Patent ID: 8511438

Claim:
A lifting and lowering device and system for use with a receiver hitch, comprising: (a) means for detachably-attaching said device to said receiver hitch; (b) a main longitudinal member that includes a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein said main longitudinal member is attached to said means for detachably-attaching said device to said receiver hitch, and wherein said first end of said main longitudinal member is disposed at an end of said main longitudinal member that is proximate to said means for detachably-attaching said device to said receiver hitch; and c) at least two members that are attached to said main longitudinal member and which extend in a direction that is generally away from said main longitudinal member and wherein said at least two members are disposed in a substantially horizontal plane when said device is properly secured to said receiver hitch; and including means disposed proximate said first end of said main longitudinal member to permit said main longitudinal member to pivot vertically upward with respect to a center longitudinal axis of said receiver hitch, and wherein said main longitudinal member is prevented from pivoting in a downward direction below said center longitudinal axis when said means for detachably-attaching said device to said receiver hitch is fully inserted in said receiver hitch, and wherein when said means for detachably-attaching said device to said receiver hitch is fully inserted in said receiver hitch, said main longitudinal member is able to pivot horizontally with respect to said center longitudinal axis.