Abstract:
A masonry step lifter has a first and a second jaw. Each of the jaws has (a) a tong adapted to subjacently support the masonry step, and (b) an upper and a lower arm. The upper arms overlap to an adjustable extent, as do the lower arms. The lower arms are releasably interlockable. The first jaw has a support leg with a lower portion attached to the proximal end of the tong for the first jaw. The support leg has an upper portion attached to the arms of the first jaw. The upper portion is inwardly set back to provide over the tong of the first jaw clearance for other overhanging masonry steps. The arms of the first and the second jaw are sized to avoid overhanging the upper portion of the support leg. The jaws can straddle the masonry step before being brought together in order to insert the tongs under the masonry step, and lift the masonry step. Using the jaws, the masonry step is laid on one of the horizontal surfaces of a stepped foundation. The jaws are then separated to remove at least an inward one of the tongs from under the masonry step.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for laying masonry steps, and in particular, to techniques that take into account the clearance and security needed for such purposes.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    To build masonry steps, a mason first builds a stepped foundation having a number of alternating horizontal and vertical surfaces. Thereafter, starting from the top, the mason will lay a layer of cement and place a masonry step on the cement. This process will be repeated for the next level down until all of the masonry steps have been laid in place. Each masonry step is typically spaced from the foundation&#39;s adjacent vertical face, and the gap is filled with cement.  
           [0005]    These masonry steps are usually lifted into place by hand. Typically, a pair of masons will lift the masonry step at either end, but this process is difficult and may be extremely difficult where the masonry step must fit between flanking walls.  
           [0006]    Masonry limestone steps are offered in 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 inch (15, 20, 25, 31, or 36 cm) widths, 12 inches being the most popular width. The steps are typically 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick and common in various lengths that are often trimmed to accommodate a particular installation.  
           [0007]    To avoid pinching fingers, the masonry step is usually dropped from a small height, but this tends to disturb the underlying cement layer. Some masons will lower the masonry step into place with ropes, but this leaves voids in the cement when the ropes are pulled free.  
           [0008]    The masonry steps are normally sized to overhang. This overhanging reduces the clearance when installing the next masonry step down.  
           [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 1,141,038 a pair of hooks can slide in one direction on bar  8 , while an opposing pair of hooks slide on bar  7  in the opposite direction. Cables  24  are used to bring the opposing hooks together while cables  25  bring them apart. This grappling device would not be suitable for lifting masonry steps into place because bars  6 ,  7  and  8  extend outside the grasp of the hooks. Thus a mason would not have sufficient clearance to bring a masonry step close to one of the vertical surface on a stepped foundation.  
           [0010]    In U.S. Pat. No. 2,828,618 bars  15  can be depressed to swing legs  1  and insert lugs  3  under a masonry block in order to grapple and lift the block. The legs do not lock in place and are therefore relatively insecure. The spacing between plates  18  can be adjusted by sliding collars  8  and  20  on bars  10 , but only slightly because this adjustment will also swing arms  1  and change the depth of insertion of lugs  3 .  
           [0011]    In U.S. Pat. No. 673,937 lifting handle  6  swings tong  5  to drive bricks  1  against tong  9 . The tongs do not provide subjacent support and will be relatively insecure. See also U.S. Pat. No. 370,565.  
           [0012]    In U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,278 a pair of opposing jaws can fit around one of the webs of a building block. By lifting the device with its handle, the jaws rotate and dig into the web so that the block can be lifted. This device provides no subjacent support and is therefore relatively insecure. U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,863 shows a similar device where the spacing between the jaws can be adjusted. For other similar devices see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,808,286; 2,967,730; 4,463,979; and 4,982,987. See also the related devices for holding a pipe (U.S. Pat. No. 2,378,454); or a box (U.S. Pat. No. 615,355).  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,805,604 shows a simple grappling device. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 408,380 and 5,692,789.  
           [0014]    Accordingly, there is need for improved apparatus and methods for securely lifting a masonry step in such a way that the step can be laid in place without interfering with previously laid steps.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a masonry step lifter with a first and a second jaw. Each of the jaws has a tong adapted to subjacently support the masonry step. The tongs each have an inwardly directed distal end and a proximal end. Each of the first and the second jaw has an arm. The arms of the first and the second jaw overlap to an adjustable extent and are releasably interlockable. The first jaw has a support leg with a lower portion attached to the proximal end of the tong for the first jaw. The support leg has an upper portion attached to the arm of the first jaw. The upper portion is inwardly set back to provide over the tong of the first jaw clearance for other overhanging masonry steps. The arms of the first and the second jaw are sized to avoid overhanging the upper portion of the support leg.  
