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.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A lifting apparatus comprising: 
 a lifting mechanism for providing upward force for lifting an object;    an upright portion connected to the lifting mechanism;    a toe portion at a bottom end of the upright portion for insertion between a bottom surface of the object and a floor surface;    a stabilizing arm for providing support for the object during lifting, the stabilizing arm moveable away from the upright portion along the toe portion in a plane generally parallel to the toe portion; and    means for moving the stabilizing arm against the object.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the upright portion further comprises a shoulder for interconnecting the upright portion to the lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the shoulder is interconnected with a movable part of the lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the toe portion is set at an angle with respect to a floor.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein an end of the horizontal portion of the toe portion is tapered to allow the toe portion to be slid between the bottom surface of the object and the floor surface.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the stabilizing arm is hingedly interconnected with the upright portion.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm comprises a threaded rod retained by a threaded aperture located proximal to an upper end of the upright portion.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm further comprises a pivotable mount pivotably interconnecting an end of the threaded rod to an upper end of the stabilizing arm.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the pivotable mount comprises a ball and socket joint.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm further comprises a knob connected to an end of the threaded rod.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein when the knob is rotated by a user, the threaded rod advances along the threaded aperture and urges the stabilizing arm against the object to stabilize and support the lifting apparatus.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus for stabilizing a lifting mechanism comprising: 
 an upright portion connected to the lifting mechanism;    a toe portion at a bottom end of the upright portion for insertion between a bottom surface of the object and a floor surface;    a stabilizing arm moveable away from the upright portion along the toe portion in a plane generally parallel to the toe portion; and    means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm.    
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the toe portion includes an angled bottom face for allowing the apparatus to be tilted toward the object.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein an end of the horizontal portion of the toe portion is tapered to allow the toe portion to be slid between the bottom surface of the object and the floor surface.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising a hinged connection between the stabilizing arm and the upright portion.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm comprises a threaded rod retained by a threaded aperture located proximal to an upper end of the upright portion.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the means moving and retracting the stabilizing arm comprises a pivotable mount between the threaded rod and the stabilizing arm.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the pivotable mount comprises a ball and socket joint.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm comprises a knob.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein when the knob is rotated by a user, the threaded rod advances along the threaded aperture and urges the stabilizing arm against the object.  
   
   
       43 . A method for stabilizing an object during lifting comprising: 
 providing a lifting apparatus having a lifting mechanism, a toe portion, and a stabilizing arm moveable along the toe portion in a plane generally parallel to the toe portion;    sliding the toe portion of the lifting apparatus underneath a bottom surface of the object;    moving the stabilizing arm against the object; and    activating the lifting mechanism to lift the object.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the step of moving the stabilizing arm further comprising turning a knob to urge a threaded rod against the stabilizing arm to move the stabilizing arm against the object.  
   
   
       45 . An apparatus for stabilizing a lifting mechanism comprising: 
 an upright portion connected to the lifting mechanism;    a toe portion at a bottom end of the upright portion, the toe portion including a horizontal portion for insertion between a bottom surface of the object and a floor surface;    a stabilizing arm moveable away from, and retractable towards, the upright portion; and    means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm, said means including a threaded rod retained by a threaded aperture located proximal to an upper end of the upright portion.    
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm comprises a pivotable mount between the threaded rod and the stabilizing arm.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the pivotable mount comprises a ball and socket joint.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the means for moving and retracting the stabilizing arm comprises a knob.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein when the knob is rotated by a user, the threaded rod advances along the threaded aperture and urges the stabilizing arm against the object.  
   
   
       50 . A method for stabilizing an object during lifting comprising: 
 providing a lifting apparatus having a lifting mechanism, a toe portion, and a stabilizing arm;    sliding the toe portion of the lifting apparatus underneath a bottom surface of the object;    turning a knob of the lifting apparatus to urge a threaded rod against the stabilizing arm to move the stabilizing arm against the object; and    activating the lifting mechanism to lift the object.    
   
   
       51 . A lifting apparatus comprising: 
 a lifting mechanism for providing upward force for lifting an object;    an upright portion connected to the lifting mechanism;    a toe portion attached to a bottom end of the upright portion and extending generally horizontal to a floor surface;    a stabilizing arm for providing support for an object during lifting, the stabilizing arm moveable away from the upright portion along the toe portion in a plane generally parallel to the toe portion; and    means for moving the stabilizing arm against the object.    
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the upright portion further comprises a shoulder for interconnecting the upright portion to the lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the shoulder is interconnected with a movable part of the lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the toe portion is set at an angle with respect to a floor.  
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein an end of the horizontal portion of the toe portion is tapered to allow the toe portion to be slid between the bottom surface of the object and the floor surface.  
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the stabilizing arm is hingedly interconnected with the upright portion.  
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm comprises a threaded rod retained by a threaded aperture located proximal to an upper end of the upright portion.  
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm further comprises a pivotable mount pivotably interconnecting an end of the threaded rod to an upper end of the stabilizing arm.  
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the pivotable mount comprises a ball and socket joint.  
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the means for moving the stabilizing arm further comprises a knob connected to an end of the threaded rod.  
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein when the knob is rotated by a user, the threaded rod advances along the threaded aperture and urges the stabilizing arm against the object to stabilize and support the lifting apparatus.