Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In the operational environment of private industry and public utility, vessels or cavities are often employed, and in some instances, the only available access to those vessels or cavities is a manhole, manway, or other similar opening. These openings are employed during construction, maintenance, or inspection. Through these openings, materials, supplies, tools, and personnel pass. In some instances, loads (materials, supplies, tools, personnel) must be lifted without the benefit of a ladder or other means of traverse. In such instances where it is desired to transition the location of a load from one point to another in the vertical plain, ropes, cables, or other means are used in conjunction with various apparatuses to achieve such movement. A variety of apparatuses from simple tripods equipped with pulleys as is disclosed by Ascherin et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,266 to rather large and complicated apparatuses such as is disclosed by Daniel, III in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,831 are employed. Many of the apparatuses available at present have certain limitations to their effectiveness. A basic tripod, such as that disclosed by Asherin et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,266 (or even bi, tri, or quadrapod as disclosed by Smith in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,273) and pulley assembly limits access to the opening of vessels or cavities as the legs of the tripod or other device as described increasingly narrows the open field of movement as the structure reaches its high center point at the apex. Other means which provide better access by means of a single boom such as that disclosed by Stoner in U.S. Pat. No. 1,887,965 and Ostrobrod in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,108 are bulky, awkward, and limited in employ by their size. Smaller versions such as that disclosed by McInerney in U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,627 while size and weight have been reduced are limited in the weight which can be lifted due to the means of counterbalance or lack of a means of connecting somehow to the surface upon which the apparatus is mounted. Joyce discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,562 a creative approach, but the apparatus disclosed cannot establish a variable high center point as its boom is fixed. The means of connecting to the manway or access as disclosed by Joyce is also incapable of bearing heavy loads and thereby limits use. The above disclosures are limited to applications where ingress is presented in a horizontal plane. In applications where ingress is presented in a vertical plane, these means are of no value. Willaughby discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,248 an interesting approach to vertical access. Nevertheless, the apparatus therein disclosed requires the employ of four legs and accompanying straps as well as an adjusting stabilizing arm. The legs, straps and stabilizing arm limit access and movement at the manway, and the four straps when under the force of heavy loads would stretch thereby causing the adjustable stabilizing arm to drop and further interfere with access. When Willaughhby&#39;s apparatus is employed in a horizontal application, the four legs present a hindrance to essential access.  
         [0005]     A further limitation of the present art is the awkwardness and bulk of the apparatuses available when transporting them to the site at which the apparatuses are to be deployed as in many instances individuals must climb a vessel carrying the apparatus which is to be deployed, particularly in emergency situations.  
         [0006]     Consequently, a need exists for improvements in the means and methods of seeking to transition the location of a load contained within vessels or cavities which are accessed by means of a manhole, manway, or other similar openings which provides for limiting peripheral interference, the establishment of a high center point in both horizontal and vertical applications, and limiting the weight and bulk of such apparatuses.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for seeking to transition the location of a load contained within vessels or cavities which are accessed by means of a manhole, manway, or other similar openings which seeks to satisfy the needs as mentioned above. Limiting peripheral interference is provided by the employ of a single means of support which provides nearly 360 degrees of peripheral access. This improved access enables, in rescue situations, for the victim to be removed from the load line while still being handled by the load bearing apparatus and for attending personnel to not have to transition the load from the vertical plane to the horizontal plane. The establishment of a high center point is accomplished through the employ of a centering member. Limiting the weight and bulk of the apparatus is achieved by using modern alloys which are strong yet light in weight. The introduction of an adjustable base with the apparatus provides for universal attachment to all sizes of flanges. The ability to variably establish a high center point is also provided. The ability to attach to a flange reduces the amount of surface space required to deploy the apparatus thus providing more work space in horizontal applications as well as provides for a secure connection in vertical applications while still providing for maximum access. Since the apparatus is modular, it can be easily be transported, assembled, and disassembled. This capability will be helpful in confined areas and in emergency situations. The materials used provide for managing stress weights in excess of 2,000 pounds and shock loads of 9,000 pounds. The support cables employed provide a redundancy factor for safety purposes enabling the apparatus to withstand a tremendous shock load. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention may be clearly understood from an examination of the following drawings as are referenced in the Detailed Description of the Invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when deployed in horizontal applications.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the high point anchoring member.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the high point anchoring member.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a locking screw.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of winch anchoring mount.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the winch anchoring mount.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the dual use member.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is top view of an extending member.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of an extending member.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is an end view of an extending member.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an extending member.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is an opposing end view of an extending member.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the vertical direction transition member.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a view of the variable cam as seen from the direction of arrow A, View 13.  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the vertical direction transition member.  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the vertical direction transition member.  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is front view of the vertical direction transition member.  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of a mounting bolt.  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of a tapered nut.  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  is a top view of the base of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load.  
