Lifting apparatus with stabilizer

Abstract

A lifting apparatus having a stabilizer for providing support and stabilization during lifting of an object is provided. A conventional lifting mechanism, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical jack, provides force for lifting an object and is attached at a top end to the stabilizer. The stabilizer comprises an upright portion including a shoulder for attaching the stabilizer to the lifting mechanism, a toe portion near the bottom end of the upright portion, an adjustable stabilizing arm for providing support and stabilization, and a mechanism for adjusting the upright arm. The toe portion can be positioned underneath the object to be moved, and the upright arm moved against the side of the object. Support and stabilization of the lifting apparatus and the object is provided by the stabilizer during lifting and when the object is suspended above the floor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a lifting apparatus having a stabilizing member for providing stabilization and support during lifting of furniture and other objects. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] A variety of lifting devices for lifting large objects, such as furniture, are known in the art. Generally, these devices allow objects to be lifted off of a floor surface so that the floor underneath the object is accessible. Providing access to the floor underneath the object is advantageous in numerous situations, such as for allowing carpet underneath the object to be replaced and for allowing access to wiring channels, outlets, ducts, and other similar objects existing underneath the object and embedded within the floor surface. Moreover, lifting the object by means of a lifting device obviates the need to physically move and / or drag the object across th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] During operation, a location on the object to be lifted is identified, and the lifting apparatus is brought near the location. The apparatus is then tilted towards the object, so that the angled bottom face of the toe portion is flush with the floor surface. The toe portion of the lifting apparatus is then slid between the bottom surface of the object to be lifted and the floor. Once the toe is positioned, the adjustable stabilizing arm is moved against the side of the object to provide lateral support by turning the knob of the ...

Problems solved by technology

A particular problem with existing lifting devices is that stabilization is not provided while lifting objects.

For example, most lifting devices only provide for vertical lifting of objects, and do not provide lateral support for the object being lifted and / or the lifting device during lifting.

Moreover, present lifting devices do not include a stabilizer portion that can be adjusted to accommodate and support objects of various sizes, shapes, and weights during lifting.

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