Abstract:
An self-powered apparatus for moving objects that can be rolled or dragged across a surface, one embodiment of the apparatus operating on either of front or rear endless track pairs the apparatus center of gravity being forwardly and rearwardly shiftable to select between use of the front or rear endless tracks for movement of the vehicle across a surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. 1.78(a)(4) based upon U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/056,666 filed on May 28, 2008 and titled Self-powered Lifting and Moving Device and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and moving objects. More particularly, the present invention is used to move objects that can be rolled or dragged across a surface. Such objects may include automobiles, trucks, equipment having wheels or drag surfaces and stationary objects. The apparatus is self-propelled by an on-board power source and may be provided with dual pairs of endless tracks that, in one embodiment, are selectably employed for moving the vehicle depending on the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the moving of loads, and in particular loads such as automobiles and trucks at accident locations or at recycling yards or disabled automobiles and trucks located in cover parking areas and ship holds the room to maneuver the load may be very limited. In the case of parking garages and ship holds the height of the area will prevent the use of convention tow trucks and devices. In one extreme case, ship holds, the low ceiling height prevents the use of towing device that have an operator seated on the top of the towing device. In the case of junk yard or recycling yards for automobiles and trucks the close storage of the vehicles in these locations requires a towing device having high mobility and a small turn radius and the ability to accurately manipulate the article or load being moved to avoid damage to the load and to adjacent structures and loads. In addition the ability to quickly, conveniently and safely move a towing device from location to location is nearly always necessary. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore it is an object to provide an apparatus for lifting and moving vehicles or objects and which apparatus may be used to move vehicles with rotating wheels or objects that may be dragged across a surface when lifted at one end. 
     It is an object of the apparatus to provide the ability to lift and move a large heavy workpiece such as a motor vehicle with as small a turning radius as possible. 
     It is another object to provide an apparatus that may operate in limited ceiling height areas such a ship hold and parking garages. 
     It is yet another object of the apparatus to provide a device that can be operated by radio frequency remote control so an operator in an area having a limited ceiling height can be position next to the apparatus and control the apparatus with a remote control. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus described herein is, generally, a self-powered, skid-steer type apparatus having a rear pair and a front pair of endless tracks the front and rear tracks may be used independently of each other through the use of a shiftable center of gravity that moves past a fulcrum point and from the rear tracks to the front tracks when a sufficient load is placed on the means for carrying a load that extends from the front of the embodiment of the apparatus. 
     Another embodiment of the apparatus described herein is, generally, a self-powered, skid-steer type apparatus having forward tracks or treads on either side and having a rear wheel that acts as a pivot for the body of the apparatus as the forward tracks or treads are used to advance and reverse and rotate the apparatus. 
     The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not intended in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front and right side perspective view of an embodiment showing the front or forward endless tracks positioned outboard of the vehicle frame and the rear endless tracks inboard of the vehicle frame and the lift arm extended from the front of the vehicle apparatus with a load grasping device having wheel-capture carriages mounted thereon and the tow bar positioned above the lift arm and retracted and the tow wheels on either side of the frame in the upward or stored position and the a rear extension platform; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1  having the rear extension platform removed and showing the vehicle apparatus without a load on the lift arm and the center of gravity positioned rearwardly such that the weight of the vehicle apparatus is on the rear tracks; 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  showing the vehicle apparatus with a load on the lift arm thereby shifting the center of gravity forwardly such that the weight of the vehicle apparatus is on the front tracks; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side, cross-section elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  having the rear extension platform with a rear piston supported thereon, and showing a forward piston mounted at the forward bulkhead of the vehicle apparatus, the rear piston allowing operator selected repositioning of the vertical position of the rear pivot of the tow bar and the lift arm combination and the forward piston allowing operator selected repositioning of the vertical position of the forward pivot of the tow bar and the lift arm combination, 
