US2883073A - Sheet ceiling material elevator - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1959 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 F. J. MORRIS 2,883,073 SHEET CEILING MATERIAL ELEVATOR 5 Sfleets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

FRANK J MORRIS A roelvzv April 21, 1959 F. J. MORRIS 2,833,073

SHEET CEILING MATERIAL ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK J. MORRIS ATTORNEY Apri 21, 19 I F. J.- MORRIS 2,883,073

SHEET CEILING MATERIAL-ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FRANK J. MORRIS A TI'OE/VE Y April 21, 1959 I F. J. MORRIS 2,883,073

' SHE-ET CEILING MATERIAL ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Shets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

FRANK J. MORRIS April 1959 F. J. MORRIS 2,883,073

SHEET CEILING MATERIAL ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sh'eetsSheet 5 IN V EN T 0R.

FRANK J MORRIS BY I W A7702: Y.

United States Patent SHEET CEILING MATERIAL ELEVATOR Frank J. Morris, Stockton, Calif.

Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,207

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-4) This invention relates to material handling, and more particularly to apparatus for handling rigid sheet material of the type commonly employed in the construction of dwellings and commercial buildings. Examples of such rigid sheet material are plaster board, sheet lath or the so-called button board and plywood. Such materials are commonly included within the purview of the name wallboard, and it will be understood that whenever this identifying title is employed within the following description and claims, the name is employed in its generic sense, and without limitation as to the type of paneling, or as to the location where it is to be installed, i.e., not necessarily as a wall panel.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for handling wallboard.

Another object is to provide a piece of equipment for use in raising a sheet of wallboard into position for securing to the undersides of ceiling rafters and for firmly holding the sheet thus positioned while the same is nailed or otherwise secured to the rafters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piece of construction equipment of the character indicated which includes a carriage adapted to receive a full, standard-sized sheet of wallboard while the carriage is in a conveniently accessible lowered position, and adapted to be raised with the wallboard thereon into position adjacent the rafters.

Another object is to provide a wallboard elevating device as described, wherein the carriage is adapted to receive the wallboard in a position displaced only slightly from the vertical, the carriage being adapted to be swung from the said nearly vertical position to the horizontal as one phase of the operation of elevating the wallboard into position for installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide wallboard-handling equipment as described, that is easily portable and so small in overall dimensions as to permit movement from room to room through a standard sized single doorway, and yet which is readily extensible to adapt the equipment to even exceptionally high ceilings.

Another object is to make the apparatus adjustable to accommodate wallboard panels of various sizes.

A further object is to provide means for securely immobilizing the apparatus in operating position substantially instantaneously and without requiring any tools nor any fastening devices such as nails or screws.

Another object is to provide a novel latching arrangeis to be understood that variation may be made in the said drawings and description without departing from 2 the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a wallboard elevating and positioning device incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective of the manually operable pole constituting an accessory of the device of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation partly broken away, showing the device of Fig. 1 erected in operative position, ready to receive a sheet of wallboard.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the device after having received a sheet of wallboard and in readiness to raise the same for ceiling installation.

Figure 5 is another view similar to Fig. 3, showing the device at the completion of the first phase of the elevating operation.

Figure 6 is another view similar to Fig. 3, showing the device at the completion of the final phase of the elevating operation, with the wallboard properly positioned for ceiling installation.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view in elevation, taken on the lines 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail elevational view of one vof the gravity-actuated latches for releasably retaining the carriage in elevated position.

Figure 9 is a perspective of a modified form of wallboard elevating and positioning device incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an enlarged side elevation, partly broken away, of the winch constituting a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 9.

