a support member. The ram and ram-drive mechanism are supported on the base with the ram being extendable by the ram-drive mechanism to apply a pushing force. The securement mechanism may include a pair of independently pivotable jaws with gripping surfaces. Each jaw is eccentrically pivotably mounted along a second side of the base on a pivot axis approximately equidistant from the base axis. Each jaw is biased to pivot so as to swing each gripping surface toward the other, thereby self-adjusting the jaws to the thickness of a support member when between the jaws and securing the jack to the support member as the pushing force is applied by the jack. The securement mechanism is capable of quick release from the support member to allow for easy removal or repositioning of the jack.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.