Patent ID: 8892258

Claim:
A lift system for lifting one or more objects, the lifting system comprising: a lifting element supported about a platform: a master control unit for controlling the lifting element: a variable strength magnetic end effector supported about the lifting element for facilitating the lifting of one or more objects, and in communication with the master control unit, the end effector comprising a variable strength magnet that is continuously adjustable to an infinite number of magnetic output strengths; and an actuator that is selectively actuatable, and that facilitates control of the adjustment of the variable strength magnet, wherein the actuator maintains the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength to secure a lifted object to the end effector, wherein the actuator is operably linked to the magnet, whereupon actuation of the actuator functions to cause the magnet to rotate to one of an infinite number of positions within a pre-defined range, and between a maximum magnetic force output and a no magnetic force output.