Patent ID: 7431552

Claim:
A method for moving a group of objects while conserving the positions of the objects relative to each other, comprising the steps of: providing a group of objects, the objects being arranged in fixed positions relative to each other on a generally planar supporting surface and depending on the support by the supporting surface for maintaining their relative positions, providing a rigid framework, generally extending into the vicinity of the objects, the framework comprising a plurality of supportive members configured to support each object in the group of objects that is not supported in full by other of the objects, the supportive members comprising elongate cross members generally extending across an entire width of the framework and disposed in a position under the objects to be moved to support the objects to be moved; providing activatable displacement members coupled to the framework for lifting and supporting the framework from the supporting surface and enabling displacement of the framework along the surface; establishing supportive contact between each object in the group of objects that is not supported in full by other of the objects and corresponding supportive members on the framework; lifting the framework supporting the objects as one rigid unit by activating the activatable displacement members; and moving the framework with respect to the supporting surface, wherein the framework maintains the position of the group of objects relative to each other during said moving step.