           [0016]    According to another aspect of the invention, a masonry step lifter is provided with a first and a second jaw that are releasably interlockable. Each of the jaws has a tong adapted to subjacently support the masonry step. Each of the first and the second jaw has an upper and a lower arm. The upper arms of the first and the second jaws overlap to an adjustable extent. The lower arms of the first and the second jaws overlap to an adjustable extent.  
           [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method is provided for laying a masonry step with first and second spatially adjustable jaws onto a stepped foundation having an alternating plurality of horizontal and vertical surfaces. Each of the jaws has a lower tong. The method includes the step of straddling the masonry step with the jaws. The method also includes the steps of bringing the jaws together in order to insert the tongs under the masonry step, and lifting the jaws to raise the masonry step. Another step is using the jaws to lay the masonry step on one of the horizontal surfaces with an inward one of the tongs close to an adjacent one of the vertical surfaces. The method also includes the steps of separating the jaws to remove at least the inward one of the tongs from under the masonry step, and lifting at least the inward one of the tongs.  
           [0018]    By employing apparatus and methods of the foregoing type, an improved technique is achieved for moving a masonry step into place. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of jaws each have upright legs that are integral with upper horizontal arms. These upper arms overlap and are slidably attached together, with one arm attached by a pair of studs to a slot in the other arm. The preferred jaws each have attached at the mid points of the legs, lower horizontal arms. Posts in one of the lower arms slide in a slot in the other lower arm. Preferably, a notched lever attached to one of the jaws can lock onto the posts to keep the jaws set at a desired spacing. The mouth of the notches in this lever may be larger than the posts to guide the posts and to allow a small freedom of movement that tolerates variations in the dimensions of the masonry step.  
           [0019]    The preferred jaws may have a spring that biases them together. Tongs at the bottom of the legs of the jaws can hook underneath the masonry step. Thereafter, the jaws can be lifted in order to hoist the masonry step in place on a layer of cement on a stepped foundation. Once the masonry step is laid in place, the jaws can be separated and removed. In the preferred embodiment, the inward leg has an upper portion that is set back to provide clearance around an overhanging masonry step on the next level up. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a masonry step lifter in accordance with principles of the present invention, with the masonry step shown in phantom;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lifter of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a lifter that is an alternative to that of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a detailed, perspective, fragmentary view of a portion of the lifter of FIG. 3, showing the handle attachment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lifter that is an alternative to that of FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the locking lever of FIG. 5;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a detailed, perspective, fragmentary view of the pivot joint of the locking lever of FIG. 5;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a plan view of one of the lower arms of FIG. 5;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a detailed, perspective, fragmentary view of a shuttle locking mechanism that is an alternative to the locking lever of FIG. 6; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a stepped foundation showing various stages in the installation of a masonry step with a schematically illustrated lifter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a masonry step lifter is shown with a first jaw  10  and second jaw  12 . Jaw  12  is shown as a flat bar that is bent into a “J” shape. Specifically, jaw  12  has a horizontal tong  14 , a vertical straight back leg  16 , and a horizontal upper arm  18 . Arm  18  is a flat bar that overlaps another flat bar, namely, upper arm  20  of first jaw  10 . Arm  20  has over most of its length a slot  22 . A pair of studs  24  are affixed to upper arm  18  and protrude through slot  22 . Studs  24  are bolt-like, that is, a shank topped by a disk-like head.  
         [0032]    The end  25  of upper arm  20  is tapered and bent upwardly to form a distal hand grip. The opposite end of arm  20  connects to an integral support leg  26 , which has an upper vertical portion  26 A, a lower vertical portion  26 B, and between them a horizontal step portion  26 . The proximal end of tong  28  is integrally attached to the bottom of portion  26 C. The proximal end of tong  14  is integrally attached to the bottom of leg  16 . The distal ends of tongs  14  and  28  point inwardly toward each other and are shaped as flat blades. While the dimensions can vary in alternative embodiments, here tong  14  is about 1⅛ inches (2.9 cm) long and tong  28  is shorter (about ½ inch or 1.3 cm long) for reasons described hereinafter.  