         FIG. 5  is a right side, cross-section elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  showing the rear piston raised to an operator selected position to change the height of the rear pivot of the tow bar and the lift arm combination and showing the forward piston lowered to an operator selected position to change the heights of the forward pivot of the tow bar and the lift arm combination such that the front of the lift arm and tow bar combination extending from the front of the vehicle apparatus is aimed downwardly to place the wheel capture carriages mounted thereon below the level of the tracks; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 4  a portion of the forward bulkhead cutaway to reveal the piston contained therein and the ram contained therein, the piston operating to raise and lower the forward pivot of the tow bar and the lift arm combination and the ram operating to limit the forward to rear movement of the tow bar and lift arm combination; 
         FIG. 7  is a right side, fragmented elevation view of an embodiment showing the tow wheels on either side of the frame in the lowered position and the front and rear endless tracks elevated to a position above the surface to allow towing of the apparatus by another vehicle and showing in phantom lines the elevated position of the tow wheels that allows the endless tracks to contact the surface; 
         FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment having a pair of front endless tracks and a rear castor wheel and a front elevator plate for raising and lowering the lift arm having a wheel cradle attached thereto; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  showing the a front elevator plate raising the lift arm having and wheel cradle into an elevated position; and 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of one of the wheel cradles and showing the rotatable engagement plates thereon. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present inventions are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     First referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the load moving apparatus  10  is shown having front endless tracks  12  positioned outboard of the vehicle frame  14  and rear endless tracks  16  positioned inboard of the vehicle frame  14 . A load carrying means  18  extends from the front  20  of the apparatus  10 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  the load carrying means  18  is a lift arm  22  having a load grasping means  24  attached to the end thereof. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  the load grasping means  24  is a wheel cradle having left and right cradles  26 ,  28  mounted thereon and which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Extendable from the front  20  of the apparatus  10  is a tow bar  30  which is positioned above the load carrying means  18  or lift arm  22 . The tow bar  30  can be used to pull the apparatus  10  behind another vehicle to permit deployment of the apparatus over distances and at higher road speed than could be provided by the on-board engine power supply  32  used to operate the endless tracks  12 ,  16 . To allow such deployment of the apparatus  10  over distances and at higher road speeds a pair of tow wheels  34   a ,  34   b  are provided which are positioned on either side of the vehicle frame  14 . In  FIG. 1 , the tow wheels  34   a ,  34   b  are shown in the upward or stored position thereby allowing the endless tracks  12 ,  16  to be in contact with the surface  50  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In  FIG. 1  also is shown a front bulkhead  36  having contained therein, and revealed by phantom lines in  FIG. 1 , a piston  38  within a ram  40  both of which are pivotally connected to a sleeve member  42  containing the retractable tow bar  30 . Generally, the function of the piston  38  is to vertically reposition the tow bar  30  and the lift arm  22 . Generally, the function of the ram  40  is to provide resistance against the forward or rearward movement of the tow bar  30  and the lift arm  22  as forces are applied to those structures during use of the apparatus  10 . The operation of the piston and the ram will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is the operator cab  44  that is removably positioned on the vehicle frame  14  and the rear platform  46  of the vehicle frame  14 . Rear platform  46  supports one or more rear pistons  48 . As described in detail hereinafter the rear piston, or pistons  48 , are connected to rear platform  46  and are pivotally connected to the tow bar  30  rear and the lift arm  22  rear for adjustment of the vertical position of the rear portions of the tow bar  30  and the lift arm  22  to permit vertical adjustment of the angle of the front end of the tow bar and the lift arm with respect to the surface  50  ( FIG. 2 ) on which the apparatus  10  is operating. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2  the operation of the dual endless tracks  12 ,  16  will be described. The apparatus  10  has two pairs  12 ,  16  of endless tracks, a forward track pair  12   a ,  12   b  and a rear track pair  16   a ,  16   b . One track of each pair is mounted on each of the opposed sides of the vehicle frame  14 —the frame right side or the frame left side of the vehicle frame  14 . The right side front and rear endless tracks  12   a ,  16   a  or the left side front and rear endless tracks  12   b ,  16   b  are operated off a common drive shaft  52  connected to a drive sprocket  54 . This is accomplished by positioning the rear endless track pair  16   a ,  16   b  inboard of the vehicle frame  14  and the front endless tracks  12   a ,  12   b  outboard of the vehicle frame so that the drive sprocket  54  for the right side front endless track is at the rear of the front track  12   a  and the drive sprocket  54  for the rear endless track is at the front of the rear track  16   a . This aligns the drive sprockets  54  and permits a common drive shaft  52  to be used to direct power to both right side front track  12   a , and right side rear track  16   a , with a left side drive shaft to direct power to both left side front track  12   b , and left side rear track  16   b.    
