Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of: a horizontal guide means; b means for attaching said guide means to a supporting structure; c a horizontal slide member, including a horizontal supporting member, disposed in and carried by said guide means and slidable horizontally therein between a retracted position within said guide means and an extended position wherein a reduced-width outer end portion of said supporting member projects outwardly beyond said guide means; d said reduced-width portion of said supporting member being provided with an opening therethrough having an axis which is upright in both the extended and the retracted positions of said slide member, said opening being located outwardly beyond said guide means in the extended position of said slide member; e said slide member including a stirrup pivotally mounted on said reduced-width portion of said supporting member for gravity induced movement into a position below said opening when said slide member is in its extended position, whereby an article placed in said opening is seatable on said stirrup; and f said stirrup being pivotable upwardly into a retracted position wherein it is aligned with said supporting member and constitutes the extreme outer end portion of said slide member and is insertable into said guide means, whereby said stirrup is retractable into said guide means along with said supporting member in response to movement of said slide member into its retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of: a horizontal guide means; b means for attaching said guide means to a supporting structure; c a horizontal slide member, including a horizontal supporting member, disposed in and carried by said guide means and slidable horizontally therein between a retracted position within said guide means and an extended position wherein a reduced-width outer end portion of said supporting member projects outwardly beyond said guide means; d said reduced-width portion of said supporting member being provided with an opening therethrough having an axis which is upright in both the extended and the retracted positions of said slide member, said opening being located outwardly beyond said guide means in the extended position of said slide member; e said slide member including a stirrup pivotally mounted on said reduced-width portion of said supporting member for gravity induced movement into a position below said opening when said slide member is in its extended position, whereby an article placed in said opening is seatable on said stirrup; and f said stirrup being pivotable upwardly into a retracted position wherein it is aligned with said supporting member and constitutes the extreme outer end portion of said slide member and is insertable into said guide means, whereby said stirrup is retractable into said guide means along with said supporting member in response to movement of said slide member into its retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An extensible and retractable support according to claim 1 wherein said stirrup is U shaped and embraces and is pivotally connected to said reduced-width portion of said supporting member by a pivot means providing a horizontal pivot axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of said slide member between its extended and retracted positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An extensible and retractible support as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means comprises horizontally spaced, parallel horizontal channels facing laterally inwardly toward each other, and wherein each of said supporting member and said stirrup have horizontally spaced, parallel edges respectively disposed in said channels in said retracted positions of said stirrup and said slide member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An extensible and retractable support according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes an upper wall interconnecting said channels and attachable to the under side of a horizontal supporting structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An extensible and retractable support as defined in claim 3 wherein said stirrup is provided with a handle accessible, when said stirrup is in said aligned position, for extending and retracting said slide member, comprising said supporting member and said stirrup.