         [0029]      FIG. 21  is a front view the base of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load.  
         [0030]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the base of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load.  
         [0031]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged side view of a guide bolt.  
         [0032]      FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of an extending member locking bolt.  
         [0033]      FIG. 25  is a side view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when deployed in vertical applications.  
         [0034]      FIG. 26  is an end view of the horizontal direction transition member.  
         [0035]      FIG. 27  is a side view of the horizontal direction transition member.  
         [0036]      FIG. 28  is a side view of a locking pin.  
         [0037]      FIG. 29  is a side view of a locking set screw.  
         [0038]      FIG. 30  is a top view of the protective material which attaches to the base of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load.  
         [0039]      FIG. 31  is a side view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when mounted to a flange in a horizontal application.  
         [0040]      FIG. 32  is a top view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when mounted to a flange in a horizontal application.  
         [0041]      FIG. 33  is a side view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when mounted to a flange in a vertical application including a cross section of a flange.  
         [0042]      FIG. 34  is an end view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when mounted to a flange in a vertical application.  
         [0043]      FIG. 35  is a top view of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load when it is conjoined with all component parts for ease of transport.  
         [0044]      FIG. 36  is an enlarged top view of a wing nut bolt.  
         [0045]      FIG. 37  is an enlarged side view of a wing nut bolt.  
         [0046]      FIG. 38  is a top view of a horizontal applications centering member.  
         [0047]      FIG. 39  is a side view of a horizontal applications centering member.  
         [0048]      FIG. 40  is a rear sectional view of the base of the apparatus which vertically transitions the location of a load.  
         [0049]      FIG. 41  is a side view the horizontal support member.  
         [0050]      FIG. 42  is a bottom view of the horizontal direction transition member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0051]      FIG. 1  of the drawings illustrates from a side view an apparatus  10  which vertically transitions the location of a load as it is deployed in a horizontal application. The apparatus  10  in its preferred embodiment is manufactured from a light weight yet highly strong material such as titanium with varying component parts being manufactured from various high strength alloys thereby limiting weight. In its horizontal application, the apparatus  10  comprises a base  11 , a dual use member  12 , a vertical direction transition member  90 , a centering member  14 , and a high point anchoring member  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In its vertical application, the apparatus  20  comprises a base  11 , a horizontal support member  114 , a horizontal direction transition member  110 , a dual use member  12 , and a high point anchoring member  70  as is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Prior to being deployed, the component parts are stored in a fashion which allows all parts to be carried in one unit which is easily carried by one individual as is illustrated in  FIG. 35 . The base  11 ,  FIG. 21  is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. Welded to the base  11 ,  FIG. 21  is a mounting pedestal  32 ,  FIG. 22  which is also manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium or other alloy. The mounting pedestal  32 ,  FIG. 20  is manufactured in such a manner as to provide a hollowed area  37 ,  FIG. 20  into which either the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1  or a horizontal support member  114 ,  FIG. 25  is inserted. A drilled and threaded hole  35 ,  FIG. 22  is provided into which is inserted a locking screw  50 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 21 , and  FIG. 25 .  
         [0052]     In industrial and public utility applications where there has been a need to vertically transition the location of a load, generally tripods have been used. These tripods (which can only be used in horizontal applications) would rest on or nearby the surface to which a flange is mounted. The apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 1  and apparatus  20 ,  FIG. 25  are manufactured in such a manner so as to attach to flanges of all sizes by aligning the base  11 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  with the holes  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in flanges.  
         [0053]     The ability to universally align the base  11 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  with holes  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in flanges is accomplished through the use of extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20 . The extending members  40 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12  are manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium other high strength alloys. The extending members  40 ,  FIG. 8  include a, drilled centering hole  41 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  and a slotted groove  42 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . One end of the extending members  40 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12  include a foot  44 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12 .  
