Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A materials handling apparatus for raising, lowering and vertically supporting a workpiece, having two separable components aligned along a generally vertical axis, and for rotating at least a portion of said workpiece about said axis, said apparatus comprising in combination: a workpiece support assembly including a generally horizontal base, at least two sides extending vertically from said base to form a chamber for receiving a bottom portion of a workpiece, an adjustable height vertical member extending from said base, and means for securing said workpiece to said vertical member; an alignment saddle attached to said workpiece support assembly base, said alignment saddle including means for adjusting the angular orientation of said workpiece support assembly; a saddle support structure; means for pivotally mounting said alignment saddle with respect to said saddle support structure; means for vertically raising and lowering said saddle support, said alignment saddle and said workpiece support asssembly, wherein: said means for raising and lowering comprises a forklift having a pair of generally horizontal tines; and wherein said saddle support structure includes means for receiving said tines and a support bar extending between said tine receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A materials handling apparatus for raising, lowering and vertically supporting a workpiece, having two separable components aligned along a generally vertical axis, and for rotating at least a portion of said workpiece about said axis, said apparatus comprising in combination: a workpiece support assembly including a generally horizontal base, at least two sides extending vertically from said base to form a chamber for receiving a bottom portion of a workpiece, an adjustable height vertical member extending from said base, and means for securing said workpiece to said vertical member; an alignment saddle attached to said workpiece support assembly base, said alignment saddle including means for adjusting the angular orientation of said workpiece support assembly; a saddle support structure; means for pivotally mounting said alignment saddle with respect to said saddle support structure; means for vertically raising and lowering said saddle support, said alignment saddle and said workpiece support asssembly, wherein: said means for raising and lowering comprises a forklift having a pair of generally horizontal tines; and wherein said saddle support structure includes means for receiving said tines and a support bar extending between said tine receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertical member is adjustable from a first height, wherein said means for securing attaches to a bottom section of said workpiece, to a second height wherein said means securing attaches to a top section of said workpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for pivotally mounting said alignment saddle comprises: an opening in said support bar; and a pivot pin extending from said alignment saddle into said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: said support bar is generally horizontal and defines a generally vertical opening; and said means for pivotally mounting said alignment saddle comprises a pivot pin extending from said alignment saddle into said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjustable height vertical member includes: two telescoping elements and means for fixing the position of one of said elements with respect to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for securing includes: an adjustable belt, attached to said vertical member, for positioning around said workpiece.