Today in 2010, US Patent 20100247276 A1 was issued, an invention of Giuseppe Loria, for his “Keg Lifting Device.” Here’s the Abstract:

An improved lifting device and associated system for handling a standard beverage keg comprises a rigid support frame formed to partially surround a standing keg and including a pair of vertical posts spaced apart and interconnected by separate upper and lower transverse beams, the posts being erected and supported upon respective lateral base beams that extend forward and rearward of the posts with a support brace angularly disposed and secured over each forward beam extension. A lever rod is pivotally connected to the upper transverse beam having a lower handle end and an upper working end carrying a bifurcated chain link attached thereto, the bifurcated chain link holding a pair of hook fasteners sized and shaped to fit the hand holds provided on the upper rim of the standard keg. With the support frame placed alongside the standing keg and the working end of the lever rod directly over the keg, the hook fasteners are made to engage the hand holds on opposite sides of the keg and apply a clamping pressure to the keg upon lifting. A deployable extension chain further provided on the support frame is adapted to fasten to the handle end of the lever rod to hold the lifted position of the keg, allowing a dolly with a circularly formed raised surface layer to engage the bottom of the keg for its immediate transport.