Abstract: A hoist apparatus for positioning and supporting a load includes an elongated hollow tubular post extruded of aluminum and formed with a plurality of substantially circular holes formed in certain of the walls adjacent a hollow interior of the post. The holes extend throughout the length of the post and have only a short end section thereof adjacent the end edges of the post tapped to provide internal threads for receiving threaded fasteners for mounting the post on a support base and for securing a drive screw end cap plate on the top of the post.

Abstract: An improved air diffuser is provided, including a housing having a bottom and an upwardly extending side wall with air slots to receive air. The housing supports a grille, and a flow regulator fits within the housing. The diffuser is configured to be secured to a floor by a mounting assembly, including a trim ring and a plurality of retaining mechanisms. The trim ring defines a flange and brackets for receiving the retaining mechanisms. Each retaining mechanism defines an L-shaped mount having horizontal and vertical legs. A cantilevered latch extends from a back of the vertical leg so that, when the vertical leg is inserted into one of the brackets, the latch secures the retaining mechanism to the bracket. The horizontal leg and the flange of the trim ring define a space therebetween for engaging a floor and thereby securing the housing to the floor.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for mounting an apparatus on a side rail of a conveyor has one or a pair of parallelepiped shaped blocks, each having a tenon extending outwardly from one planar side thereof. The tenon has a shape similar to one-half of a dovetail shaped groove, one or two such grooves are formed in one of the side rails of a conveyor. A pair of fasteners clamp each of the blocks against the outer surface of the side rail with the tenons thereof extending into a respective dovetail groove and engaging one-half of the groove. The outer width of the tenon is less then the entrance opening of the dovetail groove enabling the tenon to be placed directly into the groove without being slid inwardly from an end opening.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus for accurately positioning and supporting a load above a production line, which includes an elongated post having a pair of sides with arcuate guide channels formed thereon, and a front face having a recess formed therein. A carriage is supported on the elongated post and a drive screw engages the carriage such that rotation of the drive screw axially translates the carriage in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post. A base supports the elongated post and includes an interior cross section complementary-shaped to the exterior of the post's exterior surface. In the first embodiment, a plurality of casters are carried by the carriage and rotatably engage the guide channels. The casters are each rotatably mounted on an eccectric cam shaft such that rotation of the cam shaft axially translates the casters toward or away from the guide channel. Such rotation allows the casters to be accurately positioned relative to the guide channel.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus for lifting a load includes an elongated, hollow tubular post formed with an elongated slot, and a T-shaped base for supporting the post in an upright position. The base has a plurality of lockable casters mounted thereon for portability of the hoist. A ball screw is rotatably suspended within the post and a follower nut is movably engaged with the ball screw for linear movement therealong, in response to manual rotation of the ball screw by a handwheel which is operatively connected thereto. A cylindrical-shaped carriage is engaged by the follower nut within the post for linear movement therewith along the ball screw. A plurality of crowned rollers are rotatably mounted adjacent to each of the ends of the carriage in a generally circular spaced arrangement, whereby each of the rollers rotatably arcuately contacts the curved interior surface of the tubular post for slideably engaging the carriage with the post for smooth movement of the carriage within the post.