Carrier apparatus for vertical and horizontal transportation of loads

Apparatus for transporting articles including carrier means and bracket means, said bracket means comprising:

• first arm means having a first end mounted for pivotal motion relative to said carrier means about a first generally horizontal pivot axis and a second end opposite said first end;
• second arm means mounted at one end thereof to said second end of said first arm means for pivotal motion relative thereto about a second generally horizontal pivot axis;
• said second arm means having at the other end thereof opposite said one end engaging means for enabling said articles which are to be transported to be held at said other end of said second arm means;
• drive means for driving said first arm means to effect pivotal motion thereof about said first pivot axis;
• interconnecting drive means operatively engaged between said first arm means and said second arm means to effect pivotal motion of said second arm means relative to said first arm means about said second pivot axis;
• said interconnecting drive means including
• a first drive element mounted for rotation with said first arm means,
• a second drive element connected with said second arm means, and
• an interconnecting element for effecting rotation of said second drive element upon rotation of said first drive element;
• said interconnecting drive means being structured and dimensioned to maintain said other end of said second arm means moving along a path which is substantially linear and horizontal relative to said first pivot axis and which extends substantially perpendicular to said first pivot axis;
• said apparatus further comprising means for moving said bracket means vertically upwardly and downwardly upon said carrier means.