SHEET MATERIAL LIFTING AND RETAINING APPARATUS
A sheet material lifting and retaining apparatus (10) including a shaft member (12) having a longitudinal axis. A gas cylinder assembly (14) 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 (16) is secured to the gas cylinder assembly. The shaft member includes a length adjustment mechanism (18), which may be provided as a telescoping tube arrangement having a plurality of telescoping aluminum tubes (30). The gas cylinder assembly (14) includes a self-contained gas cylinder (24). An end fitting (32) secured to a second, opposite end of the gas cylinder (24). An actuator (26) selectively controls actuation of the gas cylinder (24). The actuator (26) includes a rod portion (28) extending generally parallel to the shaft member (12). The shaft member includes an attachment bracket (34) secured to the shaft attachment member of the gas cylinder assembly (14). The end fitting (30) is secured to the sheet material contact member (16), which may be provided as a generally planar nylon block. A floor contact member (20), which includes a cushion contact surface (22) is secured, to an end of the shaft member opposite the gas cylinder assembly.