Resilient positioning apparatus

A resilient positioning apparatus for a machine adapted to resiliently absorb force from an object moving thereagainst by moving momentarily relative to a machine datum, the machine having a machine stop means fixed relative to the machine datum, the apparatus including:

• (a) a telescoping assembly having extendable and retractable first and second portions which cooperate with power and control means of the machine to position the two portions accurately relative to each other, the first portion cooperating with the object to locate the object, the second portion having an assembly stop means adapted to contact the machine stop means for registration of the second portion,
• (b) a gas cylinder assembly having a partition means and a gas cylinder body, the partition means being secured to the second portion of the telescoping assembly so as to move therewith, and being in sealing engagement with the gas cylinder body, the gas cylinder body having first and second ends with sealing means adjacent at least the first end thereof, the gas cylinder body enclosing a length of the second portion and cooperating with the partition means and the second portion so as to form at least one chamber defined in part by the gas cylinder body, the partition means and the second portion;
• the chamber being essentially sealed and adapted to receive gas under pressure to generate a pneumatic force on the second portion to establish registration of the assembly stop means of the second portion against the machine stop means so as to register the telescoping assembly relative to the machine datum,
• the pneumatic force being overcome when the telescoping assembly is subjected to an excessive force which moves the second portion out of registration to absorb the excessive force, and thereafter the pneumatic force re-establishes registration of the second portion to reposition the telescoping assembly.