Patent ID: 7373704

Claim:
A body lifting mechanism comprising a U-shaped element having two vertical arms spaced apart a pre-selected distance and a horizontal arm secured between the vertical arms adjacent the ends of the vertical arms, the U-shaped element normally arranged in an inverted U-configuration, said vertical arms having a pre-selected operative length and being constructed and defined by telescoping arms for relative movement for permitting the lengths of said arms to be adjusted in length and secured to the adjusted lengths, the operative lengths of said vertical arms being the same including when adjusted from said pre-selected length, a supporting arm mounted to extend through said horizontal arm pre-selected distances on opposite sides of said horizontal arm and carried thereby, an end of said arm extending above said horizontal arm for coupling the supporting arm to a source for imparting vertical movements, up and down, to said U-shaped element, a pair of cross arms for said U-shaped element, the remaining end of said supporting arm including means for securing an end of each of said cross arms thereto, the remaining ends of said cross arms being individually, pivotably secured to an individual one of said vertical arms adjacent the lower ends of said vertical arms and to permit said vertical arms to fully open in combination with the elongation of the vertical arms for permitting objects of an enlarged width to be engaged from opposite sides to be elevated and transported, lifting means for supporting an object or body to be elevated and transported in said lifting means secured to the ends of the vertical arms, said pivoting occurring in response to the application of a downwardly driving force to position the ends of the vertical arms against the supporting surface for an object or body to be elevated via said lifting means, said downwardly driving force causing said vertical arms to each pivot outwardly.