US3822023A

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Info

Publication number: US3822023A
Application number: US00380380A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Cordel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-07-18
Filing date: 1973-07-18
Publication date: 1974-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-02

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a pivoting and lifting structure for raising building sheet material to a predetermined height, such as, for example, raising dry wall sheets to be fastened to a ceiling. The pivoting and lifting structure includes a platform for receiving a sheet of building material to be raised, this platform including at least one turned edge portion for providing holding means during an initial condition of placing the building sheet material on the platform. As the platform is raised by a simultaneous arcuate and lifting motion the building sheet material is lifted to a desired height. The pivoting and lifting structure also includes a support base upon which the link members of the pivoting and lifting mechanisms are secured. This support base is arranged for easy movement across a floor surface by the provision of wheels placed at four displaced corner positions. The pivoting and lifting mechanism has first and second groups of pivotal arms, each group including at least first, second and third independent pivotal arm members pivotally connected and slidably fastened to one another to effect simultaneous arcuate and raising motion of the support platform means which raises the building sheet material. A cross bar is secured to the first and second groups of pivotal arms and has a central aperture threadedly secured to a threaded shaft, which, in turn, has a journaled end portion fastened to a standard. This standard extends upwardly from a support base. The threaded shaft preferably may be manually operated by a hand crank formed at one end thereof. The support base includes two movable sections, preferably telescopically secured to one another. As the first and second groups of pivotal arms are manipulated by rotation of the threaded shaft the two sections of the support base move relative to one another as a result of drawing in or pushing out of these sections depending on the direction of movement of the pivotal arms.

Description

United States Patent Cordel 1 [11.1 3,822,023 .1451 July 2,1974

[76] Inventor: Ted Cordel, 1101 Williams St.,

Flatwoods, Ky. 41 139 22 Filed: July18, 1973 21 App]. No.: 380,380

Primary Examiner-Frank L. Werner [57] ABSTRACT The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a pivoting and lifting structure for raising building sheet material to a predetermined height,

such as, for example, raising dry wall sheets to be fasv tened to a ceiling. The pivoting and lifting structure includes a platform for receiving a sheet of building material to be raised, this platform including at least one turned edge portion for providing holding means during an initial condition of placing the building sheet material on the platform. As the platform is raised by a simultaneous arcuate and lifting motion the building sheet material is lifted to a desired height. The pivoting and lifting structure also includes a support base upon which the link members of the pivoting and lifting mechanisms are secured. This support base is arranged for easy movement across a floor surface by the provision of wheels placed at four displaced comer positions. The pivoting and lifting mechanism has first and second groups of pivotal arms, each group including at least first, second and third independent pivotal arm members pivotally connected and slidably fastened to one another to effect simultaneous arcuate and raising motion of the support platform means which raises the building sheet material. A cross bar is secured to the first and second groups of pivotal arms and has a central aperture threadedly secured to a threaded shaft, which, in turn, has a journaled end portion fastened to a standard. This standard extends upwardly from a support base. The threaded shaft preferably may be manually operated by a hand crank formed at one end thereof. The support base includes two movable sections, preferably telescopically secured to one another. As the first and second groups of pivotal arms are manipulated by rotation of the threaded shaft the two sections of the support base move relative to one another as a result of drawing in or pushing out of these sections depending on the direction of movement of the pivotal arms.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 PIVOTING AND LIITING STRUCTURE FOR SHEETING BUILDING MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to improvements in structures and apparatus used primarily in the field of handling building materials, and more particularly to a pivoting and'lifting structure, and its particular combination of elements, that provide a unique cooperation of such elements for pivotally and linearly effecting movement of a platform, which, in turn, raises building sheet material to a desired height. While the particular structure disclosed herein is directed primarily to equipment used in the building industry, it will be understood that this invention is capable of being used in other allied fields such as warehousing for raising material to be stored in bins and elevated positions, truck and aircraft loading, and the like. i

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, many different types of structures have been provided for the building industry to reduce the amount of physical exertion required for raising heavy loads such as wall board or the like to elevations of ceilings for securing such building materials in place. For example, complicated building board positioners have been provided which include mechanisms such as tiltable support members secured to linearly actuated ratchet and gear, or what is sometimes referred to as rack and gear mechanisms, for raising the platform after it has been placed in a horizontal position. While this type of structure is effective for the purposes intended, it is relatively expensive to manufacture and complicated to operate. For example a piece of sheet building material is placed on a pivotal support and then manually rotated to be in a horizontal position. The support is then locked in place so that it remains in a substantially horizontal position. The linear gear track and ratchet mechanism are manually operated to effect upward movement of the support plate. This type of structure is not only expensive and complicated, but it is relatively heavy in weight and it therefore is difficult to transport from one job site to another.