         [0054]     The extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20  are inserted into base  11 ,  FIG. 20  by means of cavities  33 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21  which are manufactured into the base  11 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 . Extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20  can thereby be inserted into and move freely within the cavities  33 ,  FIG. 20  of base  11 ,  FIG. 20 . Drilled into base  11 ,  FIG. 20  are holes  36 ,  FIG. 20  into which guide bolts  51 ,  FIG. 23  are inserted as illustrated in  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 . The guide bolts  51 ,  FIG. 22  also pass through the slotted groove  42 ,  FIG. 20  of the extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20 . This prevents the extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20  from slipping out of the cavities  33 ,  FIG. 20  in the base  11 ,  FIG. 20  as well as providing for proper alignment. The base  11 ,  FIG. 20  includes a centering hole  38 ,  FIG. 20 . The centering hole  38 ,  FIG. 20  is aligned with a hole  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in a flange  120 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34 . The extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20  are moved inwardly or outwardly in such a fashion so as to align the holes  41 ,  FIG. 20  with holes  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in a flange. Once the centering holes  38 , and  41   FIG. 20  are properly aligned with holes  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in a flange, mounting bolts  54 ,  FIG. 18  are inserted into centering holes  38  and  41   FIG. 20  and aligned holes  121 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  in a flange  120 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34 . Tapered nuts  55 ,  FIG. 19  are then tightened onto mounting bolts  54 ,  FIG. 18  locking the base onto a flange as is illustrated in the horizontal application  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32  and as illustrated in a vertical application in  FIG. 33  and  FIG. 34 . Once the mounting bolts  54  are secured to a flange  120 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  by means of the tapered nuts  55  ( FIG. 31 ,  FIG. 32 ,  FIG. 33 ,  FIG. 34 ), any movement of extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20  is eliminated by tightening the extending member locking bolts  52 ,  FIG. 24  as illustrated in  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 33 . The extending member locking bolts  52 ,  FIG. 32 , and  FIG. 33  are screwed into drilled and threaded holes  34 ,  FIG. 20 . Once the locking bolts  52 ,  FIG. 32  and  33  come into contact extending members  40 ,  FIG. 20 , they will lock the base  11  into place on a flange ( FIG. 31  and  FIG. 33 ).  
         [0055]     In horizontal applications, once the base  11 ,  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32  is attached to the flange, the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1  is inserted into the hollowed area  37 ,  FIG. 20  of the mounting pedestal  32 ,  FIG. 1 . The dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 7  is manufactured from aluminum or some high strength alloy. The dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 7  includes a drilled and threaded hole  13 ,  FIG. 7 . A locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 4  is screwed into the drilled and threaded hole  35 ,  FIG. 22  of base  11 ,  FIG. 22 . This locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 4  then screws into the drilled and threaded hole  13 ,  FIG. 7  of the dual use support member  12 ,  FIG. 7  thereby locking the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1  onto the base  11 ,  FIG. 1 .  
         [0056]     The vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  is then mounted onto the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1 . The vertical direction transition member  90 , FIG,  13  is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. The vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 13 , includes a hollowed cavity  97 ,  FIG. 16 . A drilled and threaded hole  99 ,  FIG. 13 , allows a locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 1  to pass through the lower portion of the vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  into which is inserted the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1 . The locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 1  when screwed into the drilled and threaded hole  99 ,  FIG. 13  passes into a drilled and threaded hole  16 ,  FIG. 7  of the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 7 . The vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  is thereby locked into place on the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 1 .  
         [0057]     The vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 17  includes a manufactured hollow cavity  103 ,  FIG. 17 . The horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 1  which is manufactured of aluminum or other alloy passes through the hollow cavity  103 ,  FIG. 17  of the vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1 , and is secured into place by the insertion of a locking pin  56 ,  FIG. 28  into a drilled hole  98 ,  FIG. 15  which passes through a drilled hole  133 ,  FIG. 38 ;  134 ,  FIG. 38 , or  137 ,  FIG. 38  of the horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 38  as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0058]     Once the vertical direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  is secured, the high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 1  is attached. The high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 2  is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. The high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 3  is manufactured in such a manner as to create a hollow cavity  76 ,  FIG. 3  through which passes the horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 1 . Drilled into the high point anchoring member is a hole,  73 ,  FIG. 2  through which a locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 4  is passed and threaded into the drilled and threaded hole  138 ,  FIG. 39  which once locked into place (locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 4 ) secures the high point anchoring member  70  to the horizontal applications centering member  14  as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Once locked into place, the apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  achieves a high center point as is illustrated in  FIG. 32 .  