That embodiment of the wallboard elevating and positioning device of the present invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, comprises a frame 11 adapted to be rigidly but removably mounted in a vertical or nearly vertical position extending between a supporting floor structure 12 (Figs. 36) and an overhead structure to the under face of which wallboard such as conventional sheets or panels 17 of plaster board (Figs. 4-6) are to be secured in the construction of an overhead ceiling. Typically, therefore, the overhead structure to whose under surface the panels are to be applied with the aid of the apparatus of the invention may be conventional horizontal framing, such as spaced, parallel rafters 14 although it may likewise be in the nature of a continuous surface, such as a complete ceiling, for example, to which plywood panels or wallboard of other characteristics is to be applied as a part of a remodeling operation. A carriage 16 adapted to receive a single, full size, commercial type sheet of wallboard 17, is mounted on the frame 11 for vertical sliding movement with respect thereto, between a lower loading position (Figs. 3 and 4) to an upper, intermediate position (Fig. 5), from which latter position the carriage is adapted to be swung upward in pivotal motion about an axis adjacent one edge of the sheet 17 to a substantially horizontal, discharging position (Fig. 6) wherein the sheet 17 is supported in such close adjacency to the desired final position it is to occupy in the completed ceiling construction, that nailing or otherwise permanently fastening the sheet 17 therein can be performed quickly and easily.

Returning now to the supporting and guiding frame 11 for a more specific description thereof, the principal constituent elements of the frame 11 comprises two legs 21, 21a, adapted to be rigidly retained parallel to each other and in predetermined spacing, by upper and lower bracing members 22, 22a, respectively. Each leg 21, 21a includes a lower portion in the form of a tube 23 and an upper portion in the form of a rod 24 which may be of solid or tubular form, as may be determined by manufacturing cost consideration, although the tubular form may be preferable since the relative weight economy without material sacrifice in strength which characterizes the tubular form maybe the determining factorin this connection. Each rod 24 is telescopically received within, and extends upward from, the upper end of the associated tube 23, with respect to which therod 24 is slidable, thus making the leg 21, 21a, longitudinally adjustable to adapt the frame 11 for use in connection with ceiling construction of various lheights. Each leg 21, 21a is provided with a set screw 26, preferably of the butterfly head variety, threaded through the tube 23 adjacent the upper end thereof, and adapted to be tightened against the associated rod 24 to releas'ably lock the leg in selected position of extension. A flange 27 rigidly aflixed to the upper end of each rod 24 provides a horizontal upper surface adapted to be pressed against the under surface of a rafter 14 or other form of structure to which wallboard panels 17 are to be secured.

Means 31 are provided for continuously applying upward pressure to each leg 21 to press the associated flange 27 into rigid engagement with a rafter 14 or the like, to retain the frame 11 rigidly in erect, operating position. Each of these pressure applying means 31 comprises a. sleeve 32 (Fig. 7) rigidly secured, as by welding 33 to the lower end of the associated tube 23 and having a bushing 34 rigid with its lower end. A plunger 36 whose stem '37 extends slidably through the bushing 34 is continuously urged downward by a spring 38 under compression between the lower end of the bushing 34 and a foot flange 41 comprising the lowermost portion of the plunger 36. A flange 39 defining the upper end of the plunger 36 isreciprocable within the sleeve 32, limits extension of the spring 38 by engagement with the inner end of the bushing 34. A nut 42 rigidly secured by welding 43 to the upper face of the foot flange 41 provides means" for easily attaching one end of a pull rod 44 to the plunger 36. A jamb nut 46 locks the rod 44 against a'ccid'ental displacement. The upper end of the rod 44 is pivotally attached to a substantially horizontal lever 47 which extends loosely through a U-shaped bracket 48 whose legs 49 and 49a are welded to a side of the associated tube 23. The lever 47 is pivotally su ported from the tube 23 by resting upon the lower leg 49a of the bracket 48. Although not positively conneeded to the tube 23 by a conventional pivot pin, the lever 47 is restrained against displacement from an advantageous leyering position upon the bracket leg 49a by a suitable pin 51 rigid with the lever and held against a lateral edge of the bracket 48 by the comparative rigidity of the pull rod 44. A plate 52 is welded to the lever 47 in position to'provide a pedal that may convenien-tly be depressed by foot pressure, to exert an upward pull upon the rod 44 to withdraw the plunger 36 against the urgency of the spring 38 and thereby temporarily decrease the efiective length of the associated leg21 or 2111, as the case might be.

