Lifting device and method of use thereof

Abstract

A lifting device and method of use permit objects having a flat bottom supported on particulate material to be readily lifted. The device includes an elongate shaft member extending in a longitudinal direction between respective first and second ends. A hook member is supported on the first end of the shaft member to extend substantially straight along a hook axis lying substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member. A gripping member supported on the shaft member adjacent the second end permits gripping in a hand of a person. The substantially perpendicular configuration of the hook member readily permits rectangular objects to be well supported on the hook member for lifting heavy objects including pre-cast concrete sidewalk slabs and the like.

1 . A lifting device comprising: 
 an elongate shaft member extending in a longitudinal direction between respective first and second ends;    a hook member supported on the first end of the shaft member, the hook member being substantially straight along a hook axis lying substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member; and    a gripping member supported on the shaft member adjacent the second end thereof for being gripped in a hand of a person.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the shaft member and the hook member are integrally formed of a single rod of material which has been deformed.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the shaft member is circular in cross section at the first end thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the shaft member is approximately two feet in length.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the shaft member and the hook member have a similar cross sectional dimension which is substantially less than ½ inch.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping member comprises a handle mounted on the shaft member transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member and the hook axis.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the handle is fixed in orientation relative to the shaft member and the hook member.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the handle is injection molded about the second end of the shaft member.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein the second end of the shaft member is deformed before the handle is injection molded thereabout.  
     
     
         10 . A lifting kit for lifting objects having a flat bottom supported on particulate material and the like, the kit comprising a plurality of lifting devices in accordance with  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . A method of lifting an object having a flat bottom supported on particulate material on the ground, the method comprising: 
 providing at least one lifting device comprising an elongate shaft member; a hook member supported on a first end of the shaft member to extend substantially straight along a hook axis lying substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the shaft member; and a gripping member supported on the shaft member adjacent a second end thereof;    positioning the hook member of said at least one lifting device adjacent and parallel to a respective side edge of the object;    lowering the hook member of said at least one lifting device along the respective side edge below a respective bottom edge of the object;    rotating the hook member of said at least one lifting device about a longitudinal axis of the shaft member until the hook member is positioned below the object; and    lifting said at least one lifting device.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  including providing a plurality of lifting devices and positioning the lifting devices along opposing side edges of the object.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  for an object comprising a first pre-cast concrete sidewalk slab positioned adjacent a second sidewalk slab of similar configuration, the method including inserting the hook member of said at least one lifting device in a gap defined between the first and second sidewalk slabs.