Patent ID: 8313089

Claim:
A lifting apparatus for lifting a load comprising: a base; a bell crank having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bell crank pivotably coupled to the base to rotate about a first axis; a first lift member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first lift member pivotably coupled to a coupling portion of the bell crank positioned between the first and second ends of the bell crank; a coupling member pivotably coupled to the second end of the first lift member and configured to engage the load; a biasing device having a first end and a second end, the first end of the biasing device pivotably coupled to the second end of the bell crank, the biasing device being configured to exert a force on the second end of the bell crank, pivoting the bell crank about the first axis and shifting the first lift member from a first retracted position to a second extended position; and a longeron assembly having a first end and a second end, the longeron assembly being pivotably coupled to the base toward the first end to rotate about the first axis and coupled to the coupling member toward the second end, the longeron assembly pivoting about the first axis in response to a lateral movement of the load to compensate for the lateral shift of the load when the load is supported in an elevated position.