The bracing members- 22 and 22a also are longitudinally extensible, each comprising a tube 61 pivoted to the tube '23 df one of the legs 21 and a rod 62 telescopically slidable within and extending from the distal end of the tube 61. The means for thus pivotally mounting the tube 61 includes a flange 56 welded to the leg 21 and a pivot pin 57 interconnecting the flange 56 and a flattened portion at the proximal end of the tube 61. An angle brace 63 extends diagonally across each of two opposite corners of the rectangular frame 11,, each brace 63 including two flanges 64 welded to a horizontal and a vertical firarne member, respectively, and a rod 66 'det'achably secured to the flanges 64 by removable pins 67. Since the two braces 63 are diagonally opposite, the tube portion 61 of the upper horizontal bracing member 22 is pivoted to the leg 21 and the associated rod 62 is similarly connected to the other leg 21a, while the arrangement of the lower horizontal bracing member 22a is just the opposite, i.e., the tube 61 of the lower horizontal bracing member 22a is pivoted to the leg 21a and its associated rod 62 is pivoted to the leg 21.

Since both of the horizontal bracing members 22, 22a, are longitudinally extensible, the apparatus is readily adjustable to vary the length thereof, i.e., to alter the distance between the legs 21, 21a, and thereby to dispsoe the two flanges 27 at any selected spacing within the practical limits of the device. In this manner, the apparatus of the invention is adapted for use in a room whose ceiling is defined only by exposed rafters. The described longitudinal extensibility of the apparatus of the invention permits the flanges 27 at the top of the frame legs 21 to be engaged with two spaced rafters, even though the center-to-center spacing of the latter may not conform to conventional or standard practice. Each of the horizontal bracing members 22, 22a is provided with a set screw 68 threaded through the tube 61 and adapted to be tightened against the associated rod 62 to releasably lock the member 22, 22a in selected positionof adjustment.

The carriage 16 already mentioned hereinabove, is constructcd similarly to the frame '11, in that its principal constituent members are likewise extensible, being constructed of telescopically associated rods and tubes. The end members 71,, 71a of the carriage 16 comprise tubes '72 within the lower ends of which rods 73 are telescopically slidable. Set screws 74 are provided to releasably lock the end members 71, 71a in selected positions of longitudinal extension. The end members 71, 71a are pivotally connected to horizontal upper and lower bracing members 76' and 76a, respectively, each of which is comprisedor a tube 77, 'a'rod 78 telescopically slidable within the distal end of the tube, and a set screw 79 for releasably locking the members 76, 76a in selected positlO'I'l 'Of longitudinal extension.

In the case of the carriage 16, a single detachable angle brace 81 is adequate to impart ample rigidity to the construction.

The means for mounting the carriage 16 on the frame 11 for upward and downward shifting thereon comprises a short length of tubing 86 slidably mounted on each of the vertical rods 24 of the frame legs 21, between the top flange 27 thereof and the upper end of the associated leg tube 23. A flange 87 (Figs. 3-6) projecting rigidly from each tube 86 adjacent the upper end thereof provides support for a pivot pin 88 that 'pivotally supports the upper end of one of the end members 71, 7111, the two pivot pins 88 being axially aligned and thereby supporting the carriage 16 from the vertically adjustable tubes 86 for rotational adjustment about a horizontal axis adjacent the upper, or proximal edge of the rectangular carriage.

