Patent ID: 7134701

Claim:
A lifting frame assembly for a hoist having a first end adapted to be attached to the hoist, the frame assembly including a guide raisable and lowerable with the frame assembly by the hoist when a load is to be lifted, a lift slide slidably mounted on said guide for movement along a central guide axis, a biasing member connected between the frame member and the lift slide resiliently loading the lift slide to move along the guide in a direction toward the first end of the frame assembly to a retracted position, a stop to limit the lift slide from moving relative to the guide in a direction away from its retracted position under gravity acting on a load carried by the lift slide when the frame assembly and the guide are lifted by the hoist, said lift slide comprising a load support frame having a generally horizontal leg with a substantially straight load support surface having a shape complimentary to a surface of a load to be lifted to receive and support the load when the load is oriented in a selected position for lifting, adapter members mounted on the load support frame comprising pivoting straps that are mounted on portions of the load support frame and that are adapted to rest on the load support to provide a guide receptacle for holding the load substantially centered on the central guide axis of the guide, said pivoting straps are moveable to a load retaining position projecting above the load support surface, and have inclined surfaces extending upwardly from the load support surface at opposite ends of the load support surface and inclining in directions to form a load receiving pocket therebetween.