GB2331544A

GB2331544A - Apparatus for fixing ceiling panels

Info

Publication number: GB2331544A
Application number: GB9724623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Moffatt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-20
Filing date: 1997-11-20
Publication date: 1999-05-26
Also published as: GB9724623D0

Abstract

A device for holding a ceiling panel (38) in position against a ceiling structure (40), for example whilst fastening means are employed to secure the panel in permanent position. The device comprises a panel support (2) on which the ceiling panel rests, and a lifting mechanism (10) operable to raise the panel from a lowered position to an upper position adjacent the ceiling structure (40). The device may comprise a frame, having a lifting strut (8) operated by a lifting lever (32). Means may be provided for fixing the lifting mechanism (10) in the raised or lowered position, or for biasing it in the raised position. The panel support (2) may be adjustable, and the device may be mounted on castors or wheels (36). Additionally, the device may be in the form of an attachment for connecting to a framework such as a scaffolding tower.

Description

2331544 is APPARATUS FOR FIXING CEILING PANELS This invention relates to

an apparatus for fixing ceiling panels, such as plasterboard sheets, to a ceiling structure.

The conventional way of fixing plasterboard sheets, when constructing a ceiling, is to hold the sheets by hand against the ceiling timbers and then to nail the sheet to the timbers using conventional plasterboard nails. It is of course extremely difficult to both support the plasterboard sheet and to hold the nail and hammer and consequently it is usual for this procedure to be carried out by two people.

If a person has to put up sheets on his own, then it is often necessary for him to balance the sheet on his shoulder or head whilst he uses his hands to hold the nail and hammer. The situation has been improved somewhat by the availability of cordless screwdrivers and drills, so that the plasterboard sheet can be supported with one hand and a suitable fixing such as a cross head screw can be driven into the plasterboard sheet by a cordless screwdriver held in the other hand. Even with the use of a cordless tool, it is extremely difficult and time consuming for a single person to put up plasterboard sheets. These problems are addressed by the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for holding ceiling panels in position for fixing to a ceiling structure, the device comprising a panel support on which the ceiling panel rests, and a lifting structure which is operable to lift the panel support from a lowered position in which the panel support is spaced from the ceiling structure to a raised position in which the panel support is closely adjacent the ceiling structure.

Preferably the panel support does not cover the whole under-surface of the ceiling panel.

Consequently, it is possible for plasterboard fixings to be driven into the sheet around the edge of the panel support.

Preferably, the lifting structure comprises a lifting strut which is fixed to the panel support at one end and is slidably mounted in a main body of the lifting structure at one or more intermediate positions. Preferably, the main body of the lifting structure comprises a support frame, the lifting strut being slidably mounted in guide openings formed in elements of the frame. These elements may be bracing elements of the frame.

Preferably, the lifting structure further comprises a lifting lever which is pivotably connected to the lifting strut at one end and rests on an element of the frame at an intermediate position along its length, such that pushing down on the opposite end of the lever raises the lifting strut relative to the frame.

Preferably, means are provided for fixing the lifting strut in the raised and/or lowered position. Means may also be provided for biasing the panel support into the raised position. The biasing means may comprise for example a tension or compression spring or a counterweight arrangement. Preferably the biasing means are just sufficient to lift from a lowered to a raised position the heaviest ceiling panel which might be used. The biasing means may be adjustable to accommodate ceiling panels of different weights, and the panel support may be adjustable in size to accommodate ceiling panels of different sizes.

Preferably, the height of the panel support in the raised position is adjustable to accommodate different ceiling heights. This may be achieved by providing a lifting strut which has a plurality of alternative is fixing points to which the lifting lever may be pivotably connected. Preferably the frame is collapsible and/or may be supported on castors and/or wheels. Preferably, at least one of the castors and/or wheels is lockable to fix the frame in position relative to the ceiling structure.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for fixing ceiling panels; and Figure 2 is a view on one end on the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an apparatus for fixing, for example, plasterboard sheets. The apparatus comprises a panel support 2 formed from a rectangular timber frame 4 having a central timber bracing element 6 equidistantly spaced between the longer sides of the rectangular frame 4.

A timber lifting strut 8 is rigidly fixed to the centre of the bracing element 6 and is slidably mounted in a timber support frame 10.

The frame 10 comprises two rectangular end pieces 12, 14 interconnected by three pairs of longitudinal timber members 16, 18, 20, such that the frame 10 as a whole forms a rigid box shaped support structure.

Two longitudinally extending guide members 22, 24 are equidistantly spaced between respective pairs of longitudinal members 18, 20. In the centre of each guide member 22, 24 are formed vertically aligned openings 26, 28 in which is slidably received the lifting strut 8. The openings 26, 28 constrain lateral movement of the lifting strut relative to the guide members 22, 24 but allow it to slide vertically.

A further bracing member 30 interconnects the end is i pieces 12, 14 and extends parallel to and between the longitudinal members 18 and 20. The bracing member 30 provides a pivot point for a lifting lever 32, which is pivotally connected to the lifting strut 8 by means of a bolted connection 34.