Each of the slide tubes 86 likewise carries a bracket 91 from which a prop 92 is pivotally suspended by a pivot pin 93'. Each prop 92 includes an upper, tubular portion 93 and an extension rod 94 telescopically slid'abl'e withinand extending from the lower end thereof and a set screw '96 for releasably locking the rod 94 to the tube 93 in selected position of longitudinal extension of the prop. The parts are "so proportioned and arranged that both pivotally suspended props 92 are continually urged by gravityto swing in that direction which causes them into pressing engagement with one side of the upper horizontal bracing member 22 of the frame 11, provided, of. course, that the carriage 16 is not at such an elevation withr'espect to the frame 11 that the lower ends of the props 92 are above the elevation of the bracing member =shaped clips 97 are 'aflixed to the upper side of the upper name bracing member '22, each in alignment with one of the props, for the lower end of which the clip serves as a guide and a'stop limiting the pivotal movement of the associated prop '92 immediately after the lower end of the prop has passed over the 'top of the biacing member 22 when moving in the direction in which it IS gravitationally urged. The lower end 98 of each prop rod 94 is cut on an oblique angle, the side first to pass the bracing member during gravitational swingmg movement of the prop 92 being longer than the then trailing side of the prop (see Fig. 8). The clips are so designed and arranged that they co-operate with the bracing member 22 to define sockets 99 to releasably retain the lower ends of the props 94 in endwise abutment with the bracing member after the relatively sharply angled portions 101 have passed the crown, or highest portion of the member 22 when the props are moving in response to gravity.

A pair of longitudinally aligned brackets or shelves 106 are welded or otherwise aifixed to the lower horizontal bracing member 76a of the carriage 16, adjacent the ends thereof. These shelves 106 provide support for a sheet 17 of wallboard while the carriage 16 is in its loading position and while the carriage is raised and swung to its horizontal, discharge position.

The carriage 16, with a sheet 17 of wallboard thereon, is adapted to be raised from its loading position (Figs. 3 and 4) to its intermediate position (Fig. 5), by causing the guide tubes 86 to slide upward on the leg rods 24. A manually operable pole 107 (Fig. 2) is provided for this purpose, and a short, tubular socket 108 pivotally suspended from the upper horizontal bracing member 76 facilitates such use of the pole 107. The socket 108 is carried by a short length of tubing 109 freely rotatable upon the bracing member 76.

Another pole-receiving socket 111, is suspended from the lower horizontal bracing member 76a of the carriage 16, this socket 111 being suspended by oblique members 112 from two longitudinally spaced tubes 113, both of which are freely rotatable upon the lower bracing member 76a. Auxiliary sockets 114 may also be provided, each rigid with and extending radially from one of the tubes 113 in the plane of the members 112 and socket 111.

An arm 116 extends from each end member 71 of the carriage 16, being welded to the rod 73 thereof adjacent the lower end of the latter. These arms 116 project perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the carriage, and toward the frame 11in fact, bifurcate slides or guides 117 on the distal ends of the arms slidably embrace the leg tubes 23 of the frame 11 to support the lower side of the carriage 16 so spaced from the frame that the carriage occupies a position sufficiently tilted to retain thereon a sheet 17 of wallboard disposed on edge on the shelves 106 and tilted back against the outer face of the carriage.

Operation When the wallboard elevator 11 of the invention is to be placed in service, the two set screws 68 of the horizontal bracing members 22 and 22a of the frame 11, as well as the two set screws 79 of the horizontal bracing members 76 and 76a of the carriage, should be loosened. This permits the entire machine 11 to be adjusted to such length that both flanges 27 at the upper ends of the legs 23 may be brought into registry with ceiling rafters 14 of the overhead framing to which panels 17 are to be afiixed. All four set screws 79 and 68 should then be tightened, locking the four telescopic horizontal bracing members 22, 22a, 76 and 76a to maintain the then attained adjustment of the length of the machine 11.