         [0059]     For horizontal applications as is illustrated in  FIG. 31 , the apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 31  is designed and manufactured in a manner which both secures and structurally supports the lifting of heavy loads. Two cables, the vertical support cable  64 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  and the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  provide a continuous line of support from the high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  to the base  11 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31 . The base  11 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  includes a support tab  31 ,  FIG. 22  which is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. The base support tab  31 ,  FIG. 22  is welded to the base  11 ,  FIG. 22 . An anchoring hole  30 ,  FIG. 40  is drilled into the base support tab  31 ,  FIG. 40 . The horizontal support cable  64 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is secured through the anchoring hole  30 ,  FIG. 40  as is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  and extends to the vertical anchoring tab  91 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  (also see  FIG. 13 ) of the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  where it is secured through a hole  102 ,  FIG. 13  in the vertical anchoring tab  91 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31 . The horizontal support cable  63   FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is secured to the hole  101 ,  FIG. 13  in the horizontal anchoring tab  93 ,  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 31 , and  FIG. 13  of the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  and is secured on the opposite end of the cable to the hole  74 ,  FIG. 2  in the horizontal support cable tab  71 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  of the high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 2  as is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31 . The horizontal support cable,  63 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31  also passes through a variable cam  96 ,  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 14 . The horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  can be placed on variable notches  101 ,  FIG. 14  in order to maintain proper tension on the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  as the horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is moved to provide the proper high point center for varying size flanges. Once the locking pin  56 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is secured through the drilled hole  98 ,  FIG. 15  of the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31  and simultaneously passing through the proper corresponding drilled hole  133 ,  FIG. 38 ;  134 ,  FIG. 38 , or  137 ,  FIG. 38  of the horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 38 , the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is placed in the corresponding variable notch  101 ,  FIG. 14  to provide the proper tension. The placement of the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is facilitated by the fact that the variable cam  96 ,  FIG. 13  is connected by a hinge  94 ,  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 15  to the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 13 . The locking bolt  95 ,  FIG. 13  can be moved from the drilled hole  100   FIG. 14  in the variable cam  96 ,  FIG. 14  thus allowing the variable cam  96   FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  on the hinge  94 ,  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 15  to swing forward thereby facilitating the placement of the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  onto the variable notches  101 ,  FIG. 14  of the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31 . Once the horizontal support cable  63 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  is placed in the appropriate variable notch  101 ,  FIG. 14 , the variable cam  96 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  can be returned to its upright position as seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  and locked back into place with the locking bolt  95 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31 . The support brace  92 ,  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 31 , and  FIG. 13  of the horizontal direction transition member  90 ,  FIG. 13  provides further structural support.  
         [0060]     Once the apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 31  is completely assembled, the lifting cable  61 ,  FIG. 31  can be released from the winch  60 ,  FIG. 31  and threaded through the pulley  62 ,  FIG. 31 . The winch  60 ,  FIG. 31  is secured to the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 31  by means of a winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 5 . The winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 5  is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. The winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 5  is manufactured in such a manner as to create a hollow cavity  83 ,  FIG. 6  through which passes the dual use member  12 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31 . The winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 5  includes drilled and threaded holes  81 ,  FIG. 5  which allow the pulley  60 , FIGS.  1  and  FIG. 31  to be there mounted. The winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 5  includes a drilled and threaded hole  82  through which a locking bolt  50 ,  FIG. 4  is threaded so as to thread into a hole  15 ,  FIG. 7  of the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 7  thereby locking the winch anchoring mount  80 ,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 31  into place. The lifting cable  61 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31  may then be attached to any load which is desired to be lifted. Once force is applied appropriately to the winch  60 ,  FIGS. 1 and 31 , a person can vertically transition the location of a load, even a heavy load.  
