Patent ID: 7293951

Claim:
Apparatus for lifting a load, the apparatus comprising: a structure to which the load is adapted to be mounted, the structure comprising a first rack and a second rack pivotally connected to the first rack; and means for rotating the structure about a first pivot axis when the load is mounted to the structure so that the load is positioned over an object while remaining mounted to the structure and translating the structure towards the pivot axis during the rotation so that the radial distance between the load and the first pivot axis decreases during the rotation, the means comprising: a pair of sleeves spaced in a parallel relation and configured to rotate about the first pivot axis, the first pivot axis passing through the sleeves; and a pair of arms telescopingly engaged with respective ones of the sleeves and connected to the structure, wherein each arm telescopingly retracts into the corresponding sleeve to effect the translation; wherein the first rack of the structure extends between and is pivotally connected to the distal end portions of the arms, the pivot connections between the first rack and the distal end portions of the arms defining a second pivot axis; wherein the second rack of the structure is pivotally connected to the first rack along the second pivot axis; wherein the first rack rotates about the second pivot axis and relative to the arms during the rotation of the structure about the first pivot axis, the first rack rotating until at least a portion of the first rack is substantially coplanar with at least a portion of each arm; wherein, when the load is mounted to the structure, the load is primarily supported by the first rack prior to the rotation of the structure about the first pivot axis; and wherein, when the load is mounted to the structure, the load is primarily supported by the second rack after the rotation of the structure about the first pivot axis and when the load is positioned over the object.