Abstract: Large, flat objects such as manhole covers, and storm drain grates, are lifted and maneuvered. A tool includes a gripper assembly which receives the object at or near an edge and establishes control by an arrangement of at least one concentrated contact area or pressure point on one surface of the object and a pair of such concentrated contact areas or pressure points on the other surface. A long lever handle allows pivoting to raise the object; rollers on the tool accommodate maneuvering afterwards. Avoidance of runaway rolling and maintenance of positive movement control is possible by a stub or pin which is attachable if desired to engage the ground, street or the like, after the object is lifted.

Abstract: Large, flat objects such as manhole covers, storm drain grates and the like, are lifted and maneuvered. A tool includes a gripper assembly which receives the object at or near an edge and establishes control by an arrangement of at least one concentrated contact area or pressure point on one surface of the object and a pair of such concentrated contact areas or pressure points on the other surface. A long lever handle allows pivoting to raise the object; rollers on the tool accommodate maneuvering afterwards. Avoidance of runaway rolling and maintenance of positive movement control is possible by a stub or pin which is attachable is desired to engage the ground, street or the like, after the object is lifted.

Abstract: A lifting tool for heavy, flat, round covers, such as manhole covers, is disclosed. The covers include two pairs of diametrically opposed edge notches. The lifting tool comprises an upright column, the lower end of which terminates in a first pair of prongs or teeth that are adapted to cooperate with one of the notch pairs. A swing arm is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the tool's upright column. The swing arm includes one or more sets of teeth to facilitate lifting of covers having different diameters. The swing arm teeth are adapted to cooperate with the second pair of cover notches, to thereby facilitate lifting of the cover out of its casing by manual rotation of the upright column about the first pair of teeth. The upright column includes wheels that are located above the first set of teeth. These wheels are located so that they will not engage the ground until the cover has been lifted out of its casing, thus facilitating movement of a lifted cover.