Patent ID: 7621506

Claim:
An apparatus for laterally moving an object comprising: a winch mounted to a surface and wherein the winch comprises at least three partitioned compartments including a left compartment, a middle compartment and a right compartment; a first guide positioned a first selected distance from the winch; a second guide positioned a second selected distance from the winch; and a left line having a proximal end coiled about the winch in a first rotational direction in the left compartment and being guided by the first guide; a right line having a proximal end coiled about the winch in the first rotational direction in the right compartment and being guided by the second guide; and a middle line coiled about the winch in an opposite rotational direction in the middle compartment and wherein distal ends of the left line, the right line and the middle line are joined such that the object engages the distal end and wherein as the winch is rotated in a first direction, the left and right lines uncoil from the winch while the middle line coils about the winch, thereby laterally moving the object toward the winch.