One person drywall machine

Abstract

This device is a complete drywall installation machine and finishing platform. It consists of a simple mechanism that raises the sheathing from floor level to the top platform of the machine where it is then raised to the rafters and held securely in place for attachment, by stepping on to the elevated platform to be at the perfect working height to apply fasteners. In it's auxiliary configuration this machine also lifts and places wallboard into position on wall studs for attachment with absolute minimum effort. This machine is portable, mobile, and light weight enough to allow one worker to install drywall up to 12 ft. in lenght to walls and/or ceilings with less effort than is normally exerted by each of 2 or more workers. Once the installation is complete the machine serves as a mobile work platform to do the taping and finishing. The entire process is executed by one worker and requires no addional equipment such as ladders, stilts, or support devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“Not Applicable”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

“Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hoisting and positioning apparatuses (414/10 Flat wall or ceiling member manipulating means: This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Apparatus wherein the means is designed to reorient or reposition a unit of material having a flat surface and which, when secured in place, will form a part or all of the wall or ceiling portion of a building.) and more specifically it relates to a drywall panel installation machine, which provides a mechanism to lift a drywall panel and hold it in place against ceiling rafters or wall studs to be attatched thereto by one person, and a working platform for said person.

While there are various conventional hoisting and positioning devices, none provide the novel improvements of the invention herein disclosed. That is a machine that fulfills all the needs of the art. ie. many have the ability to raise the panel to the necessary height, but become unstable and subject to tipping in the process. Also, even the ones that maintain stability offer no means of getting the worker to the necessary height to install the nails or screws to complete the installation, Thereby requiring additional equipment and/or personel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a portable, stable, easy to operate machine that include all the desired features necessary to the installation of drywall and/or other construction sheathing in one device. It combines machine stability, easy loading, lifting and positioning capeabilities with a safe and easily accessable working platform. Thereby requiring only one worker, and no addional equipment such as stilts, ladders, or propping or holding devices.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a drywall machine that allows one worker to accomplish the task that normaly requires two or more workers, in a cost effective period of time. Thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

One of the main objects of this invention was to provide a drywall machine that is complete in and of itself, requiring no addional equipment.

Another object was to provide a drywall machine that is safe and easy enough to use that it requires no special skills or training.

An additional object is to provide a drywall machine that is portable and light weight enough that a single worker can move it to the job, set it up, and use it without assistance.

A still further object is to provide a drywall machine that is economical in cost to manufacture, thereby making it affordable to purchase and use.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

View 1 Projection view of the overall machine.

View 2

FIG. 1_Rear Bottom Frame Section

FIG. 2_Front Bottom Frame Section

FIG. 3_Left Frame Expansion Joint

FIG. 4_Right Frame Expansion Joint

FIG. 5_Left Rear Telescopic Lift Post

FIG. 6_Left Front Telescopic Lift Post

FIG. 7_Right Rear Telescopic Lift Post

FIG. 8_Right Front Telescopic Lift Post

View 3

FIG. 9_Upper Lift Cable Pulley (typ.)

FIG. 10_Lower Lift Cable Pulley (typ.)

FIG. 11_Vertical lift cable (typ.)

FIG. 12_Rear Plywood Working Platform support

FIG. 13_Center Plywood Working Platform, Vertical Lift Winch, and Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank Support

FIG. 14_Front Plywood Working Platform Support

FIG. 15_Vertical Lift Winch

View 4

FIG. 16_Removeable Inclined Loader Device Frame and Guides

FIG. 16A_“Removeable Inclined Loader Device Frame” Slotted Keys

FIG. 17_Plywood Working Platform

FIG. 18_Vertical Lift Winch Crank

View 5

FIG. 19_Horizontal Top

Rack FIG. 20_Loader Channel

FIG. 21_Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap

FIG. 22_Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Lower Pulleys

FIG. 23_Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank

FIG. 24_Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Upper Pulleys

FIG. 25_“Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Upper Pulley Mounting Rings” on “Horizontal Top Rack”

View 6 Details of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4

View 7 Details of Telescopic Lift Post FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 (2 section post and optional 3 section post)

View 8 Optional Hydraulic or Pneumatic Lift Post (2 section post and optional 3 section post)

FIG. 26_Lifting Medium Transfer Hose (to control valve)

FIG. 27_Lifting Medium (Gas or Liquid)

FIG. 28_Pressure Seal

FIG. 29 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable attachment point

FIG. 30_Outer Lift Post Section

FIG. 31 _—1st. Inner Lift Post Section

FIG. 32 _—2nd. Inner Lift Post Section

FIG. 33 _—1st. Inner Lift Post Section Guide and Stop

FIG. 34_“Outer Lift Post Section”, “Lift Cable” attachment point

FIG. 35 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable Pulley

FIG. 36 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable

View 9

Optional Linear Actuator Lift Post (2 section post and optional 3 section post)