         [0061]     Not all applications where a person desires to transition the location of a load vertically occur in a horizontal format. There are instances where flanges are mounted on the sides of vessels. Use of a tripod in such instances is ruled out do to the fact that a tripod cannot be mounted in a vertical application. Similarly, a tripod cannot establish a high center point in a vertical application even if it could be mounted to a vessel. The apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 1  can by using its various component parts as illustrated in  FIG. 35  be configured to meet the specifications of apparatus  20 ,  FIG. 25 . which can be deployed in vertical applications as illustrated in  FIG. 33 . As detailed earlier, in its vertical application, the apparatus  20   FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  comprises a base  11 , a horizontal support member  114 , a horizontal direction transition member  110 , a dual use member  12 , and a high point anchoring member  70  as is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . The base for apparatus  20 ,  FIG. 33  is the base as is detailed above. Once the base  11 ,  FIG. 33  is mounted to the flange  120 ,  FIG. 33 , the horizontal support member  114 ,  FIG. 33 . is inserted into the hollowed area  37 ,  FIG. 20  of the mounting pedestal  32 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 . The horizontal support member  114 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  is manufactured of aluminum. The horizontal support member  114 ,  FIG. 41  and  FIG. 27  is fixed permanently to the horizontal direction transition member  110 ,  FIG. 27 . In manufacture, the horizontal support member  114 ,  FIG. 41  is inserted into the hollow cavity  118 ,  FIG. 26  and is welded to the horizontal direction transition member  110 ,  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 33 , and  FIG. 27 . The horizontal direction transition member  110 ,  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  is manufactured from a light yet strong metal such as titanium. As is indicated above, a hollowed cavity  118 ,  FIG. 26  is manufactured upon manufacture. The horizontal direction transition member  110 ,  FIG. 26  also includes a secondary hollowed cavity  116 ,  FIG. 26 . which passes through the entire length of the lower portion as well as a drilled and threaded hole  119 ,  FIG. 42  into which a set screw  53 ,  FIG. 29  is threaded. The horizontal direction transition member also includes a support brace  112 ,  FIG. 27  which increases structural integrity. After the support member  114  and thereby the horizontal direction transition member  110  is connected to the base  11 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 , the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  is inserted into the hollow cavity  116 ,  FIG. 26  of the horizontal direction transition member,  110   FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 . The high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIGS. 25 and 33  is then attached to the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  as described above in the horizontal applications description. The dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 . having been set into place is then positioned to the point at which there is tension on the vertical application lower support cable  115 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 , and the locking set screw  53 ,  FIG. 29  is tightened to prevent slippage. Once the apparatus  20 ,  FIG. 33  is in place, the lifting cable  61 ,  FIG. 33  is drawn over the pulley  62 ,  FIG. 25  and attached the load in order to vertically transition the load. Further support for heavy lifting is provided again by the use of support cables. The vertical application upper support cable  113 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  is attached to the drilled hole  121 ,  FIG. 27  in the upper support cable anchoring tab  111 ,  FIG. 27 ,  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 33  of the horizontal direction transition member  110   FIG. 27 ,  FIG. 25 , and  FIG. 33 . Additional support is also provided through the use of the vertical application lower support cable  115 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  which is connected to the drilled hole  117 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  of the horizontal direction transition member  110 ,  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 27 , and  FIG. 33 . The opposing end of the vertical application lower support cable  115 ,  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33  is attached to hole  74 ,  FIG. 2  in the horizontal support cable tab  71  of the high point anchoring member  70 ,  FIG. 2  as is illustrated in  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 33 . Once in place, the apparatus  20 ,  FIGS. 25 and 33  provides a high center point with minimal peripheral interference for extracting a load from the flange opening as is illustrated in  FIG. 34 .  
         [0062]     In order to protect the flange surface of a flange  120 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 32 and 34 , a gasket  140 ,  FIG. 30  is applied to the bottom of the base  11 ,  FIG. 1 . The gasket  140 ,  FIG. 30  is made of a soft material which will protect the flange  120 ,  FIG. 32  and  FIG. 34  from marring. Gaskets  141 ,  FIG. 30  are also attached to each extending member  40 ,  FIG. 20  at the foot  44 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 9  of an extending member  40 ,  FIG. 9 . An adhesive material is applied to one surface of the gaskets  140  and  141 ,  FIG. 30  to secure the gaskets  140  and  141 ,  FIG. 30  to the base  11 ,  FIG. 1 . A removable plastic film is attached to the gaskets  140  and  141 ,  FIG. 30  to protect the adhesive until the gaskets  140  and  141 ,  FIG. 30  are applied.  
         [0063]     Present means which are used to vertically transition the location of a load are heavy and awkward to handle. The apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 1  as used in horizontal applications or apparatus  20 ,  FIG. 25  as used in vertical applications can be stored in a fashion which allows all parts to be carried in one unit which is easily carried by one individual as is illustrated in  FIG. 35  thereby facilitating ease of transport. As is illustrated in  FIG. 35 , wing nut locking screws  57 ,  FIGS. 36 and 37  are threaded into the drilled and threaded holes  131  and  132 ,  FIG. 7  in the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 35  and are aligned with the drilled holes  41 ,  FIG. 8  in the extending members  40 ,  FIG. 35  thereby locking the dual use member  12 ,  FIG. 35  and attached parts. Likewise, the horizontal applications centering member 14 ,  FIG. 35  and attached parts are connected to the base  11 ,  FIG. 35  by means of threading the wing nut locking screws into the drilled holes  133  and  134 ,  FIG. 38  of the horizontal applications centering member  14 ,  FIG. 38  and the drilled and threaded holes  135  and  136 ,  FIG. 20  of the base  11 ,  FIG. 20  thereby locking those component parts together as is illustrated in  FIG. 35 . Movement of the extending members  40 ,  FIG. 35  is eliminated by tightening the extending member locking bolts  52 ,  FIG. 35 .

Technology Category: 7