Portable hand-operated lifting device

An apparatus for lifting, said apparatus comprising:

• a first member having a first end rigidly attached to a lifting head and having a second end opposite said first end, said first member having a joint including an opening in said first member and a pin engaging said opening, said opening defined by a first surface substantially perpendicular to an axis of said first member and a second surface substantially parallel to said first surface, said opening having a pair of slotted apertures along a circumference of said first member, said pin extending from each one of said pair of slotted apertures;
• a second member having a pair of side members, each one of said pair of side members disposed on an opposite side of said first member, each one of said pair of side members having a thru-opening engaging said pin whereby said second member pivots relative to said axis of said first member and said first member rotates axially relative to said second member;
• a handle attached to said second end of said first member;
• a first plate having at least one cleat protruding from a surface of said first plate;
• a swivel connecting said second member to said first plate, said swivel having an axis of rotation that intersects a plane defined by said surface of said first plate;
• a pivot between said second member and said first plate, said pivot having a pivot axis substantially parallel to said plane defined by said surface of said first plate;
• and
• a second plate extending above a portion of said first plate and being substantially parallel to said first plate, said second plate having a second plate pivot allowing said second plate to move toward said first plate, said second plate being restrained from moving away from said first plate.