Lifting jack for vehicles or the like

In a lifting jack of the type having an upright jack shaft and load lifting means supported on and operably associated with said shaft for vertical movement therealong, the improvement comprising a load engaging member pivotably affixed to said load lifting means generally vertically centrally thereof for movement therewith along said shaft and engagable with a load to be moved vertically to effect vertical movement of such load, said load engaging member having affixed thereto and extending therefrom a stabilizing torque arm having a bearing portion thereon for bearing engagement of said upright jack shaft and moveable along said shaft in such bearing engagement therewith upon vertical movement of said load lifting means therealong to substantially isolate the effect of the torque created during loading to said load engaging member and direct such torque to said shaft through said stabilizing arm thereby substantially preventing rotational movement of said load lifting means with respect to said shaft and reducing the friction therebetween.