Apparatus for lifting and moving an article

A method for moving an article across a floor surface, comprising:

• (a) providing an apparatus for moving an article over a floor surface, the apparatus comprising:
• a planar base and a planar platform oriented in a generally horizontal plane relative the floor surface, the base and the platform each having a generally rectangular shape with a first side and a second side in opposing parallel arrangement, and a first and a second end in opposing parallel arrangement;
• the base including means for slidably moving the apparatus across the floor surface;
• means for pivotally connecting the base and the platform, a first pivotal connecting means pivotally attached to the first sides of the base and the platform, and a second pivotal connecting means pivotally attached to the second sides of the base and the platform;
• wherein the pivotal connecting means comprises a first member and a second member each with a longitudinal axis in opposing parallel arrangement, and a connecting member therein between oriented at an acute angle to said longitudinal axis;
• wherein said connecting member has a first end and a second end;
• the pivotal connecting means being operable to pivot about their attachment to the base and the platform to raise and lower the platform relative the base, wherein when the apparatus is in a retracted position, the platform is in close proximity to the base and the pivotal connecting means are oriented at an acute angle relative the horizontal plane of the base and platform;
• and when the apparatus is in an elevated position, the platform is distant from the base and the pivotal connecting means are oriented at an obtuse angle relative said horizontal plane;
• and
• means for actuating movement of the pivotal connecting means pivotally attached to the first ends of the base and the platform;
• the movement actuating means being operable to pivot the pivotal connecting means about their attachment to the base and the platform between said acute angle orientation and said obtuse angle orientation to selectively raise and lower the platform to move the apparatus between said retracted position and said elevated position;
• the apparatus in said retracted position being adapted for positioning underneath the article, and the apparatus in the elevated position being adapted for contacting and raising the article, wherein the article can be slidably conveyed over the floor surface in a stable manner;
• wherein, when the apparatus is in the elevated position, the pivotal connecting means is oriented at said obtuse angle with the connecting member oriented past vertical;
• the first end of the connecting member in contact with the platform and the second end of the connecting member in contact with the base;
• the connecting member being operable to maintain the platform in a stationary elevated position;
• (b) positioning said apparatus underneath the article wherein the apparatus is in the retracted position;
• (c) actuating the movement actuating means to move the apparatus from the retracted position into the elevated position wherein the platform is placed into contact with the article, the article is raised off the floor surface, and the platform is placed into an at-rest position;
• (d) moving the apparatus and the article over the floor surface.