Patent ID: 8303006

Claim:
An apparatus for gripping and lifting an object, comprising: (a) a T-shaped frame comprising a first elongate frame member having first and second ends and a second elongate frame member having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the first elongate frame member is rigidly secured to the second frame member between the first and second ends thereof; (b) a hollow sleeve member having a first end and a second end, at least the first end being open, wherein the second end of the first frame member is slidably received inside the first end of the hollow sleeve member, and wherein the second end of the hollow sleeve member is adapted for connection to a lifting device; (c) first and second articulated pivot arms, each of the pivot arms comprising a first segment and a second segment pivotably connected together at a joint, wherein each of the pivot arms has a first end pivotably connected to the sleeve and a second end pivotably connected to the second frame member; (d) at least one contact element provided at the second end of each of the pivot arms for contacting said object; and wherein the sleeve has a front face and an opposed rear face, and wherein the first end of one of said pivot arms is pivotably connected to the front face, and wherein the first end of the other one of the pivot arms is pivotably connected to the rear face.