Each of the two rod members 24 of the frame legs 21 should then be adjusted vertically (the set screws 26 first being loosened) to dispose the upper faces of the upper flanges 27 at an elevation slightly higher than the under surfaces of the rafters 14, it being understood that the foot flanges 41 are placed upon the floor directly under the rafters with which the respective upper flanges 27 are to be engaged. The described adjustment of the rods 24 is made with the upper flanges alongside the rafters 14, permitting the rods to be run upward to dispose the upper flanges 27 approximately a quarter of an inch above the elevation of the under faces of the rafters. The operator can then effectively shorten the legs 21 by depressing on the pedals 52, causing the plungers 36 to be retracted into their respectively associated tubes 23. This permits the upper ends of the legs 21 to be swung under the selected rafters 14, whereupon the pedals 52 should be released, permitting the springs 38 to thrust the plungers outward of the tubes 23. Since the lower flanges 41 rest upon the floor, such outward thrusting of the plungers 36 is attained only by an upward thrust of the legs, causing the upper flanges 27 to press upward against the rafters with the full force of the springs, diminished only by the weight of the apparatus. It will be apparent, therefore, that in constmcting the apparatus, the springs 38 should be selected of such design that when the pedals 52 are released, the springs 38 will cause the upper flanges 27 to bear upwardly against the rafters 14 with sufiicient force to hold the upper ends of the legs 23 against lateral shifting and thereby to immobilize the frame 11 securely in position extending substantially vertically between floor and rafters.

The unloaded carriage 16 should then be raised to slide the tubes 86 upward on the rods 24 until they attain their highest possible positions as determined by the then adjustment of the rods 24 and flanges 27. Holding the carriage 16 thus raised, the operator should then adjust both props 92 to such length that their lower ends will just clear the upper bracing member 22 of the frame 11, to permit them to move by gravity into the sockets 99. With the props 92 locked in such adjustment by the set screws 95, they should be retracted from the sockets 99 and the carriage returned to its lower position as in Fig. 3.

The two set screws 74 should then be loosened and the rods 73 of the carriage end members 71 and 71a adjusted with respect to their respectively associated tubes '72 to make the effective width of the carriage, measured between the pivot pins 88 and a line including the inner faces of the shelf brackets 106, somewhat greater than the width of the panel 17 to be installed. The apparatus is then in readiness to receive a sheet 17 of wallboard to be installed.

The sheet 17 of wallboard to be installed should then be placed onto the carriage. In so doing, the operator should rest one longitudinal edge of the sheet 17 on the two bracket shelves 106 and lean the sheet 17 back against the outer face of the end members 71 and 71a and the upper horizontal bracing member 77 of the carriage. Fig. 4 shows the panel 17 so positioned.

The entire carriage 16, and the panel 17 supported thereon may then be raised to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. This is readily accomplished by a single operator by means of the pole 107 (Fig. 2). Since the pole 107 consists of upper and lower rod and tubular sections 121 and 122, respectively, and a setscrew 173 for releasably locking the parts 121 and 122 in selected position of longitudinal extension, the pole 107 can readily be adjusted to that length which will afford the greatest convenience to the operator in raising the carriage 16 and the panel 17 supported thereon, with the upper end of the pole seated in the socket 108.

As the carriage attains its uppermost position, the lower ends of the props 92 reach positions clear of the upper frame bracing member 22 whereupon the props swing inward by gravity, the lower ends of the props entering the sockets 99, so that when upward force upon the lifting pole 122 ceases, the relatively pointed lower ends 101 of the props will settle within the lowermost depressions of the sockets 99, and thus operate as latching bars to firmly support the carriage at only a slight distance below its uppermost position (Fig. 3).

maintain the legs in spaced, parallel arrangement, a rod in slidable telescopic relation with each of said legs and extending from the upper end thereof, and means for releasably locking said rods in selected position of extension from said legs, a carriage including a guide tube on each of said rods, an end member pivoted to each of said guide tubes, bracing means interconnecting said end members to retain them in spaced parallel relation, and means for supporting a sheet of wallboard on said carriage, said carriage being vertically adjustable between a lower, loading position and an elevated position by sliding said guide tubes on said rods, automatically engageable latch means for releasably retaining said rods adjacent the upper ends of said rods to support one edge of said carriage in elevated position, and means for raising the opposite edge of the carriage to dispose a sheet of wallboard thereon substantially horizontally.

