Patent ID: 7112029

Claim:
For use in conjunction with concrete slabs having opposed ends, an apparatus for initially lifting a concrete slab relative to, and for thereafter transporting the lifted concrete slab across, an underlying surface comprising: a pair of opposed carriers each having a moveable neck; means supporting the opposed carriers for movement across an underlying surface; each of the movable necks comprising a first piece and a second piece; means for pivotally connecting the second piece of each movable neck to the first piece thereof; a pair of compression plates each mounted on the second piece of one of the movable necks for engagement with one of the opposed ends of a concrete slab; means for pivoting the second piece of each movable neck relative to the first piece thereof; wherein the second end pieces of the moveable necks: a. engage the compression plates with the opposed ends of a concrete slab; b. apply a compressive engagement force to the opposed ends of the concrete slab sufficient to support the concrete slab above the underlying surface, and c. thereafter lift the concrete slab relative to the underlying surface; and at least one tension member spaced apart from and extending substantially parallel to the concrete slab for applying a predetermined tension between the opposed carriers.