         [0033]    A lower arm  30  is shown as a flat J-shaped bar forming a hook-like structure that is attached to the outside of straight leg  16 . The longest branch of bar  30  is overlapped by another J-shaped bar, namely, lower arm  32 . Lower arm  32  hooks around and is secured to the outside of upper portion  26 A of leg  26 . The hooked ends of arms  30  and  32  are attached by a pin (e.g., pin  33 ) that is secured with a cotter pin (shown in further detail hereinafter).  
         [0034]    The end  35  of arm  32  is tapered and bent to form a distal hand grip. A slot  34  extends along most of the length of the longest branch of arm  32 . A pair of threaded studs  36  affixed to arm  30  extends through slot  34 . Wing nuts  38  are threaded onto studs  36  to releasably clamp arms  30  and  32  together. The ends of threaded studs  36  may be peened to prevent removal of the wing nuts. Also, wing nuts  38  will be installed with a regular washer and lock washer.  
         [0035]    Arms  18  and  30  are overlapped by arms  20  and  32 , respectively, and cannot extend past leg  26 , even when jaws  10  and  12  are brought together to their minimum spacing. The use of upper and lower arms increases the overall strength of the lifter in comparison to a device that used only upper arms.  
         [0036]    Arms  18  and  30  are about 8½ inches (21.6 cm) long and arms  20  and  32  are about 13 to 13½ inches (33.0 to 34.3 cm) long although other lengths will be used for other embodiments designed to handle wider or narrow were masonry steps. In particular, the illustrated embodiment is designed to grapple masonry steps that are either 10, 12, or 14 inches (25, 31, or 36 cm) wide, although other embodiments could be dimensioned to handle a different number of standard step widths. Since masonry steps are also offered in standard 6 and 8 inch (15 and 20 cm) widths, a smaller embodiment is contemplated to handle these narrower steps. Also, the lifter is preferably about 7½ inches (19.1 cm) tall, although different heights may be employed in other embodiments, depending on the expected step size, required clearance, desired strength, etc. For the most part the various structural components are made from flat steel bar, although components made of different material and having alternative dimensions and shapes may be used instead. Preferably, jaws  10  and  12  are made of bar stock that is 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and ⅛ inch (3.2 mm) thick, and arms  30  and  32  of bar stock with the same thickness and a width that is 1¼ to 1½ inches(3.2 to 3.8 cm), although other dimension may be employed in other embodiments.  
         [0037]    The hooks  40 A of extension spring  40  are connected between the shortest branches  30 A and  30 B of arms  30  and  32 , respectively, to pull the jaws  10  and  12  together. Spring  40  is sometimes referred to as a yielding means and can cause tongs  14  and  28  to slip underneath masonry step  42 , which is shown in phantom.  
         [0038]    The foregoing arrangement is most convenient for right handed users. To accommodate left-handed users, arms  30  and  32  can be mounted on the opposite side of the lifter. Arm  32  is removed from leg  26  by releasing fastener  33  by extracting cotter pin  37 . Arm  30  will be removed from leg  16  by removing a similar fastener and cotter pin (not shown). Thereafter, arms  30  and  32  can be reinstalled on the opposite side of the lifter, with the position of spring  40  thereby reversed.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, components in this schematically illustrated, alternative lifter that correspond to components in the lifter previously illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 2  have the same reference numerals but marked with a prime (′). In this embodiment the previously illustrated lower arms (arms  30  and  32 ) were eliminated and replaced with lead screw  44 . Screw  44  is threaded into nut  46 , which is secured to leg  16 ′ of jaw  12 ′. Jaw  10 ′ is rotatably secured to one end of lead screw  44 . The other end of screw  44  is attached to manual crank  48 , which can be rotated to thread the screw  44  through nut  46  and move jaw  10 ′ relative to jaw  12 ′. Because screw  44  provides less reinforcement than the previously mentioned cross-arms (arms  30  and  32  of FIG. 1), the stock of jaws  10 ′ and  12 ′ is increased. Preferably, jaws  10 ′ and  12 ′ are made of stock that is 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and {fraction (3/16)} inch (4.8 mm) thick.  
