A lifting apparatus for a container comprising:
- a) an elongated tubular column member having a determined cross section for supporting a determined loading, a lower end of said elongated tubular column being carried by a base member, said elongated tubular column member further including an elongated aperture selectively positioned through a wall of said elongated tubular column member, said elongated aperture being of a predetermined length for allowing continuous access to a determined length of an interior portion of said elongated tubular column, said elongated tubular column member further includes at least one reinforcing means, each of said reinforcing means being simultaneously attached to selected interior portions of said elongated tubular column member and leg portions of a pair of guide rail members;
- b) each of said a pair of guide rail members being mounted to said interior portion of said elongated tubular column member, each of said guide rail members having a determined length which is in alignment with an axis of said elongated aperture;
- c) a carriage member being moveable within said interior portion of said elongated tubular column, said carriage member having a plurality of guide roller members selectively mounted thereon, each of said guide roller members cooperating with said elongated guide rail members for guiding said carriage member in at least one direction during movement of said carriage member within said interior portion;
- d) a lifting means being mounted within said interior portion of an upper end of said elongated tubular column member, said lifting means including a hoist, a flexible tension member, and an attaching means, said lifting means selectively controlling a lifting and lowering of said carriage member, said attaching means for attaching one end of said flexible tension member to a connecting end of a link member of said carriage member, a fulcrum of said link member being pivotally mounted to an upper portion of said carriage member, said link member further including a biased engaging end, said fulcrum being positioned between said engaging end and said connecting end, said biased engaging end being configured for engaging an adjacent opening of a plurality of openings, said plurality of openings being arrayed in parallel alignment with a path of movement of said carriage member, said plurality of openings being interior of said column member, said engaging end of said link member and said adjacent opening cooperating for preventing uncontrolled lowering of said carriage member to a lowermost position in the absence of selective controlling by said lifting means;
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- e) a support member being arrayed for lifting a container, said support member being positioned exterior of said elongated tubular column member, said elongated aperture of said elongated tubular column member allowing a passageway for a fastening means attaching said support member to said carriage member.