Another type of prior art structure which can be used for raising sheet building material is one wherein a pipe frame member is arranged to receive the sheet material and is pivotally secured to a relatively large pair of spaced apart standards. The pipe structure is pivotally rotated by means of cables wrapped about pulleys and block and tackle means to effect a mechanical advantage to reduce the amount of physical effort required. However this type of structure is extremely complicated in design and required an exceptional amountof time to manufacture, thereby increasing its ultimate sale cost.

While other types of similar devices have been utilized in a makeshift manner to effect substantially the same end result, i.e., that of lifting building sheet material to a desired height, these devices are also deficient in that they are relatively expensive, complicated and of heavy construction to be practical for the particular use intended.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON i Accordingly, this invention is designed to overcome the above noted limitations which are associated with prior art devices used for raising building sheet material, and will accomplish this result without detracting from the inherent basic requirements of such devices as safety, portability, and economy of purchase and operation.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein platform means for receiving a building sheet material to be raised is positioned initially at a relatively steep vertical incline. The platform is provided with a lower holding edge along at least one side thereof to support the sheet of building material until it is raised to a substantially horizontal position for securing to a ceiling.

Another feature of this invention is the utilization of a pair of uniquely oriented group of pivotal arms having pivot and slide connections between the arms to effect simultaneous arcuate and vertical movement of a support plate upon which a building sheet material is placed.

Another feature of thisinvention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein the first group of pivotal arms has all of the components and elements thereof substantially in the same configuration and position as the second group of pivotal arms to work in simultaneous conjunction therewith.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein each of the first pivotal arms of the first group of pivotal arms is a straight member, and the second pivotal arm of the first and second groups of pivotal arms is an L-shaped member, and the third pivotal arm of the first and second groups of pivotal arms is a straight member, and extending from the end of the first pivotal arm of its respective group. The first and third pivotal arms being arranged in such a manner so as to be pivotally secured at their ends, and the second pivotal arm having one end thereof slidably secured to the third pivotal arm and an intermediate portion thereof slidably secured to the first pivotal arm.

Another features of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein the support base has an opening formed therein, this providing means for the first and second groups of pivotal arms to extend therethrough and engage the floor surface upon which the structure stands.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structurwherein roller means are provided at the lower free ends of the second pivotal arms of the first and second groups of pivotal arms to allow movement of the first and second groups of arms over the floor surface upon which the pivoting and lifting structure is positioned.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein the support base is formed of two sections slidably secured to one another for relative: movement during turning of a threaded shaft which engages the group of pivoting arms in a manner to effect simultaneous arcuate and vertical movement of the platform upon which the building sheet material rests.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein an upstanding member extends upwardly fromone of the two sections of the support base and the threaded shaft is secured to the standard and extends outwardly therefrom for manual manipulation to effect a scissorjack action of the two groups of pivotal arms for raising the platform.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein the threaded shaft further includes a radially outwardly bent end and axially turned rearward portion to form a hand crank extending from a journaled portion of the shaft passing through the standard associated with the support base.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel pivoting and lifting structure wherein a plurality of wheels are associated with the support base for easy movement of the structure from place to place, at least two of these wheels being equipped with means for locking their position relative to the stand so they will not rotate, thereby maintaining the pivoting and lifting structure in a given position over the floor surface while manipulating the same.

Another feature of this invention is the unique cooperation of elements so as to operate substantially in a manner similar to that ofa scissor jack, with the exception being that link members are fastened to a bottom support plate to effect relative movement of portions of the support plate during operation.

Still another feature of this invention is the utilization of a threaded shaft extending from a journaled position of a standard and threadedly engaging a cross bar associated with the pair of pivotal arm sections whereby manual manipulation, as for example by hand crank, can effect simultaneous arcuate and vertical movement of the platform on which the building sheet material is secured.

