Rick R Jeffries

US Patent:

60829451, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Apr 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/299842

Inventors:

Rick Jeffries - Marion MT
Mark McCully - Libby MT

International Classification:

E04G 2116

US Classification:

414 11

Abstract:

A sheet material lifting and retaining apparatus including a shaft member having a longitudinal axis is described. A gas cylinder assembly is secured to the shaft member, the gas cylinder assembly having an axis of operation that is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. A sheet material contact member is secured to the gas cylinder assembly. The shaft member can include a length adjustment mechanism, which may be provided as a telescoping tube arrangement having a plurality of telescoping aluminum tubes. The gas cylinder assembly can include a self-contained gas cylinder. An end fitting can be secured to a first end of the gas cylinder, with a shaft attachment member secured to a second, opposite end of the gas cylinder. An actuator can be provided to selectively control actuation of the gas cylinder. The actuator of the gas cylinder assembly can include a rod portion extending generally parallel to the shaft member.