Patent ID: 8256737

Claim:
A leverage device comprising: (a) an elongated mounting bracket having a first end portion and a second end portion; (b) an actuating lever having a first end portion and a second end portion, said actuating lever being pivotally attached at said first end portion thereof to said first end portion of said mounting bracket to thereby form a pivotal attachment between said actuating lever and said mounting bracket; (c) a first linkage member having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first linkage member being pivotally attached at said first end portion thereof to said actuating lever, said first linkage member being pivotally attached to said actuating lever at a location spaced apart from said pivotal attachment between said actuating lever and said mounting bracket; (d) a second linkage member having a first end portion and a second end portion, said second linkage member being pivotally attached at said first end portion thereof to said second end portion of said first linkage member to thereby form a pivotal attachment between said first linkage member and said second linkage member, said pivotal attachment between said first linkage member and said second linkage member being supported for rectilinear motion relative to said mounting bracket by said mounting bracket; (e) a cam having a projecting finger and being rotationally supported by said mounting bracket at said second end portion of said mounting bracket for rotational motion about an axis of rotation, said second linkage member being pivotally attached at said second end portion thereof to said cam at a location offset from said axis of rotation of said cam, wherein pivotal movement of said actuating lever between a folded-down position and a fully raised position causes rotation of said cam between a first position and a second position.