FIG. 37_Reversible Drive motor

FIG. 38_Sprocket and Chain assembly

FIG. 39_Bottom Frame Section

FIG. 40_Linear Actuator Support Bearing

FIG. 41 _—1st. Inner Lift Post Section Lower Guides

FIG. 42_Fixed “Linear Actuator Threaded Nut”

FIG. 43 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable attachment point

FIG. 44_Linear Actuator Rod

FIG. 45_“Outer Lift Post Section”

FIG. 46 _—1st. Inner Lift Post Section FIG. 47_—2nd. Inner Lift Post Section

FIG. 48 _—1st. Inner Lift Post Section Upper Guides and Stop

FIG. 49 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable

FIG. 50 _—2nd Inner Lift Post Section, Lift Cable Pulleys

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The “One Person Drywall Machine” construction consists of a generally rectangular “Frame Base” of hollow steel tubing approximately 3 ft. by 4 ft. Consisting of a “Rear Bottom Frame Section” (See View 2—FIG. 1), a “Front Bottom Frame Section” (See View 2—FIG. 2), a “Left Frame Expansion Joint” (See View 2—FIG. 3), and a “Right Frame Expansion Joint” (See View 2—FIG. 4), so constructed as to be easily contracted to approximately 2 ft. by 4 ft. (See View 2—FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and View 6—FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) so as to provide easy access through doorways. Said “Frame Base” is mounted on common casters (not shown) at each corner to facilitate mobility of machine. Attached to the top of each corner of this frame is a “Telescoping Post” extending vertically. These posts consist of two or more sections of hollow steel tubing, one inside the other, (See View 2—FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 and View 7 Details of post), to allow vertical extension to ceiling height. Vertical extension of these posts is facilitated by a simple winch, cable, and pulley system configured so as when the cable is shortened by winding onto the drum of the winch, the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” is raised inside the “Outer Lift Post Section” (In the case of the three or more section post an additional cable is so configured so as to raise the “2nd Inner Lift Post Section” as the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” is raised (See View 7—Details of post)). Or if optional “Hydraulic or Pneumatic Lift Post” is used; vertical extension is facilitated by pumping a “Lifting Medium” (Gas or Liquid) under pressure into the sealed lower end of the “Outer Lift Post Section” of the Lift Post; thereby forceing the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” upward (In the case of the three or more section post; cables are so configured so as to raise the “2nd Inner Lift Post Section” as the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” is raised (See View 8—Optional Hydraulic or Pneumatic Lift Post)). Or if optional “Linear Actuator Lift Post” is used; vertical extension is facilitated by activating a reversible motor that drives a sprocket and chain assembly that in turn rotates a threaded rod in a fixed nut that is attached to the bottom of the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” of the post, thereby forcing this section either up or down (depending on the direction of rotation of the drive motor) (In the case of the three or more section post; cables are so configured so as to raise the “2nd Inner Lift Post Section” as the “1st. Inner Lift Post Section” is raised (See View 9—Optional Linear Actuator Lift Post)). Atop these posts rest a removable “Top Rack” consisting of a generally rectangular hollow tube frame with two “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Pulley” brackets mounted on the bottom side of the front long tube, laying in a flat horizontal position upon which will be placed the drywall sheathing when the machine is loaded. (See View 5—FIG. 19) Within the confines of these “Telescoping Posts” and located approximately 16 in. up from the base of said “Telescoping Posts” is a horizontal tube attached at each end to each of the rear “Telescoping Posts”, and a like tube attached likewise to the front “Telescoping Posts”. (See View 3—FIG. 12 and FIG. 14) These tubes provide stability for the vertical “Telescoping Posts” and support for the “Plywood Working Platform”, in addition there is a short vertical support attached to the outermost portion of each of the “Expansion Joints” of the “Frame Base” with a horizontal tube attached at each end to the top of each of these vertical supports. This tube is at the same height as the afore mentioned horizontal tubes and provides stability to the “Frame Base”, support for the center of the “Plywood Working Platform”, and a mounting place for the “Vertical Lift Winch”, and the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank”. (See View 3—FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 and View 4—FIG. 17). Attached to the front vertical “Telescoping Post” is a removable “Inclined Loading Device Frame”, consisting of a horizontal hollow tube mounted level with and parallel to the “Front Bottom Frame Section” member. Mounted at each end of this tube is a short length of hollow tube extending from this tube to the “Front Bottom Frame Section”. Attached to the outside of these tubes is a mounting plate equiped with “Slotted Keyways” for temporary attachment to machine. Attached to the top outermost corners (left and right) of this horizontal tube is angle iron guides extending up and in to the top of the afore mentioned “Front Telescopic Lift Post”. (See View 4—FIG. 16) Attached to the outside top of each of these angle iron guides is a mounting plate equiped with “Slotted Keyways” for temporary attachment to machine. Attached to the inside top of each of these angle iron guides is a bracket supporting a removable pulley for the “Inclined Loading Device Lift Strap”. Attached to the “Center Plywood Working Platform, Vertical Lift Winch, and Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank Support”, and extending from the right side of machine to the left side of machine is the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank”. (See View 5—FIG. 23) Attached to this bar at approximately 1 ft. from each end is a nylon strap (See View 5—FIG. 21) extending horizontaly through the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Lower Pulleys” (See View 5—FIG. 22) then generally upward and over the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Upper Pulleys”, (See View 5—FIG. 24) then generally downward to a metal “Loader Channel” located parallel to, but not attached to the afore mentioned front horizontal hollow tube of the “Removeable Inclined Loader Device Frame and Guides” (See View 5—FIG. 20) so as to allow this channel to slide up the inclined angle iron guides when the strap is wound around the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank”. Attachment of individual parts of this machine (except for movable and/or removable parts) is common welding, and in the case of movable and/or removable parts attachment is bolting and/or slot and key. (See View 4—FIG. 16A) Use of this machine is as follows. (Normal preparation of sheathing is expected. i.e. cutouts, trimming, etc.)

