US 200800O8561A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0008561 A1
Hontz, JR. (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 10, 2008
(54) SELF-ADJUSTING DRYWALL CRANE (52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 414/11
(76) Inventor: Carl Obid Hontz JR., Newark, DE
(US) (57) ABSTRACT
Correspondence Address: A device for positioning drywall at any angle to a 12 ft
CARL OBD HONTZ, JR height. Comprised of a cradle (7) on which drywall is
235 SMALLEYS DAM RD loaded, the cradle (7) floats and rotates, utilizing the self
NEWARK, DE 19702-3007 (US) adjusting head. The cradle is pinned to a boom (5). The
boom (5) is pinned to the boom assembly (4), which is
(21) Appl. No.: 11/143,466 hinged to the tower (1). A scissor-jack (3) is bolted to the
1-1. tower (1). The Scissor-jack (3) is manually cranked, acting
(22) Filed: Aug. 17, 2005 upon the boom assembly (4), raising or lowering it. The
Related U.S. Application Dat cradle (7) will maintain nearly the same angle from loading
e pplication Uata to highest position. Drywall is held secure by lugs. When the
(60) Provisional application No. 60/577,041, filed on Jun. drywall touches the Surface, the rotating head will automati
7, 2004. cally adjust the cradle (7) to the wall or ceiling angle. The
s cradle (7) design allows for safely working beneath the
Publication Classification entire sheet. The stability of the device allows for maximum
maneuverability. Cradle (7), boom (5) and legs (2) can be
51)
(51) Int. C. detached for ease of disassembling9. and transport.
p A single
9.
Et)4G 2L/14 (2006.01) person can install drywall.
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US 2008/0008561 A1
SELF-ADJUSTING DRYWALL CRANE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
0001) This application claims the benefit of PPA Appl.
No. 60/577,041 filed Jun. 07, 2004, by the present inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
0002) Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
0003) Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD
OF INVENTION
0004. This invention relates to drywall lifting devices,
specifically to an improved craning mechanism and self
adjusting platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
0005. In the process of building a new home by myself,
I was in need of a drywall lift that could be used for 11 feet
high walls and ceilings. The standard lifts currently on the
market would only reach 10 feet. The model designed to
reach 14 feet required the drywall to be lifted 7 feet to place
on the platform, which is difficult even for two people. I
needed something that I could maneuver easily myself, that
would reach the desired heights and that was inexpensive to
make. Safety was foremost in my mind, a factor I found
lacking in the current market devices. My 30 years of
experience as a crane operator helped me to realize this goal.
0006 U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,299 issued on Jan. 4, 2000 to
Ronald Jesswein discloses a Lifting and Positioning Device
(Prior Art FIG. 1) that has a large number of parts and
utilizes an indexing arrangement for positioning the drywall
platform. It appears to be heavy and cumbersome, utilizing
a floor jack that alone can weigh approximately 65 pounds.
A common floor jack also routinely displays cautions on
their labels to not get under the object or load being lifted.
0007 U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,810 B1 issued on Jun. 12, 2001
to Guadalupe Reyes discloses a Drywall Handyman (Prior
Art FIG. 3), which utilizes a friction brake. If a panel should
need to be lowered, pressure must me applied to a brake
handle. Since there is no racheting system to gently lower
the panel, the platform and drywall are subject to freefall. I
have spoken to many drywall handlers who do not trust these
devices.
0008 Accordingly, several advantages of my invention
a.
0009 (a) A device that has only 7 parts
0010 (b) A device that is lightweight, tubular steel,
used in building lightweight, strong, load-bearing scaf
folding. The total weight is approximately 74 pounds.
0011 (c) A device that can be completely assembled in
one (1) minute and disassembled in 30 seconds.
0012 (d) A device that uniquely utilizes a scissor-lift
device (FIG. 1), which is manufacture-rated at a maxi
mum lift capacity of 6500 pounds and can also be used
Jan. 10, 2008
as a stabilizing device to hold up to 6500 pounds when
not raising or lowering the drywall.
0013 (e) A device that is easily maneuverable when
empty or when loaded with drywall and with the
platform in any position. It can be easily pushed or
pulled over rough surfaces or wires and cables.