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3  it is shown that the front and rear tracks  12 ,  16  are mounted on the vehicle frame  14  at an angle such that an end of each track is elevated with respect the opposite end of each track. Specifically, and with respect to the front endless track  12   a ,  12   b  the front tracks are mounted on the frame  14  at an angle so the front  56  of the front track  12   a ,  12   b  is positioned slightly higher than the rear  58  of front track  12   a ,  12   b  with respect to the vehicle frame. In contrast, the rear endless tracks  16   a ,  16   b  are mounted on the vehicle frame  14  at an angle so that the rear  58  of the rear track  16   a ,  16   b  are positioned slightly higher than the front  56  of the rear tracks  16   a ,  16   b . This angled mounting creates a fulcrum point  60  for the vehicle apparatus  10  at a location comprising the rear  58  of the front tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and front  56  of the rear tracks  16   a ,  16   b . This fulcrum point  60  allows for a shifting of the center of gravity of the vehicle  10  which causes either the front endless track pair  12   a ,  12   b  or rear endless track pair  16   a ,  16   b  to be the main support of the weight of the vehicle at any one time. This shifting of the weight, or the center of gravity, of the vehicle to the front or to the rear of the fulcrum point is governed by the placement of a load “L” ( FIG. 3 ) on the load carrying means  18  such as lift arm  22 . For example, when the load carrying means  18  is not supporting a load the center of gravity of vehicle  10  is positioned rearwardly along the horizontal axis of the vehicle and the vehicle weight is to the rear of the fulcrum point  60  and the weight of the vehicle is generally, fully supported on the rear endless tack pair.  16   a ,  16   b . This is so because the center of gravity of the vehicle is determined by the weight distribution of the vehicle  10  only as there is no load. In this situation, the center of gravity of the vehicle without a load on the load carrying means  18  is over the rear tracks of the vehicle. Thus, in the absence of a load sufficient to shift the center of gravity away from the location established during manufacture of the vehicle, the rear tracks  16   a ,  16   b  support the vehicle and are operable to steer and move the vehicle. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when the vehicle is supporting a load “L” on the load carrying means  18  or the lift arm  22  the weight of the vehicle is supported on the front endless track pair  12   a ,  12   b . This is so because with the addition of the weight of a load on the load carrying means  18  or lift arm  22 , the center of gravity of the vehicle is shifted away from the location established during manufacture of the vehicle and toward the front of the vehicle. This shifting of the center of gravity toward the front causes the center of gravity to be moved forward of the fulcrum point  60  of the vehicle. This forward shift of the center of gravity results in the front tracks  12   a ,  12   b  supporting the vehicle  10  and load weight and the front track pair  12   a ,  12   b  operating to steer and move the vehicle. 
     A second aspect of the above-described angled mounting of the track pairs  12 ,  16  is that it provides clearance between the surface  50  and the treads  62  of the track pair  12 ,  16  that is not engaged in supporting the vehicle  10 . In particular, it will be appreciated that when the weight of the vehicle is supported on the rear track pair  16   a ,  16   b  the rear  58  of the front track pair  12   a ,  12   b  is only slightly in contact with the surface  50 . The portion of front track  12   a ,  12   b  that is forward of the rear  58  of the front track  12   a ,  12   b  is slightly elevated above the operating surface. The slight elevation of the tracks spaces the bottom of the front track tread  62  from the surface  50  and allows each pair of front tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and each pair of rear tracks  16   a ,  16   b  to operate in the skid steer manner of operation without a second pair of tracks being in contact with the surface  50  and impeding the operation of the tracks that are supporting the weight of the vehicle. 
