Lifting device

A lifting or carrying device, comprising:

• a) a base including a substantially horizontal portion for engagement with an object to be lifted or carried and a substantially vertical portion secured to the substantially horizontal portion and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said substantially horizontal portion forming a lowermost portion of the lifting device or carrying device, said substantially vertical portion extending in a substantially vertical plane;
• a handle secured to the base and extending substantially vertically upward from the substantially vertical portion thereof, said handle having a longitudinal axis;
• said handle being disposed such that it does not traverse said substantially vertical plane, said handle further extending along said substantially vertical portion and,
• c) a handle grip for selective gripping to impose a substantially vertically directed force on the handle and the base thereby lifting an object positioned in engagement with the base, said handle grip having a center point, said handle being secured to said handle grip proximate to said center point.

A lifting or carrying device, comprising:

• a) a base including a substantially horizontal portion for engagement with an object to be lifted or carried and a substantially vertical portion secured to the substantially horizontal portion and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said substantially horizontal portion forming a lowermost portion of the lifting device or carrying device, said substantially vertical portion having front and rear surfaces;
• b) a handle secured to the base and extending substantially vertically upward from the substantially vertical portion thereof, said handle including a shaft having a longitudinal axis;
• said handle touching said substantially vertical portion at only one of said front and rear surfaces, and
• c) a handle grip mounted on the handle for selective gripping to impose a substantially vertically directed force on the handle and the base thereby lifting an object positioned in engagement with the base, said handle grip being disposed substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

A method of carrying or lifting a device:

• a) providing a first lifting or carrying device having a base, a handle and a handle grip, the base including a substantially horizontal portion for engagement with an object to be lifted or carried and a substantially vertical portion secured to the substantially horizontal portion and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, the substantially horizontal portion forming a lowermost portion of the first lifting or carrying device, the handle having a shaft secured to the base and extending substantially vertically upward from the substantially vertical portion of the base, the handle grip being substantially symmetrically disposed relative to the shaft of the handle;
• b) providing a second lifting or carrying device having a base, a handle and a handle grip, the base including a substantially horizontal portion for engagement with an object to be lifted or carried and a substantially vertical portion secured to the substantially horizontal portion and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, the substantially horizontal portion forming a lowermost portion of the second lifting or carrying device, the handle having a shaft secured to the base and extending substantially vertically upward from the substantially vertical portion of the base, the handle grip being substantially symmetrically disposed relative to the shaft of the handle;
• c) positioning the substantially horizontal portion of the first lifting device under a first portion of the object to be lifted or carried;
• d) positioning the substantially horizontal portion of the second lifting device under a second portion of the object to be lifted or carried;
• e) gripping the handle grip of the first lifting device to apply a lifting or carrying force to the first lifting or carrying device;
• and,
• f) gripping the handle grip of the second device to apply a lifting or carrying force to the second lifting or carrying device.