Patent ID: 7712582

Claim:
A lifting device comprising: a central column generally vertical when the lifting device is in an operating position, said column including two rear channels and two forwardly open channels extending the length of said column, each of said forwardly open channels having a rear wall and each of said rear channels having a front and rear wall and a passageway in said front wall open to the front of said column; a carriage positioned to the front of said column and normally generally horizontal when the lifting device is in an operating position, a pair of spaced forks at one end of said carriage, each having an one end connected to said carriage and the other end operatively connected to said column; at least one rear bearing adjacent the other end of each of said forks, said rear bearing of one of said forks riding in one of said rear channels between said front and rear walls with its associated fork extending through the associated passageway and the said rear bearing of the other of said forks riding in the other of said rear channels between said front and rear walls with its associated fork extending through the associated passageway; and a fork bearing on each fork positioned downwardly and forwardly from the rear bearing, said fork bearing of one of said forks riding in one of said forwardly open channels against said rear wall and the fork bearing of the other of said forks riding in the other of said forwardly open channels against said rear wall whereby said carriage is moveable along said column.