3. Wallboard handling apparatus comprising a frame including a pair of tubular legs, bracing means rigid therewith and extending longitudinally therebetween to maintain the legs in spaced, parallel arrangement, a rod in slidable telescopic relation with each of said legs and extending from the upper end thereof, and means for releasably locking said rods in selected position of extension from said legs, a carriage including a guide tube on each of said rods, an end member pivoted to each of said guide tubes, bracing means interconnecting said end members to retain them in spaced parallel relation, and means for supporting a sheet of wallboard on said carriage, said carriage being vertically adjustable between a lower, loading position and an elevated position by sliding said guide tubes on said rods, a latching rod pivotally suspended from each of said guide tubes and yieldably urged to latching position, the lower ends of said rods being releasably engageable with said frames bracing means when said guide tubes attain positions of predetermined adjustment on said rods to support one edge of said carriage in elevated position, and means for raising the opposite edge of the carriage to dispose a sheet of wallboard thereon substantially horizontally.

4. Wallboard elevating apparatus comprising a carriage adapted to carry a sheet of wallboard, and a frame supporting the carriage for vertical movement between a lower, loading position and an upper discharging position, said frame including a plurality of longitudinally extensible legs rigidly interconnected in spaced parallel arrangement, means releasably locking each of said legs in selected adjustment of longitudinal extension, rafterengaging means carried by each of said legs, a floorengaging plunger reciprocably mounted on the lower end of each of the legs, and a spring under compression between each leg and the associated plunger and adapted to push the leg upward to press the associated rafterengaging means against a rafter and thereby immobilize both ends of the leg.

5. Wallboard elevating apparatus comprising a carriage adapted to carry a sheet of wallboard, and a frame supporting the carriage for vertical movement between 10 a lower, loading position and an upper discharging position, said frame including a plurality of legs rigidly interconnected in spaced parallel arrangement, rafterengaging means carried by each of said legs, a floorengaging plunger reciprocably mounted on the lower end of each of the legs, and a spring under compression between each leg and the associated plunger and adapted to push the leg upward to press the associated rafterengaging means against a rafter and thereby immobilize both ends of the leg, and means for retracting each of said plungers toward the associated leg against the urgency of said spring to permit engagement and disengagement of said rafter-engaging means.

6. Wallboard elevating apparatus comprising a carriage adapted to carry a sheet of wallboard, and a frame supporting the carriage for vertical movement between a lower, loading position and an upper discharging position, said frame including a plurality of legs rigidly interconnected in spaced parallel arrangement, rafterengaging means carried by each of said legs, a floorengaging plunger reciprocably mounted on the lower end of each of the legs, and a spring under compression between each leg and the associated plunger and adapted to push the leg upward to press the associated rafterengaging means against a rafter and thereby immobilize both ends of the leg, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to each of said legs, a link pivotally connected at its upper end to one end of each of said levers and connected at its lower end to the associated plunger for retracting the plunger toward the leg upon actuation of the lever to effect-disengagement of the associated rafterengaging means.

7. In apparatus for elevating rigid sheet construction material and for positioning the same in readiness for securing to ceiling rafters, a frame adapted for mounting in substantially vertical position extending between floor and rafters, a carriage adapted to carry a sheet of construction material and mounted on said frame for vertical movement between a lower, inclined, sheet material receiving position and an elevated, intermediate position, and for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent an edge of said carriage between an inclined sheet material retaining position and a horizontal, sheetmaterial discharging position and a winch mounted on said frame and operably connected to said carriage for raising the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,123,882 Jensen Jan. 5, 1915 1,820,950 Schulstadt Sept. 1, 1931 2,337,796 Baker et a1. Dec. 28, 1943 2,371,561 Van Patten Mar. 13, 1945 2,419,145 Kersenbrock et al Apr. 15, 1947 2,465,206 Davis Mar. 22, 1949 2,789,869 Hammagren Apr. 23, 1957

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