Patent ID: 8678351

Claim:
A lift assist device for assisting a user in lifting an item, said lift assist device comprising: a base having a center portion and a side portion that is angled relative to said center portion; a support shaft extending upward from said center portion of said base, said support shaft having a lower end attached at said center portion and an upper end opposite said lower end; a support platform attached at said upper end of said support shaft and rotatable about an axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said support shaft; wherein said lift assist device is tiltable between a loading position, where said side portion of said base rests on a floor or support surface and said support shaft is in a tilted orientation, and a lifting position, where said center portion of said base rests on the floor or support surface and said support shaft is in a generally vertical orientation and wherein said support platform is rotatable about said axis when supporting an item when said lift assist device is in said lifting position.