     An additional benefit is derived from the shifting of the center of gravity and the shifting between the operating endless tracks from the rear endless tracks to the front endless tracks. It will be appreciated that when vehicle  10  is not supporting a load on the load carrying means  18  or the lift arm  22  the weight of the vehicle is supported on the rear endless track pair  16   a ,  16   b . This places the pivot point of the tow bar  30  or the lift arm  22  near the rear of the apparatus  10 . As a result of this rearward location of the pivot point, a small left to right movement in the position of the vehicle  10  produces a large effect at the front end of the tow bar  30  or the lift arm  22 . 
     In contrast, when vehicle  10  is supporting a load on the load carrying means  18  or the lift arm  22  the weight of the vehicle is supported on the front endless track pair  12   a ,  12   b . This places the pivot point of the tow bar  30  or the lift arm  22  near the front of apparatus  10 . As a result of this forward location of the pivot point, a small left to right movement in the position of the vehicle  10  produces a small effect at the front end of the tow bar  30  or the lift arm  22 . This change in the control effect provided to the front end of the tow bar  30  or the lift arm  22  as a result of the two different pivot locations has great utility when moving vehicle  10  into position to grasp a load and when moving vehicle  10  to move a load while clearing obstructions adjacent to the load. For example, when apparatus  10  is being used to pick-up and move an automobile, it is useful to make larger incremental changes in the position of the front end of lift arm  22  during the approach to the vehicle. During this circumstance, there is no load on the vehicle  10  and clearing obstructions is less difficult as there is no load obstructing the operator&#39;s view of the working field. When no load is on lift arm  22  the changes in position made by the operator will have a large effect at the end of lift arm  22  as the pivot point of lift arm  22  is located toward the read of vehicle  10  and approximately midway along the longitudinal axis of the rear endless track pair  16   a ,  16   b . In contrast, when a load is placed on lift arm  22  the vehicle will be operating on the front endless track pair  12   a ,  12   b  and the pivot point of lift arm  22  is shifted forward to a location approximately midway along the longitudinal axis of the front endless track pair  12   a ,  12   b . This shortening of the length between the pivot point and the front end of lift arm  22  produces a lesser left to right movement at the front end of lift arm  22  in response to the operator making the same control movement as was made by the operator when the vehicle  10  was operating on the rear pair of endless tracks  16   a ,  16   b . This smaller movement is beneficial when a load is on lift arm  22 . With a load on the lift arm  22  the operator&#39;s view is obstructed by the load and as the operator desires to avoid contacting any object near the load (in this case an automobile) the smaller position changes provided by the forward pivot point allows the operator to more carefully move the automobile that is on lift arm  22  while using the same set of controls. 
     Yet another benefit is achieved by the provision of both front and rear tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and  16   a ,  16   b . As was described above, when a load “L” is on lift arm  22  the load will cause the apparatus  10  to rely on the front endless tracks  12   a ,  12   b  for operation and the rear tracks  16   a ,  16   b  will be slightly above the surface allowing unobstructed skid steer operation by the single front track pair  12   a ,  12   b . However, if the apparatus  10  is on a soft surface, such as mud or loose sand, and the weight of the apparatus  10  causes the apparatus to sink into the soft surface, both front and rear tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and  16   a ,  16   b  will be brought into operational contact with the ground. This contact allows the weight of the apparatus  10  to be distributed over all four tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and  16   a ,  16   b  and aids in preventing further sinking of apparatus  10  into the soft surface. Also, as a soft surface is malleable, the skid steer function can be employed using all four tracks  12   a ,  12   b  and  16   a ,  16   b  as the soft surface will give way and only minimally impede the pivoting action with all four tracks in contact with the soft surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  the operation of the load carrying means  18  and the tow bar  30  will be described. One embodiment of the apparatus is provided with front and