Apparatus for holding an object in a desired position in space

An apparatus for holding an object in a desired position in space, comprising:

• a horizontal beam affixed to a machine table by legs, said horizontal beam having an upper surface and two side surfaces, said side surfaces having mutually opposed angled grooves formed therein;
• a first L-shaped second component having a first horizontal body portion and a first depending vertical leg portion, the first horizontal body portion having an elongated recess formed therein which defines a bottom wall and two lateral walls, wherein the bottom wall rests on the upper surface of the horizontal beam, one lateral wall is angled with respect to the bottom wall so as to engage one groove of the beam, and the other lateral wall is essentially perpendicular to the bottom wall, said first horizontal body portion further having a depression and a pawl located therein, the pawl having a nose which projects from the other lateral wall to engage the other groove of the beam, the first vertical leg portion having an elongated recess formed therein which defines a second bottom wall and two second lateral walls, one second lateral wall being inclined with respect to the second bottom wall and the other second lateral wall being essentially perpendicular thereto, the first vertical leg portion further having a second depression and a second pawl located therein, the second pawl having a second nose which projects from the other second lateral wall of the first vertical leg portion;
• a second L-shaped second component having a second horizontal body portion and a second depending vertical leg portion, the second vertical leg portion having two side surfaces with mutually opposed grooves formed therein, one groove being engageable with the inclined second lateral wall and the other groove being engageable with the second nose, the second horizontal body portion having an elongated recess formed therein which defines a third bottom wall and two third lateral walls, one third lateral wall being inclined with respect to the third bottom wall and the other third lateral wall being essentially perpendicular thereto, the second horizontal body portion further having a third depression and a third pawl located therein, the third pawl having a third nose which projects from the other third lateral wall of the second horizontal body portion;
• and
• a first component for supporting the object, comprising a carriage having two side walls, said side walls having mutually opposed grooves formed therein, one groove being engageable with the third inclined wall and the other groove being engageable with the third nose.