Portable transfer apparatus for moving items

A configurable column tool for transferring items from an item storage device associated with a transporter, said configurable column tool comprising:

• a column assembly comprising a support column defining a first column end and an opposing second column end wherein said first column end defines a column interface configured for being mechanically associated with a transporter interface defined by a transporter and wherein said column assembly extends vertically upward from said transporter interface to said second column end;
• a column motion facilitator assembly mechanically associated with said column assembly;
• a moving-column-interface movably associated with said column motion facilitator assembly wherein said moving-column-interface is configured to move along said support column when said column motion facilitator assembly is activated;
• a first beam assembly comprising a first beam assembly effector wherein said first beam assembly is mechanically associated with moving-column-interface and wherein said first beam assembly effector comprises a first beam assembly motion facilitator;
• a second beam assembly comprising a second beam assembly effector wherein said second beam assembly effector comprises a second beam assembly motion facilitator and wherein said second beam assembly is mechanically associated with said first beam assembly motion facilitator via a drive-table and wherein said drive-table is configured to move along said first beam assembly when said first beam assembly motion facilitator is activated;
• at least one tool assembly interface associated with said second beam assembly motion facilitator wherein said at least one tool assembly interface moves along said second beam assembly when said second beam assembly motion facilitator is activated;
• at least one tool assembly mechanically associated with said at least one tool assembly interface wherein said tool assembly comprises a first tool motion facilitator configured to activate said tool;
• and
• a controller configured to selectively activate at least one of (a) said column motion facilitator, (b) said first beam motion facilitator, (c) said second beam motion facilitator, and (d) said tool motion facilitator.