The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 26, 2003
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
William C. Macom, Davison, MI (US);
Joseph H. Landry, Davison, MI (US);
William R. Gregor, Davison, MI (US);
James Rasmussen, Otisville, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A lifting apparatus for manipulating manhole castings and the like having at least one pinch clamp with an inner leg and an outer leg opposing one another wherein the inner leg and the outer leg are engageable with the manhole casting. A foot of the pinch clamp is connected to at least one of the inner leg and the outer leg wherein the foot is wider than the width of the inner leg and the outer leg and is engageable with the manhole casting. A flexible support is pivotally connected to the pinch clamp and is connectable to a lifting device wherein the foot and the legs of the pinch clamp are engageable with the manhole casting when the flexible support is pulled taut. Preferably, the inner and outer legs are separate structures pivotally connected thereto. Alternatively, the inner and outer leg may be integrally fabricated from a one-piece structure. The flexible supports are connected to a connector which is connectable to a lifting device.