         [0040]    The previously illustrated studs (studs  24 ) are replaced in this embodiment with arched handle  50 . The two ends of handle  50  are narrowed into studs  52  that fit inside slot  22 ′ of arm  20 ′. The overall height of this device, excluding handle  50 , is preferably 7¾ inches (19.7 cm), although this height may be different in alternate embodiments.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS.  5 - 8 , components that are the same as those shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  bear the same reference numerals. Modified components that correspond to those shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  bear the same reference numerals but marked with a double prime (″). Accordingly, jaw  12 ″ has a similar J-shaped structure and includes tong  14 , straight leg  16 , and upper arm  18 . An arched handle  53  is attached to the outside of leg  16 .  
         [0042]    The previously illustrated studs (studs  24 ) are replaced in this embodiment with arched handle  150 . In the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, the two ends of handle  150  are narrowed into studs that fit inside slot  22  of arm  20 . In this embodiment, handle  150  provides a hand opening that is much wider than the spacing between the two ends of handle  150  that attach to arm  18 . The width of this hand opening is designed to allow comfortable gripping of the handle, and this width was five inches (12.7 cm) in one constructed embodiment, although other widths may be desirable in different embodiments. This additional width is achieved in this embodiment by extending one side of handle  150  into a bight  150 A. For practical embodiments it is desirable to expand the width of handle  150  because the support base of handle  150  is typically too narrow for the comfort of users with large hands. It is also desirable to expand handle  150  in a direction away from the end of supporting arm  18 . Were one to keep the handle  150  centered on arm  18 , it would tend to bring the handle closer to tong  14  so that the handle would be off balance.  
         [0043]    Lower arm  30  is the same as before, except that the previously mentioned threaded studs (studs  36 ) are replaced with studs  54 , which are identical to previously mentioned studs  24  and slide inside slot  34 ″ of lower arm  32 ″. Also affixed to the arm  30  alongside studs  54  are a pair of posts  56 , which are bolt-like members that extend through slot  34 ″ at a greater distance than studs  54 .  
         [0044]    Lower arm  32 ″ is attached to the outside of upper portion  26 A of leg  26 . Slot  34 ″ is formed in the longest branch of arm  32 ″. A bight  32 B″ is formed at the proximal end of arm  32 ″ and reaches to branch  32 A″, which again serves to secure one end of spring  40 . A C-shaped clip  58  made of spring steel is clipped between the two folds of bight  32 B″. In some embodiments, bight  32 B″ may be eliminated, so that arm  32 ″ is more like arm  32  of FIG. 1. With bight  32 B″ eliminated, a separate clip assembly may be attached to leg  26  using rivet  33  or other fastening means. This alternate clip assembly can be structured with spring steel to provide the same function as would be provided by clip  58 .  
         [0045]    A locking lever  60  is shown as a flat steel bar supporting on its distal end a support knob  66 . The end of lever  60  opposite knob  66  is pierced with a pivot hole  68 . A pivot pin  70  is mounted in hole  68  and held in place with a cotter pin (not shown).  
         [0046]    The foregoing arrangement is most convenient for right handed users. To accommodate left-handed users, lever  60  can be mounted on the opposite side by removing arms  30  and  32 ″. Arm  32 ″ is removed from leg  26  by releasing fastener  33  (by extracting its cotter pin; see FIG. 2 for a cotter pin installation). Arm  30  will be removed from leg  16  by removing a similar fastener and cotter pin (not shown). Lever  60  will also be removed by removing pivot pin  70 , by removing a cotter pin (not shown), and reinstalling lever  60  upside down on arm  32 ″. Also, knob  66  will be removed from arm  32  and reinstalled on the opposite side of lever  60 . Thereafter, arms  30  and  32 ″ can be reinstalled on the opposite side of the lifter, with the position of spring  40  thereby reversed. Also handle  53  is off-centered and is placed closer to spring  40 . Therefore, handle  53  is repositioned by removing bolts  53 A and reinstalling the handle in alternate bolt holes  55 .  
