Patent ID: 6012752
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
A concrete pipe lifter apparatus comprising:a flexible member supporting a clevis;a plate symmetric about a central vertical axis suspended from said clevis by an aperture in said plate's axis of symmetry, said plate further comprising:a top edge proximate to said aperture;a bottom edge, parallel to said top edge, said bottom edge having integrally formed therein a hollow tube extending the length of said bottom edge, said tube having two open ends;a solid axle slidably receivable into said tube, said axle having a length such that when said axle is received into said tube, said axle extends a short distance beyond each open end of said tube;a first pair of link members provided at a first end of said axle, each member of said first pair of said link members further comprising:an upper end having a coincident pivot point on said axle;a lower end rotatably joined to a tine of a tong;a second pair of link members provided at a second end of said axle, each member of said second pair of said link members further comprising:an upper end having a coincident pivot point on said axle;a lower end rotatably joined to a tine of a tong;a rod connecting each said lower end of each said pair of link members to each lower end of each adjacent said pair of link members;a one-piece handle/latch assembly rotatably mounted at each opposite end of said axle;a first handle stop protruding from an inside edge of said lower end of said first pair of said link members;a second handle stop protruding from an inside edge of said lower end of said second pair of said link members;a first tong linked to said lower ends of said first pair of said link members, said first tong further comprising:two tines having a common pivot point;a link end connected to a pair of link members;a jaw end opposite said link end, said jaw end capable of capturing, suspending, and releasing a concrete pipe;a second tong, identical to said first tong, linked to said lower ends of said second pair of said link members;a plurality of structural ribs extending from said first tong to said second tong;a first catch pin through the pivot point of said first tong; anda second catch pin through the pivot point of said second tong;whereby said handle/latch assembly can simultaneously engage said first catch pin and said second catch pin to thereby hold open said jaw ends of said tongs.