The lower ends of the end pieces 12, 14 form the legs of the frame 10 and, as shown in Figure 2, may be provided with lockable castors or wheels 36 which facilitate movement of the frame to a desired position and allow it to be locked in that position.

In Figure 2, the panel fixing apparatus is shown in a mid-position between its lowered and raised positions. As will readily be understood, if the lever 32 is pushed down, it will pivot about the support strut 30, thereby forcing the lifting strut 8 to slide upwardly through the guide struts 22, 24 and thereby to raise the panel support 2 against a ceiling structure 40. Conversely, if the lever 32 moves up, the panel support 2 will move down until the lower face of the panel support 2 contacts the upper face of the frame 10. This point of contact defines the lowermost position of the panel support 2.

in use of the panel fixing apparatus, the frame 10 is first rolled into position beneath the ceiling structure 40 with the panel support 2 in the lowered position. The wheels 36 are then locked and a plasterboard sheet 38 is slid on to the top surface of the panel support 2. By pressing down on the lever 32, the plasterboard sheet is pressed against the timbers of the ceiling structure 40 and, as the plasterboard sheet 38 extends beyond the edges of the panel support 2, it is a simple matter to hammer or screw plasterboard fixings through the exposed portions of the plasterboard sheet 38 into the timbers of the ceiling structure 4. Once the plasterboard sheet 38 is secure, the lever 32 can be raised, the wheels 36 is unlocked and the framework moved beneath another exposed portion of the ceiling structure 40, so that the whole procedure can be repeated.

In an alterative embodiment, not illustrated, a series of vertically spaced openings are provided in the lifting strut 8, so that the lifting lever 32 can be pivotably connected to the strut 8 at different heights and consequently so that the height of the panel support 2 in the raised position can be adjusted to accommodate ceiling structures 40 of different heights.

Adjustment of the height of the panel support 2 can also be achieved by providing the frame 10 with telescopically extendible legs or with telescopically extendible wheel units such as are used on scaffolding towers.

In order to facilitate fixing and to enable the lifting lever 32 to be released with the panel support 2 in the raised position, means may be provided for retaining the lifting lever 32 in the raised position. For example, a timber prop (not shown) could be pivotably connected to the guide member 22 by means of a bolted connection, so that when the lifting lever 32 has been moved to the required position the prop can be swung out of the frame 10 and can be fixed to the lifting lever 32 by a hand operated clamp.

Alternatively, a strap fixed to the lower part of the frame 10, could be looped over the end of the operating lever 32, when it is in the raised position. This strap may be elasticated to facilitate fitting of the strap to the end of the lever 32 and to provide an upward bias on the panel support 2, which would hold the plasterboard sheet 38 closely against the timbers of the ceiling structure 40.

Spring means or counterweights may be provided to bias the panel support against the timbers of the ceiling structure. In an embodiment, not illustrated, the spring means or counterweights are adjustable so that plasterboard sheets of different weights or other forms of ceiling panel may be used with the apparatus. In a particular arrangement of this type, a sliding counterweight may be provided on the lever 32, which can be slid away from the frame 10 to increase the upward bias on the lifting strut 8.

Most preferably, an overcentre mechanism may be provided between the lever 32 and the lifting strut 8 such that the lever 32 may be held in the lowered and/or raised position.

The present invention has been described in terms of a lifting strut 8 which is supported in a dedicated support frame 10. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lifting strut 8 may be slidably supported in guide members 22, 24 which are adapted to be connected to a conventional scaffolding structure, a "workmate,, (registered trademark) work bench, or other support device.

It will be appreciated that although the illustrated embodiment is constructed substantially from timber, any suitable material may be used for the construction of the apparatus, such as steel or plastic members. For example, the end pieces 12, 14 of the frame 10 may each be moulded in one piece from plastics material and may be interconnected by plastic struts using snap-fit connections.

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Claims

1. A device for holding ceiling panels in position for fixing to a ceiling structure, the device comprising a panel support on which the ceiling panel rests, and a lifting structure which is operable to lift the panel support from a lowered position in which the panel support is spaced from the ceiling structure to a raised position in which the panel support is closely adjacent the ceiling structure.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the panel support does not cover the whole under-surface of the ceiling panel.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the lifting structure comprises a lifting strut which is fixed to the panel support at one end and is slidably mounted in a main body of the lifting structure at one or more intermediate positions along its length.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the main body of the lifting structure comprises a support frame, the lifting strut being slidably mounted in guide openings formed in elements of the frame.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the elements comprise bracing elements of the frame.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the lifting structure further comprises a lifting lever which is pivotably connected to the lifting strut at one end and rests on an element of the frame at an intermediate position along its length.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for fixing the panel support in the raised and/or lowered position.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which means are provided for biasing the panel support into the raised position.

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9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which the biasing means comprises a spring.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which the biasing means comprises a counter weight.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which the biasing means forms part of an overcentre mechanism.

12. A device,as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, in which the biasing means are adjustable.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the panel support is adjustable in size.

14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the height of the panel support in the raised position is adjustable.

15. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panel support and/or the lifting structure are collapsible.

16. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lifting structure is supported on castors and/or wheels.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, in which the castors and/or wheels are lockable.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the lifting structure is adapted to be fitted to a support structure such as a scaffolding framework.