Lifting and transporting apparatus and method
View Patent ↗A lifting and transporting apparatus and method are described. In one particular embodiment, the apparatus and method may be realized as an apparatus for lifting and transporting objects comprising a vertical support beam, the vertical support beam comprising at least one first attachment mechanism for removably attaching a maneuverable assembly for accepting mountable objects, the vertical support beam comprising at least one second attachment mechanism for removably rotatably attaching a lifting apparatus for lifting objects. The apparatus further comprising a plurality of outriggers pivotably attached to a lower end of the vertical support beam, each outrigger comprising an arm extending away from the vertical support beam in a substantially horizontal position in a deployed state and pivoting to a substantially vertical position in a stowed state.
1 . An apparatus for lifting and transporting objects, the apparatus comprising:
a vertical support beam, the vertical support beam comprising at least one first attachment means for removably attaching to a base object, the vertical support beam comprising at least one second attachment means for removably rotatably attaching to a lifting apparatus for lifting objects; and
a plurality of outriggers pivotably attached to a lower end of the vertical support beam, each outrigger comprising an arm extending away from the vertical support beam in a substantially horizontal position in a deployed state and pivoting to a substantially vertical position in a stowed state, each outrigger arm comprising third attachment means at a first end thereof for pivotably attaching the respective outrigger arm to the vertical support beam such that the respective outrigger arm may be locked in the substantially horizontal position in the deployed state and the substantially vertical position in the stowed state, wherein the third attachment means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the respective outrigger arm in the deployed state, at least one outrigger arm comprising support means at a second end thereof for supporting the vertical support beam in a substantially vertical orientation while in the deployed state, wherein the support means comprises a caster assembly including a castor mount that is rotatable around a substantially vertical axis, wherein the castor mount comprises a swivel means for maintaining a substantially vertical axis of rotation of the caster mount when adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the at least one outrigger arm in the deployed state via the adjustment means.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator pivotably attached to both the vertical support beam and at least one of the plurality of outrigger arms.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first attachment means comprises an interface tube for attaching to a mating member of the base object.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the mating member is a mating interface tube that mates with the interface tube of the at least one first attachment means.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the castor mount comprises a castor wheel that is rotatable around a substantially horizontal axis.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one outrigger arm is extendable in a telescoping manner inward to and outward from the vertical support beam.
7 . An apparatus for lifting and transporting objects, the apparatus comprising:
a vertical support beam, the vertical support beam comprising at least one first attachment means for removably attaching to a base object, the vertical support beam comprising at least one second attachment means for removably rotatably attaching to a lifting apparatus for lifting objects; and
a plurality of outriggers pivotably attached to a lower end of the vertical support beam, each outrigger comprising an arm extending away from the vertical support beam in a substantially horizontal position in a deployed state and pivoting to a substantially vertical position in a stowed state, each outrigger arm comprising third attachment means at a first end thereof for pivotably attaching the respective outrigger arm to the vertical support beam such that the respective outrigger arm may be locked in the substantially horizontal position in the deployed state and the substantially vertical position in the stowed state, wherein the third attachment means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the respective outrigger arm in the deployed state, at least one outrigger arm comprising support means at a second end thereof for supporting the vertical support beam in a substantially vertical orientation while in the deployed state, wherein the support means comprises a pad assembly including a pad mount that is rotatable around a substantially vertical axis, wherein the pad mount comprises a swivel means for maintaining a substantially vertical axis of rotation of the pad mount when adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the at least one outrigger arm in the deployed state via the adjustment means.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the pad mount comprises a pivotable pad that is pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis.
9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising an actuator pivotably attached to both the vertical support beam and at least one of the plurality of outrigger arms.
10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one first attachment means comprises an interface tube for attaching to a mating member of the base object.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the mating member is a mating interface tube that mates with the interface tube of the at least one first attachment means.
12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein at least one outrigger arm is extendable in a telescoping manner inward to and outward from the vertical support beam.