Positioning apparatus

An apparatus for positioning a load or workpiece, said apparatus comprising

• a frame,
• a support table including a surface for supporting the load,
• means for supporting said table for generally vertical movement, said means including a first elongated member having a first longitudinal axis, said first member being mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis and being connected to said table for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second axis generally parallel to said first axis and spaced a distance in the direction of said first longitudinal axis from said first axis, and a second elongated member having a second longitudinal axis, said second member extending generally parallel to said first elongated member, being mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a third axis generally parallel to said first axis and spaced from said first axis, and being connected to said table for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth axis generally parallel to said first axis and spaced said distance in the direction of said second longitudinal axis from said third axis,
• first hydraulic means for causing pivotal movement of said first member about said first axis,
• second hydraulic means for selectively rotating said table relative to said first and second members about a rotational axis generally perpendicular to said surface,
• third hydraulic means for selectively pivoting said table relative to said first and second members about a pivot axis generally perpendicular to said rotational axis, and
• a hydraulic pump for supplying fluid to said first, second and third hydraulic means, said pump being mounted on said frame.

An apparatus for positioning a load or workpiece, said apparatus comprising

• a main frame,
• a head frame,
• a support table including a surface for supporting the load, said support table being mounted on said head frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a rotational axis extending generally perpendicular to said surface and in a generally vertical plane, and said support table being mounted on said head frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal pivot axis extending generally perpendicular to said rotational axis,
• means for selectively rotating said table relative to said head frame about said rotational axis,
• means for selectively pivoting said table relative to said head frame about said pivot axis,
• a pair of generally parallel, elongated upper members each having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of each of said upper members being mounted on said main frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a first generally horizontal axis, and said second end of each of said upper members being connected to said head frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second generally horizontal axis parallel to said first axis and spaced a fixed distance therefrom,
• a pair of generally parallel, elongated lower members extending generally parallel to said upper members and each having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of each of said lower members being mounted on said main frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a third generally horizontal axis parallel to and below said first horizontal axis, and said second end of each of said lower members being connected to said head frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth generally horizontal axis parallel to said third axis and spaced said fixed distance therefrom, and
• means for causing pivotal movement of said upper members about said first axis and of said lower members about said third axis, such that said upper and lower members are movable between a first position wherein said upper and lower members extend generally horizontally and said support table is in a lower position, and a second position wherein said upper and lower members extend upwardly from said frame and said support table is in an upper position above said lower position.