Begin with drywall sheathing in a vertical position with one long side on floor. Machine is rolled up to sheathing and “Loading Device Channel” is lowered to floor. Sheathing is then lifted by hand into the “Loading Device Channel” (finish side toward machine) and leaned against “Inclined Loading Device Guides”. Sheathing is then lifted by rotating the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank” until sheathing extends slightly over one half the width of the sheathing above the top of the machine. Sheathing is then rotated from a near vertical position to a horizontal position atop the “Top Rack”, “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank” is then rotated again to slide sheathing completely onto the “Top Rack”. “Loading Device Channel” is then removed from edge of sheathing and machine is rolled into position under placement area of ceiling. “Vertical Lift Winch Crank” is then rotated (or Hydraulic or Pneumatic valve is operated, or Linear Actuator is activated) thereby lifting sheathing vertically until it rests against ceiling rafters. Worker then steps onto “Plywood Working Platform” and installs fasteners (nails or screws) to complete the installation.

To use machine to install wall sheathing, (Normal preparation of sheathing is expected.)

First “Vertical Lift Winch Crank” is rotated (or Hydraulic or Pneumatic valve is operated or Linear Actuator is activated) to raise “Top Rack” to within 2 ft. of ceiling, “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap Upper Pulleys” are removed from their position on “Inclined Loading Device Frame” and snapped into the mounting rings on bottom of “Top Rack”. “Inclined Loading Device Frame” is then removed from machine; Machine is now ready to install wall sheathing.

Begin with sheathing in a vertical position with one long side on floor. Machine is rolled up to sheathing and “Loading Device Channel” is lowered to floor. Sheathing is then lifted by hand into the “Loading Device Channel” (finish side toward machine) and leaned against machine. Sheathing is then lifted by rotating the “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank” until sheathing clears floor a few inches. While holding sheathing against machine, machine is rolled into position approximately 6 in. from wall where sheathing is to be placed. Sheathing is now leaned outward against wall studs, and “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Crank” is rotated to slide sheathing up wall studs into position against ceiling. (At this point machine may be pushed against wall if desired) Worker then steps onto “Plywood Working Platform” and installs fasteners (nails or screws) to complete the installation. (Final position adjustment may be accomplished by pulling on one “Inclined Loader Device Lifting Strap” to raise one end of sheathing or rotating “Vertical Lift Winch Crank” to raise both ends of sheathing, and/or swinging “Loading Device Channel” left or right.)

Claims

1. A complete drywall installation machine and finishing platform, Consisting of a generally rectangular expandable/contractable frame base, mounted on casters located at each corner, so as to be mobile. This base shall have mounted on the top side at each of four corners, a vertical telescoping post with a lifting mechanism to extend said post vertically upward. On top of these four post rest a generally rectangular shaped rack in a flat horizontal position. Within the confines of these post and elevated approximently eighteen inches from floor level is a working platform. Attached to one long side of this machine in temporary fashion is a loading device that consist of a base laying parallel to and approximately 12 inches from the frame base with angle iron guides attached to the outermost top corners and extending inward and upward to the top of the two telescoping post on that side of said frame base. This loading device also has a medal channel 1 inch wide by 2 inches deep that may be moved up and down said angle iron guides by means of a strap and crank system. Whereas construction sheathing may be placed in this medal channel and hoisted to the rectangular shaped rack on top of the machine; where it is then lifted verticaly by means of the telescoping post lifting mechanism to ceiling height for installation; by stepping on to the finishing platform and nailing or screwing the sheathing to the rafters.

2. I further claim as my invention the afore mentioned machine in it's entirity (Not withstanding any previously invented device or apparatus that may be an integral part of my machine, such as threaded devices, fasteners, cables, pulleys, cranks, or winches, etc.) and not limited to any number of decribed parts. ie. Vertical post may have two or more sections, machine may have one or more manual and/or electric winches and/or may be operated hydrauliclly or pneumaticly and/or any combination thereof.