         [0047]    Vertical face of locking lever  60  is shown with four keyhole-shaped notches  72 . Each of the notches has a narrow mouth  72 A leading to a wider channel  72 B. The edges of mouth  72 A converges at about a 45° (90° included angle). It will be appreciated that by altering the spacing between jaws  10 ″ and  12 ″ posts  56  will slide longitudinally inside slot  34 ″ to change their position relative to notches  72 . With posts  56  appropriately adjusted, locking lever  60  can be swung down using knob  66  so that an adjacent pair of notches  72  will fit around the shanks of posts  56 , thereby locking jaws  10 ″ and  12 ″ with a fixed spacing. The converging edges of mouth  72 A guide posts  56  into channel  72 B. Because masonry can vary from their nominal size, the mouth  72 A and the channel  72 B are made wider than would be strictly necessary if the masonry steps were dimensioned precisely. This widening of notches  72  with respect to the diameter of the shanks of posts  56  provides a tolerance for variations in the size of masonry step  42 .  
         [0048]    The four notches  72  of lever  60  are designed to handle masonry steps that are either 10, 12, or 14 inches (25, 31, or 36 cm) wide. In alternative embodiments the lever  60  may be dimensioned differently and have a greater or lesser number of notches in order to handle a different number of standard step widths. The overall height of this device, excluding handle  50 , is preferably 7½ inches (19.1 cm), although this height may be different in alternate embodiments.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 9, the previously mentioned locking lever (lever  60 ) is replaced with an alternative lever  74  whose distal end terminates in a semi-cylindrical nub  76 . Nub  76  is designed to fit in one of a number of semi-cylindrical troughs  78  formed in arm  80 . Lever  74  is pivotally attached to one jaw, while the other jaw is attached to arm  80 . Nub  76  is locked into one of the troughs  78  by a shackle  82 , which is a U-shaped metal clip with rolled ends designed to latch onto arm  80 .  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 11, components that are the same as those shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  bear the same reference numerals except they are incremented by 100. Accordingly, jaw  112  has a similar J-shaped structure and includes tong  114 , straight leg  116 , and upper arm  118 . An arched handle  253  is attached to the outside of leg  116  by bolts  253 A. Handle to  53  is substantially the same as handle  53  of FIG. 5.  
         [0051]    The previously illustrated studs (studs  24 ) are replaced in this embodiment with arched handle  250 . Handle  250  is substantially the same as handle  150  shown in FIG. 5. In the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, the two ends of handle  250  are narrowed into studs that fit inside slot  122  of arm  120 .  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 12, components in this schematically illustrated, alternative lifter that correspond to components in the lifter previously illustrated in FIG. 2 have the same reference numerals but incremented by 100. Again, screw  144  is threaded into nut  146 , which is secured to leg  116 ′ of jaw  112 ′. Jaw  110 ′ is rotatably secured to one end of lead screw  144 . The other end of screw  144  is attached to manual crank  148 , which can be rotated to thread the screw  144  through nut  146  and move jaw  110 ′ relative to jaw  112 ′. As before, the stock of jaws  10 ′ and  12 ′ is preferably 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and {fraction (3/16)} inch (4.8 mm) thick.  
         [0053]    The previously illustrated handle  50  was replaced in this embodiment with arched handle  250 ′. Handle  250  is substantially the same as handle  250  shown in FIG. 11. In the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, the two ends of handle  250  are narrowed into studs that fit inside slots in arm  120 ′.  
         [0054]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, the operation of the lifter of FIGS.  5 - 8  will be briefly described in connection with the diagrams of FIGS. 10A and 10B. It will be appreciated that the lifters of FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrated schematically without showing the locking levers, in order to simplify these diagrams.  
         [0055]    A mason will build a step foundation F in the usual fashion with horizontal surfaces HS adjacent to vertical surfaces VS. The horizontal surfaces HS will be prepared by first laying down a layer  84  of cement. Next, grasping the lifter of FIG. 5, lever  60  will be raised by lifting knob  66 . As the lever  60  rotates, its proximal end will engage and depress spring clip  58  (FIG. 7). Once lever  60  reaches the elevation shown in FIG. 7 spring clip  58  presses against the top edge of lever  60  to hold it in the illustrated elevated position.  
         [0056]    The mason may now grasp handle  53  and knob  66  (or grip  26 ) in order to change the spacing of jaws  10 ″ and  12 ″. The jaws may be opened wide so that tongs  14  and  28  can reach around masonry step  42 . Once the tongs are positioned below masonry step  42 , the mason can release any manual pressure applied to handle  53  and knob  66  so that spring  40  can pull jaws  10 ″ and  12 ″ together, allowing tongs  14  and  18  to slip under masonry step  42 .  
