Workpiece support apparatus and method
AssigneeRockler Companies, Inc.
InventorSteven Krohmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hanging device is provided to hold a workpiece, where the workpiece has a preformed hole therein. The hanging device has an expandable element, such as a cup, that is adapted to be selectively retained within the hold in the workpiece. A hook is connected to the expandable element for use in supporting the expandable element and workpiece affixed thereto.
Claims19
A hanging device for suspending a workpiece from another object, the work piece having exterior surfaces, and the hanging device being attachable to the workpiece generally without touching the exterior surfaces of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece has a hole, the hanging device comprising:
- an expandable cup element having an expandable portion which fits entirely within the hole, defining a first outer periphery, initially sized to be received within the hole, and then selectively expandable to a peripheral size greater than said first outer periphery when within the hole by expansion of the element after insertion into the hole of the workpiece;
- and
- a hook connected to the expandable element for use in supporting the expandable element and workpiece affixed thereto from said other object.
A hanging device for suspending a workpiece from another object, the work piece having exterior surfaces, and the hanging device being attachable to the workpiece generally without touching the exterior surfaces of the workpiece, wherein the workpiece has a hole, the hanging device comprising:
- an expandable element comprises a cup adapted to be selectively retained within the hole by expansion of the element after insertion into the hole of the workpiece;
- and
- a hook connected to the expandable element for use in supporting the expandable element and workpiece affixed thereto from said other object.
A hanging device for holding a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has a hole, the hanging device comprising:
- an expandable element comprising a plurality of discontinuous wall sections together defining a first outer periphery, initially sized to be received within the hole, and then selectively expandable to a peripheral size greater than said first outer periphery when adapted to be selectively retained within the hole of the workpiece;
- and wherein the expandable element is inserted within the hole and retained therein by expansion of the element after insertion;
- a plug at least partially received within said expanding element,
- a hook connected to the expandable element for use in supporting the expandable element and workpiece affixed thereto, and wherein movement of the plug expands said element.
A method of suspending a workpiece from another object, wherein said workpiece has a hole and exterior surfaces, the method providing for the workpiece to be suspended generally without touching the exterior surfaces of the workpiece, the method comprising:
- inserting an expandable cup element of diameter less than that of the hole into the hole of the workpiece;
- manipulating the expandable cup element pivotally, to expand the expandable cup element when placed within the hole to having a diameter larger than said hole to create frictional contact so that the cup element is not easily removed;
- and
- supporting the workpiece by engaging the hook structure from said other object.
A hanging device for suspending a workpiece from another object, wherein the workpiece has exterior surfaces and a cup hole is formed in said exterior surface to expose an interior surface, the hanging device comprising:
- an expandable element adapted to have a first contracted size smaller than said cup hole, and a second expanded size larger than said cup hole and an adjustor capable of switching said element from between said first and second sizes, so that the element can be attached to the workpiece without substantial contact with the exterior surfaces by insertion of the element into the cup hole when contracted and locking said element into the cup hole when expanded;
- a hanging attachment connected to said expandable element capable of attaching the element to said other object and
- wherein said adjustor includes, a cam, a plug slidable within the expandable element and a spreader rod operably coupled to the cam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.