Patent ID: 8079799

Claim:
A lifting apparatus comprising: a) an elongated generally horizontal support bar having first and second ends, wherein a first axis is defined along a direction generally parallel to a length of said support bar; b) first and second arms pivotally connected to the support bar, each of the first and second arms having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the first arm is pivotally connected to the first end of the support bar and is substantially pivotable only in a direction toward or away from the second arm about a horizontal second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis generally parallel to the support bar, wherein the first end of the second arm is pivotally connected to the second end of the support bar and is substantially pivotable only in a direction toward or away from the first arm about a horizontal third axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; c) a hook assembly mounted on the second end of each of the first and second arms, each hook assembly comprising: i) a frame; ii) first and second hooks pivotally mounted on the frame, each of the hooks being pivotable only in a plane generally parallel to the second and third axes; and iii) a single cylinder and piston assembly for pivoting the hooks, said cylinder and piston assembly being connected to the first hook, and a link directly connecting the first and second hooks whereby pivoting movement of the first hook pivots the second hook; and wherein pivoting of the first and second arms about the second and third axes moves the entire hook assemblies toward or away from each other.