         [0057]    Masonry step  42  typically comes in standard widths of 10, 12, and 14 inches (25, 31, and 36 cm). Therefore, notches  72  are laid out to accommodate these standard widths. Accordingly, lever  60  can be lowered using knob  66  so that the shanks of posts  56  will readily slip into mouth  72 A of a pair of the notches  72 . The broader channel  72 B of notches  72  allow limited movement of posts  56  so that the spacing of jaws  10 ″ and  12 ″ can move slightly to accommodate variations in the width of masonry step  42 .  
         [0058]    In the foregoing manner a pair of lifters can be placed near opposite ends of masonry step  42 . For relatively long steps more than two lifters can be employed. Alternatively, where two masons are lifting the masonry step  42 , each mason may wish to have a pair of lifters (one for each hand); that is, four lifters altogether.  
         [0059]    Next, one or more masons can hoist the lifters by placing one or more hands around handle  150 . Masonry step  42  can thus be placed in position on cement layer  84  as shown in FIG. 10A. Because the mason&#39;s fingers are not on masonry step  42 , it that can be carefully laid in place and not dropped from a small height. Also, because the masons need not place their fingers at the ends of masonry step  42 , it can be placed in between flanking walls.  
         [0060]    It should be noted that the masonry step  42  is spaced from the adjacent vertical surface VS, and overhangs the horizontal surface HS in the usual fashion. Because leg portion  26 A is set back about 2 inches (5.1 cm), there is no interference between the lifter and the overhanging, superior masonry step  42 ′.  
         [0061]    The mason may now lift the locking lever  60 , using knob  66 . The shanks of posts  56  will slide out of the notches  72 . By grasping handle  53  and pushing grip  26 , tong  28  will slip out from under masonry step  42 , as shown in FIG. 10B. While leg portion  26 A moves inwardly, the set back of leg portion  26 A avoids interference with the overhanging, superior step  42 ′. Tong  14  may still remain under masonry step  42  while the mason tilts the lifter and extracts tong  28  between masonry step  42  and vertical surface VS. Alternatively, tongs  14  and  28  can be simultaneously withdrawn from under masonry step  42 .  
         [0062]    In any event, the set back of leg portion  26 A (approximately 2 inches or 5.1 cm) ensures that the lifter can be withdrawn upwardly without interference with overhanging, superior step  42 ′. Also, tong  28  is relatively short (about ½ in or 1.3 cm) and can easily be extracted in the space between masonry step  42  and vertical surface VS. Once the lifter is removed, the mason can trowel cement into the gap between masonry step  42  and vertical surface VS as shown, for example, in position  86  of FIG. 10A.  
         [0063]    This process can be repeated for successively lower levels until masonry steps have been laid on every one of the horizontal surfaces HS of foundation F.  
         [0064]    It will be appreciated that the lifters of FIGS. 1, 3, and  9  operate in a similar fashion, except for the manner of setting the jaw spacing. For the embodiment of FIG. 1, the spacing of jaws  10  and  12  is adjusted by loosening wing nuts  38  and sliding jaws together or apart. This sliding is facilitated by studs  24  and  36  sliding in slots  22  and  34 , respectively. In order to relatively move the jaws  10  and  12 , the mason can grasp leg  16  with one hand and use the other hand to grasp either grip  26  or  35 . Once an appropriate jaw spacing is established, the mason can lock the jaws together by tightening wing nuts  38 .  
         [0065]    For the embodiment of FIG. 3, the mason can adjust the jaw spacing by rotating handle  48  in order to thread lead screw  44  through nut  46 . This effectively changes the length of the lead screw  44  between jaws  10 ′ and  12 ′ and therefore changes the jaw spacing. Also, the handle  50  can be used to lift the lifter and any masonry step between the jaws  10 ′ and  12 ′.  
         [0066]    For the embodiment of FIG. 9, arm  74  can be lifted from arm  80  before adjusting the jaw spacing. Thereafter, arm  74  can be lowered so that nub  76  falls into one of the notches  78 . Simultaneously, shackle  82  snaps around arm  80  to hold arms  74  and  80  together.  
         [0067]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.