Briefly, the pivoting and lifting structure of this invention takes advantage of a well established and proven lifting technique and applies it to a new and very practical situation. Original considerations of the development of this invention called for a lifting unit that can be used to hold and position large sections of flat or sheet materials to a predetermined height above the floor surface upon which the structure stands. The basic mechanical principles involved are those used in a scissor jack mechanism. Hinged leg sections provide support for the lifting platform, and the lifting force is obtained by means of a threaded shaft or screw member which preferably is manually operated by means of a crank section formed at one end thereof. However other means may be used to rotate the threaded shaft.

One of the unique and novel features of the present invention resides primarily in the fact that the lifting platform upon which the building sheet material rests does not maintain a constant horizontal position throughout the lifting process. In fact, quite a contrary situation exists and the horizontal positon occurs only when the sheet material is raised to its predetermined maximum height. When the mechanism is in its lower position, the platform upon which the building sheet material is placed is positioned slightly offset from the vertical, in a somewhat rather steep inclined vertical position. As the lifting mechanism is energized as a result of rotating the threaded shaft, the platform slowly changes its positions from an inclined vertical to a horizontal plane, at which time the lifting mechanism is in its full extended position.

Many other features and advantages of this invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals through the various views of the drawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pivoting and lifting structure constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the pivoting and lifting structure in its fully vertically extended condition with the platform member thereof in a horizontal plane to simulate the position of a sheet of building material prior to securing the same to a ceiling or the like; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pivoting and lifting structure of this invention showing the platform in its substantially vertical inclined condition with the pivotal arms of the lifting mechanism oriented in a manner to effect the position as shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a pivoting and lifting structure for raising building sheet material to a predetermined height over a floor surface is here illustrated and designated generally byreference numeral 10. Thestructure 10 of this invention includes platform means 12 for receiving a sheet of building material which is to be raised above the floor surface a predetermined height. The platform means 12 is initially positioned at a relatively steep vertical incline, as shown in FIG. 3, so that a sheet of building material can be placed thereon and held in position byholding means 14. In the illustrated embodiment theplatform 12 is a single unitary structure of such material as sheet plywood, metal, plastic or the like, and includes a pair of diametrically opposed edges which form theholding means 14 when one of the edges is in its lowermost position, as seen in FIG. 3.

The entire pivoting andlifting structure 10 is secured or fabricated upon asupport base 16 which is effectively moved across the floor surface upon which the entire structure rests by suitable transport means, to be described in full detail hereinbelow.

A first group ofpivotal arms 18 is positioned near or close to one side of the support base and a econd group ofpivotal arms 20 is positioned near the other side of the support base. The first and second groups of pivotal arms are arranged substantially parallel to one another and the respective link components thereof are fashioned and arranged in parallel to move in simultaneous relation to one another.

For example, the first group ofpivotal arms 18 includes a firstpivotal arm 22 which has one free end thereof secured to thesupport base 16 by means of apivot connection 23. A secondpivotal arm 24, here illustrated as an L-shaped member, has anintermediate slide connection 26 movably fastened to thearm 22. One free end of the L-shapedarm 24 has a roller orother wheel device 27 secured to the lowermost portion thereof and rolls upon the floor surface through a relativelylarge opening 28 formed in the support base. A thirdpivotal arm 29 has the lower most end portion thereof pivotally secured to the other free end of thepivotal arm 22 and an intermediate portion arranged to 22 secured at 23. Also associated with the second group ofpivotal arms 22 is a second L-shapedpivotal arm 32 which, in turn, has the upper L bracket portion thereof secured to aslide member 33 which slidably engages the upstanding thirdvertical arm 34. In a like manner, an intermediate portion of the firstvertical arm 31 has aslide member 36 to engage the L-shapedpivotal arm 32 substantially centrally thereof. Aroller 35 is provided at the lower end of thearm member 32 similar to that of theroller 27 at the lower end ofarm member 24.

The particular arrangement and cooperation of the first and second group of pivotal arms, 18 and 20, respectively, cooperate in such a manner so as to have the first, second and third pivotal arms associated therewith moved substantially parallel and simultaneously. To accomplish this across bar section 40 is secured to and extends between the first and second groups of pivotal arms to effect this simultaneous pivotal operation of the two groups of pivotal arms. Thecross bar 40 has a threaded aperture, not seen, formed therein and preferably located substantially centrally of the cross bar. An elongated threaded shaft or screw 41 is threadedly secured to the threaded aperture and effects relative movement of .the two groups of arms as the shaft rotates.