0014 (f) Adevice which allows the drywall to be lifted
only approximately 20 inches to place on the platform.
The platform can be raised to a more comfortable
height for a taller person.
0015 (g) A device which holds the drywall securely in
place, but allows for maximum maneuverability of the
drywall sheet into the desired position within 2 inches.
0016 (h) A device which lifts and holds a sheet of
drywall or lowers the drywall, if necessary, safely and
without fear of freefall. It provides a safe environment,
even when standing under the platform and drywall.
0017 (i) A device that can lift both 8 feet and 12 feet
panels and can install panels on a 12 feet high wall or
ceiling.
0018 () A device that embodies a floating, self-ad
justing head, which allows for installation of a panel on
walls or ceilings at any angle and with no adjustments
necessary to any part of the device.
0019 (k) A device that can be loaded, operated and
allows for installation of a drywall panel by a single
person.
SUMMARY
0020. This is a drywall lifting crane that enables a single
person to apply drywall to higher ceilings and walls, as
found in most currently built homes. It is easily maneuver
able and safe to operate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0021 FIG. 1 shows the drywall crane platform in the
maximum lowered position.
0022 FIG. 2 shows the drywall crane platform in the
fully raised position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS 1 AND
2. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
0023 The device consists of a tubular steel tower 1.
which is welded to a tubular base that has 2 sets of wheels
attached. Two tubular legs 2. are inserted into the tubular
base. The legs have a third set of wheels attached to the front
to stabilize the device and to make it highly maneuverable.
0024. The lifting device 3. is a scissor-lift, capable of
hoisting 6500 pounds. It is bolted to the tower 1. frame. The
tubular steel boom assembly 4. is attached to the top of the
lifting device 3. with a pin. The top of the boom assembly
4. is attached to the top of the tower 1... with a 5 inch hinge.
0.025 The tubular steel boom 5. with the attached drywall
cradle 7. is inserted into the boom assembly 4. The drywall
cradle 7. is a balanced, pivoting platform, which has been
pinned to the base of the boom 5. A tension spring 6. is
hooked to the drywall cradle 7. and to the boom 5. to hold
the drywall cradle 7. at an approximate 40 degree angle.
US 2008/0008561 A1
OPERATION FIGS. 1, 2
0026. You need to lift a sheet of drywall approximately
20 inches to place on the cradle 7. lugs, which keep the sheet
securely against the drywall cradle 7.
0027. The lifting device 3. is activated by a hand-crank to
the desired height. The lifting device 3. will act upon the
boom assembly 4. to raise or lower the drywall cradle 7.
0028. When the drywall cradle 7. touches the wall or
ceiling to which the drywall is to be secured, the drywall
cradle 7. will automatically pivot and level itself off to the
pitch of the wall or ceiling.
0029. The entire device can then be rolled to facilitate
closer placement, within 2 inches of the nailing position.
You can also safely work beneath the entire 8 or 10 foot
drywall sheet, since there is no center post to impede
maneuverability as in other drywall lifts.
0030) The boom 5. can be lowered safely by reverse
cranking the lifting device. 3.
0031. The device can be disassembled in seconds and
broken down into 4 parts: The base containing the tower 1.
and Scissor-lift, the two (2) stabilizing legs 2, and the boom
5. containing the drywall cradle. 7. The largest part of the
disassembled device will fit through a 20 inch doorway.
Jan. 10, 2008
ADVANTAGES
0032. From the description above, it is evident that the
process of hanging a sheet of drywall can be done by a single
person, with ease of assembly and ease of maneuvering.
Above all, this device embodies a high level of stability
which enables this process to be done safely.
I claim:
1. A self-adjusting drywall lifting device comprising:
a) a detachable, rotating, self-adjusting cradle on which to
place a sheet of drywall,
b) a detachable boom for Supporting and positioning said
drywall cradle,
c) a Scissor-jack lifting device for raising or lowering said
boom,
d) a tower, which houses said Scissor-jack, and
e) a detachable legs assembly having rotatable wheels
thereunder, for enabling the drywall lifting device to be
rolled to the desired location,
whereby a sheet of drywall can be attached to a wall or
ceiling at any angle to a height of twelve (12) feet by
means of said self-adjusting cradle and whereby the
process can be safely done by a single person.
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