Apparatuses and methods for positioning drywall building panels and other building materials

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for positioning drywall, other building panels and other building materials are described. The tool includes a mounting assembly configured to be detachably fastened to a work surface of a supporting framework upon which the building panel is being secured. The tools have engagement heads which engage the lower edge of the building panel and position it for securement to the framework. An adjustment assembly operator extends or retracts the engagement heads. The adjustment assembly operator having an adjustment control which is in some versions is turned by a wrench stored upon the tool during times of non-use. The tools are generally used in pairs when holding and positioning a panel thereon to allow single man installation. The tools are detached from the framework after the panel has been securely mounted on the framework.

1 . An apparatus for positioning a building material, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting assembly configured to be detachably fastened to a structure forming a work surface upon which the building material is being secured;    an adjustment assembly extending through the mounting assembly, the adjustment assembly having an adjustment control which when operated extends or contracts an engagement head end of the adjustment assembly;    an engagement head mounted upon said engagement head end of the adjustment assembly which extends and contracts relative to the mounting assembly, said engagement head being configured to angularly adjust when engaging the engagement head against an edge of a building material;    whereby adjusting the adjustment control provides positioning of the building material relative to the work surface to thereby allow the building material to be positioned and secured upon the structure forming said work surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adjustment control turns in a first direction to extend and in a second direction to retract the engagement head.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein turning the adjustment control causes a post slidably mounted within the mounting assembly to extend or retract therefrom.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the engagement head comprises: 
 an outer face configured to push the building material away from the mounting assembly, and an inner face configured to pull the building material towards the mounting assembly.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising an O-ring on the adjustment control periphery which helps retain a wrench which engages the adjustment control for operation of the engagement head.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mounting assembly has a contact configured to be placed in apposition to the work surface, said contact having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for detachably fastening the mounting member to the work surface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising a clip attached to the mounting assembly and configured to allow the apparatus to be clipped to a user.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mounting assembly comprises: 
 a contact configured to be placed in apposition to the work surface, said contact having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for detachably fastening the mounting assembly to the work surface;    a receiver channel that receives the adjustment assembly therein;    a cover member coupled to the mounting member to cover the receiver channel and position the adjustment assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  and further comprising: 
 a wrench which engages the adjustment assembly;    a wrench holder for holding the wrench upon said apparatus;    wherein the wrench is configured to be stored on the apparatus while the wrench is not in use.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 a wrench which engages the adjustment assembly;    a wrench holder for holding the wrench upon said apparatus;    wherein the wrench is configured to be stored on the apparatus while the wrench is not in use.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the wrench includes a ratcheting mechanism configured to facilitate turning the adjustment control.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for holding and positioning drywall, comprising: 
 a mounting assembly configured to be releasably fastened to a framework upon which the drywall is being hung;    said mounting assembly defines at least in part a mortise having first and second ends which are open;    an adjustment assembly mounted in said mortise to allow extension and retraction of an engagement end of the adjustment assembly using an adjustment operator;    an engagement head pivotally connected to the engagement end of the adjustment assembly for engaging an edge of drywall;    an adjustment operator head which extends in opposition from said engagement head;    a wrench for engaging said adjustment operator head;    a wrench holder formed on said apparatus for engaging and storing the wrench while not in use.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the mounting assembly includes mounting contacts having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving fasteners therethrough.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  and further comprising a clip attached to the mounting assembly which may be clipped to a user.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  and further comprising a clip attached to the mounting assembly which may be clipped to a user, and which also serves to form part of said wrench holder.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  and further comprising an O-ring on the adjustment operator head which helps prevent the wrench from slipping therefrom.  
   
   
       17 . A method for mounting a building panel on a supporting framework, comprising: 
 fastening a plurality of mounting tools to a work surface of said supporting framework, said mounting tools having connected engagement heads with operators that cause the engagement heads to extend and retract;    placing the building panel on said plurality of mounting tools upon said engagement heads;    adjusting the engagement heads to controllably position the building panel relative to said framework;    securing the building panel to the supporting framework;    detaching the mounting tools from the work surface of said supporting framework.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  and wherein said securing includes fastening the building panel to the supporting framework.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of adjusting the engagement heads is performed by torquing an engagement head adjustment assembly using a wrench which is mountable on the mounting tools.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of fastening a plurality of mounting tools includes screwing the mounting tools to the framework.