In the illustrated embodiment, the threadedshaft 41 has a journaledportion 42 secured to a standard 43 formed on one portion of thesupport base 16. The journaledportion 42 may be formed by any suitable bearing means known in the art, as for example, a brass oil free bearing or a ball bearing structure, as desired. Preferably, extending outwardly of the threadedshaft 41 is a radially outwardly directedshaft portion 44 which is bent and leads into an axially directedhand gripping portion 46 which forms the basic components of a hand crank 47. Thehand crank 47 provides means for effecting manual manipulation of the structure illustrated herein. Rotation of the threaded shaft will cause the respective first, second, and third arms of the first and second groups of pivotal arms to move relative to one another and effect simultaneous arcuate and vertical lifting movement of theplatform 12 so as to lift sheet building material to a predetermined height above the surface of the floor on which the structure rests.

Thebase structure 16 is here illustrated as comprising two

sections

48 and 49 which are arranged for movement relative to one another. This relative move ment is accomplished by providing telescoping connection between a

channel members

50 and 51 which receive correspondingly shapedextension bar sections 52 and 53, respectively. These channels and bar sections provide telescoping cooperation with one another to effect this relative movement as the threadedshaft 41 is rotated.

in the illustrated embodiment, apluralityof support wheels 56 are located at the various speaced apart corner portions of the structure and arranged so as to have their axis of rotation at right angles to the direction of relative movement between the. first and

second sections

48 and 49. Thewheels 56 associated with thesection 49 include locking means which, in turn, are associated with hand actuating levers 60 and 61 to effect manual locking of the wheels. The locking means associated with these wheels are associated with the portion of the support base which has the standard 43 associated therewith. The other section, i.e., thesection 48, is free to move across the floor surface as the threaded shaft is rotated.

To understand the relative visual operation of the structure illustrated herein, refer particularly to FIG. 3 which shows an initial condition of the structure to receivea piece of building sheet material. The sheet ma terial is placed on theplatform 12 and is supported by theedge 14. Thehand crank 47 is rotated to provide an arcuate and vertical movement of the platform as illustrated by the curved and straight arrowed lines and 71, respectively, so tha upon complete manipulation of the structure the pivotal arms are in a position as shown in FIG. 2.

While a single specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated herein, it will be understood that a multitude of different variationsa'nd modifications maybe effecting without departing from the spirit and scope of' this invention, as for example, changes to the relative position of the components, size, and material may be effected without departing from the scope of the depending claims. Furthermore, it will be understood that variations as to the building material forming the structure of this invention may be effected, and such structure can be formed of wood, metal, or plastic elements as desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: i

1. A pivoting and lifting structure for raising building sheet material toa predetermined] height, comprising:

platform means for receiving the building sheet material to be raised, said platform means being initially at a steep vertical incline,

holding means formed along the lowermost edge of said platform means initially to support said building sheet material to be raised,

a support base upon which said pivoting and lifting structure is supported over a floor surface,

a first group of pivotal arms pivotally secured together with one another, said first group including a first pivotal arm being pivotally secured to said support base, and a second pivotal arm of said first group extending downwardly below said support base and engaging the floor surface, and a third pivotal arm of said first group pivotally secured to said first pivotal arm and slidably fastened to said second pivotal arm,

a second group of pivotal arms pivotally secured together with one another, said second group of pivotal arms including a first pivotal arm being pivotally secured to said support base, a second pivotal arm of said second group extending downwardly below said support base and engaging the floor surface, and a third pivotal arm of said second group of arms being pivotally secured to said first pivotal arm and slidably secured to said! second pivotal arm of said second group,

said first and second groups of pivotal arms being arranged to have their respective first, second and third pivotal arm members parallel to one another,

a cross bar secured to and extending between said first and second groups of pivotal arms to effect simultaneous pivotal and sliding movement of said first and second groups of pivotal arms,

a standard extending upwardly from said support base, and

a threaded shaft having a journaled portion rotatively secured to said standard and a threaded shaft portion extending from said standard and threadedly engaging a threaded aperture formed in said cross bar,

whereby, rotation of said threaded shaft will cause the respective first, second and third arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms to move relative to one another and effect simultaneous arcuate lifting movement of said platform means until said platform means is in a horizontal position.

2. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first group of pivotal arms has all of the components and elements thereof substantially of the same configuration and position as said second group of pivotal arms to work in simultaneous conjunction therewith.

3. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first pivotal arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms is a straight member, said second pivotal arms of said first and econd groups of said. pivotal arms is an L-shaped member, and said third pivotal arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms is a straight member and extending from the end of said first pivotal arm s its respective group, said first and third pivotal arms being pivotally secured at their ends and said second pivotal arm having one end thereof slidably secured to said third pivotal arm and an intermediate portion thereof slidably secured to said first pivotal arm.

4. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said support base has an opening formed therein, said first and second groups of pivotal arms being located substantially in registry with said opening when said pivotal arms are arranged to have said holding means raised fully upwardly in its horizontal position.

5. In a pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 4 further including a roller means secured to the lower free ends of said second pivotal arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms to allow movement of said first and second groups of pivotal arms over the floor surface upon which the pivoting and lifting structure is positioned.

6. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said support base is formed of two sections slidably secured to one another for relative movement during turning of the threaded shaft so as to allow the first and second groups of pivotal arms to be pulled transversely toward said standard as said platform means is moved from its substantially vertical inclined position to its horizontal position.

7. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said standard is secured to one section of said two sections and said first pivotal arm of said first and second groups of pivotal arms is secured to the outer section of said two sections of said support base thereby providing means for urging said two sections apart and together as a esult of rotation of said threaded shaft.

8. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said threaded shaft further includes a radially outwardly bent and an axially turned rearward portion to form a hand crank extending from said journaled portion to allow manual manipulation of said threaded shaft for raising said platform means.

9. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 8 further including a plurality of wheels secured to said two sections of said support base said wheels having their axes of rotation at right angles to the direction of relative movement between said two sections to allow rotation of the wheels as the sections are moved toward and away from one another as a result of rotation of said threaded shaft.

10. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 9 further including locking means associated with at least one pair of said wheels to prevent their relative rotation as the other pair of wheels rolls along the floor surface during operation of said threaded shaft to effect a lifting condition of said platform means.

Claims

1. A pivoting and lifting structure for raising building sheet material to a predetermined height, comprising: platform means for receiving the building sheet material to be raised, said platform means being initially at a steep vertical incline, holding means formed along the lowermost edge of said platform means initially to support said building sheet material to be raised, a support base upon which said pivoting and lifting structure is supported over a floor surface, a first group of pivotal arms pivotally secured together with one another, said first group including a first pivotal arm being pivotally secured to said support base, and a second pivotal arm of said first group extending downwardly below said support base and engaging the floor surface, and a third pivotal arm of said first group pivotally secured to said first pivotal arm and slidably fastened to said second pivotal arm, a second group of pivotal arms pivotally secured together with one another, said second group of pivotal arms including a first pivotal arm being pivotally secured to said support base, a second pivotal arm of said second group extending downwardly below said support base and engaging the floor surface, and a third pivotal arm of said second group of arms being pivotally secured to said first pivotal arm and slidably secured to said second pivotal arm of said second group, said first and second groups of pivotal arms being arranged to have their respective first, second and third pivotal arm members parallel to one another, a cross bar secured to and extending between said first and second groups of pivotal arms to effect simultaneous pivotal and sliding movement of said first and second groups of pivotal arms, a standard extending upwardly from said support base, and a threaded shaft having a journaled portion rotatively secured to said standard and a threaded shaft portion extending from said standard and threadedly engaging a threaded aperture formed in said cross bar, whereby, rotation of said threaded shaft will cause the respective first, second and third arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms to move relative to one another and effect simultaneous arcuate lifting movement of said platform means until said platform means is in a horizontal position.

3. In the pivoting and lifting structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first pivotal arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms is a straight member, said second pivotal arms of said first and econd groups of said pivotal arms is an L-shaped member, and said third pivotal arms of said first and second groups of pivotal arms is a straight member and extending frOm the end of said first pivotal arm os its respective group, said first and third pivotal arms being pivotally secured at their ends and said second pivotal arm having one end thereof slidably secured to said third pivotal arm and an intermediate portion thereof slidably secured to said first pivotal arm.