rear vertical elevation control of the tow bar  30  and the load carrying means  18 . In  FIGS. 4 and 5  the load carrying means  18  is lift arm  22  having wheel cradles  26 ,  28  thereon for grasping the front or rear wheels of an automobile or truck or the like. It will be appreciated that alternatives for lift arm  22  can be used as the load carrying means  18 . For example, a forklift fork could be used or a flat platform could be used or any number of designs and devices could be selected that allow the grasping or carrying of a load can be substituted for lift arm  22  on load carrying means  18 . Tow bar  30  is extendable and retractable as it is supported within sleeve  42   a  that allows telescopic extension and retraction of tow bar  30  with respect to sleeve  42   a . The extension and retraction of the tow bar is operated by a piston  66   a  within sleeve  42   a  which operates to extend and retract tow bar  30  in response to operator control activation. In the same manner, lift arm  22  also is retractable and extendable and is contained in sleeve  42   b  to allow telescopic extension and retraction of lift arm  22  with respect to sleeve  42   b . The extension and retraction of the tow bar is operated by a piston  66   b  within sleeve  42   b  which operates to extend and retract lift arm  22  in response to operator control activation. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  the manipulation of the vertical position of tow bar  30  and lift arm  22  will be described. In  FIG. 4  it will be appreciated that sleeves  42   a ,  42   b  are pivotally connected to pistons  38 ,  48  by a ring-and-shaft connection  68  thereby allowing sleeves  42   a ,  42   b  to be operated in tandem by pistons  48  and  38  which are connected, respectively, at the rear and at the front of sleeves  42   a ,  42   b . The pivoting or rotatable ring-and-shaft connection  68  of pistons  38  and  48  allows the operator of apparatus  10  to independently change the vertical position of the front and rear of sleeves  42   a, b  and thereby change both the height and the angle of sleeves  42   a, b  with respect to the surface  50  ( FIG. 3 ). It will be appreciated that extension and retraction front piston  38  will change the vertical position of the front of sleeve  22   a, b  and that extension and retraction of rear piston  48  will change the vertical position of the rear of sleeve  22   a, b . By employing various combinations of the extension and retraction of pistons  38 ,  48  both the height of sleeves  42   a,b  above surface  50  can be changed and by extending on of piston  38 ,  48  and retracting the other of pistons  38 ,  48  the angle of sleeves  22   a,b  with respect to surface  50  can be changed. For example, by retracting rear piston  48  and extending front piston  38  sleeves  42   a, b  will be positioned at an angle that can aim cradles  26 ,  28  downwardly. This downward position shown in  FIG. 5  may be useful in retrieving an automobile from the downhill slope of a roadside or a divided highway median. Once the automobile or the like has been secured within cradle  26 ,  28 , the operator can effect the retraction of front piston  38  and the extension of rear piston  48  bring the sleeves  42   a, b  into a level position ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 3 ) to permit movement of the automobile by apparatus  10 . 
     In  FIG. 6  front bulkhead  36  of apparatus  10  is shown with a portion thereof cutaway to reveal ram  40  that is contained within bulkhead  36 . Within ram  40  is positioned front piston  38  the operation of which was described above. Pivoting or rotating ring-and-shaft connection  68  of pistons  48  and  38  to sleeve  42   a  is shown in FIG.  6  and is comprised of two rings  70  connected to sleeve  42   a , and ring  72  connected to piston  38  and two rings  74  connected to ram  40 . Rings  70 ,  72  and  74  are rotatably connected by a shaft (not shown) that passes through rings  70 ,  72 , and  74 . To secure sleeves  42   a, b  from front to rear shifting with respect to frame  14  of apparatus  10  a ram  40  is provided within bulkhead  36 . Ram  40  can travel up and down within bulkhead  40  and serves to limit the front to rear shifting of sleeves  42   a, b . Ram  40  slidably moves up and down within bulkhead  36  on pads  78  which in a preferred embodiment are formed of nylon. The use of ram  40  to resist against front to rear shifting of sleeves  42   a,b  in response to the forces applied when apparatus  10  is pushing and pulling on a load avoids placing such from front to rear shifting stress on pistons  38 ,  48  of apparatus  10 . In  FIG. 6  the upper position  80   a  and lower position  80   b  of sleeves  42   a, b  are shown with the lower positions  80   b  shown in phantom lines. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  the use and operation of tow wheels  34   a, b  will be described. Tow wheels  34   a,b  are provided to allow apparatus  10  to travel over longer distances and at higher road speeds than would be useful or safe using endless tracks  12 ,  16 . Tow wheels  34   a ,  34   b  are connected to frame  14  of apparatus  10  by mounting plate  82   a,b  with one tow wheel  34   a  and mounting plate  82   a  on the right side of frame  14  and one tow wheel  34   b  and mounting plate  80   b  on the left side of frame  14 . Tow wheels are pivotally raised and lowered by piston  84   a, b  which is connected between frame  14  and mounting plates  82   a, b . Tow wheels  34   a, b  are provided with a suspension comprised of a spring  86  and a shock absorber  88 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , and as previously described, tow wheels lift endless tracks  12 ,  16  above surface  50  to permit movement of apparatus  10  on the tow wheels only. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1 , a radio frequency controller  90  is shown in  FIG. 1  which can be used to allow apparatus  10  to be manipulated by an operator who is not in the cab  44  of apparatus  10 . The radio frequency remote controller  90  transmits a radio frequency signal to an antenna  92  and receiver  94  (not shown) on bulkhead  36 . The radio frequency remote control permits an operator to be near apparatus  10  or in front or in back of apparatus  10  so the operator may better view the connection of the lift arm  22  to the load and better view the manipulation of the lift arm  22 . In addition, cab  44  is constructed so that it may be removed from frame  14  to allow apparatus  10  to operate in an area having a limited ceiling height. Such areas having a limited ceiling height present another opportunity for using the radio frequency remote control of the apparatus. The embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the cab  44  removed has a height of approximately five feet and one inch above the surface on which the apparatus  10  is positioned. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment  100  having a pair of front endless tracks  112  and a rear castor wheel  116  and a front elevator plate  117  that is raised and lowered by elevator mechanism  119  for raising and lowering the lift arm  122  and having a wheel cradle  124  attached thereto. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , apparatus  100  is provided with an enclosed engine  120  and a load carrying means  118  comprising lift arm  122  and wheel cradle  124  and left and right tire cradles  126 ,  128 . Apparatus  100  is provided with hand manipulated skid steer drive provided by endless track  112   a, b  steering controls  200 . Elevator plate  117  can be vertically repositioned in the direction of arrow “A” ( FIG. 9 ) by elevator mechanism  119 . Elevator mechanism  119  raises and lowers elevator plate  117  by repositioning elevator plate  117  along the height of columns  119   a  and  119   b . Elevator plate  117  is connected to columns  119   a, b  guides  121  on either side of elevator plate  117 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the embodiment  100  shown in  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 9  front elevator plate  117  has been repositioned to angle lift arm  122  and wheel cradle  124  into an upward position. Such an upward position is useful in raising a load for movement by apparatus  100   
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of wheel cradle  124  showing opposed pairs of wheel engagement pads  130  and  132 . Wheel engagement pads  130 ,  132  are mounted on arms  134 ,  136  of cradle  124  and engagement pads are rotatable on arms  134 ,  136 . The rotation of engagement pads  130 ,  132  allows the pads to be repositionable for capture of a wheel assembly between pads  130 ,  132  of wheel cradle  124 . Flanges  137  are provided on arms  134 ,  136  to limit the rotation of the pads as stops  135  on pads  130 ,  132  come into contact with flanges  137 . Pads  130 ,  132  are provided with gripping projections  139  that extend outwardly to grip the automobile tire or other object that is placed in wheel cradles  126 ,  128 . It will be appreciated the pad  130 ,  132  rotate in response the pressure of the automobile tire and allow the tire to seat between the pads  130 ,  132  while the pads rotate into a position that most deeply seats the tires within the grasp of pads  130 ,  132 . 
     Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the lifting and moving apparatus is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Certain changes may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not meant in a limiting sense.